Teri Ratz APRN-CNP
Coweta,OK
Summary
Certified nurse practitioner with extensive expertise in chronic wound and disease management. Proficient in educating patients and families on effective health management strategies. Demonstrates strong problem-solving, communication, and management skills. Proven ability to prioritize tasks and organize projects to enhance patient care quality.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Advanced Wound Therapy
03.2024 - 04.2026
- Provide independent comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic wounds, including pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, venous/arterial ulcers, and surgical wounds.
- Perform advanced wound care procedures such as debridement (sharp, enzymatic, autolytic), application of skin substitutes, and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
- Developed and implemented individualized treatment plans based on evidence-based practice and patient-specific factors to improve outcomes.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and physical therapists to optimize patient outcomes.
- Identified early signs of infection or deterioration, leading to reduced hospitalizations and enhanced patient quality of life.
- Educated patients, families, and staff on wound prevention, skin integrity, and proper treatment techniques to promote self-management and adherence.
- Reduce wound-related complications and hospital readmissions through proactive management and early intervention.
- Deliver on-site wound care services across multiple settings including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and private residences.
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Ascension Medical Group - Outpatient Palliative Clinic
10.2020 - 03.2024
- Directed the development of the outpatient palliative program as the lead clinician in October 2020.
- Primary provider for outpatient palliative clinic.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of seriously ill patients' physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs, incorporating their values and preferences.
- Developed and implemented individualized care plans addressing symptom management, pain control, and emotional support to improve quality of life.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, including palliative physician, to coordinate and provide holistic care to patient and family.
- Educated patients and families on treatment options, disease progression, and end-of-life planning to enhance understanding and decision-making.
- Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of treatment plans, making adjustments to optimize patient outcomes.
- Facilitate discussions and provide guidance on advance care planning, goals of care, and ethical considerations.
- Provide education and guidance on primary palliative care to physicians, advanced practice providers, and nursing staff in primary care and specialty care clinics in the Ascension St. John Health System.
- Contributed insights as active member of ACO Population Health committee.
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care
Tulsa, Oklahoma
05.2020 - 10.2023
- Conducted home visits to assess and manage uncontrolled symptoms, ensuring timely interventions and improved patient outcomes.
- Provide face-to-face assessments for consideration of hospice eligibility and/or recertification.
- Facilitated goals of care and advance care planning discussions with patients and families, promoting informed decision-making and aligning care with patient values.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to coordinate holistic care for patients with chronic and terminal illnesses, enhancing patient comfort and quality of life.
Supportive/Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
07.2018 - 09.2020
- Maintained continuity of care as primary provider in supportive and palliative clinic, fostering strong patient-provider relationships.
- Educated and guided oncology staff and providers on palliative services, primary palliative care, and end-of-life care, improving team competency and patient outcomes.
- Developed supportive/palliative program for large oncology practice, enhancing patient care and service delivery.
- Participated actively in the Cancer Committee.
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Ascension St. John
08.2015 - 07.2018
- Provided inpatient consultative palliative services for hospitalized patients with serious disease to help manage uncontrolled symptoms and facilitate goals of care discussions.
- Provided outpatient palliative/supportive consultative services for oncology, heart failure, and pulmonary clinics.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to provide palliative services for hospitalized patients.
- Educated and guided hospital staff and providers on palliative and end-of-life care to enhance patient support.
- Completed End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) training to strengthen nursing staff's competency in palliative care.
- Collaborated on inpatient peer support program to improve emotional support for staff and patients.
- Contributed as a member to the Cancer Committee.
Contract Nurse Practitioner
ESMI Health Services
04.2015 - 09.2015
- Conducted house calls for Medicare Advantage patients to assess health and provide preventive care.
- Conducted comprehensive patient assessments and developed individualized care plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated patient care.
- Administered medications and monitored patient responses effectively.
Nurse Practitioner
LIFE Senior Services
04.2015 - 08.2015
- Provided holistic support for elderly individuals through LIFE PACE service, addressing diverse needs effectively.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive care for elderly patients with chronic serious illness, enhancing patient outcomes.
- Conduct comprehensive health assessments for elderly patients in community settings.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop personalized care plans.
- Educate patients and families on chronic disease management and prevention strategies.
Hospice Registered Nurse
St. John Health System
10.2006 - 04.2015
- Led team of eight to twelve hospice care staff members, facilitating effective communication and collaboration to deliver comprehensive patient care.
