Patti Prater is a native of Atmore, AL. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing in 1983 with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She worked in a variety of clinical settings including Medical/Surgical, Antepartum/Post-Partum/Mother-Baby/Gynecologic, Intensive Care, and Emergency. Patti also worked in a variety of non-clinical roles including Case Management, Revenue Integrity, Internal Defense and Manage Care Auditing, Chargemaster Maintenance, and Medicare Compliance. Patti worked in the civilian sector for 19.5 years. In 2009 she completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) at Shorter University.

In 2003, Patti was commissioned as an officer into the United States Army Reserve and was mobilized in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom 2004-2006. She served at Fort Sill, OK 1.5 years as the Head Nurse of a busy Med/Surg unit. Upon returning from active duty Patti joined the Active Guard and Reserve as a full-time staff officer. She served as a Credentialing Officer, Brigade Training Officer, and in two different headquarters as the Deputy to the Command Surgeon. Her primary responsibilities were the day to day operation of the Surgeon’s office and advising the Commanding Generals on the medical readiness and deployability of their commands.

Patti retired from the Army in October of 2019 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after serving 16.5 years. She is now pursuing a Master’s Degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Patti is the mother of three adult children and she currently resides in Newnan, GA.