Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote several articles for 30Seconds in the past two weeks:

• Evacuating from Emergencies & Disasters: Why Your Health Must Be Top of Mind
• As We Rebuild Florida, Lets Not Forget Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands & Houston
• Helping Hurricane Victims: 4 Ways to Help Our Fellow Citizens Affected by Harvey & Irma

Knestrick was also interviewed by Indeed and said that she loves the variety of opportunities that nursing presents. Knestrick recommended that employers “support changes in nurse practice acts to remove barriers for nurses, particularly nurse practitioners, to practice to the full extent of their license and their education is essential.”

AANP Fellow Louise O’Keefe was mentioned in an article about free flu shots being offered at the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s (UAH) Faculty and Staff Clinic during its 10^th Anniversary Bash. “The clinic allows UAH faculty and staff to receive selected, on-site, high-quality health services,” said O’Keefe.

A local news article highlighted AANP member Carrie Haar and described her educational and career path. Describing her NP role, Haar said, “We follow a patient-centered model, focusing on disease prevention and health education. I have a passion for wellness, nutrition, supplementation and prevention. Medicine can be so focused on treating disease that we forget we can prevent it.” AANP member Dr. Billie Madler was also mentioned in the article.

The nursing shortage is not a partisan issue, according to AANP Fellow Dr. Sheldon Fields. “In this environment,” Fields wrote, “the skills of nurses — and specifically, advanced practice nurses — will be especially valuable. Averting any shortfall will require policies from Washington aimed at making the most of those who enter the nursing profession.”

AANP member Dr. William LaRock was mentioned in a Huffington Post article titled “Surviving AIDS: The Extraordinary Power of a Helping Hand.” According to the article, LaRock was credited with helping patients return to care, including at least one patient whose viral load is now undetectable once again.

In a local news article, AANP member Tina Pountney discussed the importance of baseline testing for student athletes who suffer concussions. Pountney indicated that “athletes and their parents need to understand the severity of concussions. Even though it’s tempting to get back on the field as soon as possible, repetitive concussions could lead to severe brain damage.”

A free seminar next week in Arden, NC, will feature AANP member Cherie Ledford, who will educate parents with teenage daughters about the benefits of gynecological care for those youths. Ledford will share advice on how parents can best address questions about healthy lifestyles, physical changes, sexuality, and more. Read the press release.

Atrial fibrillation patients in Idaho have a new clinic to help address their health care needs. AANP member Brandi Smith works at the clinic and said, “We brought about this clinic because we saw a huge need in the community, especially when we go to discharge our patients who were newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or had a history of atrial fibrillation and they didn’t have anyone to manage it.” Read more.

AANP member Jessica Estes was quoted in an article about the toll that the opioid crisis is taking on rural, older adults. Estes indicated that it is difficult for seniors to access alternative treatments for chronic pain, especially if they live in rural areas.

In an effort to care for the whole patient, Southeastern Louisiana University Health Center expanded services to include more walk-in services, HIV screenings, mental health services, and health promotion and education programming for students. AANP member Andrea Peevy told reporters that the purpose of the clinic is not just to treat strep throat or flu, but rather to offer health education and to keep students healthy.

Congratulations to AANP member Destiney Morgan, who was awarded the $2,500 Eileen S. and Earl C. Whittemore Jr. Scholarship by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi Nurse’s Foundation. According to a press release, the award was established to provide annual scholarships in the field of health care with the emphasis on, but not limited solely to, nursing education, including holistic medicine and the mind, body and spirit.

AANP member Maryanne Swanson was mentioned in an article about the 2017 Campus Flu Vaccination Battle, a challenge designed to increase flu vaccination rates for people in Michigan. Swanson said, “This friendly competition has expanded this year to track the number of undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans of OU who get immunized against influenza.  It was especially encouraging for me that President Pescovitz wanted to be first in line to kick off our campaign.”

Setting a healthy example for her patients, AANP member Stephanie Nottling recently completed her first Tough Mudder competition and is training for her first marathon. What an inspiration! Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Billie Anderson, who was recently elected to the American Health Council Nursing Board. Read the press release.

Positive Pathways is a new mental health medication management clinic owned and operated by AANP member Sabrina Carter. According to a press release, “The clinic offers comprehensive assessments that address the whole person’s needs and goals across the life span, a partner in the treatment planning process, individualized services tailored to their plans, and services designed to support hope, resilience and recovery.”

