When Jack McGuire, CNM, joined Longstreet Clinic upon its founding in 1995, there was no such designation as an Advanced Practice Provider (APP). What there was, however, was a top-down commitment to collaboration, flexibility, and high-quality patient care – which made Longstreet Clinic the perfect fit to become a leader in advancing the now vitally important APP model.
“When I started at Longstreet, all we had that could be considered APPs were midwives and pediatric nurse practitioners, but that core set the organizational tenor of effectively embedding APPs into the practice, and that has been important for the clinic as a whole ever since,” said McGuire, a Certified Nurse Midwife who founded the midwifery practice at Longstreet after establishing Northeast Georgia Health Systems’ midwifery program (which also extended to the Hall County Health Department).
It was that dedicated and strategic approach that attracted leaders in the field like McGuire – and is also why Longstreet Clinic has led the way in building a strong contingency of APPs, which includes certified nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and midwives, each of whom are critical to clinic operations.
“Willing to approach the delivery of care in innovative ways, Longstreet Clinic recognized APPs provided an opportunity for a flexible and sensible care option for so many of their patients and thus embedded us into the practice from the very start,” McGuire said. “APPs complement and enhance the spectrum of care their specialty can deliver. They are skilled practitioners and know what they can handle. They also know when they need to refer or collaboratively handle conditions between doctors and patients.”
Longstreet Clinic has built a culture of respect and understanding of what APPs offer and has created an environment where APPs like Danny Webb, DNP, FNP-C, thrive in knowing that their approach is valued – by colleagues and patients alike.
“Being an APP with Longstreet Clinic has been a very positive experience,” said Webb, who practices both with internal medicine and urgent care. “The physicians and leadership here allow me to practice at the top of my license and allow me to be an essential part of the healthcare team. APPs will only continue to increase in their value in health care and certainly here at Longstreet.”
“The family-like atmosphere within the clinic also creates a supportive environment where collaboration and teamwork thrive, which cultivates a more rewarding experience and the best possible patient care,” said Adam Smith, AGACNP-BC, RNFA, who works in vascular surgery.
Today there are nearly 100 APPs within Longstreet Clinic, and clinic leadership continue to identify areas within the clinic that could utilize and benefit from their expertise.
“Longstreet Clinic leadership recognizes the vital role our APPs play in helping us serve the needs of this ever-growing community,” said Marti Gibbs, M.D., FAAFP, a family medicine physician and past clinic president. “Our APPs work alongside our physicians to care for our patients. They provide excellent care and quick availability so that clinic providers can see our patients when they need us.”
That flexibility and availability are key functions of APPs, but it goes well beyond simply being there. Longstreet Clinic APPs also offer patients another option for the expert care they have come to expect from all levels of providers at the clinic.
“Just like physicians, APPs practice on evidence-based principles,” Webb said. “We adhere to national guidelines, and the result is that patients have more access to quality and competent care.”
As you can imagine that reality makes for improved patient experiences.
“Studies show increased satisfaction by patients when APPs are involved in their health care,” Webb said.
At Longstreet Clinic, that satisfaction also extends to the practitioners themselves, and clinic APPs appreciate the deliberately inclusive atmosphere.
“Personally, the continuous opportunity to learn new skills, both clinical and professional, has enriched my development and constantly reinvigorates my passion for patient care,” Smith said. “Each interaction with both colleagues and patients solidifies my commitment to this role, allowing me to contribute meaningfully while continually expanding my expertise in the field.”
That certainly goes for Webb as well, who earned his doctoral degree in nursing practice in 2020.
“I am often asked why I went back to get my DNP and for me it was a way to be better prepared to make a difference in patient outcomes while participating in research and clinical implementation of change to affect the patient experience positively,” Webb said.
In fact, Longstreet Clinic now features five APPs who have earned their Doctor of Nursing Practice.
“APPs are an integral part of the care model at Longstreet Clinic,” McGuire said. “Nurses – and now APPs – have always translated what’s going on with patients. And this model of care makes sense both economically and for enhancing patient satisfaction. I’m sure that many people are attracted to Longstreet Clinic because of the excellent APPs – because of the excellent care and understanding we provide.”
