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Meeting people where they are can mean traveling in different environments — on crowded highway overpasses, unpaved backroads or, in the case of Dr. Georgia Braimakis, traveling on foot amid the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Nurses are some of the health care workers with the most direct patient interactions, and it’s no exaggeration to say many care journeys would stall without them. If it weren’t for nurses, a huge portion of the health care system, from hospital admissions to recovery at home, simply wouldn’t function the same way — perhaps even at all. Nurses play an essential role across the health care continuum. From hospital admissions to recovery at home and the preventive journey in between, their direct interactions with patients, registered nurses are often known as the backbone of the health care system – and for good reason. Nurse practitioners (NPs), in particular, play a vital role in making care more accessible. Their ability to diagnose, treat and prescribe medications allows them to manage a wide range of conditions, often serving as a primary point of care for individuals and families. The career paths available to NPs are incredibly varied as well, mirroring the diverse communities and settings they serve.

When nurse practitioner Gay Ann Ost, MSN, FNP-C, reflects on her work, she doesn’t talk about titles or milestones, she talks about people. Every home she visits, every story she hears and every conversation she has is why she still enjoys what she does. “I do it because I love it,” she says. “Every door is different. Every person is different. And there’s always a chance to make something better.”

Danny Tamayo has spent much of his life stepping up for others. First in the Army, now as a nurse practitioner with Signify Health, he brings calm, clarity and compassion to every In-Home Health Evaluation (IHE).

At Signify Health, part of CVS Health®, our mission is to build trusted relationships to make people healthier. Our national network of more than 12,000 clinicians works to help people gain a more comprehensive view of their health by conducting In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs). During an IHE, clinicians identify chronic conditions, close gaps in care, and address social determinants of health, making it possible for health plan members to get connected to the right care for their unique needs.