AANP member Allison Norful was among the authors of “Nurse practitioners as primary care providers with their own patient panels and organizational structures: A cross-sectional study,” published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Read more about their findings in this Newswise article.

Congratulations to AANP member Wendy Wood Neeson who is the new Edward A. Whitney Endowed Nursing Chair for the Northern Wyoming Community College District. Learn more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP Fellow Dr. Teresa Gardner Tyson was quoted in an Associated Press story (also published in the New York Times) about people who seek free health care at an annual Remote Area Medical Clinic in Appalachia. Tyson and AANP Fellow Dr. Paula Meade lead the Health Wagon, a mobile clinic that serves patients in that area.

Want to learn more about the life of a women’s health nurse practitioner? AANP Fellow Barb Dehn shared her story in the Merck for Mothers blog. Dehn said, “It’s an honor to be invited into a woman’s life at any time, and especially during pregnancy. As a health care provider and a nurse practitioner, I take that very seriously.”

Congratulations to AANP member Meredith Green, who was recently named vice president and chief nursing officer for Washington Regional Medical System in northwest Arkansas. Read the press release.

AANP member Lacey Eden was quoted in an article urging parents to vaccinate their children. According to the article, failure to vaccinate children endangers others.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Cheryl Nelson, who recently advanced to professor of nursing at Allegany College of Maryland. Nelson directs the college’s nurse-managed wellness center. Read the press release.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP Texas (S) State Representative Dr. Jessica Peck lives in the Houston area and was featured in nearly twenty television and radio interviews about the work she is doing to help patients in need after Hurricane Harvey and the historic flooding it caused. Interviews currently available to the public include:

• Exceptional Women: Dr. Jessica Peck
• Health Dangers Lurk in Wake of Hurricane Harvey
• Wake Up Call: The Wake of Harvey
• Dr. Jessica Peck on Health Concerns in Houston
• August 31 Interview with Dr. Jessica Peck

AANP President Dr. Joyce Kenstrick shared four things you can do to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Knestrick also warned of health risks related to flood waters.

Congratulations to AANP Maine State Representative Dr. Valerie J. Fuller who was recently elected to serve as the Area IV Director of the National Counsel of State Boards of Nursing. Fuller also serves as board president of the Maine State Board of Nursing. Read the press release.

AANP Fellow Dr. Susan Apold and AANP member Dr. Bernadette Sosnowski discussed whether there should be laws mandating nurse practitioner to patient ratios in the current edition of The Journal for Nurse Practitioners‘ “Point Counterpoint” column.

Wildfires in California are producing smoke and ash that “can exacerbate symptoms for people who have asthma and allergies, including shortness of breath, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throats and dry coughing,” according to AANP member Lihong Lin in an article published by The Sentinel. Lin suggested wearing a mask and staying indoors as ways to minimize risk.

In an article for parents of school aged children, AANP member Melissa Prouty said, “At the beginning of the school year kids are particularly susceptible to any viral illness due to the change in their schedule. To help keep kids healthy, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and good hygiene are critical.”

AANP member Kerrie Baker has been gathering medications and supplies to take to Rockport, Texas, an area that was impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Baker lives and works there during part of the year, and she said, “These people need help. They have lost absolutely everything that they have worked so hard for. If they didn’t pack it when they were evacuated, then they don’t have it.” Read more.

Be prepared for flu season with tips from AANP member Betsy Diaz. In a local news report, Diaz urged people to get vaccinated and said, “One of the main things people can do to prevent the flu is that if you are sick you need to stay at home avoid other people during that time that you’re sick with symptoms.”

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke and AANP member Dr. Rebecca Bates were featured in an AARP article about the nurse practitioner role. “We need more clinicians,” Cooke said. “There is never a shortage of patients.”

Editor of the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP) and AANP Fellow Dr. Charon Pierson and AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick were quoted in a press release about Wolters Kluwer becoming the new publisher of JAANP.

A special edition of JAANP focused on professional development for nurse practitioners. A press release distributed by Advanced Practice Education Associates indicated that AANP Fellow Dr. Amelie Hollier wrote an article for that issue, demonstrating her expertise in, and commitment to, professional growth for all NPs. The issue’s guest editors, AANP Fellows Dr. Judith A. Berg, Dr. Rodney W. Hicks,  and Dr. Mary Ellen Roberts said the issue was intended to “add to the preparation of a new generation of NPs armed to do battle against obstacles raised by other professional groups and even by those from nursing professionals within.”

