By Carlos E. Medina
The University of Florida College of Nursing marks National Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 9–15, by recognizing the dedicated nurse practitioners who deliver accessible, high-quality care across the state, including those leading the way at UF Health Archer Family Health Care, the college’s nurse practitioner-led clinic in rural Alachua County.
Among them is Spencer Haire, a newly graduated Doctor of Nursing Practice who joined the clinic’s team of independent nurse practitioners providing primary care to residents in and around Archer.
Archer Family Health Care operates under a nurse-led model that allows NPs to diagnose, prescribe and manage care independently. Denise Schentrup, APRN, DNP, the clinic’s director and associate dean for clinical affairs, said the model fills a critical gap in Florida’s health care system.
“Our nurse practitioners deliver exceptional, patient-centered care every day,” Schentrup said. “They practice to the full extent of their training, and that makes a real difference for patients in rural communities.”
At Archer Family Health Care, nurse practitioners provide full-scope primary care, from diagnosing and prescribing to long-term management, in a setting that prioritizes time and personal connection.
“A lot of patients come here because they can be seen in a timely manner, and we can give them the attention they deserve,” Haire said. “Many of our patients walk here or rely on rides. Without this clinic, they might not have access to care at all.”
For Haire, joining the Archer team represents the culmination of years of hard work and preparation at UF. Born and raised in Alachua, Haire is a UF double Gator Nurse who spent five years as a cardiac intensive care nurse before returning to earn his DNP.
“I did a lot of my clinical work here at the Archer clinic, and that’s why I knew this is the place I wanted to work,” he said. “I have family from rural areas, and I see a lot of myself and my family in the patients I treat. It’s rewarding to care for people in the same kind of community I grew up in.”
Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, dean of the College of Nursing and chief nurse executive for UF Health, said the team at Archer Family Health Care reflects the college’s broader mission to advance the nursing profession and expand care access.
“Nurse practitioners are leaders who combine medical expertise with a patient-first mindset,” Henderson said. “Their compassion, adaptability and commitment to access drive real change in the lives of the people they serve.”
For Haire, who calls primary care his passion, the role is about seeing the person behind the patient.
“In clinical care, I learned that every patient has a life outside their illness,” he said. “Now in primary care, I still carry that with me. I try to take time to understand their families, their goals, their reasons to get healthy. That’s what being a nurse practitioner is all about.”
Throughout the week, UF Nursing honors the impact of nurse practitioners advancing access and excellence with a deep commitment to the communities they serve.uture nurse.