Rachel J. Zimmer, APRN

Rachel Zimmer, APRN, started her medical career at the age of 16 as a nursing assistant at a long-term care facility. She went on to study nursing in college and later earned her nurse practitioner degree.

Throughout college, Zimmer thought she'd become a nurse midwife. But after spending seven years as a critical care nurse, her true passion came into focus.

"I grew to love how complex the heart can be and what can be done to fix it," said Zimmer, a nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology at Methodist Physicians Clinic.

She enjoys all aspects of cardiology, but structural heart issues interest her most, she said.

Zimmer's favorite part of working in health care is getting the opportunity to build relationships with patients and their families.

"Getting to know people of all ages with different backgrounds is something I value about this profession," she said. "And I look forward to building long-lasting relationships with my future patients."

Zimmer believes that open communication is essential for a positive relationship with patients.

"So often there are pieces of a patient's health journey that can become confusing or difficult to understand," she said. "As a provider, I can help bridge that gap so my patients can fully understand and be involved in decisions regarding their care."

She also thinks that patients should receive holistic care, which includes caring for an individual's physical, emotional and mental health.

When she's not at work, Zimmer enjoys spending time with her family, being outside, watching football on Saturdays and trying new restaurants.