Stephen Ferrara

Nurse Practitioner • Association Executive • Clinical Operations • AI Leader

Stephen A. Ferrara

DNP, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP

CEO, AI + Nurse Academy AANP Past President Former Professor & Associate Dean (AI, Clinical Affairs)

I have led national and state nursing associations, including AANP, the voice of 461,000 nurse practitioners nationwide, with fiduciary oversight of multi-million annual budgets and a track record of membership growth, rebranding, and policy wins. I have also run clinical operations directly, leading a faculty practice of 5,000+ patients a year to patient-centered medical home recognition, and served on the Columbia University School of Nursing faculty from 2014 to 2026, advancing from Assistant Professor to Professor.

Get in Touch Download CV
461K Nurse practitioners represented as AANP President
$30M Annual budget under fiduciary oversight
5,000+ Patients a year in the clinical enterprise I led
$2.6M Federal grants secured as Principal Investigator
25+ Years in primary care as a Family NP
50+ National keynotes and invited presentations
Background

About Stephen

I have spent 25+ years as a family nurse practitioner, primarily in primary care, bringing both clinical depth and a systems-level perspective to everything I do. Over that time, my work has expanded well beyond direct patient care to include health policy, nonprofit leadership, and the intersection of artificial intelligence and nursing.

At Columbia University School of Nursing, I held a continuous faculty appointment over a decade, advancing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor to Professor and teaching health policy to DNP students. During that time I also held successive administrative roles. As Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs from 2014 to 2024, I served as the Chief Clinical Officer for the ColumbiaDoctors Nurse Practitioner Group, leading its rebranding from CAPNA to the Nurse Practitioner Group (NPG), expanding it to include house calls and integrated mental health services, and achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition. As Inaugural Associate Dean of AI from 2024 to 2026, I led strategic planning and integration of AI across research, education, and practice, established foundational AI literacy training reaching 280+ participants, and delivered 15+ national keynotes on AI to 1,000+ nursing faculty.

In October 2025, I launched AI + Nurse Academy, an online on-demand platform that gives nurses practical, accessible AI literacy education. Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, and they deserve real tools to engage confidently with AI in their practice.

I served as President and Immediate Past President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), representing 461,000 nurse practitioners nationwide. As chief elected officer, I chaired the Board of Directors, provided fiduciary oversight for a $30M annual budget, and advocated for the Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) so NPs can practice to the top of our license and education.

I served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, a PubMed-indexed journal, from 2015 to 2026, and as Executive Director of Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare and the Nurse Practitioner Association New York State.

At a Glance

25+ years in primary care as a Family NP
CEO & Founder, AI + Nurse Academy (2025)
15+ years leading national and state nursing associations
Past President, AANP
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
$2.6M+ in HRSA grants as Principal Investigator
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice (2015–2026)
Talks, Press & Podcasts

Speaking & Media

AANP Sizzle Reel

Signature Topics

AI Literacy for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Audiences leave with a practical framework for understanding AI tools, evaluating clinical AI applications, and building confidence to lead AI adoption in their organizations.

The Future of Advanced Practice Nursing

Audiences leave with a clear view of where NP practice is headed, what policy changes are reshaping scope of practice, and how NPs position themselves for leadership roles in a changing system.

Health Policy, Advocacy, and the NP Workforce

Audiences leave understanding how legislation shapes NP practice, what effective advocacy looks like at the national level, and how individual practitioners drive systemic change.

Nonprofit and Healthcare Executive Leadership

Audiences leave with actionable strategies for leading mission-driven organizations, managing boards and budgets at scale, and building the credibility that earns a seat at the table.

Book Stephen for Your Event

Available for keynotes, conference sessions, panels, and organizational workshops. Audiences include nursing associations, academic institutions, health systems, and technology conferences. Download the speaker one-sheet to share with your program committee.

Speaker One-Sheet Inquire for Availability

Upcoming

OCT172026 Keynote From Policy to Practice: AI Adoption for Nurse Practitioners PCNP 2026 Annual Educational Conference, Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA Statewide keynote connecting AI policy and regulation to what nurse practitioners can actually adopt in practice. OCT212026 Lightning Talk AI's Safety Feature Is You National DNP Week 2026, Ignite & Inspire, virtual Short talk making the case that the clinician, not the software, is the safety mechanism in AI-assisted care.
DEC92026 Workshop What Every Nurse Needs to Know About AI Today: The Tools, the Limits, and the Questions to Ask 1199SEIU RN Symposium, 1199SEIU League RN Labor Management Initiative, New York City Practical AI literacy breakout for frontline nurses, with live demonstrations, the failure modes to watch for, and the questions to put to employers and vendors.
FEB182027 Keynote Nebraska Nurse Practitioners 35th Annual Education Conference Nebraska Nurse Practitioners, Lincoln, NE Opening keynote on AI literacy for NP practice, leadership, and policy, followed by a hands-on breakout demonstrating tools in real time.
FEB272027 Session Make the Human in the Loop Real FAANP Virtual Winter Meeting 2027, American Association of Nurse Practitioners Presentation to AANP Fellows on turning “human in the loop” from a slogan into a practice with real accountability.
MAR42027 CME Session Beyond the Algorithm: AI, Insight, and the Future of APP Practice Association of Movement Disorder Advanced Practice Providers, 5th Annual National Meeting, San Diego Opening session built around live demonstration with movement disorder cases, from evidence lookup to insurance appeals.

