When local nurse practitioner Terri Beck Maine, APRN-CNP, FNP-BC, from Narragansett lost her balance and fell, she found herself suddenly on the other side of healthcare—arriving at South County Hospital by rescue with a fractured hip. What followed, she says, was “a humbling and deeply meaningful experience—not only as a patient, but as a healthcare provider myself.”

Expertise Meets Human Kindness

From the moment she arrived at South County Hospital Emergency Department, through surgery at the hospital’s Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery—a partnership between South County Health and Ortho Rhode Island—she recalls being met with both “clinical expertise and genuine human kindness.”

Familiar Faces, Community Care

Having been born at South County Hospital, having her children here, and even starting her nursing career within its walls, she already understood the importance of compassionate, coordinated care. But, as she describes, “being on the other side of the stretcher as a patient gave me a whole new level of appreciation.” Many of the people who cared for her were familiar faces. “Growing up in Narragansett and working in healthcare locally, these weren’t just providers—they were members of my community,” she says.

Exceptional Surgical Care

Her orthopedic surgeon, Andrew B. Kay, MD, stood out for his attentiveness and respect. “He was exceptional. His clear communication and respect for my perspective as a nurse practitioner were deeply appreciated. He and the surgical team took time to explain every step of the treatment plan. I was involved in all the decision-making. That level of transparency and partnership means everything to me—both as a clinician and a patient.”

Compassion at Every Step

From the ED nurses and imaging techs to the inpatient nursing staff, she describes her care team as “extraordinary—not only technically skilled and proactive, but unfailingly compassionate. Even during the more difficult moments of recovery, they were calm and reassuring. It made all the difference.”

Seamless Teamwork

What impressed her most was the seamless teamwork she witnessed across disciplines. “Every discipline communicated and collaborated in a way that made me feel seen, heard, and cared for as a whole person—not just a hip fracture.”

Healing, Inspiration, and Gratitude

Now recovering and back on her feet, she reflects on the experience with gratitude and renewed purpose. “Recovering from a hip fracture is not easy, but this experience left me physically healed, emotionally uplifted, and professionally inspired. As a nurse practitioner, it reaffirmed my belief in the power of interdisciplinary teamwork, and how essential each role is in delivering truly excellent patient care.”