UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Leadership Certificate Course yields competent and knowledgeable leaders at the end of each session. The program educates aspiring APP leaders--Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants and allows for these influencers to inspire, impact and interact with one another to help develop full and well-rounded perspectives in their fields to provide the best patient care.
APPs can participate in the course by applying in the fall or spring, and now, some professionals can apply for a scholarship to waive the course fees.
“The scholarship gave me the opportunity to register for this course and be able to learn so many things over 16 weeks,” says current participant Adanma Okereh.
Okereh is a certified nurse midwife and a certified registered nurse practitioner at UPMC Lititz. She was awarded one of the scholarships for the spring and openly expresses her satisfaction with the course material.
One of Okereh’s goals was to expand her horizons and understand leadership in her field. She was already a great motivator for her own team but wanted to explore how she could improve her approach.
“Before I thought you were just born a leader, but this course has taught me that anyone can lead with the right tools. Leadership skills can be learned and are to be nurtured. I think that every module is an avenue of growth no matter where you are in your career.”
The course also provides opportunities to talk with almost every other kind of health care profession, where students share their experiences, advice and approaches to handling patients in their line of work. Throughout the course, students also have the opportunity to listen to exclusive panel discussions from professionals across the country in various leadership positions.
“I was hearing from the other people and the other participants about what their lived experiences were and how it has shaped them as advanced practitioners. I have always known about injustices but in taking this course, it has opened my eyes to the injustices and inequality that affect patients, and providers. I have decided to be an advocate for positive change and to be an ally for those who need it most, and the course has built up my skills to do so.”
Elisha Peregino, Pediatric Neurosurgery Nurse Practitioner, Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center, also received the scholarship and has been engaged with the content and pleased with the course’s structure.
“This course has provided me with education, resources and connections with APP leaders to navigate my career goals to be a better provider, leader and person,” says Peregino.
“The curriculum is comprehensive and inclusive of all APPs, which was important to me since I practice alongside many different providers. The self-paced modules allowed me to do the coursework around my work and PhD program schedules. I also found the depth of APP experts and leaders paired with an interactive forum to be exciting and it has contributed to my personal and professional growth.”
The course has built-in discussion forums for all the participants to interact on a bi-weekly basis.
“Through the discussion, there are safe places to ask questions and understand how other APP leaders have navigated different experiences.”
Peregino is eager to share her experience with others. Throughout the course, there are lectures that cover a variety of topics such as, learning pathways to leadership, heath care finance, communication strategies, and how to emerge as an effective APP leader.
“The lectures are not geared towards any one APP scope of practice, the course allows all APPs to learn and grow together, and it is not required for the APP to be in a leadership position to take the course.”
“I have already expressed to my colleagues that they should seek out this course when it is offered next. Online courses can be intimidating but the formatting and the course instructors made this a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
Learn more about the APP Leadership Course or the scholarships today. The number of scholarships available are limited for each course. Apply now or reach out to us with your questions by contacting Amy Haller, co-director of the Advanced Practice Provider Leadership Certificate Course, at alh272@pitt.edu.
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Updated December 4, 2023