Zoè Fugere
In recent weeks, Roosevelt Medical Center has welcomed its' newest provider to its' medical team. Zoè Fugere, a family nurse practitioner, will join the staff as a mid-level provider, lifting the total number of medical providers to three.
"I enjoy working in a rural setting because it provides an opportunity to impact patients on a more personal level. I also have the ability to care for not only that patient, but potentially their entire family," she said.
Fugere had been working as a traveling provider for RMC for the last couple of years and decided to become a full time provider in January.
"We are so excited to be able to provide our community with a third healthcare provider that has the level of training, confidence and experience we expect of our providers while also having a passion for rural healthcare as well as the understanding that there isn't going to be a Starbucks on every corner or some of the other instant gratifications you find in larger communities," said Audrey Stromberg, Administrator for RMC." Our biggest challenge is always finding applicants that fit our needs as well as into our community to ensure they stay and prosper," Stromberg added.
Fugere is a graduate of the Family Nurse Practitioner program through the University of South Alabama in Mobile and gained experience while employed at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, GA. There, she worked in the interventional cardiology unit, as well as several intensive care units including open-heart, medical/surgical and trauma. She is also certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support. She also has a passion for working in the emergency room and with trauma patients.
"My goal is to really get to know my patients. In larger facilities you can't do that. But here, you are able to really put your patient into context and know more about their sociological and economic needs as well," Fugere stated.
Fugere was born on Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, and lived all over the world with her military family. However, she considers Atlanta, Georgia her true home and much of her family lives in that area and the surrounding states.
She became familiar with the medical field at a young age. Her father was an ultrasound technologist for the Air Force and her mother managed a cardiology office. Her sister is a physical therapist. But that wasn't what inspired her to pursue her own medical career. When she started college at Auburn University she was a history major and spent years homeschooling her daughter.
It wasn't until her first husband of nearly 20 years developed a brain tumor and was admitted to Emory University Hospital, in Atlanta GA, that she realized how important compassionate, medical professionals were to helping ill patients as well as the family members through all of the tough decisions and overwhelming emotions. "I hung on their every word and I knew I wanted to be one of those people not only helping the patient but also helping the loved ones whose lives were turned upside down," she recalled. Sadly, her husband lost his battle with his brain tumor. "During that time, those doctors and nurses were my lifeline and they inspired me to become that lifeline and inspiration for others in similar circumstances," she commented.
Fugere came to the area for the opportunity to work in a smaller facility where she could develop her skills in all areas of the hospital. For the last four years she has been employed with Daniels Memorial Healthcare Center. "In larger places you work in one area and you don't get the variety or experience of working in many different departments," she said. "I also like that you get to work with all different ages from newborns to geriatrics and every age in between," she added.
Fugere plans to move to the area when the school year is complete with her husband, Levi, and their combined children. Together, they have a grown daughter attending Waterloo University for combino metrics in the province of Ontario, Canada, and Joseph, 12, Horizon, 12, and Jazzmin, 11. They also have two dogs, four birds and one cat.
Fugere is very interested in hearing comments from the community about what their healthcare needs are and is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, contact (406) 787-6400.
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