Claudelle Deroche is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who cares for adult patients at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. Claudelle received her Master of Science in nursing, family nurse practitioner from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY. She completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Chamberlain University in Addison, IL, and her Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts from Hunter College in New York, NY. She is a member of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. Claudelle is passionate about disease prevention because it represents the proactive side of healthcare, focusing on keeping people healthy rather than just treating illness.
Claudelle decided to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner while working as a Registered Nurse at Albany Medical Center Level 1 trauma emergency room. This experience was incredibly formative, exposing her to a wide range of medical cases and emergencies that required quick thinking, advanced clinical skills, and a deep commitment to patient care. Working in the trauma ER, she encountered patients with critical injuries and life-threatening conditions daily. The intensity and urgency of this environment taught her invaluable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and the importance of providing compassionate care under pressure. The multidisciplinary approach inspired Claudelle in the ER, where nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals collaborated seamlessly to save lives. This experience solidified her desire to advance her career and become a nurse practitioner. She was motivated by the opportunity to have a more significant role in patient care, including diagnosing, managing treatments, and providing ongoing support and education to patients and their families. The holistic and patient-centered approach of the nurse practitioner role aligns perfectly with her values and passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she cares for.
Her favorite part of being a hospitalist nurse practitioner is the opportunity to provide comprehensive, continuous care to patients during some of their most critical moments. Being on the front lines of inpatient care allows her to significantly impact patient outcomes through timely and effective interventions. She particularly values building strong relationships with her patients and their families, offering them support and reassurance during their hospital stay. Every day presents new challenges and learning opportunities, which help Claudelle grow both personally and professionally. When caring for patients, she believes providing holistic, patient-centered care, meaning addressing their immediate medical needs and considering their emotional, psychological, and social well-being, is most important. Claudelle says, “My patient concerns, questions, and feedback are important to me, and I make it a priority to listen attentively, without judgment or interruption. By creating a space where they feel heard and respected. Becoming my patient means choosing a healthcare partner who possesses clinical proficiency and embodies qualities of compassion, empathy, and trustworthiness.”
Claudelle is originally from Brooklyn, NY. After extensive consideration and a deep desire for professional growth, Claudelle made the significant decision to relocate to the capital region. Drawn by the exceptional opportunities in the healthcare sector, she recognized this vibrant area as a place that provided a commitment to healthcare innovation and is supportive of the medical community. This move has allowed her to grow in her career, learning how to engage deeply with patients, fostering stronger connections, and providing comprehensive care. Outside medicine, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children, going to church, singing, cooking, and playing volleyball.