National Leadership Awards

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Honors Outstanding Individuals Each Year.

AANP National Leadership Awards — the Sharp Cutting Edge Award and the Towers Pinnacle Award — honor two individuals who have contributed significantly to the national or international recognition and advancement of nurse practitioners (NPs).

Elected leaders, including AANP Board of Directors members, AANP Fellows leadership, AANP State Liaisons, and AANP Nomination Council members, do not qualify for awards during their term in office. AANP Awards Committee members are not eligible for an award nomination due to a conflict of interest.

The Sharp Cutting Edge Award was initiated in February 1996 in honor of Nancy J. Sharp, MSN, RN, FAAN, an exemplar in the world of nursing organizational leadership for more than two decades. Nancy demonstrated a decisive positive influence for NPs, both professionally and politically. Not an NP herself, Nancy nevertheless left a legacy of early and steadfast service for NPs. Through her vision, foresight and service to the NP profession, Nancy focused on public policy issues clarifying the legislative and regulatory processes. She also utilized innovative strategies to meet major milestones as an office staff member and a volunteer leader in national nursing organizations. Examples of her many accomplishments are National President, American Nephrology Nurses Association (1981-1983); Director, Practice and Legislation, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, Neonatal Nurses (1982-1990); Founding Director, Nurse in Washington Internship (1985-1992); Editor-Publisher, The Nurse’s Directory of Capitol Connections: A Directory of Positions and Opportunities for Nurse Participation in Health Policy Development (1991-2000); Nurse Representative, U.S. Joint Working Group on Telehealth (1993-1997).

Sharp Cutting Edge Award Selection Criteria

Recipients of the Sharp Award have demonstrated extraordinary service activities on behalf of NPs. This award is for achievements that have impacted the NP profession on a national or international level and incorporated the AANP mission into the initiative(s). Additionally, recipients have demonstrated and promoted diversity, equity, and inclusivity within health care through social justice initiatives that have increased access to quality health care for all.

Recipients may be an NP, nurse or non-nurse who has demonstrated exceptional belief and confidence in NPs and has shown efforts to advance the image, profile, and visibility of NPs at the national or international level in three or more of the following areas:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in an organization at the national or international level that supports and promotes the NP profession.
• Impacted public policy issues clarifying the legislative and regulatory processes to the successful advancement of the NP profession.
• Succeeded in building strategic partnerships, coalitions or alliances that have increased public awareness of the NP profession.
• Utilized or leveraged technology, such as social media, to promote the value and advancement of the NP profession.
• Provided mentorship or guidance to meet the strategic priorities for a successful organization.
• Mentored others in the processes and techniques for successful use of technology to meet strategic priorities.
• Utilized innovative strategies to meet goals in national nursing organizations.

The Towers Pinnacle Award

The Towers Pinnacle Award was launched in 2013 by the AANP Board of Directors in honor of Jan Towers, Ph.D., NP-C, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, an accomplished and much-admired leader in the NP movement. Dr. Towers has been at the forefront of legislative and regulatory issues, guiding health policy initiatives to ensure that NPs and their patients are represented wherever health care is being discussed. She has informed and educated numerous NPs on issues related to health policy through presentations at regional and national conferences. Her steadfast commitment, keen insight and vigilance have served to guide and direct NPs toward their current recognition as reimbursable providers of high-quality health care nationwide. The result of her life’s work is increased awareness by legislators and the general public of NPs’ contributions to health care, as well as advancement in expanding the scope of practice for NPs, advocating for equity in pay for services and expanding the commitment of NP professional organizations to provide leadership on health policy issues.

Towers Pinnacle Award Selection Criteria

Recipients of this prestigious award have exemplified Dr. Towers’ advocacy, passion, and dedication to the advancement of the NP role through policy, practice and education. Additionally, these individuals have demonstrated and promoted diversity, equity, and inclusivity within health care through social justice initiatives that have increased access to quality health care for all.

This award is for achievements that have impacted the NP profession on a national or international level and incorporated the AANP mission into the success of the initiative(s).

Nominees are preferably NPs; however, consideration is given to other individuals who have made outstanding contributions resulting in increased recognition of NPs and increased opportunities for NPs to provide care to patients through ongoing work in policy, practice, and education at the national or international level in three of the five following areas:

• Influencing health policy legislation by advocating for the removal of practice barriers, which led to the advancement of the NP profession.
• Conducting advocacy work that is dedicated to the recognition and promotion of the high-quality, reimbursable health care services, with parity, provided by NPs.
• Achieving recognition as a visionary leader for NPs in health policy, practice, or education.
• Providing mentorship and developing leadership in health policy, practice or education for NPs.
• Being instrumental in articulating NP practice and the profession to stakeholders and legislators in the health policy arena.