About Nicole Gauthier “I have always been a helper,” says Nicole Gauthier, LCSW. “When I was younger, I enjoyed going to visit my parents at their work at the hospital and medical practice,” she says. Her father is an Internist, and her mom a Registered Nurse. In addition to her parents’ medical roles, her sister is an Infectious Disease Physician and her husband a Urologist. “I worked a summer at a local nursing home and loved assisting the residents with their emotional needs,” she says. So even though science was not Nicole’s strong suit, she found the social workers within the health care setting to be very helpful to overall well-being of patients and their families, and found this as her path into health care. Nicole’s undergraduate work was completed at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, and she earned her Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work at Tulane University, New Orleans. Nicole describes herself as a patient advocate and a good resource to finding solutions to problems. Her work includes counseling those in crisis who are experiencing distress or who have mental health needs. “I work collaboratively with physicians and nurses in finding solutions, and aid patients through active listening, support and empowerment,” she says. “Connecting patients and their families with necessary resources.” An experienced licensed clinical social worker in Indiana and Michigan, Nicole has a broad background in mental health assessments and interventions, family counseling and crisis intervention in ICU, Surgical ICU and ER. She has worked in case management and crisis intervention for indigent patients and patients experiencing trauma, homelessness and acute mental health issues. Also, as a medical case manager, Nicole has skill with discharging indigent patients, grief counseling and crisis intervention in violent situations. Nicole says from her patients, she has learned to be open minded and to never make assumptions. While her work can be intense as she deals with all levels of emotion and grief, she hopes her patients see her as a good listener and appreciate that she has a sense of humor. In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My parents. They always emphasized the importance of contributing to your community and putting others before yourself. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  Dishwasher at Lindy’s Restaurant in Cassopolis. I remember it being physically demanding and I had to work fast. Eventually, I graduated to pizza cook and learned how to toss pizza dough! What is your favorite food? Movie?  Favorite foods: New Orleans food and cherry pie      Favorite movie: Urban Cowboy What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Best subject was social studies and worst was math If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be?  My great-great grandparents In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about?  Autism advocacy. I have a son with autism and feel passionate about this community. What are your hobbies, interests?  Volunteer in the theater, downhill skiing, fly fishing, traveling. Everything New Orleans. Do you have pets?  Yes, a hound dog named Roux. She is the color of good Louisiana roux for making gumbo. What is something most people don’t know about you?  I’m married to a Louisiana Cajun and our last name is pronounced “Go-chay.”