Utah Nurse Practitioners

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Clifton, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CCHP-A, CCHP-CP, FAANP, the 2026 AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions recipient for Utah!

The AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in advancing the nurse practitioner role through practice, education, advocacy, research, and leadership (PEARL) — areas Dr. Clifton has championed throughout her career.

With more than 35 years of nursing experience, Dr. Clifton has made a lasting impact through clinical practice, education, leadership, and service. A nationally recognized leader in juvenile correctional health, she has provided primary care to justice-involved youth since 2005 while educating and mentoring future nurse practitioners at the University of Utah College of Nursing. She currently serves as Associate Dean of Practice and Community Collaboration.

Her commitment to improving access to high-quality care, advancing the NP profession, and serving vulnerable communities exemplifies the very best of nurse practitioner practice and leadership.

Utah Nurse Practitioners is proud to celebrate Dr. Clifton and this well-deserved recognition. Congratulations, Dr. Clifton! 👏💙

08/19/2026

Go to unp.org for registration information. This is the virtual conference you never knew you NEEDED!

Your Legislative Committee has been busy during the summer trying to protect APRN practice while focusing on patient safety. This virtual conference will be an advocacy bootcamp that will inform...

08/12/2026

Congratulations to UNP member Kimberlee Bayless, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP!

Kim has been selected by ASRA Pain Medicine to receive the 2026 Advanced Practice and Nursing Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the field of pain medicine.

Kim serves as Director of the Transitional Pain Service at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She also gives back to Utah’s NP community as a member of UNP’s Legislative Committee and co-chair of the Utah Nurse Practitioner Pharmacology Conference.

We are proud to have Kim as part of the UNP community and thrilled to see her leadership, expertise, and dedication recognized nationally. Congratulations, Kim! 👏💙

🔗 Read more about Kim and the award: https://www.newswise.com/articles/kimberlee-bayless-receives-2026-advanced-practice-and-nursing-award

07/22/2026

🌟Member Spotlight: David Cowley, NP‑C, is a dedicated hematology/oncology nurse practitioner with more than 13 years of experience caring for patients facing complex diagnoses. A graduate of Graceland University’s MSN/NP program, David is passionate about the intricacies of oncology management and stays deeply engaged in emerging treatments and medication advancements. His clinical interests include urgent care, emergency medicine, and medical oncology, where he thrives in fast‑paced, high‑impact environments.

David also contributes to the broader medical community through service on several Intermountain Health boards and leadership as the APP Lead for Medical Oncology in the Desert Region. We’re proud to have David as part of the UNP community! 💙

07/08/2026

A big thank you to UNP members Melissa Hinton and Heidi Vawdrey for sharing their photos from the AANP Conference! 📸

We love seeing Utah nurse practitioners connecting, learning, and representing our profession together. Thank you for helping us celebrate our incredible NP community!

Heidi had this to say about her experience: “I went to AANP for the first time and it was a great experience! One of the things that really stood out to me is something that Wendy Wright said in the closing session that you can learn about diabetes on zoom, but when you don't come to these live conferences, you're missing out on tremendous opportunities to network. I really enjoyed the conversations at the end of each presentation that I had with nurse practitioners from all over the country. As a clinic owner, there were several sessions that were were really excellent for me to refine my business and legal practices. I also went to some sessions that had great clinical pearls. It was also really fun to connect with former students, and other nurse practitioner colleagues from Utah. I will definitely be back.”

07/02/2026

Did you attend the AANP Conference last week? We’d love to see your experience!

📸 Send us your favorite photos for a chance to be featured on UNP’s social media. Whether you attended sessions, connected with colleagues, explored the exhibit hall, or celebrated with fellow NPs, we want to share your highlights with our community.

Send your photos to us—we can’t wait to feature you!

06/23/2026

Are you at the AANP Conference this week?! Join AANP Region 8 for an unforgettable evening of networking, neon lights & vintage Vegas fun!

06/22/2026

☀️ Hello, Summer! ☀️

Celebrate the first day of summer with Utah Nurse Practitioners!

For a limited time, enjoy $10 OFF your UNP membership with code UNPSummer26.

Whether you’re joining for the first time or renewing, UNP membership connects you with advocacy, education, networking, and a community dedicated to advancing nurse practitioner practice in Utah.

💙 Use code: UNPSummer26
🌞 Offer valid through June 27
🔗 Join or renew at UNP.org

06/04/2026

🌟 Member Spotlight: David Thibault, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHS

David is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Mental Health Specialist dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults. With a DNP and MSN from Duke University, his clinical focus spans depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma-informed care — always with a holistic lens.

Beyond the clinic, David is an assistant professor at Utah Tech University, a national presenter, published contributor, and peer-reviewed journal reviewer. We’re proud to have him as a UNP member! 💙

05/26/2026

Call for Member Spotlights! Get a membership or renewal at a discounted rate for submitting a member spotlight!

Utah Nurse Practitioners (UNP) is excited to spotlight the incredible work our members are doing to advance healthcare in Utah. We are seeking outstanding nurse practitioners to feature in our member spotlight series!

This is a great opportunity to showcase colleagues or yourself! Whether you’re making a difference in clinical care, community service, education, or advocacy, we want to hear from you!

To participate:
1. Send us a brief bio (100-200 words) highlighting your (or your colleague’s) professional journey, achievements, and contributions to the NP field.
2. Include a recent photo of yourself (or your colleague)
3. Submit to [email protected] or DM on instagram/Facebook

Members will be featured on our social media channels and in our newsletters. This is your chance to gain recognition, recognize others and inspire the NP community. Let’s celebrate the amazing work of our Utah Nurse Practitioners!