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  • Faculty Published on Daily Nurse

    Faculty Published on Daily Nurse

    Shared Decision Making (SDM) is a healthcare model in which patients and healthcare providers work together to make decisions regarding treatment options and long-term care plans. The provider is encouraged to take into consideration the patient’s preferences, history, and values when exploring treatment options. The SDM model promotes open dialogue and emphasizes empathy, which allows for a more trusting and sustainable patient-provider relationship and ultimately improves health outcomes for the patient. 

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) faculty members Nicole Lassiter, Amy Marowitz, Jane Houston and Megan Garland wrote an article published on DailyNurse.com, a nursing news site that features up-to-date, relevant articles written by well-respected members of the healthcare community. According to Daily Nurse’s website, “To address the growing challenges of new nurses, [we] provide a wide range of free articles on employment, educational opportunities, career choices, nursing life, and advice for nurses that span all specialties in nursing from education to research to clinical practice.”

    We are proud to have faculty who strive to be up to date with best practices and use their knowledge to contribute quality research and information to the wider nursing community. 

    To read the full article, visit DailyNurse.com/Shared-Decision-Making.

  • FNU President Dr. Susan Stone Inducted to National Academy of Medicine

    FNU President Dr. Susan Stone Inducted to National Academy of Medicine

    FNU President Dr. Susan StoneWe are proud to announce that Frontier Nursing University (FNU) president Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Class of 2018 at the organization’s annual meeting on October 19, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

    Of the 85 new inductees, Dr. Stone is one of only two nurses in the NAM Class of 2018 and is the only inductee from Kentucky in the class. 

    Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulates that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. NAM’s total membership is more than 2,200, with only three members being from Kentucky, including Dr. Stone. 

    The election of Dr. Stone into the NAM membership was based on facts that she has reached distinguished professional achievement in the field of medicine and health, has demonstrated and continues her involvement with issues in healthcare, disease prevention, education and research, along with showcasing skills and resources likely to contribute to the Academy’s mission and finally, has proven a willingness to actively participate in the work of the Academy. 

    “The National Academy of Medicine offers an incredible opportunity to work collaboratively with leaders from a wide range of medical professions and disciplines,” Dr. Stone said. “It is a tremendous honor to join this organization which is so deeply committed to improving health care.”

    The election to NAM recognizes Dr. Stone’s achievements that have opened the door for more than 6,000 nurses to achieve graduate education and positively impact the accessibility of quality health care for rural families across the United States.

    Dr. Stone is a leader in the development of strategies to increase the quality and capacity of midwifery and advanced practice nursing workforces with the specific goal of improving health care for families. Since she was appointed president of FNU in 2001, she has led the transition from a community-based school of nurse-midwifery offering a basic certificate program with 200 students enrolled to an accredited university offering masters and doctoral degrees to nurses seeking graduate degrees. Today the University has more than 2,300 graduate nursing students enrolled from every state in the United States. 

    Dr. Stone currently also serves as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives where her agenda includes increasing the midwifery workforce through educational quality and capacity strategies; advocacy, especially related to the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis; and increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce. She believes working with other health care professionals is essential to achieve the goal of improving the health of women and families. 

    Congratulations, Dr. Stone, on your honorable induction into NAM, and thank you for being a worthy leader of FNU!

  • FNU Representatives Attend Diversity Conferences

    FNU Representatives Attend Diversity Conferences

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud to celebrate diversity in nursing, which is why student Diversity Impact ambassadors, faculty members and alumni attend a variety of annual conferences that do just that. A product of FNU’s diversity and inclusion initiative, the Diversity Impact Program promotes diversity in nursing and nurse-midwifery by recruiting and retaining students from underrepresented populations to become nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners. Conference participants have the opportunity to learn and celebrate, while also connecting with and providing information to prospective students. 

    FNU is a proud recipient of the Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant that funds a Professional Organizational Mentoring Program (POMP) which makes it possible to send faculty mentors and student mentees to many conferences throughout the year. Here’s a look at all the conferences Diversity Impact students and faculty attended the last few months:

     

    ACNM Meeting – May 18-23

    The 64th annual American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Meeting was held in National Harbor, Md. this year. The meeting aims to emphasize the importance of evidence-based care and to instigate conversations centered around race, socioeconomic disparities and structural competency in healthcare in America. This year, ACNM introduced a new racism and disparities track to focus on health inequities, implicit bias and the mortality and morbidity rate for women of color.

