Nursing is a Profession: Responding to the Department of Education's Proposed Rule

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 (AACN) in June 2018, where she leads the Association’s advocacy and policy portfolio. In this role, she works closely with Members of Congress, the Administration, national coalitions, and AACN 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 AACN, 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’s 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’s lobbying, grassroots, and political action committee divisions and staff. He lobbies Congress and the Administration on behalf of ANA’s 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’s 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’s 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’ 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 AACN member schools of nursing. All non-member audiences will be required to pay a $59 webinar fee.

Continuing Nursing Education

This session will not offer any Continuing Education Credits.