Theresa Brown, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC, FAANP
Candidate for Region 9 Director (Incumbent)
Campaign Message:
It would be a privilege and honor to continue to serve as your Region 9 Director and I humbly ask for your vote of confidence for reelection. AANP has nurtured my leadership skills while serving as the Southern California State Representative for eight years and most recently as your Region 9 Director. Nurse practitioners are gaining momentum as we work with stakeholders, build relationships with our legislators, and educate the public on the role of the nurse practitioner. Our evolving healthcare system is providing tremendous opportunities to advance our profession. I am committed to continuing this forward momentum to take advantage of these opportunities. It is more important than ever for nurse practitioners to have a strong voice. I am eager to continue to serve, unify and empower nurse practitioners and would be honored to continue to represent you as your Region 9 Director.
Current Professional Position
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Leadership Experience in the Past Three Years
I began my service as the Region 9 Director of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) in 2021. I have served in leadership positions at both the state and national levels. I am a past president of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP), elected as CANP’s president from 2006 to 2008. I was elected as the Southern California State Representative for AANP in 2012 and served in this role until I was termed out in 2020. I was a member of the AANP Awards committee from 2016 to 2022 and served as the Chair of the committee from 2020 to 2021. I was inducted as an AANP Fellow in 2018. I have been practicing as an acute care nurse practitioner in cardiology for 22 years. In 2015, I was inducted as an Associate of the American College of Cardiology. I joined the adult/gerontology acute care advanced practice registered nursing faculty at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Nursing in 2011. I was appointed as the Program Coordinator, serving in the role from 2016 to 2021. In June 2021, I was appointed as the Adjunct Assistant Professor, Assistant Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at UCLA.
Biggest Challenge Facing Nurse Practitioners and How AANP Can Help
I think the biggest challenge for NPs is obtaining full practice authority (FPA) in every state. When NPs cannot practice to the full extent of their education and training, compounded by additional barriers such as signature recognition, hospital admitting privileges, reimbursement, and provider credentialing policies, the end result is a reduction or lack of healthcare services provided for people who need care. We must continue to advocate for full and direct access to NPs and emphasize the high-quality care NPs provide. We must maintain a political presence so as not to lose the achievements NPs have gained at both the state and national levels. We must continue to educate our colleagues and students on the importance of advocacy through membership and involvement in our national organization. We must continue to build collaborative relationships with other healthcare professionals. We must access campaigns and marketing strategies to continue to educate the public about our role and the care we provide.
Example of Initiative or Outcome of Leadership
An outcome that has occurred as a result of my leadership and professional skills is my election to the AANP Board of Directors as the Region 9 Director in 2021. I am dedicated and dependable with excellent time management skills. I have attended all of the board meetings, AANP conferences and collaborated in a timely manner with AANP staff and Region 9 State Liaisons in coordinating the annual Region 9 meeting. I was appointed by the President of AANP to continue my work on the Awards Committee for an additional year to assist the incoming Chair in her new role. I have been assigned by the President to a number of Board workgroups, serving as the Chair of two of those workgroups. I am an active listener, providing feedback when necessary and reserving judgment and decisions until I have gained the information and perspective from all viewpoints on a discussion topic.
If Elected, I Propose to Advance the AANP Mission as Follows
My doctoral project was a policy analysis on global signature recognition as defined by AANP. I have disseminated my work through webinars, poster presentations, and a published manuscript. I use my faculty position to educate my doctoral and advanced practice registered nursing students on the importance of involvement in professional organizations at the state level and AANP at the national level. I promote AANP’s mission and the importance of engagement and advocacy for legislative and regulatory change with my colleagues and in my health policy presentations.