Dr. Deanna Collins Sommers, Ph.D., MSN, RN, PNP-PC, boasts a distinguished 33-year career as a nursing leader, researcher, and author within academic and healthcare institutional settings. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Sommers has assumed various leadership positions, including roles as Associate Dean and Director of a College of Nursing, at private non-profit academic institutions in the Midwest, United States. Presently, she holds a faculty position at an academic institution in Florida. Dr. Sommers holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and Community Education, a master’s degree in nursing, and certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in primary care.

With extensive experience spanning adult and pediatric intensive care units, Dr. Sommers has dedicated approximately 25 years to serving as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She is an alumna of Pacific College and Health Sciences, additionally holding a Medical Cannabis Certificate. 

Actively engaged in advancing the field of cannabis nursing, Dr. Sommers became a member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association in 2019. Within the organization, she serves as an elected Board member and chairs the credentialing committee. Notably, Dr. Sommers led efforts resulting in the recognition of cannabis nursing as a specialty by the American Nurses Association (ANA). Her pivotal role included spearheading the writing subcommittee of the credentialing committee, aligning ACNA scope and standards with the updated ANA 4th edition scope and standards, and preparing the application for specialty recognition and the cannabis scope of practice statement for submission to the ANA and editor. Recognizing her dedication, Dr. Sommers received the Presidency award for her contributions to the forthcoming "Cannabis Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (2024)" by ACNA. Furthermore, she is a contributing author to Dr. Carey Clark's "Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses (2021)," specifically authoring Chapter 3 on Cannabis Pharmacology. 

Continuing her commitment to education and community outreach, Dr. Sommers actively shares her expertise on cannabis with nursing students, faculty, and the broader community.