THE HEADACHE CLINICS featuring: The Headache Center Ridgeland, Mississippi
The Headache Center was established in 2013 in
Ridgeland, MS by Christina Treppendahl, FNP-BC, AQH. The following is based on an interview with Ms. Treppendahl.
Prior to founding the Center, Ms. Treppendahl began her nursing career at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and received a Master of Science in Neonatal nursing. She practiced for 10 years as a board certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Ms. Treppendahl later returned to school to earn a Post-Master of Science degree from the Mississippi University for Women in Family Practice Nursing. She was originally board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2009 and has been specializing in headache medicine since 2010.
The Headache Center is the only headache specialty clinic in the state of Mississippi. When asked the significance of this headache clinic, National Headache Foundation Board member, Timothy Smith, M. D., R. Ph., noted that“ There are many communities that lack accessibility to headache specialty centers. The headache populations are under – served, and centers run by nurse practitioners / physician assistants can fill the need for this group of patients.”
Ms. Treppendahl received the Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine from the National
Headache Foundation. In addition to several nursing societies, she is a member of the American Headache Society, the International Headache Society, the Headache Cooperative of the Pacific, Southern Headache Society, and the Headache Cooperative of New England.
The health care team includes two additional full-time Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioners. Rebecca Smith Adams, FNP-BC received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, MS, where she was the recipient of the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award for Nurse Practitioners. Ms. Adams is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society for Nurse Practitioners. In addition, she is a member of the Mississippi Nurse’ s Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Headache Society. Her nursing experience includes pediatric home health, general pediatrics, pediatric cardiology, and adult medical / surgical.
Jenna Gaddy, FNP-BC received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Southern Mississippi, in Hattiesburg, MS. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from University of Mississippi Medical Center. Her nursing experience includes pediatric nursing, postcardiovascular nursing, and post-surgical nursing.
www. headaches. org | National Headache Foundation 31