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick was featured in several articles this week that increased awareness of the importance of immunizations. Read her “Healthy Habits: Ask a Nurse Practitioner” column on Motherhood Moments, and articles on 30seconds.com that explained why vaccines are helpful and provided five reasons why parents should have their children immunized.

Dr. Sheldon Fields, an AANP Fellow, wrote an article published by The Hill that encouraged lawmakers to work together to find a solution to “America’s looming nurse shortage. Fields indicated that there is “ample precedent for rolling back” regulations that are outdated and prevent nurse practitioners from practicing at the top of their education and clinical preparation.

In the Huffington Post‘s Black Voices column, AANP Fellow Capt. James Dickens offered readers four ways to tackle mental illness. Eliminating stigmas associated with mental health was at the top of Dickens’ list. Read more.

A new protocol developed by AANP member Adria Whiting “has resulted in an astounding 71 percent drop in hospital readmission rates for congestive heart failure (CHF) patients at Fairmont nursing home.” In a local news article about the success of this protocol, Whiting said, “It was a glaring opportunity for improvement. Staff education is the key.”

Nurse practitioners increase access to care for patients who desperately need it. For example, AANP member Denise Lucas works for a clinic in Ohio that provides care to uninsured and underinsured patients. In an article about the clinic’s expansion, Lucas said, “We are in need of providers who care about the patients. I have a Medicaid patient who told me she doesn’t want to go anywhere else because we care about her. We know them as a person. We know our community and our community resources. The need in the Ohio Valley is so significant and we are seeing a growing number of patients.”

Toxic shock syndrome can affect anyone, according to AANP member Dr. Joanne Brown. “When poisonous toxins are released into the bloodstream, they can damage tissue skin and harm vital organ functions, such as lung, liver, and renal,” said Brown. “Risk factors for TSS are recent childbirth, skin infections, cuts and burns, wound infection after surgery, viral infections, like flu or chickenpox, using foreign body items such as contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, super absorbent tampons and nasal packings.” Learn more. 

“Last year, nearly 20 out of 100,000 people in Chester County [Pennsylvania] died of a drug-related overdose, according to recently released figures by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency… and 78% of Pennsylvania counties had overdose death rates higher than the national average,” reported Southern Chester County Weeklies. Fentanyl was associated with approximately half of those deaths. AANP member Patricia Allen, indicated that fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than heroin and costs less. Allen said, “People really have to understand what’s out there right now.  This is only going to get worse before it gets better.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Teresa Gardner Tyson and Dr. Paula E.S. Hill of the Health Wagon, recipients of the 2017 Advanced Primary Care Leadership award presented by the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative Organization. “The Health Wagon is highly honored to receive such a prestigious award that recognizes our commitment to rural and public health,” said Tyson. “Primary care is essential to the health and well-being of any community.” Read the press release.

In an article about the passing of Millie Fincke who helped found LifeFlight, AANP Fellow Denise Ramponi describes how Fincke mentored and encouraged Ramponi to become a nurse practitioner and write a chapter in a book on advanced nursing practices. Our condolences are extended to those whose lives were touched by Fincke. Read more.

AANP member Barbra Bachmeier was quoted in an article about nurses who are furthering their education in the area of forensic nursing to help those who have suffered from sexual abuse and assault. According to Bachmeier, “Research in this area of sexual assault is evolving and how we collect evidence, what is best for the patient, and really the outcome is what is going to give us the greatest patient outcome and what is going to be healthy for the patient so that is our ultimate goal.”

Approximately 35,000 eclipse viewers in Casper, WY, had convenient access to first-aid thanks to health care providers staffing clinics set up in tents for the event. AANP member Monica Janssen ran one of the tents, and she was quoted in a Casper Star Tribune article about the temporary clinics.

AANP member Dr. Victoria Britson is the principal investigator of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that will help improve access to rural health care in South Dakota. Britson said, “This project is intentionally designed to address the gap in primary care providers for rural and underserved areas, by providing education and clinical experiences for our family nurse practitioner students that focuses on the unique role and skill set of the rural provider.” Learn more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

It’s that time of year again – National Immunization Awareness Month! Watch AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick discuss the importance of vaccinations as children prepare to begin another school year. #NIAM #NPsLead

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke busted immunization related myths in the Huffington Post and explained why everyone deserves a shot. Learn more about the four myths Cooke addressed.

