POCN Names Health Equity Advocate, Nurse Practitioner Shawana S. Moore, as 2025 Q1 NP/PA Community Advocacy Award Winner
Dr. Moore is recognized for her national leadership in the nurse practitioner community and for mentoring young women and people of African heritage pursuing careers in medicine.
BOONTON, N.J. – April 17, 2025 – POCN, the largest nurse practitioner (NP) and physician associate (PA) network in the United States, has named Shawana S. Moore, PhD, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, PNAP, FAAN as the 2025 Q1 NP/PA Community Advocacy Award winner. The quarterly award honors NPs and PAs who are making a difference in healthcare and advancing support for the NP/PA community. As part of the recognition, POCN will make a monetary contribution in Dr. Moore’s honor to the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), an organization important to Dr. Moore’s advocacy work.
Dr. Moore is a nationally recognized leader in women’s health and NP/PA education. She is also a strong advocate for health equity and healthcare access in underserved communities. She is a board-certified NP in women’s health and serves as Associate Professor and Program Director at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She also made history as the first African-American president of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.
“Receiving this award is a humbling reminder of the impact we can make when we stand together for healthcare equity, mentorship, and advocacy in our communities,” Dr. Moore said. “This award represents the culmination of my passion for driving positive change, uplifting others, and advocating for a healthcare system that prioritizes equity and inclusivity. It inspires me to continue my journey of impact within the nurse practitioner and physician associate communities.”
Through both personal and professional experience, Dr. Moore has been committed to addressing disparities in reproductive healthcare. She mentors adolescent girls through initiatives like the Girls Empowerment Program and has led research on HPV vaccination rates among marginalized populations. Her efforts to promote equity within healthcare organizations have inspired countless professionals and expanded access to care for vulnerable communities.
Dr. Moore is a nationally recognized leader in the NP community and a driving force in advancing healthcare in Georgia and beyond. Her unwavering dedication to her peers, commitment to uplifting underrepresented communities, and vision for the future of the profession continue to inspire us all. Congratulations to Dr. Moore on this well-earned recognition,” said Richard Zwickel, founder and CEO of POCN. “Her work embodies the spirit of advocacy and impact that this award celebrates.
POCN is now accepting nominations for the next 2025 NP/PA Community Advocacy Award. We invite you to share the stories of NPs and PAs who are making a difference in healthcare and their communities. Nominations can be submitted to ambassadorsupport@pocn.com and should include information about the nominee, their advocacy efforts, and the cause they champion.
To learn more about POCN, visit: https://www.pocn.com.
About POCN
Founded in 2014, POCN is the largest network of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Associates (PAs) in the U.S., with over 600,000 members across specialties. POCN was created to address the unmet need for resources that support NP and PA clinical decision-making and professional advancement. Today, POCN helps clinicians learn through peer-driven clinical and therapeutic education, earn through paid research and career opportunities, care with tools that enhance patient outcomes, and connect by staying informed and engaged with their profession. Shaped by input from the NP and PA community, POCN is committed to empowering these essential providers and elevating their role in healthcare. For more information, visit www.pocn.com.
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