In a remarkable 42-year journey dedicated entirely to women’s health, Dana Humes Goff, APRN, CNM, DNP, has left an indelible mark on the field of nursing. Her extensive career has seen her serve in various crucial roles, from a Staff Nurse in Labor and Delivery (1981-1987) to her current position for the past 6 years as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at the Couri Center. Notably, Dana was the first CNM to be granted practice privileges in our Peoria hospitals.
Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dana’s impact extends to education and mentorship. She served as adjunct faculty for esteemed nursing programs and residency programs, including UICOMP, UIC, Bradley University, Mennonite, and Graham. Dana has mentored numerous students in nurse-midwifery, women’s health NPs, and family practice APNs, contributing significantly to the development of future healthcare professionals.
Dana’s commitment to excellence is evident in her certifications from AWHONN, ACNM, ALSO, NALS, EFM, and ARDMS Midwifery sonography. Her achievements include receiving the June Snow Award for academic excellence from Bradley University, being honored as Nurse of the Year by the Family Practice residency at UICOMP, and earning the title of Outstanding Preceptor by UIC APN students in 2014 and 2017.
Additionally, Dana’s scholarly contributions are reflected in her role as the first author of the article titled “The Effect of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Pelvic Pain on Length of Stay in the Emergency Department,” published in the Journal of Advanced Emergency Nursing in 2015. As Dana embarks on the next chapter of her journey with retirement, her legacy of compassion, expertise, and dedication to women’s health will undoubtedly resonate for years to come.
A Chapter is Closing.
After 42 years in women’s health nursing, I am retiring at the end of 2023 from patient care.
I’ve had a remarkable run. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work in just about every role possible within the realm of women’s health: staff nurse, nursing management, nursing administration, nurse educator, and advanced practice nursing provider.
I’m proud to have the distinction of being the first midwife, in 1995, to be granted practice privileges at Peoria hospitals, which ultimately and fortunately, opened the doors for many others to follow.
Looking back, I’m also incredibly honored to have delivered more than 3,000 babies in my 22 years as a nurse midwife. Each and every family and baby has been very special to me.
For the past seven years, gynecology and hormone replacement have been my specialty, as I’ve proudly worked beside my friend and colleague, Dr. Michele Couri, at the Couri Center for Gynecology and Integrative Medicine.
I’m humbled to have had the luxury of working alongside many remarkable individuals during my tenure, and as a team, we’ve worked relentlessly toward the common goal of providing safe and quality patient care to those patients who came to us for care. My sincerest thanks to you all.
To all the nursing and advanced practice nursing students I’ve precepted and mentored over the years, I think you’re amazing professionals who will continue making women’s health care a priority in the years to come, and I applaud you.
To all the patients who have seen me as their provider since I began this journey, I’m humbled and honored to have been entrusted with your care. There are simply no words to describe how your trust has made me feel.
As to what comes next, I now look forward to spending more time with my family, traveling with my wonderful husband, playing more guitar, laughing with friends, and writing my best-seller:)
So, in closing, and with my deepest gratitude, it’s been a wonderful ride.
Dana Humes Goff, APRN, CNM, DNP