National Black Nurse Practitioner Assoc

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Holiday

SCHOLARSHIP - and awards

Event

NURSE PRACTITIONERS ON THE MOVE

december 4 twent y - twent yone

About US he National Black Nurse Practitioner Association (NBNPA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), primarily located in Houston, Texas. Since 2010, the NBNPA has been an essential part of Houston and its surrounding areas. We are “Nurse Practitioners on the Move.” In keeping with this motto, we are committed to the advancement of Nurse Practitioners and the improvement of healthcare disparities among underserved communities. Our mission is to empower the advancement of APRNs in their profession, foster social fellowship among members, and serve as a philanthropist in the community. The NBNPA is fortunate to have outstanding Advanced Practice Registered Nurse leaders within its organization that serves in a variety of professional settings.

Core Values Honesty • Excellence in Practice • Achievement • Leadership • Teamwork • Humility

Mission

NBNPA is an organization comprised of Advance Practice Nurses (APRNs) committed to improving the public health and welfare of all communities. Empowering the advancement of nurse practitioners in their profession, foster social fellowship among members and serves as a philanthropist to individuals and organizations related to the healthcare concerns of communities.

Vision

To reach out to the communities across the economic spectrum and provide healthy professional services to meet the community needs. To inspire nurse practitioners to lead in health and wellness for our communities by promoting outreach education. To take an active role in our profession and enhance community awareness of the availability of an inclusive health care provider who visualizes the patient as an individual and treat them with dignity and respect.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Our Board

Vice President

President

Sheila WebbeR APRN, FNP-BC

Crystal Thibodeaux APRN, FNP-C

SHEILA WEBBER is a native Houstonian. She ob-

CRYSTAL THIBODEAUX is a native of Eunice, LA.

tained both her Bachelors and Masters's of Nursing

She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing

from Prairie View A&M University. Sheila is a found-

from Southern University A&M College in 2005

ing member of the National Black Nurse Practi-

and obtained a Master of Science in Nursing with

tioner Association and she has served several office

a concentration in Family Health Nursing/Family

roles within the organization. She is a member of

Nurse Practitioner in 2011. Crystal is currently en-

AANP, TNP, and Sigma Theta Tau.

rolled in the Doctor of Nursing Program at Cham-

Currently, Sheila is a Nurse Practitioner for our na-

berlain University. At present, Crystal is a member

tion's veterans at the Michael E. Debakey VA Hospi-

of numerous professional organizations. Through-

tal, Houston, TX. Sheila has over 30 years of expe-

out Crystal’s 14 ½ years of her career, she has been

rience in the nursing profession. She has mentored

blessed to work in multiple areas of nursing. Cur-

nursing students and advanced practice nurses.

rently, Crystal is a regional traveling Family Nurse Practitioner for OPTUM HOUSECALLS for UNITED HEALTH GROUP.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Our Board

Treasurer

Secretary

Emily Bennett APRN, AGPNCP-BC

EMILY BENNETT is a native of Bastrop, TX (Pine country). She earned her Bachelors and Masters of Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington and is currently in their Doctor of Nursing Practice program with an expected graduation date of May 2023. Throughout Emily’s 20 year career, she has worked in multiple areas of nursing with a central focus in oncology research and education. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Texas Nurse Practitioners Association, the Oncology Nursing Society-Houston, Sigma Theta Tau, and Top Ladies of Distinction Sugar Valley.

She currently serves as the treasurer and scholarship cochair for NBNPA and is excited to passionately contribute to the organization's mission.

Dr. Alexis Elizabeth Hayes Ph.D., MSN-Ed, APRN, FNP-BC

DR. ALEXIS ELIZABETH HAYES is a native of Louisiana and has been a resident of Texas for the past 7 years.

