GAPNA Leadership Institute Celebrates First Leadership Fellows
By Joan G. Carpenter
The GAPNA Leadership Institute (LI) celebrated its first cohort of leadership fellows in 2020: Michelle Bolz, Ron Ordona, Brette Svensson, and Amy Rose Taylor.
The goal of the GAPNA LI is to prepare Leadership Fellows with comprehensive understanding of GAPNA’s mission, organizational infrastructure, and strategic plan, enabling them to become leaders within the organization and the larger healthcare community. The 9-month leadership program includes both online synchronous and face-to-face components. An experienced and nationally recognized nurse leader facilitates the curriculum. All Fellows will work one-on-one with mentors, all of whom have held leadership positions within GAPNA.
Individual benefits of the LI include developing meaningful peer relationships among other Fellows, receipt of individualized mentorship for all Fellows to establish personal leadership development plan, increasing the capacity for leadership at GAPNA and in the workplace, and exploration of professional organizational operations.
LI Fellow Ron Ordona stated: “All of the mentors provided vital information and guidance about performing tasks within the GAPNA organization that enhanced my work on the GAPNA Health Affairs Committee. The monthly discussions also provided an avenue to imbibe techniques on managing individuals at work. The readings and learnings have impacted my approach to managing and growing my small business venture.”
Michelle Bolz explained: “The GLI has been instrumental in helping to improve my leadership skills. The readings, monthly work, and collaboration/support from my mentor, and all the mentors, have been invaluable. The strategies learned and the knowledge gained have helped strengthen my management and entrepreneurial skills which will help me inspire my team and further integrate new ideas into our daily practice.”
Brette Svensson noted: “The Leadership Institute reinforced that leadership is truly for everyone. The concepts and theories were immediately applicable to both my current professional and personal ventures, and changed the way I think about myself and my relationships. The support and encouragement I received from my GAPNA mentor, as well as from all the GAPNA leaders who were part of the program, gave me more confidence to take on new roles in challenges.”
Be on the lookout in 2021 for social media posts and podcasts highlighting the work of the Fellows throughout their fellowship year!
Joan G. Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, ACHPN, FPCN
joan.carpenter@umaryland.edu