American Association of Nurse Practitioners Introduces 2026 Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program Cohort
Meet the elite group of nurse practitioner leaders who will help shape the future of health care.
Media Contact: Bryan Black
AUSTIN, TEXAS — The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is honored to announce the 2026 Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program cohort. Nineteen highly qualified nurse practitioners (NPs) were accepted into this competitive program.
“Speaking on behalf of AANP, I am very proud to welcome these 19 visionary NPs into the elite ranks of the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program Cohort,” said AANP President Valerie Fuller, PhD, DNP. “Like the inspiring woman after which this program is named, every one of these NPs is working to make a positive change for their communities, their profession and the NP role.”
Named in honor of the trailblazing founder of the NP profession, this program is designed to develop visionary NP leaders prepared to advance care models, influence policy and drive change in every setting where health care is delivered. Offered as part of the AANP Leadership Academy, this prestigious program blends virtual education with in-person connection at the 2026 AANP National Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Participants will gain invaluable insights from expert faculty, collaborate with peers from across the country and receive exclusive coaching to help bring their leadership vision to life.
This comprehensive program offers approximately 48 contact hours of continuing education, seamlessly blending virtual and in-person experiences. Participants will engage in interactive, weekly virtual sessions every Wednesday for six weeks, culminating in an immersive capstone workshop at the prestigious 2026 AANP National Conference.
Participants in the 2026 Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program cohort include:
- Ofonime Bleess, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, ENP-C
- Shannon Blitza, DNP, AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC
- Kelli Isralson-Brown, DNP, ANP-C
- Amy Chu, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, ANP-C
- Stephanie Crawford, BSN, MBA, MSN, DNP, ANP-BC, APRN-CNP
- Kaitlyn Diamond, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CDCES, BC-ADM
- Carolina Dimsdale, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC, CHSE, FAANP
- Michelle Duane, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
- Jenna Eich, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
- Torica Fuller, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME
- Sarah Kincaid, MSN, APRN-CNP, CNL
- Jennifer Lee, MSN, ANP-C
- Tiffany Leschber, DNP
- Wendy Lobo, AGACNP, DNP, MBA
- Morgan McDowell, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC
- Pedro Morante, DNP, PHNP-BC
- Antiqua Smart, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FNAP
- Renay Smith, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-C, AOCNP, CRNI
- Amanda Watkins, FNP
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The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is the largest professional membership organization representing the 461,000 licensed NPs in the United States. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP advances health policy and promotes excellence in practice, education and research to support high-quality, patient-centered care. Learn more at aanp.org.