DeAnnjanae “Kiyah” Herlong, CRNP, a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner with Cahaba Medical Care
Get to know Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Kiyah Herlong, who serves patients in Bessemer, Alabama.
Kiyah is a certified registered nurse practitioner specializing in family medicine. She serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner Resident at Cahaba Medical Care in Bessemer, Alabama.
As such, she serves as a healthcare provider at a Community-Based Health Center (FQHC), managing medically complex patients in underserved communities throughout Central Alabama. She also functions as a self-sufficient provider in a personal clinic with a patient panel on average 2.5 days/week in collaboration with a physician (as needed); works alongside MDs/DOs to assist with their patient panel during mentored and specialty clinics, such as OB, wound care, rheumatology, endoscopy, psychiatry, dermatology, and nephrology; and is a committed participant in weekly didactics that encompass detailed medical lectures, workshops, and journal readings.
During her four years as a staff nurse at UAB Hospital, Kiyah obtained two national certifications as a Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) and a Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN). She worked on the Mother Baby Unit in the Women and Infants Center with the newborn/postpartum population and on the Neuroscience and Stroke Unit, with cross-training in the Neuro ICU during the COVID-19 peak.
Other roles she served as a staff nurse include Level III Professional Nurse, Nurse Preceptor, Geriatric Scholar, Unit Wound Expert, Wound Champion, Falls Champion, ECG Superuser, and Blood Scanning Superuser.
“I often say I was born to work in healthcare because I never had any outside influence from my family (both parents were non-medical), and this career path has been a desire of mine for as long as I can remember. For most of my youth, I was convinced that I wanted to go to medical school and become a physician, but after participating in various clinicals during my high school health occupations class, I discovered that what I loved most about healthcare is the patient interaction. Nursing seemed like the perfect (and obvious) career choice for me to satisfy this passion. When I finally decided to look into nursing, I was instantly sold. The more I researched, the more I fell in love. I could not have asked for a better career path to pursue, and I have no regrets” stated Kiyah.
Upon graduating with her high school diploma from Russellville High School in May of 2013, she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in August of 2016. Four years later, in August of 2020, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing degree (Family Nurse Practitioner Program) and her Certificate of Teaching in Nursing from the same educational venue.
“I was fortunate enough to have the support of my parents when I decided to pursue nursing as a career. My mom and dad both acted as my personal cheerleaders as I worked to earn my BSN and MSN degrees, and they were more than supportive of my decision to eventually pursue my doctorate degree. On top of that, I am blessed enough to have a very close relationship with God, and I know without a doubt that my faith has greatly contributed to my success. I experienced many tedious and difficult trials while in school, but by God’s mercy and grace, I made it. I am where I am today solely because of God, and my success confirms that becoming a nurse/advanced practice provider was a part of His Will. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what God intended me to do” expressed Kiyah.
Recognized as a 2021 Top Registered Nurse and a Top Nurse Practitioner by “America’s Top Nurses” for upholding the highest standards in patient care while empowering advancement and opportunity within the medical community, she is an active member of a number of professional organizations. These include: the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the American Nurses Association/Alabama State Nurses Association, the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama, the American Association of Critical-Care Nursing, the Golden Key International Honour Society, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
A Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides care to patients across their lifespan in the realm of primary care. They perform comprehensive and focused physical examinations, diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries, and provide pediatric immunizations to ensure well child care. CRNPs can order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medicines and therapies, and perform certain procedures (based on state/national practice guidelines). They can also educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy lifestyles, healthcare options, and disease prevention.
On a more personal note, Kiyah was born in Russellville, Alabama. Her favorite place to vacation is Disney World. Her favorite movies include the Harry Potter series, Tyler Perry movies, and Sci-fi/fantasy. Her favorite types of music include gospel, contemporary Christian, old school (Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, etc.), and classical/instrumental.
Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, running, getting her nails done, shopping, going to the movies, dining out, traveling, and playing volleyball. When asked who she would like to meet one day, she answered ‘Barack Obama.’
“In March 2019, I had the extraordinary opportunity to meet Queen Michelle Obama!! She is absolutely amazing and exceeded all my expectations. During the meet and greet, she even told me that she almost named her daughter (Malia) Kiyah! This is by far the greatest memory I have to date.”
Learn More about DeAnnjanae Herlong:
Through her online profile, https://todaysnurse.org/network/index.php?do=/4147781/info/
