Julia Ponder, DNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C, CEN
Candidate for Arkansas State Liaison (Incumbent)
Campaign Message:
I am Julia Ponder from Little Rock. I am an Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner. My calling is to serve patients through my education, certification, and licensure. However, I am called to serve the nurse practitioner profession, too. I am trained in nurse practitioner advocacy with experience speaking to stake holders, local and national legislators, and even the Governor of Arkansas. I am a proven leader with various roles during my adult life in multiple nursing and non-nursing organizations. I am confident we can grow the presence of AANP through collaboration with our state’s nurse practitioner organization (ANPA) and AANP membership. It would be an honor if you allow me to serve as your Arkansas State Liaison for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners by casting your vote for me.
Current Professional Position
Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner.
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners Arkansas State Representative/Liaison 2021 - 2023
- Health Policy Committee 2022
- National Conference Lead Assistant 2018 - present
- Region 6 Leadership Meeting (Invitation only) 2018 – present
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing Alumni Board Representative at Large 2020 - 2023
- Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association AANP Board Liaison 2021 -present
- Board of Directors, President (includes Pres-Elect & Immed Past) 2018 - 2021
- Arkansas Nurses Association State Membership Meeting, Region 6 Ambassador 2017 - present
- Arkansas Nurses Foundation Board, Chair 2019 - present
- Emergency Nurses Association Arkansas Delegate Assembly Chair 2022 - present
- Arkansas Resolutions Chair 2022 - present
- Arkansas Nursing Round Table, Communications Chair 2018 - present
- Arkansas Center for Nursing Health Policy Committee 2019 - present
- Leadership Committee, 40 Nurse Leaders Under 40 2020 - present
- American Heart Association University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Training Center Faculty 2012 - present
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners and How AANP Can Help
One of the biggest challenges facing Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in the delivery of health care is educating the public about NP education and ability to efficiently provide healthcare needs. Nearly daily I encounter individuals who do not know NPs are independent providers. AANP is doing a good job of spreading the word and educating the public. As the NP profession gains full practice authority (FPA) across the country, I believe people will understand NP practice. NPs must maintain our passion to care for patients, educate our colleagues (including NPs), the public, and especially state and national legislators about our practice. AANP’s resources to the states, legislative leadership, and interaction with NPOs is of utmost importance to help spread FPA. I believe financial and physical assistance (like other professions receive) are opportunities to support the profession. These could include lobbying expenses, print, TV & radio advertising, and email and/or social media campaigns. Finally, assistance identifying stakeholders for grassroots efforts and opportunities to educate on a larger scale in states such as newspapers and morning shows are great opportunities to support NPs in their states
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
My leadership and professional skills is organization and ability to produce action. I can do what it takes to meet the need of the strategy at hand. I believe in networking to inspire others in achieving individual and common goals, it takes quality relationships to build leaders. This is true whether you are in the mentor or leader position. One successful initiative as result of my leadership is in my state’s NP association. I listened and gave input for ideas of improvement and followed the lead of the officers. I escalated to the role of president quickly. As president, the Association implemented multiple directives that were dreams for several years. This occurred, because I allowed the members of the BOD to define the goals for the year. I followed this by servant leadership, ensuring the Board members had the skills to complete their tasks and help them build relationships to ensure success of the projects. Examples include initiating a quarterly Newsletter in 2018 that continues, membership award, and financial educational support. In my role as AANP Liaison, I regained the role’s position on Arkansas’s NPO and recently gained approval for support of a BOD member to AANP Health Policy Conference
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows
If elected, to advance AANP mission and strategic plan I plan to continue advocating for NPs at the local, state, and national level. I plan to grow my relationships with legislative stakeholders and continue grassroots efforts to promote NP practice across the country. I would like to help expand corporate sponsors of AANP in Arkansas. I am passionate about education and quality healthcare. These are intertwined because continued education leads to quality, up to date healthcare. Quality research provides quality education. I am not a researcher, but I use research to ensure I provide the highest quality care and information to my patients, students, and colleagues in my daily practice. The position of AANP Arkansas State Liaison is an honor and enhances my opportunities to network with colleagues and fellow AANP members, leaders, and officers. I will continue to educate the public about NP practice and our role in healthcare, work with legislators and stakeholders to advance NP practice in Arkansas and across the country, continue to assist at the National Conference ensuring its success, and help disseminate AANP information across Arkansas. I hope thes initiatives will increase AANP membership in Arkansas.