MUW Faculty Member Selected For National Leadership In Nursing

COLUMBUS, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – The American Association of Nurse Practitioners has selected Mississippi University for Women’s Dr. Johnnie Sue Cooper Wijewardane as a 2016 fellow.

AANP Fellows are a group of leaders whose scholarly and forward thinking contributions have led to meaningful improvements to healthcare and the nurse practitioner role.

They look to impact national and global health by engaging recognized nurse practitioners to lead new initiatives and support the AANP mission.

“Being selected as a 2016 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners is certainly exciting and exceeds any goal I could have had. This is one of the greatest career honors a nurse practitioner can receive,” said Wijewadane.

By being named a fellow, Dr. Wijewardane will have the opportunity to mentor and facilitate leadership opportunities for nurse practitioners.

Prior to this year’s selection, only two fellows have been named from Mississippi.

“To be selected by my peers to join such a distinguished group really encourages me to work harder to fulfill the purpose of the AANP Fellows, to impact national and global health by engaging recognized nurse practitioners to lead new initiatives and support the AANP mission,” added Wijewardane.

Dr. Wijewadane was first encouraged to apply for fellowship in 2014 by Dr. Susan VanBeuge from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

With VanBeuge as her primary sponsor alongside Dr. Cindy Luther from University of Mississippi Medical Center as her secondary sponsor, she submitted her application during the summer of 2015.

Both sponsors were required to complete documents in support of Wijewardane’s application.

“Looking ahead, I intend to lead nurse practitioners in transforming patient centered healthcare by continuing to model the roles of educator, mentor, leader, advocate and clinician,” said Wijewardane.

“I also feel a deep sense of obligation to lead and mentor nurse practitioners to participate in education and policy to break down barriers to practice to improve access to care for all citizens of Mississippi and the U.S.”

The 2016 FAANP Induction Ceremony will be held during the AANP 31st National Conference in San Antonio, Texas., Thursday, June 23.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is a full-service national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties to lead nurse practitioners in transforming patient-centered health care.

Wijewardane earned her doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

She has been a graduate faculty member at The W since 2008 and a nurse practitioner for 15 years.

With experience in a variety of settings from neuro, ER/ICU, occupational health, family practice and geriatrics, Wijewardane was part of developing the doctorate of nursing practice, The W’s first doctoral program.