Stephen Ferrara DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP, FNAM

Dr. Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, is a family nurse practitioner, educator, and healthcare leader with over 25 years of clinical experience spanning college health, correctional health, retail clinics, men's health, and occupational medicine. At Columbia University School of Nursing, Dr. Ferrara serves as Professor and was the school's founding Associate Dean for Artificial Intelligence, the first such position in nursing education, where he led efforts to integrate responsible AI across curricula and clinical practice.

He is the immediate past president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice. In October 2025, Dr. Ferrara founded and launched the AI + Nurse Academy, an innovative online platform designed to build AI literacy for nurses worldwide. This venture reflects his deep commitment to preparing the nursing workforce for the future of healthcare through technology integration and evidence-based practice. As former executive director of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State, Dr. Ferrara led strategic advocacy efforts that resulted in the passage of the landmark NP Modernization Act in 2022.

This legislation removed collaborative practice requirements for experienced nurse practitioners, granting full practice authority in New York State and eliminating significant barriers to patient access. Dr. Ferrara's leadership has been recognized through his induction as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the National Academies of Practice. He received the AANP New York State Award for Clinical Excellence in 2012.