State Liaison Candidate
Campaign Message
With more than 25 years of experience as a nurse practitioner in adult and pediatric care, research, and education, I bring both clinical expertise and executive leadership to this role. I have served as Chief Advanced Practice Provider Officer, leading hundreds of APPs and advancing workforce strategy, professional development, and advocacy to strengthen the impact of nurse practitioners across diverse settings. As a long-standing AANP member, I am deeply committed to elevating NP visibility and legislative influence throughout Florida. If elected State Liaison, I will champion practice and policy initiatives, expand educational opportunities, and foster collaboration with professional organizations and stakeholders. I will also engage in strong legislative advocacy to protect and expand NP scope of practice. Together, we can ensure nurse practitioners maintain a unified, influential voice that shapes healthcare policy, advances equity, and secures a stronger future for our profession and the patients we serve.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Ivonne Johnson is an experienced nurse practitioner and transformational healthcare leader with more than 25 years of expertise in adult and pediatric care, research, education, and executive leadership. She has served as Chief Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Officer at AdventHealth Medical Group, where she provided strategic oversight for more than 700 NPs, PAs, and CNMs across multiple specialties. In this role, she advanced workforce strategy, provider engagement, and professional development, ensuring APPs could practice to the fullest extent of their licensure. Dr. Johnson earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Central Florida, holds master s and post-graduate certifications from the University of Florida, and is completing an MBA in Healthcare Management. She has served as adjunct faculty at UCF, conducted clinical research as a primary investigator, and presented nationally on evidence-based practice and workforce initiatives. A dedicated member of AANP and other professional organizations, Dr. Johnson is recognized for her leadership in advocacy, education, and policy. Fluent in English and Spanish, she remains committed to advancing the role of nurse practitioners, expanding access to equitable, high-quality care, and shaping the future of healthcare through innovation and collaboration,
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 in the next decade is navigating restrictive scope-of-practice laws and increasing demands for access to care amid workforce shortages. To support NPs and the populations they serve, AANP must lead strong legislative advocacy, expand education and leadership development, and promote public awareness of NP impact. By uniting members around policy change and workforce innovation, AANP can ensure NPs practice to the fullest extent of their education and training, improving access, equity, and outcomes in healthcare.
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 proven leadership in workforce strategy, policy advocacy, and provider engagement, developed through serving as Chief APP Officer for one of the nation s largest medical groups. I excel in building collaborative relationships across disciplines, aligning strategy with outcomes, and advancing professional growth. For example, I led the creation of an APP leadership council that standardized onboarding, credentialing, and mentorship, resulting in improved retention and engagement scores. These skills strategic vision, collaboration, and advocacy will allow me to advance AANP s mission, strengthen NP visibility, and ensure our collective voice shapes the future of healthcare.
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 could be ensuring consistent engagement with NPs statewide, given the diversity of practice settings and geographic spread in Florida. To manage this, I will use virtual platforms, regional meetings, and proactive communication to stay connected and accessible. By fostering open dialogue, building strong networks with NP leaders, and encouraging grassroots involvement, I can ensure that diverse perspectives are heard and represented. My collaborative leadership style and commitment to inclusion will help me successfully bridge gaps, strengthen statewide connections, and fulfill the responsibilities of State Liaison effectively.
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?
If elected, I will advance AANP s mission by championing full practice authority, supporting licensure modernization, and advocating for signature recognition to streamline care. I will promote NP visibility, strengthen public awareness of our impact, and foster collaboration to reduce health disparities. By engaging in legislative advocacy, mentoring NP students, and supporting professional development, I will help ensure NPs are empowered to practice to the fullest extent of their training. Aligned with AANP s P.E.A.R.L. framework, I am committed to advancing practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership for NPs and the communities we serve.