Just as U.S. News & World Report declares Nurse Practitioners to be the
second highest-ranked job in the country, UAPRN of Georgia (United Association of
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, www.uaprnofga.org ) has announced its new 2022
officers. They are:

- President: Ashley Blackmon, MS, CHFN, CCRN, FNP-C (Atlanta)
- Vice President: Mark Reinhardt, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, CEN (Valdosta)
- Assistant Vice President: Shade' Reid, CPNP-PC, MSN, DNP-S (Atlanta)
- Secretary: Lisa Ousley, DNP, FNP-BC (Ballground)
- Treasurer: Imelda Reyes, DNP, MPH, APRN, CPNP-PC, FNP-BC, FAANP
(Atlanta)
- Director at Large: Breanna Brown, DNP, FNP-BC (Atlanta)
- Director of Outreach: Amy Malcom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC (Athens)

Outgoing President Michelle Nelson, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN (Atlanta)
will move to the organization’s Advisory Board to maintain the institutional knowledge
and assist the new officers, as needed.

“Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, also known as Nurse Practitioners, are healthcare
professionals who have earned masters or doctorate degrees, and who practice as certified
registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and certified
nurse-midwives,” said Blackmon. “The COVID pandemic has shined a light on the work
we do and the value we bring to our patients, hospitals, clinics, private practice and other
healthcare organizations. I am grateful to Dr. Michelle Nelson for her leadership of the
organization and her hard work to ensure UAPRN of Georgia continued to provide
support, education and collaboration opportunities for members during these extremely
challenging times. It is rewarding to see Nurse Practitioners recognized by U.S. News &
World Report, along with additional healthcare professionals who accounted for nearly
four in 10 of the top 100 best jobs across all industries in the publication’s listing.”
www.healthcaredive.com/news/us-news-world-report-best-jobs-healthcare-2022/616943

UAPRN of Georgia has represented all APRNs in the state since 2006. The group works
to advance the APRN role through education, collaboration and legislative efforts to lift
outdated practice restrictions. The organization provides professional role identification
and mentorship to nursing colleagues, students and APRNs, and advocates for accessible,
quality healthcare for all Georgians. Many UAPRN members are also members of the
American Association of Nurse Practitioners ( www.aanp.org ) and Georgia’s Coalition of

Advanced Practice Nurses ( www.caprn.org ). Dr. Nelson, director of Masters programs at
Clayton State University and outgoing president of UAPRN of Georgia, was recently
inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as a Fellow, one of the highest honors a
nurse can receive.

Among its many programs, UAPRN of Georgia presents a Healthcare Summit each year,
although the 2021 Summit was postponed to May 13-14, 2022 due to a concern for the
health and safety of attendees, speakers and guests, and the continued strain on healthcare
workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event is designed for nurses,
advanced practice registered nurses, physician associates, lab technicians, occupational
and physical therapists and other healthcare professionals who want to learn new skills
and hear presentations on the latest topics and legislative efforts affecting the medical
profession in Georgia. There is also content for healthcare students, including
undergraduate and graduate students.

Throughout 2020, UAPRN members worked with Georgia lawmakers to pass Georgia
Senate Bill 321 which allows APRNs to order routine advanced radiographic imaging
tests and removes several barriers for Georgia’s Physician Associates. It passed both
Georgia legislative bodies and was signed into law by Governor Kemp late 2020.
The group also participates in the annual Nurse Practitioner Appreciation Week, and this
past year, offered a series of virtual programs and lectures on a variety of healthcare
subjects, along with a legislative update on healthcare issues. Thanks to the
organization’s lobbying efforts, Georgia was the first state to officially proclaim 2021
Nurse Practitioner Appreciation Week.