What parent has not greatly appreciated having a knowledgeable and caring medical professional who helps ease worries when a child is sick or injured and provides helpful guidance in establishing good health practices for young people? Kristie Norman Anderson enjoys filling those roles for her young patients and for their parents.

“As a certified nurse practitioner at Mountain View Pediatrics in Morganton, I provide a full spectrum of primary health services from birth to young adulthood. I enjoy every opportunity that I am given to spend time with my patients and their families/parents. My goal is to set the tone for promoting a healthy lifestyle for babies, children, adolescents, and young adults by communicating, teaching, and encouraging health promotion through knowledge, empathy, and creativity.

“Guiding people to better health can certainly be a challenge in itself, but there are also other factors to consider. I often have to carefully balance the anxiety and fear of caregivers with the appropriate clinical decisions necessary. As with many other occupations, time demands are always a concern. Plus, since I have my own family, it is so important to find ways to disconnect the stresses of work from those of home. But the rewards of the job are certainly worth the effort. Achieving positive health outcomes is satisfying for everyone, and I am gratified when I am able to build strong relationships with the families I serve as well as within the community.

“I have worked in pediatrics for more than 30 years. I began as a receptionist at Mountain View Pediatrics in 1990. My time working in the pediatric office really inspired me to become a nurse, and it was ultimately my love for children that inspired me to advance my career to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Most people find it necessary to move locations in order to advance their careers, but I have been so fortunate to be able to stay in the same place as I studied and learned and followed my path. I sometimes joke that I’m much like a light fixture; I’m part of the structure of Mountain View Pediatrics. I am very much at home here.”

Kristie received her Associate Degree in Nursing at Western Piedmont Community College and then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing at UNC-Greensboro, followed by a Master’s Degree and Nurse Practitioner Degree from Stony Brook University in New York. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and is an Affiliate Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“East Burke was a great place to go to school. One special memory was participating on the debate team as a freshman. Soon after, I began working part time after school, which instilled in me a great work ethic and helped me appreciate the value of responsibility and effort.

“I have special appreciation for two of my high school teachers who made such a difference in my educational career and made me feel like I could conquer the world. Math teacher Rory Hefner was a real inspiration, and I will never forget how much I learned from her. English teacher Anne Stephens really stands out in my memory as someone who was uplifting and encouraging. Our lives have come full circle now as her grandchildren are now patients of mine.”

Good health care for everyone is necessary, and it is especially important for our young ones. Kristie plays a major part in the lives of so many people in our area as she helps children and young people to establish good health practices and provides support and guidance to parents and caregivers.

Published August 2021