Meet Devon Klauck, Nurse Practitioner at the Tia Clinic

What does it mean to be a “well-woman” in 2019?

A well-woman in 2019 is an individual who makes informed decisions regarding their health and body that align with their idea of ideal wellness.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself over the last decade?

I have spent the better part of the last decade working on learning who I am at my core and what I care about most (that’s what your twenties and thirties are for, right?) As a result of this investment in myself, I am able to think of myself as a dear, lifelong friend. This allows me to be kind to myself, which I believe leads me to be kind to others.

If you could go back in time, what do you wish you knew about your health that you know now?

I wish I knew how much every aspect of health is connected. Physical health is connected to mental health is connected to spiritual health. Trying to treat one illness or injury without the whole person in mind is incomplete care.

If you could wave a magic wand and change one aspect of women’s healthcare, what would it be?

To say we need more women in leadership and government is an understatement. I would also like to see young people demanding more from their healthcare providers and creating an impetus for change.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing clinicians today?

I think that most clinicians are not happy with the state of health care in our country today, but many of them don’t know what they can do to create change. I think young clinicians need to work hard to promote positive changes in health care and more experienced clinicians in the workforce need to listen and be open to the ideas of young clinicians AND patients, of course!

When did you know you wanted to get into medicine, and why did you choose to specialize in women’s health?

I have always been interested in science and have always felt motivated to care for people. I decided to go to nursing school after earning a degree in Biology. I taught high school biology for one year and realized I really missed hands-on care. After my first rotation in the childbirth unit, I knew I wanted to specialize in women’s health. 10 years later, I am still deeply passionate and excited about this area of healthcare.

What does “whole women’s health” mean to you? How do you incorporate this thinking into your practice?

“Whole women’s health” means identifying and sharing the connections within the body and understanding that the person who is best-equipped to provide information about a woman’s state of well-being is herself.

What is your care vision for Tia — and women’s health more broadly?

My care vision for Tia is that we will provide the first “women’s health community” where women meet with clinicians to discuss their health and needs, receive and participate in integrative health modalities, and feel part of something big and great. My broad vision for women’s health is the same but on a global scale!