    FNU faculty and mentor Dr. Diana Jolles gave a podium presentation at the conference with her student mentee, Katrina George, as did Dr. Janelle Komorowski and her student mentee, Elizabeth Aviles.

    FNU held its annual reception at the conference on Sunday, May 19 and had over 150 people in attendance. Student mentees helped greet guests and enjoyed an evening of networking with other FNU alumni, students, faculty and preceptors.

    Student mentees Katrina George, Elizabeth Aviles, Aja Aviles-Soto, Alexandra Millett, Stacy Hepner and Ellen Apple represented the university by attending sessions and sharing information on distance education and specialty tracks at the exhibit booth. 

    You can read more about FNU’s participation at ACNM and how to join in at Frontier.edu/DIP-ACNM.

    Many FNU faculty, staff and students received awards at the ACNM conference. You can read about the awards and presentations here.

     

    AANP Conference and Exhibit – June 18-23

    The nation’s largest multispecialty Nurse Practitioner conference, the 34th annual American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) conference and exhibit was held in Indianapolis, Ind. in June. FNU faculty and mentor Dr. Delana Gardner attended along with FNU student mentees Frainleys Cruz, Caren Blantin, Ebony Hollins, Nancy Carter, Jessica Stevens and Channelle Nsangou. The mentor and mentee participants represented the university by attending educational sessions and sharing information on distance education and specialty tracks at the exhibit booth.

    Keynote speaker Elizabeth Smart shared her personal struggles and how she overcame extreme adversity after being abducted as a child. She emphasized the importance of recovery and not allowing the past to dictate the future.

    You can read more about FNU’s participation at AANP and how to join in at Frontier.edu/DIP-AANP.

      

    NBNA Conference and Exhibit – July 23-28

    The 47th annual National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) conference and exhibit was held in New Orleans, La. NBNA represents approximately 200,000 African American nurses from the U.S., Canada, Eastern Caribbean and Africa, with 115 chartered chapters nationwide.

    This year’s theme, “Addressing the Epidemic of Health Inequity,” focused on multifaceted approaches to improving the health status of communities of color, as well as advocating for a diverse and inclusive workforce.

    Attendees were encouraged by keynote speaker Dr. Ernest J. Grant, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, the 36th president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation’s largest nurse’s organization representing the interests of the nation’s four million registered nurses. A distinguished leader, Dr. Grant has more than 30 years of nursing experience and is an internationally recognized burn-care and fire-safety expert.

    FNU’s Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion Devon Peterika along with FNU faculty/mentor Dr. Linda McDaniel and student mentees Brittany Hogue and Erica McNealey attended the conference and represented the university with information on distance education and specialty tracks. 

    Visit Frontier.edu/DIP-NBNA to read more about FNU’s participation at AANP and how to join in.

     

    NAHN Conference and Exhibit – July 15-19

    The 44th annual National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) conference and exhibit was held in Reno, Nev. The conference theme, “A Climate of Change: Nurses Taking Action to Achieve Health Equity,” focused on addressing timely issues surrounding Latino healthcare regarding equity, diversity and inclusivity to bring awareness to health inequities affecting Hispanic communities of color. 

    FNU faculty and mentor Dr. Mary Ellen Biggerstaff and student mentees Amy Guzman, Leticia Fernandez, Sally Sanchez and Heather Ellin attended the conference and represented the university with information on distance education and specialty tracks at the exhibit booth. Fernandez was announced as a recipient of the United Health Foundation Diverse Scholars Initiative’s Latino Health Scholars Program.

    Workshops emphasized evidence-based healthcare practices with the aim to impact Latin cultures in providing culturally congruent health care to decrease disparities and inequities. Conference workshops also focused on student leadership and education with a call to create a pathway to leadership for millennial Hispanic nurses. 

