08/27/2026
🌟 Community Care Crew: Heather Matthies, MS, APRN, NP-C, Rush Residential Campus
Heather has dedicated more than 20 years to healthcare, beginning her career as a registered nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about advocating for individuals with barriers to care, and to make shared decisions with their clinical team.
At Ramey-Estep/Re-group, Heather provides primary care to residential clients, youth in foster care, and members of the community. Her goal is simple: make healthcare feel approachable, supportive, and free from judgment.
"We want people to be honest, share what's going on, and we will do our very best to help get you to the appropriate resources that can help."
Heather believes healthcare is about prevention when possible, and optimization of diagnoses that are already present. Whether it's counseling, lifestyle change, support from family and friends, spiritual faith, or other resources, the common diagnoses in our area do not have to continue into future generations.
After practicing across the country in a military family, she returned home to Kentucky in 2022, and is especially passionate about serving both rural Appalachian communities, as well as communities of color who have both been disproportionately affected by late diagnoses and barriers to care.
Her advice to anyone who is hesitant to reach out is simple:
"Even if you don't want to do everything all at once, start off doing something, like getting blood pressure under control, and we can help you get on the right path."
Outside of work, Heather enjoys traveling, time with family, attending sporting events, learning new things, and coaching track. She recently traveled to Guam, USA, this summer.
Heather's approach to care reflects a belief at the heart of Ramey-Estep/Re-group:
"Healing people, healing communities, thriving commonwealth."
Learn more about our team at rameyestep.com