Nursing Professionals
Erin Alving
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator
Erin Alving received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Washington. She started her nursing career as a bedside registered nurse in a tertiary care children’s hospital. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) as a pediatric nurse practitioner 10 years later from the University of California, San Francisco. For the past 23 years she has worked as a pediatric nurse practitioner in pediatric endocrinology, specializing in the care of children and teens with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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Hilary Applequist, DNP, APRN-NP, ACHPN
Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Hilary Applequist is a board-certified adult/gerontology nurse practitioner and licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse/nurse practitioner in Nebraska. Applequist has experience in critical care, organ donation and transplantation, and palliative care. She teaches full time in the BSN-DNP nurse practitioner program at Nebraska Methodist College and works part time as a nurse practitioner with an inpatient palliative care consult team at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Thereza Ayad, DNP
Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Thereza Ayad has been a registered nurse since 2000 and is an expert in the perioperative setting. She is experienced in various roles, including staff, charge, and manager, and is currently employed as a clinical nurse educator and assistant professor specializing in perioperative nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Healthcare/Nursing Education, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. The focus of Ayad’s scholarly work is safety culture in the operating room as it relates to the prevention of wrong site surgery.
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Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN
Public Health Consultant
Kaye Bender, PhD, RN, FAAN, is the owner of Kaye Bender Consulting, LLC, where she works as an independent public health, organizational, and education consultant and strategist. She also serves as the executive director of the Mississippi Public Health Association. She is a part-time professor at the University of Mississippi School of Nursing and the School of Health-Related Professions. Bender was recently elected president-elect of the American Public Health Association. She is also a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and a board member of the National Board of Public Health Examiners, the Public Health Foundation, and the Mississippi Public Health Institute. She has numerous publications and presentations related to governmental public health infrastructure improvement.
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Alice Benjamin, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, CEN, CV-BC
Host, Ask Nurse Alice podcast
Alice Benjamin, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, FNP-C, CCRN, CEN, CV-BC, is the host of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast. She’s a nursing fan favorite, with more than 20 years of nursing experience. As she worked herself up the nursing ladder from CNA to LPN to RN to BSN to MSN to clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, and media health expert, Benjamin learned valuable lessons along the way. In her writing, podcasts, and media interviews, Benjamin combines no-nonsense advice with thought-provoking interviews and a dash of humor. Podcasts feature health experts, celebrity guests and frontline nurses. She herself has been featured on Dr. Oz, the BBC, NBC, and CNN.
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Parth Bhakta
CEO and Founder, NurseFly
Parth Bhakta is the co-founder and CEO of NurseFly, an online marketplace in healthcare recruiting that was acquired by IAC in 2019. Bhakta was previously the co-founder and CEO of Chatous, Inc, a venture-backed consumer internet startup that launched messaging apps for meeting new people, and social Q&A mobile apps to over 30 million users across the globe with over $18 million in venture funding. Bhakta graduated from Stanford University with a BS in Symbolic Systems and an MS in Computer Science.
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Carrie D. Brecheisen, RN
Nursing Supervisor, Saint Raphael Nursing Services
Carrie Brecheisen is a registered nurse in Kansas. She received her registered nursing license after completing her nursing program at Mary Grimes School of Nursing in Chanute, Kansas. Brecheisen has worked in gerontology serving elders for the past 33 years in sectors including long-term care and skilled nursing. Brecheisen has recently expanded her education to include cannabis for the aging population. She is an advocate of elders and the disabled, and currently lives in Independence, Kansas, with her spouse and two of her five children.
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Carrie D. Bright, IOM, CAE
CEO, American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc.
Carrie D. Bright, IOM, CAE, is chief executive officer of the American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc., a role she has held for over 15 years. Her background in public health leadership includes previous roles as deputy executive director for the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, and development director for the Commissioned Officers Foundation for Advancement of Public Health.
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Nancy Brook, MSN, RN, CFNP
Nurse Practitioner 1V, Stanford Health Care
Nancy Brook is a nurse practitioner and career mentor at Stanford Healthcare. She has been working with nurses for more than 20 years to create more meaningful careers and healthier lifestyles.
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Alissa Brown, BSN, MSN, RN
Clinical Nurse Educator, University of Utah Health
Alissa Brown is a clinical nurse educator from the University of Utah Health. She has been working in the health care industry for almost 12 years and started her nursing career as a med-surg bedside nurse on an ortho, trauma, and surgical specialty unit. It was through that experience in the med-surg unit that she discovered a passion for education and pursued her master’s with a focus on nursing education from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in nursing education from Capella University. She is also a podcast host for Med-Surg Moments, the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ (AMSN) podcast.
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Melissa Burdi, DNP, MS, RN, LSSGB
Associate Dean for the School of Nursing, Purdue University Global
Melissa Burdi, DNP, MS, RN, LSSGB, is the dean and vice president of the Purdue Global School of Nursing. She began her career at Purdue Global as the associate dean of online nursing programs. Before joining Purdue Global, Burdi was the national director of academic operations at Chamberlain University where she provided leadership to university-wide operational and academic quality-related initiatives. Burdi has also provided senior-level leadership in the academic arena leading both DNP and RN-BSN programs in the patient care setting across numerous healthcare systems. She has served in leadership roles and specialized in areas such as professional development and cardiac care, driving patient safety, and accreditation initiatives.
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David Campbell-O’Dell, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
President, Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc.
David Campbell-O’Dell, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, is one of the founders of Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc., and the current president. His DNP degree was earned through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis when there were only seven DNP programs in the country. As president of Doctors of Nursing Practice, Campbell-O’Dell is honored to work with students, graduates, faculty, and key stakeholders in academia, practice, policy development, and finance. This unique position has afforded the development of a point of view reflecting where the DNP has been and where it is going.
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Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP, FAAN
Nursing Author and Public Speaker
Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP, FAAN, is a nursing career expert, advocate, and author known as The Inspiration Nurse. Her career combines more than 25 years of managerial, business, and clinical experience, which includes emergency and psychiatric nursing. She holds a diploma in nursing, a BS in Health Care Management, and an MA in Corporate and Public Communication.
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Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC
Nurse Coach
Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC, is a board-certified nurse coach, career expert, writer, social media influencer, motivational speaker, and award-winning nurse blogger. Keith’s podcast, The Nurse Keith Show, offers valuable inspiration and information for nurses seeking meaning and satisfaction in their lives and careers. His platforms reach nurses worldwide, and he can be found on his website and on many social media channels. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his remarkably intelligent cat, George.
