SoCo Conversations: Interview with Ellie Christianson, FNP-BC APRN MSN
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner?
Ellie: My love of helping people, but also the autonomy you have as a nurse practitioner.
Q: Did you experience any personal challenges that contributed to the development of your career path?
Ellie: My uncle died from melanoma, which influenced my decision to practice dermatology. Skin cancer identification and prevention is important to me. I also always had a passion for skin care.
Q: What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Ellie: At my former practice in Westchester, I treated the New York Rangers: the players, their families, and managers.
In 2013, I also traveled to Africa to treat dermatological problems in a rural clinic in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya. I went for a couple of weeks in the summer through a pharmaceutical company called Medicis with a group of dermatology people. I was also responsible for vaccinating 80 babies. Some of the mothers walked a day to get to us and they didn’t have shoes. They didn’t have diapers for their babies and there were no cars either. They just strapped the babies on their backs and away they went. They were so grateful for these services they would not have access to otherwise.
We also went to several schools to check the children for tinea capitis (ringworm). We were the first team ever to visit this particular school (I'm pictured above with one of the girls I treated there). They have dirt floors and no electricity. When we arrived, the students greeted us with hugs and songs. They did this when we left too and the principal gave each of us an African beaded necklace to thank us. Never have I felt so moved. All of us were in tears. It was one of the most incredible days of my life.
My whole experience in Africa was so humbling and I will cherish it forever. It was a career dream come true.
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Q: If you could give one piece of self-care advice to patients, what would that be?
Ellie: Using sunscreen daily and when outdoors and reapplying it throughout the day.
Q: Generally speaking, what are three things a patient can do to maintain or create healthy skin?
Ellie: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wash your face daily, and use a retin-A type product nightly. However, do not use retin-A if you’re pregnant or trying.
Q: What do you include in your own skin-health regimen?
Ellie: I love SkinMedica Hydrating Complex. It’s perfect for my skin, which
is combination type and acne-prone.
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
Ellie: I love to travel with my family. We take weekend ski trips to Vermont and in the summer, we go to our lake cabin in Minnesota. There, we go waterskiing, four-wheeling, fishing. You name it, we do it. I love to spend time outdoors!
Q: What do you like most about working at SoCo Dermatology?
Ellie: The people—my coworkers and the patients. Everyone who works here is wonderful and happy and the patients are so nice and appreciative.
Q: Is there one moment in your life you cherish above all others?
Ellie: My time in Africa. I’ll never forget it. And of course the birth
of my 3 children!
Q: What inspires you most in life?
Ellie: Caring and giving. Every day, I teach my children to treat all people with
kindness and respect.
Call us if you'd like to book an appointment with Ellie: 203-323-5660