By Laura Gasque
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing alumna Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP (DNP 2011), received the 2022 Outstanding Policy Award at the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) conference.
The award recognizes contributions made to the advancement of the nurse practitioner role in areas like leading policy development and advocating for legislation and regulations.
“It was such an honor to be nominated by a colleague and to receive the Outstanding Policy award from NONPF. Policy is such an important part of the nursing role and something that nurses at all levels need to be involved with,” Stone-Gale said. “Advocating for NP practice needs in Florida has been a challenge for all of us that worked very hard over the years, and it was exciting to be involved in the passing of legislation for controlled substance privileges and autonomous NP practice in Florida.”
In March, Stone-Gale was named a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice, a non-profit organization representing multiple health professions that advises on topics including health policy and affordable, accessible health care. The honor recognizes career achievements and leadership within a profession as well as advancements to further excel interprofessional care. Fellows are nominated and elected by their peers.
“It was truly an honor to be named as a Fellow of NAP. As I join this elite group of practice individuals who are leaders representing various professions, it is exciting to know that we can work together to make a difference in health care,” she said.
Stone-Gale also will receive the 2022 AANP State Award for Excellence in the Advocate category at the AANP National Conference in June. The state award for nurse practitioner advocates recognizes their contributions toward increasing the awareness and recognition of nurse practitioners.
“I am so proud to receive the AANP State Award for Excellence. This award means so much to me as a nurse practitioner and an advocate for my profession,” Stone-Gail said. “I have been an advocate for over 30 years for changes in the state of Florida and worked endlessly with so many of my colleagues to see those changes come to fruition in the past few years. To be honored for this work is truly a highlight of my career.”
Dr. Stone-Gale received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from UAB in 2011 and was named Doctoral Student of the Year. She has practiced primary care for nearly 30 years and is an Associate Professor at Frontier Nursing University in Lexington, Kentucky.
