Nurse practitioner Lana Evans has wanted to be a nurse since she was a little girl. With more than 19 years of experience, she achieved that goal. Lana earned her master’s degree in nursing from Goshen College and is an advanced practice nurse. In her role, she collaborates with physicians to improve the quality of patient care. “I treat the person, not the disease,” she explains. “I try to be real and relate to people at their level.” This practice helps Lana understand her patients, which leads to better health. “There are many levels to patients, and sometimes, we have to peel back those layers to figure out why patients are or are not doing things we ask.” Her practice philosophy is simple. “Work hard, put your patients first and do what is best for them,” she says. “I really do care. Their health and well-being are what is important to me.” In Her Own Words If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased), who would it be and why? Florence Nightingale – to discuss how nursing was way back then. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? Horses! They are great therapy. I love to watch my kids ride and show. I like to ride myself even though I’m not very good at it. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? I delivered newspapers. You had to do it no matter the weather. I got to meet and talk to people all the time. Who was or is the most influential person/role model in your life? My mom and dad. They are good role models, have good work ethics, care for others and love God. What is something most people don’t know about you? I like car racing, shooting sports and don’t mind getting dirty.