A Warm Welcome into 2026!
Dear Iowa Chapter Members,
Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for a year filled with growth, advocacy, and community. As we step into 2026, I’m honored to serve as your President of the Executive Board and work alongside each of you to advance pediatric primary care across our great state. Thank you for your dedication to children, families, and the nurse practitioners who care for them.
💼 Renew Your NAPNAP Membership for 2026
The new year is the perfect time to renew your NAPNAP membership and continue investing in your professional growth, advocacy efforts, and connection to pediatric-focused colleagues across Iowa and the nation.
🌟 Why Renew?
· Access to high-quality pediatric continuing education
· Advocacy at the state and national level
· Networking and leadership opportunities
· Member-exclusive resources, grants, and scholarships
🎉 University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Group Discount
If you work at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, you are eligible for a 20% group membership discount on your NAPNAP renewal!
📄 How to Renew
Please review the following flyers for step-by-step instructions and group membership details:
· 2025 How to Register – Final
· 2025 Group Membership Flyer – Final
(These flyers are attached/provided with this newsletter.)
Don’t miss out on the benefits of membership — renew today and stay engaged with the Iowa Chapter of NAPNAP throughout 2026!
📅 Important Upcoming Dates
📍 Legislative Day – January 27, 2026
🕐 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
📌 East & North Wing, Rotunda – Iowa Capitol Building
Join us for an impactful afternoon of advocacy at the State Capitol! This is a key opportunity to connect with legislators, elevate the voice of pediatric nurse practitioners, and champion issues that matter to our profession and the children and families we serve.
Hot Topics for Discussion:
- Preceptor Tax Credit – HF 327 / SF 391:
This proposed legislation would create a meaningful tax incentive for Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as clinical preceptors to students — recognizing and supporting their critical role in educating the next generation of clinicians.
- Immunizations:
Continued advocacy and support for immunization access and education remain a priority for our members and the communities we serve.
🩺 NAPNAP 47th National Conference on Pediatric Health Care
🗓 March 18–21, 2026
📍 David L. Lawrence Convention Center – Pittsburgh, PA
This year’s national conference promises an outstanding lineup of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and inspiration. Whether you are seeking cutting-edge clinical updates or ways to strengthen your practice, NAPNAP National is THE place to be!
🔗 Conference Registration:
https://www.napnap.org/47th-national-conference
We’d love to see Iowa Chapter members there — let’s represent!
🗓 Next Iowa Chapter of NAPNAP Board Meeting
📅 Wednesday, March 25, 2026
🕗 8:00 pm
💻 Via Zoom
All members are welcome to attend! Join us to stay informed about chapter initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/93220726724?pwd=BngbqI0SacHmEHaJ5bFMgbySyPV2je.1&from=addon
Meeting ID: 932 2072 6724
Passcode: 391204
💛 Scholarship Updates
Congratulations to our NAPNAP National Conference Student Scholarship Winner:
🎉 Anna Spooner — DNP Student, University of Iowa (Pediatric Primary Care & Psychiatric Mental Health)
Anna’s passion for pediatric health and leadership exemplifies the very spirit of our chapter — congratulations, Anna!
We still have funding available through two ongoing opportunities:
✨ DNP Student Project Scholarship — For any DNP student in need of support for their DNP project.
📚 NP Research Grant Scholarship — For nurse practitioners seeking funding for research related to pediatric health care.
👉 Interested in applying or want more information? Email me at samantha-b-lee@uiowa.edu
⭐ Member Spotlight
Each quarter, we’ll feature one of our incredible members. This issue’s spotlight is reserved for:
Stephany Walk, President-Elect!!
Name: Stephany Walk, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-AC/PC
Hometown: Osage, Iowa
Education:
Stephany earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Iowa, followed by her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Pediatric Primary Care. She also completed a post-graduate certificate in Pediatric Acute Care, all at the University of Iowa.
Current Position:
Pediatric Surgery
Nursing Experience:
Stephany brings five years of experience working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Special Nursing Interests:
Her professional interests include quality improvement, research, pilonidal disease, and advocating for advanced practice providers to practice to the highest level of their scope.
Family and Pets:
Stephany has two dogs, Sevy and Chloe.
Hobbies:
In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and working in her yard.
Why did you become involved in Iowa NAPNAP?
Stephany values the opportunity for networking, leadership development, and increased engagement in pediatric healthcare across Iowa.
What is something people do not know about you?
Stephany has broken multiple bones in all four extremities and has undergone 15 orthopedic surgeries. These personal experiences ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare.
🗳 2026–2027 Executive Board Elections
Elections for the next chapter year will be held this spring!
We are currently seeking dedicated members to run for the following positions:
📌 President-Elect
📌 Secretary
If you are passionate about leadership, innovation, and advancing pediatric NP practice — we want you! Please reach out to me if you’re interested in serving or would like to learn more about these roles.
Thank you for your continued commitment to children’s health and the NAPNAP mission. Together, we will make 2026 a year of progress, partnership, and purpose!
Warmly,
Samantha B. Lee, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
President, Iowa Chapter of NAPNAP
📧 samantha-b-lee@uiowa.edu