POCN LAUNCHES NEW APP COMMUNITY LEADER INITIATIVE AND ANNOUNCES FIRST HONOREE, REGINA WELKIE, MSPAS, PA-C
Largest NP and PA network in the U.S. celebrates APP leaders making a difference in their communities and among peers
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – March 28, 2022 – POCN, the largest Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Physician Associate (PA) network in the U.S., has launched its first-ever APP Community Leader initiative. Announced quarterly, POCN’s recognition program is aimed at supporting and uplifting APPs (Advanced Practice Provider) who are making a difference in healthcare while also supporting the organizations where the honorees are advocates. The first featured APP Community Leader is Regina Welkie, MSPAS, PA-C, Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator at the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.
Welkie has clinical experience in general/vascular surgery, hospital medicine, and gastroenterology and enjoyed being a preceptor for DeSales PA students in these roles. She is involved in heart health advocacy through the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women and was also a founding member of the PA Program’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Welkie was diagnosed with a chronic heart condition when she was 34, but it wasn’t until she advocated for her health and pushed for answers that she received a diagnosis for her many symptoms. After being dismissed following initial test results, she has since made it her mission to show the APP community that it’s important to take care of their individual health, even as clinicians themselves.
“After learning about POCN’s NP and PA network and since becoming a member, I’ve discovered a new support system and group of peers to engage with, learn from, and network with. I am honored and humbled to receive this support from POCN and to be part of its new initiative that I truly believe in. As an APP myself, I experienced firsthand the feeling of leaving an appointment and medical tests without answers, and realize how intimidating the process can be. Now, I strive to reassure both my healthcare peers and patients to ask questions and speak up. If I hadn’t, I might not be here today to tell my story,” said Welkie.
As part of this initiative and support for Welkie’s mission, POCN has made a donation to her “American Heart Association Go Red for Women’s Woman of Impact for 2022” campaign, an initiative to raise awareness and funds for women’s heart health in local communities.
“Regina is living proof of the importance of self and community advocacy,” says Richard Zwickel, Founder and CEO of POCN, “The world of NPs and PAs especially lacks well-earned recognition of the hard work and long hours put in to patients weekly. It’s time to start advocating for this community and its overall well-being. We believe the APP Community Leader Award is a step in the right direction to growing more community leaders like Regina.”
POCN is now accepting nominations for three additional APP Community Leaders for the remainder of the year. Nominations can be submitted by emailing ambassadorsupport@pocn.com with information about the nominee, their story and cause.
To donate to Regina’s fundraising efforts with the AHA Go Red for Women’s Women of Impact for 2022, visit http://www2.heart.org/goto/Regina_Welkie.
About POCN
POCN is the largest and most informed network of NPs and PAs, trusted by providers, pharma and life sciences companies to create opportunities between those that treat and those that develop treatments.
Pharma and life sciences companies work with POCN to access and influence this untapped prescriber, leveraging data digital marketing solutions to identify, reach and engage these important clinicians. An industry first, POCN’s patent-pending solutions are built on its proprietary database of granular, real-time clinical behaviors and insights on provider-specific reach and impact to inform precise engagements with trackable metrics. For more information, visit www.POCN.com.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Garcia for POCN
jgarcia@ampublicrelations.com
