Dr. Valerie J. Fuller Takes Office as President of the AANP to Enhance NP Care Access

Dr. Valerie J. Fuller Takes Office as President of the AANP



The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) has officially appointed Dr. Valerie J. Fuller as its new president. This announcement was made during the recent AANP National Conference held in San Diego, California, a gathering that attracted thousands of nurse practitioners from across the nation. Dr. Fuller succeeds Dr. Stephen A. Ferrara and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and commitment to advancing the profession of nurse practitioners.

Dr. Fuller's credentials are impressive, marked by her dual board certifications as both a family nurse practitioner and an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. She holds both a PhD and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in nursing and is recognized as a Fellow of the AANP. Her experience positions her as not only a clinical expert but also a dedicated health policy advocate.

During her inaugural address, Dr. Fuller expressed her deep commitment to enhancing access to high-quality, patient-centered care across all communities. "I step into this role not only as a leader but as a storyteller, someone who has seen how powerful nurse practitioners are in transforming lives," she remarked. Dr. Fuller emphasized her priorities of removing outdated barriers to practice and combating misinformation about the nursing profession.

The journey to her presidency began in her rural hometown in Maine, influenced by her grandmother, a devoted nurse herself. Dr. Fuller’s commitment to the NP profession is deeply personal, driving her to advocate for topics such as underserved communities, workforce development, and the modernization of healthcare policies that affect nurse practitioners. She plans to focus on ensuring NPs can practice to their full educational and clinical potential.

As president, Dr. Fuller is set to lead AANP’s mission to extend NP-delivered care and advocate for essential healthcare policy reforms. She stated, "You are not a backup plan—you are the backbone of health care in this country,” addressing a crowd of fellow NPs and urging them to utilize their voices and stories to bolster public trust in the profession.

With over 431,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the U.S., the AANP plays a pivotal role in legislative advocacy and promoting excellence in practice education and research. The organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 and aims to continue amplifying the voice of nurse practitioners. Dr. Fuller’s leadership marks a significant step forward in representing the interests of NPs in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

For those interested in finding a nurse practitioner in their community or learning more about the role of NPs, the resources can be found at the AANP website, aanp.org or via their NP finder tool at npfinder.com.

As the AANP moves forward under Dr. Fuller's guidance, the organization remains committed to improving healthcare accessibility and quality, ensuring that patients have the best care possible delivered by skilled and dedicated professionals. With her experience and passion, Dr. Fuller embodies the spirit of innovation and advocacy that is crucial for the ongoing growth of the NP profession.

Topics Health)

【About Using Articles】

You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.

【About Links】

Links are free to use.