Tosha Harris, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC
NANN-AP Council Chair
Hello everyone! I’m Tosha Harris, and I’m excited to serve as your new NANN-AP Council Chair. I’m a practicing neonatal nurse practitioner in the Level IV NICU at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. I’m also the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Concentration Coordinator at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences’ College of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee.
As I begin this new role, I’ve been reflecting on what makes our profession so meaningful. One of the things I appreciate most about being a neonatal advanced practice provider is the many ways we can make a difference. We care for critically ill newborns, educate families and colleagues, mentor future clinicians, and improve systems of care. We also have opportunities to influence not only individual patient outcomes and the people, practices, and systems that shape neonatal care. Together, these roles reflect the depth of our expertise and the unique value we bring to neonatal healthcare.
I’m looking forward to building on the work already underway within the Council. From addressing staffing challenges and strengthening advocacy efforts to developing resources that support orientation, mentoring, and professional growth, there’s important work to continue. As healthcare continues to evolve, so do the opportunities and challenges facing neonatal advanced practice. We know the important roles NNPs and neonatal CNSs play in patient care and healthcare delivery, but how do we better communicate that impact to healthcare leaders, policymakers, and others making decisions that affect our practice? How do we ensure our expertise and contributions are represented in conversations that shape the future of neonatal care? These are important questions to consider as we look for opportunities to further strengthen NANN-AP’s focus on leadership, expertise, and community while continuing to support our members and advance our profession.
And that brings me to something as equally important and that’s hearing from you! NANN-AP should reflect the experiences, challenges, and priorities of the professionals it represents. Whether you’re a student, a new graduate, or an experienced clinician, educator, or leader, your perspective matters. I hope you’ll share your ideas, ask questions, and look for opportunities to become involved. I’m looking forward to connecting with you, learning from you, and sharing more about the Council’s work in future issues of the NANN-AP Corner. There’s important work ahead, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.
Before I close, I want to take a moment to thank our immediate past Chair, Dr. Leanne Nantais-Smith, for her leadership and service to NANN-AP. Having served on the Council previously, I know how much time, thought, and dedication goes into this work, and I’m extremely grateful to Dr. Nantais-Smith and my fellow Council members for their continued commitment to our profession.
Thank you for everything you do for our babies and families and our profession!
