Kristen Lewellen, APRN-CNP, specializes in cardiovascular and thoracic (CVT) surgery at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI). Her professional areas of interest include general cardiology, critical care and heart failure.
Kristen’s journey into health care came at an early age with a close influence in her life. “My mom is a retired nurse, so I grew up in a health care environment, learned the medical terminology and even attended the daycare at the hospital. It just seemed natural to me,” she said.
Her inspiration continued to grow throughout her childhood as she gained more exposure to the medical field. She said, “Growing up, I would see the helicopter land on the helipad at the hospital and I wanted to become a flight nurse. I obtained my RN and then paramedic license to fly but moved and started a family instead. I like the fast pace and intellectually challenging world of the ER and ICU, so I chose to become an acute care nurse practitioner.”
When it comes to connecting and building relationships with patients, Kristen said, “I build relationships with my patients by greeting them with a smile, listening to them and keeping them informed of the next steps in their plan of care.”
Kristen’s education and career experience include:
• Doctorate of nurse practitioner (DNP) degree with a specialty in adult-gerontology acute care at the University of Tulsa (TU), 2022
• Associate degree in emergency medical technology (EMT) at Oklahoma City Community College, 2000
• Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree at the University of Oklahoma (OU), 1996
Outside of work, Kristen enjoys sailing and spending time with friends and family.
She welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans at the following location:
Oklahoma Heart Institute
1245 S. Utica Ave., suite 105
Tulsa, OK 74104
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 918-749-6400. To send a fax, dial 918-592-1021.