Recording Secretary Candidate
Campaign Message
Utilizing my leadership expertise, if elected as Recording Secretary, I will continue to work towards advancing the NP role allowing ALL NPs to practice to the full extent of their education and training giving every patient throughout the US full and unrestricted access to NP services. Over the last 25 years I have been active in promoting NP practice and recognition through my positions on multiple boards and leadership roles allowing the NP voice to be heard and considered. Having functioned as acting AANP Recording Secretary on several occasions I understand the importance of maintaining factual representation of the board of directors meeting though detailed minutes. I will remain committed to facing challenges head-on developing creative strategies and solutions using my leadership and communication strengths. I will work tirelessly to continue to represent your concerns to the BOD and deploy my skills to continue advancing the professional practice of NPs.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Doreen Cassarino is an FNP from Naples, Florida providing primary and specialty diabetes care. She is actively involved in legislative activities at local, state and national levels. While serving as Florida Nurse Practitioner Network President and VP she developed and directed the strategies that propelled NP legislation to historic success. She served as AANP Region 11 Director, AANP Florida Representative, the President and Legislative VP for the NP Council of Collier County, and co-chair of the Florida Coalition of APNs. Dr. Cassarino was appointed by the Governor to the Florida Center for Nursing Board serving as Chair. In 2016, because of the passage of controlled substance prescribing for NPs, Dr. Cassarino was appointed by the Florida BON to Chair the legislatively mandated Formulary Committee and under her leadership successfully preserved NP practice. She has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades including AANP Florida Advocacy Award. She was inducted as a Fellow of AANP in 2015. On January 14, 2020 she was honored to be the first NP in the state of Florida to be the NP of the Day providing care for capital legislators, staff and visitors.
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 rapid growth of the NP role resulting in educational program changes is the biggest challenge with increasing pressure from inside and outside of the NP community regarding the ability of new NPs to provide safe patient care when entering the workforce. A strategic plan should be developed and could include: targeted media strategy to educate the public regarding the quality, safe and effective care that NPs provide; educate NPs on how their words matter with focus on social media posts; work with nursing faculty leadership to rework advertisement minimizing perception of decreased rigor in completing certain educational program types.
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.
As a graduate of the inaugural AANP Leadership Program and recipient of the AANP Introductory Leadership Certificate coupled with my vast leadership experience at local, state, and national levels I have built the skills that have served me well in my leadership roles most importantly is coalition and team building. Utilizing my leadership skills, I worked to build an effective team of leaders resulting in the historic passage of Florida controlled substance legislation. More recently this coalition successfully passed further legislation that enhanced access to NP provided care, significantly removed additional care barriers and preserved NP practice.
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?
A challenge that could impact my ability to fulfill the responsibilities of Recording Secretar is time and competing personal and professional responsibilities; a common concern that all leaders must face and overcome to be successful in their role. I have been able to demonstrate effective family, work and other professional responsibility balance through three terms as Region 11 Director and am confident that I would be able to continue to do so if elected to serve as Recording Secretary.
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?
As a proven leader, I will continue to be dedicated to the AANP mission to empower all NPs to advance quality health care through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership. NPs must be able to practice to the full extent of their education and I will continue to achieve this goal by working with the other board members, AANP staff and volunteers to develop and implement the AANP Strategic Plan and strategic initiatives. I am committed to the mission of AANP and will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving the association goals while working for the needs of the membership.