Nurse Practitioner Luncheon

  • By Jessica Bagwell
  • November 19, 2014

Melanie Richburg, DNP, R.N., FNP-C

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing hosted a luncheon in honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week. The school welcomed local nurse practitioners as guests and featured a presentation over the role of a nurse practitioner (NP) in health care and awards ceremony.

Melanie Richburg, DNP, R.N., FNP-C, family nurse practitioner at Lynn County Hospital District Family Wellness Clinic, was the guest speaker. Richburg’s message emphasized the significance of rural health and the work of nurse practitioners in advancing health care. Richburg focused on the critical importance of nurse practitioners in rural health communities.

The event concluded with Mercedes Day, MSN, FNP-C, chair of publicity committee for the South Plains Nurse Practitioner Association (SPNPA) and NP for Texas Tech Physicians – Pediatrics, presenting Kay Hatton, APRN, MSN, RDMS, with the 2014 SPNPA Outstanding Nurse Practitioner Award.

Kay Hatton, APRN, MSN, RDMS (L) & Mercedes Day, MSN, FNP-C (R)
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), National Nurse Practitioner Week is held each November to “celebrate the important role of nurse practitioners and highlight the meaningful difference NP’s make in the lives of their patients.” AANP also encourages health care providers to observe National Nurse Practitioner Week in an effort to “remind lawmakers of the importance of removing outdated barriers to practice so that NPs will be allowed to practice to the full extent of their experience and education.”

Related Stories

  • By School of Health Professions
  • June 30, 2025

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

  • By Kate Gollahon
  • May 16, 2025

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

  • By School of Health Professions
  • March 06, 2025

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Recent Stories

Health
  • By Suzanna Cisneros
  • August 21, 2025

TTUHSC Receives $1.3 Million HRSA Telehealth Resource Center Grant to Expand Telehealth in Texas and Louisiana

The TexLa Telehealth Resource Center, based at TTUHSC, has been awarded a $1.3 million, four-year grant from HRSA to strengthen and expand digital health services in Texas and Louisiana.

Health
  • By Kate Gollahon
  • August 19, 2025

The Relational Health Center Celebrates Two Years of Care for Families

On Friday, August 22, from 3 - 5 p.m., the Relational Health Center is celebrating its second birthday with an open house event at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.

Campus Life
  • By Kay Williams
  • August 14, 2025

From Backpacks to White Coats: TTUHSC School of Medicine Invests in Tomorrow’s Healers Today

As part of its partnership with JAMP, the TTUHSC School of Medicine Admissions Office recently partnered with Alderson Elementary School in the Lubbock Independent School District to provide critical school supplies.