Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord

Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord

From Plan B to Purpose: An Interview with Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord on Leadership, Resilience, and Building the Future of Healthcare

Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and full-circle leadership. Now serving as Director of Nursing and Medical Assistant Programs at the New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants, she brings both personal experience and professional excellence to her role. A Registered Nurse with a Master’s in Nursing Education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, she also leads as President of the Haitian American Nurses Association Greater New York Chapter and contributes to expanding healthcare access in Haiti.

In this interview, Dr. Phanord reflects on her journey from student to leader and shares lessons for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Q: You began your journey at NYSMDA as a student and are now returning as Program Director. What does this full-circle moment mean to you?

It is deeply meaningful. NYSMDA represents a turning point in my life. When I first came here, it was not my original plan. I had faced setbacks and was still searching for my path in healthcare.

What I realized is that sometimes what feels like a second option becomes the exact path you were meant to take. NYSMDA gave me the chance to rebuild my confidence and refocus my goals. Now, returning in a leadership role, I feel a strong responsibility to help students see that their journey does not have to be perfect to be powerful.

Q: How did your experience as a medical assistant student shape your career as a nurse?

It grounded me in the fundamentals of patient care and teamwork. It also helped me reconnect with my purpose.

That experience taught me that every role in healthcare matters. As a nurse today, I carry a deep respect for medical assistants because I understand how critical they are to patient care and the overall functioning of a clinical team.

Q: Many of your students balance family, work, and school. As a mother, how do you relate?

I relate very closely. Balancing responsibilities is not easy. There were moments in my own journey that felt overwhelming.

But those challenges build resilience. I see that same determination in our students, and it motivates me to make sure they feel supported every step of the way.

Q: What key lesson from your time as a student do you bring into your leadership role?

Encouragement is everything. When I was a student, I was rebuilding my confidence. My family played a huge role in helping me keep going.

That experience shaped how I lead today. I want students to understand that setbacks do not define them. With the right support and mindset, they can achieve more than they imagine.

Q: What advice would you give students trying to succeed in school while raising a family?

Be patient with yourself and stay focused on the bigger picture. Healthcare careers are built step by step.

The sacrifices you make now are temporary. The opportunities that come later can change your life and your family’s future.

Q: From your perspective, how important are medical assistants in patient care?

They are essential. Medical assistants are often the first point of contact for patients. They help create a smooth, organized, and compassionate experience.

When medical assistants are well trained, the entire healthcare team functions better. That directly improves patient outcomes.

Q: What innovations do you want to bring to NYSMDA?

Healthcare is evolving, so education must evolve too. I want to continue expanding hands-on learning, clinical simulations, and exposure to real-world environments.

We also need to integrate modern tools like electronic medical records and telehealth so students are fully prepared for today’s healthcare system.

Q: Your journey shows that medical assisting can lead to much more. What message do you hope students take from your story?

Your path does not have to be perfect. Many people think success must happen on the first try, but that is rarely true.

Sometimes the opportunity that changes your life starts as something unexpected. For me, that was NYSMDA. It became the foundation for everything that followed.

Q: How do you plan to better connect training with real-world practice?

I understand both sides, as a student and as a professional. My goal is to strengthen partnerships with clinical sites and ensure that what we teach reflects real healthcare environments.

Students should feel confident walking into their first job, not surprised.

Q: Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to leave as Program Director?

I hope people will say that our students graduated confident, prepared, and proud of their profession.

More importantly, I hope they say we helped students believe in themselves. Because once someone believes in their potential, everything changes.

In conclusion, Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord’s journey is a powerful reminder that success is not always linear. From student to director, from uncertainty to leadership, Dr. Phanord embodies the idea that purpose often emerges from unexpected paths.

Through her work at NYSMDA, Dr. Phanord leadership in the Haitian American Nurses Association, and her commitment to global healthcare access, she continues to shape not just careers, but lives.

Dr. Paule-Irene Phanord lives in Hempstead, New York, with her husband Lou and their six-year-old daughter, Noelle Solanges. She serves as the Director of Nursing and Medical Assistant Programs at the New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants. Dr. Phanord is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). She is also the President of the Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA), Inc., Greater New York Chapter, which supports nursing education through scholarships in the New York area and Haiti. In addition, she is an active member of Union Fraternelle de Camp-Perrin (UFCP, Inc.), an organization working to expand access to healthcare in Haiti through the development of a community health center and dispensary. Through her leadership, community involvement, and dedication to education, Dr. Phanord continues to work toward strengthening healthcare access and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals both locally and internationally.