Three of the nation’s professional nursing associations have elected Vanderbilt faculty to their highest offices.
Professor April Kapu, DNP’13, MSN’05, FAANP, FCCM, FAAN, took office July 1, 2021, as president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, which represents more than 325,000 nurse practitioners nationwide.
In this high-visibility role, Kapu leads efforts to strengthen patient access to high-quality, NP-delivered health care nationwide, foster the continued growth of the NP role and increase awareness of the critical issues facing patients and NPs. Kapu also serves as VUSN’s associate dean of clinical and community partnerships.
Associate Professor Laurie Connors, DNP, FAANP, is president-elect of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics, a global nursing professional association dedicated to genomic health care, education, research and scholarship. Her three-year commitment starts in November.
As an ISONG executive leader, Connors is charged with the support and advocacy of the discovery, interpretation, application and management of genomics in nursing, as well as the scientific and professional development of ISONG members. She will foster ISONG’s mission to promote the understanding of genomic health and genomic information among nurses, health professionals and the public.
Professor Jennifer Kim, DNP, MSN’97, FNAP, FAANP, is president-elect of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, effective July 2021. In her leadership role of GAPNA, the professional association dedicated to improving care of older adults and representing advanced practice nurses, other clinicians, educators and researchers working with seniors, Kim will serve what is essentially a three-year term as president-elect, president and past president.
Among her responsibilities will be to serve as an expert on issues involving aging, patient care and advocacy; represent the organization’s membership; and help advance education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking and evidence-based care.