The following letter was sent from President Obama to the AANP in honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week: “I send greetings to all those celebrating National Nurse Practitioner Week – 2012. America’s nurse practitioners play an essential role in maintaining the quality and efficiency of our country’s health care system. In rural towns and big cities, they do difficult and lifesaving work – from providing general wellness services to delivering specialized care for members of our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. At some point in our lives, each of us has known the attention and skill these dedicated professionals offer, and on this special occasion, we honor their contributions to making ours a healthier Nation. As you pay tribute to the extraordinary nurse practitioners across our country, I wish you all the best.”