This year-long, hybrid learning entrepreneur development program provides working NPs with essential leadership and business skills to launch NP-led healthcare enterprises in primary and/or behavioral health services in limited resource settings.
Application deadline for the 2026 program year is December 19, 2025.
Application deadline for the 2026 program year is December 19, 2025.
Program timeline
- The 2026 program year will open for selected participants in February 2026 and continue through December 2026.
Applications closeDecember 19, 2025
Selected participants notifiedDecember 29, 2025
Welcome & orientation webinarJanuary 12, 2026
OnboardingWeek of January 19, 2026
1st salon circleJanuary 28, 2026
1st leadership retreat in Durham, NCFebruary 22-25, 2026-
2nd leadership Retreat in Durham, NCDecember 11-13, 2026
A groundbreaking hybrid program from Duke Health and Johnson & Johnson is equipping nurse practitioners (NPs) with leadership and business acumen tools to design and launch NP-run primary care and behavioral health enterprises in limited-resource settings. Learn how 20 NPs are expanding access, advancing equity, and empowering community-driven care.
Nurse Practitioner Entrepreneur Program | 2024 – 2025 Cohort
The twelve-month program began October 2024 and concluded September 2025, followed by a 6-month follow-up. Selected fellows participated in leadership retreats, virtual sessions, project mentoring circles, individual executive coaching sessions, and an array of other learning activities.
Bridget Nkatta, DNP, FNP-BC
Sayreville, New Jersey
Carol Carter, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Owasso, Oklahoma
Caroline M. Kraft, DNP, MA, PMHNP-BC
Cary, North Carolina
Ciara M. Smith, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Bowie, Maryland
Elisheva Reese, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Memphis, Tennessee
Emmie Dickerson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Panama City, Florida
Gloria Izore, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C
Columbia, Maryland
Lois Walters-Threat, DNP, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NI-BC
Richmond, Virginia
Lutisha T. Crawford, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Mobile, Alabama
Marqueta Abraham, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Memphis, Tennessee
Sayreville, New Jersey
Carol Carter, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Owasso, Oklahoma
Caroline M. Kraft, DNP, MA, PMHNP-BC
Cary, North Carolina
Ciara M. Smith, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Bowie, Maryland
Elisheva Reese, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Memphis, Tennessee
Emmie Dickerson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Panama City, Florida
Gloria Izore, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C
Columbia, Maryland
Lois Walters-Threat, DNP, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NI-BC
Richmond, Virginia
Lutisha T. Crawford, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Mobile, Alabama
Marqueta Abraham, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Memphis, Tennessee
Mechell Duran, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES, BC-ADM, NBC-HWC, LCCE, DipACLM, CBS
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Michelle Von der Heyde, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, AOCNP, PMHNP-BC
Miami, Florida
Nancy Walker, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Roswell, New Mexico
Natasha Andrews, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Mobile, Alabama
Nekisha Bailey, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Detroit, Michigan
Patricia Howard-Chittams, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, FCN
District of Columbia
Rachel I. Raven, MSN, FNP-C
Gouverneur, New York
Temeka R. Tunstall, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Tenisha Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Macon, Georgia
Tonya L. Hensley, DNP, NP, FNP-BC
Marshall, North Carolina
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Michelle Von der Heyde, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, AOCNP, PMHNP-BC
Miami, Florida
Nancy Walker, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Roswell, New Mexico
Natasha Andrews, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Mobile, Alabama
Nekisha Bailey, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Detroit, Michigan
Patricia Howard-Chittams, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, FCN
District of Columbia
Rachel I. Raven, MSN, FNP-C
Gouverneur, New York
Temeka R. Tunstall, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Tenisha Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Macon, Georgia
Tonya L. Hensley, DNP, NP, FNP-BC
Marshall, North Carolina
With nurse-led innovation, a brilliant idea is just the beginning. Here's a helpful guide to bringing your solution to life.
Meet the nurses who are changing human health through new protocols, policies, programs, and technologies, every day.
