Justin Joiner, Nurse Practitioner
Justin is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC). Licensed by the state of Missouri to provide family-centered healthcare to patients of all ages. His scope of practice encompasses health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, and management of common and complex health problems beginning in childhood and continuing throughout the aging process. He began his career in health care in 2004, working as an ER tech in Branson. Justin then moved on to become an EMT, then a paramedic, and then a nurse. His passion for healthcare then led him to become a nurse practitioner. Justin has a unique combination of strong nursing skills and strives to provide the best healthcare possible. He believes in building a long-lasting and trusting relationship with his patients. He seeks to acquire a comprehensive evaluation of every patient by taking the time to listen and understand their needs.
Melissa Coons, Nurse Practitioner
Melissa is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) licensed in the State of Missouri to provide excellent, compassionate care to patients of all ages.
Melissa originally attended Southwest Baptist University in Springfield, MO, receiving her ASN in 2011 and BSN in 2016.
While working full-time in a COVID-19 step-down unit during the pandemic, Melissa attended Cox College in Springfield, MO, where she was awarded her Master of Science in Nursing in 2021.
Melissa’s skills and experience are diverse. She spent the first part of her career as a hospital-based Charge RN, including 10 years of medical-surgical, neuro, and step-down patient care experience. She is also cross-trained in both the pediatric ICU and medical ICU.
As a nurse practitioner, Melissa specialized in ENT with a subspecialty in Head and Neck Surgery and spent time both in the hospital and in clinical settings before joining the team at 417 Healthcare.
Throughout Melissa’s entire career, her passion for nursing and people continues to drive her to provide the best possible care to her patients.
Melissa believes in taking the time to get to know her patients and find out what is important to them to individualize care to their specific needs. She also believes that patient education is vital in helping her patients to partner with her in their care journey and to make the best possible choices for their health and well-being.
Kristin Waugh, Nurse Practitioner
Kris is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) who holds a Master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Bachelor’s in Science, Nursing from the University of Central Missouri. Before Nursing, she had obtained a Bachelor of Science; Business Administration-Management. She is board-certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
As a registered nurse, she has experience in pediatric intensive care and dialysis. As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in Family and Internal Medicine, as well as surgical Orthopedics. Her experiences allow her to offer many types of treatment options, from conservative management of wellness and chronic issues to more advanced interventions including hormone replacement therapy, joint injections, and laceration repair. During her education, she was a regular member of the Dean’s list and a member of the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society. She is focused on improving the lives, quality, and outcomes of the patients she is privileged to serve. She enjoys helping patients discover what motivates them to achieve their health goals, allowing them to become the best version of themselves. She helps them focus on wellness and the development of a plan that fits their lifestyle and will allow them success. She has worked with all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics. Personal satisfaction is gained from seeing patients regain function, improve mobility, and improve their health.
Kris grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, and moved to Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in 1989. She has raised her family with her husband in Cass County, Missouri. She relocated to the Springfield area in 2021. She enjoys many outdoor activities, including boating, skiing, biking, jogging, and spending time with family and friends.
