Nationally, I am well known as a nurse leader, an expert in nurse practitioner (NP) education, clinical practice and health policy. I am responsible for neutral provider language being substituted for physician in the Affordable Care Act.  My recommendation was accepted by Senator Baucus, who made the replacement in the bill.

My nursing career has spanned 53 years, including both as a NP faculty scholar and  as an NP in clinical practice.

Education: a BSN- D’Youville College in 1970, Master of Science with a concentration as a Family Nurse Practitioner - Stony Brook University in 1977, PhD in Nursing-Adelphi University in 1990. DHHS Primary Care Health Policy Fellowship, 2003.

Clinical practice began as a US Navy Nurse Corps Officer from 1970-1975, and progressed to practicing as a NP in 1977. As a nationally certified FNP and GNP, I have practice in Primary Care at the VA in Northport, NY, managing veterans multisystem complex disease.

As a NP and scholar, I am expert in curriculum development.  In August 2014-August 2015 I served as the educational consultant to the Northwell Health System and Hofstra University to establish a unique academic partnership between these two entities,and,developed nurse practitioner programs. The School of Graduate Nursing was established on March 2015.  The first class of Adult Gero ACNPs and FNPs were admitted in the Fall of 2015. in June 2015  I became Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and NP Programs Director, and Professor. Following a successful CCNE accreditation and the graduation of the first class of nurse practitioners, I have retired from academia.

In 2013,  I retired as Professor Emeritus from Stony Brook University School of Nursing, after 23 years as an NP faculty scholar. I taught NP students, co-developed the FNP program, and served as a curriculum expert.

Professional service: 2006-2008 President Elect of the Nat'l Organizational of NP Faculties, 2008-2010 President (elected); 2015 led a medical mission to Nicaragua; Co-Chair - American Academy of Nursing’s Military/Veterans Expert Panel; Chair of the National Council on Veterans (appointed); Vice-Chair - 2013-2017, ANA’s Individual Membership Division (Elected); Commissioner on the ANCC, Commissioner for Accreditation (appointed). Fellowships: a) the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, b) the American Academy of Nursing; c) the National Academies of Practice. Publications & Presentations, nationally and internationally-relate to NP education, primary care topics; the NONPF preceptor manual, 2020-2021 Appointment to the national Have You Ever Served Initiative.