Faculty member named MI Nurse Practitioner of the Year

The Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners (MICNP) has named a Michigan State University College of Nursing faculty member as its “Michigan Nurse Practitioner of the Year.”

Ann Sheehan, the college’s assistant dean for practice, innovation and professional education, won the award, which honors those for excellence in clinical practice, education and mentorship, volunteerism, and service, scholarly contributions, health equity and access, leadership, MICNP involvement, and promotion of the profession. 

“I truly love my work as a nurse practitioner and advocate. Being recognized for the care I provide and the advocacy I’m passionate about is deeply humbling — and incredibly energizing,” said Sheehan, who joined the college in 2015. “It’s a privilege to serve patients and help shape the future of the NP profession.”

Sheehan is a past president of MICNP and two-time recipient of “Pediatric Nurse Practitioner of the Year” from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. 

One of Sheehan’s responsibilities in the college is managing the on-campus NP-led clinic, which opened in 2022. Under her leadership, the clinic has gone from 45 days for new patient appointments down to eight. The clinic also produces some of the highest patient satisfaction scores of any office on campus. 

Additionally, Sheehan recently took on new responsibilities in the college, overseeing simulation and professional education, the latter of which includes the annual Case Management Conference, which brought together nearly 400 attendees virtually last month.

Sheehan has also long had an interest in health policy, including advocating for full practice authority for nurse practitioners to be able to practice to the full extent of their education without physician supervision. 

Dean Leigh Small said Sheehan is more than deserving of the award. 

“We’re honored — but not surprised — that the MiCNP selected Dr. Sheehan as its ‘Michigan Nurse Practitioner of the Year.’  We’ve had the pleasure of having Ann lead our clinical practice, innovation and professional development in the college and, as such, have been able to witness first-hand her commitment to improving patient outcomes. Her ability to think strategically in a complex environment is an asset to nurses everywhere.”

Published Nov. 17, 2025.