Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer ANA.
ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN.

SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) Enterprise, representing the nation’s more than 5 million registered nurses, announced today that Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer, will serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2024.

Dr. Hatmaker joined the association in 2012, and currently serves as Chief Nursing Officer, with specific responsibility to lead the implementation of programmatic strategy to advance the association’s comprehensive practice, policy, advocacy, and credentialing agenda.

“We are delighted that Dr. Hatmaker has agreed to take on the Acting Chief Executive Officer role,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “Debbie brings broad knowledge and expertise and is a trusted leader that will guide the ANA Enterprise as the organization selects the next Chief Executive Officer.”

Dr. Hatmaker’s prior elected positions include the President for the Georgia Nurses Association, as well as ANA First Vice President, and President of ANCC, which brings a depth of experience to assist us in providing a high level of service to our members, CSNAs, ANCC, and ANF. Dr. Hatmaker will continue to prioritize the integral work of the ANA Enterprise following our most recent strategic planning session in October.

Current Chief Executive Officer, Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, will retire as of December 29, 2023.

“Loressa will be valued and remembered for her professional commitment and elevating the voices of and advocating on behalf of our nation’s more than 5 million registered nurses. She will be greatly missed,” said Dr. Mensik Kennedy.

The ANA Enterprise Board of Directors will continue the search and selection process to identify the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.

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The ANA Enterprise is the organizing platform of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Nurses Foundation. The ANA Enterprise leverages the combined strength of each to drive excellence in practice and ensure nurses’ voice and vision are recognized by policy leaders, industry influencers and employers. From professional development and advocacy, credentialing and grants, and products and services, the ANA Enterprise is the leading resource for nurses to arm themselves with the tools, information, and network they need to excel in their individual practices. In helping individual nurses succeed—across all practices and specialties, and at each stage of their careers—the ANA Enterprise is lighting the way for the entire profession to succeed.