AACN Appoints Dr. Brenda Baker as New Director of Policy

AACN is pleased to welcome Brenda Baker, PhD, RN, FAAN as its new Director of Policy, effective April 17.

Prior to joining AACN, Dr. Baker was an associate clinical professor at Emory University in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and a 2021-2022 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellow working in the office of Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Dr. Baker’s work has focused on the care of women and newborns, maternal well-being, and advocating for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women. In a unique partnership between the Georgia Department of Corrections and Emory, the Georgia Prison Motherhood Project was formed. Through the partnership, volunteers provide prenatal education, labor support, and a postpartum support group for women in the Georgia Department of Corrections.

Prior to joining the faculty at Emory University, Dr. Baker worked as a clinical nurse specialist in perinatal settings. She serves on state and national committees representing the unique needs of incarcerated pregnant women.

Dr. Baker earned a diploma in nursing from Roanoke Memorial Hospital School of Professional Nursing, her MSN from Emory University, her PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Juris Master from Emory University School of Law.