    You can read more about FNU’s participation at NAHN and how to join in at Frontier.edu/DIP-NAHN.

     

    GLMA Conference and Exhibit – Sept. 11-14

    The 37th annual Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) conference and exhibit was held in New Orleans, La. This year’s conference theme, “LGBTQ Health Across the Lifespan”, highlighted the importance of understanding the ever-changing healthcare needs of LGBTQ patients from birth to end-of-life care.

    FNU Diversity Impact Student Ambassadors Vanessa Shields-Haas and Margaret Galvez attended the conference and represented the university at its exhibit booth.

    Visit Frontier.edu/DIP-GLMA to read more about FNU’s participation at GLMA and how to join in.

     

    AABC Conference and Exhibit – Sept. 12-15

    The 13th annual American Association of Birth Centers (AABC) conference and exhibit was held in Orlando, Fla. The AABC promotes and supports birth centers as a means to uphold the rights of healthy women and their families, in all communities, to birth their children in an environment that is safe, sensitive and cost-effective with minimal intervention.

    FNU sent Diversity Impact Student Ambassadors Marie Alcide-Pigniat and Jamie Neal to represent the university and connect with prospective students. 

    You can read more about FNU’s participation at AABC and how to join in at Frontier.edu/DIP-AABC.

     

    FNU is proud of its students, faculty, staff and alumni who have embraced the mission to reach diverse and minority populations to improve the quality of their healthcare. Thank you to all who played a part in this year’s diversity-focused conferences!

  • FNU Receives HEED Award for Second Consecutive Year

    FNU Receives HEED Award for Second Consecutive Year

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) received the 2019 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This is the second consecutive year that FNU has received this prestigious award.

    The Health Professions HEED Award is the only national honor recognizing U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, veterinary, allied health, and other health schools and centers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. 

    “The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees and best practices for both; continued leadership support for diversity; and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. 

    “As we continue to see a record number of Health Professions HEED Award applicants each year, nearly every school tells us they use the application itself as a tool to create new programs and to benchmark their accomplishments across campus. The process allows them to reflect on their successes and also determine where more work needs to be done. We also continue to raise the standards in selecting Health Professions HEED institutions.”

    FNU’s commitment to emphasizing and valuing diversity and inclusion was formally instituted with the creation of the Diversity Impact Program in 2010. The following year, FNU held its first annual Diversity Impact Conference. Held each summer, the Diversity Impact Conference opens the door for nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students plus faculty and staff to foster collaborative discussions, address health disparities, and find proactive solutions to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups. 

    In 2017, FNU established the position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), which sits on the President’s Cabinet.  Today, the Diversity and Inclusion Office has grown to include Interim CDIO Dr. Erin Tenney, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Chris Turley, and Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion Devon Peterika. 

    FNU’s diversity initiatives span all facets of the university, but one of the most telling and important data points is the percentage of students of color enrolled at FNU. In 2009, that number was nine percent. In 2019, it has grown to 23 percent. 

    “We are incredibly proud to receive the prestigious HEED Award again this year,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “To receive this award two years in a row is a wonderful honor. Our graduates serve people of all races and cultures and are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds. It is imperative that our students, faculty, and staff have cultural awareness and competency in order to effectively advance our mission. The HEED Award confirms the value of our efforts and validates our continued emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the culture of FNU.”

  • FNU Honors Alumni with Service Awards

    FNU Honors Alumni with Service Awards

    Every fall, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) honors alumni and individuals who go above and beyond in their service to diverse, rural and underserved populations. Please join us in congratulating the 2019 Service Award recipients. 

    Distinguished Service to Alma Mater, Nurse-Midwife: Stephanie Vanderhorst

    The Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award honors an alumnus who has continued to provide support to Frontier through volunteer efforts and/or donor support.

    Stephanie Vanderhorst, CNM, MSN, serves as midwifery director of Auburn Birthing Center in DeKalb, Ind. Shortly after graduating from FNU in 2002, she became the first certified nurse-midwife credentialed at DeKalb Memorial Hospital and Auburn OB/GYN; she has attended over 1,700 births since then.

    “My goal is for every woman who wants a nurse-midwife to have a nurse-midwife by her side,” said Stephanie.

