Get to know our Nurse Practitioner – Charlotte Nicolas, FNP!
We are delighted to introduce the newest healthcare provider at our Elevated Health family, Charlotte Nicolas, family nurse practitioner. Born in France and moved to the US at the age of 4, Charlotte was inspired to work in medicine after her father suffered a stroke at the age of 32. Witnessing the care & treatment that saved his life ignited a passion in her to help do the same for others. This led her to becoming the first in her family to attain a Master’s Degree and pursue a career in medicine.
Charlotte’s educational journey began at UC Irvine in 2012, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Over the years, she gained invaluable experience in the operating room at both Anaheim Regional Medical Center and HOAG Newport Beach. Juggling full-time work and education with the unfaltering support of her husband, she pursued her master’s degree at Cal State University Long Beach, culminating in her role as a board certified family nurse practitioner.
We asked a few questions to get to know Charlotte and her approach to patient-centered care better.
Why do you believe in Direct Primary Care?
“I believe Direct Primary Care is how healthcare SHOULD be. No one should have to stress about the cost of medicine or treatment in order to take the best possible care of themselves and their families.
In direct primary care, we take the time to get to know our patients, really learn their history, and offer care that is personalized and tailored to their individual needs. There is no 3-month waiting period for a physical, no inability to contact a provider when you have an urgent matter that arises, and no fear of being without healthcare due to cost. We fill a void where traditional insurance based medicine falters.
We offer same day and next day appointments, carry medications at a fraction of the cost of pharmacies, provide different in house treatments, are transparent in our fees, and patient’s can contact a provider via text/call or email whenever the need arises.”
How do you see DPC benefiting patients and contributing to the healthcare system?
“By being able to treat and evaluate patients early and frequently through the DPC model, we prevent disease and promote overall health and wellness in our patients… & in the long term, improve the health of our community as a whole.”
How do you prioritize a patient-centered approach in your practice?
“Open, honest discussions about recommendations for treatment or disease prevention- and truly involving patients in their care (i.e. listening to their concerns, discussing alternative treatments they’ve researched)- places the focus on the PATIENT and allows us as providers the privilege of helping care for their health.”
How do you plan to build strong, long-term relationships with your patients?
“Taking the time to get to know each patient & being honest, open and transparent in all of our discussions. Actively involving the patient in their care and formulating treatment plans that we both agree upon helps promote adherence and improvement in overall health. I think knowing that they are not rushed in DPC and that we have time to really discuss their concerns is a huge breakthrough in being able to create patient-provider, trusting relationships. Being able to text or email also helps!”
In addition to working as the nurse practitioner at Elevated Health, Charlotte is the UCI Nursing Alumni Mentorship Chair (soon to be President) for the College of Health Sciences! She finds joy in mentoring students and teaching. She is an avid reader and is frequently outdoors playing with her young children, and exploring her French heritage through cooking.
She’s added aerial aerobics to her list of hobbies, so you might catch her learning new tricks on aerial silks at the gym!
Join Charlotte’s panel
As Charlotte joins our team, we invite you to experience healthcare that is personally tailored for you and your needs. Elevate your health with personalized, compassionate, and accessible care. Schedule an appointment with Charlotte FNP and embark on a journey where your well-being is the focal point!