"Creating a Legacy of Mentorship"

Johns Hopkins Hospital donor supports Advanced Practitioners through the Opportunity Award

A new incentive is honoring the work of Johns Hopkins Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) at Johns Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore. In 2023, an anonymous donor established the Opportunity Award to show their support for and to acknowledge the work of APPs. With advanced education and clinical training, APPs are health care professionals — from nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certified nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists — who provide patient care across a variety of specialties.

The Opportunity Award designee receives $10,000 in seed funding to pursue an interest that adds value to the medical practice at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The donor says the purpose is to promote innovation and provide professional growth for the awardee.

“APPs have provided continuity of care to patients, families and practices. They are strong, capable, and dedicated partners to health care teams,” says the donor. “I want them to feel appreciated and seen, and I hope this support gives them a boost so they can achieve their goals.”

Michael Velaetis, senior physician assistant in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, received the inaugural Opportunity Award. He calls the recognition humbling.

“I’ve been a critical care physician assistant for 15 years and I’ve never come across an award or a scholar opportunity like this — it’s amazing,” he says.

Velaetis used the funding to develop a structured curriculum and training program in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for practitioners working in medical intensive care units (ICUs). A small ultrasound machine used at a patient’s bedside, POCUS takes images of the heart, lungs, abdomen, veins, and arteries and allows the critical care provider to interpret and integrate clinical information with the images obtained.

“Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen how POCUS speeds up diagnosis and avoids delays in care,” says Velaetis.

The curriculum and training program Velaetis designed allows his colleagues to become credentialed in using POCUS. On average, it takes between eight to 12 months for an individual to become certified. Currently, four APPs, including Velaetis, are credentialed in his medical division. He hopes to double that number in the next year.

“I love education. I love being able to support my team in using this instrument,” says Velaetis. “I have other intensive care unit providers who want to become credentialed. There’s a need. There’s a lot of drive from colleagues throughout the hospital who want to learn and take on this skill.”

The impact of the Opportunity Award is being felt across the East Baltimore campus, says Lauren Booth, senior nurse practitioner in the Johns Hopkins Pediatric ICU. Booth, former chair of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Advanced Practice Advisory Council, assisted in developing the first rubric for the award. The council advocates for APPs and provides input in decisions affecting their practice and patient care.

“It was exciting to outline the process, work alongside the council members, and honor the wishes of this generous donor,” says Booth. “The Opportunity Award elevates advanced practitioners. It’s creating a legacy of mentorship.”

Booth underscores how APPs are the backbone of the hospital — contributing to logistics, operations, research, and quality improvement efforts. However, within those pillars, there are few paths toward professional development for APPs.

“The Opportunity Award provides us that space to grow,” says Booth. “APPs provide safe and excellent care. To have a donor, invest in us and build up our community, and highlight our great work is incredible.”

Both Booth and Velaetis emphasize the benefits of the annual award and encourage APPs to apply. So far, three projects have received the Opportunity Award. Through the funded programs, the recipients are enhancing and supporting their interdisciplinary colleagues.

“This opportunity has allowed myself and my team to expand professionally and grow,” says Velaetis. “I’m grateful.”