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

NPs prescribe fewer unneeded antibiotics than MDs, according to findings of a study detailed in Becker’s Healthcare. NPs sampled were 4.8 percent less likely to prescribe antibiotics inappropriately than the MDs sampled, according to Beckers. The article quoted AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick, who said, “It’s really hard, particularly in primary care, to explain to patients why they shouldn’t get an antibiotic, because everybody wants a quick fix. I try to give the patient a little bit of control with some choices.”

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke shared five healthy tips for men with readers of 30 Seconds. “See a nurse practitioner” was at the top of the list.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Dawn Garzon Maaks, who will become president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) on July 1. According to a press release, Garzon Maaks will focus on mental health issues, including youth suicide. “The beauty of what we do as pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses is provide that developmentally grounded perspective to the care of children and families, in whatever setting they need regardless of what types of health care they need,” Garzon Maaks said.

AANP Fellow Dr. Donald Gardenier appeared on a local news station to share details about his lecture on “The Liver: A ‘Blob’ That Runs the Body.” Gardenier educated viewers about the role of the liver and common liver diseases. He is pictured below wearing his AANP pin during the interview.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Heidi Rogers, who was appointed Director of Interprofessional Education for the University of New Mexico. “The Interprofessional Education program is collaborating on important, innovative and cool educational experiences for all our students,” Rogers said in a press release. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students from across the HSC campus to support the mission of interprofessional collaboration, as well as improved models of patient-centered care.”

Research conducted by AANP member Dr. Hilary Barnes continues to reach new audiences. Consumer Affairs cited Barnes’ study in a recent article that asserted NPs are the answer to the growing healthcare shortage. News Medical also reported on the study.

What does a nurse practitioner do? AANP member Angelique Mason answered that question for readers of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Need suggestions to help you stay healthy in the heat? AANP member Kimberly Webber shared pro tips in a local news report. “Water keeps the balance of everything that we need,” said Webber. “It’s the number one part of what our body is made of, what it functions on. Water is the best thing to keep us hydrated.”

“I think people definitely underestimate how hot it is and how sick we can get from it,” AANP member Benjamin Pellegrin in another timely article about summer and heat related safety. “Those who are most vulnerable would be infants, children, elderly patients and those with underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.” Pellegrin also advised people to “Avoid physical activity during the hottest parts of the day. Save it for early morning or late afternoon. Drink plenty of fluids on a scheduled basis. Wear light fitting clothing, preferably light colors, single layers and a hat.”

Congratulations to AANP member Mike Holtz who recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the expansion of his primary care clinic. Read more.

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

In a great piece for aspiring nursing and NP students, Springer Publishing Company interviewed AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick, who shared details about her successful career, thoughts on distance learning, tips for future NPs and more.

“A staggering 60 percent of men don’t get regular health checkups and, on average, die five years earlier than their spouses,” according to AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke. Read five reasons why a checkup is the best Father’s Day gift in Cooke’s blog for 30 Seconds.

Last week’s Spotlight on NPs noted that recent study conducted by AANP member Dr. Hilary Barnes, “Rural and Nonrural Primary Care Physician Practices Increasingly Rely on Nurse Practitioners,” was published by HealthAffairs. In addition to wide coverage of the study’s findings last week, Health Leaders Media reported that laws restricting NP practice do not improve care. “All that they are really doing is putting up barriers to primary care. Removing the practice restrictions can really only be a benefit,” Barnes said. The American Journal of Managed Care reported that, “between 2008 and 2016, primary care providers increasingly relied on nurse practitioners… especially in rural areas.” Fierce Healthcare also published an article about Barnes’ study.

Congratulations to AANP North Texas State Representative Dr. Christy Blanco, who is serving her second term on the Texas Nurse Practitioners Board of Directors. “There are 23 states [including D.C.] where nurse practitioners have full practice authority,” Blanco said in a local news report. “New Mexico has full practice authority, and currently there are four or five advanced practice nurses who have chosen to build their practice in New Mexico because they’re allowed to have full practice authority in New Mexico. So, El Paso is probably more disadvantaged because New Mexico attracts a lot of nurse practitioners.”

A free eye, dental and health care clinic will be held in Wise, VA, July 20-22, and AANP Fellows Dr. Teresa Gardner Tyson and Dr. Paula E.S. Hill of the Health Wagon will be participating. According to a press release, “The Health Wagon is taking appointments for up to ten children under the age of 16 who need oral surgery due to extensive dental problems.”

