Members

The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) includes the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or a delegate who serves as an ex officio member and chairperson. The HHS Secretary will choose between 21 and 23 members, who serve four-year terms on a rotating basis.

The Division of Nursing and Public Health, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), runs and supports the Advisory Council. 

On this page

Membership roster

  • Tara Taylor, MS, RN – Chair, NACNEP
    Acting Director & Deputy Director, Division of Nursing & Public Health
    Bureau of Health Workforce
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Rockville, MD
     

  • Jordan Yakoby, EdD, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, CNE, FNYAM, FCCM, FNCS
    Director, Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing 
    Touro University
    New York, New York
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028 
     

  • Elizabeth Aquino, PhD, RN, FAAN
    Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Nursing 
    University of Illinois Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028

  • Lolita Melhado, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, ACHPN 
    Vice President, Clinical Programs
    OneAccord Health
    Fort Myers, Florida
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028

  • Simmy King, DNP, MS, MBA, NI-BC, NE-BC, CHSE, FAAN 
    Chief Nursing Informatics and Education Officer Children’s National Hospital
    Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
    The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
    Washington, DC
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028 

  • Marilyn Swindle, DNP, MBA, RN, CPHQ, FACHE
    Vice President, Quality Management Atrium Health
    Charlotte, North Carolina 
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028 

  • Morgan Brissette, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC 
    Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator University of Alaska Anchorage
    Anchorage, Alaska
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028 

  • Pamela Fifer, EdD, MS, RN, CNE
    Dean and Professor of Nursing
    George Fox University
    Newberg, Oregon
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028
     

  • Patricia Moulton Burwell, PhD
    Director, National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers Managing Editor, Online Journal of Nursing Workforce 
    Northwood, North Dakota
    Term End Date: 10/6/2028

  • Designated Federal Officer

    Tolu Apaloo, MSN, RN
    Senior Advisor, Division of Nursing & Public Health
    Bureau of Health Workforce
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Rockville, MD

Briefing Guide for Council Members (PDF - 111 KB)

Nomination process

We are seeking nominations of qualified candidates to fill up to 11 open positions. However, we keep the CVs and resumes of all NACNEP nominees we receive for up to three years to fill future openings. If you no longer wish to be considered for future openings, contact us. 

You can find more information about nominations in the Federal Register.

Contact us for more information about eligibility and application requirements.

Am I eligible? 

The HHS Secretary considers nominations from qualified individuals across nursing education, nursing practice, workforce development, and the public, including:

  • Higher, secondary, and associate degree schools of nursing
  • Advanced practice nursing groups (nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists)
  • Hospitals and other nursing service organizations
  • Practicing professional nurses
  • Full-time undergraduate and graduate nursing students
  • Members of the general public
  • Appointments reflect balanced representation across professional disciplines, geographic regions, and urban and rural communities.

For full eligibility details, view the NACNEP Charter

Nomination Package Requirements

Each nomination package must include:

  • Either a nomination letter from an individual or organization describing the nominee’s qualifications and areas of expertise OR a self-nomination letter describing interest and potential contributions to NACNEP
  • A biographical sketch and curriculum vitae (CV), including current contact information

You can find more information about nominations in the Federal Register.
 

How to submit

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