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Ryan Catan, RN, CM-DN
Registered Nurse Care Coordinator and Admissions Nurse, Chesapeake Supportive Care and Hospice of the Chesapeake
Ryan Catan, RN, CM-DN, is the registered nurse care coordinator and admissions nurse for Chesapeake Supportive Care and Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, Maryland. He has experience as a geriatric case manager/delegating nurse, critical care charge nurse, and as a director of nursing in addictions treatment. In his 12 years as an RN, he has found a focus in geriatrics and dementia care. Hospice and palliative care is where he has found a permanent home, and he is always seeking to further his education in the area and serve this population.
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Shai Crear, BSN, RN
Telemetry Nurse
Shai Crear, RN, is currently a heart and vascular nurse, but got her start in telemetry nursing right after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She also runs a popular nursing YouTube channel, Simply Shai, where she shares information on how to navigate professional nursing for new graduates.
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Rosa Crumpton, RN, BSN, BS, MBA/HCM
Nurse Manager
Rosa Crumpton, RN, BSN, BS, MBA/HCM, considers herself a “Jill of most trades” and has worked in many roles and specialties in her career. She currently works in nursing management. Crumpton is passionate about helping stressed-out healthcare professionals gain clarity, fulfillment, and balance in their lives.
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Joanna Dagenais MSN, RN, CCRN-K
Clinical Education Director, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)
Joanna Dagenais MSN, RN, CCRN-K, serves as the clinical education director for the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA). Dagenais works collaboratively with the PCNA team on the development and design of professional and patient education. Prior to joining a staff role at PCNA, Daganais’ work experience included acute care nursing professional development and cardiovascular surgery critical care nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Walden University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish from Northern Michigan University.
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Kathryn Dailey-Deaton
Registered Nurse
Kathryn Dailey-Deaton is a registered nurse in Oregon and Washington. She has earned certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation (NRP), the S.T.A.B.L.E. Program, Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers, and Advanced Fetal Monitoring. She also has extensive volunteer experience in hospitals, clinics, and schools as a doula, patient advocate, and group facilitator, providing support, comfort, and guidance to patients, clients, and students.
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Amanda Dawson, RN, MSN
Paramedic-to-RN Program Coordinator, Stark State College
Amanda Dawson, RN, MSN, has been a registered nurse for more than 14 years. She has spent the last 10 years in critical care and nursing education. Earlier in her career, she worked in medical-surgical and step-down units. She has been educating nursing students at Stark State College since 2012 and has served as the paramedic-to-RN program coordinator for the last four years. Dawson is currently continuing her education by working toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to better serve her students.
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Sean DeGarmo, PhD, RN, ENP-BC, FNP-BC, ACNS-BC
American Nurses Credentialing Center Director, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Initiatives
Sean DeGarmo, PhD, RN, ENP-BC, FNP-BC, ACNS-BC, has more than 20 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, flight nurse, researcher, and educator in academic and non-academic institutions. He is triple-board certified by American Nurses Credentialing Center and has served on ANCC content panels. He is currently the inaugural director of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Initiatives where he coordinates and communicates information about issues impacting advanced practice nursing within the ANA Enterprise. DeGarmo serves as a primary resource for colleges and universities related to ANA Enterprise programs and products and establishes strong relationships with APRN faculty to promote ANCC Certification.
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Sattaria “Tari” Dilks, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
Professor of Nursing at McNeese State University and President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
Tari Dilks, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, is a professor of nursing at McNeese State University and president of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). With more than four decades of nursing experience, Dr. Dilks has served as a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and a licensed professional counselor in Louisiana. She is the 2017 recipient of the APNA Award for Excellence in Education and was inducted into the Louisiana State Nurses Association Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Chris Drew
Professor, Swinburne University
Chris Drew has a PhD in education and pedagogy. He has taught at universities for more than 10 years, including five years’ experience teaching online classes. Before teaching at universities, he was an elementary school teacher. He writes about study and academic writing tips on his own blog, Helpful Professor, and is on Twitter as @helpfulprof.
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Joseph Dunmire
Board Member, National Association for Health Care Recruitment (NAHCR); and Vice President—Workforce Solutions, Qualivis
Joseph Dunmire has served the healthcare human capital industry since 1992 with the majority of his concentration in sourcing and tracking employment patterns of healthcare professionals to develop time and cost-effective workforce management solutions. Prior to joining Qualivis, Dunmire was employed by the nation’s premier healthcare recruitment marketing firm and the two largest healthcare contingent workforce providers in the United States, where he provided valuable solutions to healthcare organizations throughout the nation. Dunmire is a published author on the topic of healthcare human capital and his extensive experience includes sourcing, recruitment, retention, and predictive analytics to identify human capital strategies.
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Jessica Dzubak
Director of Nursing Practice, Ohio Nurses Association
Jessica Dzubak, MSN, RN is the Director of Nursing Practice for the Ohio Nurses Association. She leads several member-driven councils and caucuses for the organization, and as a nursing professional development practitioner, she develops and presents continuing education activities in collaboration with members, staff, and other health care stakeholders. Dzubak is also a freelance copywriter specializing in health care content and education, and she serves as a reviewer for The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing.
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Joy Eastridge, RN, BSN
Parish Nurse
Joy Eastridge, RN, BSN, has served as the parish nurse for First Broad Street Methodist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee, since January 2005. A 1983 graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, Eastridge has worked in a variety of settings as a nurse including pediatrics, medical/surgical, home health, and hospice, and is currently working on a graduate theology degree. As a faith community nurse, she works to promote wholeness so that parishioners stay healthy in body, mind, and spirit. She visits or calls those who are sick, grieving, or coping with changes. She serves as a resource, and advocate, and as a connector between those who desire to serve and those who are in need of help.
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Joan Edwards, PhD, RNC, CNS, FAAN
Labor and Delivery Nurse; Director, TWU Center for Global Nursing; and Former President, Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
A tenured professor at Texas Woman’s University in Houston and director of its Center for Global Nursing since 2008, Joan Edwards has a diploma in nursing from Copley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois, a BSN from the University of Illinois, and a MN from the University of Washington. Her PhD, with an emphasis on community and global health, is from the University of Texas. Edwards is certified in high-risk perinatal nursing and affiliated with the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), having served as president in 2006. Edwards was inducted as a Fellow by the American Academy of Nurses in 2015.