Kudos to AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, who was selected to be a member of Women of Impact, a group of high-profile female executives representing all sectors of the healthcare industry across the United States who share the goal of realigning the healthcare system to meet the needs of all Americans. Founded in 2013, the group seeks to apply collective impact to address complex problems in healthcare and critical concerns prominent in the national conversation. Read more.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Lori Lioce, who was selected to participate in the National League for Nursing’s LEAD program. According to a press release, Dr. Lioce “has sustained scholarly contributions with over 30 international presentations and 25 publications in simulation education. She specializes in simulation operations, curriculum development and implementation, strategic planning, faculty development, simulation design, and programmatic quality improvement.”

AANP members Demetria Castrellon, Isabel Zuniga and Guillermina Nelson were featured in a local news article about University of Texas El Paso nurse practitioners who deliver comprehensive stroke care to patients. “We’re part of the only team in El Paso that provides in-house neurological care to treat even the most complex stroke cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” explained Zuniga. According to the report, “The [UTEP] School of Nursing’s AGACNP program is designed to train nurse practitioners to respond to patients with critical life-threatening illnesses, including cardiac arrest, respiratory failure and stroke.”

Upon her recent return from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, AANP member Col. Ramona Mulleins-Foreman presented her supervisors with the Patriotic Employer Award. According to a press release, “The Department of Defense award, given by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, is presented to individual supervisors who support soldiers through measures including flexible schedules and time off prior to and after deployment.”

“Cases of throid cancer have tripled in the last 30 years, and women are diagnosed with it three times more often than men,” according to a local news report that quoted AANP member Laura Bruser, who is a thyroid cancer survivor. Read more.

Preventing exposure to ticks and the diseases they may carry was the subject of a local news report that quoted AANP member Jeff Buntin. Regarding Lyme disease, Buntin said that “ignoring the symptoms can lead to long-term complications including severe arthritics, prolonged fatigue and potentially lead to certain types of heart disease.”

Brittany Holmes, a nurse practitioner in the Yale School of Medicine’s Genetics Department, is also an AANP member. Holmes was recently interviewed about her involvement in clinical trials for a new drug to treat phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder in which the body cannot process proteins. Holmes leads a PKU clinic at Yale.

Tips to stay safe as the temperature rises were provided by AANP member Valerie Smith in local Kentucky news. In addition to wearing light-colored clothing, staying hydrated and wearing sunscreen, Smith said, “As parents we need to watch our children. Pull them to the side, fan them, give them some cool water, give them a spray fan. That’s one way we can keep kids engaged and cooled off and not overrunning themselves.”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Alvin Mena Cantero, who was recognized as a Leadership Excellence & Development (LEAD) 2018 Award finalist in the Top Future Leader Category (35 & under). Cantero has reportedly served as a mentor for hundreds of NP students and provides care to underserved populations that include homeless veterans, and low income families.

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

A recent study conducted by AANP member Dr. Hilary Barnes, “Rural and Nonrural Primary Care Physician Practices Increasingly Rely on Nurse Practitioners,” was published by HealthAffairs. The research has been reported on widely, including an article by Bruce Japsen for Forbes. Japsen wrote, “Nurse practitioners have dramatically increased their presence as the go-to primary care providers in rural America thanks in part to regulatory changes that allow patients to more easily see these health professionals.” News Medical reported, “A key way to combat this [primary care provider] shortage is to tap highly skilled nurse practitioners (NPs), who are choosing primary care at a much higher rate than physicians.” Read additional coverage from the University of Delaware, Beckers Hospital Review, and HealthcareDive.

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick was quoted in Japsen’s Forbes article about Barnes’ research and said, “NPs are one of the most significant factors in expanding patient access to primary, acute and specialty care, especially at a time when demand is high and physicians remain concentrated in more urban and affluent areas. This has led to NPs quickly becoming the first choice as primary care providers for thousands of people across rural as well as urban America.”

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke wrote a blog for 30 Seconds that shared seven reasons why patients are choosing NPs as their primary care providers.   Cooke wrote, “Last year, NPs treated more than a billion patients. If you’re looking for a healthy primary care alternative, a nurse practitioner may be a perfect fit!”

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Megan Hebdon, who will receive the Virginia AANP State Award for Excellence at the AANP 2018 National Conference in Denver June 26 – July 1. In a Radford University article recognizing Hebdon’s accomplishments, Hebdon said, “I am proud to be in a profession that has a profound effect on peoples’ lives physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Several other recipients of the AANP State Award for Excellence are affiliated with the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, which is an initiative of the AARP Foundation, AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Campaign for Action recognized these outstanding NPs in a recent article, and they are listed below.

• Stephanie Ahmed, DNP, FNP-BC, Massachusetts
• Renee Dahring, MSN, APRN, CNP, Minnesota
• Lauren Inouye, RN, MPP, District of Columbia (Action Coalition leader)
• Beverly Lang, MScN, RN, ANP-BC, Maryland
• Linda Lazure, PhD, RN, FAAN, Nebraska
• Denise Link, WHNP, CNE, FAAN, FAANP Arizona
• Lucy Marion, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, Georgia
• Gaylene Miller, West Virginia (AARP State Director)
• Laura Reichhardt, MS, APRN, NP-C, Hawaii (Action Coalition Leader)

Congratulations to all AANP State Award for Excellence recipients! View the full list.

