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Exploring the Present: AANP's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts and Advancing Health Equity in the era of the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Report

Free Webinar Series Examining AANP's Past, Present and Future Commitments to Diversity
Diversity Webinar 1 Landing Page

June 22, 2021 7:30pm – 8:30pm (ET) Online

CE: This event does not include continuing education (CE) credit.

This live webinar, produced by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, will present on the current state of health equity and advanced nursing practice. Committee members will examine DEI efforts in relation to the recent National Academies of Science report on "The Future of Nursing: 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity." Join the committee and AANP President Sophia Thomas for this crucial discussion. This opportunity is available to AANP members only. Register now for free!

Event Details
  • Webinar Details

    Exploring the Present: AANP's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts and Advancing Health Equity in the era of the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Report

    When: June 22, 2021, 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET (6:30-7:30 p.m. CT).

    Where: Online via Zoom teleconference.

    Cost: Free.

    Availability: This event is offered to AANP members only.

    Join AANP


    About the Webinar

    The AANP DEI Committee is hosting a series of three webinars to chronicle the past, present and future of DEI at AANP.

    Join members of the DEI Committee for this second webinar in the series to examine current issues in health equity in the context of the recently disseminated report from the National Academies of Medicine, “The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity." Learn about the key components of this report related to social determinants of health, systemic racism and health equity.

    After a brief review, committee members will dialogue with current AANP President Sophia Thomas about the role NPs play in advancing these critical recommendations to reduce barriers to health care and improve patient outcomes. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions during a 15-minute question-and-answer (Q&A) period at the end.

  • Speakers

    Webinar Presenters

    Moderator: Sandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP

    Dr. Sandra Davis is an associate professor and assistant dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The George Washington University School of NursingSandra Davis, PhD, DPM, ACNP-BC, FAANP, is an associate professor and assistant dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The George Washington University School of Nursing. Her research interests include health inequities and social and structural determinants of health. Dr. Davis was the principal investigator on a Photovoice Project, “The Social Determinants of a Heart Healthy Community,” that was exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Dr. Davis recently co-published an article in Academic Medicine entitled "Let’s Talk About Racism: Building Structural Competency in Nursing." Dr. Davis began her career in podiatry, where she spent years in private practice before transitioning to a career in nursing. She has been in academia for more than 20 years, serving in both faculty and administrative roles. Dr. Davis is board certified as an acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) and is past president of the Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia. She is an AACN/Wharton Executive Leadership Fellow, a Leadership for Academic Nursing Fellow and a Fellow of AANP.

    Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

    Dr. Sophia Thomas is president of AANP.Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, is president of AANP. She is a certified family and pediatric nurse practitioner (FNP/PNP) dedicated to providing care to medically underserved families. Dr. Thomas practices at DePaul Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is a clinical preceptor. As a primary care provider, Dr. Thomas provides her patients with access to cost-effective, patient-centered care. She impacts NP education through publications and presentations on multiple clinical topics and lends her expertise as a legal expert witness — Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice and Standards of Care, and, since July 2020, as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Vaccine Consultation Panel, Operation Warp Speed. As AANP President, Dr. Thomas concentrates efforts on providing NPs with policy and clinical information, on boosting direct member communications, enhancing continuing education offerings and ensuring the organization is responsive to social and cultural needs. She initiated AANP position statements against racial and health disparities and stays abreast of state issues, as she believes in engaging grassroots NPs. Dr. Thomas also speaks extensively in the media on behalf of AANP as the organization spokesperson. As host of the recently launched NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® podcast, Dr. Thomas helps AANP provide an arena for NP thought leaders to address issues of interest to the NP population and a forum for clinical and regulatory matters. Dr. Thomas serves on several advisory boards, including the Amerigroup Louisiana Credentialing Committee, Prevention Magazine and The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. Thomas holds a doctoral degree in nursing practice from Loyola University, where she was honored with the Post-Master’s DNP Nightingale Award, and she has a master’s in nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. In 2020, Thomas was chosen as one of Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.


    Larider Ruffin, DNP, APN, NP-C, RN, ANP-BC, A-GNP, CRNP, CTTS

    Dr. Ruffin is the founder and chairman of Ruffin Associates Healthy Housecalls LLC.

    Larider Ruffin, DNP, APN, NP-C, RN, ANP-BC, A-GNP, CRNP, CTTS, is the founder and chairman of Ruffin Associates Healthy Housecalls LLC. He serves as interim director of a Master of Science nursing program and assistant professor at a local university. He holds dual certifications as an adult nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP). Dr. Ruffin is a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. He received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University, a Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing and Tobacco Treatment Specialization from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Wilmington University. Dr. Ruffin’s research interest is focused in the areas of diabetes, health coaching, smoking and vaping education and management. He has published multiple articles and authored many chapter books. Dr. Ruffin serves as chair of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) committee on substance use disorders. He is frequently sought as a speaker on topics related to smoking and vaping. He is the content expert for NBNA on the above-mentioned topics. Dr. Ruffin’s clinical practice includes primary care, family medicine, chronic disease management, hospital readmission reduction and smoking cessation. He received several nominations and awards, including the 2019 Trailblazer Award from the NBNA, the 2018 Don Award from the Institute for Nursing, the Rutgers University School of Nursing 2017 Rising Star Alumnus Award, the Haiti Premiere Class 2017 Nursing Diversity Award, the America’s 2017 Best of Nursing Award, the NBNA 2016 Under 40 Award, the NBNA 2015 Emerging Leader Award, the 2014 NNJBNA Clinical Leadership Award and many more. He served as first male president of the Northern New Jersey Black Nurses Association. He is a member of AANP, the American Nurses Association, New Jersey State Nurses Association and many more. He is called a role model and a fervent advocate for the advanced practice role.


    Sheri Rickman Patrick, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

    Dr. Sheri Rickman Patrick is an Assistant Professor in The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State.

    Sheri Rickman Patrick, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is an assistant professor in The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State University and an FNP working in primary care. She is a current member of the DEI Committee and has previously served as the Northern California State Representative for AANP and is an active member in the California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP). Dr. Patrick started her career in intensive care nursing and received her DNP in 2015. She has spent the last two decades precepting students and advocating for changes to legislation to reduce barriers to care at the state and federal levels. She has been an ardent supporter of full practice authority and the NP role.


    Brian K. Goodroad, DNP, APRN, CNP, FAANP

    Dr. Brian Goodroad is a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Metropolitan State University.

    Brian K. Goodroad, DNP, APRN, CNP, FAANP, is a professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He teaches DNP FNP student health policy, epidemiology and population health, and clinical NP courses. He also advises students on the doctoral projects. He is dually certified as an adult and FNP and practices at the Positive Care (HIV) Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. He has provided care to people living with HIV for more than 34 years, first as a registered nurse and, since 1995, as an NP. He currently is a member of the DEI Committee of AANP and serves on the Faculty of Color Mentorship Program Steering Committee at Metropolitan State University. He currently serves as the President of the Minnesota APRN Coalition, working to remove barriers to the provision of quality APRN care in Minnesota.