Idaho State University Meridian Health Care, a nurse practitioner (NP) family health care clinic, has been providing care to residents in Meridian and the surrounding community for a year.
With an increasing number of patients in the initial year, the clinic plans to expand the clinic days to meet the demand in the following year. This is consistent with fulfilling the mission to improve access to health care and increase health services for Idahoans, residents of Meridian, Boise and rural residents of the Treasure Valley.
The clinic opened in September 2021 and a ribbon cutting was held on May 10, 2022. Millions of Americans choose NPs as their primary health care provider. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who are prepared at the master’s or doctoral level to care for patients of all ages and backgrounds. As physicians who combine clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions with an emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs bring a holistic perspective and personal touch to health care.
Michelle Anderson, clinical assistant professor and co-director of the clinic, says, “NPs provide a wide range of health care services, including diagnosis and management of acute, chronic, and complex health problems, health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling to individuals, families, groups, and communities. In today’s ever-changing healthcare environment, the role of the NP has never been more important in acute and primary care.”
“Whenever possible, NP students at ISU participate in preservice by learning alongside their faculty preceptors. This hands-on approach ensures improved learning and improved health care for the populations they will serve,” explains Anderson.
ISU Meridian Health Care Clinic offers: Wellness visits for everyone from newborns to older adults Women’s health, including cervical cancer screening Sports physicals Health screenings (skin, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases) Evaluation and removal of minor skin lesions, skin tags, moles and warts. Basic immunization in conjunction with our ISU Clinics Pharmacology vaccine program. Acute visits for illnesses such as ear pain, upper respiratory symptoms, abdominal pain, etc. Visits to chronic patients to address health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc. Visits for sprains, strains, and other joint-related problems. Anderson adds, “ISU Meridian Health Care specializes in health care for the entire family. In our first year we were able to provide care for over 100 patient visits and we look forward to providing greater access to patient care this second year.”
