Exciting News! 

It is an honor to share that the National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC) has approved the definition of Community Health Nursing developed by the Community Health Nursing Taxonomy Workgroup led by Cari Moodie, BSN, RN, Vice-President of Health Ministries Association. This allows community health nurses seeking their National Provider Identifier to select a definition appropriate to their practice.

Thank you to the workgroup members for their unwavering dedication, expertise, and valuable contributions. Your efforts have been instrumental to our success 

• Cari Moodie, BSN, RN, Vice-President Health Ministries Association (Project Lead) 
• Yvonne Askew, MSN, Ed., RN-BC Faith Community Nurse Program Coordinator for Catholic Health- Buffalo 
• Rev. Beverly Bateman, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, Associate Director Westberg Institute 
• Linda Bradley, PhD., MPH, RN, PHCNS-BC, CHSE, Faith Community Nurse Lead Faculty 
• Deborah Fell-Carlson, BSN, RN, MSPH, Executive Director, Faith Community Health Network 
• Sharon Hinton, MSN, RN-BC, NPD-BC, D. Min, BCC, Educational Consultant Peptalk Productions LLC 
• Ashley Hoffman, BAS, CPhT , Program Manager Vibe Health Solutions 
• Melissa Isavoran, MS, CPHQ, Founder and Principal Executive Consultant Vibe Health Solutions 
• Seiko Izumi, PhD, RN, FPCN, Professor Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing 
• Jennifer Mensik-Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President American Nurses Association 
• Tawni Pfaff, BSN, RN, Outreach Liaison, Faith Community Health Network 
• Nancy Romanchek, MPH, BSN, RN-C, CHPN, Director of Education and Practice, Health Ministries Association 
• Julie Ruchniewicz, BSN, RN, Executive Director Health Ministries Association 
• Gregory Scott, MS, BSN, RN, PHRN, RHN-C. TNS, Paramedic, CDP, Manager Community Wellness & Faith Community Health Services Carle Health 
• Marcy Shanks, MSN, MSEd, RN, Board Chair, Faith Community Health Network 
• Danna Williamson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Community Wellness & Faith Community Health Services Carle Health 
• Deborah Ziebarth, PhD, MSN, RN-BC, Director Westberg Institute 

Community Health Nursing Definition: 

A registered nurse who specializes in health promotion, disease prevention, and the provision of comprehensive, patient-centered, whole-person care tailored to individuals, families, and the broader community. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to address health-related social needs and empower health and wellness self-management, providing services across diverse environments and community settings for a wide range of populations and involving targeted interventions designed to enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals and communities. 

On August 13, 2026, The National Uniform Claim Committee Code Subcommittee unanimously approved to add the proposed definition to taxonomy code 163WC1500X. 

The definition will be 

• Published by the NUCC on January 1, 2027 
• Available for use beginning April 1, 2027 

This is a landmark achievement for the nursing profession. A nationally recognized definition strengthens the visibility and credibility of Faith Community Nursing as part of Community Health Nursing and provides important support for ongoing legislative and reimbursement efforts across the United States. 

This development represents an important step forward in advancing recognition, consistency, and sustainability of community-based nursing practice for registered nurses. This creates a pathway for pursuing a reimbursement model for autonomous Community Health Nurses practicing in states like Oregon. Oregon state legislature passed House Bill 2789 to allow reimbursement for Community Health Nurses for which rulemaking is underway. 

Thank you to every member of the collaborative workgroup and the many partners who contributed their expertise to this important work. Together, we are advancing the future of nursing and the health of our communities.