Ep. 62 - Advocating Beyond the Bedside: Nursing Leadership in Health Policy

Advocacy doesn't begin in the legislature—it begins wherever nurses use their voices to improve care.

In this episode of Palliative Perspective, HPNA Advocacy Committee member Janelle Williamson MSN, NP-C, APRN, ACHPN, FPCN, and Kansas State Representative Melissa Oropeza DNP, APRN, NP-C, CGRN, join the conversation to explore how nurses can influence healthcare at every level. From sharing patient stories and engaging in professional organizations to testifying on legislation and serving in elected office, they discuss the many ways nurses can shape policy and advance the profession.

Together, they reflect on their own advocacy journeys, the leadership skills that grow from speaking up, and why nurses are uniquely qualified to inform healthcare decisions. The conversation also addresses a common challenge: many nurses don't see themselves as policy experts, despite being the clinicians closest to patients and families.

Whether you're attending your first advocacy event, participating in an HPNA Hill Day, or simply wondering where to begin, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration to help you discover where your voice can make a difference. Advocacy isn't reserved for a select few—it's a natural extension of nursing practice, and every nurse has a role to play. HPNA Advocacy

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Melissa Oropeza, DNP, APRN, NP-C, CGRN, is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in Gastroenterology at The University of Kansas Health System and a Kansas State Representative. With more than 27 years of healthcare experience, she has been a leader in advancing the role of Advanced Practice Providers and improving patient care through clinical practice, leadership, and advocacy.

Throughout her career, Dr. Oropeza has championed the nursing and advanced practice professions. She founded and served as the inaugural Chair of The University of Kansas Health System's Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Council, where she established professional recognition programs, created an APP endowment fund, and launched the institution's first APP Symposium. Her leadership has created lasting opportunities for professional development, recognition, and advocacy for advanced practice providers.

A nationally recognized healthcare advocate, Dr. Oropeza served on the Kansas State Board of Nursing and became the first actively practicing Nurse Practitioner elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2022. She currently serves as Chair of the Wyandotte-Leavenworth County Legislative Delegation and as Ranking Minority Member of the Kansas House Social Services Budget Committee, where she works to improve healthcare access, strengthen behavioral health services, and advance policies that support Kansas families and healthcare professionals.

In addition to her legislative service, Dr. Oropeza continues to provide direct patient care and mentor future healthcare leaders. She is a strong advocate for healthcare access, mental health, and patient-centered public policy. Her professional honors include the 2017 Kansas Nurse Practitioner Advocate Award and numerous leadership and service recognitions throughout her career. In 2026, she received the Legislative Leadership and Collaboration Award for Mental Health Advocacy, recognizing her commitment to building bipartisan solutions and improving mental health outcomes for Kansans.

Janelle Williamson, MSN, APRN, NP-C, ACHPN, FPCN, is a nurse practitioner with Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas. A nationally recognized leader in hospice and palliative care, she has held specialty certification in the field for nearly 15 years and was named a Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing in 2023—an honor recognizing significant contributions to the profession. She has been a strong advocate for improving access to palliative care across Kansas, helping lead efforts that established the state's Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council and contributing to Kansas' first five-year palliative care plan. Janelle also serves in leadership roles with the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association and the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association's Political Action Committee. She is passionate about advancing hospice and palliative care while advocating for APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training.