Spotlight: Michelle Marino, CRNP, PMHNP
Zivian Health is proud to support advanced practice clinicians and we want to share the stories of the healthcare professionals we serve.
Today we spotlight Michelle Marino, CRNP, PMHNP a Nurse Practitioner in Pennsylvania with over 25 years of experience.
Marino spoke with us about her journey as a healthcare professional, her experience with Zivian Health, and opening her own practice.
Read on to learn more!
Early Life and Inspirations
Marino originally grew up in Ohio but now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Many of her family members worked in healthcare, and she initially resisted to follow in their footsteps. “As a child, I always thought I didn’t want to be a nurse because my family was full of nurses,” Michelle recalls.
This led her to explore different paths. Marino started as a paramedic, where she gained invaluable experience working in emergency medical services (EMS). Despite her initial reluctance, her calling grew stronger, and Marino became a registered nurse.
Eventually, she chose the route of a family nurse practitioner, a role she felt struck a balance between providing comprehensive care without the extensive years of medical school.
Venturing into Family Medicine
Family medicine offered Marino the opportunity to interact with a wide range of patients, manage chronic conditions and address common health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure. However, it also became clear that her role as an FNP required more than just physical health management.
“I was seeing a ton of psych stuff in practice,” she says. "So much of it was impacted by mental health.” Whether it was chronic illness exacerbated by stress or patients struggling with untreated psychological conditions, Michelle began to realize the importance of addressing mental health along with physical health in her practice. This realization became a turning point in her career, sparking her interest in the field of psychiatry.
Transitioning into Psychiatry
Marino’s decision to transition into psychiatric care was sparked by the increasing need for mental health support among her patients in family medicine. Then, an encounter with an old friend who introduced her to an all-psychiatry practice solidified her career pivot.
“As I started working in psychiatry, I was like, this is the place,” Marino recalls. The more she immersed herself in the psychiatric field, the more she knew it was where she belonged. “Within a few months, I decided I needed to start my post-masters so that I can make sure that I have everything I need to be able to effectively treat these people.”
In 2019, Marino became a certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The transition into psychiatry was seamless for Marino — her dual expertise enabled her to take a holistic approach to care, understanding the complex interplay between physical health and mental well-being. “There are a lot of medical things that impact our mental health,” she noted, a perspective that she continues to integrate into her current practice.
Opening Her Own Practice
After years of working in both family medicine and psychiatric practices, Marino decided it was time to fulfill a long-held dream: starting her own practice. “It’s been a dream for a while,” she admits, though it took some encouragement from her peers to take the leap.
Earlier this year, she was motivated by some “wonderful people” to finally bring her vision to life. Marino recently opened Renewed Outlook Holistic Mental Health & Wellness, a practice that combines traditional psychiatric services with a holistic wellness approach.
Opening a practice, of course, comes with its challenges. But Marino is handling the new experience well. Having worked in both private group practices and integrated healthcare settings, including a pediatrician's office where she handled behavioral health visits, she has a wealth of experience to draw from. Her medical and psychiatric backgrounds have positioned her well to handle the diverse needs of her patients.
During her first week, Michelle saw an impressive 23 patients, a promising start that affirmed her decision to venture out on her own. However, she recognizes that growing the practice will take time, and she is focused on establishing herself within the community and fine-tuning the administrative aspects of running a business.
One of the biggest challenges, she says, has been learning the ins and outs of billing and insurance—something that isn’t typically taught in school. “Eventually, I would like to add more wellness programming to my practice,” she adds. In fact, she’s planning to introduce group yoga sessions for anxiety and trauma, a natural extension of her passion for integrating holistic therapies into psychiatric care.
Experience with Zivian Health
Marino's experience with Zivian Health has been quite positive — she says that Zivian has helped her navigate some the complexities of opening her own practice, namely finding a reliable collaborating physician.
In her search for a collaborative physician, which is required by Pennsylvania law, Marino was drawn to Zivian Health's responsiveness and competitive pricing.
"The process was super, super easy," she said. “I applied and received a response within the same day. I submitted my information and it was one or two days at the most before I had a match.”
From onboarding to regular monthly meetings with her collaborating psychiatrist, Michelle has found the support valuable. Her collaborator has even offered advice on the business startup process, making her transition to practice ownership smoother and more manageable.
The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Mental Health
Marino’s journey is not just a personal story but also a reflection of the broader challenges and opportunities in mental healthcare today. As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), she recognizes the critical role that nurse practitioners play in addressing the mental health crisis in the U.S.
“There’s not enough psychiatrists to go around, so someone needs to fill the gap,” she notes. With her training and experience, Marino is able to provide high-quality psychiatric care — she notes that her background as a nurse gives her a unique perspective on care, one that looks at the whole person rather than just isolated symptoms.
“Nurses see the whole person,” Marino emphasizes, pointing out that this holistic approach is one of the strengths nurse practitioners bring to the table. While there are cases that may require the expertise of a psychiatrist, she believes that psychiatric nurse practitioners, with the right training and experience, are well-equipped to handle a wide spectrum of mental health issues.
“Sometimes there’s this narrative that nurse practitioners are trying to take over for physicians, and that it's definitely not the case,” Marino added. “We want to collaborate and be part of the system to do what is best for patients. So I think that is really important is that, you know, we see the benefit in collaboration and know our limitations. I do a lot of collaborating and will continue to collaborate so I can do what is best for people.”
Future Plans and Vision
Looking ahead, Marino envisions a practice that balances growth with personal fulfillment. While she’s committed to expanding her services and continuing to develop her expertise, she’s also keen on keeping the practice manageable and maintaining the personal touch that has been a hallmark of her career.
“I’m not really interested in having a giant practice,” she says. “That is just not something that appeals to me.” Instead, her focus is on providing high-quality care while continuing to collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure the best outcomes for her patients. Marino is content with taking things one step at a time, knowing that her experience, passion, and dedication will guide her through any challenges ahead.
Zivian Health Enables Compliant Collaborations for Nurse Practitioners
Zivian Health thanks Michelle Marino for sharing her story with us! We’re proud to be of service during an important time in her career as a nurse practitioner, and we look forward to the continued success of her new practice.
Zivian empowers Advanced Practice Providers by connecting them with physicians inside a secure and convenient platform to form long-term, compliant collaborations.
