My care philosophy is about understanding, teamwork and empathy. I listen to people's stories, respect their feelings and work together to make personalized plans. I create a safe place for open conversations, involving individuals, families and health care teams in decision-making for their well-being and recovery. I embrace a holistic approach and involve patients in their care plans.
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, chose to join OSF HealthCare due to its reputation and welcoming atmosphere, feeling instantly at home during a site visit. She is dedicated to serving the local community's psychiatric needs.
Her passion for psychiatry stems from a family background in medicine. She grew up in a hospital environment as her grandfather and uncle were physicians and her grandmother was a nurse. Inspired by her upbringing, Lavender embarked on a career path focused on mental health, finding fulfillment in the challenges and rewards of psychiatry.
Lavender’s approach to appointments is marked by empathy and dedication, aiming to build trusting relationships with patients and colleagues.
She resides in Champaign with her son, dog Sidney, and mother. Outside of work, Lavender loves psychiatry podcasts, science fiction novels and working on her house.
