West Virginia House of Delegates, District 73 (2014–2024)
Amy Summers brought extensive nursing, emergency response, and healthcare leadership experience to her decade of service in the West Virginia House of Delegates. First elected in 2014, she was selected to serve as House majority leader in 2019. In that role, she scheduled legislation for floor consideration, assessed support among members, and helped guide the House’s legislative priorities—responsibilities that drew naturally upon her background in nursing leadership.
Summers earned both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a master’s degree in Nursing, Leadership, and Management. Her healthcare experience also includes service as a county medical examiner and volunteer paramedic, giving her a broad perspective on the health and safety needs of West Virginia communities.
As a member of the House Health Committee, Summers applied her clinical expertise to policies directly affecting the well-being of her constituents. Her legislative work included championing improvements to the foster care system and advancing solutions to the opioid crisis.
Summers’ service demonstrates how the leadership, judgment, and problem-solving skills developed through nursing can prepare nurses not only to contribute to policymaking, but also to help lead the legislative process itself.
“Nurses are qualified to impact legislation in a unique way because of the education and training they receive. We are taught how to network with many different entities to provide the best care for our patients. To pass a bill you must connect with all of the different people the law will impact and share with them the positive aspects. Because we are one of the most trusted professions, people know that we are honest and caring individuals. Just as we care for our patients, it is in our nature to care for our communities we serve as well.”