    Stephanie also serves as a preceptor for CNM students. “She is a fantastic mentor and truly has a servant’s heart,” said Shannon Markle, MSN. “I have never met someone so deserving of recognition.”

    In addition to practicing, Stephanie is also a leader and advocate for nurse-midwifery. She has served as the president of the Indiana American College of Nurse-Midwives and has worked with the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana to help bring full practice autonomy to Indiana APRNs.

    Distinguished Service to Alma Mater, Nurse Practitioner: Danny Shane Webb

    Danny Shane Webb, MSN, FNP, is a nurse practitioner at Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville, Ga. He specializes in internal medicine and has hospital privileges at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

    Danny graduated from FNU with his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in 2017 and is currently enrolled in FNU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. 

    As the current president of the FNU Alumni Association, he is an active, vocal, and supportive leader for the entire FNU community. Jennifer Brown, MSN, CNM, said of Danny, “He is an ever-present, enthusiastic but level-headed voice for alumni, current students and healthcare.”

    Danny also serves as a preceptor for FNU students.

    Distinguished Service to Society, Nurse-Midwife: Mary Kay Miller

    The Distinguished Service to Society Award recognizes an alumnus who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service in their communities.

    Mary Kay Miller, CNM, MSN, DNP, serves as Florida regional clinical faculty for FNU’s Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP) and Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program tracks. She has also served as a preceptor for FNU students.

     

    Mary Kay practiced midwifery in Fort Myers, Fla., for seven years primarily in low resource settings with underserved populations. She led the building and opening of a free-standing birth center before going on to work in Orlando for five years.

    “My primary areas of clinical and academic interests are providing options to all women and supporting students,” said Mary Kay, who currently resides in Madeira Beach, Fla.

    Since 2009, Mary Kay has served as the Florida Affiliate President for ACNM and has been on the board of the Florida Council of Nurse-Midwifery. She also served as the liaison for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District XII and remains active in supporting collegial relationships at the local level. 

    Distinguished Service to Society, Nurse Practitioner: Jessica Lynn Smith

    Jessica Lynn Smith, MSN, FNP, serves women and families as a nurse practitioner at the Vidalia Children’s Center in Vidalia, Ga. and at East Georgia Women’s Center in Statesboro, Ga. She also serves as a frequent preceptor for FNU students.

    A two-time cancer survivor, Jessica is active in many community organizations and events. In addition to serving as the vice president of Toombs-Montgomery C.A.R.E.S, a non-profit for cancer patients, she has also organized Relay for Life teams, cancer survivor dinners, and pediatric cancer fundraisers. She frequently volunteers at a free women’s health clinic in her community.

    “Although she has battled cancer twice and has been hospitalized many times, her service has never stalled,” said Jessica’s husband Brandon.

    Courier Program Unbridled Spirit Award: Carlyle Carter

    The Courier Program Unbridled Spirit Award is given annually to a former Courier who has carried the torch of Mary Breckinridge beyond the mountains, perpetuating the mission and spirit of Frontier in their own lives. The criteria for this award include dedication to serving others; ongoing, longstanding stewardship of Frontier; and demonstration of personal conviction, courage and a zest for adventure.  

    Carlyle Carter’s first connection to FNU dates back to 1954, when she was just 11 years old. Carlyle’s grandmother was a cousin of FNU founder Mary Breckinridge, who invited Carlyle to visit her in Wendover.

    “It was a life-changing experience,” said Carlyle, who served as a courier in 1962 and 1965. “I was excited to get to know Mary Breckinridge, the nurses, the staff, the couriers, the mountain people, and the horses. In those days, nurses were still doing home visits on horseback.”

    Carlyle is currently an FNU trustee and Courier Advisory Council member. She joined the FNU Board of Directors in July 2018.

    Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award: Margaret Voorhies Haggin Trust

    The Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award recognizes an individual or organization providing longstanding support and commitment to the mission and work of Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University.

    The Margaret Voorhies Haggin Trust was created in 1938 by Margaret Voorhies Haggin in memory of her late husband, James Ben Ali Haggin.

