Your Chapter Board - North Carolina Chapter

President: Samantha Eaker, DNP, CPNP-PC

Sam works as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Duke Urology, caring for children and adults with congenital and acquired urologic problems. She received her bachelor of science in nursing from Georgetown University and her doctor of nursing practice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She enjoys the continuity of care that pediatric urology provides. When not in clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and young son and spoiling her Great Dane.

President-elect: Kari Overstreet, DNP, CPNP-PC, PMHS

Kari earned her BSN from the University of Michigan, and MSN and DNP from the Duke University School of Nursing. As a nurse, she primarily worked in pediatric oncology and in summer camps for youth with serious medical illnesses. As a nurse practitioner, Kari has specialized in pediatric mental health and adolescent health. Kari partners with NC-PAL in North Carolina and The Reach Institute nationally to teach courses in pediatric mental health for primary care providers.

Immediate Past President: Kristi Hildebrand, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC, CNRN

Kristi earned her acute care PNP degree from Duke University in 2015. Since then, she has dedicated her expertise to working with pediatric neurosurgery patients at UNC Health. Her contributions were acknowledged by NAPNAP, which honored her as an emerging leader. Before assuming the role of president for the chapter, Kristi served as the CE Chair, instrumental in organizing educational initiatives and membership appreciation events.

Treasurer: Laura BacigalupiMSN, MBA, CPNP-PC/AC

Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, her master’s degree in pediatric primary care from Duke University, and her post-graduate certificate in pediatric acute care from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is a pediatric critical care nurse practitioner in the pediatric intensive care unit at Duke.

CE Co-Chair: Becky Carson, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC

Becky is an assistant professor at The Catholic University of America and practices at WakeMed PM Pediatrics Urgent Care. She earned her primary care degree from Duke University, her acute care post-master's certificate from the University of Maryland, and her doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins. She writes and hosts a podcast called The Peds NP, which focuses on the practical application of evidence-based practice. Becky serves as an item writer for PNCB and is a member of the national DEI committee and acute care SIG.

CE Co-Chair: Ashleigh P. Martin, MSN, RN

Ashleigh received both her BSN and her primary care PNP degree from Duke University. She currently works at Kids First Pediatrics of Raleigh/Clayton, where she sees patients from birth to age 21. When she is not working, Ashleigh enjoys teaching Pure Barre, decorating cookies, watching NC State sports, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Membership Chair: Kaitlin Ruffin, MSN, CPNP

Kaitlin received both her BSN and her Primary Care PNP degree from Duke University in 2012 and 2017, respectively. She currently works in urgent care at Duke, seeing young people aged 0-25 years old. Her past experience includes primary care as a PNP and pediatric ICU as a bedside RN.

Legislative Chair: Michelle Bae, MSN, CPNP, IBCLS

Michelle earned her MSN from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005 and has worked in primary care pediatrics for 16+ years, adding in an IBCLC certification in 2015. She has been a member of NC Napnap since 2006 and is currently serving as the legislative chair advocating for full practice authority in NC. Michelle enjoys running, reading and traveling with her husband and her two teenager sons.

Communications Chair: Christine Lipske, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC

Christine earned her Master of Science in nursing in pediatric primary care from Duke University in 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Hope College in 2005. She is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Duke Primary Care, where she sees patients from newborns through adolescence. Passionate about breastfeeding support, she became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in 2023. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children.

Scholarship & Grant Chair: April Braswell PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAAN

April is an associate professor of nursing and pediatrics and a certified nurse educator at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her scholarship and service focus on the investigation and implementation of pediatric holistic comfort care. She has contributed to local, national and international presentations, along with more than 20 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She serves as an international comfort theory consultant, reviews for four nursing journals, is a member of three expert panels in the American Academy of Nursing, and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Professional Nursing.

Secretary	Alexis Elmore	CPNP-PC
CE Chair	Amanda Register	MSN, CPNP
CE Chair	Laura S. Craven	MSN, RN, CPNP-PC
CE Chair	Melissa Babb	MSN, CPNP-AC
Social Media Chair	Paige Giguere
Student Liaison	Brittney Rush