Emelia LaFortune, APRN-CNP, specializes in critical care medicine at Hillcrest Medical Center.

Without any family or role models in the medical field, Emelia took a roundabout path to medicine. After years of teaching sailing and leadership, Emelia was inspired by a student to return to school to become a nurse and then later a nurse practitioner. During nursing school, Emelia volunteered at Clarehouse, a social hospice house here in Tulsa. There, she discovered the sense of purpose that comes from bringing dignity and peace to people during their most vulnerable moments. She carries this passion into the critical care unit, striving to always see the human being beneath the vitals, labs, values and images.

Emelia fell in love with critical care from the very beginning. She said, “I still remember the first day I walked into an ICU. It was loud and bright, and it seemed like everyone needed something immediately, but the staff managed to find stillness and focus amidst it all. I was in awe and honestly, I still am. I love the ICU and those special breed of people who thrive in it.” Even after more than a decade, she is still passionate about critical care medicine and the ability of ever-evolving research to help critically ill people get back to the lives they love.

When asked what advice she gives patients, she said to trust yourself. “You are the expert on your body as you have been living with it your whole life. If something feels off, let us know. We’re always here to support you,” said Emelia.

Outside of work, you will find Emelia reading about other worlds, trying out new recipes or playing at the park with her two boys.