ISAPN Member of the Month: Daniel Mead

At ISAPN, we are proud to highlight members whose commitment to advanced practice nursing reflects both clinical excellence and service to community. This month, we are honored to recognize Daniel Mead, DNP, MSCE, ACNPC-AG, AGNP-C, CNN-NP, CHSE, FNKF, Gstat, as our ISAPN Member of the Month.

A Commitment to Making a Difference

Daniel’s journey into advanced practice nursing was grounded in a lifelong belief in doing good and creating meaningful change. He saw the APRN role as a powerful opportunity to make a lasting impact particularly within geriatric and nephrology populations, and especially among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who often face barriers to care.

That purpose continues to guide his work today, shaping a practice rooted in equity, advocacy, and patient dignity.

Growing Through ISAPN

A member of ISAPN for five years, Daniel credits the organization with supporting his growth through education, continuing medical education, and invaluable professional connections. ISAPN has served as a space not only for learning, but also for collaboration connecting him with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing the APRN profession across Illinois.

Evolving Practice, Deeper Impact

Since becoming an APRN, Daniel describes his professional growth as transformational. Over time, he has learned to rely less on rigid algorithms and diagnostics alone, and more on clinical intuition, analytical reasoning, and patient-centered care.

Today, his practice emphasizes shared decision-making, ensuring that patients are active partners in their care, an approach that reflects both experience and maturity in advanced practice.

Staying Connected and Giving Back

Daniel remains closely connected to the nursing community through ISAPN involvement, LinkedIn engagement, conference participation, and teaching. His dedication to education and mentorship underscores the importance of knowledge-sharing in strengthening the profession as a whole.

Lessons from the Bedside

One lesson that has stayed with Daniel throughout his career is simple, yet profound: treat the patient, not just the labs or diagnostics. He recalls moments early in practice were focusing too heavily on numbers led to missteps, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive assessment and clinical judgment. That lesson continues to inform his approach today.

A Vision for Healthcare

If Daniel could change one thing in healthcare overnight, it would be to remove politics from clinical decision-making and refocus the system on evidence-based science free from rhetoric driven by unqualified voices. His perspective highlights the need for policies grounded in expertise, data, and patient outcomes.

A Resource Worth Recommending

For fellow APRNs, Daniel strongly recommends Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine not as a memorization tool, but as a guide to truly understanding pathophysiology and clinical management. His advice: read it thoroughly, think critically, and apply it thoughtfully.

Beyond the Clinic

Outside of clinical practice, Daniel may surprise you. He’s known for his ability to solve extreme Sudoku puzzles, finds motivation in the song “Chevelle” by Peach, and would choose Keanu Reeves to portray him in a movie admiring Reeves’ quiet philanthropy and integrity.

Looking Ahead with ISAPN

When asked what he’d like to see more of from ISAPN, Daniel’s answer was simple: more conferences creating additional opportunities for learning, collaboration, and connection among APRNs statewide.

A Moment of Kindness

A recent act of kindness reminded Daniel why he entered healthcare in the first place: witnessing a man with very little give money to someone experiencing homelessness. The moment reinforced Daniel’s dedication to serving the underserved and seeing humanity beyond circumstance.

Join Us in Celebrating

We are grateful for Daniel’s leadership, compassion, and commitment to advanced practice nursing. Please join us in congratulating him as our ISAPN Member of the Month.

Interested in becoming member of the month or nominating a colleague? Submit now!