By Laura Gasque
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Assistant Professor and Director of the Nurse Practitioner Pathway-MSN Kelley Borella, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC (BSN 2002, MSN 2005, DNP 2014), is the recipient of the 2023 Inspiration in Practice Award from the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health. The award recognizes a women’s health nurse practitioner who has made significant contributions to women’s health care through clinical practice. She received the award during the NPWH Annual Conference in October.
“This is more than just an award to me. It represents my dedication, perseverance and passion for delivering the best care to women in my area that may have spent their lives struggling to find access to essential health services,” Borella said. “This award motivates me to continue to advocate for these women and hopefully inspire the newer generation of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners that I get the privilege to teach each year.”
In 2022, Borella began a faculty practice in the Cooper Green Mercy Health women’s health clinic, helping to improve access to health care screenings, such as mammograms and pap tests. Borella previously worked at Cooper Green as a women’s health nurse practitioner before joining the UAB School of Nursing faculty in 2012. Borella is a three-time graduate of the UAB School of Nursing, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the School.
“I am so excited to be back at my ‘practice home.’ It has provided me with not only the opportunity to make a real impact on the health of my patients but has also allowed me the platform to offer students a real-world learning environment,” Borella said. “I recognize that not everyone is able to follow their passions in their career, so I am truly grateful that I get to do this every day.”
Following the conference, Borella also was elected to serve on the NPWH Board of Directors to help guide and support the organization’s mission and represent women’s health nurse practitioners nationwide.
