Ella Heitzler Named NPWH Fellow

(August 5, 2025) — The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) has selected Ella Heitzler, PhD, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, RNC-OB, as a 2025 NPWH Fellow, the organization’s inaugural class.

The NPWH Fellows program honors certified women’s health nurse practitioners who have “demonstrated exceptional contributions to women’s and gender-related health care, positively impacting patient outcomes while embodying the mission and vision of NPWH.”

“Dr. Heitzler is truly deserving of this prestigious honor,” said Roberta Waite, EdD, RN, PMHCNS, ANEF, FADLN, FAAN, dean of Georgetown University’s Berkley School of Nursing. “Throughout her career, she has exemplified a steadfast commitment to advancing research that enhances the care of all women. Her generosity in sharing her time, wisdom and expertise through mentorship and numerous professional contributions has made a lasting impact on the field and those fortunate to learn from her.”

Heitzler is an associate professor in Georgetown University’s Berkley School of Nursing. She teaches in the WHNP, DNP and PhD programs. Her clinical experience includes free clinic and private office settings, focusing on gynecologic and primary care. Heitzler’s current research explores how providers who specialize in women’s and gender-related health screen patients (cis and transgender) for sexual violence.

“It is such an honor to be selected as one of the 14 inaugural NPWH Fellows,” said Heitzler. “Women’s health nurse practitioners have waited many years for a fellow program specific to our specialty. The FNPWH program, grounded in NPWH’s vision of creating ‘a world where WHNP-BCs and all APRNs who provide women’s and gender related health care are esteemed pioneers in fostering a just, healthy, and equitable society,’ aligns perfectly with our Georgetown and Berkley School of Nursing mission, vision and values.”

Heitzler and the other 2025 NPWH Fellows will be inducted at this year’s NPWH Women’s Healthcare Conference in Las Vegas in October.

Heitzler began her career in academia 20 years ago. She is the program director for Georgetown University’s HRSA-funded Nurse Faculty Loan Program, which supports development of new nursing faculty. She serves as the Governance Chair for the Tau Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. At NPWH, she is a member and immediate past-chair of the Research and Quality Improvement Committee and also serves on the Academic Program Leaders Group.

Heitzler has formally mentored numerous DNP student projects and served as content expert for others. She is passionate about political advocacy and has mentored students and practitioners in this arena. She conducts peer-review for journals and has reviewed textbooks and clinical resources. Heitzler has presented at many conferences, authored/co-authored women’s/gender-related health textbook chapters, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles. She is committed to educating students and practicing clinicians about research, scholarship, and best practices in women’s and gender-related health care.

Heitzler completed her PhD in nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she earned the Yaffa Dahan Award for her dissertation research, which focused on increasing the cultural competence of practicing OB and neonatal nurses.