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.
