Nurse Practitioners
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master’s or doctoral degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as a few complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services. The Nurse Practitioners at Coastal Women's Healthcare focus specifically on gynecology. They provide services that include the following:
- Physical exams, including Pap smears
- Contraceptive care
- Health and wellness counseling
- Evaluation and treatment of common vaginal infections
- Pregnancy testing
- STD screening and follow-up
- Screening and referral for other health problems
- Care before and after menopause
Nurse practitioners provide high-quality, cost-effective individualized care. They see patients of all ages. The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. Nurse practitioners focus on patients' conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families. NPs make prevention, wellness, and patient education priorities. Informing patients about their health care and encouraging them to participate in decisions are central to the care provided by NPs.
For more information on nurse practitioners, visit the American College of Nurse Practitioners.
DEANNA BENNETT, FNP
Deanna Bennett is a board certified nurse practitioner that recently joined Coastal Women’s Healthcare. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Education from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania in 1995. She earned her Masters in Nursing from the University of Southern Maine in 2004 and became very interested in women’s health after working in the family practice setting. With a desire to continue educating women on reproductive health and well-woman care, Deanna worked at Planned Parenthood for over three years. Deanna’s professional interests include: contraceptive counseling, adolescent well-woman visits, and STD screening and education. Professional affiliations include: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and the Maine Nurse Practitioners Association. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Deanna lives in Bowdoin with her husband, Tim and daughter, Molly. When Deanna is not providing personalized care to patients, she loves to read, garden and hike with her family.
ALLISON TALON, ANP-BC
Allison Talon is a board certified nurse practitioner. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph's College in 1997. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing in 2002 from Simmons University in Boston, MA. Prior to joining Coastal Women’s Healthcare, Ms. Talon practiced for seven years in Primary Care.
Ms. Talon has a special interest in adolescent and holistic mid-life women's health, as well as contraception and hormone replacement therapy counseling. She is on the board of directors of the Maine Nurse Practitioner Association, elected President 2010-2013. She is a member of the Maine Medical Association, the Community Physicians of Maine, and the North American Menopause Society. A Maine native, Allison enjoys photography, golfing, running and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
