POCN Celebrates 10 Years of America’s Top NPs, Recognizing Nurse Practitioners Advancing Patient Care and the Profession

November 9, 2026 – POCN, a trusted resource for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Associates (PAs) across specialties, today announced its America’s Top NPs of 2026, recognizing 15 outstanding clinicians who are advancing patient care and shaping the future of the NP profession. Announced during National NP Week, this year’s honorees mark the program’s 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of recognition for NPs whose contributions extend beyond individual patient encounters to strengthen care across hospitals, health systems, specialty practices, primary care settings and community-based clinics.

As the only peer-nominated recognition program for NPs and PAs across every major clinical specialty, America’s Top NPs celebrates clinicians whose contributions to patient care, education, leadership, their peers and communities are recognized by those who understand their work firsthand. NPs often serve in a diverse range of roles beyond clinical work, including in education and as leaders in public health and advocacy.

The milestone comes as NPs are increasingly central to how patients access and experience care. According to a 2026 joint analysis by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and POCN, nearly two in five U.S. patients received care from an NP or PA in 20241. In many practice settings, these clinicians serve as first-contact providers, managing patient relationships, chronic disease and routine acute care while playing a central role in diagnosis, prescribing and treatment initiation, and longitudinal care. 

“NPs are a rapidly growing population. In the United States today, there are over 460,000 certified NPs that are relied upon by millions of patients. These NPs work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to ensure patients are cared for,” said Linda Garcia, NP/PA Relations and Engagement, POCN. “For 10 years, America’s Top NP has helped recognize the best and brightest NPs, honoring the impact they have on their patients, colleagues and communities.”

Celebrating the 2026 America’s Top NPs

This year’s 15 honorees represent a wide range of clinical specialties and NP education across 9 states. From primary and palliative medicine to cardiology, neuro-oncology, endocrinology, HIV medicine and other specialties, the 2026 class reflects the breadth of NP practice and the many ways NPs are advancing patient care, mentoring fellow clinicians and future NPs, and strengthening the communities they serve.

The 2026 America’s Top NP award winners are: 

• Amanda Victoria Karam, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC – Pediatric Rheumatology (Maryland)
• Brett Snodgrass, DNP, FNP-C, ACHPN, FAANP – Palliative Medicine (Tennessee)
• Andrea Douglas, DNP, AGACNP-BC – Cardiology Electrophysiology (Michigan)
• Jonathan V. Llamas, DNP, RN-BC, PMHNP-BC, PHN, CGNC, eFACHDM, FISQua, FRSPH, FIMHPP – Psychiatry (California)
• Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP – Family Practice (Florida)
• Jacqueline M. Behr, MSN, RN, FNP-BC – Neuro-Oncology (New York)
• Janice M. Arceneaux, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CMSRN – Family/Mental Health (Texas)
• Kathleen Perrott Wilson, PhD, APRN, CPNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, FAANP, FNAP, DipACLM, FAAN, FACLM – Endocrinology, Diabetology (Florida)
• Pedro E. Morante, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, LNC, GERO-BC, PMH-BC, MEDSURG-BC, EDS-C, APRN – Psychiatry (California)
• Rhigel (Jay) Alforque Tan, PhD, DNP, MSN, RN, APRN-CNP, GNP, ANP, PMHNP, FAANP, FAAN – Mental Health and Psychiatry (Nevada)
• Robin Beach, PhD, FNP-C, AACRN, FAANP – HIV Medicine (Texas)
• S. Lon Ratner, DNP, APRN-CNP, FNP-C – Family Practice (Florida)
• Stephanie Sanchez, APRN, FNP-BC – Family Practice (Florida)
• Terri Dunn, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, CPHQ – Gynecologic Oncology (Texas)
• Ylenia Ann A. Quiaoit, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC – Cardiovascular Medicine (Pennsylvania) 

POCN’s mission is to bring PAs and NPs together to network, share ideas and create a strong foundation of providers. Through education, clinical resources, professional support and programs such as America’s Top NP and PA, POCN connects and elevates the clinicians helping shape care across the healthcare system.

Learn more about POCN’s America’s Top NP/PA program and meet the 2026 America’s Top NP honorees at https://www.pocn.com/pocn-americas-top-np-and-pa/.

1. American Academy of Physician Associates and POCN Group, an IQVIA business, Healthcare Game Changers: PA & NP Trends You Need to Know, 2026. Healthcare Game Changers: PA & NP Trends You Need to Know.