Amanda Simionie

For over 25 years, Florida Atlantic alumna Amanda Simionie, BSN ’01, MSN ’13, DNP and FNP-C, ’22, has poured her heart and soul into caring for others as a nurse. She has dedicated her life to helping people during their greatest moments of need, and she strives to make a difference in their lives, one patient at a time.

Her nursing journey began as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1996. She briefly worked for Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, where she quickly discovered how much she enjoyed helping out in a fast-paced, emergency room (ER) setting.

“I loved the ER during my clinical rotation, and I knew that I wanted to work in the ER someday,” recalled Dr. Simionie. “I then went to nursing school and became an ER nurse before becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Having ER experience definitely helped me to become the NP I am today. I was exposed to so many conditions and was able to learn so much.”

Dr. Simionie continued to work in an ER setting for 14 years across three hospitals and two states—Florida and Illinois—as well as become a triple-time alumna of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing along the way.

“Florida Atlantic’s College of Nursing had great professors when I attended school, and it still has great professors today!” expressed Dr. Simionie. “I always felt supported, and they really cared about you as a person.”

In 2013, Dr. Simionie took a job at the Cleveland Clinic’s Family Health Center in Port St. Lucie where she still treats patients today. In addition to her Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) duties, she is also guiding and mentoring the next generation of nurses.

“I think it is important to give back however much you can,” shared Dr. Simionie. “I learn so much from my students since health care is always changing. It is a mutually beneficial relationship—they teach me, and I teach and mentor them.”

Over the course of her career, Dr. Simionie has garnered numerous awards. Most recently, her accolades include the 2024 NP of the Year from the NP Council of the Treasure Coast and the 2025 Carolyn Niemen APRN Excellence Award. She was also a 2025 Maria and Sam Miller Nursing Excellence Award Honoree.

“I thoroughly enjoy being able to mentor the future NPs and nurses who will be taking care of us and our family members one day,” noted Dr. Simionie. “They are the future of health care.”