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.