The Florida Board of Nursing announces new leadership. Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, ARNP, was elected as Chair, and Linda Horton, PhD, EdD, MSN, RN, JD, was re-elected as Vice-Chair, at the Board’s November 21, 2014 conference call.
Ann-Lynn Denker, PhD, ARNP has over 40 years of professional experience as a registered nurse, in Florida. She was previously employed with Jackson Health System in Miami from 1974-2012 in various roles including Clinical Nurse Specialist, Assistant to the Chair of the Public Health Trust and Director for the Center for Nursing Excellence. Dr. Denker received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s in Nursing from the University of Florida and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Miami. Most recently Dr. Denker was appointed to the Health Council of South Florida, serves as faculty at Barry University and Director of the Florida Action Coalition’s SIP grant on nursing leadership.
Dr. Horton received an Associate Degree in 1994, Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1996, a Master’s of Science in Nursing Administration in 1999, a PhD in 2004, a Master’s of Science in Nursing in Women’s Health in 2010 and a Juris Doctorate in 2012. She belongs to Sigma Theta Tau, NLN, the Society for Simulation in Health Care (SSHC), the Florida Healthcare Simulation Alliance (FHSA) and the Polk County Advanced Practice Nursing Association (PCAPNA).
The Florida Board of Nursing protects the health and safety of Florida’s residents and visitors by enforcing requirements for licensure and through diligent discipline of practitioners who violate laws in Chapters 464 and 456, Florida Statutes, and Rule Chapter 64B9, Florida Administrative Code. The legislative intent of the Nurse Practice Act is to ensure that every nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and certified nursing assistant practicing in the state of Florida meets minimum requirements for safe practice. The Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that licensees who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public are disciplined, which can range from restrictions to revocation. The Board also establishes and monitors continuing education of licensees to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current.
