Tessa Henderson

Meet Tessa Henderson

Tessa Henderson is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgery, bone health, and concussion treatment. She supports the Lakewood neurosurgeons and works within the Spine Fracture and Bone Health clinic and the Concussion clinic. She treats bone health, fracture management, concussion management, and surgical optimization.

Tessa has served eight years as a critical care nurse (ED, ICU, trauma), and eleven years as a nurse practitioner primarily in internal medicine and cardiology in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University, and a Masters of Science in Nursing from Colorado State University, Pueblo. 

In her work, she sees the most successful outcomes happen when the patient is an active participant in the decision making process. She makes sure that patients are involved with decisions, and each treatment plan is individualized for the patient. She believes every person and situation is unique and treatment plans should be structured accordingly. There is a place for medications when appropriate, but non-pharmaceuticals can be utilized to manage many conditions. She aims to use this method as an overall wellness and prevention approach to help people maximize their health.

In her down time, Tessa enjoys traveling, reading, paddleboarding, and attending live music and festivals.

Education

• ACNPC-AG/FNP program, Colorado State University Pueblo
• Nursing, BSN, Regis University
• General Studies, University of Colorado, Denver
• General Studies, Arapahoe Community College

Memberships

• American Nurses Association
• Colorado Society of Advanced Practice Nurses
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses
• American College of Cardiology

Publications

• Samaras EA, Real SD, Curtis AM & Meunier TS.  (2012) Recognizing nurse stakeholder dissonance as a critical determinant of patient safety in new healthcare information technologies.  WORK: A Journal of Assessment, Prevention, and Rehabilitation, 41(s1): 1904-1910.

Experience

• Nurse Practitioner, South Denver Cardiology Associates
• Nurse Practitioner,  Department of Health and Human Services
• Nurse Practitioner, Radiology Imaging Associates
• Nurse Practitioner, Colorado Pulmonary Intensivists
• Trauma Nurse Practitioner, Parker Adventist Hospital
• Trauma Clinical Coordinator/ Program development, Presbyterian/ St Luke’s Medical Center
• ICU and ER nurse, The Medical Center of Aurora

Team

Dr. Zain Allison

Specializes in neurotrauma, spine surgery, neuro-oncology, and neurovascular surgery.

Dr. Joshua Beckman

Denver spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery in Lakewood.

Dr. John Hudson

Specializes in neuroendoscopy, minimally invasive brain surgery, and brain mapping.

Tessa Henderson is a nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgery, bone health, and concussion treatment. She supports the Lakewood neurosurgeons and works within the Spine Fracture and Bone Health clinic and the Concussion clinic. She treats bone health, fracture management, concussion management, and surgical optimization. Tessa has served eight years as a critical care nurse (ED, ICU, trauma), and eleven years as a nurse practitioner primarily in internal medicine and cardiology in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University, and a Masters of Science in Nursing from Colorado State University, Pueblo.  In her work, she sees the most successful outcomes happen when the patient is an active participant in the decision making process. She makes sure that patients are involved with decisions, and each treatment plan is individualized for the patient. She believes every person and situation is unique and treatment plans should be structured accordingly. There is a place for medications when appropriate, but non-pharmaceuticals can be utilized to manage many conditions. She aims to use this method as an overall wellness and prevention approach to help people maximize their health. In her down time, Tessa enjoys traveling, reading, paddleboarding, and attending live music and festivals.

Dr.

Awards

• Trauma program development