Region Director Candidate
Campaign Message
It has been an honor to serve as the AANP Arkansas State Liaison. As a candidate for Region 6 Director, I am dedicated to expanding my efforts to support nurse practitioners throughout our Region. I look forward to collaborating with State Liaisons to ensure strong representation across all states. I will continue to advance NP practice through education, advocacy, research, and leadership. By fostering strong partnerships with key stakeholders, I will ensure that nurse practitioners are actively engaged in shaping the future of our profession. I am passionate about amplifying the NP voice from clinical settings to the Capitol ensuring we are represented in critical conversations. My proven leadership, commitment to service, and strong advocacy background makes me a strong candidate for AANP Region Director. Please cast your vote for me as your next Region 6 Director.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Julia Ponder is a nurse practitioner (NP) leader with over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in critical care, emergency department, and healthcare leadership. She is committed to advancing the NP profession through education, advocacy, research, and leadership. As past AANP Arkansas State Liaison and past President of the Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA), she spearheaded efforts in communication, advocacy, membership growth, and professional development. She engages with legislators and key stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels to promote the NP role and expand healthcare access. A dedicated AANP member since she was a student NP, Dr. Ponder volunteers at the National Conference and has served on national committees. Her wealth of experience, including ANPA s Annual Conference Chair, service on the AANP Health Policy Conference Committee, and numerous other leadership roles demonstrates her ability to advance NP education, advocacy, research, and foster collaboration. She is passionate about teamwork, amplifying NP voices, and dedicated to representing and supporting NPs across diverse practice settings.
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?
The biggest issue facing nurse practitioners (NPs) in the delivery of healthcare over the next decade is multifaceted from local to state and federal health policy obstacles. Despite more states moving to full practice authority, healthcare systems and insurance companies remain barriers. There are even more barriers from payment parity to safety at work. AANP must continue to be THE Voice and leader for federal health policy that puts the patient at the forefront ensuring patient access to quality healthcare from any willing provider including highly educated and trained NPs.
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.
Leadership and professional skills that I bring to AANP are inspiring and empowering colleagues through encouraging professional development and supporting innovation. Effective communication is essential and mentorship strengthens the profession. I develop meaningful relationships, including state and national legislators, that allow me to have meaningful conversations. One outcome demonstrating these skills is my appointment to Arkansas s Full Independent Practice Credentialing Committee. Relationships with legislative and NP leaders helped procure my appointment to the inaugural committee that developed rules and ensured a close relationship with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
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?
AANP Region 6 Director is my priority. I do not foresee any major challenges that could impact my ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. During my tenure as Arkansas State Liaison, I engaged with my Region Directors, AANP Leadership, and AANP staff to learn about AANP's mission, vision, and values. I align with these values and look forward to the opportunity to share my talents to help continue the momentum of AANP leadership before me.
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 am a strong advocate at the state and federal level for NP Practice. I share AANP's belief that all individuals deserve high-quality, equitable healthcare close to home. My career is a testament to my desire to ensure diverse populations receive this care. If elected, I propose AANP continue building partnerships and identify additional opportunities with state and national corporations that share the common mission of AANP. The addition of strong State stakeholders can help expand Full Practice Authority to all 50 US states. Together, we are stronger.