Newsletter: May 2026
Dear AMDAPP Community,
At this year’s American Academy of Neurology meeting, Kelly and I led a session “Wearing Many Hats: Pathways for APPs into Leadership” which brought together NPs, PAs, PharmDs, and industry partners for a highly interactive discussion on what leadership truly looks like for advanced practice providers.
Rather than a traditional lecture, the session centered on shared experiences. One clear theme emerged early: leadership is already happening—often without the title. Participants described leading through onboarding new hires, building clinical workflows, mentoring colleagues, and driving quality initiatives.
Several powerful insights surfaced:
- Leadership often starts out of necessity. One APP stepped into an informal leadership role to support onboarding in a growing program—highlighting both opportunity and the risk of added responsibility without recognition or support.
- Barriers remain real. Hierarchy, lack of protected time, and limited mentorship were consistently cited, even among those with strong physician allies.
- Burnout can be a catalyst. Many shared that their path into leadership began as a response to frustration with existing systems.
- APP voices are highly valued. Industry participants emphasized that APPs are often closest to clinical workflows, early adopters of innovation, and key drivers of patient care decisions.
Practical strategies shared included:
- Writing out and prioritizing responsibilities
- Creating space for reflection and growth
- Tracking leadership contributions over time
- Seeking leadership opportunities beyond the clinic (committees, advocacy, industry collaboration)
The session concluded with a simple but powerful takeaway:
Leadership is not about a title—it’s about raising your hand, creating impact, and supporting one another along the way.
APP leadership is not easy—but you are not alone.
With appreciation,
Amanda Hare
On behalf of the AMDAPP Executive Committee
Read the full newsletter here.
