Congratulations to our Fall 2022 Candidates!

Greetings Atlanta Chapter Members, 

The Executive Board Members would like to present  you the candidates for the following Offices.  For the Office of Vice President,  Sophia Robinson-Harris DNP, RN, FNP-C PMHNP-C. For the Office of Recording Secretary: Kristina Lemene DNP, FNP-BC. For the Office of Treasurer: Darly Micourt MSN, ARNP, FNP, PCCN, AAHIVS. 

Due to having one candidate for each office, our chapter will not perform an elections process.  Article VII B. Elections. "If there is only one candidate for the office, a vote is not necessary."

My name is Sophia Robinson-Harris and I would like to present myself as a candidate for a leadership position within UAPRN Georgia. I have been an RN for 16 years and I have had the opportunity to care for patients in a variety of roles. I am currently an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

My interest and curiosity about the impact of nurses on health is what stimulated me to pursue a career in nursing. I was proud when I graduated with my initial nursing degree and quickly continued to complete my bachelor's degree. After focusing on direct care nursing for eight years, I decided to continue my education and expand my knowledge by returning to graduate school. This decision helped me to appreciate the importance of advancing the practice of nursing through higher education. I was particularly interested in the application of evidence-based practice in the clinical setting and the changes that they triggered. My clinical and leadership experience has exposed me to the need for more expert nurses and how they have a significant impact on clinical practice changes, health policy, ethics, and advocacy.

While completing my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, I realized how many areas of clinical nursing have opportunity for more quality research specifically for translation into practice. The DNP program has helped me to develop the skills needed to analyze and translate data from research. I believe in the power of nursing, and I strive to elevate the profession through advanced education. I plan to influence the nursing practice within my community and beyond. As a clinician, a nurse leader, an advanced practice provider and a nurse educator, I believe that I will continue to be an example to other nurses.

I support the UAPRN of GA's mission which is to “represents all APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) in its promotion of APRN issues relating to legislative and practice areas and to support the advancement of the APRN role.”

I have advocated for nursing my entire career and it would be a great honor for me to continue my passion by advocating for APRNs in Georgia. I am committed to nursing and I am committed to Georgia.

Thank you for your consideration.

Office of Recording Secretary, Kristina Lemene DNP, FNP-BC.

I am currently a family nurse practitioner and co-owner at Ponce Primary Care in Decatur, GA, and am passionate about promoting and advancing the nurse practitioner profession in Georgia so that nurse practitioners can practice to the full scope of our training and increase access to healthcare for Georgians. I have practiced in the Atlanta area and have been a part of UAPRN since 2013. I would like to serve on the UAPRN Atlanta leadership board to formally become more involved with other NP’s who also want to accomplish similar change and collaboration in our profession. Additionally, I believe that there is strength in numbers, and I would like to find ways that we can expand opportunities for the large Atlanta NP community to connect so we can support and encourage each other in our many different roles as nurse practitioners while working toward the common goal of Full Practice Authority in Georgia.

Office of Treasurer: Darly Micourt MSN, ARNP, FNP, PCCN, AAHIVS. 

My name is Darly Micourt, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner with a certified background of HIV specialist. I have been an NP for at least 6 years, and I have practiced in different nursing settings in the past few years. It has been a pleasure so far practicing to help keep citizens healthy, and prevent certain medical disorders from reaching debilitating stage. However, as an NP, I have noticed barriers and limitations that NPs are facing concerning salaries, practice authority, and being undervalued or assigned tasks that are below their scope of practice.

After participating in one of the UAPRN of Georgia meetings, multiple open roles were offered and pending to be filled. In the past, I have always been involved in doing fundraisers for church groups, schools, and employment projects, and I believe that participating in an entry-level of being a treasurer for the Georgia APRN council group will give me the opportunity to serve and also gain knowledge in assisting fellow other NPs to look forward to gain independence as NPs

I do wish to serve and face obstacle that will promote the growth and stability of the Nurse Practitioner field. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Congratulations Sophia, Kristina and Darly! I am so excited that each of you have decided to extended your skills and leadership to the Atlanta Executive Board!

Sincerely, 

Oteia K. Morris UAPRN Atlanta Chapter President