Newsletters

Meet the Docs

This issue’s “Meet the Doc” column focuses on not one, but two of Telluride Medical Center’s (TMC) Health Care Provider’s.  Meet Physician Assistant, Laura Cattell, PA-C and Family Nurse Practitioner, Eric Johnson, MS, CFNP.  Both have had consistent presence at TMC since 2000 and 1997 respectively. 

Eric and Laura are often referred to as Mid-Level Providers.  This is a catch all term used to describe Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA).  Though the laws vary from state to state PA’s and NP’s have similar practice roles in the medical setting.  Both can diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses as well as prescribe medications.

Laura Cattell

Laura Cattell has been a Physician Assistant since 1997.  She graduated from George Washington University with a Masters of Science and Physician Assistant Certificate.  She returned to Colorado and began her practice in Grand Junction. “It was perfect job after graduation as I worked closely with experienced family practice physicians, was provided with ample opportunities for continuing education at St. Mary’s Hospital, and was exposed to a diverse patient population.”   She returned to Telluride in 1999 after the birth of her daughter, she initially worked part time at Dr. Homer’s office.  In 2000 a full time position opened at the Telluride Medical Center she was thrilled and jumped at the opportunity!  .She specializes in the treatment of families, women’s health care, preventative medicine and has a special interest in dermatology.

Initially moving to Telluride in 1987, Laura has had lots of different experiences in town!  Her first job was at Olympic Sports (aka Telluride Sports) adjusting rental skis and as a waitress at the Telluride Country Club Restaurant. Through the years she was employed as a bar tender, waitress, worked at the Telluride Times-Journal Newspaper and ran the front desk of two property management companies.  In 1991 she took an EMT course at the Telluride Fire Department and her career in medicine began, after completing the course she became IV certified, took call for the ambulance service and served as secretary of the organization.  Moving to Denver in 1993 she completed her prerequisite courses and in 1995 attended a graduate program in Washington D.C.

Laura, her husband Banks Brown and their 2 children Brianna and Wynton recently moved from town to a new home in Aldasoro.  It has been a wonderful new environment for all of them after suffering the tragic loss of “Hoot” Brown in March of 2006.  Laura continues to work full time at the Telluride Medical Center, owns Mariposa Medical Spa with Sharon Grundy M.D., serves on the accountability committee at the Telluride Elementary School and is the Brownie leader for her daughter’s troop. In her free time she enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking as well as rafting, camping and sharing the beauty of the surrounding area with her children and husband.

“It is an honor to work at the Telluride Medical Center; to provide health care and healing to this community after all it has given to me and to work in a progressive environment with a strong team of providers and support staff knowing we are providing the best care possible in the area.”  Laura is looking forward to serving the Telluride community for years to come; watching her children and the medical center grow and thrive in the area.

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson has been a Nurse Practitioner since 1995.  He obtained a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah, graduating with Honors.  Eric entered the medical field after long overlapping careers as a cabinet maker, river guide and outdoor educator.  He reentered Idaho State University, in Pocatello, ID, in pursuit of a degree after his stint in woodworking.  Starting back part-time and inspired by his friend Dale Yocum (now a Nurse Practitioner in Ridgway) entered the Nursing program in 1989 and went on to graduate with Honors in 1991.  Having been introduced to the Nurse Practitioner role by a professor in college Eric decided to pursue an advance degree in nursing as a Nurse Practitioner. 

Ten days after graduation Eric moved to Salt Lake City (SLC) and began a job at the University of Utah Hospital.  He applied for admission to the graduate school and was accepted and began his studies in the fall of 1992.  He continued to work full-time at the hospital while attending graduate school full-time.  Upon graduation he accepted a position at a large and busy Family Practice in one of Salt Lake City’s suburbs.  He stayed there for two years gaining valuable experience, but the lure of the San Juans was strong and in 1997 he and his wife Kaye moved to Ridgway.

Eric and his wife Kaye Middleton first visited the San Juan Mountains while they still lived in Idaho and fell in love with the beauty of this special place.  They visited friends often during the Salt Lake years and vowed to ultimately live here.  Opportunity presented in 1997 and move here they did.  Eric obtained a position at the Medical Center in 1997 covering Nurse Practitioner Lynda Stack’s maternity leave.  He has been here ever since.

“I love the variety that medical practice at TMC offers”, while his current focus is in the Primary Care Clinic he has logged numerous hours in the Emergency Department in previous years.  In the last year Eric has taken on a new role.  He has decreased his clinical practice time by 50% and is the Primary Care Practice Manager half time. He is available to see patients every week.  Eric is committed to the people of the Telluride and their health and hopes to return to full-time practice in the near future. 

Eric lives in Ridgway with his wife Kaye, a massage therapist, and their two Border Collies, Zuzu and Gus.  He is an avid runner, skier, gourmet cook, gardener and sometimes writer.  He in his 5th year as a member of Ridgway’s Town Council.