In the Huffington Post‘s “Black Voices” column, AANP Fellow Capt. James LaVelle Dickens said, “Nearly 95 percent of school-aged kids are vaccinated, but growing numbers of parents are opting out of these life-saving shots, and kids are getting sicker as a result.” Read five reasons to ensure children’s vaccinations are up-to-date.

Community Health Heroes in New Orleans interviewed AANP Fellow Dr. Sophia L. Thomas about her role as a pediatric nurse practitioner and back-to-school health concerns. Thomas stressed the importance of regular physical exams, immunizations and more. The interview begins near the 2:34 mark.

“Back to School Week: Keeping your kids healthy during the school year” features AANP member Megan Monroe, who reminded parents to ensure that students who are beginning pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school and seventh grade have been immunized. Monroe stressed the importance of hand washing and discussed common back-to-school illnesses.

Congratulations to AANP Tennessee State Representative Brett Snodgrass who was recently named a 2017 Memphis Healthcare Hero by the Memphis Business Journal. Read the press release.

An Ohio State University (OSU) clinic is expanding services, thanks to a new federal designation. “We are very dedicated to continuing to provide critically needed comprehensive primary care services to optimize health and well-being in our community,” said AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, vice president for health promotion and dean, OSU College of Nursing. “Our team approach to care is led by nurse practitioners and includes interprofessional health professionals who are dedicated to providing the best evidence-based physical and mental health care.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Valerie J. Fuller, board president of the Maine State Board of Nursing, who received the Elaine Ellibee Award in honor of significant contributions she has made to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Read the NCSBN press release.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners Fellows program (FAANP) granted funds to support a national pilot project “aimed at demonstrating the influence of nurse practitioners in reducing unnecessary testing,” according to a VUSN press release. Two AANP Fellows, AANP Region 4 Director Dr. April Kapu and Dr. Ruth Kleinpell, will use the grant to conduct an expanded Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Choosing Wisely collaborative study focused on improving clinical practice. Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Louise O’Keefe, who was recently selected to participate in the National League for Nursing (NLN) LEAD program. O’Keefe was also nominated for the Alabama League for Nursing Lamplighter Award for exemplary contributions to the nursing profession. Read the press release.

AANP member Lisa Meadows was recently named director of  a mobile health care unit that provides free asthma, dental and general health screening services to underserved children. “We’ve all watched families have to make really hard [economic] decisions,” Meadows said, “and I’ve been able to witness first-hand how disparities impact neighborhoods, how poverty impacts the actions of others. That stays with you. It drives me to create a change.” Read more.

A shortage of nursing faculty in West Virginia may negatively impact the supply of nurses, access to care and quality of care, according to an article published by WV Public Broadcasting. AANP member Dr. Melody Wilkinson said, “The AACN estimated that annually we may see up to 64,000 qualified applicants who are unable to be accepted into schools of nursing… So there’s simply not the capacity to educate those qualified applicants to help them graduate to become nurses.”

In a recent CVS Health survey, 67 percent of respondents indicated that getting a flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu. Dr. Angela Patterson, MinuteClinic chief nurse practitioner officer and AANP member said that it can take a couple of weeks to build immunity, so patients should get their flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Patterson added, “influenza strains tend to change each year, so it’s very important to get vaccinated every year to make sure you are protected.” Learn more.

Thielen Student Health Center at Iowa State University is addressing students’ sexual health needs. AANP member Mary Raman discussed long-term birth control options, Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Nexplanon in a local news article. “One of our goals is to increase awareness and implementation of those types of contraceptives,” said Raman.  “They’re the most effective form of contraceptives available at this time and they are very safe for almost all women.”

A new health clinic offering preventative health care for homeless youth will be managed by AANP member Theresa Granger. Additional services include basic health services for at-risk youth and school sports physicals. “It’s not an open-to-the-public clinic,” said Granger, “but it’s opening with the thought that if kids are falling through the cracks, we’re here.” Learn more.

A desire to help people motivated AANP member Michelle Martin to become a nurse practitioner, according to a local news article about her. Read more about Martin, and read and share AANP’s “Use of Terms” position statement.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

“As the U.S. health care system faces the aging of the baby boomer population and the rise of chronic disease, nurse practitioners (NPs) are leading the way by demonstrating positive results in managing care for older patients and the complexity of chronic conditions,” AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick said in a Daily Nurse article. “This includes innovative practice solutions, research and training, and policy advances at the state and federal level to strengthen access to NP-provided health care.” Read more.

