Lauren C. Mays, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC is an Associate Professor and Co-Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty Track at The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than 16 years of clinical experience across family practice, women’s health, pediatrics, and labor and delivery. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Mays serves as Clinic Director at UAB at the WellHouse, where she provides trauma-informed primary care to survivors of sex trafficking. Her scholarly interests focus on primary care education, simulation-based learning, and the preparation of practice-ready nurse practitioners. Dr. Mays maintains an active record of professional service as Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee and founding advisory council member for the National Association of Family Nurse Practitioners, and she has participated in national initiatives through the Healthy People Curriculum Task Force of the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. She is a three-time graduate of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned her BSN, MSN/FNP, and DNP. 

Laura Steadman, Ed.D., CRNP, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, is an Assistant Professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, where she serves as Coordinator of the Nurse Educator Subspecialty, Recruitment Coordinator, and oversees the RN-to-BSN Pathway. With more than 23 years of experience in nursing education, including 13 years at UAB, she has contributed extensively to curriculum development and academic leadership. Dr. Steadman earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from The University of Alabama, her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Adult Health Nursing from Troy State University, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Auburn University at Montgomery. She is also a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, bringing advanced clinical expertise to her teaching and mentorship. Her professional focus includes expanding pathways for nursing education and fostering the preparation of future nurse leaders and educators. 

Melanie Gibbons Hallman, DNP, CRNP, CNS, FAEN, FAANP, FAAN, is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She co-coordinates the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Subspecialty, a pioneering program for emergency nurse practitioners in Alabama. With over four decades of experience in emergency medical services and hospital emergency care—and nearly 30 years practicing as an emergency nurse practitioner—Dr. Hallman combines clinical expertise with academic leadership. Dr. Hallman is President-Elect of the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners and has held leadership roles in national and state nursing organizations, including service with the Emergency Nurses Association and on advisory committees for emergency medical services and disaster response. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Nursing and of the American Academy of Nursing. 

Patricia M. Speck, DNSc, CRNP, FNP-BC, AFN-C, IVSE-C, DF-IAFN, FAAFS, DF-AFN, FAANP, FAAN is Professor Emeritus and former Coordinator of Advanced Forensic Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing. She earned her BSN, MSN, and Doctor of Nursing Science from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. As a board-certified family nurse practitioner and advanced forensic nurse, Dr. Speck is recognized internationally for her expertise in the care of individuals impacted by violence and trauma, especially in the context of the legal system. Her research interests encompass forensic nursing practice, trauma-informed intervention, health outcomes following violence, and policy development. Over her career she has developed graduate education programs, consulted with governments and NGOs worldwide, and contributed significantly to program evaluation and infrastructure for violence prevention. Dr. Speck has been honored with over 25 professional awards, including lifetime impact recognitions, and holds fellowships in major nursing and forensic science associations.