As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and immigrant nurse practitioner, my career has been deeply shaped by service to underserved communities, particularly in Queens, New York. Since 2017, I have practiced at Elmhurst Hospital and nearby outpatient clinics, including Queens Pulmonary Medical Care. These settings are lifelines for a richly diverse, immigrant-heavy population that frequently faces disparities in healthcare access, insurance coverage, and health literacy.
My journey into advanced practice nursing began with the vision of not just treating individuals but advocating for communities. I immigrated to the United States after completing my nursing education in India and earned my Family Nurse Practitioner degree from CUNY Lehman College. In 2024, I completed my DNP from Quinnipiac University with a specialization in Care of Populations, driven by my desire to expand healthcare equity for marginalized patients.
As an FNP and Pulmonary Nurse Practitioner, my role extends far beyond diagnosis and prescriptions. In our outpatient setting, I collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams that include pulmonologists, sleep medicine specialists, and internists. Together, we manage complex co-morbidities such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, many of which exacerbate conditions like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic lung disease.
My patient panel consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds, many of whom speak limited English, rely on Medicaid or Medicare, or lack consistent access to primary care. In response, we’ve cultivated a culturally competent model that focuses heavily on patient education, lifestyle modification counseling, and streamlined care coordination. As a preferred in-network provider for multiple insurance carriers, I often serve as the initial point of contact for patients needing medical or surgical clearance, chronic disease management, or referrals.
My role also includes the specialized management of sleep-related disorders, OSA, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and complex pulmonary diagnoses such as COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Using evidence-based approaches, I empower patients with tools to improve sleep hygiene, optimize pulmonary function, and reduce ER visits.
Serving this community is both a professional duty and a personal mission. I see myself in many of my patients, immigrants navigating a new system, working multiple jobs, and prioritizing their families’ well-being above their health. Through every patient interaction, I strive to embody the philosophy of nurse-led care, which is characterized by compassion, equity, and empowerment.
As an immigrant, my DNP has allowed me to blend the cultural insights of my heritage with the clinical expertise of advanced nursing practice. It’s a privilege to represent both, especially in communities that need trusted, accessible providers the most.
- Leading Care for Underserved Populations as an Immigrant DNP - August 14, 2025