A Note from Your VCNP President
I recently read an article published by the Advisory Board that supports treating advanced practice providers as autonomous providers. This is a topic that has been at the top of VCNP’s legislative agenda for many years and will continue to be in 2022. I hope you’ll read and share this article as VCNP continues to advocate for Virginia’s NPs.
Volunteer needs for Afghan refugees
We’ve had some inquiries about volunteer opportunities to support Afghan refugees in Virginia. If you are interested in volunteering in a health care capacity (NPs with autonomous practice licensure do not need collaborative agreements), please check with your local health department, the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps or Virginia’s Free and Charitable Clinics.
 
You can also contact these organizations about health care or donation needs.
 
If you know of additional volunteer opportunities or needs, please contact vcnp@vcnp.net.
Legislation supports physical activity expenses
Congress is considering the Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT), which would change the types of expenditures that could be payable out of health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), medical savings accounts (MSAs) and/or medical reimbursement arrangements. The PHIT Act would allow fitness center dues, payments for some exercise equipment, youth sports/physical activity fees, personal training fees and other costs associated with active lifestyles to be paid with pre-tax dollars, up to $1,000 cap for individuals and $2,000 for families.
Free provider-to-provider telehealth webinars – Oct. 12-14
Three Pathway to Prevention webinars sponsored by the NIH will be held October 12-14. The free webinars will discuss how telehealth-guided collaboration between health care providers can increase access to certain services and improve health outcomes, especially in underserved rural populations.
Thank you and best wishes
Later this month, VCNP will say thank you and goodbye to Janice Pfund after more than a decade with VCNP. Janice joined VCNP in the spring of 2010, the year VCNP transitioned from VNA. During her tenure, Janice contributed to VCNP’s growth and success through many major accomplishments including:
Association Management
  • Worked on the transition of VCNP from VNA to management company
  • Assisted with member database set up allowing individual member profiles, record keeping, and member access to personal information
  • Always willing to assist at the annual conference registration desk
 
Financial Management 
  • In 2013, worked with leadership to create and maintain VCNP PAC including tracking donations and distributions
  • Worked with financial management company (UBS) to increase association savings ($266,000 in 2010 to $1,000,0000+ in 2020)
  • Managed association financials for state and regions and provided financial basics education to state and regional treasurers
 
Member Support
  • Managed VCNP membership renewals through multiple cycles and structures
  • Orchestrated the membership cycle change of 2017 to 2018 that reduced the two cycles per year to one
  • Oversaw automatic membership renewal project in 2020
Easter Association, Inc. (VCNP’s management company) is working to find Janice’s replacement and expects a smooth staff transition to occur this fall. Janice’s fun personality, motivational spirit and face at the conference registration desk will be missed the most.

Thank you, Janice, for all you’ve done to help VCNP grow.
The 4 Ps of VCNP’s PAC
Do you know about the purpose, people, process and past successes of VCNP’s PAC? Learn more about how PAC funds are supporting health care in Virginia, and create a legacy for the future of NPs. Sign up for monthly donations, which can start at $5/month and be automatically deducted from your account. One-time donations are welcome too!
Thanks to these members for their recent donations – Kathy Anderson (Richmond), Stephanie Basham (Blue Ridge), Jesseka Bettenhausen (Lynchburg), Nicole Brooks (Fredericksburg), Lauri Buchwald (Blue Ridge), Maribeth Capuno (Blue Ridge), Rachel Cloutier (Richmond), Judith Collins (Richmond), Becky Compton (Piedmont), Christine Daley (Peninsula), Debra Dellinger (Richmond), Cathy Duncan (Fredericksburg), Carole Everhart (Southwest), Linda Gehr (NOVA), Amy Graham (Shenandoah), Kim Grossman (Southside), Michelle Hayes (Richmond), Karen Higgins (Tidewater), Amy Johnson (Lynchburg), Kristen Johnson (Richmond), Chong Joyner (Peninsula), Brenda Kozak (Lynchburg), Raymond Lindsay (Piedmont), Cheryl Lumbard (Tidewater), Nancy Lutz (Piedmont), John Lyons (Tidewater), Stephanie May (Blue Ridge), Olivia Newby (Tidewater), Alysia Pack (Tidewater), Charles Sauls (Piedmont), Michelle Seekford (Shenandoah), Katherine Shaw (Piedmont), Sarah Spriggs (Piedmont), Cynthia Talton (Blue Ridge), Modupe White (Blue Ridge), Helen Willis (Richmond), Paula Wypych (NOVA) and Aimee Zepnick (Richmond).
AANP Region 3 member meeting
All AANP members are invited to learn what’s impacting the region and stay up to date on key developments in health care and policy. Make plans to join the AANP Region 3 member meeting virtually on Saturday, September 18 from 8:30 am to noon. This is the first time all AANP members have been invited to this meeting. Take this opportunity to attend, and register for the free meeting.
AANP award nominations due Sept. 10
Do you know an NP who has demonstrated excellence in clinical practice or made a significant contribution to increasing awareness and recognition of NPs? Nominations are open through Sept. 10 for AANP’s State Awards for Excellence.
Nominations open for VCNP state positions
Nominations are now open for state positions of president-elect, secretary and treasurer. If you or someone you know may be interested in one of these roles, please complete a nomination form. Nominations are due by September 30.

Many regions also will be holding elections this fall so contact your regional leadership to learn about open positions.
Help us get to 2,000
As of August 1, nearly 1,500 NPs in Virginia have received their autonomous practice license! You’re eligible to apply if you have at least two years of clinical experience (equivalent to 3,600 hours). Help us reach 2,000 licenses by December 31!
You will not receive an email when your license is approved. To check the status of your application, log in to your online account about 4-6 weeks after submission. You will not receive a new license until your next license renewal.
Share your autonomous practice stories
If you’ve applied for or received your autonomous practice license, let us know why you applied, how autonomous licensure will impact your practice and why you think it’s important for other NPs to apply. Send your stories – and a photo – to alissa@commonwealth-pr.com for use in future VCNP communications.
As COVID case numbers increase in Virginia and across the U.S., it’s clear that the pandemic isn’t over and that new challenges are emerging. Please be sure to take care of yourself, and let me know how VCNP can be a resource for you.
Becky Compton, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
President, VCNP Board of Directors
vcnppresident@gmail.com