November 12-18, 2023: Nurse Practitioner Week

WHEREAS, nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical role as trusted providers of health care for patients in our state; and,

WHEREAS, NPs work to expand health care access in underserved communities, promote health equity in care, and improve health outcomes for all; and,

WHEREAS, patients depend on the more than 355,000 licensed NPs in the United States, and over 13,000 in Michigan to diagnose, manage, and treat their chronic and acute health care conditions; and,

WHEREAS, NPs provide high-quality primary, acute, and specialty health care services while emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling, guiding patients to make smarter health and lifestyle choices every day; and,

WHEREAS, the confidence that patients have in NP-delivered health care is evidenced by the more than 1 billion visits made annually to NPs across the country; and,

WHEREAS, more than five decades of research demonstrates the high quality of care provided by NPs; and,

WHEREAS, nursing practitioners exhibit a deep understanding of the complexities of healthcare, serving as advocates for patients, educators, and vital members of the healthcare team; and

WHEREAS, NPs serve as the primary care provider of choice for many Michiganders and play a pivotal role in the health and welfare of our communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 12-18, 2023, as Nurse Practitioner Week in Michigan.