Villanova Nurses lead NAPNAP nationally and locally

On July 1, 2016, Tresa Zielinski '90 BSN, DNP, RN, APN-NP, CPNP-PC began her term as the president-elect for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).  NAPNAP is the nation’s only professional association for pediatric advanced practice registered nurses that is dedicated to improving the quality of health care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults. 

In this role, she serves as a voting member of the Executive Committee and the Executive Board, participates in leadership development opportunities in preparation for role as president, serves as chair of Membership Committee, and particpates in the Health Policy Committee, among other duties.  

Prior to her current position Dr. Zielinski also served as the Communications Chair from 2009-2013 where she helped structure their social media guidelines. This included starting the NAPNAP Facebook Page as well as initiating Twitter use in the national conference. She has worked closely with other officers to support and promote NAPNAP’s vision and mission. 

As the president-elect, Dr. Zielinski will serve a three-year term; year one as president-elect, year two as president and year three as immediate past president.  In her first year she will be mentored by the current president and will also be responsible to perform the duties of the president in the absence or in the president’s inability to act. 

Aside from her position at NAPNAP, Dr. Zielinski has worked at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago for the past 18 years where she has been instrumental in developing the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse.  Dr. Zielinski also believes in supporting and guiding the nurses of the future.  She is currently an adjunct professor at Rush University, where she actively lectures, precepts, and mentors students in the Acute Care and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs.

As Assistant Professor Sunny Hallowell, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC shifts to the role of Immediate Past President for the Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley Chapter of NAPNAP, Villanova leadership continues as Assistant Professor and alumna Michelle M Kelly '94 BSN, '12 PhD, CRNP enters her first year of service as  president-elect.  The Pennsylvania-Delaware Valley Chapter carries out the philosophies of the national chapter by advocating for children, promoting quality pediatric healthcare, and providing a forum for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in the Pennsylvania Delaware Valley region. 

Dr. Kelly holds national certifications as both a pediatric nurse practitioner and a neonatal nurse practitioner. She brings 20 years of nursing experience that includes the care of children with acute and chronic illness, children born prematurely and children with complex congenital heart defects. Her research interests have included the outcomes of children born prematurely, children with special health care needs and the concept of working memory as a predictor of functional ability in children.  Dr. Kelly is also committed to the nurses of the future as she teaches, guides, and prepares the Villanova Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students in the complex care and needs of the children in our region.