SUNA SPOTLIGHT: Christine Koops

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Christine Koops is one of those nurses that literally do it all.

As the owner of Dynamic Measurements, she provides mobile urodynamics services to urology and GYN physician practices across western Michigan. She is also an active member of Great Lakes SUNA and is busily recruiting new members from the western side of Michigan.

“I recently spoke at a Grand Rapids SUNA meeting on the topics of urodynamics and overactive bladder,” says Christine. “This was my first speaking opportunity for SUNA, but I hope there will be more in my future.”

Christine earned her BSN from the University of Michigan in 1992 and upon graduation started her nursing career on an orthopedic/trauma unit at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich. After several years at Butterworth, she accepted a position as a traveling nurse where she went to Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and a few other Michigan locations, working mostly medical/surgical nursing.

“This experience broadened my horizons and gave me the confidence I needed to become the nurse I am today,” explains Christine.

After marrying her husband in 1997, she worked in Chicago at the Evanston Continence Clinic where Christine says she was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn about urogynecology under the direction and instruction of Dr. Peter Sand, M.D. and Karen Sasso, urogynecology clinical nurse specialist. After returning to Grand Rapids, she used her urogynecology knowledge to work as a urodynamics nurse for Spectrum Health Hospital, until starting Dynamic Measurements in 2003.

It was at Evanston where the urologic nursing field started to interest Christine.

“The professionalism and skills demonstrated by the doctors and staff of the Evanston Continence Clinic were very positive influences in my decision to continue nursing in the urologic field,” Christine says. “I learned a great deal while working at the Evanston Continence Clinic and was motivated by them to continue learning in the field. Upon my return to Grand Rapids, I was fortunate to have found a need for urodynamics, first at Spectrum Health, and then on my own, with my mobile urodynamics company.”

Then came the opportunity to hook-up with SUNA.

“I joined SUNA when I was working for Spectrum Health Hospital,” says Christine. “I was in charge of the urodynamics program and writing the urodynamics protocols, so I needed to self-educate and stay updated with the current trends. I knew SUNA would be a great resource for this.

“Through SUNA, I have made many new professional contacts. I have also benefited from the educational literature supplied by SUNA as well as the classes and lectures provided at the local and national meetings. The information provided to me by SUNA has allowed me to stay current with new developments in the field of urology and urogynecology. It has also been helpful in assisting me when teaching other nurses desiring to specialize in urodynamics.”

Away from work, Christine has been married for 11 years to “a wonderful and supportive husband” and has three “lovely and active children,” Alexander, 8, Abigail, 5 and Anna, 2.

Christine enjoys hiking and has hiked in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park in California and Alaska’s Denali National Park, as well as numerous hikes in several other states.

“Vacationing by the beach is often times easier to do with kids than hiking, so our family has recently camped in our cozy trailer, near the Lake Michigan beaches, and has traveled to Cancun for ‘relaxing’ family vacations,” adds Christine.

“I also enjoy SCUBA diving and most sports and exercise, when I find time.”

We can see where finding time may be difficult, Chris!