Autherine Abiri, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, is an Assistant Professor, Clinical Track, at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her Master of Science in Nursing from Graceland University, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.

Dr. Abiri has developed continuing education modules focused on social determinants of health (SDOH) and actively contributes to national conversations on the topic. She serves as a member of the Determinants of Health Special Interest Group for the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, where she collaborates with other thought leaders to integrate SDOH into advanced practice nursing education.

She is also an engaged member of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners and has served on various committees, including the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Internationally recognized for her expertise in incorporating SDOH into nursing curricula, Dr. Abiri has published and presented her innovative work at both national and international forums.

Alexandra Armstrong, MSN, CPNP-AC, is an acute care certified pediatric nurse practitioner with extensive experience in advanced practice nursing and pediatric nursing. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Spanish from Wofford College and her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. She is both a Didactic and Clinical Instructor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing in the acute care pediatric nurse practitioner track and serves as a coordinator for the track.

Ms. Armstrong has extensive experience practicing as a pediatric nurse practitioner in pediatric endocrinology at Children’s of Alabama. She has publications and presentations at local, state, and national levels with topics surrounding pediatric nursing, the pediatric nurse practitioner workforce, endocrinopathies, diabetes technology, child maltreatment, and foster care.

Ms. Armstrong holds leadership positions in state and national nursing organizations. She received the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ Child Maltreatment and Neglect SIG Award.

Dr. Thomas W. Barkley, Jr. has been instrumental in providing national and international nurse practitioner continuing education. He is the President of Barkley & Associates, Inc. and Professor Emeritus of the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing at California State University, Los Angeles. During his 26 years in academe, Dr. Barkley held numerous leadership positions: Coordinator of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, Director of Nurse Practitioner Programs, Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, and Director of Graduate Programs.

Dr. Barkley received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alabama, a Master’s degree in Critical Care Nursing from the University of Virginia, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree with a specialty in nursing education and nursing education administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his post-Master’s certificate dual preparation as an adult primary and acute care nurse practitioner from the University of South Alabama.

Dr. Barkley has published over 100 refereed works related to acute care nursing practice, nursing education, and multicultural HIV/AIDS prevention, including articles and book chapters. He is the primary editor of Practice Considerations for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (3rd ed.), and the editor of three additional nurse practitioner specialty texts.

In 2002, he established Barkley & Associates, Inc., which provides the nation’s foremost continuing education expertise for family, adult-gerontology primary care, pediatric, adult-gerontology acute care, psychiatric/mental health, women’s health, and emergency nurse practitioners. As a dynamic and engaging speaker, he has provided hundreds of continuing education courses in the United States and abroad to thousands of nurse practitioners since 1998.

Over the years, Dr. Barkley has received numerous honors. In 2011, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and in 2019, he was inducted into the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame. In 2021, Dr. Barkley was named a University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Visionary Leader recipient. In 2024, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Lawrence Carey, PharmD, serves as the Assistant Dean of Accreditation, Assessment, and Quality within the Department of Pharmacy Practice at Temple University School of Pharmacy, where he completed his doctoral studies. He maintains a clinical practice with fourth-year internal medicine students at Temple University Hospital.

Dr. Carey has practiced extensively in the areas of critical care, nutrition support, and home infusion therapy. He has received Teacher of the Year awards five times at three different institutions, and he received the Temple University Faculty Senate Service Award in 2020.

Daniel Crawford, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, is the Director of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care program and an Associate Professor (clinical) at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from The University of Iowa.

Dr. Crawford currently practices at Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. He has spent his entire clinical practice career working in pediatric neurology and is dedicated to the improvement of quality care in the field. He has a specific clinical interest in caring for children with epilepsy.

Dr. Crawford’s scholarly interests include leveraging the DNP role for social change and health equity in addition to improving advanced practice nurse education. He has held leadership positions in multiple professional organizations at the state and national level. He has published on a variety of topics and has presented nationally and internationally on pediatric neurology and advanced practice nurse education.