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Lori Edwards
Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing’s Department of Family and Community Health
Lori Edwards is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore in the School of Nursing’s Department of Family and Community Health, and in the School of Medicine’s MPH Program and Department of Occupational Medicine. She is board certified as a clinical specialist in advanced practice public health nursing and lead faculty for the Interprofessional Program for Academic Community Engagement (IPACE) program. Edwards has extensive experience leading and developing innovative programs in Baltimore communities as well as internationally in global health in several countries. The aim of her numerous initiatives always addresses preventable inequalities and the upstream social determinants of health. Edwards teaches several courses at UMB including interprofessional courses focused on social determinants of health, health equity, social justice, population health, program planning and evaluation, and leadership.
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Manjulata Evatt, DNP, RN, CMSRN
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University
Manjulata Evatt is an assistant professor at the School of Nursing at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Evatt received her BSN and MSN from Christian Medical College India and her DNP from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research and scholarly interests are focused on patient safety and cultural competence. Her DNP capstone QI project, “The Development and Implementation of an Educational Process for Electronic Nursing Admission Assessment Documentation,” evaluated the implementation of the admission assessment documentation tool on nurse satisfaction and the accuracy and compliance with established admission documentation requirements for the EMR.
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Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Interim Executive Director, Jonas Nursing and Veterans Healthcare
Stephen Ferrara is associate dean of clinical affairs and associate professor at Columbia University’s School of Nursing. Dr. Ferrara also serves as executive director of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State (NPA), a position he was elected to by its board of directors in 2012. He graduated from Pace University’s doctor of nursing practice( DNP) program and completed a post-graduate fellowship in health information technology for clinician leaders at George Washington University
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Jon Fitzke, RN, RNCM
Case manager, Willamette Valley Hospice
Jon Fitzke, RN, RNCM, is a case manager for Willamette Valley Hospice in Salem, Oregon. He’s an experienced project manager, clinical services educator, and cross-functional team facilitator. Prior to hospice care, Fitzke specialized in coronary care.
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Laura Flinn, APRN, FNP
Assistant Professor, Online Nursing Program, Bradley University
Laura Flinn, APRN, FNP, is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an advanced practice registered nurse, specializing in family practice. She is an assistant professor in the online nursing program at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Flinn has an extensive background working with individuals in all types of medicine, including the trauma unit, emergency rooms, and private practice. Prior to achieving her FNP, she worked at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, as an emergency department and trauma registered nurse.
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Leslie Flores, MHA, SFHM
Co-founder, Nelson | Flores Hospital Medicine Consultants
Leslie Flores is one of the nation’s preeminent consultants on hospital medicine practice management. A seasoned hospital executive, she led a variety of hospital operations, business development, managed care, and physician practice development before founding Nelson | Flores Hospital Medicine Consultants with partner John Nelson, MD, in 2004. Flores has devoted the last 16 years to helping clients build successful programs in hospital-focused practice and enhancing the effectiveness and value of existing programs. Flores is also active in the Society of Hospital Medicine, serving on its Practice Analysis and Communications Strategy committees, co-leading SHM’s Multi-Site Leaders Special Interest Group, serving as co-director for its annual one-day practice management pre-course, and writing regularly for SHM’s official blog The Hospital Leader on a variety of management and leadership topics.
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Tandy Gabbert, MSN, RN, ONC
Director of Education, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses
Tandy Gabbert, MSN, RN, ONC, is the director of education for the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses. With 44 years in the nursing field, Gabbert brings a passion for patient care and continuing education to her work. Along with strategic planning, operations, and supervisory support for NAON, she establishes collaborations between research, practice, and education committees for the development of membership products and services.
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Emma Geiser, RN
Nurse and Money Coach
Emma Geiser is a nurse, money coach, and founder of www.nursefern.com (Financially Enlightened Nurse). She lives in Nevada with her husband and dog. In her spare time, she enjoys backyard BBQs, mountain biking, and rewatching Grey’s Anatomy.
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Tiffany E. Gibson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN
Nurse Educator
Tiffany Gibson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN, is a nurse educator with a primary focus on professional development, equity and inclusion in healthcare, and changing the culture of nursing. With a true passion for teaching and cultivating the nursing community, Gibson works full time as a clinical educator, part time as adjunct faculty member, and all the time as a nursing educator consultant for her business, New Nurse Academy, LLC. She has three college degrees, two national specialty nursing certifications, and is considering another advanced degree.
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Yhovana D. Gordon, EdD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Dr. Yhovana Gordon is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Florida International University (FIU). Her teaching tenure at FIU spans nearly two decades, starting as an adjunct nursing professor and progressing to clinical assistant professor, nurse practitioner track leader, and most recently, chair of FIU’s graduate nursing department and director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. A nurse veteran specializing in family, maternal-child, and women’s health, she is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and the American Nurses Association. Dr. Gordon earned her DNP from the University of South Alabama; her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University; and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from FIU.
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Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN
President, Emergency Nurses Association
Mike Hastings was the 2020 president of the Emergency Nurses Association. Hastings has worked in a variety of settings in his career, from rural and urban pre-hospital to leading research and quality for the University of Kansas Hospital Emergency Department, a Level I Trauma/Burn Center in Kansas City, Kansas. He served as a trauma program manager at Dell Children’s Medical Centers of Central Texas, a Level I Trauma Center in Austin, Texas; managed a freestanding emergency department; and is currently clinical manager for Swedish Edmonds Emergency Department in Edmonds, Washington.
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Beth Hawkes, MSN, RN-BC
Nursing Professional Development Specialist
Beth Hawkes, MSN, RN-BC, is a nursing professional development specialist in acute care. She is the author of two books, “Your Last Nursing Class…How to Land Your First Nursing Job,” and “First-Year Nurse,” as well as blogs on nursecode.com. A nurse influencer and speaker, she hosts an advice column as Ask Nurse Beth on allnurses.com. Her passion is helping new nurses succeed.
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Sara Hunt, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PHN
Family Nurse Practitioner and Health Policy Instructor
Sara Hunt is a licensed family nurse practitioner (FNP) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. She is also a writer, instructor of health policy, and model/actor from northern California. She was the spring 2015 Health Policy Fellow at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in Washington, D.C., and served on the Health Policy and Practice Committee for the California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP) and American Nurses Association (ANA) Barriers to RN Scope of Practice panel.
