7 Things You Didn’t Know: Featuring our newest provider, Jennifer Lynch, MSN, CNM

Introducing the Couri Center’s newest practitioner, Jennifer Lynch, MSN, CNM, now accepting new patients.

Jennifer graduated from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO, with her BSN in 1999.  She started working in Labor and Delivery at Prentice Women’s Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the summer of 1999.   After completing her Master’s in Nursing at the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2003, Jennifer worked in a large private practice at Northwestern University in Chicago for five years before returning home to Peoria, IL.  Since living in Peoria, she has worked in Private Practice for the past 15 years.  

Throughout her career, Jennifer has been a steadfast advocate for education and mentorship. She has proudly served as a preceptor to Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) students and contributed to the development of future healthcare professionals as adjunct faculty in the Nursing School at Bradley University.

With over 20 years of experience in women’s health, she loves helping women of all ages to be active participants in their healthcare.  Most recently, she completed additional training through the ASCCP to perform colposcopy, the diagnostic procedure for evaluating abnormal pap smears, and also performs minor procedures in the office setting like biopsies and skin tag removals.  

Jennifer strives to create a relationship of trust with patients so that women feel comfortable discussing their gynecologic questions and concerns.  

Beyond routine gynecologic care, Jennifer is especially interested in adolescent care, menopause management, weight management, sexual dysfunction, education on genetic testing for familial cancers, and the care and treatment of abnormal pap smears.  

Jennifer lives in Peoria with her husband and four children.  

We hope you get to know Jennifer a bit more in this recent interview:

What inspired you to work in healthcare/become a Certified Nurse Midwife? 

I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a nurse. I have always been a natural caregiver and am passionate about women’s health. I started my nursing career at Northwestern University in Chicago.  I was struck by the relationship patients had with their Nurse Midwives, and I found myself “catching” lots of babies as a staff nurse.  I was inspired to return to school, and once I completed my Master’s in Nursing, I was fortunate to work with a large group of Nurse-Midwives at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for five years before moving back to the Peoria area.   The first several years of my career as a Nurse Midwife were primarily focused on the care of women through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.  In recent years, I have become more passionate about Gynecologic care. 

I have loved caring for women of all ages.  I enjoy empowering women to understand the many changes that occur with puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause, and menopause. 

What area are you most passionate about in women’s health?

I am particularly interested in adolescent care, menopause management, weight management, sexual dysfunction, and treatment of abnormal pap smears.  I am committed to open communication with my patients. My goal is to establish a trusting relationship so that women feel comfortable discussing their questions and concerns.  There are many topics that patients are worried or scared to bring up due to the intimate nature of gynecology.  My hope is that patients feel comfortable so we can positively impact their quality of life. 

What is one word you would use to describe yourself?   

Dedicated

If you really knew me, you’d know… 

I am fiercely loyal. I love my family and friends and would do anything for them.  Also, I am an unapologetic Justin Timberlake fan, a “Fanilow” (Barry Manilow fan), and a “Swiftie” (Taylor Swift fan)!  🙂

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my family. I have been married for 20 years- my husband and I still have so much fun together and laugh a lot (with and at each other!).  We have four hard-working, funny, and busy children that I am in awe of every day. 

What’s your favorite hobby or activity outside of work?  

I love to garden outside in the summer months, and I have a growing number of indoor plants that I love to nurture.  

I enjoy traveling, hiking, and cooking for and entertaining my friends and family. 

What message would you like to share with your patients? 

Thank you for trusting me with your healthcare. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to care for women over the last several decades, and I am so excited to be a part of the Couri Center.  

Jennifer is now accepting new patients and looks forward to meeting you. To schedule, call 309-692-6838 or click below.