She currently serves as the NBNPA secretary and as the coordinator of the covid-19 grant program. She has been a Registered Nurse for over 12 years, a Family Practitioner for 8 years, and Nurse Educator for 3 years. She earned both her Bachelor and Masters of Nursing from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. Dr. Hayes has also earned a postmaster in nursing education and a Ph.D. in Nursing from Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health in Houston, TX. Currently, D. Hayes serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health Nurse Practitioner Program. She has a passion for clinical practice advancement, research, and nursing education. Dr. Hayes has a continued interest in BRCA mutations, breast cancer prophylaxis, and racial disparities in breast cancer. She enjoys mentoring nursing students and advanced practice nurses through their journey in nursing practice.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Our Board

Founder

Founder

Dr. Stephanie Brown

Dr. Lutricia Harrison

A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, Dr. Stephanie Brown-Elder is a co-founder of NBNPA and currently serves as an Executive Board Member, the Chairman of the Scholarship Committee and the Program Administrator for NBNPA Covid-19 Grants.

Stephanie has served in various roles in the organization including lead panelist for the 2021 Educational Conference Covid -19 Healthcare Disparities Round Table presentation, a Covid-19 Disparities Forum Presenter and organizational President. In 2019, Texas Nurse Practitioner Association appointed Dr. Brown-Elder as a Legislative Ambassador to her local district. She is also a past recipient of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. She fervently serves as a patient advocate, graduate preceptor and mentor to students. She is an active member of AANP, TNP, PVNA, PCNA, SMSNA and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She is an alumnus of Prairie View A&M University and the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa where she received her Bachelor's in 1992, Master of Science in Nursing in 2003 and Doctor of Nursing Practice Degrees in 2013 respectively. Presently, Dr. Brown is the chief executive officer of her independently owned family practice clinic in Houston Texas where she provides care to the underserved members of her community.

I AM DR. LUTRICIA HARRISON DNP, APRN, FNP-BC from Houston, Texas. I practice in an independently owned nurse practitioner clinic as a primary care provider providing services across the lifespan in a medically underserved and socioeconomic area of North Houston. In 2004, I obtained my Master of Science in Nursing degree from Prairie View A&M University and in 2013 I obtained my Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. I am a Founding Member of the National Black Nurse Practitioner Association and have served as Vice President and President of this organization in the past. Currently I serve as the chair of the education committee and was instrumental with implementing continuing education opportunities. In 2019, I was selected to receive the President’s Award from the Texas Nurse Practitioner Association. In 2021 I was elected to serve as a Board Member at Large for the Texas Nurse Practitioner Association. I am a Clinical Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Texas Health Science Center and teach Pharmacology for Advanced Practice students at Simmons University. My passion for education has led to many speaking engagements including keynote speaker for Prairie View A&M University MSN graduating class of 2019 and presenter on "From Employee to Entrepreneur" Houston Area Nurse Practitioner Association.

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Our Board

Founder

Dr. Rosaland Taylor DNP, APRN, FNP-BC DR. ROSALAND LACY TAYLOR is a native Houstonian and the owner of a family practice clinic in Porter, Texas. She is one of the Founders of the National Black Nurse Practitioners Association (NBNPA), member of the executive board and prior Vice-President of the organization.

Dr. Taylor received a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing in 1995 and her Master's of Science Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner in May 2008 from Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing. In 2017, she received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. As an advocate of life-long education, Dr. Taylor selflessly serves as a Preceptor of nurse practitioner students.

Committed to patient care, she ensures that each of her patients is intimately knowledgeable of their disease processes and truly understands their medical condition. As a result, she is able to fluently assist in making a positive difference in their lives.

As a member of NBNPA, she has participated in various community service activities to bring awareness to cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes as well as topics of breast cancer and HIV awareness.

It is her belief and conviction that all that she is and will ever hope to be is simply through and by the Grace of God.

A Nurses Prayer As I care for my patients today, Be there with me O Lord I pray.

Make my words kind, it means so much. And in my hands place your healing touch.

Let your love shine through all that I do, so those in need may hear and feel you.

