This summer, the University of South Florida College of Nursing showcased its leadership at the 40th American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) National Conference in San Diego, California. During the conference, USF faculty presented cutting-edge research and reinforced their commitment to advancing healthcare innovation through practice and education.
Founded in the 1980s, the AANP is the largest professional organization for nurse practitioners (NP) in the U.S., with growing international reach. Over 4,400 members attended the 2025 conference—the most significant gathering of NPs in the United States.
Among the many distinguished USF faculty attending this year, four were selected to present at the conference. Catherine Nadeau, DNP, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN, delivered a session focused on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), Melissa Bogle, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, and Duellyn Pandis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CTM, AFTM, FCPS, FAANP, offered a joint session titled Inclusion Care: Overcoming Health Inequalities, and Andrea Efre, DNP, APRN, ANP, FNP-BC, led two discussions—one covering 12-lead ECG interpretation and another investigating 2025 trends in street drugs.
Efre highlighted that the AANP National Conference provides nurse practitioners with the opportunity to move beyond the boundaries of their specialty and engage with the latest developments in the field.
“I think this is the conference that represents nurse practitioners better than any other," Efre said. "NPs tend to be involved in specialty areas, which draws them to specialty conferences. But this conference is the big gathering of all nurse practitioners.”
At the conference, Pandis was named a Fellow of the AANP (FAANP), recognizing decades of impact in clinical practice, education, and mentorship. According to Pandis, this honor is one of the proudest achievements in her professional life.
In addition, Bogle, who was recognized as a Fellow of the AANP in 2023, received a leadership role during this year’s conference. As one of three Fellows elected to the nomination committee, she will help shape future leadership over the next three years.
The AANP conference provides opportunities for dissemination of research and innovations in clinical practice and education, but it also acts as a driver for student engagement. USF nurse practitioner students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) tracks attended sessions, participated in hands-on workshops, and connected with faculty mentors.
“It’s heartwarming to see my students take advantage of it," said Nadeau, director of the FNP program at the college. "As faculty, it helps identify the students who are willing to go above and beyond.”
The combined efforts of Pandis, Bogle, Nadeau, and Efre highlight USF’s position as a leader in the field. Their contributions reinforce USF’s reputation as a top-tier institution preparing future nurses for innovation, independence, and excellence in healthcare.