Region 2 Director
Amita Avadhani, Ph.D., DNP, NEA-BC, CNE, DCC, ACNP-BC, NP-C, CCRN, FAANP, FCCM
Dr. Amita Avadhani is the Region 2 Director of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP). She is a professor and specialty director of the Post Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice-Executive Model Program and teaches in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) program at Rutgers University School of Nursing in Newark, New Jersey. She has also practiced as a critical care NP at Saint Peter's University Hospital adult ICU for the past 19 years and served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her reflection regarding her work on the front lines, titled “Treating COVID-19 Patients in the ICU Nearly Broke Me, but Now I’m Stronger for It” was featured by Real Women, Real Stories.
Avadhani has a diverse international nursing experience of more than 35 years in India, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United States. Her efforts as an NP and educator have been recognized nationally through her fellowship in AANP (FAANP) and the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM). Avadhani holds certifications as a Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), acute care NP (ACNP-BC), adult primary care NP (NP-C), Diplomate of Comprehensive Care (DCC) and critical care RN (CCRN). Her service to the NP profession and advocacy for the profession are evident from her recognition as New Jersey’s 2021 AANP State Advocate Award for Excellence recipient. She has mentored countless NP students and novice NPs. Her work as a clinician and an educator was recognized through her nomination for a New Jersey Biz Healthcare Heroes Award in the Educator category. She is also a recipient of the Institute for Nursing Diva Award for 2022.
Avadhani's service to the Rutgers School of Nursing includes her role as the current chairperson of the Faculty Council. She enjoys her leadership and service to clinical practice through her work as the Institutional Review Board Vice Chair/Acting Chairperson, Advanced Practice Nurse Council Co-Chair and member of the Electronic Health Record Advisory Council and Ethics Committees. Her leadership at the state level includes her role as the vice president of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, past president of the Forum of Nurses in Advanced Practice (FNAP) and the chairperson of the Joint Protocol Steering Group, as well as the chairperson of the American Lung Association Leadership Board. At the national level, she serves as the chairperson of the Advanced Practice Committee of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the chairperson of the Acute Care Specialty Interest Group of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), as well as a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Social Media Committee. Her scholarship includes various peer-reviewed journal publications and national conference presentations. Her research and scholarship interests include critical care, end-of-life care, infectious diseases, nursing education and quality of work life.