Location(s):

Bio:
UKIAH, CA — MCHC Health Centers is pleased to welcome Liz Osborne, a family nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric care. She will see patients primarily at the Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport, providing newborns, toddlers, school-aged children, and teens with everything from routine physicals and vaccinations to treatment for acute and chronic health problems. Osborne, who lives in Lakeport, said she is ecstatic to be working for a local healthcare provider that shares her values. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that doesn't just talk the talk, but walks the walk with its intentions and actions,” Osborne said. “I’m excited to join MCHC because the leadership, providers, and employees all care about the health of this community—not just chasing the almighty dollar.” Osborne is committed to an inclusive approach to care, which means working closely with parents, treating them with respect, and giving them the attention they deserve—regardless of their identity or background. “I’m especially big on supporting moms,” Osborne said. She says some people have a very specific picture of what a good mom looks like, but she does not. Her definition of a good mom is one who wants to do what is best for their child. Period. MCHC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Swain noted that Osborne’s clinical experience and her welcoming approach allow her to take great care of her patients and their families. “Liz’s ability to see past things that sometimes distract others is part of what makes her such a solid provider. She knows what really matters, and that’s taking care of children,” Dr. Swain said. After years of working with adult cardiology patients and other acutely ill adults as a registered nurse at Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente, Osborne was ready for a change. She enrolled in Sonoma State University and earned her Master’s Degree to become a nurse practitioner in 2014. After graduating, she worked as a pediatric provider as part of the medical group with Dr. Kirsten Juliet and Dr. Anne Martin-Ko, who are both currently providers at MCHC. Osborne learned pediatrics under their guidance and that of Dr. Paul MacDonald, reigniting her passion for healthcare. “I had previously spent a lot of time helping older folks toward the end of their lives,” Osborne said. “Once I got my master’s degree, became a family nurse practitioner, and started working with kids, I knew I’d be doing that for the rest of my career.” Osborne also worked at Adventist Health and, most recently, Napa Valley Pediatrics. When Dr. Juliet and Dr. Martin-Ko told Osborne about an open position on the pediatrics team at MCHC, she could not pass up the opportunity to join her former colleagues. “I wasn’t looking for a new job, but MCHC turned out to be the perfect fit,” Osborne said. ”I get to work in the same community where I live, helping my people—which are kids! I have a feeling I’m really going to love this job.” Osborne also shares MCHC’s philosophy of integrated healthcare, where a team of providers collaborate to give patients timely access to holistic services across several specialties. “I believe in caring for the whole person,” Osborne said, “MCHC offers all the services I need to help kids grow into happy and healthy adults, like dental health and behavioral health, which can be almost impossible to find in some rural communities” In that spirit, Osborne recently enrolled in a psychology fellowship at the University of California at Irvine, with plans to begin in 2024. She wants to be able to provide more support to kids struggling with mental health problems. “There’s been a huge explosion of anxiety and depression among teens due to social media and COVID restrictions,” Osborne said. “Not to mention generational trauma and adverse childhood events. If you recognize these things early, you change the trajectory of a child's life.” Osborne is a single mother of two grown daughters who live nearby in Willits and Lakeport. Both have daughters of their own. When she’s not enjoying time with her family, Osborne likes to garden, cook, and travel. She recently spent time in Italy taking cooking classes in various cities. Osborne also enjoys remodeling homes and owns three rental properties that are a favorite of medical providers traveling to the area. “I guess you could say caretaking is in my bones,” Osborne said. In addition to her Master’s Degree from Sonoma State University, Osborne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from California State University-Dominguez Hills.