03/25/2025
Meet Dara Anderson, APRN â A Story of Compassion & Healing
Dara has been a vital part of Highland Springs Specialty Clinic for over five years. Born and raised in Boise, Dara brings over two decades of nursing experience to her workâranging from critical care to in-patient mental healthâand has a passion for helping individuals heal from the inside out.
One of the most meaningful parts of her time at Highland Springs has been her work with Carla, a client whose journey has been nothing short of transformational. When Carla first came to the clinic, she was emotionally overwhelmed, carrying deep grief and pain, unsure of how to move forward.
Through time, patience, and compassionate care, Dara helped Carla find an appropriate medication combination to stabilize her symptoms. But more importantly, Dara offered Carla something even more powerful: a safe place to be heard, to cry, and to heal.
With Dara and Charles Nielsen's support, Carla has gone from barely getting through the day to truly living againâfinding joy in her life, especially through her relationship with her daughter and beloved grandchildren. She's no longer survivingâshe's thriving.
Carlaâs healing didnât stop with herself. Sheâs found ways to give back, to spread the kindness she received. One year, on her late daughter Kittyâs birthday, she went to a local bakery and paid for a little girlâs birthday cake in Kittyâs honor. That simple act of love is just one example of how healing can ripple outward.
Dara says:
âI see everyone as a person and value their input. I believe in active listening, open communication, and meeting patients where they are. Healing happens when we feel safe, seen, and supported.â
Weâre so grateful to have Dara as part of our Highland Springs family. Her compassion, clinical expertise, and heart-centered approach to care make a lasting impact not only on her clients, but on her colleagues and our entire community.