Nurse practitioners are frequently recognized for saving lives while they are off duty, and AANP member Heather Orr is among those amazing NPs. According to a local news article, Orr helped save the life of a man who had a heart attack while waiting to board a flight. Orr was recently reunited with the grateful person whose life she helped save.

AANP member and recent DNP graduate Dr. Sylvia May was pictured in an article about a visit that Sen. Patty Murray made to Pacific Lutheran University after the school secured a $1.4 million grant to help improve access to care in Washington state. According to the report, “May’s culminating research focused on the statewide opioid epidemic. She will serve active duty in the Air Force, stationed in Illinois.”

Congratulations to AANP member Amy Johnson, who was recently honored by the Virginia Farm Bureau Lady Leader recognition program for her efforts to reduce injuries and promote healthy lifestyles among farmers. According to an article about Johnson, “Between treating patients, working with state legislators and talking with other rural families, Johnson spends most of her time nowadays raising awareness about farming health and safety and advocating for measures to help prevent injuries on the farm.”

AANP member Rita Curran is running for office in New York state. In local news about her efforts, Curran briefly referenced her work as an NP and experience treating patients with substance use disorder.

Heart attack symptoms may differ between men and women, according to a public education piece that quoted AANP member Shakira Tate. Women may experience atypical symptoms, according to Tate; “Not so much the crushing chest pain, but maybe the back pain, shortness of breath is fairly common in women, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness.”

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick wrote a blog for 30 Seconds that explained eight things people may not know about skin cancer. According to Knestrick, melanoma can be genetic, and early detection is the key to ensuring positive outcomes. Read six more things you should know.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Rene Love and the University of Arizona College of Nursing for receiving a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program. The grant will fund a new program to “increase the number of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in rural, border and medically under-served communities.” Dr. Love is quoted in a press release about the award.

AANP Fellow Capt. James Dickens was quoted in a Minority Nurse article that listed multiple reasons why now is a great time to consider being a nurse. According to Dickens, “The nursing profession is so dynamic, and nurses along with their patients and stakeholders are moving at light speed to eliminate artificial barriers to create a more inclusive, collaborative, collegial work environment without professional constraints or perceived glass ceilings.” Read more.

A new nonprofit established to offer support for teens who are struggling with suicide was co-founded by AANP member Michelle Chavez, who lost her son to suicide. According to a local news report, therapy options will include “working with horses and growing gardens, both of which promote responsibility, calmness and communication.” Chavez said, “We want this to be a place that feels like home to them, to know they are going to be safe, and they can form these bonds.”

AANP member Catherine Kay was mentioned in an article about a peacock festival that was held to raise money for children in Kenya. Proceeds went to support the Jesse Kay Children’s Hospital, named after Kay’s son, and Happy Life Home for Abandoned Babies, a nonprofit serving needy children in Kenya.

Alaska will use marijuana tax money to help prevent underage use, according to a local news article. The bill, sponsored by Alaska state Senator and AANP member Cathy Giessel, “calls for a five-component marijuana education and treatment program.” Learn more.

AANP member Capt. Jeree Milam wrote an article about why she serves that was published by the Rivard Report. According to Milam, “ I wanted to serve my country and care for our military members. From a young age I felt a sense of obligation and duty to my country and fellow Americans. It has always been a dream and goal of mine to join the military…”

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

On May 22, AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick participated in Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose briefing on Capitol Hill about “Transforming Addiction Treatment: A Bigger, Bolder Response to America’s Opioid Overdose Epidemic.” Pictures from the event are below. Watch the briefing.  

During Stroke Awareness Month, Dr. Knestrick was interviewed by WIBW News about the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms, and she wrote a blog for 30 Seconds on five tips to act FAST when strokes occur.  Knestrick wrote another article on ways to improve health and life balance. She was also quoted by Daily Nurse in an article about why it’s great to be a nurse in 2018.

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke wrote a blog for 30 Seconds on the importance of protecting your skin from sun damage. Cooke wrote another article on paying attention to stroke risk.

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Scharmaine Baker, who recently became the first nurse practitioner to develop an app for Amazon.com. Now, when someone asks Alexa for NP Facts, they will hear accurate information about NPs. Baker also developed similar apps for CRNAs and midwives. Learn more.

