Nursing is a Profession: Responding to the Department of Education's Proposed Rule
Webinar Details
Join members of the Nursing Community Coalition as they provide an overview and next steps in the unified nursing response to the Department of Education's recently released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Speakers will outline the history of this rulemaking process, highlight next steps, showcase our coordinated approach as a community, and equip attendees with tangible steps to take action. We look forward to working together as we provide concise and compelling evidence on why nursing should be included as a professional degree.
NOTE: This webinar is intended for 糖心少女vlog members and invited participants only and is not open to members of the press.
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Speakers
Rachel L. Minahan, MA
Chief Government Affairs and Policy Officer
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Rachel Minahan joined the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (糖心少女vlog) in June 2018, where she leads the Association鈥檚 advocacy and policy portfolio. In this role, she works closely with Members of Congress, the Administration, national coalitions, and 糖心少女vlog member institutions to advance health and health care through a nursing lens. She also serves as Executive Director of the Nursing Community Coalition, a 65-member organization representing a broad spectrum of nursing education, practice, research, and regulation.
Prior to 糖心少女vlog, Rachel spent more than a decade in government relations and policy, including eight years as a Legislative Director and Senior Legislative Assistant at Polsinelli and Wheat Government Relations. She began her career on Capitol Hill and as a field organizer in Iowa, experiences that grounded her deep commitment to public service and advocacy.
Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Interdisciplinary Studies in Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government from American University, and a Master of Arts in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University. She has also served as an assistant adjunct professor at Georgetown University鈥檚 School of Nursing and Health Studies, where she taught courses on the foundations of health systems and policy.
Matt Thackston
Senior Director, Congressional Affairs
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
Matthew Thackston serves as the Senior Director of Congressional Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). Matt leads the lobbying team on a wide variety of issues important to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, including practice issues in the Veterans Administration and Medicare. Before coming to the AANA, Matthew served as a fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee serving under Chairman Lujan and Leader Pelosi. Originally from Syracuse, NY, Matthew got his start in politics working on Congressional races and consulting for a number of Members of the House of Representatives. Matthew received his Master's in Public Administration and Policy from American University and his Bachelor's in Political Science from SUNY Geneseo.
MaryAnne Sapio
Vice President of Federal Government Affairs
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
MaryAnne Sapio has served as the Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners since 2013. With nearly twenty years of experience at the federal level, MaryAnne is well known for her health policy experience and expertise. As Vice President, she directs all aspects of the federal legislative agenda, including deploying and coordinating grassroots efforts. Prior to joining the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, MaryAnne spent over six years at the American Health Care Association, where she served as Senior Director, Government Relations and Federal Advocacy. Her bipartisan reach during her tenure made her a trusted go-to health care professional for Members and staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, and related federal agencies. Mrs. Sapio began her federal government affairs work in Washington, DC in 2002 when she served as Director of Federal Affairs at Wheat Government Relations. MaryAnne has a BS in Marketing and a Master of Public Administration.
Sam Hewitt
Managing Director, Government Affairs
American Nurses Association
Sam Hewitt is Managing Director of Government Affairs for the American Nurses Association (ANA), representing registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. He has more than 15 years of experience working in health care policy and for providers. In his role, he oversees ANA鈥檚 lobbying, grassroots, and political action committee divisions and staff. He lobbies Congress and the Administration on behalf of ANA鈥檚 advocacy priorities, analyzes legislation, provides strategic advice on political strategy, and represents ANA on numerous coalitions. Prior to joining ANA, Sam served as Director of Federal Affairs, Health Care, for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association where he worked on behalf of the speech-language pathology and audiology professions and oversaw the operations of their political action committee. He has also worked for the American Academy of Dermatology and as a health care legislative aide for former-Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). Prior to working in health care advocacy, he served as Finance Director of the Christine Jennings for Congress campaign in 2006 and as a field organizer for John Kerry鈥檚 2004 presidential bid.
Dave Mason
Governmental Affairs Representative
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National League for Nursing, and National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
A veteran of more than 25 years in federal health policy circles, Dave Mason has represented several national nursing organizations since becoming an independent consultant in 2010. He currently represents the National League for Nursing, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, leading their advocacy strategies for federal policies, legislation, and regulations. A former congressional press secretary and legislative aide, Dave previously directed federal legislative and regulatory policy, grassroots advocacy, and political action for national professional organizations representing pathologists and physical therapists.
Ashley Shelton, JD
Director, Federal and External Affairs Government Affairs
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Ashley N. Shelton has over 15 years professional experience in policy and government affairs. In May 2025, she joined the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as the Director of Federal & External Affairs, where she leads the organization鈥檚 federal advocacy efforts and works to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders in healthcare and public policy. Before joining NCSBN, Ms. Shelton spent nearly nine years at the Library of Congress鈥� Congressional Relations Office, where she served as Legislative Advisor and Legislative Analyst. Her prior experience also includes serving as the Director of Public Policy for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, where she led advocacy efforts on public health policy at the national level. Earlier in her career, Ms. Shelton spent several years as a congressional staffer specializing in healthcare policy and law. This included serving as counsel to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate. Ms. Shelton is a licensed attorney who obtained her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School and her B.A. from George Washington University.
Pricing and CE Credit
This webinar is free to deans, faculty, staff and students from?.?All non-member audiences can utilize this .
Continuing Nursing Education
This session will not offer any Continuing Education Credits.