Dr. Mona Marie Counts, Ph.D., CRNP, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, 77, of Rices Landing, Pa., died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at home surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Mona lived life to its fullest. She was recognized by many as the “mother of nurse practitioners.” She was a very strong advocate for women’s education and advancement. She traveled the world over and touched thousands of lives that even she did not realize, and left a positive impact that will live on in the hearts of many.
This obituary, as many would agree, will never do justice in acknowledging all of her achievements and accomplishments. Dr. Counts, only the second nurse practitioner in the nation and former president of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, started the first profitable free-standing nurse practitioner run family practice clinic in the United States. Through this clinic she educated hundreds, if not thousands, of nurse practitioners and residents. Her efforts were recognized by many nationally, lobbying and testifying at the state and national level on behave of full practice authority for nurse practitioners.
Along with many other awards, she was awarded the endowed Eberly Chair at Penn State University and was director of the Nurse Practitioner Program. She failed retirement several times, opening a “back porch” practice, volunteered as the telemedicine provider for a free-clinic, in Altoona, Pa., and Wesley Health Center of Connellsville, Pa., and was active in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board up until the time of her death. She was also exceptionally proud of earning her Master Gardeners Certification, as well as her pilots license and Board Member of SOAR … and the list goes on and on.
She is survived by her husband, JD Yellets; daughter, Joy D. Nugent and her son-in-law, Courtney and grandson, Grant; son, Daniel Yellets; and cherished foster children. (You know who you are.)
Her family wants to thank the nurses, CNA’s and staff of Amedisys Hospice. Your loving care and invaluable guidance will never be forgotten.
Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Marcellus Roman Catholic Church, 1340 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Pa., at noon, Saturday, April 13. Immediately following the Mass, a celebration of life will be held at The Olde Station Inn Bar & Grill, 1611 Mount Morris Road, Waynesburg, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, Mona requested that Mass cards be filled out in her remembrance with donations to support charitable works in her name.
