Working at OSF Medical Group is like being at home for Danielle VanderVeen.

"I grew up in a small town (Benson, Illinois), we live in a small town and I work in a small town," she said. "The patient population is the best and varies from young to old."

She was drawn to medicine due to her involvement in sports and an interest in health and the human body.

Danielle remembers when she first thought about making medicine a career.

"I can specifically remember sitting in junior high health class and thinking, 'I kind of like this stuff,'" she said. "I was introduced to the physician assistant profession while at Illinois State University. It seemed like the perfect fit."

Being a physician assistant meant Danielle could choose any specialty. "But right out of school I wanted to continue growing my general knowledge base instead of specializing right away," she said. "I started in an internal medicine/pediatrics office and eight years later I'm still loving family medicine. I enjoy the variety of patients I see every day."

When seeing patients, Danielle tries to take her time with patients and listen to them.

"I think it benefits the patient and me," she said. "It helps to gain a better understanding of the problem at hand and forms a better patient/provider relationship."

When not working, Danielle and her husband stay busy with their three young children. Danielle also loves outdoor activities – golfing, running and swimming. The family also supports their local sporting events and other community activities.