NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of
Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is honored to announce Dr.
Loretta Ford, co-founder of the
nurse practitioner (NP) profession and a trailblazer in health
care, opened the general session of the 2024 AANP National
Conference in Nashville,
Tennessee. Ford, who at 103 years old continues to inspire
the NP community, captivated the nearly 5,000 attendees with her
inspiring words and presence.
"I am deeply honored to welcome all of you to the 2024 AANP
National Conference," Ford said. "It fills my heart with immense
pride to see how far nurse practitioners have come. As you gather
here today, remember that each one of you has the power to make a
profound impact on the lives of your patients. Embrace this
opportunity to learn, to grow and to inspire one another. Never
forget that the essence of our work is rooted in compassion,
knowledge and unwavering dedication to providing the highest
quality of care. Together, we are the heartbeat of health
care."
During the opening general session, Ford delivered her heartfelt
welcome message through a video offering wisdom and encouragement
to the NPs in attendance. Her words resonated deeply, emphasizing
the importance of delivering exceptional care. Ford walked out on
stage and received a standing ovation from the audience who were
moved by her enduring commitment to the NPs and her profound impact
on health care.
"We are truly honored to have Dr. Loretta Ford join us and share her invaluable
insights and wisdom," said Stephen A.
Ferrara, DNP, president of AANP. "Her presence is a
highlight of the conference, reminding us of the transformative
power of NP-delivered health care and the growth of the profession.
The standing ovation she received is a testament to the NP
community's deep respect and admiration for her."
The 2024 AANP National Conference, being held from June 25-30 at the Music City Center in
Nashville, brings together NPs
from across the nation under the theme "Music to Our Patients'
Ears: The Nurse Practitioner Difference." The conference features
more than 330 educational sessions and workshops, focusing on the
diversity and comprehensive care provided by NPs.
The conference underscored AANP's mission to empower NPs to
advance accessible, person-centered, high-quality health care for
diverse communities. Attendees are participating in a variety of
sessions aimed at enhancing clinical practice, discussing current
health care policies and promoting health equity through inclusive,
culturally responsive care. The AANP national conference remains
the largest national gathering for NPs, offering unparalleled
opportunities for professional development, networking and
advocacy.
The American Association of Nurse
Practitioners® (AANP) is the largest professional
membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all
specialties. It represents the interests of the more than 385,000
licensed NPs in the U.S. AANP provides legislative leadership at
the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy;
promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and
establishing standards that best serve NPs' patients and other
health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse
Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as
providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive,
patient-centered health care. To locate an NP in your community,
visit npfinder.com. For more information about NPs,
visit aanp.org.
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SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)