SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

Tammy Eaton earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later a Master of Science in Nursing, which she completed in the Family Nurse Practitioner program, from Carlow University in Pennsylvania. She spent the first half of her nursing career practicing in adult critical care and trauma nursing. She has devoted the last 9 years to working as a clinical research manager in pediatric neurology and adult critical care medicine. Ms. Eaton currently works within the Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center in the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. Her role as a clinical research manager has provided her the opportunity to oversee several large multi-center NIH funded trials in severe sepsis and infection. Additionally, to preserve a clinical component to her nursing practice, she serves as a part-time Family Nurse Practitioner with the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute. She is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She is presently enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh PhD program with a research interest in survivorship after severe sepsis.

My name is Katie (Andrews) Edwards and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Healthcare Genetics at Clemson University in South Carolina. I am excited that this program effectively combines my backgrounds in biology and nursing. As an RN, with experience in neuro/trauma ICU and rehabilitation, I have found that nurses have significant opportunities to impact the lives of their patients, peers and community. Of note, my nursing specialty in neurology has vast opportunities for genetic research. Being exposed to these areas of nursing enhanced my interest in genetics and neurology, especially the clinical application of these sciences. I am passionate about healthcare, teaching, and the study of science to improve people’s lives. Since my freshman year of college, I have worked at least part-time in healthcare (10+ years) and have found the work fulfilling; especially neurology. Through tutoring peers, teaching at a learning center, and my recent RN positions, I discovered that I enjoy teaching. My current position as a graduate teaching assistant to nursing students in medical surgical clinical settings has solidified a long-time desire to teach at the university level. I believe my desire to teach can directly apply to a future career in genetics, through education of patients, the community, and my ultimate goal of teaching at the university level in a school/college of nursing. This opportunity via the Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar Program will have a lasting impact on my professional life as I apply myself in the fields of genetics, neurology and nursing education.

Annette Elliott’s professional mission is to act as a transformational leader in the promotion of innovative nursing educational experiences to help prepare practitioners to practice in the evolving health care environment of today. She entered the profession of nursing with the achievement of a baccalaureate degree from Minnesota State University. Her clinical experience as a registered nurse consists of caring for adult and geriatric patients in a variety of acute care settings. This background of clinical experience acted as a strong foundation for her continued education, and she graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 2001 with a focus on nursing education. Since graduating, she has worked with a diverse student population at a community college in Minnesota. Her interest in determining the best way to facilitate learning for these students has acted as a motivating factor to pursue a doctorate degree at the University of West Georgia. Her research interests are related to facilitating the initial transition into nursing education. Her interest in nursing education leadership is built upon fourteen years of classroom and clinical teaching. Over the years, she has taken faculty leadership roles as a mentor to new faculty, chair on nursing program committees and course coordinator in team-taught courses. She currently acts as a member of the curriculum committee in the development of a statewide baccalaureate nursing curriculum in Minnesota. She is an ambassador for the National League for Nursing and a member of the American Holistic Nursing Association.

I am currently in the DNP-FNP program at the University of Missouri. I studied Microbiology for five years, but unfortunately, my Mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I took a break from school to help with her treatment, and it was at this time I decided to pursue a nursing degree. I worked in an inpatient cancer unit for the past 3 1/2 years. Breast cancer patients are my research and clinical practice interest area. I grew up in a very rural community, and therefore, have always had a passion for working in rural health. Upon completion of my degree, I plan to work in a rural health clinic. I believe rural individuals are often forgotten and do not have adequate access when it comes to healthcare. It is important to provide competent, high quality care to all individuals, including those in a rural setting. Rural individuals are diagnosed at later stages and have less access to treatment. I would like to volunteer time as part of a mobile screening team that goes into rural settings to provide free cancer screening to these populations. I am starting a new job in September as a clinical instructor. I have a passion for teaching and believe it is important to provide each student with the knowledge and opportunity to succeed. I am currently working towards a minor in nursing education, and would like to instruct at a nursing school upon graduation.