Healthy Boiler

Center for Healthy Living on West Lafayette campus welcomes new providers to team

Three new providers have joined the team at the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, increasing the number of providers available for primary care, pharmacy and dietitian services. All providers at the CHL are within the Tier 1 HealthySync network (most affordable, less out-of-pocket cost). Offering comprehensive care – in conjunction with other CHL providers – Lauren Ema, Trexie Rudd and Jessica McKeever are available to provide care to benefits-eligible faculty and staff as well as spouses and dependents covered on a Purdue health plan. Care provided at the CHL supports the physical health, financial wellness, work-life integration and behavioral health pillars of the Healthy Boiler Program.

Introducing your new providers

 Lauren Ema, CPNP-PC, RNC-NIC, IBCLC, CLC, is the CHL’s first primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and international board-certified lactation consultant.

Ema is currently available for lactation consultation appointments (including via telephone) for benefits-eligible employees and spouses covered on a Purdue health plan.

Appointments for dependents age newborn to 18 years covered on a Purdue health plan will begin in December; however, appointments can be scheduled now for December and 2023 for the following services:

  • Pediatric wellness visits
  • Pediatric sports physicals
  • Pediatric sick visits
  • Pediatric chronic condition management appointments

“I value children as individuals by involving them in their own wellness from an early age,” Ema said. “It’s also important to me to empower caregivers, reminding them that they are doing a great job raising their children.”

Her services at the CHL further enhance the family friendly practices already in place at the University, which include a lactation support program. Ema hopes that additional lactation services available on campus will help Purdue families better navigate the challenges of infant feeding amidst parental leave and after return to work. Research has shown that employer-based lactation support programs decrease employee sick time and increase employee productivity, retention and satisfaction.

“Infant feeding affects a family’s everyday life,” Ema added. “Whether they are breastfeeding, mixed feeding or formula feeding, families and their children are more likely to flourish when they have a knowledgeable clinician guiding them and supporting them in their decisions along the way.”

With the addition of Trexie Rudd, PharmD, the CHL now has three pharmacists available for medication therapy management and more. Rudd has a professional interest in working with pharmacy students and watching them apply their knowledge from the classroom to a real-life setting. She also enjoys continuing education and giving immunizations.

Having the opportunity for face-to-face interactions and having ample time during appointments to discuss medications and the individual needs of her patients in detail are some of the things she likes about being at the CHL.

“My goal is to treat every patient the same way I want myself or a family member to be treated in a healthcare setting,” Rudd shared. “I want each patient I meet with to feel like they have a voice in their care and to feel empowered to be part of the decision-making process.”

Jessica McKeever, RD, brings seven years of experience in both in-patient and out-patient services to the CHL, including the unique opportunity to have provided nutrition care for a wide range of patients – from 24-week premature infants to 104-year-old individuals.

Her interests and specializations include:

  • Cardiac, hypertension, hyperlipidemia
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy nutrition
  • Plant-based nutrition
  • Mediterranean nutrition
McKeever is excited to work with a multidisciplinary team to improve the overall health of the CHL clients.

“I treat my clients the same way I would want my own family and friends to be treated at an appointment,” she said. “It’s important to make that personal connection so I can provide the best care to meet the needs of each individual client.” 

Schedule an appointment

To schedule with Ema, Rudd, McKeever (along with any other provider at the CHL), call 765-494-0111 or visit the patient portal.