President-Elect Candidate
Campaign Message
I m focused on three priorities: developing strong NP leaders, advancing policy wins, and building lasting momentum for AANP. I will expand leadership programs like mentorship and the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program to support a diverse pipeline of NPs prepared for roles in advocacy, governance, and policymaking. Strong leadership fuels strong advocacy. I will continue championing full practice authority, equitable reimbursement, and expanded telehealth through trusted partnerships at both the state and federal levels. Our real-world policy successes should inspire greater member engagement and that engagement strengthens AANP as the professional home for all NPs. I will focus on practical, hands-on outreach efforts that show both current and future members the immediate value AANP brings to their careers, practice, and patients. Together, we can lead this movement forward and shape the future of our profession.
Bio Sketch
Colleen Leners, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, is the Chief Health Officer at 1st Call Health, where she leads interprofessional teams delivering high-quality care to veterans. A former U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer and Bronze Star Medal recipient, Dr. Leners brings over 25 years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to advancing access, equity, and leadership in health care. She formerly served as Director of Policy at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow, where she worked on Medicare and Medicaid policy with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. Colleen currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (Region 3), on the Case Western Reserve University Alumni Board, and as an Ambassador for the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research. She has also contributed to AANP through service on several national committees focused on governance, leadership development, and strategic planning. A passionate advocate for mentorship and nurse practitioner leadership, she supports programs like the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program and has spoken nationally on issues ranging from workforce development to federal advisory service.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing NPs in the delivery of health care over the next decade? How should AANP address this issue to support NPs and the populations they serve?
As health care faces budget cuts, changing payment models, and expanding AI use, NPs must continue to advocate for their essential role in delivering patient-centered care. AANP should lead efforts to achieve full practice authority, ensure fair reimbursement, and include NPs in AI-driven models to prevent exclusion. In a time of rural hospital closures and political shifts, highlighting the patient impact of NP care is vital. Research consistently shows that NPs improve outcomes, increase access, and enhance patient satisfaction. By investing in evidence that reflects these results, AANP can prove that NP-led care is both high-value and indispensable.
Describe, in detail, leadership and other professional skills that you will bring to AANP and provide at least one initiative or outcome that occurred because of these skills.
I bring strategic planning, systems thinking, team building, and leadership skills shaped by my service as a U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer. These strengths have supported my work with AANP, including partnering with state liaisons across Region 3 securing NP Week proclamations and boost visibility for our profession. I ve proudly represented AANP as a speaker at both regional and national meetings to amplify our mission and engage members. As a member of Congressman Beyer s Medicaid workgroup, I contributed to discussions on proposed coverage cuts. These experiences reflect my commitment to collaboration, advocacy, and advancing the NP role in health care.
Identify one major challenge that could impact your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position you are seeking. How do you plan to manage this challenge to be successful?
Balancing AANP responsibilities with clinical work and personal life can be challenging, but I ve learned that with intention and structure, it s absolutely manageable. I plan to set aside protected time each week for AANP work, communicate clearly with my clinic and family about commitments, and check in with myself regularly to stay on track. I ve found that setting boundaries and being flexible when needed helps me show up fully in every role I hold. With thoughtful planning and a strong sense of purpose, I m confident I can serve AANP effectively while maintaining a healthy balance in my life.
AANP’s mission is to empower all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. If elected, how do you propose to advance AANP's mission and strategic plan?
I ll advance AANP s mission through three connected priorities: developing future leaders, strengthening advocacy, and growing our membership. I plan to expand leadership opportunities like mentoring and the Loretta Ford Visionary Leadership Program to prepare diverse NPs for roles in policy, advocacy, and governance. These leaders will fuel our advocacy efforts, promoting full practice authority, equitable reimbursement, and expanded telehealth. We ll highlight these wins to engage current members and attract new ones by demonstrating real-world impact. Through inclusive outreach and hands-on programming, I hope to build a cycle where empowered NPs drive meaningful change and that change makes AANP indispensable to our profession.