Nurse Practitioner of the Year

Elizabeth Fuselier Ellis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAANP, owner and operator of the B.I.S. Clinic in Bedias was recognized as the Texas Nurse Practitioner of the Year Friday, Sept. 24. Criteria for the award includes demonstrating excellence as a nurse practitioner and as a role model for other nurse practitioners and the nursing profession in general, a significant contribution to the improvement of care of individuals, families and/ or communities, and creativity in his/ her approach to nursing care through effective communication and quality of care. B.I.S. patients agree that Ellis ticks all the boxes!

Keep charging forward

From the very beginning of her efforts in 2017 to open and privately fund a rural health clinic in northern Grimes County, Ellis has faced expected and unexpected challenges. In addition to the proverbial bureaucratic hoops to obtain licensing and certification, Ellis has faced a hurricane and a pandemic.

A surprised Ellis said of the award, “I was so humbled especially given the number of qualified colleagues out there that are doing so much…truly without their support, and the support of TNP, our community, our legislators, I wouldn’t be able to navigate this rural road path. For them to have recognized our efforts truly means the world to me.”

Ellis continued, “To be recognized by your peers, especially the Texas Nurse Practitioners Association, it’s truly overwhelming and brings light to the fact when times are difficult, to keep going and to keep charging forward. These past two years with Covid have not been easy, plus being a rural healthcare clinic owner and operator isn’t easy.”

Eliminate rural healthcare barriers

Ellis has garnered the respect and support of Texas legislators. Last spring when the vaccine’s second dose destined for the B.I.S. Clinic was halted, Ellis called on District 13 State Representative Ben Leman. Leman was able to secure not only vaccine but the assistance of the Texas National Guard to administer shots.

Leman said of Ellis’ award, “This award highlights her passion and dedication not only to her patients, but to our community and for that we are thankful to her and for the work that she continues to do.”

Physician and District 5 State Senator Charles Schwertner said in a congratulatory video to Ellis, “Having seen firsthand your practice in Bedias, I know that you do an excellent job at both running the practice as well as providing compassionate, high quality care to the people that you serve.”

Ellis responded saying, “Being recognized by Sen. Schwertner affirms that providing rural health is a much needed service, especially in the state of Texas, being one of the largest rural states in the country. We need more nurse practitioners, physicians and physicians assistants to open up and practice in our rural areas. These areas are so underserved in so many ways. We need to do our best to eliminate all barriers to healthcare for our rural citizens.”

Ellis, TAMU partner for vaccine education

One barrier Ellis is about to tackle is lack of information. Ellis and the B.I.S. Clinic have recently partnered with the Texas A&M College of Nursing in a new program called ‘REV-UP’ (Rural Health Clinic Expanded Vaccine Uptake) to provide vaccine information to rural communities. The program was made possible by a $50,000 grant awarded to the nursing school.

Working with Cindy Weston, Associate Dean for Clinical and Outreach Affairs and Associate Professor for the Texas A&M College of Nursing, and with the help of students and faculty, Ellis will visit school districts and community organizations in twelve counties to inform people about vaccines. According to Dr. Weston, education will cover what vaccines are available to prevent vaccine related diseases.

In an interview with KBTX, Ellis said rural communities are lagging behind, especially when it comes to Covid-19.

She said, “I think a lot of that is lack of resources, lack of education and understanding about the vaccines.”

It is efforts such as this which also prompted Ellis’ nomination for the Rural Health Community Spirit Award to be announced Oct. 21.

Commenting on the Spirit Award nomination, Ellis said, “In truth, the rural health clinic community is so tight knit and so supportive that it truly takes a village for anybody to work in the rural health arena and having their support in our effort truly brings light to how needed healthcare providers are in our rural areas.”