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.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) preceptor Maggie Hughes, CRNP from STATMED Family Medical Clinic of Ozark, Ala., was honored as FNU’s “Featured Preceptor” for the spring term. Maggie was nominated by former student Kathleen Harvey, FNP class 124, winter 2016 graduate.

Maggie has practiced in rural health care settings since graduating from the University of South Alabama in 2005. According to Kathleen, Maggie is known for working with complex patients in challenging situations on a daily basis. Maggie has an amazing ability to motivate and empower her patients by establishing a level of trust and cooperation. There are many stories of her patients walking several miles to keep their appointments, many even transferring to her current clinic when she moved.

She also serves as a preceptor for up to 14 nurse practitioner students each term and her preceptorships are seen as coveted positions. She is distinguished as a mentor by her level of personal commitment of time and energy to help others. Her students feel that she empowers them to grow, recognize their strengths, and talents, and motivates them to aspire to their highest level of achievement.

Maggie was honored at the 2016 annual conference of the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA) with the Outstanding Alabama Regional Nurse Practitioner Award for the Wiregrass area. She is an active member of the Alabama Student Nurse Association (ASNA), American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA), Wiregrass Nurse Practitioner Association (WNP), Sigma Theta Tau, and Alpha Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Maggie will receive a gift card as a small token of our appreciation for her being a great preceptor. Thanks for your investment in our FNU students, Maggie!