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Emily Hunter, BSN, RN, CSN
Certified School Nurse
Emily Hunter is a certified school nurse and the founder and author of Your Favorite School Nurse blog and corresponding social media platforms. With a background in pediatrics, emergency trauma, labor and delivery, and parenting, school nursing was a perfect fit. Working with and educating children and parents has always been her passion. Your Favorite School Nurse was started in 2019 as a way to communicate with students, parents, and staff about information from the school nurse. It quickly turned into a way to communicate pertinent information with other school nurses. The goal is to support other school nurses and provide good, accurate information for them to use in their practice, and also to open discussion about various topics related to school nursing.
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Damion Jenkins, RN, MSN
Nursing Consultant
Damion Keith Jenkins is a master’s-prepared registered nurse, NCLEX prep expert, nurse content writer, and public speaker with a passion for nursing education. Jenkins is the owner and lead educator at The Nurse Speak, LLC. – a nursing education and consulting company and blog. He specializes in providing individualized NCLEX prep tutoring services for new graduate nurses—especially those who have experienced unsuccessful attempts. Jenkins’ mission is to increase the number of nurses entering into the profession by helping them to develop strategies for success. He also offers high-quality, up-to-date writing services and public speaking engagements for a variety of conferences, organizations and nursing related companies.
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Rolanda Johnson, PhD, MSN, RN
Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at Vanderbilt University, School of Nursing
Rolanda Johnson, PhD, MSN, RN, is the Assistant Dean for Academics and Associate Professor of Nursing and the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), where she was the first African American to hold a vice-chair position in Vanderbilt’s Faculty Senate. She oversees VUSN’s efforts to support and foster an environment that is culturally appreciative and inclusive, particularly for historically underrepresented and marginalized groups and individuals and assists students with special curriculum needs or who experience academic difficulty. Dr. Johnson has also been appointed to the Diversity, Education and Inclusion Group (DEIG) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
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Kenny Kadar
President, Coast Medical Service
Kenny Kadar is president of Coast Medical Service, a healthcare staffing agency focused on per diem and travel nursing opportunities nationwide. In addition to leading Coast Medical Service since late 2011, Kadar is also currently a partner in Good Life Medical Services, which provides in-home and drive-through COVID-19 testing services. Kadar earned his BA degree in finance and marketing from the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business.
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Joyce Karl DNP, APRN-CNP
Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, Ohio State University
Joyce Karl is a veteran advanced practice registered nurse who practiced as a critical care clinical nurse specialist before becoming an adult nurse practitioner in primary care. She has continued to practice as a nurse practitioner and serves as the director of education for the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses (OAAPN). She joined the Ohio State University College of Nursing in 2013 and currently teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs.
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Becky Klein-Collins
Associate Vice President, Advancement and Impact, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL)
Becky Klein-Collins is the associate vice president for advancement and impact at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). In this role, she works collaboratively across the organization to leverage knowledge and expertise and to identify new opportunities for greater social impact. Klein-Collins has overseen a range of projects in her previous roles at CAEL, from the integration of public and private funds for worker education and training to the administration of employer-funded tuition assistance programs. Her research projects have focused on the impact and value of prior learning assessment, competency-based degree programs, state indicators for adult learning, the experiences of student veterans, mature workers, exemplary practices of employers in workforce development, and system-transforming practices in workforce development. She is the author of Never Too Late: The Adult Student’s Guide to College.
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Ashley Klepinger, APRN
Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Flight Nurse
Ashley Klepinger is a critical care nurse practitioner specializing in pulmonary and critical care medicine. She worked as a staff nurse and charge nurse in the intensive care unit for six years before taking a job as a critical care transport nurse. She flew for LifeNet of the Heartland, owned and operated by Air Methods.
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Dr. Brad Harrell
Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean of Nursing at Lambuth in the Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis
Dr. Brad Harrell is a Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean of Nursing at Lambuth in the Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis. He teaches nursing care for adult populations in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Dr. Harrell’s primary scholarship, in addition to professional practice, focuses on health disparities among sexual and gender minorities – especially LGBT+ individuals. He continues his work on abdominal compartment syndrome, for which he is one of three editors for the first international nursing textbook on the topic.
Dr. Harrell regularly presents to groups on topics in critical care nursing, adult health nursing, advanced nursing practice, LGBT health, and health policy. He served as District 1 and District 12 President in the Tennessee Nurses Association. He recently completed a term on American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Content Expert Panel and serves internationally as a nurse researcher with the WSACS-the Abdominal Compartment Society. He serves as a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group and was a member of the steering committee for developing this as an AACN Leadership Network. He currently serves as a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Program Evaluator and a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Site Evaluator.
Dr. Harrell is an experienced acute care nurse practitioner who practices as part of the medical consult team at Western Mental Health Institute in Bolivar, TN.
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Colleen Sirigusa
Clinical Coordinator, Bryant & Stratton College, Solon Campus
Colleen Siragusa has been a nurse for 30 years. She graduated from Kent State University with her BSN and practiced at larger community hospitals in the Cleveland area. Her background is in adult medical-surgical nursing.
In 2009, she had the opportunity to work in the Nursing Fundamentals lab at Bryant & Stratton College in Parma, Ohio, for the Associate’s Degree Nursing Program. She loved it so much that she decided to pursue her Master’s in Nursing so she could teach in the classroom.
She currently serves as the Part-Time Clinical Coordinator for the Solon Campus.
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Dr. Anna M. McDaniel, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Linda Harman Aiken Chair
University of Florida College of Nursing
Dr. Anna M. McDaniel is the fifth Dean and the Linda Harman Aiken Chair at the University of Florida College of Nursing. She assumed the role of dean of the UF College of Nursing in July 2013. Dean McDaniel has had an accomplished career advancing nursing science and educating new nursing professionals. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Ball State University in Indiana and her PhD in Nursing Science from Indiana University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in medical informatics from Regenstrief Institute for Health Care. Dean McDaniel has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator on more than $34 million in research grants and contracts and has contributed to more than 120 scientific publications and presentations.
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Dr. Heather A. Gable, DNP, RN, LNHA, CNE, NEA-BC
Dean, Centra College, Lynchburg, Va.
Dr. Heather Gable is the Dean of Centra College located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Before her deanship at Centra College, she was the Department of Nursing Chair and tenured associate professor for over a decade at Frostburg State University. Dr. Gable has been a nurse for 25 years in acute and long-term care. She spent the last twenty years in nursing leadership and academic leadership roles. Her educational background is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a master’s specialty in nursing administration. She earned both degrees through the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Nursing. Dr. Gable’s additional licensure and certification include being a nursing home administrator (LNHA), Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), and board certification as an advanced nurse executive (NEA-BC). Her LNHA credential stems from her experience as a licensed nursing home administrator in the long-term care setting. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. In addition to her deanship, she continues teaching as adjunct faculty in the Department of Nursing and the College of Business at Frostburg State University. She most recently co-founded a nursing education consulting firm serving the United States and universities abroad.
