Bethany Huelskoetter, of Jerseyville, cared for an ill family member at a young age and was in close contact with many nurses. This was the reason she knew she wanted to become a nurse herself.

She attended Lewis and Clark School of Nursing for her associate degree in nursing. While working as a registered nurse, she continued her education at Mckendree University to earn her bachelor's degree in nursing. She then went on to complete her master's degree in nursing at Maryville University to become a family nurse practitioner.

"I love being able to serve a community that is close to my hometown, which has that similar 'small town' feel that I always knew," she said.

"After becoming a nurse, I knew there was more I wanted to achieve," she said. "As a nurse practitioner, I can provide a higher level of care and compassion to those in need."

Bethany feels that the most important way to approach patients in health care is to treat them as if they are her own family members.

"My goal and hope is for each of my patients to leave feeling they have received not only the best care, but care with compassion," Bethany said.

In her free time, Bethany loves to spend time with her husband, Kevin, and their daughters. They enjoy being outside on the farm, fishing and going boating. She and her daughters also love baking together.