Full practice authority for NPs “really is a no-brainer,” said AANP member Ricki Garrett in an article for the Clarion Ledger. “… We are a rural, medically underserved state, and by allowing nurse practitioners to practice at their full scope, we can greatly expand access to care for the citizens of Mississippi … It’s a way we can increase access to care without costing a dime.”

Patient education is a hallmark of the care nurse practitioners provide. Check out AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke‘s six tips to boost summertime health. Tip #1 is drink plenty of water. Read five more tips.

The Health Wagon was featured by Dutch Public Broadcasting in an online news feature, and at the 14:55 minute mark in a general news update. The broadcasts are in Dutch and feature AANP Fellow Dr. Teresa Gardner. AANP Fellow Dr. Paula Hill is also part of the Health Wagon team.

In an article published by the San Francisco Chronicle, AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Melnyk explained why social smoking can be just as bad for you as daily smoking. According to Melnyk, “Moderation, in this case, is most definitely a vice from a health perspective, and a potentially life-shortening approach.”

“Navigating a head lice diagnosis may feel frustrating and overwhelming for many parents, especially if their child has required multiple rounds of treatment due to a recurring infestation,” AANP Fellow Wendy Wright said in an article about an online survey related to head lice treatment. Also in the news, an article on the ModernMedicine Network discussed the outcomes of Wright’s study “Comparison of immunization rates of adults ages 65 years and older managed within two nurse practitioner-owned clinics with national immunization rates,” which was published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP).

Congratulations to AANP member Elisabeth King who became the runner up for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year award after raising more than $115,000 for new cancer treatments. Nationally, 2017’s Man and Woman of the Year campaign raised more than $45 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. King wanted to do more for her patients and said she was motivated to raise money “for patients who… need new treatments for their cancer. Or for my patient who has to decide between buying his family groceries and picking up his cancer drugs.” Read more.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. To mark the event, STL today interviewed AANP member Amy Pontius, who said, “The more people that you can get vaccinated and don’t continue to contract or pass on a disease or an illness, the  better off the whole community is.  We can get into what’s called a herd immunization where everyone around is basically immune to these diseases.” Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Denise Wilson, who was recently named associate dean for academics for Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN).  Dr. Wilson is also the project director for the $1.4 million Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant recently received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read more.

AANP member Deborah Burchfield received funding to provide a variety of health care services to patients on August 15 via a mobile health unit. The event increased access to care and included sick visits, follow-up appointments and referrals. Read the Central Maine article.

Nursing students at the University of Tulsa’s Oxley College of Health Sciences benefit from simulated health care interactions in a real setting using a robot named Sim Junior to emulate adult patients. AANP member Brandon King was quoted in an article, indicating that the nursing program is addressing a need for more primary health care providers in Oklahoma.

AANP member Dorothy Portillo was mentioned in an article about a clinic renovation project that will occur during National Health Center Week. According to the article, Portillo is the clinic’s “longest-serving volunteer and staff member” and among many experienced health care providers at the clinic.

Congratulations to AANP member Shannon Shuman who was recently honored as an Outstanding Alumni of Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, IN. The annual honor recognizes contributions to the community or the college through leadership or volunteering. Learn more.

AANP member Angela Hamilton was quoted in an article about the dermatology practice she leads. The clinic treats all age groups. “As the largest organ of the body, the skin is vulnerable to a variety of adverse health conditions and diseases, some of which can be very serious,” Hamilton said. “The most threatening of these is skin cancer, which can be fatal if not treated properly.”

The University of Michigan-Flint recently received a $1.2 million Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant to support NP education. According to AANP member Dr. Connie Creech, who is director of nursing graduate programs at UM-Flint, students “…will receive both specialized education to care for rural populations and strong financial support to allow them to complete clinical placements in rural areas in Michigan. This will increase the pipeline of health care providers for rural populations in Michigan.” Read more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP member Alana Goo-Frazier was highlighted in a local news article that described ways physical fitness has impacted her life and her role as a nurse practitioner. “I enjoy an active lifestyle, especially since I promote it to my patients. It’s something that’s important to me,” Goo-Frazier said.

Tips to prevent and recognize heatstroke were offered by AANP member Sara Domeyer in a local news article. Domeyer suggested that readers avoid being outside during the hottest afternoon hours. Domeyer added, “If you’re going to have to work out in the heat, make sure you take frequent breaks, increase the amount of fluid that you intake, and just really watch out for the signs of the heat stroke.”