Barb Dehn, MSN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, MSCP, is a practicing women’s health nurse practitioner and a television health expert who is known to millions as Nurse Barb on NBC’s California Live. An in-demand speaker on all aspects of women’s health care at national and regional conferences, she worked as a lecturer at Stanford University and an Assistant Clinical Professor at San Jose State University’s Nurse Practitioner Program.

Nurse Barb is an award-winning author and the founder of Blue Orchid Press, which produces a series of medical guides to women’s health that are used by over 7 million women in the United States. In her role as a Board Member of FAME Hospital in Karatu, Tanzania, she developed a Global Health Fellowship program to further the goal of providing sustainable patient-centered care to the Tanzanian population.

Elizabeth DeSantis, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC, is a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner, lead advanced practice clinician, and adjunct professor at Rutgers University. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Professor DeSantis is dedicated to transforming the advanced practice clinician (APC) role to align with regional, state, and national standards. She serves as a liaison between APC and senior leadership and medical group boards, advocating for the advancement and support of APCs while fostering collaboration and innovation in practice.

As an adjunct professor in the dual primary/acute care pediatric nurse practitioner program at Rutgers University, she equips pediatric nurse practitioners with the knowledge and resources needed to care for patients with complex health conditions.

Professor DeSantis is a recognized advocate for individuals affected by arthritis and has been named the Honoree of the Year by the Arthritis Foundation, reflecting her commitment to improving the lives of those impacted by the condition.

Kimberly DiMaria, DNP, CPNP-AC, CCRN, is the Director of Quality & Safety in the Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. She maintains her clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in the cardiac intensive care unit and leads resuscitation improvement efforts across the University of Michigan health system. She obtained her Master of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. DiMaria has published and lectured extensively on a variety of pediatric critical care topics. Her research interests include quality improvement, but she is most passionate about resuscitation science, neurodevelopmental outcomes, sedation optimization, reduction of preventable harm, and advancing outcomes for patients with congenital and acquired heart disease.

Lucie Dlugasch is a Clinical Associate Professor and Adult-Gerontology Program Leader in the graduate nursing program at Florida International University. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing from Florida State University. She obtained a Master of Science in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care, a Post Masters Certificate in Adult Health Nursing, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science from the University of Miami.

Dr. Dlugasch’s specialty is Adult-Gerontology healthcare. She teaches basic and advanced nursing courses and mentors undergraduate and graduate students in various clinical settings. Dr. Dlugasch received a grant from the Avon Foundation to provide low-income women with free breast health services such as mammograms, and she was the director of a multi-year grant to provide community support, education, and care for low income, high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes. She currently coordinates and participates in healthcare mission trips with students at Florida International University to provide free healthcare to vulnerable adults in various countries (Belize, Peru, Dominican Republic, among others).

In addition to teaching full-time, Dr. Dlugasch practices in a primary care office in South Miami, delivering care to adults.

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Espinoza, DNP, CPNP-AC, is the president of the Oregon chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, interim program director for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and holds a clinical appointment as a PNP in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. She also works clinically as a PNP in the PICU at Randall Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Espinoza earned a bachelor’s degree in music from St. Olaf College, a master’s degree in music therapy from the University of Iowa, and an entry level master’s degree in nursing from DePaul University. She received a post-graduate certificate as a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University. Following her doctorate, she accepted a faculty position as the acute lead in the PNP program at OHSU in Portland.

Dr. Espinoza has several published articles on pediatric topics and has served as a textbook editor for various publications related to pediatrics and pediatric critical care.

Lisa Evans, DNP, ACNP-BC, serves as the lead practitioner in the critical care unit at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA. She began her career as an acute care nurse practitioner with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside. She then went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). Dr. Evans has worked in cardiothoracic surgery and interventional cardiology; she currently specializes in critical care and trauma.

Dr. Evans was instrumental in developing an innovative practice model utilizing an acute care nurse practitioner as the lead for multi-disciplinary rounds in a critical care setting. Her doctoral project focused on the development of this role and the impact on patient clinical outcomes and hospital length of stay. After graduation, she worked as an adjunct faculty member at CSULA and as the AGACNP Program Director for California State University, Long Beach.

