UAPRN of Georgia Announces 2022 Officers, Including Amy Malcom

Just as U.S. News & World Report declares Nurse Practitioners to be the second highest-ranked job in the country, UAPRN of Georgia (United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, www.uaprnofga.org) has announced its new 2022 officers. They are:

• President: Ashley Blackmon, MS, CHFN, CCRN, FNP-C (Atlanta)
• Vice President: Mark Reinhardt, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, CEN (Valdosta)
• Assistant Vice President: Shade' Reid, CPNP-PC, MSN, DNP-S (Atlanta)
• Secretary: Lisa Ousley, DNP, FNP-BC (Ballground)
• Treasurer: Imelda Reyes, DNP, MPH, APRN, CPNP-PC, FNP-BC, FAANP (Atlanta)
• Director at Large: Breanna Brown, DNP, FNP-BC (Atlanta)
• Director of Outreach: Amy Malcom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC (Athens)

Outgoing President Michelle Nelson, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN (Atlanta) will move to the organization’s Advisory Board to maintain the institutional knowledge and assist the new officers, as needed.

“Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, also known as Nurse Practitioners, are healthcare professionals who have earned masters or doctorate degrees, and who practice as certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified nurse-midwives,” said Blackmon. “The COVID pandemic has shined a light on the work we do and the value we bring to our patients, hospitals, clinics, private practice and other healthcare organizations. I am grateful to Dr. Michelle Nelson for her leadership of the organization and her hard work to ensure UAPRN of Georgia continued to provide support, education and collaboration opportunities for members during these extremely challenging times. It is rewarding to see Nurse Practitioners recognized by U.S. News & World Report, along with additional healthcare professionals who accounted for nearly four in 10 of the top 100 best jobs across all industries in the publication’s listing.” www.healthcaredive.com/news/us-news-world-report-best-jobs-healthcare-2022/616943

UAPRN of Georgia has represented all APRNs in the state since 2006. The group works to advance the APRN role through education, collaboration and legislative efforts to lift outdated practice restrictions. The organization provides professional role identification and mentorship to nursing colleagues, students and APRNs, and advocates for accessible, quality healthcare for all Georgians. Many UAPRN members are also members of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (www.aanp.org) and Georgia’s Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses (www.caprn.org). Dr. Nelson, director of Masters programs at Clayton State University and outgoing president of UAPRN of Georgia, was recently inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as a Fellow, one of the highest honors a nurse can receive.

Among its many programs, UAPRN of Georgia presents a Healthcare Summit each year, although the 2021 Summit was postponed to May 13-14, 2022 due to a concern for the health and safety of attendees, speakers and guests, and the continued strain on healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event is designed for nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, physician associates, lab technicians, occupational and physical therapists and other healthcare professionals who want to learn new skills and hear presentations on the latest topics and legislative efforts affecting the medical profession in Georgia. There is also content for healthcare students, including undergraduate and graduate students.

Throughout 2020, UAPRN members worked with Georgia lawmakers to pass Georgia Senate Bill 321 which allows APRNs to order routine advanced radiographic imaging tests and removes several barriers for Georgia’s Physician Associates. It passed both Georgia legislative bodies and was signed into law by Governor Kemp late 2020.

The group also participates in the annual Nurse Practitioner Appreciation Week, and this past year, offered a series of virtual programs and lectures on a variety of healthcare subjects, along with a legislative update on healthcare issues. Thanks to the organization’s lobbying efforts, Georgia was the first state to officially proclaim 2021 Nurse Practitioner Appreciation Week.