AANP member Lori Edwards traveled with Washburn University nursing students to Guatemala for a two-week health care mission trip. Six doctoral and 12 undergraduate students participated in the program. According to an article that quoted Edwards, “She said some of the more common complaints reported by the group’s indigenous Mayan patients included skin problems, upper-respiratory infections, diabetes, vision and dental problems, parasites, arthritis and high blood pressure.”

Nurse practitioners work with patients to provide a holistic model of care. For example, an article about the expansion of a community health center to provide patients with a range of health care services, including dental and mental health care quoted AANP member Ann Feser.

Congratulation to AANP member and University of South Carolina College (USC) of Nursing’s Associate Dean for Practice Dr. Stephanie Burgess who was awarded a U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) grant of nearly $1 million with support of the SC Promise Zone to increase the number of primary care Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) in South Carolina’s rural areas. According to Dr. Burgess, the 21 FNPs completing the most recent FNP training program at USC are now all serving rural communities or underserved populations. Read more.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

Alvin Mena Cantero is an AANP member and Cuban refugee who provides health care for underserved populations around the world. Cantero serves as a preceptor for NP students and provides home health visits in rural areas of Texas with a mobile clinic. In an article about his impressive role as a nurse practitioner, Cantero said, “Our impact on the community has grown by distributing information on vaccinations, risk factor management, and the importance of early detection of chronic diseases,” Cantero says. “We publish in English and Spanish through La Nota Houston, letting families know the importance of proper primary healthcare and prevention.”

AANP Region 2 Director Dr. Stephen Ferrara was quoted in a U.S. News & World Report article about ways to avoid diabetes product scams. “Health products and supplements not backed by the FDA do not undergo the same rigorous studies, and because they are sold as supplements, their manufacturers can make claims not supported by scientific evidence, Ferrara says. Additionally, the ingredients in supplements or similar nutritional products may vary widely from brand to brand.”

“If someone is being treated for a chronic disease like diabetes, it can be depressing,” AANP Fellow Dr. Randolph Rasch told the Lansing City Pulse in an article about a partnership to increase access to mental health care. “What nursing is about is about making sure you address the needs of the whole person.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Julie Marfell who was honored as a distinguished alumna of Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, IL. “I became a family nurse practitioner to help address the issue of access to primary care, and I became an educator for the same reason,” Dr. Marfell said.  “I feel very fortunate to have been a part of the education of many nurse practitioners at both Rush University and Frontier Nursing University, and of nurse-midwives while at Frontier.  Seeing the alumni out there making a difference by providing health care in their communities is what makes me proud, and I am proud of their accomplishments.” Read the press release.

AANP Fellow Dr. Versie Johnson Mallard was among the authors of an article in the Huffington Post titled “How Repealing the Affordable Care Act Threatens Women, Families, and Health.” According to the authors, “All of these bills are an attack on women’s health and would have a disproportionate impact on low-income women and women of color. They would compromise America’s 3.6 million nurses’ ability to do their jobs and deliver high-quality, safe and efficient care.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellows Dr. Debra Barksdale and Dr. Demetrius Porche, who are among 14 nursing educators being inducted into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education this year. Read the press release.

“As health care and the disciplines of psychiatry and addictions continue to evolve, personalized medicine will become more and more the norm. Advanced practice nurses have an opportunity to serve in a critical and leading role during this emerging period by adding pharmacogenetic testing to assist in streamlining psychotropic medication options for their patients,” AANP member Laura Leahy wrote in “The Value of Genetic Testing to Psychiatric Nursing.” According to Leahy, “My extensive connection to pharmacy and pharmaceutical agents, and psychotropic medications in particular, is why I have embraced pharmacogenetic testing for patients who present with complex diagnostic issues and for whom various trials of medications have failed to provide symptom relief and emotional stability.”

AANP member Paula Glass was pictured in a Newsweek article about ways to reduce the costs of health care goods and services. According to the article, “For $57.8 billion annually – less than half of one percent of our current health care spend – a host of social investments, all health-producing in themselves, could be made.”

Congratulations to Francis Marion University’s (FMU) School of Health Sciences for receiving a $1 million Health Resources Service Administration’s (HRSA) Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) grant to provide scholarship and academic support for nurse practitioner students. AANP member Deborah Hopla is director for FMU’s NP program. “FMU is committed to bringing quality healthcare to this state and this region,” Hopla said in a press release. “The Nurse Practitioner program is a big part of that. FNPs are, and will be, a critical part of the health care delivery in the future, in especially in underserved areas.”