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Dr. Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN
Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and clinical professor, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Kimberly Glassman is a clinical professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her research interests include integrative health, the nurses’ role in fostering health promotion, clinical program evaluation, and new graduate nurse transitions to practice. She is a reviewer for several journals, including Applied Nursing Research, Nursing Economics, and Qualitative Health Research. She also serves on the advisory board for EBSCO Health, the NICHE program, and the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s RN to BSN program. She served as the first Lerner Director for Health Promotion at NYU Langone Health. She co-authored the book “Data Makes the Difference: The Smart Nurse’s Handbook for Using Data to Improve Care” published by the American Nurses Association.
Glassman is the former president of the New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders and was the representative of the Nursing Alliance for Quality Care to the National Quality Forum Measures Application Partnership (MAP) Hospital Workgroup that advises performance metrics to CMS (2016–2018).
Prior to joining the faculty at NYU Meyers, Glassman held various clinical and leadership positions at NYU Langone Health, where she served as the senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for ten years.
Glassman was honored in 2019 as an inaugural fellow for the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. She is an alum of the Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow Program, a Fellow in the New York Academy of Medicine, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Glassman received her PhD in 2007 and MA in 1987 from New York University College of Nursing and her BSN from Hunter College. She completed a Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellowship in Management for Nurse Executives at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Marla Kniewel, EdD, MSN, RN
Director, MSN Program and Chair of Institutional Review Board, Nebraska Methodist College
Marla Kniewel is the Master of Science in Nursing program director and Institutional Review Board chair at Nebraska Methodist College. She has a background in critical care, neuroscience nursing, and care coordination. Kniewel has taught in nursing education for 18 years in undergraduate, MSN, and doctoral programs.
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Nicole Kupchik, MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN, PCCN-K
Critical Care Registered Nurse
Nicole Kupchik has been a critical care registered nurse for more than 25 years. She graduated in 1993 from Purdue University with an Associate Degree in Nursing. In 2002 she received a Baccalaureate degree from the University of Washington, Bothell. In 2008 she received a master’s degree in nursing specializing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist from the University of Washington, Seattle. She has served on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist Scope and Standards task force.
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Pamala D. Larsen, PhD, MS, RN
Professor Emerita at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming
Editor in Chief, Rehabilitation Nursing
Pamala D. Larsen, PhD, is the editor-in-chief of Rehabilitation Nursing, the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses. She was certified as a rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) for 25 years. She is also a professor emerita from the School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Larsen is the editor of Lubkin’s Chronic Illness: Impact and Intervention of which the 11th edition will be published in Fall 2021, as well as the author of Finding a Way Through Cancer, Dying and Widowhood: A Memoir.
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Christian Leon, RN, BSN
Pediatric Nurse
Christian Leon, RN, BSN, is a pediatric nurse at a children’s hospital in Utah with several years of experience in the field. He enjoys pediatric nursing because working with kids makes him feel like a kid again.
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Tashara Lester, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner, U.S. Dermatology Partners
Tashara Lester, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner at U.S. Dermatology Partners in Dallas, Texas, earned both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), along with a nurse practitioner degree, from the University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing. Throughout her career, Lester has worked as a nurse in the fields of neurology, oncology, and as a nurse practitioner in cosmetic dermatology. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
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Betty Long, RN, MHA
Founder, President/CEO, Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates
Betty Long, RN, MHA, is founder and president/CEO of Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates, a national patient advocacy organization composed of a team of nurses and nurse navigators with clinical knowledge and experience managing and coordinating care. Long is a recognized expert and speaker on patient advocacy throughout the U.S. and host of the popular “Lighting Your Way” podcast. She is president of the Nightingale Society of Pennsylvania and a member of the American Nurses Association and the Case Management Society of America.
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Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN
CEO, National League for Nursing
Under Beverly Malone’s leadership, NLN advanced the science of nursing education by promoting greater collaboration among stakeholders, increasing diversity in nursing and nursing education, and advancing excellence in care for patients. Malone’s distinguished career has mixed policy, education, administration, and clinical practice, including as federal deputy assistant secretary for health under President Bill Clinton. Elected two terms as ANA president, representing 180,000 nurses, Malone also served as the first U.S. and African American general secretary of the UK Royal College of Nursing representing 400,000 nurses. A member of the UK as well as U.S. delegation to the World Health Assembly, she was also vice chair of the Brussels-based European Federation of Nurses Association.
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Apryl McElheny, MSN, MBA
Infection Preventionist
Apryl McElheny serves as the clinical director/administrator, quality assurance coordinator, and infection preventionist for the Laurel Laser and Surgery Center in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. A registered nurse with 14 years of experience, she has dedicated her career exclusively to the ambulatory surgery center environment. McElheny holds Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. Work experience includes interventional pain management and comprehensive surgical ophthalmology. Current certifications include the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) and Certified in Infection Control (CIC). She has been an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology since 2011.
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Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB
Assistant Professor, Temple University College of Public Health, Department of Nursing
Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is an assistant professor in the Temple University College of Public Health, Department of Nursing. Her research aims to reduce STD transmission among Black adolescent girls and young women. She utilizes community-based participatory research strategies to develop culturally appropriate sexual health interventions for this population. She also publishes and presents on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing. Montgomery founded Nursing DREAMS, Inc., and serves as associate editor for Nursing for Women’s Health magazine. She is also the co-chair of the National Black Nurses Association’s Women’s Health Committee and is a member of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit Family Center Advisory Council.
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Beth Morgan, RN
Neonatal-certified Registered Nurse
Beth Morgan is a registered nurse, certified in neonatal intensive care with more than 15 years of NICU nursing experience. She is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Following in the footsteps of her mother, who was a NICU nurse for 29 years, Morgan graduated from nursing school at Wichita State University in 2004 and started her career as a NICU nurse at Wichita’s Wesley Medical Center. She later moved to Texas, where she became a neonatal transport nurse, traveling to rural hospitals via ground ambulance or rotor wing.
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Jason Mott PhD, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing, Prelicensure Program Director, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Jason Mott PhD, RN is an associate professor of nursing and the prelicensure program director at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He is also president elect of the American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN). Mott has published and presented on various topics related to nursing throughout the United States. His research interests include incivility in nursing, men in nursing, men in the caregiving role, and caring in nursing.
