Board of Directors

Rachel Swerdlin is a highly accomplished pediatric nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in pediatric nursing, specializing in hematology, oncology, and vascular anomalies. She received her BSN from University of Texas in 2004 and started her career as a pediatric nurse practitioner after receiving her MSN from Georgia State University in 2009. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Augusta University (2021), where she developed an evidence-based mentorship program for new graduate nurse practitioners. Rachel is currently the Advanced Practice Provider Manager of Education and Quality at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she leads initiatives to improve orientation and onboarding, transition to practice, and professional development for advanced practice providers. Her clinical expertise is complemented by a robust record of research, presentations, and publications focusing on pediatric vascular anomalies, patient outcomes, and mentoring in nursing practice.

Rachel’s leadership extends beyond clinical practice; she has served in various professional roles, including previous President of the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and as a committee member for several national and international organizations. 

With a passion for advancing pediatric healthcare and mentoring the next generation of advanced practice providers, Rachel is a leader dedicated to improving patient outcomes and fostering professional growth within APPS.

Melanie Reynolds is the Advanced Practice Provider Professional Development Specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she is dedicated to empowering advanced practice providers and fostering professional growth across advanced practice professions.

With over 14 years of experience serving the pediatric population, Melanie began her career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University in 2009. She worked in pediatric critical care while completing her Master of Science in Nursing at New York University in 2014. As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Melanie specialized in pediatric pain medicine at Seattle Children’s Hospital for six years.

In 2021, she advanced her expertise by obtaining her Pediatric Acute Care Certification from Rush University, where she is also pursuing her doctorate in Transformative Leadership: Systems. Melanie brings a passion for elevating APP practice, innovation, and leadership to the profession.

Laura J. Abels is the Advanced Practice Provider Education Coordinator at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio, where she oversees transition to practice initiatives and continuing professional development for the organization’s growing workforce of nearly 500 advanced practice providers. 

Laura started her career in nursing in 2005 at Akron Children’s Hospital after completing her BSN at The University of Akron. She pursued her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Kent State University and was board certified as a Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2010.  Laura went on to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (clinical focus) from Otterbein University in 2019 and Master of Business Administration degree  (leadership focus) from Youngstown State University in 2023. Laura also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Kent State University, awarded in 2002 and obtained board certification as an Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse in 2015. 

Kathryn Williams, MSN, RN, CRNP, has been an integral member of the UPMC Children’s Hospital Advanced Practice Provider (APP) team since May 2011. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Advanced Practice Quality and Education at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she plays a key role in enhancing the education and professional development of Advanced Practice Providers. Kathryn also practices clinically within the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes. 
 
As the co-program director of the ANCC APPFA-accredited UPMC Pediatric APP Fellowship program, Kathryn oversees the development and implementation of high-quality educational programming APP Fellows. In her position as Associate Director, she coordinates training and mentorship programs to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. Her efforts focus on the continued professional growth, education, and leadership development of the APP team to promote the highest standards of patient care.

Kathryn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Waynesburg University in 2006 and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in 2010. Upon completing her MSN, she joined UPMC Children’s Hospital, where she has since made significant contributions both clinically and educationally.
 
In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Kathryn is an active member of the PA Three Rivers chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), where she has served two terms as chapter president and currently holds the position of Membership Chair. Her dedication to advancing the APP educator role and supporting her colleagues remains a cornerstone of her professional journey.

Jessica Allen is a doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner in the Pediatric Critical Care unit at the Nemours Children’s Hospital (NCH), Florida. In addition, she serves NCH, FL as the APP Manager for Inpatient Pediatrics, Director of Interprofessional Education for GME, and a director for the Nemours Academy of Master Educators (NAME). In her role within GME, she has taken the leadership reigns of interdisciplinary education program and has increased participation in interdisciplinary simulation training and the NAME program, an interprofessional academy of master educators. Jessica has also expanded the post-graduate APP training programs within NCH-FL. She has been a leading force in these programs since their beginnings. 

Jessica is originally from Orlando, Florida. She completed her undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees from the University of Central Florida. She also obtained a post-masters in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Vanderbilt University. Jessica now holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of South Florida. 

Heather Elkins is a seasoned Physician Associate with a specialization in adult cardiovascular disease. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing Transition to Practice Programs for large healthcare systems. In 2015, Heather pioneered the first Transition to Practice Program at Orlando Health, which was later recognized as a best practice by Med-Axiom consulting firm. Currently, she serves as the Director of Education and Quality for AdventHealth Medical Group, a large organization encompassing over 70 specialties and a 9-hospital system in Central Florida. Heather is actively building Transition to Practice Programs and Fellowships for these specialties, along with creating a team of APP Educators to support these initiatives.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Heather has over 9 years of leadership experience, including project management and quality initiatives. She is well-versed in recruitment, orientation, and onboarding processes, and has a strong track record of evaluating and supervising advanced practice providers.

Heather is also an experienced educator, having served as an adjunct professor for both AdventHealth and Nova Southeastern University PA programs. She is currently a Clinical Faculty member for ThriveAP, where she contributes to the transition to practice for new APPs.

Heather holds a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Florida State University. She is nationally board-certified by the NCCPA and holds current Florida state licensure.

Amanda Tronzo is a Professional Development Specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In this role she creates, supports, and implements various educational programs geared towards the > 1000 APPs throughout the organization. Education sessions include onboarding, preceptor support, transition to practice program, mental and behavioral health initiatives, as well as simulation experiences tailored to individual unit needs. Amanda also works clinically in a CHOP primary care location serving the community seeing patients from newborn on with a special interest in adolescent care. Amanda has been recognized as Clinical Leader: Expert through the CHOP APP advancement program every year since its inception.

Additionally, Amanda has been on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing PNP-PC program and for the last 7 years. Co-Leading the clinical practicum course for the last 4 years and occasionally guest lecturing in the Adolescent and Family courses.

Amanda is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is pursuing the activate micro-credential through PNCB. She is an active member of NAPNAP both the Delaware Valley chapter and the national association as well as the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).