- Coordinated direct patient home hospice care services, ensuring compassionate support and quality of life for patients and families.
- Provided on-call hospice nursing services during nights and weekends, balancing patient needs with master's program commitments.
Director of Clinical Services
Preferred Hospice
10.2005 - 10.2006
- Led interdisciplinary team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health/hospice aides, chaplains, and social workers to deliver comprehensive patient care.
- Delivered primary nursing services for terminally ill patients in their homes, ensuring comfort and quality of life.
- Directed clinical operations for hospice services across multiple locations.
- Managed interdisciplinary team meetings to enhance patient care coordination.
- Implemented quality assurance protocols to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Patient Care Coordinator
Professional Home Hospice
10.2003 - 10.2005
- Led interdisciplinary team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health/hospice aides, chaplains, and social workers to deliver comprehensive patient care.
- Delivered primary hospice nursing services to terminally ill patients in their homes, ensuring comfort and support during end-of-life care.
- Coordinated patient schedules and appointments for home hospice services.
- Communicated with families to address questions and concerns about care.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop personalized care plans.
Staff Registered Nurse
Muskogee Regional Medical Center
06.1995 - 10.2003
- Delivered direct patient nursing care in intensive care unit and outpatient perioperative unit, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
- Administered medications and treatments as prescribed by physicians.
- Monitored patient vital signs and reported changes to healthcare team.
- Coordinated patient care with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment.
Education
Post-Masters Certificate - Advanced Practice Palliative Nursing
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama08-2016
Master of Science - Nursing - Primary Care Adult/Gerontology
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama12-2014
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
Arlington, Texas12-2011
Associate of Science - Nursing
Connors State College
Warner, Oklahoma05-1995
Skills
- Advanced wound care principles
- Wound care management
- NPWT
- Chronic disease management
- Patient assessments
- Individualized care plans
- Pain management
- Symptom management
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Organizational skills
- Collaboration
- Healthcare team collaboration
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Emotional support
- Psychological support
Certification
• Advanced Practice RN - Oklahoma, Primary Adult/Gerontology, 2015 - Current
• Certified Nurse Practitioner, AANP, 2015 - Current
• DEA/OBNDD, 2015-Current
• Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse - Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP), 03/26 - Current
• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN), 2015-2024
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), 2005-2013
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification, 1995 - Current
• Basic Life Support Certification, 1995 - Current
• Registered Nurse - Oklahoma, 1995 - Current
• Certified Nurse Practitioner, AANP, 2015 - Current
• DEA/OBNDD, 2015-Current
• Certified Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse - Advanced Practice (CWOCN-AP), 03/26 - Current
• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN), 2015-2024
• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), 2005-2013
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification, 1995 - Current
• Basic Life Support Certification, 1995 - Current
• Registered Nurse - Oklahoma, 1995 - Current
References
Available upon request
Presentations And Publications
- ICD Deactivation at End-of-Life, Presenter, State of the Science Fair at St. John Health System, Spring 2013, Oklahoma
- ICD Deactivation at End-of-Life, Presenter, Hospice & Palliative Care Association, Fall 2013
- Virtual Palliative Care Is Inclusive Care, Co-Author, Poster Presentation at the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care, 03/01/22
- Published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 05/01/22
Professional Memberships
- Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, 2026
- Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, 2008 - 2025
- American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 2016-2025
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2014 - Current
- Oncology Nurse Society, 2018 - 2020
Timeline
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Advanced Wound Therapy
03.2024 - 04.2026
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Ascension Medical Group - Outpatient Palliative Clinic
10.2020 - 03.2024
Advanced Practice Provider (APRN-CNP)
Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care
05.2020 - 10.2023
Supportive/Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute
07.2018 - 09.2020
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner
Ascension St. John
08.2015 - 07.2018
Contract Nurse Practitioner
ESMI Health Services
04.2015 - 09.2015
Nurse Practitioner
LIFE Senior Services
04.2015 - 08.2015
Hospice Registered Nurse
St. John Health System
10.2006 - 04.2015
Director of Clinical Services
Preferred Hospice
10.2005 - 10.2006
Patient Care Coordinator
Professional Home Hospice
10.2003 - 10.2005
Staff Registered Nurse
Muskogee Regional Medical Center
06.1995 - 10.2003
Post-Masters Certificate - Advanced Practice Palliative Nursing
University of South Alabama
Master of Science - Nursing - Primary Care Adult/Gerontology
University of South Alabama
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Texas
Associate of Science - Nursing
Connors State College