A Q&A With Hadlie Mair, FNP-C
What is a nurse practitioner?
A Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse. Every Nurse Practitioner first trains and works as a registered nurse (RN), then completes a graduate degree and passes a national board certification exam. Utah grants Nurse Practitioners full practice authority. That means I am licensed to independently examine patients, diagnose illnesses, order and interpret tests, and prescribe medications and treatments, with no physician supervision required.
My own path began with an associate degree in nursing from Nightingale College and a bachelor’s degree from Western Governors University. I then spent six years as an RN at Heber Valley Hospital, working in labor and delivery, the emergency room, and as house supervisor. In 2025, I earned my Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from United States University, graduating summa cum laude. The “F” in FNP-C means I’m certified to care for patients of all ages, from kids to grandparents.
What is the difference between a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
MDs and Nurse Practitioners both independently diagnose and treat patients. The main differences are in how we train and the perspective we bring.
- Training. Physicians complete four years of medical school followed by a residency of three or more years, which prepares them for surgery, hospital medicine and highly specialized care. Nurse Practitioners build on hands-on nursing experience with graduate study and supervised clinical training focused on a specific population, such as family practice.
- Approach. Physician training is rooted in the medical model, which centers on diagnosing and treating disease. Nurse Practitioner training grows out of the nursing model, which places extra emphasis on the whole person: prevention, education, and helping you understand and manage your own health.
- Clinical settings. In primary care offices, urgent care clinics and concierge practices, Nurse Practitioners provide the same everyday care as physicians: annual exams, sudden illnesses and injuries, chronic conditions, and preventive screenings. In our office, there is nothing I cannot do for you.
- Hospital settings. In hospitals, physicians generally lead the care team, perform surgeries and procedures, and manage the most complex and critical cases. Nurse Practitioners work in emergency departments, inpatient units and specialty services alongside physicians. My years at Heber Valley Hospital taught me how those teams operate, so I can help you navigate that system if you ever need to.
In short, MDs complete longer training that prepares them for surgery, hospital-based care and highly specialized conditions. In the office setting, a Nurse Practitioner provides the same primary and acute care, with the same ability to diagnose, treat and prescribe.
Can you write prescriptions and order tests?
Yes. I prescribe medications, order lab work and imaging, and refer patients to specialists under my own license. No physician sign-off is required.
Can a Nurse Practitioner be my primary care provider?
Absolutely. As your primary care provider, I independently manage your annual physical, preventive screenings, acute illnesses and injuries, and ongoing care for chronic conditions. If you ever need a specialist, I coordinate the referral, just as any primary care physician would.
Does Dr. Knepper oversee your care?
No. I practice independently under my own license, and I direct my patients’ care from start to finish. Dr. Jennifer Knepper and I are colleagues who share a practice and a commitment to personalized, unhurried care. You will never need a physician to approve your treatment plan.
Why choose concierge care with a Nurse Practitioner?
Concierge medicine is built on time and relationships: longer, unhurried visits, prompt appointments when you’re sick, and a provider who truly knows you. A Nurse Practitioner membership at Knepper Concierge Medicine offers these same core benefits at a more affordable price point. You receive:
- Extended appointments where no one is watching the clock
- Same-day visits for sudden illnesses and injuries
- Direct communication with a provider who knows your history
- Personalized preventive care and wellness planning
- A dedicated Nurse Practitioner who manages your care from start to finish
Nurse Practitioner membership is a great fit for generally healthy adults, active families who want a go-to provider for colds, sprains and checkups, and households seeking concierge care for more than one family member.
Practicing in a concierge setting allows me to fully know each of my patients as individuals. After years of fast-paced hospital work, I value having the time to listen to your whole story and build a plan that fits your life.
Call (435) 252-1128 to learn more about membership or to schedule a meet and greet.