    James Haggin was born in 1827 in Frankfort, Ky. He followed the gold rush to California and acquired numerous mines, which he then sold to purchase a single tract of California land measuring 400,000 acres. 

    Haggin began raising thoroughbreds and bought 5,000 acres of additional land in the heart of the Bluegrass. After the death of his son, Haggin turned his attention to raising thoroughbred stock and horses at his Kentucky property, Elmendorf Farm. Haggin passed away in 1914 after building a successful business and establishing a lasting legacy.

    The Margaret Voorhies Haggin Trust was created to support health and higher education. Since 1989, the Trust has provided over half a million dollars in support to Frontier Nursing University, serving a variety of needs including scholarships, renovations, and generous donations to the Versailles Capital Campaign.

    We would like to thank each of these award winners for their dedication to improving the health of women and families, and their honorable representation of FNU.

  • FNU Hosts Fifth Annual Virtual Event for National Midwifery Week

    FNU Hosts Fifth Annual Virtual Event for National Midwifery Week

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) joined thousands of nurse-midwives across the country to celebrate National Midwifery Week from Sept. 29 – Oct. 5. FNU hosted its fifth annual virtual event focused on healthcare team communication and perinatal mental health, featuring sessions delivered by nurse-midwifery leaders.

    Here’s a recap of the sessions in case you missed them:

    Healthcare Team Communication

    FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FACNM, FAAN, kicked off the week by hosting her session, “Celebrating National Midwifery Week – Successful Collaboration: Obstetricians and Midwives.”

    According to Dr. Stone, the ideal situation occurs when nurse-midwives, obstetricians, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers work together in collaborative teams. When the best of both professions successfully collaborate together, women and families benefit.

    Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM, an FNU course faculty member, presented a quality improvement project aimed at decreasing the length of stay in an obstetrical triage unit in her session, “We’re All in It Together – Midwives, Nurses and Physicians: A Team Solution for a Team Problem.”

    She explained how improved team communication, patient engagement and the use of nurse-driven orders will decrease patient time in triage. This leads to increased satisfaction for both clients and staff.

    Nurse-midwives got a free continuing education credit (and still can!) from the session by Audrey Perry, DNP, CNM and Mark Woodland, MS, MD, “Maybe there is an “I” in TEAM”, introducing Interprofessional Education, Collaboration and Service (IPECS) committees as a potential solution to improving team-based care and interprofessional education. They explained how IPECS committees are created and sustained, and they outlined specific interventions that promote a shift from soloist to team-based healthcare culture.

    Tonya Nicholson, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM went live in her session, “I Wanna Be Part of the Team!” to discuss the process of becoming a nurse-midwife and to answer the questions of current and future nurse-midwifery students.

    Perinatal Mental Health

    Kalena Lanuza, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PHN, CLCI gave a powerful presentation on perinatal mental health in her session, “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: A Community-Based Approach to Improving Perinatal Mental Health.”

    Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) occur in up to 20 percent of women during the perinatal period and are one of the leading causes of complications associated with childbearing. Dr. Lanuza explored how empowering women through a shared decision-making process along with community collaboration improves the implementation of effective perinatal mental health practices.

    The 2019 virtual event was sponsored by Southern Cross Insurance Solutions. National Midwifery Week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. FNU President Dr. Susan Stone is currently serving as president of the ACNM Board of Directors. 

    To view each of the sessions from FNU’s virtual event, visit FNUDigitalSummit.com/NMW-2019.

  • Graduates Honored in 2019 Commencement Ceremony

    Graduates Honored in 2019 Commencement Ceremony

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) graduates, family and friends gathered to celebrate commencement on Saturday, Sep. 28. A total of 852 graduates were honored in this year’s ceremony, and 265 attended along with family, friends and over 200 FNU faculty, staff and board members.

    Degrees were conferred on graduates who completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Master of Science in Nursing degree, or Post-Graduate Certificate.

    To accommodate almost 2,000 attendees, this year’s ceremony was moved from its traditional location in Hyden, Ky. to the Lexington Center’s Bluegrass Ballroom in Lexington, Ky. The move coincides with the ongoing construction of FNU’s new campus in Versailles, Ky., scheduled to open in 2020. The Versailles campus will allow FNU to better serve its growing student population.

