Over the last few decades, the roles of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), also known as advanced practice providers (APPs), have greatly expanded to touch even more patient-family lives. They are an essential part of the care we provide, and their roles have evolved over time. In this episode, we explore the crucial part they play in our medical system and how that might continue to evolve in the future.

For this episode, we are joined by two University of Colorado leaders who continue to help keep our APP programs among the top ranked in the country. Jonathan Bowser is the Child Health Associate and Physician Assistant Program Director at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also the Associate Dean of Physician Assistant Studies, the Section Head of Pediatrics, and an associate professor. Jill Marks, NP, is the Specialty Director of the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. She is also an inpatient nurse practitioner for the section of pediatric neurology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• Background on the creation of NPs and PAs
• The ways these roles have changed over time
• The impact APPs make on patient care
• The role APPs will play in healthcare in the future

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.