Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud to celebrate Sari Maenza, FNP as this quarter’s featured preceptor. Each quarter, FNU chooses a nominated preceptor who goes above and beyond to help graduate nursing students take the next step of their educational journey. These preceptors highlight the FNU Culture of Caring by exemplifying professionalism, inclusivity, respect, positive communication and mutual support.
Maenza is a family nurse practitioner (FNP) in White Plains, N.Y., where she is the White Plains Family Health Center manager. White Plains Hospital (WPH) is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high-quality acute health care and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit the surrounding areas.
The family health center is a critical community resource for the medically underserved. Maenza provides care to vulnerable populations and mentors aspiring nurse practitioners and medical students who desire to do the same. This passion supports FNU’s mission to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education, preparing leaders in primary care to serve individuals in underserved populations.
Nurse practitioner program graduate Julie Rosenbluth, MPH, FNP-BC, recently had Maenza as a preceptor and nominated her, impressed with her kindness, professionalism, and dedication to her patients.
Working at White Plains Family Health Center for 20 years, Maenza has developed strong relationships with her patients, primarily Spanish-speaking immigrants who are currently undocumented. Because of their status, most of her patients do not have health insurance. Despite this, Maenza provides them with unmeasured and complementary care, knowing that, without White Plains, their only other option is the emergency room, which comes with hard-to-meet fees.
Many of Maenza’s patients suffer from multiple co-morbidities, including diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. According to Rosenbluth, Maenza provides each patient with personalized plans and unending compassion.
“She treats each patient holistically and as an individual, often going above and beyond to identify and break down barriers to care,” Rosenbluth said. “As a result, she has long-standing relationships. Her patients trust and rely on her for the treatment of their entire families.”
Rosenbluth continued by remarking on what an excellent example Maenza was when she studied with her.
“Sari is not only an amazing provider to her patients, caring, empathetic and on top of her game clinically, but she is also a phenomenal teacher to her FNP students. She teaches by example as well as taking the time to educate students on the clinical process and best practices.”
Thank you to Maenza and all of the other exceptional preceptors who are helping to shape the next generation of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners! Preceptors are instrumental for FNU students, providing them with a mentor and the clinical experience needed for long-term success. If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a Frontier preceptor, click here to learn more on how you can make a difference in the healthcare community.
Read the inspiring stories of previously recognized preceptors or to nominate a preceptor.
Dr. Tia Brown McNair is the Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC. She oversees both funded projects and AAC&U’s continuing programs on equity, inclusive excellence, high-impact practices, and student success. McNair directs AAC&U’s Summer Institutes on High-Impact Practices and Student Success, and TRHT Campus Centers and serves as the project director for several AAC&U initiatives, including the development of a TRHT-focused campus climate toolkit. She is the lead author of From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education (January 2020) and Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success (July 2016 and August 2022 Second edition).