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2022 AANP Executive Leadership Program Cohort Announced

February 17, 2022

Meet the next generation of nurse practitioner leaders preparing to make a positive impact on the health care system.

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Following the success of last year’s inaugural program, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP), in partnership with The George Washington University (GWU) School of Nursing, is honored to announce the 15 nurse practitioners (NPs) who comprise the 2022 AANP Executive Leadership Program cohort. This spring, participants from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. will begin an intensive program to further develop the personal qualities, relationship-building skills and problem-solving tactics necessary for effective health care leadership, particularly at the executive level.

“The AANP Executive Leadership Program focuses on developing and stretching the leadership abilities of NPs,” said Kate Driscoll Malliarakis, PhD, ANP-BC, MAC, FAAN, associate professor emerita at the GWU School of Nursing. “In the first week of the program, we will focus on leadership of the self and tackling the topics of leaders as change agents, relationships and executive finance. We even ‘climb’ Mount Everest in a team simulation! In the second week,” Malliarakis continued, “we will look at ethics, quality, finance and coaching. Our goal is to have fun and learn about ourselves as leaders.”

Conducted by GWU leadership experts, the first weeklong session will be held in person at the GWU campus in Ashburn, Virginia, March 28-April 1, followed by a webinar on May 11 and an online session June 6-10. The participants will earn approximately 50 contact hours of continuing education credit upon completion, in addition to increasing their ability to influence others, make tough decisions and — most importantly — be effective in an executive role.

“NPs lead every day in practice, education, research and advocacy to improve health care,” said AANP President April N. Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC. FAANP, FCCM, FAAN. “As business owners, executive leaders, faculty, legislators or board members, NPs are highly sought after for many leadership roles. NPs are smart, innovative, engaged and focused. By participating in the AANP Executive Leadership Program, these NP leaders will gain deeper insights, build their confidence and develop a dynamic presence that will increase their effectiveness among other health care executives. Preparedness is key as NPs champion positive change for their patients and their profession.”

The cohort of the 2022 AANP Executive Leadership Program includes:

Ivy M. Bagley, MSN, FNP-C, IBCLC, of Children’s Health Services from Greenville, North Carolina.
Beatriz G. Bautista, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CDE, of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from Edinburg, Texas.
Yvette Conyers, DNP, MS, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CFCS, of St. John Fisher College from Rochester, New York.
Cynthia Elliott, DNP, FNPC, of Northwest Primary & Specialty from Tucson, Arizona.
B. Farrell, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, PC, of UT Health San Antonio from San Antonio, Texas.
Jennifer Johnston, MSN, FNP-C, of Wellstar Health System from Marietta, Georgia.
Lora Jenkins-Lonidier, DNP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, of Jackson Pulmonary Associates from Jackson, Mississippi.
Jordan Mount, MSN, MHA, ARNP, CWCN-AP, CCRN, of Peace Health from Vancouver, Washington.
Kathy Nevins, DNP, NP-C, APRN, of Essentia Health from Walker, Minnesota.
Wen Pao, DNP, APRN, NEA-BC, ACNP-BC, CCRN, of UT Health San Antonio from San Antonio, Texas.
James Sims, DNP, ARNP, ANP-BC, NP-C, of PeaceHealth from Eugene, Oregon.
Mary A. Smith, DNP, FNP-BC, ONP-C, FAANP, of the State of Mississippi from Madison, Mississippi.
Julie Starry, MS, ARNP, NP-C, of Optum from Johnston, Iowa.
Laura Swoboda, DNP, APNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC, CWOCN-AP, of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
Jamie Udy, MSN, APRN, FNP, of Tri County Health Care from Henning, Minnesota.

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The American Association of Nurse Practitioners^® (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 325,000 licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner^®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community, visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs, visit aanp.org. For COVID-19 information from AANP, visit aanp.org/COVID19.