AAACN members are the backbone of our association.
Home health, primary care, pediatrics, telehealth, schools and clinics, ambulatory care nurses are everywhere. Thank you for making a difference in the ambulatory care nursing world.
AAACN History Task Force Members
In celebration of AAACN’s 50th Anniversary, we are proud to recognize a dedicated group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to honor the organization’s rich legacy in meaningful and lasting ways.
AAACN President Stephanie Witwer, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, and President-Elect Cynthia Murray, BN, AMB-BC, spent the past two years conducting in-depth interviews with over 50 Past Presidents, former Board members, and long-standing contributors to AAACN. Their passion and
leadership inspired the formation of the AAACN History Task Force, a collaborative effort designed to preserve and celebrate the association’s history.
Under Stephanie and Cynthia’s joint leadership, the task force divided into focused subgroups, each responsible for a vital initiative:
Archive Review
Led by Past President Debra Cox, MS, RN, NEA-BC, this group curated milestones and memorable moments from decades of ViewPoint and earlier AAACN newsletters to showcase the organization’s evolution.
Conference Celebration
Headed by Past President Deena Gilland, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, this team planned the special “Fifty and Fabulous” celebration to honor five decades of connection, community, and achievement at the 2025 Annual Conference.
Hall of Fame Award
Led by longtime volunteer and former Nominating Committee member Terrie Hemman, BSN, RN, MBA-HCM, CCCM, this team established a new Hall of Fame Award, designed to recognize individuals who have significantly shaped AAACN and advanced the field of ambulatory care nursing.
History Publication
Led and authored by President Stephanie Witwer, this group compiled a commemorative 50th Anniversary history book. Drawing from archival materials, member interviews, and historical photos, the book captures the events, voices, and milestones that have defined AAACN’s story. This special publication will be available for purchase at the AAACN 50th Annual Conference in San Diego, May 20-24, 2025
ViewPoint History Article
Under the guidance of Past President Kitty Shulman, MSN, AMB-BC, this team crafted an in-depth ViewPoint article chronicling AAACN’s journey and the individuals who helped lead it forward.
In addition to those mentioned above, the following group of All Star volunteers from the past and present came together to ensure AAACN’s history is honored, preserved, and celebrated for generations to come:
Julie Alban, DNP, MPH, AMB-BC, CCCTM; AAACN Board Director
Katherine Andersen, MSN, AMB-BC, CCM; former Nominating Committee member
Linda Brixey, AMB-BC; AAACN Past President, 2011-2012
Eileen Esposito, DNP, RN, AMB-BC, CPHQ; former AAACN Treasurer and Board Director
Kristene Grayem, APRN, MSN, AMB-BC; AAACN Past President, 2019-2020
Cynthia Nowicki Hnatiuk, EdD, RN, CAE, FAAN; Former long-term AAACN CEO
Toyin Lawal, DNP, MSN, RN, CCCTM; Former Program Planning Committee Chair
Kathy Mertens, DNP, MN, MPH, RN; AAACN Past President, 2018-2019
Andrea Petrovanie-Green, RN, MSN, AMB-BC; AAACN Board Director and Incoming President-Elect (2025-2026)
Barbara White, MS, RN; AAACN Past President, 1984-1985
We are extremely grateful to each of their contributions. Volunteers have always been, and will always be, the backbone of our great association.
AAACN Inspiring Leaders
2022
Ambulatory Care Nursing: Quickly Evolving and in Demand
AAACN Past President E. Mary Johnson, BSN, RN-BC, NE-BC, discusses why ambulatory care nursing is one of the most critical and in-demand nursing specialties today in an interview with Nurse.com.
Why Career Choices for Nurses Are Broader Than Ever Before
AAACN Director Eileen Esposito, DNP, RN-BC, CPHQ, was published recently in a special health care supplement for Mediaplanet, letting the public know the crucial role of ambulatory care nurses and how the pandemic has brought their roles in public health, complex care, telehealth, and leadership to the forefront.
2021
Bonding with Patients: AAACN President Interviewed About Ambulatory Care Nursing
“Ambulatory care nurses meet people where life is lived: in schools, community centers, clinics, and in their homes,” AAACN President Kathleen Martinez tells Minority Nurse, in this interview on ambulatory care nursing careers.
The Roles of Ambulatory Care Nurses During These Times and Beyond
Kathleen Martinez was interviewed for a special “Nurse Appreciation” campaign published by Mediaplanet and distributed nationwide in USA Today.
Preparing RNs for emerging roles in primary care
AAACN member Dr. Kae Rivers Livsey recently co-authored an article, “Preparing RNs for Emerging Roles in Primary Care," for ANA's American Nurse. Included are important points about AAACN's work on NSIs.AAACN member Dr. Kae Rivers Livsey recently co-authored an article, “Preparing RNs for Emerging Roles in Primary Care," for ANA's American Nurse. Included are important points about AAACN's work on NSIs.
Opportunities, barriers and hopes for a vital component of healthcare providers
In a recent interview with Repertoire Magazine, AAACN President-Elect Deena Gilland explains how ambulatory care nurses are handling COVID-19 and "the wave of patients who need care outside the acute care setting."
The Role of Telehealth Nursing in Healthcare
More than ever before, patients and providers turned to telehealth during the pandemic. This has many leaders and experts in the health care industry rethinking patient care delivery and streamlining processes, Margaree Jordan-Amberg, AAACN Telehealth Special Interest Group Chair, says in this interview with Northwest Missouri State University.
Scholarships & Awards
The American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN) scholarships and awards are funded through the Silent Auction held at the annual conference, and through private donations.
The DAISY Foundation
The DAISY Foundation was established to express gratitude to exceptional nurses worldwide. DAISY awards honor nurses in various practice settings, including ambulatory care nursing.
Discover how to initiate your organization’s DAISY Award for ambulatory care nursing today.
The applications for DAISY's various grant programs are now open.
To date, The DAISY Foundation has given over $900,000 in grants to nurses for research, evidence-based practice projects, and medical missions.