About
About Ava Health
Ava Health serves the needs of residents in and surrounding Missoula, MT. It is owned by Michelle Weaver Knowles: a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Ms. Weaver Knowles (FNP CBCN ONNCG ACGN CFRA):
- Has a Master’s in Nursing from Gonzaga University
- Is a Certified Breast Health Navigator through Educare and the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators
- Is a Certified Breast Care Nurse by the Oncology Nursing Society
- Is certified in Inpatient Obstetrics
- Is certified as an Advanced Clinical Genomics Nurse by Nurse Portfolio Credentialing Commission (NPCC)
- Is certified Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment from National Consortium of Breast Centers, Inc.
- Is certified by City of Hope of Genomic Cancer Risk Assessment
- Was named the 2012 Nurse Navigator of the Year by the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators/Health Monitor
- Was a warded 2020 Distinguished Service Award by Foundation for Community Health
Why Michelle became a nurse
Much of my passion for patient care and advocacy stems from the loss of my sister Sherri from breast cancer when she was just 33 years old.
This experience strengthened my belief in patient education and shared decision making between the patient and provider.
Although my heart aches badly for her, I realize she lives on in my heart, hands and voice as I care for my patients.
Michelle Weaver Knowles
Michelle always wanted to become a nurse practitioner and realized after some “post-traumatic growth” that obtaining her Nurse Practitioner License would allow her to have a bigger voice and be a more well-rounded practitioner for her patients and community.
Ava Health’s Approach
Listen
Michelle meets patients where they are to promote their own health and wellness.
Advocate
She has been described as a “bulldog” for her patients as she knows what needs to be done, how to make it happen, and is not afraid to speak up on behalf of her patients.
Follow-up
She knows that patient education and understanding is paramount in helping them make informed decisions and choices to maintain their best health.
About Michelle
Michelle is an active member in her community, volunteering for many organizations over the years.
She practices what she preaches to her patients, enjoying a healthy and active lifestyle. Her favorite outdoor activities include Run/Walk/Run and Dragon Boat racing.
She is an award-winning fiber artist and has used these talents to help raise dollars for the organizations she believes in.
She enjoys public speaking and participating in various professional organizations.
Michelle is also a survivor.
All Insurance Programs Accepted
Allegiance
BCBSMT Traditional, PPO, FEP, BlueCard and Blue Preferred PPO Networks
First Choice Health Network (multiple insurance companies)
Humana
Interwest
Medicare
Medicaid
MT Health Coop Access Care
PacificSource
Michelle has an innate sense of her patients needs. My breast cancer journey would not have been as successful without her. Her knowledge and support were amazing!”