“Research nurse practitioner (NP) involvement in early phase clinical trials may allow for a safer and more patient-centered trial experience, leading to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction, according to an oral presentation at the 2018 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Annual Congress,” Oncology Nurse Advisor reported. AANP member Edward Bentlyewski was among the researchers and said, “NP-led clinics may have multiple benefits for NPs, patients, and the clinic itself. NPs would be better able to utilize their skill sets, have increased job satisfaction and autonomy, and would be able to better maintain continuity of care.” Read more about the findings.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Alvin Mena Cantero, who was recently received a Houston Business Journal Health Care Heroes Rising Star Award. According to a press release, the honor recognizes a recent graduate or new hire with 10 years of experience or less who shows real promise in the fields of scientific research or in the practice of medicine.

“A successful model of nurse practitioner and physician comanagement in primary care includes effective communication, mutual respect and trust, and clinical alignment, also known as a shared philosophy of care,” according to a study published in the Annals of Family Medicine and co-authored by AANP member Dr. Allison Norful. Learn more about the study’s findings.

After a local outbreak of norovirus, AANP member Leann Swanson shared insights about the viral infection and ways to prevent its spread. According to Swanson, “Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the transmission of norovirus.” Read more about the tips she provided.

Congratulations to AANP member Isobel Lewis, who was among the four nurses recognized as 2018 Bone Health Champions by Cure Magazine. According to a press release, “… these four exceptional nurses, not only care for their patients, but also serve a crucial part in advancing the oncology nursing field.”

MedPage Today reported that exercise cuts hyperglycemia for cancer patients on chemotherapy. The article cited findings of a recent pilot study and quoted AANP member Roseann Tucci, who was not involved with the study.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Sharron Close, who received the Atlanta Business Chronicle Health Care Heroes Award for Nursing. According to a press release, Close was honored for her leadership in creating the Emory XtraordinarY Clinic, which works with patients and families affected by X and Y chromosome variations.

In a local news spot, AANP member Christy Greenly explained the importance of keeping vaccinations current.

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick was featured in a Health eCareers article about a recent study published by the Journal of Internal Medicine that found nurse practitioners seek out lower-income areas where they can practice and improve access to care. Knestrick practices in a rural, underserved area and said, “Given where we tend to practice, it’s really important that we modernize laws in states to allow nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education and training.”

Recipients of the AANP 2018 State Award for Excellence were recently announced, and they will be honored at the AANP 2018 National Conference in Denver this June. Founded in 1991, the State Award for Excellence recognizes an NP in each state who demonstrates excellence in clinical practice. In 1993, the state award was extended to recognize the efforts of an individual who had made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and acceptance of NPs. Congratulations to all the recipients!

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Lynn Rapsilber, who was one of 10 nurses recognized during National Nurses Week in Hearst Connecticut Media Group’s 2018 Salute to Nurses. Recipients were celebrated at a reception and received a crystal heart along with a feature article in a Salute to Nurses insert in the Sunday supplement of five local newspapers. Rapsilber also presented Health Care Fraud: Do You Look Good in Stripes? at the Connecticut APRN conference in April.

AANP member Betsy Diaz was quoted in an article about the growing role of advanced practice providers. Of the NP role, Diaz said, “It’s been a very rewarding career for me. And as challenging as it was to get here I’m glad that I’m here and I’m glad I’m able to provide care to patients.”

Congratulations to AANP member Kristen McGrath, who was among the recipients of the 2018 Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence at the Oakland University School of Nursing and Board of Visitors’ 30^th annual Nightingale Awards ceremony on May 10. Read the press release.

The Annals of Family Medicine recently featured a study on a theoretical nurse practitioner and physician co-management model designed to alleviate primary care strain. The study was conducted by AANP member Dr. Allison Norful and others. The model included three elements: “effective communication, mutual respect and trust, and clinical alignment/shared philosophy of care.” Read the article.

A new bone health clinic will be led by AANP member and orthopedic nurse practitioner Dr. Eric Willoughby. The clinic will use evidence-based guidelines to screen and treat osteoporosis to reduce the risk of fractures. Willoughby noted that, “One in two women over the age of 50 can be expected to sustain an osteoporosis related fracture in her remaining lifetime.” Learn more.

Congratulations to AANP member Joseph Powell, who recently received the Phoebe Advanced Practice Provider of the Year Award. The award honors an APP who exemplifies a commitment to improving the health and well-being of patients. Read the press release.

More people are getting sick from diseases transmitted by ticks, fleas and mosquitoes, according to a local news report that quoted AANP member Autumn Jones. Tips on treating insect bites and stings were provided by Jones, who also advised patients to visit their health care provider if needed. Learn more.

A National Nurses Week article praised AANP member Misti Garnett for the positive change she is creating for patients in rural Mississippi, where she is opening a clinic that will increase access to care. Garnett said, “Having this opportunity to finally be back in Mathiston, where my family is, and offer something to Mathiston, that they don’t have was just really something I couldn’t turn down. It was very exciting for us. It was just that next phase that I wanted to do.”

