Region 11 Director
Michelle A. Nelson, PhD, MS, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, FADLN
Dr. Michelle Nelson is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Region 11 Director. Nelson, an Emory University PhD graduate, is continuously on the forefront of advancing nursing science to improve patient outcomes and support professional nursing practice. As a Clinical Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director at the Clayton State University School of Nursing, Michelle teaches a wide range of clinical and didactic courses from undergraduate to doctoral programs primarily focusing on the family nurse practitioner (FNP) program. Additionally, she practices as an FNP specializing in hematology. Her deep commitment to service as an academician, clinician, researcher, motivational speaker, health care advocate, author and leader fuels her passions daily.
Michelle is a fierce advocate for advancing health policy and promoting full practice authority for NPs. Serving as the current Region 11 Director, she forges bipartisan legislative support which continues to yield the passage of multiple bills aimed at removing barriers against NP practice. Michelle is the recipient of numerous excellence and leadership awards. She currently holds Fellowships in the American Academy of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Academies of Practice and most recently the National Black Nurses Association. Achieving Full Practice Authority for Region 11 NPs as well as access to safe, quality, cost-effective care for all, are some of her greatest goals.