At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.
Susan VanZandt, APRN, FNP-C, AG-ACNP, earned her MSN in FNU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2018. VanZandt is a gastrointestinal (G.I.) hospitalist in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has worked in both clinical and hospital settings and various urgent care facilities.
“I became a nurse practitioner to help patients receive holistic medical care and to better connect with their providers, building a sense of trust and community,” VanZandt said.
VanZandt dedicates her practice to underserved patients in Tulsa, many of whom rely solely on hospitalization for medical care due to limited resources. She collaborates with case management to connect her patients with local resources for outpatient follow-up, placement, and medication accessibility.
VanZandt encounters patients with a spectrum of healthcare needs. From managing cardiovascular patients on anticoagulation with gastrointestinal bleeds to caring for those with alcoholic cirrhosis in need of urgent liver transplants, she navigates complex cases with compassion and expertise. Additionally, she provides ongoing support and education to younger patients grappling with chronic gastrointestinal issues, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Working closely with the liver transplant department in Oklahoma City, VanZandt has contributed to the successful transplantation of several patients. Her partnership with this department has been instrumental in extending life-saving opportunities to individuals who might have been turned away by other programs.
VanZandt said she chose FNU after extensive research. She felt the university best matched her goals and sense of community and belonging. She found a sense of belonging and purpose within her cohort and emphasizes the importance of staying connected to her roots and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, citing the Class of 128 Facebook page as a valuable resource for ongoing connection.
In addition to her role as a hospitalist, VanZandt has dedicated several years to serving on the board of the Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners (AONP). Her involvement began in 2020 when she represented Tulsa within the association. The following year, she assumed the responsibilities of vice president and conference chair for AONP. During her tenure, she organized a successful state conference for nurse practitioners, ensuring it met all continuing education requirements for NP license renewal.
In 2022, VanZandt assumed the presidency of AONP, where she played a pivotal role in unifying Advanced Practice Providers across the state. Together, they collaborated to draft a comprehensive bill advocating for full practice authority. Despite gaining overwhelming support in the Oklahoma Senate, the bill faced a setback when it was tabled by the House. Nonetheless, VanZandt’s leadership and advocacy efforts have left a lasting impact on the advancement of nurse practitioners’ rights and recognition in Oklahoma.
Outside of her professional endeavors, VanZandt enjoys traveling with her husband and son and enjoys watching her son participate in several sports.
Thank you, Susan, for your dedication to healthcare leadership and to caring for the underserved in your community.
To read more alumni stories, visit the FNU Alumni stories page.
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