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The AANP Leadership Academy: The Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program

Applications are now closed.

Equipping the Next Generation of Nurse Practitioner (NP) Leaders!

You already inspire your patients and serve as a trusted pillar in your community — now elevate your impact by honing your leadership skills! The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) proudly presents the newly relaunched Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program, thoughtfully designed by leading NP experts to empower you with essential leadership tools.

This comprehensive program offers approximately 48 contact hours of continuing education, seamlessly blending virtual and in-person experiences. Engage in interactive, weekly virtual sessions every Wednesday for eight weeks, followed by an AI strategy webinar in May, and culminating in an immersive capstone workshop at the prestigious 2027 AANP National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Celebrate your achievement with a special digital badge and pin awarded during a memorable recognition ceremony at the 2027 AANP National Conference. Step forward and become the visionary leader you’re meant to be!

AANP invites applicants from diverse backgrounds and varied life experiences to join this transformative leadership journey.

The application period closed on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).

Program Objectives

  1. Cultivate a leadership mindset building upon basic leadership concepts that emphasize innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving health care landscape.
  2. Design and implement systemic changes to enhance patient care, business outcomes and NP-led health care delivery models at the organizational level.
  3. Develop advanced political advocacy skills to effectively engage with congressional delegations on health care issues, focusing on expanding NP practice authority and improving access to care.
  4. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development among NPs to strengthen the leadership pipeline within the profession.

Virtual Classroom Sessions, In-Person Capstone Event and Networking With Top Experts.

  • Required Orientation: The evening of Feb. 24, 2027 (5:30 –7 p.m. ET)
  • Part 1: Interactive virtual classroom sessions every Wednesday (full day) from March 3- April 28, 2027.
  • Part 2: Live webinar with Q&A — AI Strategy for Leaders (May 5, 2027; 1.5-hour event).
  • Part 3: An In-person Capstone Day on Tuesday, June 15, 2027, followed by a celebratory pinning ceremony and meet-and-greet event on Wednesday, June 16, 2027, at the prestigious 2027 AANP National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.

AANP is committed to diversity and inclusion when selecting participants for this program and encourages applicants from a multitude of diverse life experiences and backgrounds to apply.

The application period closed Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT).

Eligibility

Nurse Practitioners
  • Must be an AANP member with at least one year of continuous membership since June 15, 2025.
  • Must have completed the prerequisite the Jan Towers Foundational Leadership Program (all 13 modules) on or before 11:59 p.m. CT on Aug. 28, 2026. For this prerequisite course to be considered complete, applicants must complete each individual module, submit all required evaluations and have a certificate generated.
  • Must have at least one year’s experience as a practicing NP.
  • Cannot be an AANP staff member.
  • Cannot be a current board member, elected official or state liaison of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Program Cost and Details

Participant Costs:

  • Nonrefundable $2,200 participant fee, due upon acceptance of the program.
  • All costs associated with travel and meals.

AANP Provides:

  • Hotel costs for three nights, not including incidentals.
  • A waiver for the 2027 AANP National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
  • A celebratory pinning ceremony and meet and greet at the 2027 AANP National Conference, Wednesday, June 16, 2027.

Participant Also Receives:

  • Relevant reading materials.
  • Thank you gift, pin and digital badge.

Only completed applications will be accepted and reviewed. Direct questions to leadership-program@aanp.org.

Supporting Documents

  • Current CV or resume that adheres to the provided template.
  • Two current, professional letters of reference must be provided, written on the referrer’s letterhead and signed. One reference must be your current supervisor, whose reference letter must address the following:
    • Identify how long they have known the applicant.
    • Speak to the applicant’s leadership potential and provide examples.
    • Confirm their understanding and support of the time commitments required by the program.

Do You Have Questions?

Contact leadership-program@aanp.org.