Congratulations to AANP member Mary Smania, who recently received a Community Service award because of her determination to help patients and was featured in the Lansing State Journal. Smania was also recognized for her efforts to remove practice barriers. Learn more.

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

AANP leadership wrote two blogs for 30 Seconds recently.

• AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick – “Minority Health Issues: 4 Steps to Achieve Equal Opportunity Health“
• AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke – “Autism Red Flags: 5 Questions Concerned Parents Should Ask Themselves“

Congratulations to AANP S. Texas State Representative Dr. Jessica Peck, who recently received the Kelly Reed Advanced Practice Community Impact Award in honor of her work related to human trafficking. Learn more.

AANP Maine State Representative Dr. Valerie Fuller recently presented “Legislative and Regulatory Issues of Interest to NPs” at the Maine NP Annual Conference. Conference attendees pictured below are holding AANP’s “I’m a Fan of NPs” fans.

During National Nurses Week, AANP Fellow Dr. Richard Ricciardi wrote a blog for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality about the ways that nurses can address primary care needs. According to Ricciardi, “NPs and PAs, who comprise approximately 30 percent of the primary care workforce, already play a central role in the delivery of a broad range of primary care services, while leading practice improvement efforts focused on quality and safety.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, who was selected to be honored for extraordinary contributions to critical care and the mission and vision of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) with the 2018 AACN Pioneering Spirit Award. This AACN Visionary Leadership Award recognizes significant contributions that influence high-acuity and critical care nursing. The presentation will occur during the 2018 National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition. Read the press release.

AANP Fellow Dr. Tami Thomas was quoted in a Daily Nurse article about $100,000 in ANEW grants that were awarded to Florida International University students. According to the article, “The first cohort of ANEW trainees are all graduate nursing students from FIU’s Family Nurse Practitioner track. Each trainee will receive up to $20,000 to help cover tuition, living and housing expenses, and textbooks. Their clinical rotation begins in summer 2018.”

Diabetes Forecast highlighted AANP member Lisa Taylor in an article about NPs who are helping patients in underserved areas. Taylor stressed the importance of prevention and said, “What’s important to me is the opportunity to educate. We’re all constantly bombarded by claims about some new treatment or miracle drug. And in New Mexico, we have a large percentage of people who are on Medicaid and have no insurance. All those things drive what I do.”

AANP member Dr. Heather Flores initiated food insecurity screening in Alabama as part of a graduate school project. According to Flores, “”Low-income families, specifically those headed by single women with children. Families and individuals – specifically older Americans, who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses, and are disabled are also vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity. The other vulnerable groups are members of the LGBT community, college students, immigrants, and our armed forces families are also vulnerable.” Learn more about her screening tool, The Hunger Vital Sign™.

A local news article about the need for nurses in rural communities featured AANP member Anne Perry, who chose to be an NP after attending two years of medical school. Perry said, “I wanted more of a relationship with patients. I definitely had a more holistic idea of what healthcare was about and didn’t like just looking at a person’s disease. I wanted to see more than that. I decided I’d rather be a nurse.”  Learn more about her role in primary care and her experience serving in the Maine House of Representatives.

AANP member Shelley Lynch is a former Red Sox Nurse and also top 10 Boston Red Sox “Nurse Hero.”  Lynch said as a Red Sox nurse, “We take care of the fans. There are three stations – home plate, green monster, and the first aid station. You rotate between the three places caring for the people in the stands.” Read more.

How long can it take for an STD to show signs? AANP member Maryalice Hardison provided answers for readers of the Yakima Herald-Republic column “Friends, Love and…”. She shared information about several diseases.

Viewers of a local news report in Dayton, Ohio, learned what causes a sore throat and several ways to treat it, thanks to AANP member Sarah Wilson. Watch her tips for allergy sufferers, patients with strep throat and more.

A direct health care model is taking root in La Conner, WA, thanks to AANP member Brianna Wilson, who became an NP to help increase patients’ access to care and help them prevent serious illness. Learn more about her NP-led clinic and business model.

AANP member Dr. Jackie Baer and Ana Verzone were recognized by Daily Nurse for their efforts to combat the rural health care crisis. According to the article, Verzone and Baer “have dedicated their careers to caring for the neglected and underserved populations in America’s rural regions.” Both are graduates of the Jonas Scholar program and credit that experience as inspiration for their philanthropic works.

An NP-led foot care clinic run by AANP member Jayne Hermes was featured in a local news article. Hermes reported that the care she provides has prevented amputations. She said, “I’ve never been appreciated more in my life, in 35 years of being a nurse. You look down a row of nurses, and all the nurses are smiling and all the patients are smiling.”

