From family roots to family medicine: A nurse practitioner’s calling to care

From his earliest days growing up in a family of health care workers, Daniel Toussaint, NP, felt called to care for others. His grandmother, a midwife known in her neighborhood for helping women through childbirth, laid the foundation. Toussaint built on that legacy through years of nursing in such high-intensity environments as the ER, trauma unit, and catheterization lab before becoming a nurse practitioner in family medicine.

“As a registered nurse working on different units during my career, the desire to do more for my patients became evident and motivated me to pursue higher education to become a nurse practitioner,” Toussaint said. “Caring for patients of all ages and backgrounds in acute situations is rewarding, but treating them through their ongoing care needs and chronic health challenges brings me great satisfaction, which drew me to family medicine.”

The hidden challenges men face

As a family medicine provider and one of seven males in his family, Toussaint is focused on making care more accessible for men who might be reluctant to seek help. Toussaint sees a broad range of health concerns in his male patients, many of which go undiagnosed or are misunderstood because, as Toussaint points out, men are less likely to engage in preventive care like screenings and more likely to suffer in isolation.

He tailors preventive care based on each patient’s age, lifestyle, and family history. Many men face common health issues that often go unaddressed due to stigma, lack of awareness, or a reluctance to seek care. Common health concerns include prostate issues, sexual health problems, and cardiovascular disease. Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol often go unmanaged due to infrequent primary care visits.

Sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction and low testosterone, are sometimes overlooked in younger or otherwise healthy men, especially when self-treated with unregulated supplements. He adds that mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, frequently go undiagnosed or untreated, particularly in cultural contexts where acknowledging emotional struggles is discouraged.

Reaching male patients

Screening and preventive care are also areas of concern. Toussaint says men are statistically less likely to participate in routine screenings. Procedures like colorectal and prostate exams are often feared or avoided, and chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be more effectively managed when caught early. He says Men’s Health Awareness Month is important because it highlights the value of early detection and preventive care, encouraging tough conversations that would otherwise be difficult.

“Strategies I use to address such concerns include open communication and engaging in casual conversations with my patients to make them feel as if they were speaking to a trusted friend. This approach helps them to be more open and builds trust,” Toussaint said. “Another approach I use is to create a supportive environment with a nonjudgmental attitude where my patients can feel empowered to take responsibility for their health and be proactive.”

Why he chose UT Physicians

Toussaint finds his work especially rewarding thanks to the culture at UT Physicians. He’s surrounded by a collaborative team of colleagues who take pride in their work and support one another on the hardest days.

“From the physicians to the nurses to the support staff, I work alongside professionals who are highly skilled and intelligent and genuinely invested in each other’s success. As part of an academic health center, we’re constantly learning and staying up-to-date with the latest trends, whether through engaging in research activities or attending seminars,” Toussaint said. “Motivation to stay and work at UT Physicians is knowing there is much work to be done and my mission is nowhere near complete.”