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Justine Nelson, RN
RN Content Specialist, Clipboard Health
Justine Nelson has been a registered nurse for more than 12 years with experience in home health, community health, school-based nursing, and health care-based tech startups. At Clipboard Health, she serves as an RN Content Specialist, combining nursing expertise with content creation. She’s an avid reader, foodie, and serves as vice president for her Mardi Gras Krewe, the Try Athletes.
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Robyn Nelson, PhD, MSN, RN
Dean, College of Nursing, West Coast University
Robyn Nelson is a long-time member of the American Nurses Association, California chapter. She brings more than 45 years of experience in higher education from public and private nursing programs, including as Chair of the Division of Nursing at CSU Sacramento, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Touro University in Nevada, and Dean of the College of Nursing at West Coast University. Nelson is a site visitor for the regional accreditor, WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
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Rachel Norton, RN
Critical Care Travel Nurse
Rachel Norton, RN, is an ICU travel nurse with NurseFly, a travel nurse staffing agency. She’s been a nurse for over 14 years, working her entire career in critical care. She contributes frequently to the NurseFly travel nurse blog, sharing stories and information to assist the travel nurse community.
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Rachelle Nurse, PhD, WHN-BC, ANP
Associate Professor, Texas Woman’s University
Rachelle Nurse, PhD, WHNP-BC, ANP, has been a nurse practitioner for more than 13 years and has spent her career as a nurse, nurse administrator, and advanced practice nurse in the area of women’s health. Nurse holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston School of Nursing. She received a Master of Science in Nursing with a subspecialty in women’s health care from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston and is certified as a women’s health nurse practitioner by the National Credentialing Corporation (NCC). She also holds a master’s in health care administration from Houston Baptist University and obtained her PhD from Texas Woman’s University in Houston. In addition to her clinical work, Nurse is an assistant professor at Texas Woman’s University.
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Sharla Paso, DNP, RNC-OB, CNS
Obstetrical Nurse
Sharla Paso DNP, RNC-OB, CNS is a wife, mother to two daughters, and a nurse. While spending most of her multi-decade career in obstetrics with some years in pediatrics, cardiac intensive care, and dialysis, she earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) as a Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is currently working as manager of clinical education in a university health system, serves as the co-chair of the Education Committee for the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, and is the owner of a nurse consulting and education business.
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Michelle Paul, RN, BSN
Content Specialist, Clipboard Health nurse staffing agency
Michelle Paul is an RN Content Specialist at Clipboard Health. She has worked with a variety of patient demographics ranging from young adults in foreign countries, to elderly residents in skilled nursing facilities, to healthy blood donors in her community. In addition to nursing, she’s worked as a technical writer and content creator. Her experience in content creation gives her a unique perspective on communication within the healthcare field.
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Tanya Peterson
Healthcare Career Consultant, Polish2Prosper
Tanya Peterson is an occupational therapist turned career strategist. She received her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2010 from Utica College of Syracuse University and also holds a bachelor’s degree in health studies. She now works as a career coach, helping healthcare professionals recognize their value, market themselves effectively, and find career fulfillment. Her company, Polish2Prosper, offers several services and resources including full resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and career coaching. The goal of the company is to help practitioners find alignment, renew their passion, and take control over their time and income.
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Anne Pettinger, PNP
Treasurer and Mentor Consultant, Washington State Chapter, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
Anne Pettinger, PNP, has been active in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) at both the national and state level for years. She currently serves as the treasurer of its Washington state chapter and helped launch its mentorship program for Washington state. The program is designed to provide coaching, guidance, and inspiration to support the continued development of nurse practitioners providing pediatric care in Washington. Now retired, Pettinger also worked at Pediatrics Northwest for years as a nurse practitioner, serving the community and her patients with dedication and compassion. She describes one of the joys of her career being those moments when she welcomed back former patients who returned to her practice with families of their own.
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Nicola Petty
Founder, Creative Maths
Nicola Petty believes that everyone can learn mathematics if they are given the right experiences and help. Known as Dr. Nic, she’s an expert in teaching and learning mathematics and statistics. She has developed online and physical learning resources for primary, secondary and university students. Her YouTube channel, Dr. Nic’s Maths and Stats, has helped millions of people. Petty is a qualified high school mathematics teacher with additional experience teaching adult beginners in mathematics.
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Brooke Phulesar
Community Liaison, Visiting Angels; and Vice President, Mid-Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council
Brooke Phulesar has worked in various capacities for Visiting Angels of the Eastern Shore (Maryland) since its founding in 2013. Along with a passion for teaching and community involvement, Phulesar is a trained musician and started a drum circle program working mainly with families and loved ones experiencing challenges with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In 2013, Phulesar is vice president of the Mid-Shore Nursing Assistant Advisory Council, which seeks to encourage and promote the professionalism of the Certified Nursing Assistant career through scholarships and recognition events.
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Judy Pins, RN, MBA, MHRD
President, Pfiedler Enterprises (a subsidiary of the Association of Operating Room Nurses)
Judy Pins served as the president of Pfiedler Enterprises, a wholly-owned, for-profit subsidiary of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) where she was responsible for operations, growth, and profitability of the medical and nursing education organization. Pins is a 35-year veteran of healthcare management, having served as partner and vice president of business development with Pins Productions, a Chicago-based company that provides market research, educational video projects, thought leadership events, and national presentations for healthcare professionals. Previously, she was vice president and general manager for Cardinal Health’s consulting division where she was responsible for sales, marketing, finance, legal, and ongoing development of 300 consultants.
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Julie Plagenhoef, RN, MPH
Public Health State Nurse Consultant
Julie Plagenhoef, RN, MPH, is a public health state nurse consultant working in maternal and child health supporting nurse home visiting programs for the state of Oregon. She graduated from UC Berkeley School of Public Health and worked as an epidemiologist for several years before going to Linfield School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon. After working for seven years at OHSU as a clinical staff nurse, she returned to the world of public health in 2017.
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Kathleen Poindexter, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF
President-Elect, National League for Nursing (NLF); and Associate Professor & Assistant Dean Undergraduate Programs and Faculty Development MSU College of Nursing
Kathleen Poindexter is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Faculty Development at MSU and prior Director of the MSN CNS and Education Program. She is also the coordinator and faculty of record for the College Teaching in Nursing Certificate Program. She is board certified in nursing education, served as a member of the National League for Nursing Board of Commissioners for six years, and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Nursing Education. She was elected to the NLN Academy of Nursing Education and is the current president-elect for NLN.
