Dr. Deborah Gray, FNP-C, ANP-BC, FAAANP AANP Virginia State Representative
As your AANP Virginia Representative, I am happy to announce the winners of the two prestigious 2021 AANP State Awards for Virginia, Dr. Shelly Smith, APRN-BC for Excellence in NP Practice and Dr. Carolyn Rutledge, FNP-BC for Excellence in Advocacy. These award winners have many outstanding accomplishments and were selected from an impressive pool of nominees.
Dr. Smith is being recognized for NP Practice Excellence as a leader of initiatives to improve health outcomes for citizens of Virginia including the Virginia COVID19 Response Task Force, as well as serving as an exceptional NP role model and mentor to students and colleagues.
Dr. Rutledge is being recognized for NP Advocacy Excellence as a nationally recognized NP and DNP educator and policy advocate, championing and empowering NPs as leaders and the innovators and drivers in telehealth policy and care delivery.
These award winners will be honored at the AANP National Conference in June 2021.
Please join me in congratulating them, as these awards are well deserved!
VCNP’s president-elect Olivia Newby shares her thoughts about Anthem’s decision to reduce reimbursement rates for NPs and PAs in this Virginian-Pilot letter to the editor. https://tinyurl.com/y6sn9sfr
VCNP President Becky Compton shares her thoughts about Anthem’s recent decision to reduce NP and PA reimbursement rates as a Richmond Times-Dispatch correspondent of the day. https://tinyurl.com/y4lf98fw
COVID-19 is presenting NPs, and the nation, with an unprecedented health care challenge while placing considerable demands and stressors on NPs, both professionally and personally. VCNP is working to share resources and support our members during this time. We hope you will refer to our dedicated web page to find valuable online resources and updates as they impact your practice during this time.
Please let us know how we can continue to support you by contacting us at vcnp@vcnp.net.
Check back regularly for an up-to-date resource list.
VCNP is partnering with more than 60 organizations to encourage Virginians to get flu shots this year. Help encourage your patients with this special offer from Lyft – ride credits for people traveling to get flu shots. Use code VAFIGHTSFLU. Credits valid through December 31.
One of Virginia’s largest insurance companies is lowering reimbursement rates for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. VCNP’s president-elect recently Olivia Newby spoke to the reporter of the Virginia Mercury article.
Olivia Newby said there would be an “absolutely devastating” effect on Primary Care Specialists, the independent practice where she works. The cuts would end up reaching the surrounding community, she added — predominantly working-class people of color.
“We were already busy, overwhelmed, short-staffed in trying to accommodate the patients,” Newby said, pointing out that nurse practitioners make up half of the providers on her practice’s four-person medical staff. “That loss of income may mean we can’t afford support staff. Or maybe we put off buying new equipment. It’s that trickle-down effect that impacts the quality of patient care.”
Dr. Kristina Johnson, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Virginia
Thank you for your interest in this program. The event has been postponed. The speaker is unable to present at this time. Please check back for new event information coming soon.