Leigh Parker Drace
Saucier,MS
Summary
Professionally qualified nurse practitioner with nearly 24 years as a nurse practitioner experience as well as 10 years experience as a registered nurse. Areas of experience as a nurse practitioner include wound care, in home assessments, emergency medicine NP via telemedicine/telemergency program at University Mississippi Medical Center, hospitalist as well as nursing home care and rounds, hospice recertification's, urgent care setting & walk in clinic care, family and internal medicine practice, dermatology, occupational medicine and health with most recent care & treatment in weight loss management as well as hormone pellets & Botox and fillers and certification in wound care (WCC). Areas of practice as a registered nurse include emergency department, community health nursing, as well as surgical services which include circulating, assisting and scrubbing in the main OR as well on the heart team.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nurse Practitioner
Gulf Coast Wound Care
Bay St. Louis, MS
06.2025 - Current
- Assess diagnose and treatment of patients with wounds including but not limited to pressure ulcers, injuries, VLU, arterial ulcer, non-Healing wounds
- Performed weekly rounds to assess and treat wounds
- Performed procedures that include but not limited to sharp debridement, I&D
- Collaborate and refer to appropriate providers pending nature of wounds and ulcers.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to develop individualized wound care plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes.
- Educated patients and families on wound management techniques and post-treatment care strategies.
Nurse Practitioner
Optum Healthcare
Gulfport, MS
07.2021 - Current
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments
- Referred to multidisciplinary teams to optimize treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes.
- Educated patients and families medications, preventive medicine, acute and chronic conditions
- Performed comprehensive physical examinations and documented patient histories to gather information and identify health issues.
- Educated patients on disease prevention and management strategies, promoting healthier lifestyles.
- Informed patients and families on disease prevention and health promotion.
Nurse Practitioner -PRN status
Healthfit, M.D.
Gulfport, MS
10.2016 - Current
- Evaluate and treat obesity, thyroid and hormone imbalances
- Educate on weight loss and nutrition
- Hormone pellets
- Botox, fillers, skin care
- Conduct comprehensive patient assessments to develop tailored care plans.
- Prescribed and managed pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments to treat underlying causes and relieve symptoms.
Nurse Practitioner –ER, Telemergency
Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home
Poplarville, MS
09.2010 - Current
- Assess diagnose and treatment of patients in the emergency room setting with use of telemedicine/telemergency consultation as needed
- Rounding and treating nursing home residents acutely and chronically
- Swing bed – rounding and treating patients acutely as well as their chronic issues. Performing H&P as well as discharge summaries
- Duties include but not limited to acute minor care conditions that include, but not limited to UTI, URI, otitis media, to major conditions that include but not limited to HTN, resp distress, CHF, MI as well as suturing, I&Ds, punch biopsies
- Other procedures and duties by included cardioversion, intubations, assessing and treating patients and stabilizing patient for transport
- Provided medical services and care to patients with chronic and acute conditions.
- Collaborate consult and refer as needed
- Assess and treat acute care issues that arise in the nursing home and hospital. Round on patients in hospital and swing bed facility
- Maintain schedule and coordinate with NPs & administration
Nurse Practitioner - PRN status
Hattiesburg Clinic
Carriere, MS
01.2017 - 01.2019
- PRN position
- Evaluate, assess, diagnose and treat patients in the walk in setting
- Treat patients for acute issues including, but not limited to UTI, URI, as well as repairing lacerations, I&D, and potential urgent conditions.
Nurse Practitioner
Halcyon Hospice & Palliative Care
Hattiesburg, MS
10.2014 - 12.2016
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments to determine need for continued hospice care
- Educated patients and families on hospice and palliative care
Education
DNP Courses - Nursing
Loyola University
New Orleans, LA05.2011
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Southern MS
Hattiesburg, MS05.2002
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS05.1992
Associate of Science - General Studies
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Gulfport05.1990
Skills
- Telemedicine, telemergency
- Weight loss management
- Hormone pellets
- Aesthetics, cosmetic Botox, dysport, fillers
- Hospice recertification assessments
- Nursing home
- Role of hospitalist
- Internal and family practice
- Urgent care and emergency services
- Occupational medicine, preventive care
- Dermatology
- Wound care
- Patient education
- Health promotion
- Surgical assisting
Affiliations
MNA, Sigma Theta Tau, AANP
Certification
- AANP, ANCC, ATLS, BLS, PALS, ACLS, TNCC course
- Botox & Fillers Certification, Biote Hormone Pellet training, WCC
Summary of qualifications
- Nurse practitioner 23 years to include as follows
- Telemedicine/Telemergency – Emergency medicine
- Weight loss management
- Hormone pellets
- Aesthetics cosmetic Botox & Dysport and fillers
- Hospice recertifications
- Nursing home
- Hospitalist – swing bed, acute care
- Rural health
- Internal medicine & family practice
- Botox – medical as well as cosmetic
- Urgent care and emergency medicine
- Occupational medicine
- Dermatology
- Home health assessments
- WCC certification
- Registered nurse 10 years experience to include as follows
- Surgery – circulating, scrubbing and assisting
- Emergency medicine
- Dermatology with procedures
- Community Health
- Medical surgical – ortho/neuro
Additional professional activities
Graduate Assistant - 2001-2002 University of Southern MS
Timeline
Nurse Practitioner
Gulf Coast Wound Care
06.2025 - Current
Nurse Practitioner
Optum Healthcare
07.2021 - Current
Nurse Practitioner - PRN status
Hattiesburg Clinic
01.2017 - 01.2019
Nurse Practitioner -PRN status
Healthfit, M.D.
10.2016 - Current
Nurse Practitioner
Halcyon Hospice & Palliative Care
10.2014 - 12.2016
Nurse Practitioner –ER, Telemergency
Pearl River County Hospital & Nursing Home
09.2010 - Current
Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
University of Southern MS
DNP Courses - Nursing
Loyola University
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Southern Mississippi
Associate of Science - General Studies
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College