Nursing is a family tradition for Janette Evans, ANP-BC, board certified nurse practitioner at Neighborhood Health Center. Her mom was an LPN, her grandmother was a nurse’s aide, and an aunt was an RN. So, as she was growing up in Niagara Falls, it was only natural that she thought of becoming a nurse herself.

In fact, Janette’s mom helped her land a job in high school as an aide in a senior care facility, hoping to show the teen the hard work that goes into nursing and perhaps dissuade her from the profession.  Instead, Janette loved it. Her career path was set.  She earned her degree as a registered nurse from Erie Community College and went on to earn both her bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree as a nurse practitioner from Daemen College.

Today, Janette carries on her family tradition as a community health provider and associate department chair in family medicine at Neighborhood Health Center. She also serves as nurse practitioner for Neighborhood’s Health Care for the Homeless program, one of more than 200 programs nationwide federally funded to specifically serve individuals who are experiencing homelessness. 

Janette brings an extensive and diverse nursing background to her roles at Neighborhood. She previously served in positions at Sisters Hospital, Buffalo General Hospital, and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. She has also worked as a hospitalist for a private practice that offered medical management and coordination services to patients when they are admitted to the hospital.

Since joined Neighborhood in 2018, Janette says her passion as a caregiver has only grown as she has found opportunities to develop and expand her work. She sees patients out of the Neighborhood Health Center Mattina location at 300 Niagara Street in downtown Buffalo and heads a team of caregivers, including an RN and local medical students, who go out to shelters, bus stations and parks in an effort to provide needed healthcare to people who are experiencing homelessness.

“My work at Neighborhood Health Center is everything I’ve hoped for as a nurse,” Janette explains. “I work with collaborative and motivated healthcare professionals who share the same goal – giving all people access to high quality health care.”

Janette’s work in expanding care for the homeless in the community has not gone unnoticed. She was appointed to the board of directors for the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, a group that fosters collaboration to help end homelessness, and she co-chairs a Neighborhood committee on healthcare needs. Janette notes that one of the most rewarding aspects of her job is seeing a patient she has cared for obtain stable housing and get their life back on track. “It may take time, but once we gain trust and build a relationship with our patients who are experiencing homelessness, we can really help them turn things around,” she says.

This year, Janette will expand her work further as she has been appointed clinical director in family medicine at Neighborhood. While friends and co-workers may call her a workaholic, Janette does find time to spend with her two adult daughters – the eldest is studying for a master’s degree in speech pathology and the other is attending the University at Buffalo. Currently living in North Tonawanda, Janette also likes to travel, hike, and work out. She takes care of herself so that she can provide care for others.