Congratulations to AANP member Merrily Mount who was honored by her community after 21 years of caring for patients at the South County Medical Clinic in Quilcene. According to a local news article, Mount will truly be missed by her patients and colleagues. Read more.

In a local news article, AANP member Lindsey Gillum addressed ways that parents can explain human reproduction to children in age appropriate ways. Gillum said, “”If you’re not talking with them I think they are going to seek out information so I wanted her to have info that I provided, rather than other people were providing her.”

AANP member Jane Hoover wrote a letter to the editor of her local newspaper that addressed the importance of being active and spending time in nature. Read her tips.

Congratulations to AANP member Tamarah Coffey who tied for the best pediatric care award in Victoria, TX. Coffey emphasized the importance of building relationships with her patients. Read the press release.

Hepatitis A is transmitted from person to person, AANP member Dr. Ruth Carrico told reporters covering an outbreak of the disease in Kentucky prior to the Kentucky Derby. Carrico said, “Anyone has the possibility of ingesting something that is contaminated with the microorganism.” Read the article, and watch the interview.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Wendy Fletcher, who was recently appointed to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents. Read the press release.

An article about the difficulty patients face locating and accessing health care providers quoted AANP member Courtney Simmons, who conducted research that found practices were not accepting new patients or did not offer hours conducive to patients’ schedules. Simmons said, “The idea was that if you have private insurance, you have care, but I found that what I was seeing was that it wasn’t true. If that’s the case, that needs to change some assumptions on how we provide lower-cost care.”

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick spoke with MD Magazine about her decision to become an NP, practice restrictions, and more. Dr. Knestrick said of becoming an NP, “It was a great choice because I get to care for patients in the community and bring the nursing aspects of holistic, patient-centered care. At the same time, becoming an NP has afforded me the opportunity to be a force for change in the healthcare system, which needs more avenues for access to the high-quality care NPs bring to patients.” Knestrick wrote two blogs about autism recently:

• Autism Myths: Debunking the 4 Biggest Myths Surrounding Autistic Children
• Autism: A Little Insight for Parents Worried about Autism Spectrum Disorder

Today, Knestrick met with the U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams. The two discussed the important role access to health care plays in creating healthy communities. In February, the Surgeon General spoke at AANP’s 2018 Health Policy Conference and noted the link between the economy and health care. AANP looks forward to our continued work with the Surgeon General’s office. Pictured below are AANP CEO David Hebert, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, and AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick.

AANP Immediate Past President Dr. Cindy Cooke wrote a blog for 30 Seconds during Minority Health Month. According to Cooke, “For years, minority populations have experienced shorter life expectancies, gotten sicker earlier in life and experienced more fatal outcomes from disease.” Cooke discussed ways readers can help improve those health outcomes.

Underserved regions adapting to Medicaid expansion was the focus of an article that quoted AANP Fellow Dr. Teresa Tyson, Executive Director of the Health Wagon. “Anything we can do to put more boots on the ground here in Southwest Virginia is favorable,” Tyson said, “your longevity should not be determined by your zip code.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Whitney Nash and AANP member Sara Robertson who were recently featured in O Magazine and recognized for their work at Kentucky Racing Health Services Center. According to an article by the University of Louisville School of Nursing, Nash and Robertson’s NP-led clinic “has provided 18,000 patient visits to low-income thoroughbred racing industry workers and their families since opening its doors in 2005.”

AANP members Audra Vaughters, Tammy Martin, Lesa Parker and Dr. Deborah Dumphy were mentioned in an article about University of North Georgia family nurse practitioner students and faculty who provided health care to villagers in northern Belize. “The students were so inspired by the work done during this trip; they plan to serve again next year as licensed nurse practitioners and the lead medical mission physician was very excited about the prospect of their return,” Dumphy said.

Congratulations to AANP members Carmen J. Petrin and Mary Bidgood-Wilson, who were recognized with 2018 Excellence in Nursing Awards from New Hampshire Magazine.  Petrin is motivated by her patients and said, “I am inspired by patients and families who tell me that I made a difference and had a positive impact on the quality of their lives.” Of her students’ successes, Petrin said, “These successes inspire me to continue learning and strive to be the best that I can be.” Similarly, Bidgood-Wilson indicated that her motivation and inspiration was derived from patients. “For 30 years I took care of people in my community,” Bidgood-Wilson said. “I had the privilege to be at many, many births.” Read more.

Tips on helping children cope with seasonal allergies were shared by AANP member Holly Zastudil in a local news article. According to Zastudil, “Allergies can start anywhere from three years old to twelve years old, the peak being between 10 and 12 years old.”

Help for underserved student populations will come in the form of AANP member Anna Brady, who has been asked to lead the school’s crisis prevention team.  Brady said, “We want to provide more wraparound services and prevention care, so students don’t get to the state of crisis.” Learn more.

