Four BSON Faculty Named Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners

(March 11, 2026) — The Berkley School of Nursing celebrated four faculty members who were selected as Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). This honor recognizes nurse practitioner leaders for their outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education and policy.

Those selected, Vera Barton-Maxwell, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, Mary Haras, PhD, MBA, APN, NP-C, CNN, FANNA, Kwuan Paruchabutr, DNP, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC, CNM, FACNM, FNAP, FAAN, and Lois Wessel, DNP, FNP-BC, will be inducted on June 25 during a ceremony at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference in Las Vegas.

Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners are recognized for their exceptional achievements and leadership in advancing the nurse practitioner role and improving health care.

“The selection of Drs. Barton-Maxwell, Haras, Paruchabutr and Wessel as Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners is a tremendous honor,” said Roberta Waite, EdD, PMHCNS, ANEF, FAAN, dean of the Berkley School of Nursing. “Their leadership, dedication to the profession and commitment to improving health and health equity exemplify the values we strive to advance at the Berkley School of Nursing.”

Vera Barton-Maxwell, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, is an associate professor of nursing and FNP program director.

“This recognition reflects the mentorship and encouragement I’ve received throughout my career,” Barton-Maxwell said. “I’m grateful to the colleagues whose guidance and support helped shape my path and encouraged me to pursue this honor, especially Dr. Melody Wilkinson and Dr. Joyce Knestrick.”

Barton-Maxwell is an author, journal reviewer and national speaker. She specializes in cardiac care and heart failure and maintains a part-time clinical practice at Wheeling Health Right, a clinic for the underserved residents of West Virginia.

Mary Haras, PhD, MBA, APN, NP-C, CNN, FANNA, is a professor of nursing and teaches in the DNP program.

“I am honored and humbled that I have been accepted as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners,” said Haras. “I want to sincerely thank Dr. Deb Kosko and Dr. Deb Hain for sponsoring me and recognizing my significant contributions in the areas of education and research. I am beyond grateful for the support and encouragement to pursue this honor.”

Haras is a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Nephrology Nurse. Her research interests relate to curriculum development and revision in graduate nursing education, instrument development and psychometrics, geriatrics, and end-of-life issues for persons with chronic kidney disease

Kwuan Paruchabutr, DNP, FNP-BC, WHNP-BC, CNM, FACNM, FNAP, FAAN is an assistant professor of nursing in the Nurse-Midwifery/WHNP & WHNP programs

“I’m honored to be selected as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and grateful to be among such highly esteemed colleagues,” said Paruchabutr. “My sincere thanks to my sponsors and mentors, Dr. Beth Kelsey and Dr. Aimee Holland, for their guidance and support. I remain committed to advancing women’s health and nurse practitioner leadership.”

Paruchabutr teaches and mentors future nurse practitioners and midwives while leading curricular innovations and advocacy training that prepare clinicians to influence systems of care. Her work centers on improving outcomes for women and families through evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public health impact.

Lois Wessel, DNP, FNP-BC, is an associate professor of nursing and an associate professor of family medicine at Georgetown’s School of Medicine.

”I’m pleased that I have been invited to become a Fellow at the AANP,” Wessel said. “I am grateful for my colleagues’ mentorship, friendship and guidance.” She practices clinically at CCI Health Services in Silver Spring, Maryland, with a focus on immigrant and refugee health. Her areas of interest include community health workers, Project ECHO, environmental health, food justice, immigrant health, health equity and making the world a better place for everyone.