To all nurses who have sacrificed to serve, we salute you and pray that your journey will continue to save lives and make a difference in the healthcare delivery system all over the world.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Thank you

to Practicing Clinicians Exchange (PCE) for being a NBNPA 2021 Scholarship Sponsor Practicing Clinicians Exchange (PCE) is an innovative, multi-supported, multichannel educational initiative created specifically for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

Launched in 2006, this unique continuing education platform provides live and digital educational opportunities designed to meet the real-world clinical needs of this growing group of clinicians on the front lines of medicine. PCE is the national leader in continuing education created specifically for the educational needs of NPs and PAs. Visit PCE www.practicingclinicians.com for CE's, CME's and free conferences for Advanced Practice Providers.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Rising Star Awardee

Keilah Baker Ford MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC "I’VE ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR HELPING OTHERS AND

Practitioner Association, Texas Nurse Practitioner Association and Sigma Theta Tau, Tau Eta Chapter.

NURSE AND LATER AS AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED

Keilah believes that furthering her education with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree will contribute and enhance her abilities to provide evidenced based care to her patients and to serve as a premiere leader in her areas of expertise. She is also interested in conducting and disseminating research on the multifaceted role and contributions that advance practice nurses have contributed to healthcare and avenues to help increase the knowledge of other healthcare providers of how Doctoral Prepared Nurse Practitioners are integral to the multidisciplinary team.

THOUGHT THAT GOING INTO HEALTHCARE AS A REGISTERED

NURSE WAS MY CALLING. I BELIEVE IN THE BALANCE OF SPIRITUAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELLBE-

ING AND I GO ABOVE AND BEYOND BY MAKING SURE THEY ALL ALIGN IN MY TREATMENT APPROACH."

KEILAH BAKER FORD has been a nurse for 15 years and says that her professional experiences in her nursing career have helped her greatly to prepare for her doctoral studies. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Wilmington University, Wilmington, DE with an expected graduation date of May 2023. She is currently a dually board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Association of Houston, the National Black Nurse

Nalan oit Blk ca Nuers Prr encoiat Asn oit a cos

Keilah acknowledges that she has been blessed by her membership with the National Black Nurse Practitioner Association through their encouragement, support and promotion of how graduate education accelerates the profession of nurses.

CONGRATULATIONS KEILAH, YOU ARE THE RISING STAR OF NBNPA.

Innovator Awardee

Dr. Annissa StoveR DNP, ANP-C, VHA-CM ANNISA LEACHMAN-STOVER, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC is a change agent with a keen sense of acumen advocating for all professions. She is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with 25 years of healthcare experience. Dr. Stover received her undergraduate degree from Our Lady of the Lake College, a Dual Masters Degree: Nursing Education and Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern University A&M College, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Walden University.

Dr. Stover is the sole owner of a primary healthcare clinic located in Baker, LA. She has been in private practice for 7 years. Prior to opening her own primary healthcare clinic Dr. Stover served as the first African American Female Nurse Practitioner Hospitalist for Hospital Medicine Group-

Baton Rouge General. Dr. Stover is currently the Interim Chair of the Graduate School of Nursing at Southern University A&M College. She also serves in the role of Nurse Practitioner Program Director and Assistant Professor.

Dr. Stover is a proud Baker High School Class of 1988 Alum. She is also the franchisee of Smoothies N Things Café-Baker. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.- Baker Zachary Alumnae Chapter and a charter member of 100 Black Women of Metropolitan Baton Rouge. She has 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys serving her community, reading, cooking, shopping, and traveling.

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Ambassador Awardee

Dr. Cheryl Thaxton DNP, APRN, CPNP, FNP-BC, CHPPN, ACHPN, FPCN CHERYL ANN THAXTON, DNP, APRN, CPNP, FNPBC, CHPPN, ACHPN, FPCN is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is dual certified as a pediatric nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner.

Dr. Thaxton is the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Director at Texas Woman’s University (TWU).

