Franklin Community Health Network
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Professional Abbreviations

MD: Medical Doctor
An allopathic physician. MDs are fully-qualified physicians graduated from accredited medical schools and have completed their residency training and also fellowship training after that in some cases.

DO: Osteopathic Doctor
An osteopathic physician. DOs are fully-qualified physicians graduated from accredited medical schools and have completed their residency training and also fellowship training after that in some cases.

DPM: Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine also known as a podiatrist, is a podiatric physician or surgeon, graduated from accredited podiatry schools to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures of the leg.

PA, PA-C: Physician Assistant
A Physician Assistant can deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services, as delegated by a physician. A PA-C is a Certified Physician Assistant, while a PA has completed their training and passed their board exam.

APRN-NP: Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are health care professionals that complete advanced, graduate level educational programs that enable them to practice independently or in collaboration with other health care professionals and other individuals to diagnose, treat and manage the patient’s health problems.

APRN-FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in health care for families.

APRN-ANP: Adult Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in health care for adults.

APRN-GNP: Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in health care for elderly individuals.

APRN-AGACNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in adult and elderly acute care.

APRN-PNP: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in mental health and psychiatry.

APRN-CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife
A Nurse Practitioner specializing in prenatal care, labor and birth, and postpartum care