By Laura Gasque
Three Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been selected to participate in the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health Student Ambassador Program. The NPWH program provides students with opportunities to connect with mentors on a national level and to foster professional development with women's health nurse practitioners and advanced practice providers at the annual conference.
Lauren Curtner-Smith, BSN, RN, is a student in the DNP Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty. After gaining high-risk obstetric and labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum nursing experience, she chose to pursue her DNP at the UAB School of Nursing. She hopes to help reduce health disparities by expanding access to prenatal and gynecological care in rural areas across the state. She also is interested in nursing education to mentor and prepare future nursing students to sustain this vital work.
Kristi Toussaint, BSN, RN, is a student in the DNP Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty and was attracted to the NPWH program for its mentorship and leadership. Toussaint said experiences from her own health inspired her to commit her career to compassion, support and equitable care. Her goals are to improve health outcomes through education, advocacy and evidence-based practice.
Kelly E. Turner, MS, BSN, RN, has a decade of nursing experience across maternal-child health, public health and long-term care. Currently she serves as a nurse abstractor for the Mississippi Department of Health, where she reviews medical records and constructs clinical narratives for the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Her passion for women’s health stems from an understanding of the significant impact gynecologic conditions and cancers can have on individuals and families, motivating her commitment to advocacy, prevention and patient-centered care.
The three students were recognized during the NPWH Annual Conference in September in Richmond, Virginia.