AANP Seeks Nominations for Prestigious 2026 National Leadership Awards
Media Contact: Bryan Black
Two outstanding leaders will be honored for their national or international impact.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 AANP National Leadership Awards, which will recognize achievements made by individuals who have incorporated the AANP mission into the success of initiatives that made a positive difference for nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients nationally or internationally.
“Leadership is essential to advancing our profession and improving patient care,” said AANP President Valerie Fuller, PhD, DNP. “The National Leadership Awards honor individuals whose vision, dedication and impact have elevated nurse practitioners on a national and global stage. AANP is honored to recognize those who have helped shape the future of health care.”
- The Towers Pinnacle Award was initiated in 2013 in honor of Jan Towers, PhD, NP-C, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, an accomplished NP leader and long-time health policy expert. The award is presented annually to an individual who, through policy, practice or education, has made outstanding contributions that resulted in increased recognition of NPs nationally or internationally and who expanded opportunities for NPs to provide care to patients.
- The Sharp Cutting Edge Award was created in 1996 in honor of Nancy J. Sharp, MSN, RN, FAAN, an exemplar of excellence in organizational leadership within nursing. Recipients of this award have performed extraordinary service activities on behalf of NPs on a national or international scale.
Award nominations must be submitted electronically on the AANP National Leadership Awards Nomination Form. Any current AANP member may submit a nomination of 250 words or fewer detailing the reasons for nominating an individual for either award. Additionally, two letters of support from individuals other than the nominator must accompany each nomination. AANP elected leadership and Awards Committee members are not eligible to receive either of these awards during their term of office.
The deadline for submitting your nomination is March 3, 2026. Award recipients will be notified in late March. Learn more about each of the awards and submit a nomination today!