Deborah Dunn (L) incoming GAPNA president-elect receiving the GAPNA 2018 Leadership
Excellence award from Michelle Moccia, immediate past-president.
LIVONIA, Mich. – Madonna University, well known for excellence in nursing education, prepares students for careers of caring, compassionate service to others, and for leadership roles in the nursing profession that influence quality practices in health care. Deborah Dunn, Ed. D., dean of Madonna’s graduate school and Michelle Moccia, alumna of Madonna’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, are examples of the University’s commitment of ‘service to others’ and ‘service to profession’. Dunn encourages students to become active members of nursing organizations, and fosters nurse practitioner involvement in both the local and National chapters of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Moccia was involved in the Great Lakes Chapter of GAPNA during her studies at Madonna University, and went on to become the national president of GAPNA.
As certified nurse practitioners, Dunn and Moccia currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Dunn, of Plymouth, Mich., was installed as GAPNA’s president-elect at the 2018 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, and will serve with President Valerie Sabol. Dunn also was honored at the meeting, as recipient of the 2018 GAPNA Excellence in Leadership award.
Having completed her term as GAPNA President, Moccia, of Livonia, now takes on the role of immediate past-president.
“Service to others and a commitment to servant leadership are central values of Madonna University’s Catholic Franciscan identity,” said Jim O’Neill, Madonna University provost and vice president for academic administration. “We congratulate and applaud Dr. Dunn and Dr. Moccia on their continued commitment as nursing leaders to positively impact the care of older adults. They live our Franciscan values as shining examples of professional excellence and caring.”
GAPNA, a professional advanced practice nursing organization was founded in 1981 by a group of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners committed to advancing quality healthcare for older adults. Today, GAPNA has over 3,700 members nation-wide, and 21 regional chapters across the US. The organization provides educational, networking and advocacy opportunities for APRNs interested in promoting excellence in advanced practice nursing for the wellbeing of older adults.
# # #
