Nurse Practitioner, Progress Weight Management
Q: Tell us about yourself.
A: Hi! My name is Payton Piatz. I grew up in Hazen, ND. After high school, I attended the University of North Dakota for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. I worked as a pediatric nurse for several years before going back to school to pursue a Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree from Creighton University. Currently, I work as a nurse practitioner at Progress Weight Management, a role I genuinely enjoy. I’m passionate about helping others feel their best and providing personalized and compassionate care. At our clinic, we prioritize progress over perfection. Outside of work, I am a wife and mother of two young boys, who keep life busy and fun. Family time is incredibly important to me—whether we’re spending time outdoors, attending local sporting events, or just hanging out at home. We also have two golden retrievers and a cat who fill our house with a lot of love.
Q: What inspired you to get involved in your community at a young age?
A: Growing up in a small town played a significant role in inspiring me to get involved in my community at a young age. In a close-knit environment, it was impossible not to feel a sense of responsibility toward the people and places around me. Being involved in sports taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Additionally, actively participating in school functions such as fundraisers and volunteer events allowed me to contribute in meaningful ways and see how small efforts could create positive change. These experiences showed me that involvement strengthens both individuals and communities. Seeing the impact of participation in a small town inspired me to stay engaged, give back, and take pride in being an active member of my community from an early age.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: My parents are the most influential people in my life, as they have always been my biggest supporters and greatest role models. They are both incredibly hardworking and selfless, going above and beyond for those around them. They have taught me the importance of perseverance and believing in myself, even when life gets hard. Their guidance and support continue to motivate me every day.
Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention?
A: I feel that mental health access within our community could use more attention, as many individuals suffer in silence due to a lack of resources and support. Many barriers, such as cost, stigma, and long wait-lists, prevent people, especially children and low-income families, from receiving timely care. Improving access to mental health resources can help these individuals get appropriate treatment, ultimately leading to a healthier and more resilient community.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
A: Something that most people do not know about me is that my husband and I struggled with infertility for years before pursuing IVF, which led us to our two beautiful boys! I am a big believer in talking about infertility, as it can be an incredibly lonely and painful journey. I hope that by being more open, others feel a little less alone if they, too, are struggling.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The best advice I have ever received is simple but powerful: keep going, never give up. Motivation doesn’t come naturally; it’s something you build by continuing to show up and put in the work, especially on the days you feel tired or discouraged. Never giving up doesn’t mean struggling, but rather learning from setbacks and pushing forward towards meaningful growth.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: Our local United Way is important to me because it represents the importance of coming together as a community for our neighbors. The United Way increases awareness about resources that are needed within our town to help those struggling to put food on the table, access stable housing, and provide children with a proper education. By addressing poverty at its source and creating awareness and volunteer opportunities for members within the community, the United Way is helping break cycles that can leave families trapped for several generations.
Q: Finish this sentence: Lifting families out of poverty is important to me because …
A: Access to education, healthcare, and opportunity should not depend on income. Change is contagious. Several small steps towards decreasing poverty will lead to big changes, allowing for more people to be provided with the safe and stable environment they deserve.