Dr. Evans also practices at Providence Mission Hospital with the Acute Trauma Surgery Team.

Meghan Faulkner, MSN, CPNP-AC, is a pediatric acute care certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in advanced practice nursing and pediatric nursing in various surgical and critical care settings, both in the United States and the United Kingdom. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The College of New Jersey and Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Clinical Instructor at the Rutgers School of Nursing Dual Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program and serves as acute care track coordinator, having built the curriculum from the ground up.

Ms. Faulkner has dedicated most of her clinical practice to children with congenital heart disease and acute surgical conditions, with a focus on bedside education for nurses to improve quality outcomes for children undergoing surgical interventions. Her publications and presentations include both local and national conference circuits with topics surrounding acute surgical conditions and novel technologies for children with heart disease. Her research is centered on utilizing simulation modalities in advanced practice nursing curriculums to improve entry-to-practice readiness.

Ms. Faulkner is the New Jersey National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners chapter president and has focused her efforts on vaccine equity and care of migrant children. She brings both a diverse clinical repertoire to the Barkley & Associates Live Webinars as well as a passion for education with dynamic teaching skills that keep students engaged in the virtual arena. Ms. Faulkner is the course coordinator for the Barkley & Associates Pediatric Acute Care Certification Review/Clinical Update Course.

Robert Fellin, PharmD, BCPS, is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California School of Pharmacy and the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy, as well as an assistant clinical professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Pharmacy.

In his primary position, he is a clinical pharmacist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Fellin has a special focus in internal medicine and critical care. Dr. Fellin is BCPS (Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist) and BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certified and holds state certification in both California and Pennsylvania.

Dr. Fellin received his bachelor of science degree in Pharmacy and doctor of science degree in Pharmacy from Temple University School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his residency at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. Along with his teaching and clinical practice, he is the pharmacology editor of the third edition of Practice Considerations for Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioners.

Dr. Fellin has presented numerous lectures for advanced pharmacology, pharmacy practice residency, and clinical clerkship courses. He is highly valued for his clinical expertise and experience as a pharmacist and as a teacher.

Kelli Garber, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the DNP Advanced Practice Program at the Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Science in Advanced Practice Pediatric Nursing from the University of Maryland, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University.

Dr. Garber is an experienced pediatric primary care nurse practitioner who has worked in private practice, school-based health, and telehealth settings.

Dr. Garber is a published author and an accomplished presenter at the local, state, national, and international levels. Her work focuses on telehealth and advanced practice nursing, integration of telehealth into graduate nursing programs, telehealth policy, and school-based telehealth. Dr. Garber serves in leadership positions in statewide and national professional organizations.

Juan M. Gonzalez, DNP, PhD, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, ENP-C, CEN, CNE, FAANP, is an Associate Professor of Clinical at the University of Miami School of Nursing and the Director of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. Dr. Gonzalez earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Miami Dade College and completed his ADN-to-BSN degree at Barry University. He went on to obtain his MSN and DNP degrees at Barry University, focusing on adult-gerontology acute care, and completed his Post-Master’s Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Miami. He later earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Barry University. Dr. Gonzalez’s career began in the emergency department at South Miami Hospital, where he worked as an RN before becoming an advanced practice acute care nurse. He began teaching at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies as a lecturer, advancing to Associate Professor of Clinical, and is now the current Director of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program.

Dr. Gonzalez earned the Teacher of the Year Award three times, as well as the Clinical Faculty Teaching Excellence Award and the Clinical Faculty Excellence Award. He has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to health promotion and disease prevention, emergency department practices, point of care ultrasound, and cardiovascular resuscitation both inside and outside the hospital setting. Additionally, Dr. Gonzalez has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.

Dr. Jennifer Graff, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, is a Clinical Instructor at Emory University Nell Hodgson School of Nursing, mentoring and preparing future nursing professionals. Simultaneously, she works as an emergency nurse practitioner and hospitalist at Northside Hospital.

Dr. Graff earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Georgia, followed by her Master of Science in Nursing with emergency and family nurse practitioner specialties at Emory University. She later completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of North Georgia, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and excellence in nursing practice.