While working as an intensive care nurse, AANP member Brianna Wilson was moved by patients’ lack of access to health care, and she was motivated to become a nurse practitioner. According to a local news article, Wilson now owns her own clinic in Washington state.

AANP member Nicole Mendoza also opened an NP-led practice in a rural area recently. According to a local news article, Mendoza “has lived in the region for 14 years and has been developing her integrative medicine practice since 2007.”

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick was quoted in a Health Analytics article about ways that NPs and PAs add value to health care teams. According to Knestrick, ““We have over 244,000 NPs in the US today, and almost 80 percent practice in primary care,” she explained.  “A large percentage of those in primary care practice in rural and underserved areas. Coming from a nursing model, holistic care, prevention and health promotion are always the tenets of our profession.” Knestrick also authored a blog for 30 Seconds on childhood vaccines.

AANP Montana State Representative Keven Comer was quoted in a local news article that educated the public about dangers associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Komer said, “For my patients, I usually tell them that for a woman you should have less than one drink a day or a maximum of seven drinks in a week or no more than two drinks in a setting. For men, it’s fourteen drinks in a week or it’s two drinks in a setting and no more than three drinks at a time.”

Congratulations to AANP Fellow Dr. Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, who recently accepted a Pitzer Family Foundation pledge of $3 million to The Ohio State University College of Nursing in memory of former faculty member and alumna, Dr. Martha S. Pitzer. In recognition of Dr. Pitzer’s passion for women and children’s health and pending The Ohio State University Board of Trustee approval, the family’s gift will establish the Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth, and fund research targeting improvement of health and well-being outcomes of vulnerable populations. Learn more.

Purdue University School of Nursing featured AANP Fellow Dr. Nancy Edwards in an article about her dual role as impassioned teacher and caregiver. According to the article, Edwards’ “enthusiasm and dedication to her students and patients has brought repeated accolades,” including the AANP State Award for Excellence.

Congratulations to AANP member Merrily Mount, who is retiring after 45 years in the health care field. Learn more about her exciting career.

A real world comparison of diabetes care by provider type was conducted by AANP member Patricia Marin, among others, and featured in an article for Cleaveland Clinic. Marin said, “When you look at busy internal medicine practices, there are a lot of issues surrounding access to care. Our research validates that nurse practitioners not only help improve outcomes for patients with chronic diseases, but also can help offset some of the workload of busy physicians, allowing them to see more high-acuity patients.”

“Public health always has been the safety net for those in our communities, large and small, where there are often few other options available. To say that direct client services are no longer needed in these communities is, at best, misinformed; at worst, it betrays mixed-up administrative priorities,” wrote AANP member Candace Norris in an Op-Ed for the Santa Fe New Mexican. Read more.

AANP member Peggy Akers was featured in a local news article after being named the AANP 2018 NP State Award for Excellence recipient in Maine. After serving as an Army nurse in Vietnam, Akers became a nurse practitioner and cared for a variety of underserved populations. According to the article, Akers indicated that “it is her good fortune to have made a career of aiding people in distress as a nurse practitioner.”

An article about Clemson nursing students who spent Spring Break providing health care in the Dominican Republic quoted AANP member Bailee McCarley.  The experience was momentous, according to McCarley, who did not know much Spanish prior to the trip. McCarley said, “Everyone knows what that smile is. It hit me. All these things are universal.”

AANP member Evan Minior helped bust three wound care myths in an article for Cleveland Clinic. Readers learned how to clean wounds, whether a wound should be covered, and whether a wound should be kept dry. According to Minior, “If a clinician has treated your wound but your condition hasn’t improved in 90 days, you should consider getting a second opinion…”

A study abroad program provided health care to patients in Tanzania. AANP member Andrea Knopp serves as the program coordinator and said, “Every year I go, it changes me. I think I see more clearly through the students’ eyes. It creates a drive in me to try to do the things that are going to be the most helpful to the Tanzanians rather than what I think they need. The most important aspect of the trip is learning to think outside yourself.” Read more.

Congratulations to AANP member Heather Mason, who was recently selected to join the American Health Council Nursing Board. Read the press release.

An article about hyperbaric oxygen therapy quoted AANP member Christopher Nelson. “We use the hyperbaric oxygen therapy to try to regenerate tissue growth so that we have an improvement in the bone in that area and is also a regrowth of the tissue in that area. Hyperbaric oxygen is a therapy where we put a patient into a chamber where they receive 100% oxygen at pressures higher than the ambient atmosphere. Typically we use pressures of two to three atmospheres,” said Nelson.

Dr. Linda Summers and Dr. Stephanie Lynch, AANP members and co-authors of a study on stress-reduction aids for teens, were quoted in a news article about a program at New Mexico State University that implemented the use of sleeping pods to reduce stress in nursing students. According to the report, their research “focused on the use of two stress reduction devices – the EnergyPod and the SleepWing. Both devices provide users with a place to relax and sleep.”