Speaking

Past 12 months

Panel

Nursing Workforce 2.0: Powering Hospital Care in an AI-Enabled Era

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, Washington DC

September 24-25, 2026

National panel on how hospitals staff, train, and govern nursing care as AI enters the workflow.

Keynote

LANP Annual Conference

Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, New Orleans

September 10, 2026

Statewide keynote on where NP practice is headed and how AI reshapes the workforce.

Keynote

Arizona NP Symposium

Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council

July 24, 2026

Opening keynote on translating AI from headline to bedside for practicing nurse practitioners.
Workshop

Put AI to Work: Real Patient Care and Practice Problems, Solved Live

Arizona NP Symposium, Arizona Nurse Practitioner Council

July 24, 2026

Hands-on session solving real clinical and administrative problems live, using named tools with a neutrality disclosure.
Keynote

NPACE 2026 Cape Cod Conference

Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education, Seacrest Beach Resort, North Falmouth, MA

June 2026

Keynote for practicing APPs on hot topics with immediate clinical application.
Panel

Northwest Summit to Reimagine AI in Nursing and Healthcare

University of Washington, Seattle

May 2026

Panelist responding to research on AI adoption across nursing and health systems.

Keynote

AI in Action: Equipping NPs for Healthcare's Digital Revolution

New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council Spring Conference

April 2026

Statewide keynote giving NPs a practical framework for evaluating and adopting clinical AI.

Workshop

AI in Health Professions Education

University of North Carolina at Pembroke, interprofessional health professions audience

April 2026

Interprofessional workshop for nursing and allied health faculty on integrating AI into curriculum.

Keynote

AI in Nursing Education: Basics, Ethics, and Risk Mitigation

Sketchy Medical

March 2026

Keynote covering foundational AI literacy, ethical guardrails, and risk management for educators.

Workshop

AI in Nursing Education

NOVA Southeastern University Speaker Day

March 2026

AI literacy workshop for nursing faculty on using AI tools safely and building them into teaching.

Workshop

AI in Nursing Education

Dominican University School of Nursing

February 2026

AI literacy workshop for nursing faculty on using AI tools safely and building them into teaching.

Workshop

Smarter Work, Stronger Impact: A Practical AI Workshop for NP Organizations

NP State Summit, Texas Nurse Practitioners

January 2026

Workshop helping state NP association leaders apply AI to operations, advocacy, and member services.

Earlier

2025

  • KeynoteAI in Healthcare: Future ImplicationsUniversity of Michigan AI in Health Symposium, Ann Arbor, MIKeynote at a university-wide symposium on where AI takes clinical care over the next decade.
  • KeynoteBuilding Resilient Healthcare TeamsAmerican College of Healthcare Executives Congress, Houston, TXKeynote to healthcare executives on sustaining teams through workforce strain and rapid change.
  • KeynoteAI in Nursing Education: Current State and Future DirectionsAmerican Association of Colleges of Nursing WebinarNational webinar to nursing deans and faculty on curricular readiness for AI.

2024

  • KeynoteWorkforce Implications of AI in Health and MedicineNational Academy of Medicine, Washington, DCInvited presentation to the National Academy of Medicine on how AI reshapes the health workforce.
  • KeynoteAI and the Future of Healthcare CareersAIMed24 Conference, Orlando, FLKeynote at a leading clinical AI conference on career pathways in an AI-enabled system.

2023

  • KeynoteThe Future of Advanced Practice NursingFlorida NP Network Annual Conference, Orlando, FLFireside keynote on scope of practice, policy momentum, and NP leadership.

Podcasts

Past 12 months

Podcast

Using AI Responsibly in Your Practice

Between Sessions with Berries

September 2026

Conversation with a behavioral health audience on AI scribes and the risk of reviewing someone else's version of a session instead of writing the note yourself.
Podcast

LIVE at ViVE: AI + Nurse Academy

Nurse Rosa's Insights / Health Podcast Network

2026

Recorded live at a major health tech conference on why nurses need dedicated AI literacy education.
Podcast

Beyond Algorithms: Keeping Care Human in the Age of AI

Mindful Moments with Pedro Morante

November 2025

Conversation on preserving clinical judgment and human connection as AI enters care delivery.

Earlier episodes

2025

2024

2023

2022

2018

Career

Professional Experience

My career runs along three tracks that reinforce each other: leading professional associations, running clinical operations, and building AI capability in nursing. Roles are grouped by track and listed most recent first within each.

Association & Nonprofit Executive Leadership

2012 – 2026 • Budgets to $30M • 461,000 NPs represented

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Immediate Past President

June 2025 – June 2026

121K+Member organization BoardDirector

Served on the Board of Directors providing strategic guidance and leadership continuity for a 121,000+ member organization. Chaired ad-hoc committees and collaborated with the CEO on bylaws, policies, and national stakeholder engagements.

