Abstract
The AANP Fellows program was designed in the late 1990s as a national recognition program for nurse practitioners (NPs). The charter class of Fellows was inducted in 2000. Each year, additional Fellows are inducted based on specified achievement criteria. Honorary Fellows, who are not NPs, may also be selected. Core initiatives include recognition of NP achievements, provision of leadership nationally and internationally, and mentorship for career development of NPs. Important activities initiated since the inception of the Fellows have included think tanks to address critical issues for nurse practitioners, the development of an NP research agenda, and the initiation of a historical/archival group to preserve information on founders and key events. As the Fellows program celebrates its 25th anniversary, its importance in providing active leadership in advancing NP practice continues to grow.