Our FNPN member,  Monica Barfield APRN was selected for the 2022 AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award of Excellence for Florida! This prestigious award is given annually to a dedicated nurse practitioner in each state who demonstrates excellence in their area of practice. She was instrumental in identifying and bringing much-needed quality health care to her rural community.  Monica now serves more than half the community's citizens as their primary care provider.  Monica was quite surprised at being notified by AANP of her selection and remarked, "I will say that since opening my practice, I have been truly blessed. I have a wonderful staff, patients, and in less than a year and half I am bringing on another APRN to work alongside of me. Being the recipient of the AANP Award of Excellence is very humbling and has inspired me to encourage other APRNs to take the leap and follow their dreams. Being a Nurse Practitioner business owner is very rewarding in more ways than one."

Upon learning of Monica's business venture, New Horizon Primary Care, FNPN Region 1 Director, Dr. Kathleen Wilson, PhD, APRN connected with Monica, following her on social media for the grand opening announcement of her new practice which opened on July 6, 2020. Monica's practice is dedicated to serving the health care needs of her rural/underserved community in Port St Joe, Florida that was ravaged a few years back by Hurricane Michael. Impressed by her passion, zeal, and drive, she has become a beacon of hope for many who did not have access to a primary care provider until Monica opened her practice, now serving more than half the population in a small rural community.  Well done, Monica! You have made us all proud. Keep sharing that dream and grow!