Naomi Pappas, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC is a critical care, pulmonary, and sleep medicine nurse practitioner whose role divides her time equally between Sturdy Health/Pulmonary Associates in North Attleboro, and the intensive care unit at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Naomi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Emerson University. A few years later, she switched careers, earning her associate degree in nursing from Bristol Community College. She worked as a critical care RN for several years before deciding to pursue additional training and earned her Master of Science as an Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from UMass Chan Medical School in 2017. Naomi subsequently earned two post-master’s certifications: her Family Nurse Practitioner certification from UMass Boston in 2018, and her Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification from UMass Chan Medical School in 2023
Naomi is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). Although she has experience in many care areas, her primary focus has been critical care. She has been a nurse practitioner for over six years. She was accepted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing while studying for her master’s degree, has won awards for clinical excellence, and was a nominee for Educator of the Year during her employment at UMass Memorial.
Get to Know the Provider
How do you approach care?
My first goal, always, is just to listen so I can get a full understanding of the person's problems and concerns. Next, I try to break down their health conditions and the available treatment options in a way that is both comprehensive but also easy to understand. Whether in the clinic or the ICU, I want patients (and their loved ones) to be able to make an educated decision about what medication, procedure, testing, or treatment plan is best for them - and they can't do that without the right information. I also strive to treat everyone like the individual they are. No one method or option is right for everyone, and I want my patients to feel empowered and involved in the decision-making process, so that whatever plan we make, it's truly the best one for their unique circumstances.
What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare and your specialty?
Like most healthcare workers, I chose this field because I wanted to feel as though my work made a difference as though I were doing more than just helping some company improve its bottom line. Out of all the options in healthcare, I chose nursing because of the many different types of care areas and jobs available. Most of my career has been spent in the critical care unit, which is simultaneously equal parts stressful and rewarding. I'm newer to pulmonary medicine but can truly empathize with my patients and understand what they're going through. As an asthmatic, I understand how terrifying it feels when you can't breathe well. I draw on my own experiences as a patient, both good and bad, to help me guide me in treating people that I care for.
Why did you choose to join Sturdy Health?
I've primarily worked at community hospitals for the duration of my career. A community hospital has a special feel to it - everyone knows each other, people are friendly, and the feeling of camaraderie is unique. Even within the community hospital world, Sturdy Health is special. I felt it from the moment I stepped on campus the day of my interview, and I have not been disappointed.
What are your personal interests?
A self-declared bookworm with an ever-growing 'to be read' pile, I'm always looking for a good book! Our household revolves around Buddy, an adorable rescue mutt who's come to expect a certain echelon of treatment from his humans and who will let us know, with many sighs and sidelong glances, when things are not meeting his high standards. I also love to travel as often as possible, with upcoming trips to see the Northern Lights and to cruise down the Rhine in the next year or so.
