Name and credentials:
Erica Frechman, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, ACHPN, NEA-BC, FPCN
Where you earned your degree(s):
UC Berkeley: BA
Columbia University: BSN, MSN
Vanderbilt University: PhD
Employer and title:
Assistant Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Describe a day in the life:
Working on research-related projects or working clinically seeing patients as a Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner.
What inspired you to work in geriatrics:
I grew up living close to one set of my grandparents. I studied public health and aging during my undergraduate degree and always enjoyed the field.
How do you see the field of geriatrics evolving in the future:
A focus on personalized medicine combined with healthy aging concepts.
What is your favorite part of your job:
Clinically, I enjoy supporting patients and families navigating through living with serious illness. As a researcher, I am focused on how my research may translate to clinical practice and make a difference in the lives of patients, families, and clinical staff.
Hobbies/Favorite activities:
Yoga, cooking, and spending time at the ballpark watching my kids play softball and baseball.
Describe where you hope to be in 5 years in your career:
I would like to be in a position where I know my work is making a difference and I am surrounded by people that are passionate about the field of geriatrics and gerontology.
How long have you been a GAPNA member:
17 years
How and why did you get involved with GAPNA as a leader:
I have been a long-time member of GAPNA and joined the research committee during my PhD program. The research committee members are a supportive group of dedicated gerontological APRNs passionate about the intersection of research, education, and clinical practice. They encouraged me to chair the committee as a step in my leadership growth.