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National Leadership Awards

AANP National Leadership Awards — the Sharp Cutting Edge Award and the Towers Pinnacle Award — honors two individuals who have contributed significantly to the national or international recognition and advancement of nurse practitioners (NPs).

Learn more about each award and how to nominate an exemplary colleague below.

Sharp Cutting Edge Award

History

The Sharp Cutting Edge Award was initiated in February 1996 in honor of Nancy J. Sharp, MSN, RN, FAAN, an exemplar in the world of nursing organizational leadership for more than two decades. Nancy demonstrated a decisive positive influence for NPs, both professionally and politically. Not an NP herself, Nancy nevertheless left a legacy of early and steadfast service for NPs. Through her vision, foresight and service to the NP profession, Nancy focused on public policy issues clarifying the legislative and regulatory processes. She also utilized innovative strategies to meet major milestones as an office staff member and a volunteer leader in national nursing organizations. Examples of her many accomplishments are National President, American Nephrology Nurses Association (1981-1983); Director, Practice and Legislation, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, Neonatal Nurses (1982-1990); Founding Director, Nurse in Washington Internship (1985-1992); Editor-Publisher, The Nurse’s Directory of Capitol Connections: A Directory of Positions and Opportunities for Nurse Participation in Health Policy Development (1991-2000); Nurse Representative, U.S. Joint Working Group on Telehealth (1993-1997).

Who May Nominate?

Any current AANP member may nominate a colleague.

Nomination Process

  • Nominations are submitted online through the AANP website.
  • Nominations must include a description detailing the reasons for nominating an individual for either award (250 word maximum).
  • Nominations must include two letters of support from individuals other than the nominator. (Letters exceeding the allowed maximum will not be considered).
  • Consideration will only be given to nominations complete with all required information submitted by the published deadline.
  • Nominations received after the deadline date will not be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

The Sharp Cutting Edge award is given to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service activities on behalf of NPs. This award is for achievements that have impacted the NP profession on a national or international level and incorporated the AANP mission into the initiative(s). Additionally, recipients have demonstrated and promoted diversity, equity and inclusivity within health care through social justice initiatives that have increased access to quality health care for all.

Recipients may be an NP, nurse or non-nurse who has demonstrated exceptional belief and confidence in NPs and has shown efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of NPs at the national or international level in three or more of the following areas:

  • Demonstrated leadership experience in an organization at the national or international level that supports and promotes the NP profession.
  • Impacted public policy issues clarifying the legislative and regulatory processes to the successful advancement of the NP profession.
  • Succeeded in building strategic partnerships, coalitions or alliances that have increased public awareness of the NP profession.
  • Utilized or leveraged technology, such as social media, to promote the value and advancement of the NP profession.
  • Provided mentorship or guidance to meet the strategic priorities for a successful organization.
  • Mentored others in the processes and techniques for successful use of technology to meet strategic priorities.
  • Utilized innovative strategies to meet goals in national nursing organizations.

Who is Ineligible

  • AANP elected leaders and staff (e.g. Board of Directors, Fellows Executive Committee, State Liaisons, Nomination Council and Awards Committee) cannot be nominated for the award.
  • Nominations that include groups and organizations cannot be submitted.

Selection Committee

The AANP Awards Committee.

Notification

Award recipients will be notified in March of each award cycle.

Award Package

The recipient will receive round-trip airfare to attend the respective AANP National Conference and one-night accommodation at an AANP conference hotel.

Award Recognition

The award recipient will be recognized during the Opening General Session at the AANP National Conference and should plan to attend the respective AANP National Conference to accept their award in person.

Questions

For questions, contact governance@aanp.org.

Disclaimer: For elected officials, regulators, appointees, federal employees and military at both the state and federal levels (“government employee”), AANP cannot provide items of value. Individuals in these positions will receive public recognition and be presented with a certificate but will not receive additional items. If you are a government employee and inadvertently receive an offer from AANP that includes additional benefits as part of an award, please alert staff since AANP is not always aware — or informed — that an awardee holds such a position.

Towers Pinnacle Award

History

The Towers Pinnacle Award was launched in 2013 by the AANP Board of Directors in honor of Jan Towers, Ph.D., NP-C, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, an accomplished and much-admired leader in the NP movement. Dr. Towers has been at the forefront of legislative and regulatory issues, guiding health policy initiatives to ensure that NPs and their patients are represented wherever health care is being discussed. She has informed and educated numerous NPs on issues related to health policy through presentations at regional and national conferences. Her steadfast commitment, keen insight and vigilance have served to guide and direct NPs toward their current recognition as reimbursable providers of high-quality health care nationwide. The result of her life’s work is increased awareness by legislators and the general public of NPs’ contributions to health care, as well as advancement in expanding the scope of practice for NPs, advocating for equity in pay for services and expanding the commitment of NP professional organizations to provide leadership on health policy issues.

Who May Nominate?

Any current AANP member may nominate a colleague.

Nomination Process

  • Nominations are submitted online through the AANP website.
  • Nominations must include a description detailing the reasons for nominating an individual for either award (250 word maximum).
  • Nominations must include two letters of support from individuals other than the nominator. (Letters exceeding the allowed maximum will not be considered).
  • Consideration will only be given to nominations complete with all required information submitted by the published deadline.
  • Nominations received after the deadline date will not be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

The Towers Pinnacle award is given to individuals who have exemplified Dr. Towers’ advocacy, passion and dedication to the advancement of the NP role through policy, practice and education. Additionally, these individuals have demonstrated and promoted diversity, equity and inclusivity within health care through social justice initiatives that have increased access to quality health care for all.

The Towers Pinnacle award is for achievements that have impacted the NP profession on a national or international level and incorporated the AANP mission into the success of the initiative(s).

Nominees are preferably NPs; however, consideration is given to other individuals who have made outstanding contributions resulting in increased recognition of NPs and increased opportunities for NPs to provide care to patients through ongoing work in policy, practice and education at the national or international level in three of the five following areas:

  • Influencing health policy legislation by advocating for the removal of practice barriers, which led to the advancement of the NP profession.
  • Conducting advocacy work that is dedicated to the recognition and promotion of the high-quality, reimbursable health care services, with parity, provided by NPs.
  • Achieving recognition as a visionary leader for NPs in health policy, practice or education.
  • Providing mentorship and developing leadership in health policy, practice or education for NPs.
  • Being instrumental in articulating NP practice and the profession to stakeholders and legislators in the health policy arena.

Who is Ineligible

  • AANP elected leaders and staff (e.g. Board of Directors, Fellows Executive Committee, State Liaisons, Nomination Council and Awards Committee) cannot be nominated for the award.
  • Nominations that include groups and organizations cannot be submitted.

Selection Committee

The AANP Awards Committee.

Notification

Award recipients will be notified in March of each award cycle.

Award Package

The recipient will receive round-trip airfare to attend the respective AANP National Conference and one-night accommodation at an AANP conference hotel.

Award Recognition

The award recipient will be recognized during the Opening General Session at the AANP National Conference and should plan to attend the respective AANP National Conference to accept their award in person.

Questions

For questions, contact governance@aanp.org.

Disclaimer: For elected officials, regulators, appointees, federal employees and military at both the state and federal levels (“government employee”), AANP cannot provide items of value. Individuals in these positions will receive public recognition and be presented with a certificate but will not receive additional items. If you are a government employee and inadvertently receive an offer from AANP that includes additional benefits as part of an award, please alert staff since AANP is not always aware — or informed — that an awardee holds such a position.