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Center for Research on Health Disparities

Appalachian American Alliance of Nurse Practitioners

Appalachian American Alliance of Nurse Practitioners

The Clemson University School of Nursing and the Center for Research on Health Disparities are building a professional network for Appalachian nurse practitioners. The Appalachian American Alliance of Nurse Practitioners (AAANP) will provide resources for clinical practice, continuing professional education, professional advocacy, and networking for nurse practitioners in the Appalachian region.

More information about our fall conference below!

  • Where is Appalachia?

    Appalachia is all of West Virginia and parts of 12 states along the Appalachian Mountains (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia). Check out this map of Appalachia from the Appalachian Regional Commission. If you live in one of these colored areas, this survey and alliance is for you!

    Map of Appalachia

  • Survey

    Who should take this survey? Any nurse practitioner who lives in Appalachia or is planning to relocate anywhere in that area. We’re also interested in hearing from our NPs working in rural areas outside Appalachia as well!

    Take The Survey

  • Updates

    Thank you for signing up to be on our listserv, attending our educations series or participating in our networking events. As we gear up for another year of education and networking, we want to make sure we are catering to your needs. We ask that you take this short survey to help us better understand how best to provide valuable opportunities for you.

    Previous Clinical Conversations webinars can be accessed through Canvas. For help logging into Canvas, please email aaanp@clemson.edu.

    Webinars from the Inaugural Appalachian American Alliance of Nurse Practitioners Virtual Education Series, “Challenges, Strategies, and Innovative Practice for Today’s Interculturally Sensitive Nurse Practitioner," can still be accessed through Canvas. For help logging into Canvas, please email aaanp@clemson.edu.

    We look forward to working alongside you as, together, we address health disparities in Appalachia. Sign up for more information using our interest form below.

  • Interest Form

    To learn more about the alliance, sign up to be on our email list:

AAANP Annual Nursing Conference

AANP Conference

AAANP  Oct. 4th, 2024   Friday 1PM – 5 PM

4 CEU credits, that includes one Pharm CEU for Nurse Practitioners

Cost: Free

Location:  In-Person or by Zoom 

In-Person at the Clemson University School of Nursing Building  605 Grove Road, Greenville, SC

Program Schedule

1PM – 2 PM 

 What’s Next in Artificial Intelligence?

  Jason R. Thrift, Ph.D., RN, CHSE, Assistant Professor Clemson University School of Nursing

 

2 PM – 3 PM 

Overdose Risk Reduction using Fentanyl Test Strips

Nickole Morgan, MSN, RN, CCRN, MS-DNP Student,  DNP Student Clemson University

 

3 PM – 4 PM

 What’s New with Diabetes and Medication Affordability: Evaluating Evidence-Based, Cost Effective Therapy

Kim Pickett, PhD, FNP-BC, BC-ADM

 

4 PM – 5 PM

Nurse Practitioners Meeting the Needs of the People of Appalachia Panel

Discussion of the Future of AAANP

 

Moderator:  Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC

 

Panel Members:

Florence Weierbach, PhD, MPH, RN

Gaye M. Douglas DNP, MEd, APRN-BC

We are excited to announce our AAANP Annual Nursing Conference

Join us Oct. 4th, 2024 for this free virtual event.

Participants will earn 4 CEU credits, including one Pharm CEU for Nurse Practitioners.

REGISTER NOW

  • Registration / Dates / Times

    What: AAANP Annual Nursing Confrence

    When: Friday Oct. 4th, 2024 1p - 5p

    Where: Clemson University School of Nursing 605 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29605

    Format: Virtual

    REGISTER NOW

  • Program Schedule

    1p – 2p
    What’s Next in Artificial Intelligence?
    Jason R. Thrift, Ph.D., RN, CHSE, Assistant Professor Clemson University School of Nursing

    2p – 3p
    Overdose Risk Reduction using Fentanyl Test Strips
    Nickole Morgan, MSN, RN, CCRN, MS-DNP Student, DNP Student Clemson University

    3p – 4p
    What’s New with Diabetes and Medication Affordability: Evaluating Evidence-Based, Cost Effective Therapy
    Kim Pickett, PhD, FNP-BC, BC-ADM

    4p – 5p
    Nurse Practitioners Meeting the Needs of the People of Appalachia Panel
    Discussion of the Future of AAANP
    Moderator: Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC
    Panel Member: Florence Weierbach, PhD, MPH, RN
    Panel Member: Gaye M. Douglas DNP, MEd, APRN-BC