    Faculty and students who showed exceptional performance received awards during the ceremony. Please join us in congratulating the 2019 commencement award recipients:

    Doctor of Nursing Practice Leadership Award: Heather Haslun

    Nurse Practitioner Leadership Award: Kristin DeArruda Wharton

    Kitty Ernst Leadership Award: Heidi Philips

    DNP Exemplary Project Award: Carla Bray

    Student Choice Academic Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Janet Engstrom 

    Student Choice Regional Clinical Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Nancy Pesta Walsh 

    FNU was honored to welcome Dr. Joycelyn Elders, M.D. as the keynote speaker. In 1993, Dr. Elders was appointed as the 15th Surgeon General of the United States, becoming the second woman and the first African American to serve in the role.

    Dr. Elders shared her inspiring journey of rising from her upbringing in rural Arkansas through the medical and governmental ranks. Throughout her career, she achieved ground-breaking success in her office practice, medical research, and education leadership. Now retired, she still plays an active role in public health education in her Arkansas community.

    Dr. Elders was also presented with an FNU honorary doctorate.

    “It was a tremendous honor to have Dr. Elders join us as the keynote speaker for our 2019 commencement ceremony,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We are so thankful and proud that she shared her story with our graduates and their families.”

    Congratulations to all of our 2019 graduates!

  • Faculty Spotlight: Mary Ellen Biggerstaff

    Faculty Spotlight: Mary Ellen Biggerstaff

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumna and faculty member Mary Ellen Biggerstaff, MSN, DNP, has a heart for serving her community struggling with opioid addiction.

    Mary Ellen takes on many roles: she is an FNU regional clinical faculty member for Washington, Alaska and Hawaii; she is an Evidence-Based Practice course faculty member; and she practices in a family clinic where she has served for the past ten years.

    Mary Ellen’s community of Olympia, Wa. was formed as a hub for the logging industry. With the industry’s decline, the community has suffered high rates of unemployment and an economic downturn. This has led to an increase in patients dealing with opiate addictions as they try to cope with their hardships.

    A new resource recently became available to help combat opiate dependency and addiction, and Mary Ellen has embraced it with open arms. Suboxone, a combination of buprenorphine, a narcotic, and naloxone, which blocks the effects of opioid medication, has emerged as an effective opioid addiction combatant.

    Last year, Mary Ellen obtained her waiver to prescribe Suboxone through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)’s 24 hour Suboxone waiver training.

    Soon after she obtained her waiver, Mary Ellen’s practice implemented a low-barrier medication-assisted therapy clinic. The clinic offers daily drop-in hours with a mission of treating addiction with radical empathy and acceptance for patients. A team of experienced registered nurses (RNs) and patient advocates assist the prescribing clinicians in the clinic.

    “Anyone who has worked with opiate addiction knows how incredibly challenging this work can be, not only because of its difficulty in treating it, but the behaviors that go along with the addiction,” she said.

    The clinic puts a strong emphasis on outreach to vulnerable communities, especially homeless and incarcerated populations. Mary Ellen has seen a dramatic improvement in extremely ill patients after only a week or two of Suboxone treatments.

     “Our goal at this clinic is to treat everyone compassionately and meet them where they are to get them the help they need.”

    Mary Ellen obtained her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) through FNU back in 2009. She began working at a family-based clinic where she still serves as a clinician. Ten years at Summit Pacific Medical Center has allowed Mary Ellen to build relationships with patients and have a lasting impact on her community.

    A few years ago, Mary Ellen knew she wanted to take the next step in providing better care to her patients. She enrolled in FNU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program because of her past success in the MSN program.

    “I’m a big believer in FNU’s mission, and the DNP program worked with both my work schedule and my crazy family schedule,” Mary Ellen said.

    In her role as regional clinical faculty for FNU, Mary Ellen has mentored many FNU students through their coursework and clinicals.

    “I train people to be excellent nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, especially to rural and vulnerable populations,” she said. “I love to see students I mentored impacting their communities.”

    Thank you, Mary Ellen, for your work with both FNU students and vulnerable populations!

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