Babb Now Nurse Navigator

By: Boone County Health Center

Licensed Practical Nurse Shelly Babb has become Boone County Health Center’s (BCHC’s) newest Nurse Navigator.

“Nurse Navigators were put into place to really spend time talking with patients and getting to know them on a deeper level,” said Babb. “Our goal is to help patients stay healthy enough they don’t need to see the doctor. We help them do this by keeping in touch more often over the phone.”

As a Nurse Navigators, Babb will be reaching out to Medicare-aged patients to schedule yearly Medicare annual wellness exams. She will also call patients who have been dismissed from the hospital to answer any questions that came up since they got home and to help set up follow-up visits with the patient’s Primary Care Provider (PCP).

“I am looking forward to helping our patients get the best care possible and the resources they need to get and stay healthy,” said Babb.

Right now there are three Nurse Navigators at Boone County Health Center, each with certain providers they help. Babb will be working with the patients of Dr. Kramer, Dr. Mazour, Erin McKown PA-C, Sandy Henry PA-C, and Courtney Ruzek PA-C.

Nurse Navigator Mary Hellbusch works with the patients of Dr. Travis, Dr. Pudwill, Dr. Dodds and Amy Olnes APRN, FNP-C. Denise Cook is the Nurse Navigator for the patients of Dr. Kusek, Dr. Kohl, Jacquie Brugman PA-C, Kelli Ray PA-C and Jason Olnes PA-C.

Babb joined Boone County Health Center in July of 2008 and began her new job as Nurse Navigator on March 1, 2019. She is taking over for Nurse Navigator Jess Jacobi who will be working in nursing informatics as the clinic continues to work toward being certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and roles grow and shift.