b'There are times when the years of education and training come down to a single moment. Emely Quinones, APRN, recalls feeling a great sense of purpose when holding a scared patients hand during transfer to the ICU.It may have seemed like a small gesture, Quinones says, but to me, it reflected a culture of genuine care and support, which can make all the difference for our patients.Our Impact Quinones has walked her own long journey to her current role as a nurse practitioner. A first-generation American who DRIVEN BY grew up in New Hampshire, she began her career at the hospital in 2007 as a medical assistant in the Pulmonary Medicine Department. With encouragement from her colleagues, Quinones decided to pursue nursing education, first earning an associate degree from New Hampshire Technical Institute in 2012. She then began work as a bedside nurse in the COMPASSION Progressive Care Unit (PCU). In the PCU, she served as a preceptor for 10 new nurses and chaired the Unit Practice Committee. During that time, Quinones pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Southern New Hampshire University (2016) and eventually her Advanced Practitioner Registered Nurse from Saint Josephs College of Maine (2021).What sets Emely apart, says Michelle Gamache, RN, who served as nurse educator to Quinones in the PCU, is her ability to listen to her intuition and follow through until a solution or appropriate intervention is in place. She is someone most of us can only dream to be like.Quinones credits CH for supporting her personally and professionally. In addition to tuition reimbursement, she was awarded a scholarship through the Concord Hospital Trust, flexible scheduling allowed her to continue working full-time as an registered nurse while earning her APRN online, and she was able to complete her clinical rotations in the CHHS. She also received mentorship from colleagues who championed her educational advancement. Quinones recalls one nurse manager who prepared practice interview questions for her as she was transitioning to her work as a registered nurse.When it came time to decide where to begin her career as a nurse practitioner, Quinones was drawn to the opportunity to join a dynamic, team-oriented practice with the Concord Hospital Urologic Institute. Fueled by a strong inner drive and commitment to growth, she credits her resilience, curiosity, and determination as key to completing the 18-year journey to where she is today. She expresses gratitude not only for the support of her mentors, but also her family. As a proud first-generation American of Guatemalan-Mayan heritage, she credits them as a steady source of encouragement.Emely Quinones, APRNThats the power of the American Dream for families like mine, she says. Im deeply proud to carry forward the vision and sacrifice of my grandparents and parents. Their decision to build a life here has opened doors not just for me, but for future generations.Quinones has balanced all this with being a mother to twin girls, who are now nine years old, crediting her husband with supporting her goals. In her current focus on mens health, she employs her deep sense of empathy to help patients discuss sensitive topics, and values being present for them. All those human moments are what fill my soul, Quinones says.Thats what drives me, and its not a chore. Its not a job. I get to do this.42 CONCORD HOSPITAL HEALTH SYSTEM |Best People'