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

President

June 2023 – June 2025

461KNPs represented $30MAnnual budget 121K+Members

Served as chief elected officer of AANP and public representative for the nurse practitioner profession (461,000 NPs nationwide). Chaired the Board of Directors and provided fiduciary oversight of the 121,000+ member organization with a $30M annual budget. Elevated national visibility of nurse practitioners through media engagement and White House representation. Advocated for the ICAN Act to expand NP scope of practice nationwide.

Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare

Executive Director

January 2020 – December 2022

150+Academic institutions 51%BIPOC representation $2M+Budget, zero deficit

Led national initiatives to develop nursing leaders and enhance healthcare for veterans across 150+ academic institutions. Redesigned the Jonas Nurse Scholars Program to prioritize nurses from underserved communities, achieving 51% BIPOC representation. Provided fiscal oversight for a $2M+ operating budget.

Nurse Practitioner Association New York State

Executive Director

January 2012 – December 2021

45%Membership growth NPMA 2.0Passed into law

Provided strategic leadership and operational oversight for a statewide professional association. Led successful passage of the NP Modernization Act 2.0 (2022) granting full practice authority to experienced NPs. Achieved 45% membership growth and led organizational rebranding.

Clinical Operations & Practice Leadership

2001 – 2024 • P&L ownership • Multi-site practice management

Columbia University School of Nursing

Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs (Chief Clinical Officer)

July 2014 – June 2024

5,000+Patients annually $2M+Clinical enterprise 15+Faculty practitioners PCMHRecognition achieved

Served as Chief Clinical Officer overseeing the ColumbiaDoctors Nurse Practitioner Group, the NP-led faculty practice serving 5,000+ patients annually. Led the rebranding from CAPNA (Columbia Advanced Practice Nurse Associates) and expanded the practice to include a house calls program and an integrated mental health component. Achieved Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition. Managed clinical operations for 15+ faculty practitioners and led financial planning for a $2M+ clinical enterprise.

MinuteClinic of NY (Ferrara NP Family Health, P.C.)

President

August 2006 – March 2010

75Nurse practitioners led 7Clinic locations CVSHealth partnership

Established professional corporation for MinuteClinic operations across New York State. Led a workforce of 75 nurse practitioners across seven retail clinic locations in partnership with CVS Health.

Fordham University Student Health Services

Associate Director, Nurse Practitioner

July 2001 – August 2006

10,000+Students served 2Campuses covered 2xFacility capacity

Held clinical responsibility across both the Bronx and Lincoln Center campuses, serving a 10,000+ student population. Supervised clinical staff at both sites, developed campus health policies, and led the transition to an expanded facility that doubled clinical capacity.

Academic, AI & Entrepreneurial Leadership

2014 – Present • $2.6M+ HRSA funding as PI • Founder

AI + Nurse Academy

CEO & Founder

October 2025 – Present

Founded and lead AI + Nurse Academy, an online on-demand platform delivering AI literacy education for nurses. The Academy equips the nursing workforce with practical knowledge to engage confidently and safely with AI in clinical settings.

Columbia University School of Nursing

Professor & Inaugural Associate Dean of AI

July 2014 – April 2026

Assistant Professor (2014–2019) → Associate Professor (2019–2024) → Professor & Inaugural Associate Dean of AI (2024–2026)

280+Trained in first year $2.6M+HRSA funding as PI 200+Students reached

Led AI strategy and integration across research, education, and practice for 200+ students and 80+ faculty. Established foundational AI literacy training reaching 280+ participants in the first year. Served as Principal Investigator on HRSA-funded initiatives totaling $2.6M+. First non-physician elected to ColumbiaDoctors Board of Governors Executive Committee.

Ferrara Consulting Group LLC

Principal

2023 – Present

Consulting, speaking, and advisory practice focused on healthcare AI, nursing workforce strategy, health policy, and nonprofit leadership. Available for keynote engagements, organizational consulting, and advisory board roles.

Recognition

Honors & Awards

2023

New York City Power 100

City & State New York
2023

Notable Leaders in Healthcare

Crain's New York Business
2020

Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)

American Academy of Nursing

2018

Distinguished Fellow, National Academies of Practice (FNAP)

National Academies of Practice

2015

Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine

New York Academy of Medicine

2013

Fellow, American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

2013

Clinical Excellence Award

Montefiore Medical Center

2012

New York State Award for Excellence

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

National Leadership

Service & Appointments

Industry Advisory

Advisory Boards

Affiliations

Professional Memberships

American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
American Nurses Association (ANA)
American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL)
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
National Academies of Practice (FNAP)
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
Nurse Practitioner Association New York State (The NPA)
DNPs of Color
Journals

Editorial Leadership

Academic Training

Education

Funded Research

Grants & Funding

Total funding as Principal Investigator: $2,659,201
Scholarship

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Book Chapters

Connect

Let’s Connect

Whether you are interested in speaking engagements, academic collaborations, media inquiries, or AI + Nurse Academy, I welcome the conversation.

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