We are pleased to introduce to you Ann Griggs, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner here at Health Foundations. As you will learn below, Ann brings decades of experience in working with women in reproductive health and is especially passionate about helping couples achieve fertility. Welcome Ann– we are delighted to have you with us!
Name
Ann Griggs
Role at Health Foundations
Nurse, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
I’m hoping to utilize my respect and knowledge to help women get pregnant. I really love working with couples seeking pregnancy, and have done lots of work over 15 years in infertility. I’m especially excited to help same sex couples add children to their families.
When did you begin working at HF?
I started working in Mid-December 2014 and have been happy to learn all kinds of jobs here. I can fold laundry with the best of ‘em!!
What is your educational background/training?
I have been a RN for over 3 decades. I became certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and infertility and have worked in an infertility practice for over 17 years. I have been a Nurse Practitioner for over 15 years. I have also spent a great deal of time learning Healing Touch and other energetic healing modalities. I wrote my own degree plan at the U of M called Women’s Health and Alternative Healing Methods. It was a wonderful way to bring the varied parts of my education and experience together. And that is one of the things I truly appreciate about Health Foundations. The ability to use my expertise and to still have so many things to learn.
Where were you born and what month? Anything you want to share about your birth?
I was born in Missouri in March and I am soon to celebrate 60 glorious years! The birth story that I know is that my mom wanted to call me Barbara Ann, but my initials would be BAG, so she thought of Dorothy, but DAG didn’t sound right either. She was medicated (as many women were – although she had studied Bradley method before my older sister was born) with my birth so coming out of delivery she told my Dad that they should name me after his mother. My grandmother was named Velma, so perhaps it was an indication of my future profession—my initials are VAG!
Where have you lived besides MN?
My husband and I took an adventure and moved to California for a short time, the economy and aging parents brought us back to Minnesota, and I love it here, winter and all!
Where do you live now?
My husband and I live in St. Paul, down by the river and love the closeness of everything!
Describe your family.
We have two sons, one lives here in St. Paul with his wonderful wife, and one son is an actor living around the country, where the jobs are! He is building himself a Tiny House, so we have fun keeping up with him and traveling to see his work.
What is one of your favorite things to do when you are not at Health Foundations?
I have a 4 harness loom and a spinning wheel. I have been spinning consistently for a year and half, and have started to use my yarns in knitting and hopefully soon the loom. My husband is also an actor so I see lots of theatre.
What is one of your favorite restaurants in Saint Paul?
We used to live close to The Nook, and also like Shamrocks – easier to get a table!
If you could get on a plane tomorrow and travel anywhere in the world for free, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to travel extensively, so any place would be a joy! I someday want to get to New Zealand. One of our favorite places in CA was Carmel Beach and Big Sur.
What inspired you to get into your field?
My mom was interested in going to the Frontier Nursing program. She would have been a circuit rider, delivering babies in cabins. I had always heard that growing up. When I went into Nursing I thought I wanted to be a midwife. Then my own children came along and time and expense kept me from seeking that. I like working with women, and especially love the education part of my positions.
What do you love about Health Foundations?
I really like the respect and acceptance I have received from all the people that work here. I spend a lot of time with Dr. D. Hartung, and have been so impressed with his gentle spirit. I also am so pleased to share what I know and discover how much I still have to learn.
Health Foundations 