Mentors
Irene Bean
Irene Bean, DNP, FNP/PMHNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She graduated in 2001 with a Master of Science in Nursing and a concentration in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Loyola University of New Orleans in 2012, and in 2018 she received her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-master certification from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2018. In 2008, Dr. Bean became an entrepreneur as the CEO/owner of Serenity Health Care, PC in Madison, TN where she currently serves an integrated population for family and behavioral health care.
In 2014, Dr. Bean became the founder and Executive Director of the only TN statewide nurse practitioner association, Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Association (TNNPA). The organization is designed to empower Tennessee Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in providing quality, accessible and compassionate healthcare through education, leadership and advocacy.
She is the recipient of numerous awards for her leadership and was selected by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as the 2016 recipient of the Tennessee State Excellence Award. Dr. Bean was inducted as a fellow in numerous organizations, such as, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Duke Johnson & Johnson Leadership Nursing Program, the National Academies of Practice, the American Academy of Nurses, and the National Academies of Practice.
Dr. Bean is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and was recently elected to serve as the Regional Director where she will oversee Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Also, she is an incoming member of the AANP Board of Directors. She served as the State Liaison for Tennessee, for four consecutive years. She was a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive (DEI) committee, member of the Awards Committee, and Annual Conference Committee.
Dr. Bean has presented as a state and national lecturer, keynote speaker, and contributor on podcasts, radio, and Doximity Op-Med. She has led numerous healthcare fairs for the community and churches in TN. She has been extremely impactful to many APRNs, RNs, and others in the health care field.
Susan Catchings
Susan Catchings, DNP, FNP-C is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She holds nursing degrees from Columbia University (BSN), UNC-Chapel Hill (MSN), and Duke University (DNP). She has been a nurse practitioner for over 30 years and a successful medical practice owner and entrepreneur for over 20 of those years. She currently practices at an award-winning family practice in Cary, NC. Dr. Catchings started that practice as the primary owner and recently completed its sale to new ownership. She previously co-founded and co-owned another medical practice in the area. As an entrepreneur and nurse practitioner, she has worked hard to take excellent care of her employees and her patients. She has had practical hands-on experience with the many ups and downs of medical practice ownership.
Dr. Catchings also works to empower the next generation of nurse practitioners and entrepreneurs as an assistant clinical professor at UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing. Her most recent publication, on the treatment of obesity in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, was recognized as one of the publication’s ten best articles in 2021.
Laure Marino
Laure Marino, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE is a family nurse practitioner, board certified in Family Practice. She has maintained a primary care practice in West Virginia since 1997. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Marino is an Associate Clinical Professor and Program Coordinator for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Nurse Leadership Track with Baylor University School of Nursing in Dallas, TX.
Dr Marino is the CEO/owner of The Concierge NP, a direct access, primary care practice. She is also the co-owner of a multi-specialty NP practice, Health Path Medical and Psychiatric Care, LLC. Dr. Marino founded the Aila Accad Center for Nurse Entrepreneurship to help nurses open health related businesses. The Center provides business coaching, support, and networking. She was named WV Nurse Practitioner of the year in 2024.
Dr. Marino is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, AONL and the National Small Business Association. She is the past Executive Director for The Future of Nursing WV Action Coalition.
Schquthia Peacock
Schquthia Peacock, FNP is a family nurse practitioner and visionary leader. She discovered her passion for nursing early in life, setting her sights on a career in nursing while in middle school. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill in 1992. She worked as a Registered Nurse for 5 years before returning to UNC and earning master’s degree in advanced Practice Nursing in the Family Nurse Practitioner Role. With a keen eye for impactful leadership opportunities, Schquthia became a business owner and partner with Preston Medical Associates in 2000 and later created Avance Care Preston in 2022. Her private practice has thrived under her leadership, providing access to evidence-based primary care to more than 7000 discrete clients across the life cycle. While Schquthia excels in caring for people of all ages, she is passionate about women’s health.
Schquthia extends her leadership skills to advocating for patients and to increased access to healthcare for all North Carolinians. She has served in numerous executive leadership roles in NCNA, the leading professional organization for North Carolina’s registered nurses, by equipping nurses at all stages to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare environment. Schquthia is currently serving as the chair of the Council of Nurse Practitioners. Under her leadership, The Council works collaboratively with the NCNA Board of Directors to identify issues important to NPs and their patients and to develop strategies to address these needs. Schquthia’s clinical acumen and her leadership skills are recognized by her peers. In 2014, she was awarded the NCNA Nurse of the year. She also was honored as the recipient of the 2017 Legislative Nurse of the year award, the AANP 2021 State Advocate Award, and the recipient of the UNC Chapel Hill 2021 SON Outstanding Alumni Service Award. In 2023, Schquthia was selected as one of the Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina.
Schquthia understands the importance of balancing the body, mind, and spirit. She is intentional with her limited spare time to engage in activities that renew her. She enjoys traveling locally and abroad with her husband.
Leslie Sharpe
Leslie Sharpe, DNP, FNP-BC is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Nursing. She attended the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leaders Program as an inaugural fellow in 2013-2014 and is now joining the Duke-J&J program as a project coach. In 2013, Dr. Sharpe took the lead role in facilitating and coordinating the opening of opening of Sylvan Community Health Center, a school-based community health center in Snow Camp, NC. This community health center was a unique partnership with Piedmont Health Services, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, and Alamance-Burlington School System with the goal of increasing access to healthcare in a rural community. With 25 years of experience in primary care specializing in the care of patients with complex, co-morbid physical and mental health illnesses, she is committed to educating primary care nurse practitioners to be able to apply behavioral health concepts in primary care. Currently, Dr. Sharpe volunteers as a safety net provider with the UNC School of Nursing Mobile Health Clinic.
Dr. Sharpe is a leading influencer and peer-mentor for novice APRN activists in the state and national legislative and advocacy arenas. Firmly committed to the role of nursing in political advocacy, she has been an active member in state professional organization (NCNA) for 25 years and AANP for the past 15 years. Additionally, she has served as Treasurer for the NC NP PAC for 12 years and a member of the APRN Legislative Strategy Group for NCNA for eight years and was the North Carolina State Representative for AANP from 2019-2021. She routinely visits the NC General Assembly to visit with legislators to advocate for improved access to affordable, high quality health care for all citizens of NC and serve as a group leader and mentor. She received the 2011 NCNA Legislative Nurse of the Year award, the 2014 AANP NC Award for NP Advocacy, the NCNA Board of Directors Mentorship Award in 2022, and The Great 100 Nurses’ Award in 2023. Currently, she represents NCNA as a member of the Practice Advisory Committee of the NC Health Professional Preceptor Study with NC AHEC and the NCNA Advanced Practice RN (APRN) Legislative Action Group.
Along with her teaching responsibilities at UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing, Dr. Sharpe continues to speak on the state and national level to share her expertise on a broad range of topics including coding and billing, political advocacy, and behavioral health integration. Dr. Sharpe is a past guest lecturer and project coach for the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership program. She is also a contributing author for the textbook Milstead’s Health Policy and Politics: A Guide for Nurses, 7th ed.