Message from the CEO

You know what they say — go out with a bang! This year’s conference in Savannah certainly hit all the high points and was a great success.

We honored Mary Rubin, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP, with the Fran Way Legacy Award for her work in pioneering the way for NPs to perform colposcopy. Even though Mary couldn’t attend the conference to accept the award, she shared a video with a heartfelt thank-you. We also recognized three WHNPs for the Inspiration in Women’s Health Awards: Ludrena Rodriguez, DNP, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB, C-EFM, for Practice; Kelly Ellington, DNP, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB, for Policy; and Marianne Hopkins Hutti, PhD, WHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, for Education. These WHNPs were all deserving of this award and we were delighted to present it to them.

At the conference this year, all of the speakers were informative and inspirational and the sessions were packed. The exhibit hall was the largest to date and the exhibitors were eager to share all of their new products and services with all of the attendees. For me, the experience in Savannah was bittersweet because it was my last conference as your CEO. I have seen our conferences grow over the past 22 years and get better in every way. The conferences provide so much opportunity for learning that it is always a challenge to narrow them down to just 4 days. I will always remember the various ways I was recognized for my work with NPWH by the Board of Directors and the staff throughout the conference. To be able to share those moments with so many of you was truly heartwarming.

I am proud to have been associated with NPWH for so many years and I know that the organization will continue to grow and continue to fulfill the needs of you, our members. Great things are on the horizon for NPWH! I encourage you to stay involved with this wonderful organization and encourage other NPs to join and participate as well. We are all stronger together.

It has truly been my honor to serve all of you.

– Gay Johnson
Chief Executive Officer, NPWH