Region Director Candidate
Campaign Message
Michelle Anderson is running for Region 10 Director to represent nurse practitioners (NPs) and further decrease practice barriers. Experience in policy, education and both rural, urban, and veteran health clinical settings provides the skills to represent the region s interests. She has been an independent NP practice owner so is aware of the unique barriers and issues that can arise with practice. If elected, the priorities will be to further decrease practice barriers, work with NPs in each state in the region to ensure adequate resources, and build a stronger, inclusive NP community within the Pacific Northwest. Leadership skills will be used to advocate for needs on the AANP Board, encouraging policies that support high-quality, patient-centered care. Michelle is committed to engaging with all members to ensure multiple perspectives are heard and represented.
Bio Sketch
Michelle Anderson is a Clinical Associate Professor at Idaho State University in the School of Nursing Graduate program. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner for 24 years and is the Medical Director for ISU Meridian HealthCare, managing both business and patient needs. She has owned and operated her own independent NP practice in a rural setting before entering education. Dr. Anderson has received professional awards for her service through recognition in her community as a top healthcare provider, state recognition with a preceptor of the year award, and national recognition through the American Association for Nurse Practitioners (AANP) for Clinical Excellence in 2013 and Advocacy in 2018 and was awarded Fellowship through AANP in 2019. She received a Governor appointment to the Idaho State Board of Nursing in 2023 and was the Idaho State Liaison for the past 4 years. She received the Health Policy Award in 2023 and Rising Star Award in 2024 from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. She is a national NP residency site accreditor for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Dr. Anderson resides in Meridian, Idaho and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and staying active in the community.
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 challenge facing NPs over the next decade is navigating and overcoming remaining practice barriers. We are also being challenged by increased patient demand, long hours and burnout, and technological integration into practice and education. As a region with full practice authority, I would use our successes to help decrease barriers in other regions, while continuing to remain engaged in barriers to practice in Region 10. I will be looking for ways where we can work together to meet patient demand, decrease burnout, and more seamlessly utilize technology at a state, region and national level.
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 was fortunate to undergo a one-year training program in Servant Leadership through AANP in 2016. I have been able to utilize the skills acquired in many leadership positions. I was the first NP to be placed on a local county Hospital Board of Directors and advocated for the use of NPs in the Urgent Care. I have had two Governor appointed positions, the first to the State Healthcare Coalition and the second to the State Board of Nursing where I am able to utilize my strategic thinking and relationship-building experience to navigate state policy and nursing regulation.
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?
I have the privilege of working in an educational institution that is supportive of service endeavors that allow for positive practice and professional change. Time management is key to any leadership position and with the strong support from my family, friend and colleagues, I feel that there shouldn t be anything that would impact my ability to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
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 will be representing a region that has full practice authority in all the states. Parity in compensation and reimbursement continues to remain a barrier to practice, especially independent practice. I would propose to work with each state, understand the stakeholders involved and work on increasing positive support and policy for NP parity. This would involve educating NPs within the region on the importance of understanding reimbursement and billing. This policy work will help increase access to high-quality care for patients. Additionally, working on increasing NP leaders within Region 10 would further help to improve political and organizational competence.