House Resolution 64

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. PHYLLIS POLK JOHNSON, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, ON HER ELECTION AS THE 2024-2026 PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF NURSING AND HER SUCCESS AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING.

WHEREAS, Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, has a distinguished career in the field of nursing regulation which has earned her the prestigious distinction of being elected the 2024-2026 President of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN); and

WHEREAS, the NCSBN, a world leader in nursing regulatory knowledge and advancement which is comprised of member nursing regulatory bodies from all 50 states and around the world, empowers and supports regulators in their mandate to protect and promote the welfare of the public and interests of the profession of nursing; and
WHEREAS, since 2017, Dr. Johnson has ably served the State of Mississippi as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, the state agency vested with the authority to regulate the practice of nursing through licensure, and in this role, she has been responsible for the oversight of nearly 70,000 nurses, including RNs, LPNs and APRNs; and

WHEREAS, before being named Executive Director of the Board of Nursing, Dr. Johnson served as the Director of Advanced Practice and Licensure for the board, where she was responsible for the regulation of licensure, compliance and discipline for the more than 5,000 nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists; and

WHEREAS, a native of Carthage, Mississippi, Dr. Johnson, whose parents instilled in her the value of hard work and a desire to excel at a young age, graduated as salutatorian of her class from South Leake High School in Walnut Grove before earning a bachelor of science in nursing, cum laude, and a master of science in nursing from the Mississippi University for Women, as well as a master of science in biology, with an emphasis in genetics and molecular biology, from Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, since taking the helm at the Board of Nursing, Dr. Johnson has furthered her education by completing a doctor of nursing practice degree from Alcorn State University with a 4.0 GPA, all the while cultivating a culture of excellence for the agency's employees and staff and steering the board on a steady course; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson, who has exercised numerous clinical and managerial responsibilities in her more than 35 years of nursing, has been instrumental at the Board of Nursing in developing rules and regulations pertaining to the prescribing practices of Advanced Practice Nurses; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson's wisdom, natural leadership abilities, tireless work ethic, and commitment to excellence have led to her appointment to numerous important advisory boards and committees, including: the Governor's Opioid and Heroin Drug Task Force; the Governor's COVID-19 Advisory Board; the NCSBN National Licensure Compact Executive Committee; the Jackson State University COVID-19 Advisory Board; the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure's Advisory Committee for Physician Assistants; the Advisory Committee for the Project Change Initiative of My Brother's Keeper; and Chairman of the Madison County Business League and Foundation Health and Well-Being Committee; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her countless contributions, Dr. Johnson has been the worthy recipient of several notable awards, including the Mississippi Business Journal's 2019 Mississippi's Business Woman of the Year and the 2021 Madison County Economic Development Authority Visionary Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, a decorated officer in the United States Navy Reserves who achieved the rank of Commander before retiring in 2013, Dr. Johnson is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and actively participates in the renowned service organization's Jackson, Mississippi, Alumnae Chapter; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Johnson is lovingly supported in all her professional and volunteer work in the community by her husband, Clinton Johnson, Jr., her two sons, William and Trey, and seven adoring grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor remarkable Mississippians such as Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, a tireless servant whose tremendous talent as a world leader in the field of nursing regulation and unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of others has benefited not only the citizens of our state but also throughout the country and beyond, thereby bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, on her election as the 2024-2026 President of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and her success as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing and extend to her best wishes for every success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.