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Advanced Practice Provider Council

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About the APP Council

The APP Council at UVA Health provides a structured forum for Advanced Practice Providers to evaluate, improve, and empower the role and scope of APPs across UVA — ensuring their voices are heard and their impact amplified across every level of care.

 
 

Our Purpose

Shared Governance Forum: How do APPs get involved and grow in their roles here?

  • • Advocate for professional growth
  • • Create a safe space for APPs to voice their thoughts and concerns
  • • Provide education beneficial for clinical practice and professional growth
  • • Identify ways to promote inclusion and wellbeing
  • • Celebrate and highlight achievements
  • • Introduce creative ways to increase visibility
  • • Encourage scholarly work through research and innovation

The Principles of The APP Council

Accountability: Uphold the highest regard for their profession and their practice.

Professionalism: Practice with respect for the interdisciplinary team to provide patient-centered, collaborative care.

Leadership: Dedicated to quality improvement and professional development to help facilitate change in the healthcare environment.

Inclusion: Create a welcoming, respectful environment that promotes fairness and strengthens the APP community.

Research: Promote collaborative research and education that is ethical, influential, and medically sound.

 
Accountability
Professionalism
Leadership
Inclusion
Research

APP Council Executive Board
Structure & Responsibilities

The work of the Advanced Practice Provider Council is guided by a President and Vice-President, with oversight from the Executive Administrator of APPs. The APP President, Vice-President, and Secretary are elected annually for one-year terms.

Together, the Executive Council establishes the monthly agenda and holds meetings aligned with UVA Shared Governance bylaws to inform and engage the greater APP body.

Most importantly, the council identifies key APP priority areas and develops actionable plans in alignment with strategic priorities identified by UVA Health, UVA Medical Center, University Physicians Group, and APP members across the health system.

 

Executive Roles

  • • President & Vice-President
  • • Executive Administrator of APPs
  • • Secretary
  • • Council Members

“Guiding leadership, setting direction, and empowering professional growth across the UVA Health APP community.”

APP Council President, Vice President, and Secretary

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Zuseen Rannigan, MSN, RN, FNP-BC

APP Council President

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Scott Darrah, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG-AG

APP Council Vice President

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Brenda Deller, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN

APP Council Secretary

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Evan Turnbull, PA-C, MPAS

APP Council Past President

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APP Committees
Structure & Responsibilities

Our Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Committees are comprised of Genetic Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Audiologists, Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Physician Assistants/Associates.

This group of clinicians provides leadership and guidance for APPs within UVA Health’s Center for Advanced Practice, focusing on improving systems, processes, and the overall practice of APPs.

Their key functions and responsibilities are centered around advocacy and representation, practice improvement, education and training, credentialing and certification, collaboration and communication, staffing and scheduling, policy development, research and evidence-based practice, and professional development.

 

Committee Focus Areas

  • • Advocacy & Representation
  • • Practice Improvement
  • • Education & Training
  • • Credentialing & Certification
  • • Collaboration & Communication
  • • Staffing & Scheduling
  • • Policy Development
  • • Research & Evidence-Based Practice
  • • Professional Development

Recognition Committee

  • Dedicated to recognizing the APP workforce for contributions, value, and growth
  • APP Recognition Week: Gala, cocktail/reception, awards ceremony

Social Media Committee

  • Outreach, partnership, recruitment, and engagement with other organizations
  • Follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram

“Driving excellence through collaboration, innovation, and leadership across all areas of Advanced Practice at UVA Health.”

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Susan Ketchum, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CPAN

APP Council Recognition Chair

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Jennifer Schach, AG-ACNP

APP Council Recognition Co-Chair

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Rhoda Shulaw, MSN, ACNP

APP Council Social Media Chair

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Rachel Thal-Larsen, PA

APP Council Social Media Co-Chair

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APP Committees

Onboarding, Orientation and Education Committee

  • Development of manual of onboarding resources
  • Establishing local competencies in each clinical space

Advocacy Committee

  • State and national legislative advocacy
  • UVA has a paid lobbyist who supports this work and monitors healthcare legislation

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Nicole Brooks, PA-C

APP Council Onboarding, Orientation, and Education Chair

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Christa Sharpe, DNP, FNP-BC, CCK

APP Council Onboarding, Orientation, & Education Co-Chair

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Tanya Thomas, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, OCN

APP Council Advocacy Chair

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Martha Thomas, MS, CGC

APP Council Advocacy Co-Chair

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APP Committees

Research Committee

  • Facilitates and supports QI/EBP/Research pool of resources, provides mentorship

Mentorship Committee

  • Focus on building systems of support as well as fostering new professional relationships with peers

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Lisa Letzkus, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC

APP Council Research Chair

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Michael Miller, PhD, CRNA

APP Council Research Co-Chair

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Evan Turnbull, PA-C, MPAS

APP Council Mentorship Chair

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Kathryn Morgan, AC-PNP

APP Council Mentorship Co-Chair

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APP Committees

Wellness Committee

Focused on promoting the health, balance, and well-being of our Advanced Practice Providers. This committee supports initiatives that encourage resilience, connection, and holistic wellness across UVA Health.

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Kathleen Haden, RN, MSN, ANP-C

APP Council Wellness Chair

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