Nurse: Alexa Mattes
Registered nurse
Madison Medical Affiliates
When Alexa Mattes got to college, she couldn’t decide on an academic focus. She knew she liked science and medicine and initially thought about degrees in biology, and pharmacology, but ultimately decided they weren’t for her.
Shortly after, she settled on nursing and never wavered again.
“I knew I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she said.
Today, Mattes is a registered nurse at Madison Medical Affiliates in downtown Milwaukee. She works directly for Dr. John Betz, doing phone triage, managing medications, educating patients, and serving as a liaison between patients and their insurance companies.
Yet according to her patients and colleagues, she does so much more.
“Lexi is the most compassionate person I know,” said Jessica Bevan, assistant director of clinic operations at Madison Medical Affiliates. “She is the kind of person that goes out of her way to help the less fortunate every day. She is caring, understanding, non-judgemental and has a strong ability to empathize with patients from all walks of life.”
In the clinical setting, Mattes has the opportunity to see patients on an ongoing basis, she said.
Patients come for routine visits, as well as follow-ups and unexpected situations. They also call with questions, so Mattes and her team really get to know them, she said.
“It’s so much more than health-related conversations. We get to know their families, know when they are transitioning careers and which vacations they went on,” she said. “We have a personal connection with our patients, and it’s great to be able to impact their lives in such a positive way – it’s the ultimate reward.”
Mattes tries to put herself in her patients’ shoes and relates to them on a personal level.
“They are just like me. Oftentimes they are sick, in pain or nervous about a recent diagnosis,” she said. “I do my best to be warm, kind and comforting, and to treat them like family, because that’s what I would want if I were in their shoes.”
Mattes is also a regular volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Society and at the East Town farmer’s market, where she provides free blood pressure readings and offers basic medical advice.
“The (St. Vincent de Paul) Society does a lot to help our neighbors in poverty,” she said. “I try to do my part and give back when I can.”
