— AdventHealth last week recognized five advanced practice providers (APPs) with the 2024 APPLE Award, an honor whose acronym stands for Advanced Practice Providers Leading with Excellence. The awards program, part of AdventHealth's Advanced Practice Provider Appreciation Week, was established in 2023 to honor outstanding APPs employed by AdventHealth Medical Group. In 2024, the program expanded to include both employed and affiliated APPs.
One honoree was selected from each of the following five categories: Employed Primary Care, Employed Specialty Care, AdventHealth South Overland Park, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Employed Primary Care: Marcy Norwich, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Marcy is a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner who provides family medicine care at AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Prairie Star. She joined AdventHealth in 2022 and is known for going above and beyond to care for patients and colleagues alike.
"Marcy is a true professional angel and a blessing to all of her patients and fellow associates,” said one nominator. “She is always available to her patients and will take extra time out of her day to ensure they have everything they need."
Marcy takes great care to ensure coordinated care for her patients, including contacting payors, specialists and hospital departments on a patient's behalf when she identifies the need for that kind of extra support. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and is currently pursuing additional specialization in mental health to better understand and address her patients' behavioral health needs. Marcy is conscientious about attending to each patient's individual circumstances and, importantly, she "understands how to communicate with patients during their most difficult times and is a HUGE support to those needing a little extra TLC."
Employed Specialty Care: Estelle Schmidt, APRN, NP-C
Estelle is a certified adult nurse practitioner who specializes in pulmonary care with AdventHealth Medical Group Pulmonology at Shawnee Mission. She joined AdventHealth in 2013 and she is widely appreciated by both colleagues and patients for being warm, knowledgeable and intuitive.
"Estelle always goes above and beyond to make sure patients are taken care of,” said one nominator. “We had a patient in the office who was having issues with their equipment at home and needed extra assistance. Estelle made sure everything was taken care of before the appointment was over, including asking Respiratory staff to come in and do extra instruction for the patient's comfort."
Colleagues who have observed Estelle's interactions with patients describe her as an excellent listener and a genuinely caring provider.
"She listens in a way our patients feel heard and comfortable. Even with hard conversations like hospice care, Estelle is caring and compassionate."
As the pulmonology clinic's provider team has shifted in the last couple of years, Estelle has taken on additional patients and broadened her scope of care, and she consistently earns high patient satisfaction ratings. As one colleague wrote, "Estelle is a huge asset for our clinic and our patients. We would be lost without her.”
AdventHealth South Overland Park: Melissa Young PA-C
Melissa is a certified physician assistant with AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at South Overland Park where she provides care for adult patients with a wide range of heart care needs. She joined AdventHealth Cardiology in 2010 and provided care at the Shawnee Mission campus until moving to South Overland Park 3 years ago. Melissa is appreciated for her strong commitment to delivering competent and compassionate patient care, and the cardiologists in the group describe her as extremely hardworking.
"As a hospitalist, I have had the pleasure of having Melissa involved in the care of many of my patients at South Overland Park,” said AdventHealth South Overland Park Chief Medical Officer Michèle Jean-François, MD. “She is an outstanding team member; she is hardworking, proactive and efficient. She takes the time to listen to her patients and to make them feel heard. She keeps the whole team informed by communicating promptly to ensure her patients are taken care of. Her documentation is thorough. Even during the busiest days, she is pleasant, patient and collaborates well. We love having her at South Overland Park; she completes the team. She is amazing!"
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission: Allison Serrano, PA-C, MPH
Allison is a certified physician assistant who specializes in urology with KCUC Urology and Oncology, where she has been since 2011. She provides urologic care at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, primarily working in the inpatient setting, collaborating with other providers and hospital staff to deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. Allison is highly regarded by patients and peers alike for her strong commitment to ensuring each patient receives individualized care.
“Allison is dedicated to making sure urologic patients get consistent, compassionate and timely care,” said one nominator. “She works well with hospital-based providers and staff to coordinate care and services.”
Allison is a valued member of the team, diligently and thoughtfully collaborating daily with colleagues to ensure each patient has the best experience possible.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist: Alissa Blau, DNAP, CRNA
Alissa is a doctorally-prepared CRNA with Midwest Anesthesia Associates, PA, where she has been since 2021, and she provides anesthesia care at AdventHealth South Overland Park. She is applauded for her excellent skills in both listening to patients' concerns and responding in a way that not only answers their questions but puts their minds at ease.
"Alissa is a wonderful, caring CRNA who listens to her patients and cares for them in an exemplary manner,” said a colleague. “She takes the time to explain things to her patients on a regular basis and I learn something new from her all the time."
Alissa is also known for her excellent collaboration with and mentorship of colleagues. "She has a positive influence on those around her and I love that she is always willing to teach and explain. She makes me a better nurse. She is professional and passionate, and I always know that we're in good hands when she is here.”
The five 2024 APPLE Award recipients were presented with awards during AdventHealth APP Appreciation Week, which was celebrated Oct. 21-25. On behalf of the leaders, team members and physicians across AdventHealth Kansas City, the APPLE Awards committee extends our gratitude to Marcy, Estelle, Melissa, Allison and Alissa for their commitment to providing outstanding care for patients and colleagues.