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John C. Preston, DNSc, CRNA, FNAP, APRN
Chief Credentialing Officer for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
John Preston, DNSc, CRNA, APRN is the chief credentialing officer for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). He has been a registered nurse for 31 years and a certified registered nurse anesthetist since 1994.
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Jenna Liphart Rhoads Ph.D., RN, CNE
Assistant Nursing Professor, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Jenna Liphart Rhoads is a nurse educator; freelance author and editor; and an assistant nursing professor at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Northern Illinois University. Rhoads earned a Ph.D. in education with a concentration in nursing education from Capella University where she researched the moderation effects of emotional intelligence on the relationship of stress and GPA in military veteran nursing students. Rhoads’ clinical background includes surgical/trauma adult critical care, interventional radiology procedures, and conscious sedation in adult and pediatric populations. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two children.
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Joan Rikli, MBA, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, NE-BC
Director of NICU and Pediatric Services, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Joan Rikli is director of NICU and pediatric services for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has been president of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses since October 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UCLA, her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Michigan and her Master of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. With more than 35 years of experience in nursing leadership and neonatal nursing, Rikli is a board member for the March of Dimes, Grand Rapids Division. She has also contributed to multiple publications and speaks on a variety of nursing topics across the country.
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Shielda Glover Rodgers, PhD, RN
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing
Shielda Glover Rodgers, PhD, RN, is the Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing. Dr. Rodgers has been appointed to the Diversity, Education and Inclusion Group (DEIG) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and also serves on the Diversity and Inclusivity Committee of the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). More recently, she accepted a role on the leadership team of Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good, the University’s new three- to five-year strategic plan, where she will help oversee the implementation of enhancing the educational benefits of diversity and inclusion through effective retention, recruitment and enrollment.
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Alaina Ross, RN, BSN
Charge Nurse
Alaina Ross is a full-time registered nurse with 10 years of experience as a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse. She frequently serves as a charge nurse in her unit and loves every aspect of her job. On the side, Alaina is also a TEAS and NCLEX tutor, and an expert contributor for Test Prep Insight, a test prep company that helps nursing students prepare for nursing exams like the TEAS and NCLEX.
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Sharon L. Ryan CNM, DNP
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Inclusive Excellence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School Director, Midwifery Practice, Education and Global Outreach, American College of Nurse-Midwives
Sharon Ryan, CNM, DNP, is the director of midwifery practice, education and global outreach at the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Over the past 20 years, her clinical focus has been on the provision of evidenced-based maternal and neonatal care to vulnerable populations in low resource and remote settings, including work in Haiti, Ethiopia, rural New Zealand, Appalachia, and remote northern Alaska.
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Carla D. Sanderson, PhD, RN
Provost, Chamberlain University
As the provost and chief academic officer at Chamberlain University responsible for the creation and implementation of academic priorities, Carla Sanderson works closely with the academic deans, academic support services, faculty, and staff. To her role, Sanderson brings more than 35 years of experience in healthcare and education, and serves as a board member and committee chair in the healthcare, higher education, regulation, public policy, and leadership development fields. Sanderson earned her PhD in nursing science from University of Florida, a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Tennessee, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Union University and a diploma in nursing from Baptist College for the Health Sciences.
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Amanda Savage, MEd, BSN, RN
House Manager Registered Nurse, Eastern Maine Medical Center
Amanda Savage has more than 15 years of experience and knowledge in both academia and practice and is currently working toward her DNP with a focus in executive leadership. She is an assistant professor at Husson University as well as a House Manager Registered Nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Her responsibilities include overseeing operations of the hospital campus and direct patient care activities in order to provide optimal patient outcomes and ensure the maintenance of patient care standards. Savage has more than 10 years of experience as a Critical Care Cardio-thoracic ICU RN, two years as an Emergency RN, and experience as a clinical educator instructor at both the University of Southern Maine and Husson University
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Dayle Sharp, PhD, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, APRN
President-elect, International Rural Nursing Organization
Dayle Sharp, PhD, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, APRN is a clinical associate professor and the director of the family nurse practitioner programs at University of New Hampshire. Dr.Sharp’s area of focus is access to health care for rural and underserved populations. She has practiced as a rural nurse practitioner at community health clinics in Idaho, practiced in Texas working with the underserved along the U.S.-Mexico border, and she has more than 10 years instructing graduate nursing students and directing nurse practitioner programs. Dr. Sharp is the president-elect of the International Rural Nursing Organization (RNO). She also represents the RNO as treasurer for the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations (CPHNO) which provides voice and visibility for public health nurses. Dr. Sharp conducts rural nursing research in both the U.S. and internationally.
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Joel Shouse, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
Joel Shouse, FNP-C, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2012. He worked as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit before transitioning to working in the pharmaceutical industry. He earned his Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2019 with a focus on Family Nurse Practitioner. Joel is FNP board-certified and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. He works at Allergy & Asthma Care of Indiana.
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Lisa Smith, PhD, RN, CNE
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, Grand Canyon University
Prior to her current role, at Grand Canyon University, Lisa Smith taught for 10 years in a pre-licensure nursing program in South Florida. Before academia, she spent 20 years in hospital nursing, 15 of those in managerial and executive leadership positions including chief nursing officer with a for-profit hospital system, Hospital Corporation of America. Dr. Smith has been a registered nurse for 32 years, and has earned BSN, MSN, and PhD degrees. She also holds national certification as a certified nurse educator with the National League of Nursing.
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Zach Smith, BSN, RN
Advisor, HealthStream
Zach Smith is a nurse, marketer, and entrepreneur. Smith helped found and grow NurseGrid into a popular nurse scheduling app and currently serves as a strategic advisor for HealthStream.
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Mary A. Stahl, MSN, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K
Clinical Practice Specialist, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN); Past President, AACN National Board of Directors
Mary A. Stahl, MSN, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, has more than 40 years of experience in critical care nursing. She is a clinical practice specialist with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. Prior to her role at AACN, Stahl served as a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, for 18 years. She is a past president of the AACN national board of directors.
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Nicole Stahlmann
Forensic Nursing Specialist, International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN)
Nicole Stahlmann serves as a forensic nursing specialist with the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), providing training and technical assistance. A registered nurse with clinical experience since 2010, Stahlmann has dedicated her career to forensic nursing. She received her Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Adolescents (SANE-A) certificate in 2015 and received her Advanced Forensic Nurse Board Certification (AFN-BC) in 2016 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Prior to her work with the IAFN, Stahlmann was the clinical program manager for the District of Columbia Forensic Nurse Examiners. She continues to practice clinically, providing care for patients who have experienced violence.
