Speaking to the Creators and First Cohort of the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program
Applications are now open for this lifechanging learning experience.
Last year, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) announced the creation of the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program. The program, offered as part of the AANP Leadership Academy and named after the co-founder of the nurse practitioner (NP) role, combines virtual education along with an immersive workshop at the AANP National Conference. Participants in the program will learn how to cultivate a leadership mindset building upon basic leadership concepts; design and implement systemic changes to enhance patient care, business outcomes and NP-led health care delivery models; develop advanced political advocacy skills to effectively engage with congressional delegations on health care issues; and foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development among NPs to strengthen the leadership pipeline within the profession.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program cohort. Those chosen to be a part of the 2027 cohort will earn approximately 48 contact hours of continuing education credit, experience a live webinar on “AI Strategy for Leaders” and — at the 2027 AANP National Conference — take part in an In-Person Capstone Day followed by a celebratory pinning ceremony and meet-and-greet. AANP spoke with the program’s creators about what inspired them to innovate the existing Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program, and with members of the inaugural cohort about being the first to experience this unique curriculum.
Experience and Agency
The Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program reboot was spearheaded by two NP co-chairs well-versed in leadership roles — Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, APRN, CIC, FSHEA, FNAP, and Diane Padden, PhD, CRNP, FAANP. Carrico is an infectious disease expert, Padden is a nurse scientist, author and educator, and together they redesigned and relaunched the existing leadership program with a renewed focus and mission. “We looked at the previous curriculum, and then really discussed how health care is changing,” explains Padden. “The environment is quite different, quite complex.”
In the newly revamped program, the co-chairs oversaw a group of 19 young leaders as varied as the current health care landscape. “They may be practicing NPs. They may be in academia. They may be in industry home health,” says Padden about the type of applicants interested in the program. “You have a variety of individuals who are applying for this leadership program because they see the need to have that additional information and learn from one another on how to really navigate a difficult and complex health care system.”
Carrico was inspired by her experience overseeing the inaugural cohort. “It’s a very comprehensive program, but it’s been one that has been amazing to watch develop, and to see our new leaders and what they bring in. With each of the members of this cohort, you can see it — see it in their eyes and in their interactions. They want to take patient care and leadership to the next level. They’re searching for how they can bring their skillsets and their leadership abilities to ultimately change not only health care practice, but NP-led practice.”
Innovation and Collaboration
AANP spoke with six members of the 2026 Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program cohort. Asked if she could describe the Program in one sentence, Antiqua Smart, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, replied: “I think the Loretta Ford Visionary Program is amazing. That’s one sentence.” Meanwhile, Callie Dimsdale, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC, CHSE, FAANP, couldn’t help but say more than just one. “First off, it was an incredible experience. I can’t say enough about it. One sentence won’t do the trick. It was an introduction into the capability of NPs to be visionary leaders in multiple areas — practice, research, advocacy, education, all of those spaces. And that made it very exciting.” Jenna Eich, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, remarked that the “program brought together an exceptional group of NP leaders, and we shared our knowledge with each other. We talked about important issues amongst NPs. We had the opportunity to strengthen our voice and expand our impact in the NP profession and the health care system.”
Smart enjoyed both the virtual and in-person portions of the program and treasures the connections she has made with her peers. “We all got to know one another,” she recalls. “We chatted after courses or when we were on our break, and we’re probably going to be friends forever now. We’re already talking about a five-year cohort reunion amongst ourselves.” Katie Diamond, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CDCES, BC-ADM, remembers that the cohort “shared our struggles. When someone was applying for a new job, we all supported them.”
Each member of the cohort expressed what they found most unique and engaging about their program. Wendy Lobo, AGACNP, DNP, MBA, says that while other programs she has experienced “focus just on delivering the content,” the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program “not only delivered the content, but it provided this environment where people can come together and talk about different situations. They encouraged active participation, which is huge nowadays. I think we’ve lost that in a few ways over the last few years…they really encourage active participation, collaboration, and it really drove us to do better and continue to professionally grow.”
What stood out to Eich about the program was “how interactive it was. We did the first several sessions virtually, but the facilitators really made it conversational. We had the opportunity to speak up. The other thing that stood out to me was they gave us the opportunity to meet with a professional coach, which was different than other professional development programs I’ve attended.” Dimsdale sums up her experience this way: “The difference between this program and others is that it is very focused on NP issues — our aims, our backgrounds and where we are in the profession right now. We’re talking about current issues. We’re talking about what the profession needs right now, from NP leaders, and that’s what drew me to this program over other programs.”
An Opportunity “Fit for All”
Which NP will be best served by the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program? Diamond believes that “if you’re an NP that has been practicing for a couple of years, and you’re ready for something else — and you don’t necessary know what that is — this is the perfect program for you.” Eich agrees, stating that “if you’re an NP and you are demonstrating leadership qualities and have leadership aspirations — even if you’re not in a formal leadership role — I think this program really offers an opportunity to strengthen those skills and to set you up to be an exceptional leader at an organizational level, at the state level and even at the national level.”
Torica Fuller, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME, says that she believes the program could be ideal for any NP. “It provides many opportunities for you to connect with other leaders, to obtain many skills and many techniques in regard to how to navigate through the health care system, and also through leadership. I think the program is fit for all.”
Accepting Applications Now
Are you interested in being a part of the next cohort of the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program? Applications are now open and close on Aug. 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT). Visit this website to learn more about eligibility requirements; program cost and details; and important information regarding program objectives.