Two nursing professors become Professional Members of NAP

Two Augusta University College of Nursing faculty members were recently inducted as Professional Members of the National Academies of Practice at the 2026 Annual Meeting and Forum in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lynn Glenn, PhD, assistant professor in the Nursing Science Department and Denotra Gaillard, DNP, associate professor in the Nursing Practice Department exclusively represented Augusta University in the 2026 class.

This prestigious recognition honors significant contributions to the nursing profession and acknowledges excellence, leadership and commitment to advancing healthcare. To be inducted, a professional must be nominated by an active member, have an interest in interdisciplinary healthcare issues and have at least five years of making contributions to their field.

Both women are now members of an esteemed interprofessional organization that provides guidance to government leaders on healthcare policy and practice. They have each earned the official use of the PNAP credential.

Glenn is the first and only College of Nursing faculty member who has implemented a project with the Dental College of Georgia. The grant-funded interprofessional research and learning experience, “An Interprofessional Learning Experience and Approach to Diabetes Risk Screening,” is comprised of learning between nursing, dental and dental hygiene students. It includes free screening for diabetes and research on the association between oral health and systemic disease.

“My membership in NAP will open the door to many exciting opportunities to collaborate with other health professionals and work together to improve healthcare,” Glenn said. “Professional membership aligns with my primary objective to promote high quality, equitable health care and enhance health outcomes in underserved, diverse communities through research and practice.”

In the past year, she was invited to collaborate with Emory Diabetes Center for Translational Research, and the collaborative work “Diabetes Care in Rural Georgia” will be presented at the American Diabetes Association 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans. This interprofessional collaboration will improve screening, early detection and timely care of diabetes.

“Being part of a nationally recognized organization is an honor and fosters growth, inspiration and excellence in my nursing research career,” Glenn said. “This affirms being recognized as exemplary and making a significant impact in the profession.”

As a professional member of NAP, Glenn will be seeking new opportunities for professional development and growth, such as the “Virtual Capital Hill Visit” in May 2026. She plans to apply for the highest level of membership, a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

As a lead clinician and family nurse practitioner with the West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition’s mobile health unit, Gaillard’s work expanded access to care for underserved women across 16 rural counties, improving preventive care and early detection. Her contributions to nursing education are noteworthy, particularly in curriculum development, mentoring future nurse practitioners and integrating community-based experiential learning models like the Healthy Grandparents Program.

“My acceptance to NAP is both a personal honor and a reflection of our college’s reputation for excellence,” Gaillard said. “It signals that we are contributing to the national dialogue on interprofessional practice and healthcare improvement. This distinction enhances the college’s visibility, strengthens its credibility, and demonstrates its success in cultivating leaders who advance collaborative, patient-centered care.”

As an inducted Professional Member, she has joined the Annual Forum Planning Committee and will actively contribute to future interprofessional initiatives that address healthcare disparities, workforce challenges and access to care while helping to design and support collaborative programming that brings together leaders across disciplines to address pressing healthcare issues, health policy and advocacy for sustainable healthcare solutions at the state and national levels. Her decades of experience in conference planning, legislative engagement and building partnerships that promote innovation and shared learning align perfectly with this opportunity.

Gaillard was also awarded the AANP State Award for Contributions to Nursing in Georgia and will be recognized this April as a Distinguished Alumnus at Alumni Weekend. She currently serves as a plenary speaker at statewide conferences addressing critical issues like cervical cancer disparities and community-integrated education.

“These honors are also deeply meaningful,” Gaillard said. “It reflects not only my professional journey but also my lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable populations and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. It represents validation of decades of work dedicated to bridging gaps in care, particularly in underserved and rural communities and affirms my passion for creating opportunities that empower individuals, families and communities to achieve better health outcomes. This recognition is not just a personal achievement, but a reflection of the collective efforts of the communities, students and colleagues I have had the privilege to serve and learn from.”