State Liaison Candidate
Campaign Message
I am honored to stand for election to advance the mission of AANP and the power of nurse practitioners. As past president of the International Transplant Nurses Society, Visiting Scholar across global institutions, and FAANP inductee, I have dedicated my career to translating evidence into action shaping global standards, integrating genomics into practice, and mentoring future NP leaders. If elected, I will champion full practice authority, expand NP impact in research and policy, and strengthen partnerships to improve access and equity. Together, we will honor our legacy and lead the future of health care for all communities.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Maria Molina is an internationally recognized nurse practitioner, educator, and leader with more than 15 years of advanced practice experience in cardiothoracic transplantation, critical care, and genomics. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of Informatics for Evidence-Based Practice at the City University of New York and Senior Advanced Practice Provider at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. A dedicated advocate for evidence-based practice and health equity, Dr. Molina has presented in over 20 countries and authored more than 150 abstracts, publications, and book chapters, including contributions to Terasaki: Transplant Immunology and Contemporary Heart Transplantation. She is the past president of the International Transplant Nurses Society (2023 2024), where she advanced global nursing standards and strengthened international collaboration. Her leadership has been recognized through numerous awards, including the ITNS Transplant Nursing Excellence Award, the AANP State Award for Clinical Excellence, the Rutgers University Distinguished Alumni Award, and induction as a 2025 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). Dr. Molina holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in genome implementation science from Rutgers University and a postdoctoral certification in genomics from Harvard Medical School. Her career embodies a commitment to advancing nursing leadership, advocacy, and person-centered, equitable health care worldwide.
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?
A rapidly aging population, combined with ongoing workforce shortages, will place increasing pressure on nurse practitioners, particularly in rural and underserved communities. NPs are already essential providers of geriatric and chronic care, yet outdated scope-of-practice laws and reimbursement barriers prevent them from practicing to the full extent of their training despite evidence showing NP-led care delivers equal or better outcomes. To meet future demand, AANP should champion full practice authority, advocate for reimbursement models that recognize and reward NP-led care, and partner with policymakers to ensure the state s workforce is equipped to serve its growing elder population.
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 implementation champion and past president of the International Transplant Nurses Society, I bring strategic leadership, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making to AANP. I excel in uniting diverse stakeholders, advancing practice through implementation science, and guiding teams through change with clarity and vision. During my ITNS presidency, I led the development and global dissemination of updated transplant nursing standards, strengthening education and improving patient outcomes across multiple countries. This initiative highlighted my ability to translate evidence into practice and foster international collaboration skills I will bring to AANP to advance nurse practitioner practice, policy, and population health.
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?
One potential challenge as state liaison is balancing the time-intensive demands of advocacy with my ongoing clinical, academic, and leadership commitments. Effective representation requires timely engagement with policymakers, stakeholders, and AANP members, which can be difficult amidst competing priorities. To manage this, I will leverage strong organizational skills, strategic time management, and effective delegation. I plan to build a collaborative team within the state, engage in proactive communication, and utilize digital platforms to remain responsive and accessible. By aligning efforts with clear goals, I can ensure sustained advocacy, meaningful partnerships, and successful fulfillment of liaison responsibilities.
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 leveraging my experience as past president of the International Transplant Nurses Society, Visiting Scholar across global institutions, and FAANP inductee. My career demonstrates a sustained commitment to advancing equitable, person-centered care through evidence-based practice, education, and international collaboration. I have led the development and dissemination of global nursing standards, integrated genomics into practice and education, and championed policy initiatives addressing health disparities. Drawing on these accomplishments, I will advocate for full practice authority, expand opportunities for NP leadership in research and implementation science, and strengthen partnerships that improve access for diverse communities.