Clinical Expertise and Special Interests
Billie Sturgeon is a neurosurgical nurse practitioner. She finds it very rewarding to see patients progress from illness or injury through recovery. She also enjoys educating patients so they can understand and participate in their healthcare.
Our providers work collaboratively in a care team model. Learn more about Dr. Hawkins!
Educational Foundation
Master of Science: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Bachelor of Science: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Certifications
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Affiliations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Billie Sturgeon's background and training?
Billie Sturgeon is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner (APNP) in the Neurosurgery specialty at Neuroscience Group, seeing patients at the Neenah location. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and her Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing her full education within the University of Wisconsin system. She holds Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) certification, a specialized credential designed for managing complex and acutely ill patients that is distinct from family or adult NP certifications and particularly well-suited to the neurosurgical setting. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and works as part of the neurosurgical care team alongside Dr. Alexander Hawkins, a board-certified neurosurgeon whose specialties include neuro-oncology, radiosurgery, cerebral vascular surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, and complex spinal surgery.
Is Billie Sturgeon board-certified or licensed as a nurse practitioner?
Yes. Billie holds Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) certification, a nationally recognized credential specifically designed for advanced practice nurses working with acutely and critically ill patients. ACNP certification reflects specialized training in the clinical management of complex, high-acuity conditions that goes beyond standard family or adult NP preparation. She is licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner in Wisconsin and is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
What does Billie Sturgeon do at Neuroscience Group?
Billie is a neurosurgery APNP at Neuroscience Group's Neenah location, where she works within the neurosurgical team alongside Dr. Alexander Hawkins. In this role she provides clinical care for neurosurgical patients across both the outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital settings, supporting pre- and post-operative management, patient evaluation, and care planning. Her Acute Care NP background gives her particular clinical depth in managing patients with complex or high-acuity neurosurgical conditions, which aligns well with Dr. Hawkins' specialties in brain tumors, vascular conditions, and complex spine surgery. Billie finds it especially meaningful to walk with patients through their full recovery journey, from the initial illness or injury through to the return of function and quality of life.
What is the difference between seeing Billie Sturgeon and a physician at Neuroscience Group?
As an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, Billie works collaboratively with and under the oversight of the neurosurgeons at Neuroscience Group, specifically alongside Dr. Hawkins. Her Acute Care NP certification is a meaningful differentiator within the APNP group — it reflects specialized training in managing acutely and critically ill patients that is particularly relevant in a neurosurgical practice where patients may be managing serious diagnoses, recovering from complex procedures, or navigating challenging post-operative courses. Surgical procedures are performed by the neurosurgeons, and complex surgical decisions are made collaboratively. For patients in the neurosurgery program, Billie provides attentive, educated, and compassionate care throughout the full arc of their treatment with the full depth of the neurosurgical team behind her.
What conditions does Billie Sturgeon help manage?
Billie helps manage conditions across the full scope of Neuroscience Group's neurosurgical program at the Neenah location, working alongside Dr. Hawkins whose practice includes brain tumors, cerebral vascular conditions, brain aneurysms, minimally invasive spine surgery, complex and revision spinal surgery, and functional neurosurgery. She supports patients at every stage of their surgical journey, from initial evaluation and diagnostic workup through pre-operative preparation and post-operative recovery, with particular depth in managing patients with complex or high-acuity presentations given her Acute Care NP background.
What is Billie's approach to patient care?
Billie chose to become a nurse practitioner specifically to help patients and their families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. She finds deep meaning in witnessing patients progress from illness or injury through to recovery, and she believes that education is one of the most important tools for making that journey more manageable. When patients understand what is happening and why, they are better equipped to participate meaningfully in their own care and to make informed decisions throughout the surgical process. This combination of genuine compassion and commitment to patient education reflects the values she brings to every patient encounter in the neurosurgical setting.
“I chose to become a nurse practitioner in order to help patients and their families through some of the most difficult times in their lives.”