APP spotlight

Drew Pearson, Nurse Practitioner
General Surgery, 1340 Charles St Clinic, Rockford

Why did you choose general surgery?

It’s a specialty where many times you can help a patient feel better in a short amount of time. When a patient is having pain because of their appendix or gallbladder, and you remove it, they feel better instantly. It is also a hands-on specialty and being able to work in the operating room is another benefit.

What kinds of surgeries do you perform?

I assist our surgeons in performing laparoscopic, robotic and sometimes open surgeries. These range from appendectomy, cholecystectomy and hernia repairs to emergent exploratory surgeries on patients who come in through the emergency room and are sometimes quite ill.

How long have you worked with us?

As a nurse in the ICU, I started working at SwedishAmerican Hospital in March 2011. I have been with the organization ever since, so 12½ years. I started in general surgery in March 2018.

What do you love most about working at UW Health?

This is an easy question: The people, especially my co-workers in general surgery.

What are a few words to describe your co-workers and team at UW Health?

Dedicated, hard working and family.

What have your patients taught you about yourself?

They inspire me to provide the best care possible. The patients really do appreciate not only our knowledge, but the individualized care we provide.

Tell us about your family

I am married and have two kids. My wife is a special education teacher. We live in Winnebago, Ill., which is a small town just outside of Rockford.

Outside of work, what did you accomplish in the past year that makes you proud?

I will start adjunct teaching in nurse practitioner programs this fall. I really looked up to my nursing school teachers who helped me get to where I am today. I hope to follow in their footsteps and be an instructor that students enjoy learning from during their nurse practitioner journey.