WVU School of Nursing alum wins prestigious APP Rising Star Award
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Brenna Lansden, APRN-CNP, IBCLC, a nurse practitioner at WVU Medicine Cheat Lake Physicians and WVU School of Nursing alum, has been named the Advanced Practice Providers (APP) Rising Star award winner for 2024. The honor recognizes her exceptional impact on patient care and her profession in just three years of advanced practice.
Lansden’s unique dual certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) enables her to provide comprehensive medical and lactation care to patients of all ages. Her work has made a significant difference in the Mountain State, where she continues to address healthcare gaps, particularly for rural and underserved populations.
“In family medicine, I get to see everyone, from newborns to seniors, often on the same day,” Lansden said. “I love the variety and the connections I can make across generations.”
Since joining Cheat Lake Physicians, Lansden has expanded the clinic’s lactation services to include prenatal consultations and telemedicine visits, ensuring care is accessible to families in remote areas.
“I’m proud to provide this service to patients who might otherwise struggle to access lactation care,” she said.
To her knowledge, Lansden is the only FNP/IBCLC practicing in Morgantown and across West Virginia, a distinction she holds with pride.
Her journey to advanced practice nursing was anything but conventional. Before pursuing a career in healthcare, Lansden worked as a news anchor and in public relations in Ohio. While those roles were rewarding, she yearned for a more direct way to serve her community.
This desire led her to pursue a nursing degree at West Virginia University, where she gained invaluable experience in labor and delivery and pediatrics. It was during this time that she developed a passion for lactation care, prompting her to continue her education in WVU School of Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner program.
“WVU laid the foundation for everything I do today,” Lansden said. “The chance to shadow different clinical sites and see the diverse needs of patients was transformative.”
Now, Lansden is a trailblazer in her field, using her expertise to improve family medicine and lactation care across the state.
“Expanding access and improving care for families in West Virginia is my mission, and my privilege,” she said.
The APP Rising Star award recognizes her outstanding contributions to healthcare, underscoring her commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care. For Lansden, the award is a reflection of her dedication to her patients and her passion for serving her community.
-WVU-
ap/1/16/2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu