The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) today held a ceremonial “exchange of the gavel” as Angela K. Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP took her place as the professional membership organization’s new President. She follows in the footsteps of Penny Kaye Jensen, who served as AANP President for the last two years.
The ceremony took place in Orlando, Florida at the AANP National Conference, the largest annual gathering of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the country.
Speaking to the thousands of NPs who gathered at the conference, Dr. Golden stressed the important role NPs play in the American health care system. She said, “As a nurse practitioner and a proud, long-time, active member of the AANP, it is my honor to serve as President of this great organization especially during this critically important time for health care in the United States. AANP has already accomplished so much for our profession and patients, and I have no doubt in our collective ability to continue this work for the benefit of all those currently struggling to access high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.”
Key among Dr. Golden’s priorities during her two-year term will be increasing awareness of the important role nurse practitioners play among consumers, policy makers, health insurers, members of the health care community and others. This will be accomplished through a strategic national communications strategy launched earlier this year.
Under her leadership, AANP will continue to support legislative efforts that increase access to care in all 50 states and the territories, and that ensure that NPs are able to practice to the top of their education and experience.
Dr. Golden will also work to strengthen AANP’s role as a leading national resource of health expertise. Through the creation and publication of member-driven health guidelines, AANP will outline optimal treatment and detection of various diseases and health conditions, from skin cancer to childhood obesity.
Strengthening AANP as a professional organization will also top Dr. Golden’s agenda. She hopes to increase not only membership, but active membership by creating new volunteer opportunities that will foster greater organizational engagement and help build the next generation of AANP leaders.
Dr. Golden is currently an Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University. She also owns her own family primary care practice, NP from Home, LLC in rural Munds Park, where she lives with her husband. She has long represented Arizona’s NP community by serving in leadership positions on the Arizona NP Council and as Arizona State Representative of the AANP.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Ball State University; a Master’s in Nursing Education from the University of Phoenix; a Master’s in Science with a family nurse practitioner certification from Northern Arizona University; and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with an emphasis on health policy and evidence based practice from Arizona State University.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the oldest and largest national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. Created in 1985, it represents the interests of approximately 155,000 NPs across the country, providing a unified networking platform, and advocating for their role as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered and personalized healthcare. The organization provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other healthcare consumers.
For more information visit www.aanp.org. To locate an NP in your community, go to npfinder.c
