The OADN Foundation has appointed Colleen A. Leners, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAADN, FNAP, FAAN, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Leners’ appointment reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing associate degree nursing education through leadership grounded in service, academic progression, policy expertise, military leadership, and healthcare advocacy.
Dr. Leners began her nursing journey as an associate degree nursing graduate of Victor Valley College in 1982. Over the course of more than four decades, she has served in military, clinical, academic, executive, and policy leadership roles that have shaped healthcare delivery and nursing education nationally. Her distinguished service includes roles in both the U.S. Navy Reserve Nurse Corps and U.S. Army Nurse Corps, including deployment to Iraq with the 47th Combat Support Hospital, where she was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and leadership.
Most recently, Dr. Leners served as Chief Health Officer at 1stCallHEALTH, leading integrated healthcare services for veterans across the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. She previously served as Director of Policy for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), where she led national policy initiatives and managed more than $1.3 million in NIH-funded workforce and precision medicine programs. She also served as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator John Thune on the Senate Finance Committee.
“None of my professional journey would have been possible without the foundation that associate degree nursing education provided me,” said Dr. Leners. “My ADN education gave me the confidence, clinical preparation, and calling to serve others in military service, patient care, policy leadership, and national advocacy. Serving on the OADN Foundation Board is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the pathway that opened so many doors in my life and career.”
Dr. Leners is nationally recognized for her leadership in nursing policy, workforce development, veteran health equity, resilience research, and academic progression. She serves as Region 3 Director of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and will assume the office of AANP President-Elect at the end of June 2026. She has been inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the National Academies of Practice, and the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing.
Further reflecting her commitment to public service and leadership, Dr. Leners was recently selected as a Harvard Kennedy School American Service Fellow. The highly competitive fellowship supports accomplished public servants pursuing advanced leadership preparation through Harvard Kennedy School’s Mid-Career Master’s in Public Administration program. The fellowship recognizes leaders whose careers demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving communities and strengthening public institutions.
Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN, President of the OADN Foundation Board, emphasized the significance of Dr. Leners’ appointment. “Colleen Leners embodies the strength, leadership, and transformative impact of associate degree nursing education. Her distinguished career in military service, national policy, clinical leadership, and academic advancement brings extraordinary perspective and credibility to the Foundation’s mission.”
“The OADN Foundation exists to support access, academic progression, leadership development, and excellence in nursing education,” said Rick García, PhD, RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FAADN, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing and the OADN Foundation. “Dr. Leners’ appointment reflects the profound impact of associate degree pathways in preparing nurses who lead at the highest levels of healthcare, policy, military service, and national advocacy.”
About the OADN Foundation
The OADN Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. The Foundation advances excellence in associate degree nursing education through investment in academic progression, leadership development, and scholarly research that strengthens the nursing workforce.