Pretty early into her career as a nurse, Glorious Wilson-Reynolds, CPNP, knew she wanted to work with children.
“For my first two years in the field, I worked with adults, and I just didn’t feel the passion for it like I wanted to,” she said. “There’s this genuineness with children that really strikes me. They’re innocent and they’re curious, and they show you exactly how they feel.”
For example, Wilson-Reynolds saw a young patient of about seven years of age for a check-up not too long ago. Part of the check-up involved a spinal exam to ensure the child didn’t have scoliosis or any other noticeable growing pains.
“I tell the kids to place their feet together, bend over, and touch their toes, and then I demonstrate it for them so they can follow my lead,” Wilson-Reynolds said.
This particular patient deviated from the typical proceedings. Rather than mirroring Wilson-Reynolds, he placed his feet on top of her feet before attempting the toe-touch.
“That was a first!” Wilson-Reynolds said. “But that’s what I love because that’s just how they think! I wasn’t clear enough with him yet, and that’s how he interpreted my instructions. I love it, I think of it every single time I give the exam now.”
Wilson-Reynolds has been serving families as a certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP) for eight years now. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rush University College of Nursing in 2002 and her master's degree in 2010 from the same institution. Five years ago, she started working for La Porte Physician Network and she’s been overjoyed ever since.
“Before I came to La Porte Physician Network, I was working in Aurora. It was very fast-paced, but there was no real opportunity for growth,” she said. “I started looking for somewhere new, and a recruiter linked me to an open position for La Porte Hospital.”
Liking what she saw, Wilson-Reynolds leapt at the opportunity. The team ended up hiring a candidate already within their system, but Wilson-Reynolds was thrilled to receive a call within the next week about another opening.
“It was really meant to be,” she said.
Initially stationed in La Porte, Wilson-Reynolds transitioned to La Porte Physician Network location in Michigan City last summer. A Chicago dweller who commutes to work every day from the city (“Rain, sleet, or snow!” she joked), the slightly closer proximity to home was a relief.
“The drive doesn’t bother me at all,” she said. “I truly love what I do—I love my patients, I love my families here. I would go great distances for them.”
A mother of six children herself, she especially loves sharing her own personal experiences in addition to imparting her professional knowledge on to parents.
“I always want my families to know that nothing is too big or too small for me to help them with,” she said. “Even if they just want my opinion on something, they can always call me or meet for an appointment to talk it through in person.”
Spending time with her family is incredibly important to Wilson-Reynolds, and she said La Porte Physician Network is very understanding of that.
“I love the flexibility I’ve been able to have here with my schedule,” she said. “The work-life balance is second to none.”
Wilson-Reynolds also loves her team.
“I have a great medical assistant who puts a lot of time into scheduling appointments, following up with patients, doing all sorts of tasks that help run the office, and I never even have to say anything,” she said. “She just understands my style and my focuses, and she makes the day flow smoother. I’m so appreciative of that. Everyone works together as a team, from our office manager to our providers. We’re a unit.”
The positive environment allows Wilson-Reynolds to focus on caring for her young patients.
“Every day, every encounter is different, and every one of them is just great,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere any time soon, and I’m always available. New patients are welcome and appreciated.”
To schedule an appointment with Glorious Wilson-Reynolds or another member of La Porte Physician Network, visit https://www.laportephysiciannetwork.com/ or call Wilson-Reynold's office in Michigan City at 219-877-3841.
