Staff Nurse practitioner Kathy Grimaud, left, examines patient Mary Poll, right, at the Sullivan Senior Center in Torrington, Conn., Tuesday, June 20, 2000.
Nurse practitioners fill gaps between the more traditional roles of nurse and physician.
Living on a fixed income and without health insurance, Poll couldn't go for checkups as often as needed. Besides, she says, the doctor never listened to her concerns anyway. The care comes from Kathy Grimaud, a nurse practitioner who offers Poll and other seniors medical attention they can afford. Nurse practitioners fill gaps between the more traditional roles of nurse and physician. Over the last decade, the number of nurse practitioners has doubled nationwide and more people are seeking the extra time and compassion doled out during office visits.