My Story
Ever since high school, I knew I wanted to care for others. Inspired by my late aunt, who was a nurse, I pursued my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Boston College and began my career in the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital. Those early years taught me how to think quickly, multitask, and provide compassionate care under pressure. I later completed an emergency nurse residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where I further developed my clinical skills and deepened my commitment to patient-centered care.
Over time, I became increasingly curious about what happens beyond the emergency room—the underlying causes of the chronic conditions that brought so many patients back time and again. That curiosity led me to pursue graduate studies at New York University, where I earned a Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing and a Master of Public Health. While studying, I continued working in New York City emergency departments, gaining six years of bedside experience before transitioning into my role as a nurse practitioner.
My career has also been shaped by a passion for global health and social justice. As an undergraduate, I participated in a medical mission to the Dominican Republic, where I provided community health screenings in underserved areas. Later, I volunteered at Shade Tree Clinic, a free clinic in Nashville that serves vulnerable populations, and participated in global health intensives through NYU in Uganda and Nepal. In Uganda, I worked with OneWorld Health on hypertension screening and treatment protocols; in Nepal, I collaborated with UNICEF’s South Asia office on pandemic communication strategies. After graduation, I returned to NYU as an instructor in the health assessment lab, teaching future nurse practitioners.
Today, I serve as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner in the nation’s top-ranked geriatrics program, where I care for older adults managing multiple chronic conditions, help families navigate the healthcare system, and lead quality improvement initiatives that promote better health outcomes and more dignified aging.
I hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Johns Hopkins University, where my doctoral work focused on falls prevention for older adults—developing strategies to keep older adults safe, independent, and thriving in their communities. After more than five years in geriatric practice, I founded Allied Aging to bring that expertise directly to older adults and their families. I’ve seen firsthand how complex aging can be without clear, coordinated support—and that’s where I come in. My mission is simple: to be your ally as you or your loved one age with confidence, comfort, and grace.
Certifications
Allied Aging clients benefit from the advanced degress and certifications I’ve earned in the field. My continued contributions to publications and speaking engagements keep me up-to-date on the newest innovations in aging. Reach out to allow Allied Aging to put this breadth of experience to work for you and your loved one.
Sarah L. Romanelli
DNP, MPH, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, ACHPN
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Doctor of Nursing Practice: Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing
Master of Science: New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Concentration: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Certificate: Palliative Care
Master of Public Health: New York University, College of Global Public Health
Concentration: Global Public Health
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing
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Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – American Nurses Credentialing Center
Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse – Hospice and Nurses Association
Nurse Practitioner in Adult Health – State of New York License
Registered Nurse – State of New York License
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association
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Online articles
Romanelli, S. (2023, February 8). My grandmother died at home, just as she wanted. It cost $145,000 [Editorial]. Cognoscenti. https:///www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2023/02/08/medicare-home-hospice-care-sarah-romanelli
Textbooks
Gorman, R., Wholihan, D., & Bender, S. Chapter 12: The palliative APRN in primary care. In Dahlin, C. & Coyne, P. J. (Eds.). (2023). Advanced practice palliative nursing (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Journal Papers
Romanelli, S., Cuervo, C. M., & Rivera, V. (2024). Increasing Follow-Up With Primary Care Providers After Emergency Department Visits in Older Adults. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(3), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20240208-02
Romanelli, S. & Rivera, V. (2023). A quality-improvement initiative to convert patients from warfarin to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000857. Advance online publication. https:///doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000857
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Podium Presentations
“STEADI Your Staff for Falls Prevention,” Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai
“Increasing Follow-Up with Primary Care Provider After ED Visits in Older Adults,”MSHS Ambulatory Care Nursing Symposium
Poster Presentations
“A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Falls Assessments for Older Adults in Primary Care,” MSHS Ambulatory Care Nursing Symposium
“Increasing Follow-Up with Primary Care Provider After Emergency Department Visits,” Presidential Poster Session, American Geriatrics Society Annual Conference
“Conversation of Geriatric Patients from Warfarin to NOAC in the Primary Care Setting,” MSHS Ambulatory Care Nursing Symposium
“Hypertension in the Masindi-Kitara District of Uganda: A Qualitative Report of Patient Surveys in Mobile Outreach Clinics,” New York University College of Global Public Health Symposium
Staff Presentations
“STEADI Our Staff for Falls Prevention,” Mount Sinai Hospital
“Opioid Use in Older Adults: What Can We Do Better?” Mount Sinai Hospital
“QI Project: Reducing Unnecessary ED Utilization in Older Adults,” Mount Sinai Hospital
“Anticoagulation Project: Conversation of Geriatric Patients from Warfarin to NOAC,” Mount Sinai Hospital
“Cuba’s Emergency Management and Disaster Response System,” New York Presbyterian Disaster Committee
Academic Presentations
“MBTI Team Assessment in Leadership,” John Hopkins University
“Lack of Initiation of Health Care Proxies in Patients with Advanced Disease,” New York University
“Pain Management in Patients with a History of Substance Use Disorder,” New York University
“Ethics in Action: Caring for ‘Non-Compliant’ Patients,” New York University
Webinars
“Deathcare in 2023,” panelist in a discussion hosted by Guaranteed Health
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“Respiratory Disorders in Adults,” Adult and Gerontology Primary Care, New York University
“Musculoskeletal System and Pain Management,” Geriatric Syndromes, New York University
“Gastrointestinal Disorders and Urinary Incontinence,” Geriatric Syndromes, New York University
“The Neurologic Exam,” Graduate Health Assessment, New York University
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