The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Executive Board is comprised of leaders in advanced practice nursing and child health who have specialized expertise in acute care, primary care, mental health and nursing education. Board members are elected by their peers after years of distinguished service to NAPNAP’s chapters, special interest groups (SIGs) and committees. Board elections are held every spring and nominations open in the fall.
Executive Committee
Daniel Crawford, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAANP
President
Dr. Dan Crawford is a pediatric nurse practitioner and nurse educator who is committed to improving children’s health and preparing future APRNs. Dr. Crawford is an associate professor (clinical) and director of the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Iowa. He practices clinically in pediatric epilepsy at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. He is a leader in APRN curriculum design and improving access to and quality of care for children with neurologic disorders. His work has been widely presented, published, and recognized nationally and internationally. He is honored to serve NAPNAP in this role.
Felesia Bowen PhD, DNP, PPCNP-BC, FADLN, FAAN
President-elect
Dr. Felesia Bowen is a professor and an associate dean at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. She is a certified pediatric primary care nurse practitioner and nurse scientist. Her clinical interests are pediatric asthma and other conditions associated with pediatric health disparities and equity. Presently she is funded by HRSA and is conducting an upstream intervention to prevent chronic diseases by focusing on healthy lifestyles in children. Dr. Bowen is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of all children, their families, and communities.
Regena Spratling, PhD, RN, APRN, CPNP-PC, FAANP, FAAN
Immediate Past President
Dr. Spratling is a pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse researcher and nurse educator. Her practice and research have focused on children and adolescents with chronic conditions and their families. She has numerous publications and presentations, and NIH funded research on the development and testing of an educational intervention for caregivers of children who require tracheostomies and feeding tubes. Currently, she serves as research methods department editor for the Journal of Pediatric Health Care. She is passionate about mentoring nursing doctoral students, educators and clinicians, and building practice and research teams focusing on critical child and family health issues.
Cassandra Newell, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC
Secretary
Cassandra Newell is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Urgent Care.  She has practiced in general pediatrics, the pediatric Emergency Department and is adjunct faculty for PNP students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.  She has served in leadership roles for the Greater KC NAPNAP chapter and as PEC SIG secretary.  Cassandra hosted four episodes on NAPNAP’s TeamPeds Talks podcast FocusED.  She is an ACT Advocate for NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth.  Cassandra presents locally and nationally on pediatric topics and is founder/co-host of NAPNAP’s first book club!  Cassandra is grateful to serve on the NAPNAP board. Â
Mary Dirks, DNP, RN ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAANP, ELAN fellow
Treasurer
Dr. Mary Dirks has been a faculty member at the University of Iowa, College of Nursing since 2000, is a clinical professor, and a primary care PNP since 1997 with practice experience in primary care, newborn nursery and school-based health. Dr. Dirks has served in leadership positions on many state, regional, and national boards, committees, and professional organizations. She is a former assistant dean, past treasurer for NAPNAP and current lead editor for the Burn’s Pediatric Primary Care textbook. Her teaching, research and clinical interests include pediatric primary care, interprofessional education, dual NP education and global health education.
Executive Board Members-at-large
Samantha Casselman, DNP, CPNP-PC
Member-at-large
Dr. Samantha Casselman is a highly accomplished pediatric nurse practitioner with a strong background in pediatric dermatology. She owns and operates Happy Skin Pediatric Dermatology in Phoenix, where she provides specialized care to pediatric patients. Dr. Casselman has been practicing since 2015 and has demonstrated leadership within NAPNAP through leadership positions in the Arizona Chapter and as chair of the Membership Committee. Dr. Casselman is a founding member of NAPNAP’s Dermatology SIG and has contributed significantly to the organization’s most recent strategic plans. Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Casselman is actively engaged in advanced practice provider networks in dermatology and advocates for patients with atopic dermatitis through various advocacy groups and interactions with industry leaders. She is also a sought-after speaker, sharing her expertise on pediatric dermatology and independent practice at local and national levels.
Jeremy Jordan, PhD, CRNP, CPNP-AC, CCRN, CNE
Member-at-large
Dr. Jordan has more than 12 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and researcher. He is an Assistant Professor & Coordinator of the Acute Care PNP Specialty Track at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a practicing PNP in the Pediatric ICU at Children’s of Alabama. In addition to teaching and clinical practice, Dr. Jordan conducts research on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of pediatric neurologic injury. He has served as Co-Chair of the Acute SIG and as a member of the inaugural DEI Committee of NAPNAP. He is honored to continue his service with NAPNAP.
Kelly Keefe Marcoux, PhD, CPNP-AC, PPCNP-BC, CCRN
Member-at-large
Dr. Keefe-Marcoux is a pediatric health care leader with decades of experience. She is a Robert Wood Johnson scholar, a Hillman scholar and received her BSN from Johns Hopkins University, MSN from University of Pennsylvania, and PhD from Seton Hall University. She was one of the first pediatric critical care NPs and has held roles of increasing responsibility in quality, academia and hospital leadership. She currently serves as vice president and chief nursing officer for Children’s Specialized Hospital, the nation’s leading provider of care to children with special health care needs. She is honored to serve on the NAPNAP board.
Dawn Mason, MSN, PMHNP-BC, PMHS, CPNP-PC
Member-at-large
Dawn Mason is a PMHNP, PMHS and CPNP currently practicing in the Dept of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Hospital. She is also a consulting associate faculty for the PNP program at the Duke University School of Nursing. Dawn has served in leadership roles for the NC and Charlotte NAPNAP chapters and the DBMH SIG. She has a passion for working with children and adolescents with behavioral and mental health needs. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and Johns Hopkins University.
Jessica Spruit, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC, CPHON, BMTCN, FAANP
Member-at-large
Jessica Spruit is an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.  She currently practices in pediatric palliative care and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. A passionate advocate for the integration of palliative care in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant care, Jessica has participated in research investigating barriers and benefits of such integration. Prior to her role on the executive board, Jessica served as the Acute Care SIG and Conference Planning Committee Chair and secretary of the Michigan Chapter. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to continue working with NAPNAP and colleagues from across the country.Â
Maria (Chelsea) Woosley, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC
Member-at-large
Dr. Maria (Chelsea) Woosley is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UT Health San Antonio. She earned her DNP from Vanderbilt University and primarily holds the clinical role of nurse practitioner in the pediatric intensive care unit.  She also holds the academic role of associate chair for APPs in the Department of Pediatrics. She has more than two decades of experience in pediatric critical care, and contributes to the profession with publications, presentations, and article reviews. Dr. Woosley is dedicated to advancing pediatric healthcare through education, mentorship, and clinical excellence.
To contact any NAPNAP Executive Board member, please email Eileen Arnold-Ley at [email protected].
Click here to view the past presidents of NAPNAP.
