SCHOLAR DIRECTORY

I received my BSN from Saginaw Valley State University and practiced critical care nursing at the University of Michigan Hospital for 15 years before moving to Florida. After working as an RN in Florida for several years, I began my nurse anesthesia education at Florida International University in Miami. Professional engagement was strongly encouraged in my master’s program and I became the student representative for the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA). Since that initiation, I have served in nearly every Board of Director position in that organization over the last 10 years, including President. My favorite position, held for 5 of those years, is Federal Political Director, which entails keeping abreast of Federal issues impacting CRNAs and communicating this information to members. For the last 2 years, I have served on the Florida Action Coalition implementing the IOM Future of Nursing Recommendations in Florida, and am the Lead of the Practice Action Team charged with implementation of Recommendation #1: Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training. My advocacy efforts lead me to realize how much we rely upon nursing research to inform policy makers, stakeholders, and the public about the critical role nurses must play in health care reform. I am currently a PhD student at the University of Miami with the intent of pursuing a career in nursing research to do my part to add to this body of knowledge.