PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN President(October 2025 – October 2027) Dean of the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Nursing president@aannet.org
Dr. Debra J. Barksdale is the Dean at the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing. Dr. Barksdale holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, a MSN from Howard University, and a BSN from the University of Virginia. In addition, she
obtained a Post-Masters Certificate in teaching from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Dr. Barksdale is a certified family nurse practitioner (NP) and a certified nurse educator. She is a Fellow of the American
Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. Further, she is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing and has completed two terms on the board of directors where she also served as the
liaison to the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee and three expert panels and was the 2021 Policy Conference co-chair. In addition, she is a former Department of Health and Human Services Primary Health Care Policy Fellow and
a fellow of the Wharton AACN Executive Leadership Program. She also served as a Translational Research Fellow with the Wilder School of Government and Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dr. Barksdale
is a past President of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Additionally, she is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Alumnae. Previously, she was appointed to the Veteran’s Choice
Act Blue Ribbon Panel which conducted an independent review of assessments of the Veteran Administration (VA) to ensure that the recommendations reported to Congress served our U.S. veterans and to transform the VA into an effective
21st Century model of service.
Dr. Barksdale was one of 19 members appointed to the 21-member Board of Governors for the new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) by the U.S. Government Accountability
Office under the Obama Administration. She was the only nurse appointed to the PCORI Board for its first eight years (2010-2018). She chaired the Engagement, Dissemination, and Implementation Committee, one of the organization’s
three strategy committees and served on the research proposal selection committee which confirmed which proposals would be brought to the full Board for funding.
Dr. Barksdale has exhibited a sustained commitment to
diversity, equity, and inclusion as evident in her NP practice history, former position in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, PhD dissertation, research and scholarship, demonstrated
commitment to mentoring, presentations, publications, consultations and other work in various capacities.
PhD, RN, FAAN President-Elect(October 2025 – October 2027) Dean and Erline Perkins McGriff Professor, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Angela Frederick Amar, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, is dean of New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing and Erline Perkins McGriff Professor of Nursing.
Prior to her appointment as dean in August 2023, Dr. Amar was a tenured faculty member at Emory University and Boston College. Most recently, she was the dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. While at UNLV, Dr. Amar’s innovative approach and focus on advancing strategic priorities have led to growth in student enrollment across academic programs, recruitment of quality and diverse faculty and staff, greater financial stability through revenue-generating activities, and increased ranking and stature of the school, faculty, and students.
Dr. Amar was named a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2010 and is a fellow in the Academy of Nursing Education (2016), and a distinguished fellow in the International Association of Forensic Nursing (2010). She was in the inaugural cohort of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholar program (2008-2010) and the AACN Wharton Executive Leadership program.
As a leading scholar in gender-based violence, Dr. Amar’s research has influenced the direction of campus policy nationally. Dr. Amar is also a leader in nursing education regarding violence and forensic nursing. Dr. Amar is also recognized for her efforts to advance diversity in nursing leadership across organizations and institutions and is a highly sought-after speaker and media guest.
Dr. Amar’s work has been widely recognized for the many contributions she has made. This includes the Nursing Leader Award from the Asian American group and the Las Vegas Indian Chamber of Commerce (2022) and the People’s Choice Outstanding Dean and Leader from the Nevada Nurses Association (2021). Her 2016 book on forensic nursing received gold and bronze awards from AJN. The Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International awarded her the Excellence in Practice and Policy award (2015).
Dr. Amar currently serves on the board of directors of the American Academy of Nursing, chairs the government affairs committee for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and is a member of the finance committee of the National League for Nursing.
Dr. Amar holds a Ph.D. from the University at Pennsylvania School of Nursing and a master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Barksdale is a past President of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). Additionally, she is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Alumnae. Previously, she was appointed to the Veteran’s Choice Act Blue Ribbon Panel which conducted an independent review of assessments of the Veteran Administration (VA) to ensure that the recommendations reported to Congress served our U.S. veterans and to transform the VA into an effective 21st Century model of service.
PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN Secretary (October 2024 – October 2026) Ruth M. Anderson Endowed Professor & Associate Dean for Research, Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Dr. Ronald Hickman is the inaugural Ruth M. Anderson Endowed Chair and Associate Dean for Research at Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). He is a registered nurse and a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner who has provided care for patients undergoing general and cardiothoracic surgery, and patients in the intensive care unit. As a nurse scientist, Dr. Hickman is nationally known for his pioneering work focused on technology-based solutions to improve chronic disease self-management and end-of-life care. His innovative work integrates knowledge from several disciplinary domains to develop technologies and understand biobehavioral mechanisms that influence how patients, and their families make decisions and manage their health or acute illness.
Dr. Hickman’s impact on practice and science earned him several prestigious honors. He is an elected fellow of the National Academies of Practice, the Luther Christman Society, and the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Hickman is the second nurse to hold the distinction of an Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine by the National Academy of Medicine. His scholarship has also garnered numerous regional and national awards and his commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion has received recognition from the American Association of Men in Nursing and the American Nurses Association.
Dr. Hickman’s continuous and highly impactful contributions to nursing science and its integration into practice have earned him great respect. He is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion to ensure a representative nursing workforce and the delivery of equitable nursing and health care.
PhD, ACNP-BC, FAHA, FAAN Treasurer (October 2025 – October 2027) Director, Nursing Research Department; Research Scientist III; Nurse Practitioner, Heart Transplantation, Mechanical Circulatory Support Programs; Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center
With over 40 years of advance practice nursing experience in cardiac surgical care, ventricular assist devices, and transplantation; Dr. Coleman has paired her clinical practice with a research career focused on health disparities. Her research spans bench to bedside to community – with work on genomic transplant disparities, family caregivers, and church-based preventive blood pressure education. She has worked with teams to create numerous programs in the cardiovascular service line such as Lung volume reduction, heart, lung transplant programs, ventricular assist device program with updated training based on new devices used for research and practice.
She is the Director of Nursing Research and Quality Improvement of the Cedars-Sinai Health System. Her scientific and professional contributions have led to membership on the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT); Member National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Committee on: A fairer and More Equitable, Cost-Effective and Transplant System of Donor Organ Procurement, Allocation, and Distribution; Chair, Genomic Nursing and Health Care Expert Panel for the Academy of Nursing, National Mentor, National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA) and Advisory Council, UC Davis Betty Moore Nursing Innovation Fellowship. On 28 July 2023, Congress authorized an overhaul of the United States Organ Transplant system based on the sentinel work of the NASEM committee.
PhD, RN, FAAN Board Member (December 2024 – October 2026) Interim President, Research College of Nursing
Dr. Nancy O. DeBasio has worked in higher education for more than 50 years holding both faculty and administrative positions. She is the Interim President of Research College of Nursing. Dr. DeBasio served two two-year terms on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Board of Directors. She chaired the Governmental Affairs Committee during her tenure on the Board. Dr. DeBasio was selected as one of three consultants to serve as a member of the AACN Leadership Task Force for the development of the 2021 Essentials. Dr. DeBasio has served as a team chair for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) since 2003 conducting over 40 visits. She was an appointed member of the CCNE 2018 Standards Review Committee.
As the first nurse, Dr. DeBasio chaired the Research Medical Center Board of Trustees from 2019-2023 and currently serves as a member. During her tenure, the medical center was the host hospital for all COVID patients in the HCA seven hospital division. Her service to the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Kansas City spans 15 years with the most recent four as president of the VNA Foundation. Dr. DeBasio was appointed to the Kansas City Hospice Board of Directors where she served as chair of the Professional Development Committee. She received the AACN 2012 Advocate of the Year award for her efforts to advance legislation related to nursing education, practice and research. Dr. DeBasio was also the recipient of the Distinguished Graduate of Wagner College award for her contributions to the community as a leader in higher education and nursing.
DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Board Member (October 2024 – October 2026) Chief Clinical Officer, Symplr
Susan Grant has operated in healthcare for over 30 years. Her wealth of experience in various roles such as Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Beaumont Health in Detroit, Michigan, has led to incredible achievements, including leading the nursing practice of over 10,000 nurses across all care settings and overseeing successful Magnet redesignation of two hospitals. In addition, she helped secure the initial designation of four of eight hospitals in the system at that time.
Grant received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University, a Masters in Psychiatric/Community Mental Health Nursing from the University of South Carolina and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. She is currently the chair-elect of the Building Health Systems Excellence expert panel with the American Academy of Nursing, is a member of the Nurse Executive Council for The Beryl Institute and serves on the Board of Directors for the Daisy Foundation Board.
EdD, RN, FAAN Board Member (October 2025 – October 2027) Dean, Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing, and Vice President, Jefferson Health
Marie Ann Marino, EdD, RN, FAAN, is Dean and Professor at Thomas Jefferson University - College of Nursing and Vice President, Nursing Academic Partnerships and Innovation at Jefferson Health. Dr. Marino received a Bachelor of Science degree from Molloy College, a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Stony Brook University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. She also completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Family Violence Research at The Children’s Hospital/Harvard University School of Medicine. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, she serves on their Expert Panel on Violence and is the President of the Eastern Nursing Research Society.
Over her tenure at Jefferson, Dr. Marino has been instrumental in raising more than $15 million in grants and scholarships for the Jefferson College of Nursing and its students. Notably, she secured funding from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation to support military veterans transitioning into nursing careers. As a former Navy Reserve Nurse Corps Officer, Dr. Marino is deeply committed to advocating for military veterans, active and reserve service members, and their families. She actively champions the integration of military-trained professionals into the nursing workforce, recognizing the critical skills and leadership they bring to healthcare.
Dr. Marino leads groundbreaking research through an HRSA-funded grant to implement a nurse-led model that increases access to preventive care for seniors. This initiative has improved health outcomes for more than 2,000 seniors while educating over 300 faculty and students globally. Her efforts exemplify the transformative potential of military nurses and their ability to enhance patient care and drive innovative healthcare solutions.
A recognized leader in academic-practice partnerships, Dr. Marino has been at the forefront of workforce development, interprofessional collaborative practice, and innovative care models to promote equity, access, and improved health outcomes. Her work was nationally recognized by AACN’s Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award. She has developed and disseminated toolkits highlighting the essential role of nurse-led teams in improving outcomes for vulnerable populations across diverse healthcare settings.
For over three decades, Dr. Marino maintained clinical practice as a pediatric nurse practitioner and forensic medical examiner, conducting more than 3,000 medical evaluations for child victims of abuse and violence. She has provided expert testimony in over 300 national proceedings.
As a contributor to the U.S. Department of Justice’s publication A National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations: Pediatric, Dr. Marino set the national standard of care for sexually-abused children. She was also the first nurse appointed to the Board of Directors of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations and has served as President and Director-at-Large of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.
Dr. Marino's career exemplifies a dedication to advancing healthcare through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy for military service members and their vital contributions to the nursing profession.
PhD, PHNA-BC, RN, ANEF, FAAN Board Member (October 2024 – October 2026) Professor, Dean Emerita, Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing
Teri Murray is professor and dean emerita of the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing at Saint Louis University which offers baccalaureate through doctoral education programs. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees in Nursing from Saint Louis University, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis, a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University and a certificate in Management and Leadership in Education from Harvard University.
Dr. Murray has been actively involved in workforce development and governmental affairs at state and national levels. She skillfully uses regulatory, public, and legislative policy to promote and lead innovation in nursing education and healthcare. Dr. Murray has worked tirelessly to advance diversity in nursing education and the nursing workforce. Her research and policy interests are focused on the social determinants of health, population health, and the interplay between social environment and health outcomes.
Dr. Murray is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows Program, and is a recipient of the Salute to Excellence Healthcare Award for Stellar Performance. She has numerous publications, presents nationally, and has been funded for various innovative educational initiatives.
