Fortanasce – Purino Neurology Center is pleased to have on its staff Charlene Parker, a well-educated (2 Bachelor’s Degrees & a Master’s degree), Board Certified with 3 specialties, and experienced (over 25 years) Nurse Practitioner.

Charlene Parker has been a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner (NP) for over 25 years. She specializes as a Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP), a Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and a Family Nurse Practitioner with a sub-specialty in Neurology.

Charlene received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Social Welfare from the University of Washington. She then was trained as a Physician’s Assistant (PA) in Women’s Health Care at Harbor - UCLA Medical Center. She furthered her education by attending UCLA and receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and subsequently became a Nurse Practitioner (NP). She received her Master’s degree in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach.

She has consulted and taught medical students the gynecological exam at UCLA for over 20 years. She has been an instructor in both Registered Nurse and Licensed Vocational Nurse Programs and has taught Continuing Education programs.

Charlene worked as a research nurse for the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica as well as Harbor - UCLA Medical Center doing research in women’s health care. She worked many years for a Gynecologist in Beverly Hills and Ventura. Charlene also performed psychiatric evaluations of patients at the Della Martin Intensive Outpatient Program at Huntington Hospital Medical Center and had staff privileges. She has also worked in utilization review, quality assurance, medical - legal review and has experience in tele-medicine.

At Fortanasce - Purino Neurology Center, Charlene performs memory tests and reviews medications, labs, imaging areas such as MRI’s CT scans as well as Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) studies. She follows patients with a variety of neurological disorders including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Headaches & Migraines, Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Chronic Pain, Stroke and Stress Disorders.

Charlene has a special interest and expertise in memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease. She was instrumental in developing a Biofeedback and Neurobics program. She is knowledgeable in nutrition and how it effects chronic diseases. Charlene believes in integrative medicine which is a healing -oriented medicine which takes into account the whole person focusing on the body, mind and spirit including all aspects of one’s lifestyle. This approach emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.

She loves working with patients with complex medical problems and uses her knowledge and creativity to help improve their conditions. She believes in going the extra mile and her patients value her openness, dedication, and thorough approach.

Why Nurse Practitioners (NP) are valuable to healthcare:

Nurse Practitioners (NP) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who are educated and trained to provide health promotion and maintenance through the diagnosis and treatment of acute illness and chronic condition. Nurse practitioners (NPs) manage acute and chronic medical conditions, both physical and mental, through history and physical exam and the ordering of diagnostic tests and medical treatments. NPs are qualified to diagnose medical problems, order treatments, perform advanced procedures, prescribe medications, and make referrals for a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions within their scope of practice.

A WHNP is a registered nurse who has advanced education and clinical experience in women’s health care. As a specialist, the WHNP delivers comprehensive health care to women throughout the lifespan, with an emphasis on reproductive and gynecologic health needs. The WHNP is well-qualified to provide well-woman care, prenatal and postpartum care, care for women experiencing episodic acute or chronic illnesses, as well as care to men who have selected reproductive health needs or problems.

A Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse trained to provide a wide range of mental health services to patients and families in a variety of settings. PMHNPs diagnose, conduct therapy, and prescribe medications for patients who have psychiatric disorders, medical organic brain disorders or substance abuse problems. They are licensed to provide emergency psychiatric services, psychosocial and physical assessment of their patients, treatment plans, and manage patient care. They may also serve as consultants or as educators for families and staff.

Family Nurse Practitioners are also registered nurses. These medical professionals perform functions of primary and specialty health care providers supervised by doctors of medicine. The nurse practitioner works with patients closely to make a diagnosis of ailments, conduct basic examinations and prescribe medicines. These nurses are just like family doctors serving as health care providers and principal liaison with the medical system. Majority of hospitals, clinics and health care facilities have family nurse practitioners in their staff complement.