We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional individuals who have earned the honor of being named GAPNA's Rising Stars. These outstanding professionals have been selected by our board for their unwavering passion and dedication to advancing GAPNA's mission — promoting excellence in advanced practice nursing to enhance the well-being of older adults.
Our Rising Stars are more than just emerging leaders; they are trailblazers who actively contribute to the future of nursing with innovative ideas, collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to improving care for older adults. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and vision inspire us all to continue striving for excellence in every aspect of advanced practice nursing.
Join us in celebrating our latest Rising Star – Brock Willett!
Brock Willett - Rising Star Questionnaire
Name and credentials:
Brock Willett, DNP, FNP-C
Where you earned your degree(s):
BSN, Oakland University, Rochester Hills, MI
DNP, FNP, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Employer and title:
Sleep Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Sound A Sleep Lab
Describe a day in the life:
My day consists of bringing awareness to people suffering from many sleep related disorders such as, obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy. I help patients to understand the true impact of their diagnoses on their health and the long-term consequences associated with poor compliance in treatment. I am there to encourage them to be their healthiest self, and that starts with proper sleep hygiene!
What inspired you to work in geriatrics:
I have been inspired to work in geriatrics because of all the important people in my life growing up. I have seen the firsthand effects of proper lack of care, and pushing things to the wayside, simply because of “old age.” This has pushed me to advocate for the continued health of the older adult population.
How do you see the field of geriatrics evolving in the future:
I see the field of geriatrics evolving in the future to encompass more than secondary or tertiary levels of care. I believe that health will be geared towards primary prevention tactics in the aging population by realizing the predispositions at a young age and working with our patients throughout their lifespan to ensure a healthy aging process and trajectory.
What is your favorite part of your job:
My favorite part of my job is the uniqueness that each day brings. I have the privilege to treat people of all walks of life, suffering from conditions that when treated properly, can improve their quality of life drastically. Seeing patients come in feeling much better and with a new and improved outlook on life, is truly rewarding!
Hobbies/Favorite activities:
My hobbies consist of working out, being outdoors, mountain biking, riding my motorcycle, traveling, and spending quality time with my family! Additionally, I have found joy in writing and publishing children’s books centered on important health topics such as asthma, CPR, and EpiPen usage. I have presented these books to elementary schools and local health fairs, and the feedback has been amazing!
Describe where you hope to be in 5 years in your career:
In five years, I hope to still be making a significant contribution to the field of sleep medicine. I aspire to continue to grow my knowledge on the specialty and to obtain certifications that will allow me the ability to provide the most up to date, evidence based, thorough care to my patients.
How long have you been a GAPNA member:
I have been a member of GAPNA since roughly 2020.
How and why did you get involved with GAPNA as a leader:
I was introduced to GAPNA during my graduate career at the University of Michigan by my now wife, who was apart of the GAPNA-GLC chapter. The enthusiasm and opportunities that were described because of being a part of the organization were extremely appealing to myself and my future goals at the time. It has been a blessing since!
Any workplace honors you’d like to mention:
This year I will be attending a training in Minnesota at the Inspire Headquarters for Inspire Advanced Practice Provider Training. Inspire is a sleep apnea innovation company, that specializes in an implantable sleep apnea device. At this event, I will receive training and certification on how to provide the necessary treatment to this population of patients.
Anything else you’d like us to know:
GAPNA-GLC has been fundamental in providing various networking, educational, and personal development opportunities throughout my career as a nurse practitioner!