Keisha Bird, ARNP

Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Division of Endocrinology/Metabolic Diseases
Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville

Keisha Bird was a volunteer at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) during her first year in Pharmacy school when her life took a new direction. It was then that she realized she was a “people person” and wanted to interact with children and families needing support and healing at the bedside. Years later, Keisha is now a valuable member of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville, a team renowned for patient care, education and research. Working with her team has provided Keisha the best of both worlds, according to her. “ I am able to use a variety of nursing skills in a clinical research setting and have the opportunity to coordinate protocols that will have a significant effect on children in the future.”

She offers advice to one considering her path: “There are so many options, but once you learn what interests you most, and use this knowledge to position yourself in the right setting.” Nelly Mauras, MD, Keisha’s very discerning supervisor and Division Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases at NCCJ, observes: “Keisha is a very talented nurse practitioner... She is smart, attentive to detail and very engaging with our families. She helps run some of our most complex studies and does so always with a smile and wonderful demeanor. She is a great asset to our division and the institution as a whole.” Keisha’s life is full, with a satisfying position where she knows she makes a big difference and at home, where her three-year old daughter is “my sunshine every day. Through her I am learning,” says Keisha, “the meaning of ‘children learn what they live.’”