EMU alumnae share a commitment to care at women’s health center

A pair of EMU nursing graduates is providing personalized and holistic care for women through a new health center in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Tammie McDonald-Brouwer ’04 opened Plena Integrative Health Center in October. Melody Mast ’00 became partner and joined in January. McDonald-Brouwer and Mast are certified nurse-midwives (CNM) and women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNP). They are graduates of EMU and Frontier Nursing University (Kentucky), and have served families in the Shenandoah Valley for more than 15 years.

McDonald-Brouwer credited EMU with guiding her toward launching the health center.

“The adult degree program helped me look further than my nursing career, inspiring me to go for my master’s degree and believing I could start my own practice,” she said. 

Mast, an adjunct faculty member of EMU nursing, said the program prepared her for a career in health care.

“EMU, and particularly their nursing department, was formative in my passion for excellent care along with breaking down boundaries to health care,” she said.

The health center specializes in gynecological and primary care services. It aims to be a “one-stop health care destination for women” providing a holistic approach to overall health and wellbeing. The center offers annual physical exams, including thorough lab work, and both providers are equipped to manage acute respiratory infections, mental health disorders, thyroid problems, weight loss, hypertension and early onset diabetes. The center also offers chiropractic, massage and counseling services. 

Plena Integrative Health Center is located at 119-B University Blvd. in Harrisonburg.

For more information, visit plena-ihc.com.