Your Chapter Board

Chapter President, Clare McKegney: is a pediatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of pediatric nursing experience in an array of different subspecialties. She received her BSN from Sacred Heart University and then completed her masters degree at New York University with a post master's certificate in Children with Special healthcare needs. In 2008 she  received her doctorate of nursing practice from Columbia University in New York. She serves as a full time assistant professor at Columbia University in the PNP/DNP program as well as a pediatric nurse practitioner in a large practice in New Providence, NJ. Her clinical focus is with the mother / baby dyad, acute and well child care with a focus on mental health. She holds a certificate in breastfeeding counseling and is licensed as cognitive behavioral therapy facilitator. She has presented on the local and regional level in her area of interest childhood development and communication. She has served on the executive board for NJ NAPNAP as secretary and president -elect since 2020.

Chapter President-elect, Meghan Faulkner: is a pediatric acute care certified nurse practitioner with over 10 years in advanced practice nursing and over 15 years in pediatric nursing in various surgical and critical care settings, both in the US and the United Kingdom. She earned her BSN from The College of New Jersey, MSN at the University of Pennsylvania (Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Program), and is currently a Doctoral candidate in the Rutgers University DNP Program, Practice Model. She currently holds the rank of clinical instructor as faculty in the Rutgers School of Nursing Dual Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, and also serves as acute care track coordinator. She has dedicated the majority of her clinical practice to children with congenital heart disease and acute surgical conditions, with a focus on bedside education for nurses to improve quality outcomes for children undergoing surgical interventions. Current hospital/clinical appointments include NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, NY, and Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, NJ. Publications and presentations include both local and national conference circuits with topics surrounding acute surgical conditions and novel technologies for children with heart disease. Her research focus is centered on utilizing simulation modalities in advanced practice nursing curriculums to improve entry-to-practice readiness.

Chapter Secretary, Lorraine Formanes: received her doctorate from Rutgers School of Nursing and completed her undergraduate nursing degree at Fairfield University. Dr. Formanes provides well and acute care to our patients and is passionate about providing excellent patient care and compassionate support to her patients and parents. She is particularly interested in supporting the breastfeeding mom and the sometimes complex needs of our adolescent patients. She holds a certificate in breastfeeding counseling and is licensed as cognitive behavioral therapy facilitator. 

Chapter Treasurer, Daniela Moscarella:  is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a registered nurse. She holds a doctoral degree from Rutgers University and her bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University. While attending graduate school at Rutgers University, Daniela was the assistant nurse manager of the NICU at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick. Prior to the management role, she practiced as a staff nurse on the unit for 12 years. After she completed her DNP, she chose to leave the hospital setting and teach pediatric content to students at JFK Muhlenberg School of Nursing. Daniela currently teaches full-time at Rutgers University in both the classroom and clinical setting. She also practices in a primary care pediatric office where she cares for children of all ages. She has been on the NJ NAPNAP board since 2019 and held the position of treasurer and president prior to returning as treasurer again!

Chapter Membership Chair, Nicole Napolitano: is a Board-Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner currently practicing in primary care as a registered nurse within the pediatric and adult populations. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Quinnipiac University in 2016, a Master of Science degree from Columbia University School of Nursing in 2020, and her doctoral degree from Columbia University School of Nursing in 2022. Dr.  Nicole believes in placing the patient and family at the center of care, with a focus on compassion and scientific excellence. She is excited to serve as Membership Chair of the New Jersey Chapter of NAPNAP where she hopes to expand membership and further chapter engagement.

Chapter Social Media Chair, Julia Higashio: DNP, CPNP, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.  Julia earned her Bachelor's degrees in both Genetics and East Asian Studies from Rutgers University, and worked in genetics research for 4 years prior to becoming a nurse. She worked as a pediatric/adolescent nurse for 5 years before returning to Rutgers for her Doctorate in Nursing Practice.  As part of her course of study, she completed specialized training in both pediatric hematology/oncology and medical genetics. She also completed a research project on the use of virtual reality to decrease pain and anxiety during vaccinations.

Chapter Education Chair, Diane McClure: holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Seton Hall University. Her DNP capstone project focused on an evidence based approach to infant feeding. Dr. McClure was the first DNP graduate of Seton Hall University where she also holds a post master's certificate in pediatric primary care. Dr. McClure attended Rutgers University where she graduated with both an MSN and BSN degree in nursing. She is also a graduate of Bergen Community College achieving her AAS degree in nursing in 1978. Her area of expertise is in neonatal and pediatric critical care nursing. She holds multiple certifications including: Certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse from the American Holistic Nursing Certification Corporation and Neonatal Critical Care Nurse from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Dr. McClure is also certified as a clinical aromatherapist and educator of infant massage.  Her research interests include the use of maternally administered infant massage and rates of maternal depression. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and an active member of the Gamma Nu Chapter. Dr. McClure co-leads the Tristate Chapter of the American Holistic Nurses Association.