Colleen Chace Gardner, RN/MN, WHNP-C, NCMP

I am a Women’s Health Nurse practitioner since 1989 and Nurse since 1983. In 2005 I did additional training and became certified as a Menopause provider through NAMS ( North American Menopause Society) I have always felt a calling to work with teenagers as well and help them navigate those teen years and budding sexuality. For many years I have offered Puberty talks for mothers and daughters as well as father and sons. I also developed Teen sexuality programs offered to Girls Scout troops as well as church groups. Then Menopause, women’s health talks also evolved. 

I Graduated from University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth in 1983 and left home for the USAF- Nurse Corp and was stationed in Sacramento, California for 3 years. I had the awesome opportunity to work on the Maternity unit during those years ( Post partum, Nursery and Labor and Delivery). This was my first contact with Nurse Practitioners as well as Certified Nurse Midwives. I knew then that I would like to pursue higher education. I attended Emory University and graduated with my master’s degree as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in 1989. I remained in the USAF Reserves and was a Flight Nurse at Dobbins AFB for 5 more years. My first WHNP job was with a practice at North Fulton Hospital, which had the vision and brought midwifery care to NFH in 1990. 

I married in November of 1989 to my husband Phil and became Mom to 2 wonderful daughters in 1991 and 1994. The oldest served in the US Navy and is a Pharmacist, married and lives in Virginia Beach, Va. (Avery)

The youngest ( Dana) is also married, lives in Roswell, Ga and is a Speech Language Pathologist. A fun fact about my family is that my Mom was the youngest of 12 children and I am the 53rd grandchild out of 63. I feel like I have cousins wherever we go. Many great family memories and traditions. 

In 2015 after a job change, it came to be that Providence Women’s Healthcare was expanding and needing support with Centering Pregnancy. I came back home to being affiliated with NFH again. Working part time has been a lovely balance with my newest passion in quilting and crafting. Travel is always a passion and visiting family up North as well. I am now looking forward to the near future and becoming a grandparent. Church life has always been a large part of my world as well, participating in bible study, volunteering with the church wide food program for those families and children of our community in need and the quilt ministry as well.

Working with Providence Women’s Healthcare has been an incredible experience. I love my colleagues and staff. All are so committed to providing the best care possible to our patients. Having a great team makes working such a pleasure. Having the best patients also makes such a difference as well. Looking forward to more fun ahead.