Chelsea Ray, APRN-CNP, specializes in congestive heart failure (CHF) at Oklahoma Heart Institute (OHI). Her professional areas of interest include advanced heart failure management, reducing hospital admissions, and educating patients and their families so they can receive the best quality of life possible.

“I have always found cardiology and the cardiovascular system very interesting. I enjoy learning about different disease processes and how to educate and support patients who are facing challenges in these specific areas. I look forward to providing medical expertise and compassionate care to my patients and their families as they learn to navigate life with cardiovascular disease,” said Chelsea.

Chelsea began to pursue a career as a nurse because she wanted to combine her compassion for people with the knowledge to be able to assist them during their most vulnerable times. “I decided to become a nurse practitioner to expand upon my experiences as a nurse and be able to guide their treatment. I really enjoy working alongside patients as they navigate their health journey,” Chelsea said.

When it comes to building relationships with patients, Chelsea said, “I have found that taking the time to really listen to patients and ensure their understanding before ending our time together helps build trust and rapport. I want my patients to always feel like they have the tools and knowledge to empower and take ownership of their health journey, but also know that I am always available and in their corner, to assist in any way I can and answer questions as they come up.”

“My favorite advice to give patients is to truly believe that their voice matters. Learning to advocate for yourself in health care is very important, if you have questions or concerns about any decision along your journey, always speak up,” said Chelsea.

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She adds, “My children are very active in sports, so we spend a lot of time together at ball fields and in basketball gyms.”