Dr. Meredith Farmer is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialty at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. A board-certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Farmer’s career journey reflects her deep commitment to nursing and neonatal health, beginning as a Licensed Practical Nurse and culminating in her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems Leadership from Emory University in 2021.

Dr. Farmer's neonatal career began in 2004 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where early involvement in clinical research fostered her interest in advancing neonatal care and the NNP workforce. Her current scholarship and leadership focus on workforce sustainability, role transition, fatigue and scheduling practices, and innovative educational strategies to support competency and professional development among neonatal advanced practice providers. Through her academic and clinical roles, she is committed to preparing NNPs to deliver high-quality, equitable care while sustaining meaningful, balanced careers. 

Nationally engaged in neonatal and advanced practice nursing organizations, Dr. Farmer serves as a Member-at-Large with the National Association of Neonatal Nurses Advanced Practice Council. She contributes to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty through service on Inclusive Excellence and preceptor-focused initiatives and volunteers with the Academy of Neonatal Nursing on the Communications Committee. She is an Interprofessional Leadership Fellow with the Woodruff Health Educator Academy and a fellow of Emory's Course Design and Pedagogy Fellows Program. Dr. Farmer also serves as an editorial fellow for the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, a peer reviewer for several neonatal and nursing journals, and an item writer for the National Certification Corporation. 

Farmer, M. L., Hull. W., Bell, T.R. (2025). Understanding the emotional and psychological impact of parental stress in the NICU. Neonatal Network 44(6). DOI: 10.1891/NN-2025-0024

Hull, W. L., Jones, J., Bell, T., Farmer, M.L., Staggs, J., & Hoffman, J. (2025). Distinguishing the role of the neonatal nurse practitioner in neonatal care. J Perinatol. DOI. 10.1038/s41372-025-02489-6. 

Bell, T. R., Hoffman, J., Farmer, M. L. (2025). Beyond 12 hours: A national survey of neonatal nurse practitioners’ perception of shift length and professional practice. Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Doi:10.1097/JXX.0000000000001203. 

Jones, J., Hull. W. L., Farmer, M. L. (2025). Strengthening the Neonatal Workforce: Why the Future of Neonatal Care Depends on Investing in NNPs. The Journal of Pediatrics. 10.1016/j.jpeds.2025.114730

Culnan, S., Carlson, A., Farmer, M. L. (2025). Bridging Knowledge and Practice: Insights into Hirschsprung’s Disease and Home Management. Neonatal Network 41(3). doi:10.1891/NN-2024-0067

Farmer, M. L., Hoffman, J., Vance, A.J., Li, Y., Bell, T. R. (2025). Examining Shift Length and Fatigue: A National Study of Neonatal Advanced Practice Providers. Advances in neonatal care: official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses,  25(1): 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000001220. 

Farmer, M. L. (2024). Fetomaternal hemorrhage and choriocarcinoma: A case report. Advances in Neonatal Care. 24(5):417-423, DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001192. 

Vance, A. J., Farmer, M. L., D'Agata, A., Moore, T., Esser, M., & Fortney, C. A. (2024). NANN membership recommendations: Opportunities to advance racial equity within the organization. Advances in neonatal care: official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, 24(1), 71–77. doi.org/10.1097/ANC.000000000000111.

Farmer M. L. (2021). A neonate with vertical transmission of COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure: A case report. Advances in neonatal care: official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, 21(6), 482–492. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000000954.

Dr. Farmer's teaching philosophy prioritizes fostering excellence, innovation, and equity in neonatal nursing education. She integrates evidence-based practices with cutting-edge technology, including high-fidelity simulations, to provide immersive learning experiences that enhance students' clinical decision-making skills. Through mentorship and personalized feedback, she empowers students to become self-directed learners and leaders in the field. She is committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity and prepares future NNPs to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.

Dr. Farmer's research population focuses on neonatal health and education, focusing on the neonatal nurse practitioners workforce through investigating strategies to enhance work-life balance, competency, efficiency, and resilience of NNPs through targeted education, professional development, and mentorship initiatives.

2025: Excellence in Leadership Award; Emory University NHWSON

2025: Rising Star Award; National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty

2024: MSN Heart of the Student Award: Emory University NHWSON