By Pareasa Rahimi
The UAB School of Nursing supports the development and growth of faculty who are dedicated to making an impact as nurse leaders. Over the past year, several faculty members across different specialties have been named to leadership roles in their national professional nursing organizations.
Professor and Associate Dean for Access and Engagement Felesia Bowen, PhD, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FAAN, is President-Elect of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
“NAPNAP is my professional practice home, and I am proud of the growth and changes that I have seen as a member,” Bowen said. “As President-Elect, I want to be a part of the leadership that will ensure NAPNAP remains a solid, relevant and impactful organization for years to come. My vision for NAPNAP is that we have a membership that is involved not only in the clinical care of children, but also in health policy that will benefit health outcomes for all children.”
Adjunct Assistant Professor Grace Grau, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, AACC (DNP 2015), is President-Elect of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
“My vision for NAHN is one of unity, growth and empowerment,” Grau said. “I am committed to fostering an environment where every member feels valued, supported and heard, and will continue to work tirelessly to expand our reach, strengthen our influence, create opportunities for professional development and leadership and show the indelible mark NAHN has made and will continue to make.”
Associate Professor Melanie Gibbons Hallman, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, TCRN, FAEN, FAANP, FAAN (BSN 1983, MSN 1990, MSN 1995, DNP 2012), is President of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners.
“AAENP serves as the expert and unified voice for more than 27,000 nurse practitioners working in diverse emergency care settings,” Hallman said. “During my first year as President, I prioritized member engagement and communication, process improvement and broadening of public and professional awareness of the significant impact that emergency nurse practitioners make in improving access to safe, quality and compassionate emergency care. My second year will be directed toward the development of a five-year strategic plan to assure sustainability of the organization, increasing member benefits, and expanding interdisciplinary health care organizational partnerships and initiatives.”
Associate Professor, DNP Nurse Executive Pathway Director and MSN Nursing Health Systems Leadership Pathway Director Heather Nelson-Brantley, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, is President-Elect of the Association for Leadership Science in Nursing.
“I’m incredibly honored to be elected President-Elect of ALSN. It has been awesome to see how far we’ve come in the past decade,” Nelson-Brantley said. “As President-Elect, I will build on that momentum, uniting our members around our shared vision of advancing nursing leadership research and education. I will ensure ALSN continues to provide a unique environment where nurse leaders with diverse backgrounds and experiences connect, feel a sense of belonging and thrive.”
Professor and Nurse Anesthesia DNP Pathway Director Susan McMullan, PhD, MSN, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, FAAN, is President of the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.
“It is an absolute honor to assume the role of NBCRNA Board President,” McMullan said. “The NBCRNA has significant and exciting initiatives on the horizon that reaffirm our commitment to support lifelong learning among CRNAs, and to continually improve patient safety. I am eager to work together with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, the NBCRNA CEO and the rest of the NBCRNA staff to help achieve those goals.”
Professor and Associate Dean for Technology and Innovation Penni Watts, PhD, RN, CHSE-A, FNAP, ANEF, FSSH, FAAN (PhD 2015), is President-Elect of the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning.
“I am excited for this opportunity to join a group of strong and passionate leaders who are dedicated to INACSL’s membership and transforming simulation practice,” Watts said. “In this role, I’ll work to support expansion of our international impact while cultivating our membership through excellence in nursing education, practice and research. Simulation is at the forefront of nursing education and those in practice, and quickly becoming the standard for training all levels of nurses.”