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Debra Henline Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, COI
Nurse Educator
Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, COI, has been working in the field of medicine for more than 40 years. As a dedicated nurse, she held leadership positions in both urban and suburban hospitals. As a university nursing educator, Dr. Sullivan promotes nursing as a promising career path for young professionals and is always looking for innovative ways to educate young professionals and aspiring nurses. She is an active leader in numerous professional organizations, participating and presenting at local, state, national, and international webinars and professional venues.
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Donna R. Swope, MS, RN
Adjunct Professor of Nursing, Stevenson University
Donna R. Swope is a graduate of the Church Home and Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland, and earned a BSN and an MS from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She has practiced extensively as both a maternal/child health clinical nurse specialist and a collegiate nurse educator in obstetrical nursing and nursing leadership. While in active practice, she carried certifications as a lactation consultant, a perinatal loss counselor, and an inpatient obstetric nurse. She is currently an adjunct professor of nursing in the RN/BS option at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland.
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Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FA
President and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Deborah Trautman, PhD, RN, FA, is president and chief executive officer of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She was previously the executive director of the Center for Health Policy and Healthcare Transformation at Johns Hopkins Hospital and has held clinical and administrative leadership positions at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She also served as the vice president of Patient Care Services for Howard County General Hospital. Trautman received a BSN from West Virginia Wesleyan College, an MSN from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD in health policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Trautman is a 2007/2008 Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow who worked for the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Michael Ward, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Vice President, American Association of Men in Nursing and Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner, Medical City Healthcare
Michael Ward is the current vice president of the American Association of Men in Nursing and works as a hospitalist nurse practitioner for Medical City Healthcare in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to becoming a nurse, he worked in blue collar industries, such as offshore drilling and the paper manufacturing industry. With inclinations of fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a physician like his grandfather and great grandfather, he pursued a nursing degree in order to have an advantage going into medical school. However, it was within the nursing profession he found his true calling.
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Daria Waszak, DNP, RN, CNE COHN-S, CEN
Associate Dean and Assistant Professor, Felician University Department of Graduate Nursing
Daria Waszak is an associate dean and assistant professor with Felician University Department of Graduate Nursing. She earned her DNP from the University of Pittsburgh, her MSN from UCLA, and her BSN from San Diego State University and is an Apple Teacher, certified eTeacher, and certified nurse educator. Waszak has 25 years of nursing experience in areas such as emergency, occupational health, forensics, informatics, and leadership. She is co-founder and CEO of NurseUp (an app start-up in development) and is passionate about innovation and informatics in healthcare and nursing education.
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Jaime Weimer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, AOCNS
Specialist, Oncology Nursing Society
Jaime Weimer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, AOCNS, is an oncology clinical nurse specialist from Indianapolis. She has been an oncology nurse for 15 years, with expertise in nurse navigation, care coordination, quality accreditation, and professional practice. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University, Bloomington, and her Master of Science in Nursing in advanced nursing practice from Indiana University, Indianapolis. She works as a clinical specialist for the Oncology Nursing Society, based in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and supports ambulatory cancer programs at Indiana University Health Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis.
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Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL
Nurse Coach and Educator
Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL is an academic and professional development expert, national speaker, educator, and founder of New Thing Nurse, a company dedicated to supporting nursing success through innovative coaching and products. A nurse with 10 years of experience specializing in emergency and radiology medicine, Wells still works at the bedside in the Bay Area in Northern California. A passionate advocate for nurse wellness and nurse mental health, Wells also dedicates much of her spare time working on community projects and with professional and advocacy organizations to foster a more supportive environment in healthcare and beyond.
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Christina Whalen
Nurse Leader
Christina Whalen is a nurse leader and vice president of clinical operations at Plano, Texas-based Intuitive Health. She has worked at several Legacy ER locations in the Dallas Fort Worth, Texas, area. She previously worked at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore in the cardiac med surg unit, as well as for Children’s Health in Dallas.
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Jennifer Woo
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Texas Woman’s University
Jennifer Woo is an assistant professor at the College of Nursing at Texas Woman’s University. In 2017, she received her PhD in nursing from Loyola University, Chicago. Since 2006, she has worked as a full scope certified nurse midwife providing maternal-child healthcare in underserved patient populations. Woo is also a recognized fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). She currently teaches in the doctoral and master’s programs at Texas Woman’s University. Her research interests include health disparities, vitamin D in pregnancy, symptoms of pregnancy, and biobehavioral research in underserved populations.
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Authors
Stephanie Behring
Contributing Writer
Stephanie Behring is an east coast-based freelance writer who specializes in healthcare, education, and insurance. Prior to making the move to writing, Stephanie worked in healthcare and social services for many years. Her experience in the field has taught her how to break down and explain complex topics in a way people can understand and use. She uses this experience in her writing, creating engaging and highly readable content, no matter the subject. Behring is always looking to expand her writing resume. She’s recently completed a journalism certification from Michigan State University and is looking to pursue a grant writing course.
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Rob Bhatt
Contributing Writer
Seattle-based Rob Bhatt is an experienced journalist who has worked as a reporter and editor for awarded-winning newspapers and lifestyle magazines in California, Nevada, and Washington. The UC Berkeley graduate now contributes articles on healthcare, education, insurance, and hospitality to national and regional outlets. He also publishes an online travel guide to Northwest wine regions and is a Washington-state licensed property and casualty insurance producer.
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Erika Almanza Brown
Contributing Writer
Erika Almanza Brown is an experienced educator, freelance writer, and amateur photographer with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Grinnell College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from American University. A Texas native, Brown has called Seattle “home” since 2011, where her articles and blog posts have appeared in Seattle magazine, Seattleite.com, and Seattle’s Child magazine. When she’s not writing, Brown actively volunteers in her community, enjoys traveling with her husband and young daughter, and attempts new pressure cooker recipes.
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Sheila Cain
Writer/Editor
Sheila Cain is a former writer/editor at All Star Directories. She has more than 25 years of experience working as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, and freelance writer. She has extensive experience in the technology and feature writing realm, having written dozens of sponsored content stories as well as lifestyle pieces for a variety of local and national publications. Cain is a native of the Pacific Northwest and lives in Seattle with her husband and son.
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Erin Baldwin Draper
Contributing Writer
Erin Baldwin Draper is a freelance writer, small business owner, social worker, and trauma-informed educator with experience in mental health, healthcare, and healthcare research. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a Master of Social Work (MSW). With 20