She has over 29 years of experience in nursing which includes several years of experience in critical care, palliative care, primary care, nursing leadership, curriculum development, program development. In 1992, Dr. Thaxton graduated from the Bachelor of Science Nursing program at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

She later completed the master’s level Nurse Practitioner program at New York University, New York. In 2013, she obtained the post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner certificate at George Washington University (GWU), Washington, DC and later completed the DNP Program at GWU. Dr. Thaxton has devoted several years of her career to research surrounding the specific needs of children and adults with life-limiting illnesses. She has served as national Faculty for the End-of-Life Nursing

Education Consortium (ELNEC) for ten years. She worked with the national ELNEC Faculty to develop resources for Pediatric Palliative Care COVID-19 patients, which can be located here: www.aacnnursing. org/ELNEC/COVID-19. Dr. Thaxton helped to launch ELNEC pediatric palliative care education in Kyoto, Japan in addition to providing palliative care education and nurse leadership training in Hong Kong, China. She has a plethora of evidence-based publications relating care of pediatric and adult patients with life limiting illnesses. She developed a curriculum for the APRN Primary Palliative Care role focused on pediatric oncology patients in collaboration with other ELNEC Faculty.

Dr. Thaxton is currently serving as a Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) Task Force Co-Chair for the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care (NCHPC) www.nationalcoalitionhpc.org/ppctfmissionvision.

In 2021, she received the DFW Great 100 Nurses award, and the Nessa Coyle Palliative Leadership Award and she also serves as national End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Faculty."

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

President Awardee LADONNA THOMAS, DNP, ANP-C, cate for health, she was named as one VHA-CM is a change agent with a keen of the Great 100 Nurses in the state sense of acumen advocating for all proof North Carolina. Dr. Thomas estabfessions. Dr. Thomas is the first Chief lished relationships with colleagues for Nurse Practitioner (NP) appointed at enhancing professional development the Durham VA Health Care System and by creating the “U Reach Out to a Colwithin the Veterans Integrated Service league Challenge (UROC Challenge).

Network (VISN) 6. Under her leadership, The challenge has enhanced collegial Full Practice Authority (FPA) was imcommunication across services, proplemented as a way of pioneering new moted unity, and improved patient pathways to NP autonomy. Her facility and systems outcomes. She was one of DNP, ANP-C, VHA-CM was one of the first in North Carolina to the facility’s co-facilitators for the 2020 become a full practice organization for nurse practitioners. Her and 2021 NP Symposium. The event awarded approximately dedication to implementing FPA created autonomy for over 10,150 free CME credits nationally. During this year’s NP Sym109 NPs, allowing NPs to practice to the full extent of their posium, she received the NP of the year award at her facility. In education and training without physician supervision, removconnection with the development of a national curriculum for ing barriers such as mandatory collaboration agreements regthe Office of Academic Affairs’ (OAA) NP Residency Programs, ulated by individual state statute. She currently holds various Dr. Thomas developed guidance on VA disability. This informaleadership roles. At the facility, she represents all NPs on the tion was submitted and accepted for inclusion in the national Professional Standards Boards, Medical Executive Committee, NP curriculum.

Protective Peer Review Board and Patient Care Service Council. At the state level, she is a Board member with her state’s Dr. Thomas has developed and sustained a patient education Nursing Regulatory Board. tool (Caregiver Resource Manual). She received a VA Best Practice Award for her Manual. She isolated two problems, caregivShe represents all Advance Practice Registered Nurses in NC, ers are not knowledgeable about available support resources where she collaboratively participates in the regulation of nursand assistance is needed deciding the right resource. Sustaining practice, policy implementation and the oversight of Board ing change, she created a partnership with the Perioperative related activities. She co- authored an article with the CEO of Optimization for Senior Health Clinic, engaging patients, carethe North Carolina Board of Nursing. A combined 156,421 RNs givers and continued ongoing support, benefiting over 1000 and APRNS received the Bulletin. The publication will have a patients. Nominee was awarded Excellence in Nursing Award major impact with North Carolina professional nursing orand 2019 North Carolina Nurses Association NCNA Outganizations who subscribe to the bulletin. She has been standing Nurse of the Year for her leadership including a podium, poster presenter, and lecturer at many invited the facility Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) chair, conferences and community events. In 2020, beraising $ 101,133.30 for her facility. In addition to her cause of her outstanding leadership, her past professional NP endeavors, she is a Diamond role as the March of Dimes Ambassador Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, for NC and her outstanding work as an Inc. and an active member of Chi Eta Phi educator, clinician and community advoNursing Sorority.

