Knutson joins Gundersen Boscobel’s growing Behavioral Health Team

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinicsis excited to welcome Melissa Knutson, MSN, APNP, PMHNP-BC, to its growing behavioral health team.

Growing up, Knutson always had an interest in the healthcare field, but never imagined herself as a nurse. That changed when she helped care for her grandmother.

"After my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, I helped her with her medical concerns and daily tasks," says Knutson, a 2013 graduate of Kickapoo High School. "When my grandmother went into hospice care, I sat by her beside and helped with her cares. One day she looked at me and said, 'Sweetie, you would make a great nurse.' I remember laughing and telling her, 'Absolutely not; I will never be a nurse!'"

A couple days later, her grandmother passed away, and the next week, Knutson changed her major to nursing - and now says we couldn't picture her herself in any other career.

Knutson received her associate's degree in nursing from Western Technical Collegein La Crosse and then earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing from Western Governors University. Knutson then graduated from Frontier Nursing Universitywith a master's in nursing, specializing as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Knutson will work closely with the Gundersen Boscobel primary care team and fellow behavioral specialists to assess, diagnose and treat a variety of psychiatric/mental health conditions as well as substance use disorders.

"My philosophy of care involves treating the patient as a whole," says Knutson. "No two people experience depression, anxiety or other mental illnesses in the same way. Everyone's symptom profile is unique. Because we all experience our own set of life experiences and carry unique genetic predispositions, each of our pathways toward illness will be unique."

Knutson says psychiatry is a complex and strongly misunderstood specialty.

"The brain is complex and fascinating. I believe that being able to bring that care, knowledge and understanding closer to home can create a safer and healthier community."

Knutson joins behavioral health specialists Nicole Steldt, LCSW, and Charlene Gald, LCSW, who provide outpatient counseling services within the primary care setting at Boscobel, Fennimoreand Muscodaclinics.

"Melissa's knowledge and passion for the whole person make her an excellent provider that is compassionate and understanding," says Pam Bartels, manager, primary care clinics. "We're excited for Melissa to work closely with our primary care providers and her fellow behavioral health colleagues to support the unique mental health needs of those in our care."

In her free time, Knutson loves spending time with her husband, Michael, and their children. She also enjoys kayaking, hiking, antiquing and fishing.

To learn more about outpatient counseling services or to schedule an appointment, call Gundersen Boscobel's central scheduling line at (608) 375-4144.