State Liaison Candidate
Campaign Message
I am Arley Long, MSN, FNP, WHNP, CNLCP. Access, autonomy, and accountability define my vision as AANP State Liaison. I will leverage over 25 years of experience in women s health, family practice, and quality leadership to support NPs across diverse settings, including FQHCs, private practices, schools, and telehealth. Priorities: 1) expand full practice authority, remove barriers; 2) strengthen telehealth, reimbursement, and equitable pay; 3) grow a high-value CE and mentorship pipeline for early-career and island/rural clinicians; 4) build partnerships with legislators, payers, and community leaders grounded in data and patient outcomes. As former Chair/President of the NMI Board of Nursing, I led by listening, convening stakeholders, and turning frontline realities into policy. If elected, I will be a relentless, solutions-oriented advocate who unites NPs, elevates our profession, and improves access for the patients and communities who need us most.
Bio Sketch
Aurelia Gutierrez Long, MSN, FNP, WHNP, CNLCP, is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical, leadership, and advocacy experience. She currently serves as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Women s Health Nurse Practitioner, advancing access to high-quality care in underserved communities. Aurelia served 14 years as a Chairwoman/Vice Chairwoman and President of the Northern Mariana Islands Board of Nursing, where she led nurse practitioner autonomy and strengthened policies that continue to benefit the profession. She has also led quality initiatives in federally qualified health centers as Director of Quality, ensuring excellence in patient outcomes. Her leadership extends beyond healthcare. Aurelia founded Tinian Premier Football Club, promoting wellness, sportsmanship, and citizenship among youth. She has also founded Tinian Pickleball in 2024 to improve community health and camaraderie. She has been honored with the AANP State Excellence Award, Women s Role Model of the Year, Women in the Field of Medicine Award, and a Senate resolution recognizing her service. Aurelia brings passion, experience, and a strong voice for NPs to the AANP State Liaison role.
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 greatest challenge for NPs in the next decade will be meeting rising healthcare demands between workforce shortages, which may increase burnout, health inequities, and rapid technology integration. In Region 9's diverse landscapes, from urban centers to remote Pacific islands, NPs must deliver culturally competent, tech-enabled care without widening disparities. AANP should lead by advancing legislative reforms, ensuring reimbursement parity, promoting culturally informed education, and advocating for equitable access to telehealth across state lines with one license and AI tools. By empowering NPs as innovators and community bridge-builders, AANP can ensure care remains accessible, equitable, and patient-centered for all populations.
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 over 25 years of clinical, leadership, and advocacy experience, uniting diverse stakeholders to advance nursing and patient care. As an FNP, WHNP, and organizational leader, I excel in strategic planning, legislative engagement, and culturally competent program development. My collaborative approach fosters innovation and measurable outcomes. For example, I led the Victorious NMI NP autonomy Bill. Approval of the Nursing assistant curriculum, and proctored the 1st NA graduates, bridging workforce gaps and improving access to care. This initiative empowered residents with employable skills while enhancing clinic capacity, demonstrating my ability to deliver sustainable, community-centered solutions aligned with AANP s.
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 balance the extensive travel time to attend the State Liaison events with my ongoing clinical and community leadership responsibilities. Our extreme time zone difference can also be a challenge, and the cost of airfare to reach other US Pacific Territories, such as Guam and American Samoa, which I may address virtually, requires face-to-face meetings. My current FQHC organization is supportive and understands the value and importance, which benefits our regional priorities. By integrating time management with proactive planning, I can fully meet AANP obligations while continuing to serve my patients and community 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 amplifying the voices of NPs in the Pacific Territories, including the Northern Mariana Islands, through targeted advocacy for telehealth expansion, broadband access, and reimbursement parity, critical for our remote, underserved communities. I will foster regional collaboration by connecting NPs with AANP educational resources, virtual leadership forums, culturally relevant continuing education, and AANP membership. Partnering with local agencies and community leaders, I will promote the NP role through proclamations and event attendance. By leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and culturally informed outreach, I will ensure AANP s mission is advanced despite geographic and resource limitations.