LANP Board Election Results

Happy Labor Day! To all those that labor tirelessly to care for the great citizens of Louisiana.

I also want to extend the warmest of holiday wishes to the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners Board of Directors. Not only is every single one of them employed (some with more than one job), but they have all volunteered tirelessly over this past year to advance the role of Nurse Practitioners in Louisiana, promote a solid, growing organization, and ensures that our endeavors are a success.

People amaze me with their willingness to go above and beyond in a volunteer position. For that, we are extremely grateful. Equally amazing is the willingness of people to step out of their comfort zones and to run for positions to which they are not entirely sure what they are getting in to, they just know that they want to make a difference. And, ultimately, that is the only qualifications – willingness and desire.

We are an elected board. This year the positions of President and Secretary were up for election. Additionally, the Regional Representatives Co-Rep positions were up in all the regions. The positions of Secretary and Monroe Regional Representative were the only positions that were opposed.

We are excited to announce that Dr. Leanne Fowler, DNP, MBA, AG/ACNP-BC (New Orleans) will be moving into the position of Secretary and Lucy Douglas, MSN, FNP-C will continue as the Monroe Regional Representative. 

The candidates for Co-Rep positions that were uncontested, will take office January 1, 2020.

• Alexandria - Dana Guirlando, FNP-C
• Baton Rouge - Jamie Graham, FNP
• Houma Rep - Caitlin Bacon, MSN, FNP-C, IBCLC
• New Orleans - Alicia Debautte, MSN, FNP, APRN
• Northshore - Amy Seale, FNP
• Shreveport - DeAnna Kamphius, ACNP

And oftentimes, while we are willing and desire to serve, life happens. Things come along that are beyond our control and demand that we shift things around. That is the recent case with our Vice-President, Herndon “Buzz” Jeansonne, MSN, FNP-C (Alexandria). After much consideration and due to life circumstances, he feels that he cannot give the position of Vice-President the time that is required and has submitted his resignation. But if you know Buzz, you know that his heartbeat is Health Policy, so he will remain active on the Health Policy committee. Buzz, we wish you the absolute best!

So, according to LANP by-laws, the following changes will occur:

• Michael Brown, FNP-C (Monroe) will move from Treasurer to Vice-President
• Dr. Belinda Morgan, DNP, FNP-BC (Monroe) will move from Secretary to Treasurer.
• Dr. Leann Fowler, DNP, MBA, AG/ACNP-BC, CNE will assume the role of Secretary.

These changes will go into effect on October 1, 2019

Other positions that have been appointed in the past few months include:

• Houma Rep - Caitlin Bacon, MSN, FNP-C, IBCLC
• New Orleans - Alicia Debautte, MSN, FNP, APRN
• Lafayette - Carla Vidrine, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
• Lake Charles - Melissa Kramer, BSN, RN, DNP/FNP student
• PAC Chair - Janee Clay, MSN, APRN, NP-C
• PAC Co-Chair - Antiqua Smart, DNP
• Health Policy Co-Chair - Aimee Maestri, DNP, APRN, FNP-C