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The American Nurses Association (ANA) today announced the appointment of Debra D. Hatmaker, PhD, RN-BC, SANE-A, as its chief professional practice officer (CPPO). As CPPO, Hatmaker will lead the implementation of ANA’s strategy and plan to advance the association’s comprehensive policy, advocacy, and national communications agenda.
Hatmaker, who will join the national staff on November 1, is an expert in governance, credentialing, education, health policy, and program management. Since 2002, she has served as the chief programs officer of the Georgia Nurses Association (GNA), an affiliate of ANA. In that role, she managed the Southern Performance Assessment Center's clinical testing program for Excelsior College School of Nursing, GNA’s continuing education provider/approver units, and supported the association’s leadership development, legislative/public policy, nursing practice, and workplace advocacy programs.
“Debbie’s diverse experience, leadership abilities, and extensive knowledge of the ANA enterprise make her an ideal choice to transform the association’s programs to provide greater value to members and to elevate the profession among key stakeholders,” said ANA Chief Executive Officer Marla J. Weston, PhD, RN.
“This is an exciting opportunity during a time of major transformation for ANA and our health care system,” said Hatmaker. “I look forward to working with the ANA Board of Directors and staff to benefit our members and the nursing profession.”
Hatmaker’s diverse practice experience serves her well as an advocate on behalf of patients, nurses, and the profession. After an early career in public health and maternal-child health, she was on faculty at the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing for 16 years and continues today as a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) and an educator for the Athens-Clarke County SANE program.
Additionally, she has served in many elected and appointed leadership positions. These include president of the Georgia Nurses Association from 1999-2002 and president of the Center for American Nurses from 2004-2006. Hatmaker also served as the first vice president of ANA from 2006-2010.
The ANA Board of Directors appointed her president of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), where she served two terms from 2007-2011. ANCC is the credentialing arm of ANA. Its programs certify and recognize nurses in specialty practice areas; accredit educational providers, approvers, and programs; and recognize excellence in nursing and health care services through the Magnet Recognition Program® and the Pathway to Excellence Program®.
Hatmaker has received numerous awards and honors, including GNA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Award. In June 2012, ANA awarded her the Distinguished Membership Award for outstanding leadership and participation in and contributions to the association. She will be inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing on October 13.
Hatmaker earned her bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee College of Nursing in Memphis and her master’s of science degree in nursing and doctorate from the Medical College of Georgia.