Georgia Southern University School of Nursing received a $1.3 million ANEW grant from HRSA to  “support efforts to prepare advanced-practice nursing students to practice in rural and underserved settings through academic and clinical training. With the grant, the academic-practice partnership between the Georgia Southern School of Nursing and the five health centers will help increase the number and readiness of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner(PMHNP) graduates to care for rural and underserved populations.” Learn more.

A HRSA grant in the amount of $1.3 million was also awarded to Washington State University College of Nursing to help improve access to health care in Eastern Washington. “We know from educational research that students trained in clinics that provide care to underserved people are more likely to practice in those clinics after graduation,” AANP member Janet Purath, project director and associate professor in the college of nursing, said in a press release.

An Extraordinary Healer Essay in Cure Today honored AANP member Dr. Mary Smania for her work to reduce barriers to cancer care. According to the essay, “Efforts to improve care and reach underserved populations are being accomplished through the use of an interprofessional team led by a nurse practitioner using expertise within the health care team, in the community and through marketing and social media.”

“When a patient leaves our practice, I hope that they have the right skill set, the right knowledge and the right attitude, so they can cope with their chronic disease,” AANP member Delmar Imperial Aubin said in a local news article about the growing number of visits to nurse practitioners. One patient said about visits to her nurse practitioner, “She makes me comfortable. It’s always quick and fast. I never have to wait long.”

Diabetes Self Management (DSM) mentioned a study on the importance of screening diabetes patients for depression that was presented by AANP members Dr. Kristel McGhee and Dr. Katherine Kenny at the AANP 2017 National Conference in Philadelphia. Read the DSM article.

AANP member Lindsey Turner was quoted in a local news article offering tips to keep people healthy during high temperatures. “Anytime that you’re having symptoms that are concerning, light headedness especially altered mental status, persistent muscle cramps or persistent vomiting. Anything like that you should definitely get checked out,” said Turner.

In the “Point/Counterpoint” section of the latest issue of The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JNP), AANP member Bernadette Sosnowski argued that NPs can refocus on improving patient care, care quality and patient outcomes after ensuring appropriate staffing and reasonable provider/patient ratios. However, AANP Fellow Dr. Susan Apold said that rather than seeking answers from legislators, NPs can analyze staffing issues and develop solutions that meet the needs of each setting. Read their discussion.

Congratulations to AANP member Emelin Martinez who was recently named chief medical officer for Valley-Wide Health Systems in Alamosa, Colorado. The Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offers comprehensive care including dental care, physical therapy, behavioral health care and other services integrated with medical care to improve overall health. Read the press release.

AANP member Krystal Sherrill was quoted in a local news article about the diabetes clinic where she works to educate and care for patients. The clinic offers a unique program to help cover some costs for patients who are uninsured.

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care can be stressful for patients, according to AANP member Christie Leath. In a local news article, Leath said, “To help create a smooth transition, coordinate responsibilities between the patient, family and provider so that they support and encourage the adolescent to assume adult roles and activities. It’s essential to encourage the youth to take responsibility for their own care and decision making early, so they feel comfortable advocating for themselves once they are on their own.”

Congratulations to the Jamaica Association of Nurse Practitioners (JANP) for celebrating 40 years of the NP role on the island. JANP has been a member of AANP since 2013. Dr. Cindy Cooke, Immediate Past President of AANP, and AANP Fellow Dr. Madrean Schober spoke at the event and are mentioned in this article about AANP members abroad.

The Huffington Post published “Six Tips for a Healthier, More Relaxing Summer” by AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke. Drink up! Cooke recommends increasing intake of water, fruits and vegetables to stay hydrated. Read her other tips. Cooke offered readers of 30 Seconds five ways to help their families hack the summer heat, and Cooke’s article on SheKnows provided “Six Healthy Living Tips for Moms Who Need a Summer Break Too.”

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow, Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, who was awarded the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 2017 Sharp Cutting Edge Award at the AANP 2017 National Conference June 20-25, 2017, in Philadelphia, PA. Melnyk is vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer, and dean and professor of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. Read more.

“Hospitalization rates plummeted 61 percent, and emergency room visits fell 64 percent among a group of patients who received home visits from nurse practitioners and graduate students during a six-month period in 2016,” according to a University of Rhode Island College of Nursing study funded by a three-year $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Public Health Service’s Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). AANP Fellow Dr. Denise Coppa used the grant funds to “advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes through enhanced primary care for the medically underserved.” Read the press release.

