By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

BIRMINGHAM – The Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama awarded its highest honor, the NPAA Power of One award, to state Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, during an award ceremony at the 11th Annual NPAA Conference in Birmingham.

NPAA awards the Power of One award to an individual “who is an exemplary change agent for

nurse practitioners,” according to the organization.

“With the award, NPAA honors Rep. Weaver for having distinguished herself as an outstanding health care professional serving in the Alabama State Legislature,” read an NPAA press release. Weaver was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and re-elected in 2014,

making history in Alabama by becoming the first female ever appointed as chair of the House

Health Committee. She also is currently a member of the State Government Committee and the Internal Affairs Committee. She is the vice chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Health and Human Services Committee and is an Executive Committee member of the Energy Council.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey recently appointed Weaver to the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council and to her fifth term as a member of the Statewide Healthcare Coordinating Council, where she serves as chair of the Hospital Committee.

“We are extremely proud of Rep. Weaver for contributing to our profession over the years as

evidenced by her unwavering support of nurse practitioners in Alabama,” said NPAA President Robin Lawson. “Her hard work and dedication to improving healthcare for Alabama citizens is deserving of special recognition.”

NPAA is a professional organization representing the state’s nurse practitioners and students enrolled in nurse practitioner programs. The mission of NPAA is to “promote high quality healthcare for Alabama’s citizens.”

“As an organization, NPAA is committed to building partnerships within the health care

environment while advocating for NPs across the state of Alabama,” said NPAA Immediate Past-President Susan Alexander. “We applaud Rep. Weaver for her strong leadership and diligent efforts to improve health care in Alabama.”