My advocacy work begins with evidence and carries it into federal testimony, national policy positions, and the governance of a national organization.
I was invited to testify before federal advisory committees in support of nirsevimab for prevention of severe RSV disease in young children.
RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Nirsevimab offers protection to infants who cannot yet receive vaccines. I provided evidence to the FDA and CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the bodies that determine which interventions reach children through federal programs.
Published outcomes of the NAPNAP Cares initiative, documenting course completions in post-pandemic mental health training and the program's contribution to expanding pediatric behavioral health access nationally.
Published outcomesWritten testimony supporting approval of nirsevimab for prevention of severe RSV disease in infants and children, and its inclusion in the Vaccines for Children program.
Oral testimony on the biologics license application for nirsevimab, one of three invited testimonies. The committees subsequently approved nirsevimab and added it to the Vaccines for Children Program.
Follow-up national study with Dr. Jessica Peck documenting the lasting effects of the pandemic on PNPs and child health, extending the workforce evidence base and calling for sustained structural response.
President's Choice Award 2023NAPNAP position statements led, co-authored, or published under my presidency.
Recommendations on child health and the pediatric workforce requested by US Congressional leadership and the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Congressional leadership · White House OMBOral testimony at a US Health and Human Services convening on provider mental health and burnout. Testimony entered into the Title VIII appropriations record.
With Dr. Jessica Peck, rapidly implemented a national study documenting previously unrecognized impacts of COVID-19 on children and the PNP workforce, published before the declaration of a national pediatric mental health emergency. Disseminated through the American Academy of Nursing, NAPNAP General Assembly, and national media.
Best Article 2021 · INANE Hall of FameFederal. Congressional advocacy visits in Washington DC through the AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Conference, meeting with the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives Jayapal and Strickland on NINR and Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development funding. Hosted staff from the offices of Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representative Jayapal at the School to advocate for simulation center funding.
State. Hosted State Senator Lisa Wellman and, the following year, Representatives My-Linh Thai and Steve Bergquist at UW School of Nursing Nurse Camp.
NAPNAP is the first national professional society for nurse practitioners, founded in 1973. I was elected to five consecutive years of national office and served as President during its 50th anniversary, representing more than 8,000 pediatric APRNs and an organization with a $4M annual operating budget.
Policy service. NAPNAP Health Policy Committee (2021–2024). PCORI Clinician Roundtable representative (2021–2023). Nursing representative to the University of Washington Center for Health Innovation and Policy Science (2018–2022).
Served as National Secretary and parliamentarian through an abrupt executive leadership transition in 2020, coinciding with a fiscal crisis compounded by the pandemic. Chaired the search for the permanent CEO. Operations sustained without interruption to members; the appointee provided six years of executive continuity.
Chaired the CEO searchAuthored the association's executive decision-making framework, defining decision rights and escalation across the CEO, President, Executive Committee, and Board, and contributed to establishing whistleblower protections. Replaced undefined decision authority with a documented structure during a period with no permanent executive.
Executive decision-making frameworkCo-led the association's strategic planning process with the President-Elect, engaging 52 chapters, 18 special interest groups, and partner organizations across the profession.
52 chapters · 18 special interest groupsLaunched a multiyear national initiative preparing the pediatric workforce to meet post-pandemic mental and behavioral health needs.
A national strategy built with the profession, not for it.
NAPNAP's strategic plan was co-developed with 52 chapters, 18 special interest groups, and the organizations NAPNAP works alongside.