The Office of Advanced Practice provides leadership and structure for more than 400 Advanced Practice Providers (APP) across Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Through organizational leadership and advocacy, the Office of Advanced Practice empowers APPs to participate in decisions affecting their practice, education, work environment, professional and scholarly endeavors. The Office of Advanced Practice is dedicated to the tenant that APPs are valuable members of the health care team. We serve as a national role model and embrace APPs’ differences while representing all in a cohesive and nurturing culture.
Mission statement
The Office of Advanced Practice is dedicated to the support, development, and promotion of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), including:
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
Education
The Office of Advanced Practice is committed to the education of APPs. We seek to enroll students of exceptional quality and experience. Their education will be evidence-based and centered on current and future health needs of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the nation as a whole. We are dedicated to lifelong learning, professional development, and mentorship of APPs and advanced practice leaders. Continuing education is essential to professional growth, excellence in clinical practice, and optimal health care outcomes.
Patient care
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s objective is to provide a range of fully integrated patient care services to patients of central Pennsylvania and beyond. The Office of Advanced Practice recognizes that APPs are essential to access and delivery of high-quality, cost-effective health care. We are dedicated to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care through wellness promotion, illness prevention, health maintenance, and treatment of disease. Our objective is to encourage, develop, improve, and remove barriers of care provided by APPs.
Research
The Office of Advanced Practice strives to empower APPs to be national leaders in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. We promote a culture of professional and scholarly development with recognition and resource support.
Community outreach
The Office of Advanced Practice provides opportunities for APPs to participate in community outreach through health education, community activities, and health screenings. These efforts improve individual and population health, reduce health care disparities, and encourage evidence-based health maintenance.