  • Speakers

    Jason Thrift, Ph.D., RN, CHSE Jason Thrift, Ph.D., RN, CHSE

    Jason R. Thrift is an Assistant Professor at the Clemson University School of Nursing with 10 years of experience in nursing education. He is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE), member of the Mental Health America, Anderson County Board, and President of the South Carolina Nurses Foundation (SCNF) supporting nurses and student nurses across the state. He is an affiliate member of the research team for the Clemson University Virtual Reality and Nature (VRN) Lab through Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) His research has focused on Virtual Reality Simulation for patient care treatments and student nurse education. He is currently working with a team to develop Tandem VRTM as a complementary treatment for patients in Hospice and Palliative Care. He is also working on the HRSA SET-UP grant to provide educational opportunities through virtual reality for student nurses and helping them develop skills to serve underserved populations. His future efforts are to integrate artificial intelligence into virtual reality initiatives to augment patient treatment and student nurse educational resources.

    Nickole Morgan, MSN, RN, CCRN Nickole Morgan, MSN, RN, CCRN

    Nickole Morgan received her Bachelor's in Nursing in 2017 from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. She began her nursing career in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Strong Memorial, Golisano Children's Hospital. Nickole's passion for teaching new graduate nurses and learning how to better healthcare, led her to return to school where she received her Master's in Nursing Education from the University of Rochester in 2021. Upon graduation, Nickole began her travel nurse career to further her clinical skills where she worked in several Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Nickole began the Post Master's DNP program at Clemson University to receive her terminal degree with a goal to make a lasting impression on both her students and colleagues. Nickole's DNP project is a harm reduction method analyzing the efficacy and usage of fentanyl testing strips to decrease overdose death rates in the United States. Nickole anticipates graduating with her DNP in May of 2025.

    Kim Pickett,  PhD, FNP-BC, BC-ADM Kim Pickett,  PhD, FNP-BC, BC-ADM

    Dr. Kim Pickett is an Assistant Professor in the Clemson University School of Nursing.  Dr. Pickett is a board certified family nurse practitioner.  Dr. Pickett is a Faculty Associate in the Center for Research on Health Disparities.  Dr. Pickett is sharing her expertise in the area of diabetes and the care of persons with healthcare disparities seeking care. 

    Florence Weierbach, PhD, MPH, RN Florence Weierbach, PhD, MPH, RN

    Dr. Florence Weierbach is a Professor at the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing  Dr. Weierbach is the President for the Appalachian Region Tri-state (ARTS) Chapter of the Rural Nurse Association (RNO). She has over 40 years of nursing experience in providing direct care to individuals and their families in community settings. She has been the nurse in multiple interprofessional health care teams and conducted research addressing the health of caregivers and developed a model of health for family caregivers who provide care to community dwelling individuals with chronic health conditions. 

    Gaye M. Douglas DNP, MEd, APRN-BC Gaye M. Douglas DNP, MEd, APRN-BC

    Dr. Gaye Douglas is a family nurse practitioner who just completed her 40th year in healthcare.  She began as an x-ray technician then went on to become an RN, working in med-surg, ER, and home health.  While practicing as a school nurse for Florence County School District Five, she recognized the need for primary care services for rural students.  She completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing, became a family nurse practitioner, and was awarded a half million dollar Duke Endowment grant to start a primary care practice within the school district.  To better serve this population, she completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at MUSC, focusing on developmental and behavioral pediatrics.  Gaye has held faculty positions at Francis Marion University and the University of South Carolina.  After returning home from USC to care for her aging parents, she accepted a position with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health where she works exclusively with children and families.  Gaye will be presenting on the Go Mobile Project as an exemplar of meeting the needs of families in Appalachia.

    Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC Mary Ellen Wright, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC

    Dr. Mary Ellen Wright is an Assistant Professor in the Clemson University School of Nursing and the newly appointed leader of the Appalachian American Alliance for Nurse Practitioners.  Dr. Wright has been a nurse practitioner since 1983.  Dr. Wright is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal for Human Caring; a Clemson University Health Research Scholar; Faculty Affiliate of the Clemson University Center for Addiction and Mental Health Research; Leader of the Maternal/Child and Substance Use initiatives for the Clemson University Center for Research in Health Disparities.  She is a scholar of Nursing as Caring Theory. Dr. Wright has presented and published in multiple international and national journals and forums.  Dr. Wright has served in leadership positions on multiple international professional boards addressing healthcare needs. She will be inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing this coming November for her significant contributions to nursing and healthcare delivery. 

  • Questions

    Please email aaanp@clemson.edu. with any questions you may have.

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