Elda Ramírez
Board Member
PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAEN, FAAN Texas A&M International University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAEN, FAAN Board Member (October 2025 – October 2027) Dean, Texas A&M International University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Elda Ramírez, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAEN, FAAN is the Dean of the Texas A&M International University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr. Ramírez's professional leadership experience began with the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) over thirty years ago. As a young emergency nurse driven to change conditions
for both staff and patients, she started educational programs and influenced recognition of the Certified Emergency Nurse. This was tied to patient care outcomes and decreasing nurse burnout at the local level. Dr. Ram
írez then reached the state and national branches and soon became a committee chair for influential committees such as the Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Dr. Ramírez is the founder of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP). As the first president, she chose the
initial board from leaders across the country. The organization still thrives and now has a national certification exam via American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certifying Board.
Since envisioning AAENP, she has worked on legislation in Texas that utilized funds from traffic violations to educate emergency trauma nurse practitioners to practice in rural and critical access facilities. She was on the Executive Committee for the Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) as a member at large and have served as the secretary for the International Association of Latin Nurse Faculty/ Nurse Leaders (IALNF/NL).
PhD, MBE, APRN, FAANP, FPCN, FAAN Board Member (October 2025 – October 2027) Assistant Attending Behavioral Scientist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dr. William “Billy” Rosa—now Assistant Attending Behavioral Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)—began his professional career as an actor and dancer. With a degree in theatre from New York University (NYU), he achieved success in musical theatre and dance, including performing with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. A severe injury sidelined him, though, making it impossible for him to continue. That’s when his career in health care began.
While Billy eventually earned a PhD and Master of Bioethics as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania (along with his BSN and MSN from other schools), his first foray into health care was massage therapy school. One experience specifically resonated with him: he used massage therapy to help a client struggling with chronic asthma who, for decades, used her emergency inhaler multiple times throughout the day. The client wrote a letter to Billy sharing that after receiving the massage treatment, she had not needed to use her inhaler for several days in a row, something she had never been able to do before.
The outcome of helping clients improve their health in a therapeutic relationship made Billy realize he wanted to find a way to expand his potential for improving the well-being of others. “Nursing seemed like a natural next career step that would allow me to translate all that I had learned and help multiple people in their path to better health and wellness,” Billy says.
After earning his BSN and MSN (magna cum laude from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and as valedictorian at Hunter College, respectively), he spent one year with the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda, East Africa, contributing to the curriculum content for the first Masters-prepared nursing cohort in the country. That experience was the catalyst for two new career goals: a palliative care clinical fellowship as a Nurse Practitioner and earning a PhD.
He began a palliative care clinical fellowship at MSK to give him the opportunity to help alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life for those in need.
PhD, RN, FAAN Chief Executive Officer, American Academy of Nursing
Suzanne Miyamoto is the CEO of the American Academy of Nursing (Academy). With two decades of policy, advocacy, and non-profit experience, Dr. Miyamoto provides visionary and strategic leadership to help the organization achieve its mission to improve health and achieve health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science.
Dr. Miyamoto is highly regarded for her expertise in public policy and developing strong partnerships to advance sound policy solutions that are evidence-informed, patient-centered, and community-oriented. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide network of stakeholders across the health care industry from insurers to consumer organizations. She is a successful leader in the development of advocacy-based coalitions reaching Congress and the Administration. Prior to her position at the Academy, Dr. Miyamoto served as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Chief Policy Officer. In her 12 years of service at AACN, Dr. Miyamoto supported the membership as a policy analyst, advocate, and strategist at the federal level. She simultaneously led the Nursing Community Coalition— the largest national nursing coalition focused on elevating the voice of the profession in health policy discussions.
Dr. Miyamoto is a member of the National Academy of Medicine’s Leadership Consortium, the National Quality Forum’s Board of Directors, the Sibley Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, and the National Minority Quality Forum’s Advisory Board. Currently, Dr. Miyamoto holds a faculty appointment at Georgetown University, School of Nursing.
Dr. Miyamoto received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
About the Board of Directors
The Academy is governed by a 10-member board of directors, elected by the Fellows. Board members oversee the Academy's strategic planning and financial management.
