I am a doctor of nursing practice and board-certified nurse practitioner with over a decade of experience in internal medicine, pulmonology, and sleep medicine. My career has taken shape in the diverse and fast-paced outpatient care settings of New York, where I’ve had the opportunity to serve patients from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Many of the individuals I care for face chronic respiratory illnesses, comorbid conditions, and significant barriers to care. These experiences continue to shape my commitment to holistic, equitable, and systems-focused health care delivery.
Early in my career, I began to notice patterns that others often overlooked—missed follow-up visits, underdiagnosed conditions like sleep apnea, uncontrolled asthma in younger patients, and a general disconnect between initial diagnosis and long-term management. I quickly realized that true healing does not occur in isolated exam rooms. It happens when we transform the systems around patients to ensure consistency, accessibility, and empowerment. With that in mind, I began leading performance and quality improvement initiatives that focused on proactive outreach, integrated care coordination, and enhanced patient education.
One of the most meaningful initiatives I led aimed to improve follow-up rates for patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and chronic asthma. These are manageable conditions, but they often fall through the cracks due to limited awareness, complex testing protocols, or insurance barriers. By creating a structured tracking system integrated with evidence-based clinical decision tools, our team was able to reduce delays in diagnostic testing and treatment initiation. This significantly improved patient adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction.
My dedication to patient education also inspired me to redesign the preparation process for labor epidural patients. Working alongside anesthesiology teams and obstetric staff, I helped develop a structured, pre-admission education module. This ensured that women arriving for delivery were already informed about their pain management options, had their consent forms reviewed in advance, and were emotionally prepared for the birthing experience. The initiative not only improved workflow efficiency but also enhanced the overall patient experience.
Beyond clinical innovation, I find deep fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of nurse practitioners. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a preceptor to both NP and PA students, offering real-world exposure to complex outpatient cases while guiding them in clinical reasoning, documentation, communication, and professional growth. Watching new clinicians gain confidence and competence under my mentorship is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
To me, being a nurse practitioner goes far beyond diagnosing and prescribing. It means advocating for vulnerable patients, challenging the status quo, and constantly looking for ways to improve the quality and efficiency of care. It also means advancing the role of advanced practice providers as essential leaders within multidisciplinary teams. Whether I’m at the bedside, in a boardroom, or mentoring a student, I strive to lead with purpose, compassion, and evidence.
I feel honored to be part of a health care system that is evolving, and I am committed to playing a meaningful role in that evolution. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can inspire others in health care to lead from wherever they stand, challenge inefficiencies with courage, and always keep the patient at the center of everything we do.
Shabeena Hirani is a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in internal medicine, pulmonology, and sleep medicine. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, she is affiliated with Catholic Health Physician Partners and currently practices at Queens Pulmonary Medical Services. Dr. Hirani is passionate about evidence-based care, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has led initiatives in chronic disease management and mental health screening, and co-authored a peer-reviewed article on type 2 diabetes management in The Nurse Practitioner. Known for her patient-centered approach and dedication to mentoring, she works closely with health care professionals to improve outcomes and promote compassionate, holistic care.
