Megan Volkov receives 2023 AANP Advocate State Award for Excellence
by Jordana Newman |
In recognition of her contribution as an advocate on behalf of nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients, School of Nursing (SON) assistant professor Megan Volkov, is being honored by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as the 2023 recipient of the AANP Advocate State Award for Excellence in Alaska. Each year, advocates across the nation are nominated by AANP members to receive this prestigious award.
The Advocate State Award for Excellence is given to an individual in each state who has made a significant contribution toward increasing awareness and recognition of NPs. Examples of past recipients have been physicians, legislators, and educators. NPs are also eligible for the advocate award for non-clinical practice initiatives related to leadership, precepting, policy, politics, research, education, or community affairs.
"I feel very honored to receive this award," says Volkov. "The AANP Advocate State Award for Excellence recognizes the work being done outside of clinical practice and in collaboration with clinical practice partners to raise awareness of the scope and contributions of nurse practitioners in the State of Alaska."
Volkov is a University of Alaska Anchorage alumni, where she graduated from the SON Bachelor of Science program in 2003 prior to pursuing her Master of Science and post-master Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). She says she uses her education in leadership and evidence-based practice to direct the nursing graduate programs at UAA, where she is currently the APRN DNP program chair and teaches within the nursing graduate programs. She has worked as a registered nurse in medical-surgical units, cardiovascular step-down, cath lab observation, pre-op and post-op, and home health.
The AANP State Award for Excellence was established in 1993 and is given to an NP in each state who demonstrates excellence in clinical care. In 1993, the AANP Advocate State Award for Excellence was added to highlight the efforts of individuals who have made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and recognition of NPs. Awards are distributed to the recipients throughout the year, with recipients honored during the annual AANP national conference.