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

AANP President Dr. Joyce Knestrick authored several blogs on current health topics.

• Five Easy Tips to Help the Sleep Deprived Get Some Shut Eye (Thrive Global)
• Your Kidneys Deserve Respect: 5 Reasons to Thank These Vital Organs! (30 Seconds)
• Lack of Sleep: 6 Surprising Things That Happen When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep (30 Seconds)

Dr. Cindy Cooke, AANP Immediate Past President, also wrote several blogs on current health issues.

• Sleep Strategies: 6 Daytime Habits to Help You Sleep Better at Night (30 Seconds)
• Kidney Disease Facts: 7 Things You Need to Know About Kidney Disease (30 Seconds)

Six steps were provided by AANP Fellow Capt. James LaVelle Dickens to relieve your overworked and underappreciated kidney. According to Dickens, “…your kidneys work tirelessly to process 200 quarts of blood every day, separating the good stuff from the bad and extracting roughly two quarts of waste and water. Every 30 minutes, your kidneys filter every drop of blood in your body and in the process, control fluid levels and produce hormones that stimulate red blood cell production and regulate blood pressure.” Read more.

AANP Fellow Dr. Scharmaine Baker Dr. Baker was recently profiled by Modern Hero –  a new television series that “celebrates women who are shattering glass ceilings, both in their careers and in the world.” Watch the inspiring video to learn more about Baker, her amazing life and the positive impact she is making.

Congratulations to AANP member Maurice Graham was selected as a fellow for the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Program. Graham was featured in a local news article that highlighted his path to becoming a nurse practitioner. He served 22 years in the military and was the Director of Nursing for the Executive Medicine Department at one time. Graham said, “I had the great privilege of taking care of all the White House dignitaries, congressmen, and the vice president.”

Nurse practitioners often set healthy examples for their patients, and AANP member Caiti Kean is certainly practicing what she preaches. According to a local news article about Kean, after losing 100 pounds as a teen, she continued exercising and recently qualified for the Boston Marathon. Of running, Kean said, “Some days it’s great. Some days it’s a struggle. There are some days when the last thing I want to do is get up at 4 a.m. in 20 degree weather and run 10 miles.”

Jeff R. Buntin, an AANP member, was quoted in a local news article about adopting a healthy lifestyle to fight diabetes. Buntin shared common symptoms of diabetes and stressed the importance of exercising and making healthy food choices.

Congratulations to AANP member Dr. Dawn Nahrstedt, who was recently appointed to the American Health Council’s Board of Nurses. According to a press release about the honor, “Dr. Nahrstedt provides high-quality and compassionate care to each patient she treats… applies skills and expertise in nursing, chronic disease management, geriatrics and preventative care.”

A new telehealth program in Ohio was featured in a local news article and quoted AANP member Candy Rinehart. “Services will include more than basic health and wellness screening,” according to the article. “The program also allows access to mental health nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and other providers to support total patient care.”

Helping children avoid injuries during sports season begins with getting a physical, according to AANP member Cami Kesler. Warming up and using proper equipment were also among the tips she shared with readers.

Congratulations to AANP member Lori Economos, who was recently named Christina School District Nurse of the Year. According to a press release, Economos turned down the opportunity to be recognized multiple times, so administrators surprised her with the honor this year.

AANP member Leslie Moore was featured in an article about telehealth. Moore said patients appreciate the convenience and patient-centered aspects of virtual urgent care visits.

A fire district in Washington state is introducing a new home care program. AANP member and fire commissioner Virginia Lester was quoted in an article about the new program, which is designed to increase access to care for patients.

Congratulations to AANP Region 9 Director Dr. Karen Ketner, who was recently named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Leadership Group. See the full list of awardees.

Congratulations to AANP member Katie Marker, who was recently named to the Union County Health Board in Indiana. AANP member Paulette Worcester also serves on the board. Read more.

An article about University of North Georgia family nurse practitioner students and faculty who traveled to Belize to care for patients in remote villages, mentioned AANP members Audra Vaughters, Tammy Martin, Lesa Parker and Dr. Deborah Dumphy. According to the article, the week-long trip “combined health care relief with the implementation of a research project titled, “Does an International Medical Mission Trip Enhance Cultural Competency in Health care Providers?”

Diabetes can be prevented or controlled, according to an article by AANP member Elizabeth Findley-Knapp. “Here is the good news,” Findley-Knapp said. “Patients can often cut their risk of diabetes by more than half.”

AANP members John Armbruster and Sheila Armbruster recently opened a new clinic in Missouri after learning that the clinic where Sheila worked was abruptly closing. The new primary care clinic was up and running within a week. Read more.