Nationally certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as a family and emergency nurse practitioner, Dr. Graff is recognized for her expertise in delivering high-quality patient care and her contributions to healthcare education and clinical practice.

Meagan Guise began her career as an associate degree-prepared registered nurse. While working in a Level I trauma intensive care unit, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lander University. She then completed a graduate program of study at Francis Marion University, obtaining a master’s in nursing education. Cognizant of the critical need for primary care providers, Professor Guise later obtained a post-master’s certificate specializing in adult and geriatric primary care (AGNP) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Professor Guise currently practices full-time as an AGNP and maintains an adjunct appointment at the University of Michigan.

Professor Guise has a passion for nurse practitioner (NP) education and advocates for the removal of barriers to NP practice. She has consulted with distinguished Saudi Arabian nursing faculty assisting with curriculum and course design for the inaugural Saudi nurse practitioner program. In addition, Professor Guise has worked on a team in conjunction with an academic practice partner to design a multi-state post-graduate primary care NP fellowship that supports new NPs during their transition to practice. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing degree at Rush University College of Nursing.

Stacia M. Hays is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner with 2 decades of experience in pediatric primary and chronic care, including specialized experience in pulmonology, gastroenterology, and liver transplantation.

Dr. Hays received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida, her Master of Science Nursing from the University of Texas, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Graduate Certificate in Public Health from the University of Florida. At the University of Florida College of Nursing, she was the DNP Program Director and coordinator of the Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner tracks. She is a Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the Graduate Program at Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing.

Dr. Hays was a member of the National Task Force for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education which is dedicated to establishing and upkeeping high-quality nurse practitioner education through standards and criteria revisions. She is also a member of the LACE (Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education) Network, working towards a national regulatory model for APRNs to practice to their full scope of licensure and education. She has published and presented at the state, national, and international levels on subjects related to leadership, pediatric healthcare, advanced practice nursing, and human trafficking. She is a staunch advocate for nurse practitioner practice and initiated the development of the role of the advanced practice nurse in South America.

Dr. Hays has served in several elected leadership positions at the national and state level for prestigious organizations, including as the Treasurer of NAPNAP. She is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for her impact on children and the nurse practitioner role. She is a distinguished fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Mindy Johnson is board certified as a Family, Adult Gerontology Acute Care, and Emergency Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Emergency Nurse Practitioner program at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She has a passion for teaching, having begun her career with a degree in Secondary Education – Biological Sciences from Pennsylvania State University.

She currently practices at the Vanderbilt Walk in Clinics and prior to this worked as a nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Her nursing background includes emergency medicine, as well as adult and pediatric intensive care.

She currently serves as the Tennessee State Representative for the American Association of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP) and is actively involved in a number of professional organizations. In her free time, she enjoys visiting National Parks and spending time outdoors hiking, running, and biking with her husband and two children.

Sara Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science degree, and completed post-graduate studies for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) certification from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR.

Dr. Jones is an Associate Professor at McNeese State University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, in Lake Charles, LA. She works as an educator of students who are preparing for a career as a PMHNP and are in Masters, post-Masters, or Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

Dr. Jones is an experienced nursing researcher. Her recent study focuses on trauma-related mental health issues incurred by on-duty first responders. This work has received national attention in both mental-health and first responder arenas.

Dr. Jones is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Moreover, she owns and practices at Journey Wellness Clinic, PLLC, in North Little Rock, AR. At this private practice, she provides medication management and therapy for individuals across the lifespan, with a particular passion for helping individuals who have felt their concerns go unnoticed or who have been subject to overmedication. Her area of expertise lies with patients who have ADHD and anxiety, as well as those who have experienced trauma.

Melissa Kalensky, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CNE, teaches in the FNP-DNP program at Rush University, focusing coursework on health policy, mental health, clinical quality improvement, as well as precepting nurse practitioner students in her private practice. Dr. Kalensky is dual-boarded as a family nurse practitioner and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League of Nursing. She has a broad base of clinical experience, including family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine. Her current clinical practice includes providing outpatient care for pediatric, adolescent, and adult psychiatry patients in Chicago.