State Liaison Candidate
Campaign Message
I am dedicated to supporting nurse practitioners by fostering teamwork, collaboration, and innovation across our profession. Through my work as a primary care and urgent care float NP, public health initiatives, and policy leadership, I have seen how strong interprofessional partnerships improve patient care and strengthen our profession. I have co-led programs providing life-saving skills training for families supporting loved ones with emotional dysregulation and suicidal ideation, and helped organize conferences that empower nurses in policy and leadership. As an active member of my community s Age-Friendly Network, I value collaboration and shared purpose. My goal is to protect and amplify the voice of NPs, ensuring we have the leadership, resources, and opportunities to thrive, advance patient-centered care, and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Kate Wukasch Kollman, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, is a nurse practitioner, educator, and health policy advocate from Indiana. She works as a primary care float NP across the West Central region of Indiana, providing care to diverse patient populations. Her clinical expertise includes prevention, detection, and treatment of lifestyle and food-related disorders, communicable diseases, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Kollman has held elected board positions in several nursing organizations and led initiatives in public health, policy, and interprofessional collaboration, including serving as a founding organizer and chair of Indiana University School of Nursing s Health Policy Conference. She is an active member of her community s interprofessional Age-Friendly Network. For three years, she has co-led programs offering life-saving education and skills training for families supporting loved ones with emotional dysregulation and suicidal ideation. Her accolades include serving as the inaugural AARP-IU School of Nursing Legislative Fellow and receiving the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion. She also led an author-attended American Public Health Association national book group. Passionate about collaboration, innovation, and equity, Dr. Kollman mentors future nurses, strengthens interprofessional partnerships, and advances patient-centered, community-focused care while promoting nursing leadership and public health initiatives.
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?
Nurse practitioners in Indiana face challenges from health systems that prioritize expansion and public image over meaningful, patient-centered care. Despite their expertise, NPs are often excluded from leadership and decision-making, limiting their ability to improve outcomes and address complex healthcare needs. AANP can address these challenges by advocating for full practice authority in Indiana, expanding NP leadership opportunities, protecting public understanding of our role, and promoting reforms that ensure NPs have a voice in healthcare governance and policy. Greater NP engagement fosters interprofessional partnerships, building more sustainable, team-oriented health systems.
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 an AANP State Liaison, I will serve as a collaborative organizer, utilizing my skills in communicating science, networking, and state-wide advocacy to advance the interests of members and the organization. I ve served on the founding team and as a chair of Indiana University School of Nursing s Policy Academy, recently led a national American Public Health Association author-attended book group, ushered my city to become an official AARP Age-Friendly Community, and was a founding board member of a local women s sports league. I m a proactive team player who helps turn ideas into progress and success.
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?
We face an environment where attention is at a premium, competing with AI algorithms and social media distractions. As an AANP State Liaison, a major challenge is connecting with NPs across the region who have different schedules, experiences, and priorities. I plan to address this by being proactive, adaptable, and attentive, using strong communication, networking, and team-building skills. I will also foster innovative approaches to engage members and help to create meaningful opportunities that advance AANP s mission.
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 hope to support AANP s mission by staying mindful of the PEARL framework. I aim to connect with NPs to share insights regarding our Practice, strengthen Education and Leadership, and stay engaged with Advocacy and Research efforts. I will foster spaces where innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives are valued, keeping our practice of providing patient-centered, equitable care at the center. My focus will be on listening, learning, and contributing thoughtfully to advance AANP s goals for NPs and the communities we serve.