2012-13 Board of Directors Looks to Build on Momentum
In a year full of significant milestones for the California Association for Nurse Practitioners, yet another was marked on July 1 when the new Board of Directors officially commenced its 2012-13 term. Familiar faces already wise in the ways of legislative advocacy and association management are teamed with new contributors bringing new perspectives to the next exciting phase of CANP’s growth.
Leading the board this term is Beth Haney, who succeeds Surani Kwan as Board President. Haney is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UC Irvine and a Family Practice NP at the Fullerton College Health Center, in addition to being CEO of the Luxe Aesthetic Center in Yorba Linda. She has been groomed for her new position by serving as President Elect during the previous board term. In that capacity, she also served as chair of planning for the association’s Annual Educational Conference. Previously, she has served as chair of the Health Policy and Practice Committee. She is also the previous president of CANP’s Orange County Chapter.
“I am very excited to begin my term as President; 2012-2013 is going to be a great year for NPs and I am thrilled to be an integral part of our professional organization,” Haney recently wrote on CANP’s Facebook page. “Please consider becoming more involved with CANP by taking a leadership position, either in your chapter, state committee, or board position. The opportunities are wonderful and you can really make a difference for NPs in California.”
Haney is one of three board members who will continue to serve, but in new positions. Kwan, Executive Director of Operations for the North Division of Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, will fill the seat of Immediate Past President, previously held by Karen Ketner. Donna Emanuele, Assistant Professor of Nursing at Western University of Health Sciences, is the new President Elect, having most recently served the board as Health Policy Chair.
Four board members will continue in their previous positions. Mary Huntsinger, a Primary Care NP with the Department of Veterans Affairs In Long Beach, continues as Vice President of Finance. Teresa Ullrich, who works as an NP at both Fullerton Community College and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, resumes her duties as Health Practice Chair. Lauren Damato, an NP specializing in thoracic surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, returns as Membership Chair. Liz Macera, an NP specializing in continuing care/SNF services and palliative care at Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, returns as Education Committee Co-Chair.
The board also welcomes four new members. Carla Evans takes over as Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee, replacing Mary Schoenbaum. Evans is an NP with the Santa Rosa Cardiology Medical Group and currently serves as President of CANP’s North Bay Chapter. Sandra Bresnahan is the new Vice President of Corporate Affairs, assuming the position previously held by Kristin Rhodes. Bresnahan is an NP in the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Anesthesia Medical Pre-op Clinic and Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA. She has served in numerous capacities with the West Los Angeles Chapter, and earlier this year was named a co-winner of CANP’s Bridging Health Care Needs Award.
Also new to the board this year is Debra Palmer, recently the Interim President of the San Diego Central Chapter, who steps into the role of Health Policy Chair previously held by Emanuele. Palmer is soon to retire after 25 years with Kaiser Permanente San Diego, and is about to begin new duties as part of the faculty of Azusa Pacific University's Nursing program. She also volunteers as an NP at the St. Vincent De Paul Homeless Health Care Center in San Diego.
Camille Fitzpatrick is the new Education Committee Co-Chair, replacing Holly Hansen. Fitzpatrick is a Clinical Professor of Nursing Science, Coordinator of the Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track, and Clinical Preceptor Coordinator at UC Irvine. She has been a CANP member for more than 20 years, and was the founder of the Orange County Chapter.