FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Aug. 13, 2026) – Last month, Banner Medical Group welcomed Maelene Schuhmacher-Omar, FNP, a family nurse practitioner, to Banner Health Clinic in Fort Collins. Schuhmacher-Omar treats patients of all ages, with a focus on preventive health and chronic disease management. She brings a whole-person perspective shaped by her doctoral research on social determinants of health.

Schuhmacher-Omar joined the clinic on July 1, 2026, as part of Banner's continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality primary care in Northern Colorado. She is originally from Greeley, Colo. and grew up in Eagle, Colo., before moving away and recently returning to the area.

Schuhmacher-Omar graduated in 2020 from Nebraska Methodist College and has spent much of her career focused on chronic disease case management. During her training, she volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic in Nebraska, an experience that shaped the direction of her doctoral project on social determinants of health.

"Twenty percent of health outcomes has to do with clinical interventions. Eighty percent has to do with access to food, transportation, housing - all of those things," Schuhmacher-Omar said. "There's generally a reason why people are not adherent to their care instructions. If you can help address those things, you're more apt to have better health outcomes for patients."

While she sees patients of all ages, including pediatrics, teenagers and adults, Schuhmacher-Omar's particular interests are internal medicine and complex chronic disease management, including care for older adults. Her philosophy of care centers on listening closely and building trust with each patient.

"A trusting relationship is the foundation of my practice," Schuhmacher-Omar said. "Patients will tell you basically everything you need to know if you just listen. If you spend enough time and attention on that relationship, they're more at ease and able to confide in you and then you can work together on their goals."

Schuhmacher-Omar is also currently completing a Master of Healthcare Administration at Liberty University, with only her capstone remaining. She said the program has deepened her appreciation for the role workplace culture plays at Banner Health.

"One thing I have come to appreciate is the fantastic staff support here at Banner," she said. "I realize that is an integral component of providing high-quality patient care. I didn't fully appreciate the genuinely positive work culture, or its depth, until after I had the opportunity to interact with more people within the organization. It has been an exciting experience so far because I know how important a strong work culture is to both employee wellness and quality patient care."

Outside of the clinic, Schuhmacher-Omar and her family enjoy hiking and spending time in Estes Park.

Schuhmacher-Omar is now accepting new patients of all ages at the Banner Health Clinic located at 303 Colland Dr., Fort Collins. To schedule an appointment, call (970) 821-3031 or visit bannerhealth.com.

About Banner Health

Banner Health's mission is to make health care easier, so life can be better. As one of the nation's largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona's top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.