DR. LaDonna Thomas

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Scholarship Awardees

Whitney Mitchell

Crystal King

WHITNEY MITCHELL joined The National Black Nurse Practitioner Association (NBNPA) because her goals align with the organization’s mission and vision which is to focus on improving the health of the general population. “I have always aimed to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure that I can provide care as a member of the multidisciplinary team. The vision aligns with my vision in nursing practice in that I have always envisioned offering quality care. During my nursing career, I have always strived to offer quality care to all individuals regardless of race, ethnic group, or social class. Such a vision has been my motivating factor to ensure that I am able to reach vulnerable groups in the community and offer them equitable care. Reaching the vulnerable population in the community is key in ensuring inclusivity in healthcare delivery through an increase in the accessibility and affordability of the healthcare services being offered. Despite my continued determination to pursue higher levels of education in nursing practice, the financial hardships are one of the major challenges that are threatening to impede my efforts. I believe that if I am awarded this scholarship, it will help me actualize my goals and ease the financial burden that threatens my career path”. Ms. Whitney Mitchell is currently enrolled at Nicholls State University Nurse Practitioner Program with an expected graduation date of 2023.

CRYSTAL MICHELLE KING, has been a nurse practitioner for 11 years and practices in primary care. Currently, she is enrolled in the Doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at Winston Salem State University in North Carolina. She desires to obtain a DNP so that she can expand her education as a nurse practitioner in the areas of leadership and education. Her goal is to own and manage a nurse practitioner medical clinic.

Her current motto is "Patients are people; people are unique and require specialized treatment" in providing quality care.

Quality health care outcomes are the hallmark of the nurse practitioner. The Institute of Health Improvement's triple aim is to provide better individual care for every population at the best cost. As a nurse practitioner, she desires to provide this service.

As a recipient of the National Black Nurse Practitioner scholarship, I will continue pursuing my educational goals. As my first semester ends, it is evident that I may have to reduce my current full-time work status to maintain the desired grades within the program. When I make this reduction in work hours, this scholarship will assist me in meeting my family obligations. This scholarship will provide me the opportunity to be less stressed and more focused on producing excellent quality work within the program.

"Crystal believes obtaining her DNP will allow her to promote the nurse practitioner profession. More importantly, as a female African American nurse practitioner, it will allow her to serve as a mentor to other nurses who are seeking graduate education and have a desire to seek excellence in their perspective specialty areas".

National Black Nurse Practioner Association

Since 2011 NBNPA has provided programs that seek to improve the public health and welfare of all citizens by providing community access to health education, health symposiums, and medical screenings for the detection of chronic conditions that plague the community, especially those within underserved communities. NBNPA has sponsored patient education forums through health fairs, panel discussions, virtual presentations, and social media. Many of the topics covered include COVID-19, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, HIV, sex trafficking, and vaccine promotion.

Currently, NBNPA collaborates with the PACT initiative of the National Medical Association in promotion of the "Because our Lives Matter'' national HIV/AIDs prevention and educational project. NBNPA has also been invited to participate in continuing education content review, actively collaborates with a national pharmaceutical company to assist with dissemination of educational content to healthcare providers and consumers in the areas of Lupus and Asthma, and is proud to announce our newest initiative addressing Covid -19 Vaccine Education. The project is entitled Know More about COVID, No More…

COVID “Know more about Cultural Opportunities to Validate Information and Details (COVID), No more…COVID”.

If you are interested in volunteering (we have both virtual and in person opportunities available), please submit your contact information (name, title/profession, telephone number, email address, company/ university/organizational affiliation ) to our dedicated volunteer email at nbnpacovid19response@gmail.com.

Please stay tune for updates on our upcoming Continuing Education Conference, “Diversity and Inclusion In Healthcare; Improving Patient Outcomes” in April 2022. We look forward to your participation.

The National Black Nurse Practitioner Association would like to thank all of our members, sponsors, contributors and community stakeholders for their support. We look forward to continuing the plight of dismantling healthcare disparities in all communities and promoting awareness of the role of nurse practitioners in the healthcare delivery system.

Thank you