AANP members (and twin sisters) Becki Sutter and Carrie Sutter are co-founders of health clinics that help patients in underserved areas reach their wellness goals. “We’re almost a safety net to the safety net,” Becki Sutter said. “We give them care, get them out of the emergency room, and, hopefully, over time get them into a more secure situation by empowering them.” “We look at the factors that determine health,” Carrie Sutter said. “Food insecurity, homelessness risk, transportation issues, job insecurity, those sorts of things.” Read more.

Congratulations to Washington State University and AANP member Dr. Janet Purath, who were awarded a two-year, $1.3 million grant from HRSA to educate nurse practitioners and prepare them to increase access to primary care in rural areas. “We know from educational research that students trained in clinics that provide care to underserved people are more likely to practice in those clinics after graduation,” said Purath, and this project supports that notion.” Read more.

Forbes magazine named Penn Medicine one of the best employers in the United States, and AANP member Maria Molina explained to The Daily Pennsylvanian why Penn Medicine is one of the nation’s best places to work. Molina said, “You come to work not just to ‘survive’ your job. It’s to survive and grow, because Penn has this culture of excellence.”

AANP members Dr. Sharon Chalmers and Erin Turner were mentioned in an article about their involvement in study abroad mission trips that provide health care to patients in underserved areas of the world. “The most exciting and most terrifying part is you never know what’s going to walk through the door,” Turner said.

Weight is an important wellness factor, according to AANP member Sonya Gilson, who was quoted in an article about the relationship between weight and health. “In a quest for health and wellness,” Gilson recommended “not focusing on the number on the scale but how do you feel? How do your clothes fit? How are you functioning during the day? Is that improving?” Gilson said, “You’re worth making the healthy choices. You’re worth taking care of yourself.”

Ticks and tick-borne illnesses were the topic of an article that quoted AANP member Dr. Amy Johnson. Prevent tick-borne illness by treating pets for ticks and checking yourself regularly. “Use bug spray, wear long pants and avoid high grass areas,” Johnson recommended.

Spotlight on NPs highlights exciting achievements and activities of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) members.

AANP Colorado State Representative Dr. Michelle L. Edwards and AANP members Dr. Judith Kutzleb, Dr. Sheryl Slonim, Dr. Lacey Troutman-Buckler and Dr. Vicky Turner were quoted in an article about the ways APRNs improve quality outcomes and costs of health care. Read more.

Congratulations to 20 AANP members listed below, including 16 AANP Fellows, who are among the American Academy of Nursing’s 2017 Class of New Fellows. An induction ceremony will be held in October. Read the press release.

• Melissa Batchelor-Murphy, PhD, RN-BC, FNP-BC
• Andrea Brassard, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP
• Sandra Brown, DNS, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, ANEF
• Theresa Campo, DNP, RN, FNP-C, ENP-BC, FAANP
• Valerie T. Cotter, DrNP, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP
• Rita F. D’Aoust, PhD, ACNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP
• Elizabeth A. Downes, DNP, MPH, APRN, NP-C, CNE, FAANP
• Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP
• Shannon Idzik, DNP, CRNP, FAANP
• Anne Christine Floyd Koci, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, WHNP
• Scharmaine Lawson-Baker, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
• Sheila Drake Melander, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP
• Kymberlee A. Montgomery, DNP, CRNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
• Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP
• Janine Overcash, PhD, GNP-BC, FAANP
• Diane Todd Pace, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, NCMP, FAANP
• Elda Ramirez, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAEN
• Kate Sheppard, PhD, RN, FNP, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
• Shari L. Simone, DNP, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP
• Julee B. Waldrop, DNP, CRNP, PNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP

AANP member Karen Pekle was recognized in a New York Post article describing her extraordinary efforts to help a cancer patient. Pekle was named Nurse of the Year by Hotel Keys of Hope. It was the first time the American Cancer Society honored an oncology nurse in a nationwide competition,” the Post indicated.

Susanne Meaney, an AANP member, offered tips to help people in Pensacola, FL, avoid heat related illnesses. Hydration, a healthy diet, and safety precautions related to hot cars were among her suggestions. Read more.

AANP member CDR Catherine McDonald “has been on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 26 years and has served more than 30 years, including her time in the reserves. As a U.S. Navy nurse practitioner, McDonald does primary care, preventative care, dental care and sometimes behavioral health care. Much of her job also consists of collaborating with other medical providers where she is stationed on areas from supplies to communication.” Read more.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Cindy Munro who was appointed dean of the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Read the press release.