Your Chapter Board

President: Leesa Snyder, CPNC-PC

Leesa is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and registered nurse. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from New York University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Delaware. She graduated as valedictorian of both her bachelor’s and master’s nursing programs and was recognized as a Distinguished Master’s Student. Her clinical experience as a registered nurse includes pediatric intensive care and outpatient pediatric specialty care. As a nurse practitioner, she specializes in pediatric pulmonary medicine, caring for children with a wide range of lung conditions in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has a particular interest in pediatric aerodigestive disorders. In addition to her clinical work, she is an adjunct faculty member at New York University.

Secretary: Sarah J. Gonzalez, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC

Sarah is a pediatric nurse practitioner at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, where she provides advanced, family-centered care in the pediatric intensive care unit. She has more than a decade of experience in pediatric critical care, progressive care and primary care. In addition to her clinical work, Gonzalez is adjunct faculty at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she leads graduate pediatric seminars, coordinates high-fidelity simulations and mentors future nurse practitioners. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing in pediatrics from NYU and is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Greater New York chapter.

Legislative Chair: Mary Koslap-Petraco DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP

Dr. Koslap-Petraco is a clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing in Stony Brook, New York, and a primary care provider in private practice. She previously worked for the Suffolk County Department of Health Services for 30 years, where she used her public health nursing experience to make system-level changes. While on staff, she managed the immunization and lead programs, educated staff and the public on communicable diseases, and assisted in their management. She speaks nationally and internationally on immunizations and infectious diseases. She has authored numerous articles and written chapters in seven textbooks, including the immunizations chapter in Burns’ Pediatric Primary Care, 8th Edition. She has also been the plenary speaker for the Annual Evidence-Based Immunization Update at the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners’ national conference for 13 consecutive years, an unprecedented record. She is a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and serves as legislative issues chair of the Greater New York Chapter, where she has extensive experience working at the grassroots level to advance legislation important to nurse practitioner

Communications Chair: Tawny Lowe, DNP, MPH, CPNP-PC, PMHNP-BC

Tawny is a dual-certified pediatric and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with experience in the United States and the Middle East. Her clinical practice includes child and adolescent health, foster care, and urgent care and minor injuries, with expertise in child maltreatment and sexual assault. In addition to her clinical work, Tawny has held faculty appointments in nursing programs in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. She now serves as communications chair for the Greater New York Chapter of NAPNAP, overseeing the chapter’s website and newsletters.