Nurse Practitioner, Provider

Joyce Ferrone is a nurse practitioner provider at BHC. She completed a BS in nursing at the University of Utah, College of Nursing and an MS in family nursing practice. Ferrone is a licensed advanced practice clinician and specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and research related to  ME/CFS, FM and related comorbidities. She also specializes in managing diabetes.

Ferrone followed family examples into the health care profession after raising her family. Enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Utah College of Nursing put her in proximity with the renowned Primary Children’s Medical Center where she began practicing as a staff nurse following her graduation as a family nurse practitioner. Patient centered care modeled there became central to her professional code and she found physician mentors with model practices in the following years when she worked for Dr. Lucinda Bateman, an internist and ME/CFS, FM specialist, and Dr. Robert Burr, an endocrinologist. Ferrone rejoined the BHC staff to work with ME/CFS and FM patients and to renew her affiliation with Dr. Bateman. She continues to serve patients with diabetes as well.
 

Education and Training

Personal Statement

Medicine was in my blood from birth.  My father was a physician as were several other relatives.  I was slow in realizing that dream, obtaining my bachelor and master’s degrees in nursing when I was in my 40s.  I worked for 2 years at Primary Children’s Hospital.  That was where I really realized how important it was for me to work in an environment where my employer shared my philosophy about patient care.  The motto there was “the child first and always”.  This saying guided me as I progressed through my career, always choosing the physician I worked with as carefully as the job itself.

I was working with a wonderful neurologist when I attended a seminar where Dr. Bateman was speaking.  I listened to her words, more about her mindset, than about how to treat patients with ME/CFS and FM. I knew then that I had to work with her.  Since then I have worked with her off and on for several years, interrupted for six years working in a diabetes specialty clinic with another amazing physician, Dr. Burr.  Dr. Bateman brings focus on the patient to a whole new level.  I continue to learn from her and from each unique patient and their stories.  I have been so deeply touched by the impact these illnesses cause and I feel so lucky to work with an amazing physician in a time when I believe we are on the cusp of bringing ME/CFS and FM from the darkness and into the light.
 

Positions and Honors

Research Experience

Professional Organizations

Certifications and Licensure