Job Position and Professional Responsibilities:

As the Chief Operating Officer of the National Dialysis Accreditation Commission, I bring a unique blend of experience in healthcare operations and regulatory compliance, complemented by 37 years of experience as a nephrology nurse. In this role, I oversee strategic initiatives and survey operations. My commitment to advancing nephrology nursing remains unwavering, as demonstrated through my roles with ANNA. As the Chair Designate of ANNA’s Advocacy and Health Policy Committee, the Administration SPN’s Best Practice Advisor, and ANNA’s liaison to the AAMI Renal Committee, I am dedicated to promoting the mission of ANNA and advancing nephrology nursing.

Describe your qualifications for this role, and include past ANNA leadership positions:

The treasurer role for ANNA typically involves a combination of professional experience, leadership skills, and financial competence. My professional career has afforded me experience across diverse healthcare settings, including nonprofit organizations, and has given me insight into how they operate professionally and financially. This role requires integrity and trustworthiness. I have worked to establish a reputation for making ethical decisions, maintaining transparency, and upholding accountability.

I am committed to advancing nursing practice through active involvement in ANNA. Past roles include chapter and national positions. I was a member of the Awards and Scholarship Committee, the Advocacy and Health Policy ASCT liaison. I represented ANNA alongside other professional organizations to ensure that nursing has a voice in decision-making. I am currently the Chair Designate for the Advocacy and Health Policy Committee and Best Practice Advisor for the Administration SPN. I am the Chief Operating Officer for an accreditation organization, which brings strong leadership and organizational skills to this role.

Lastly, I understand that this role requires financial competency. As a business owner with over 20 years of experience, I am well-versed in budgets, financial reports, and, most importantly, fiduciary responsibility. I also have a deep understanding of the current regulatory landscape and its significant economic implications for the nursing profession.

My experience in managing complex systems, attention to detail, and commitment to Patient safety makes me well-equipped for financial oversight. I am committed to ensuring that ANNA remains fiscally strong for its members and the individuals we serve.

Describe your role in three ANNA projects/activities which support(ed) ANNA’s mission, goals, and objectives:

Advocacy

As a passionate advocate for nephrology nursing, I serve on the Advocacy and Health Policy Committee and currently hold the position of Chair Designate. I have participated in ANNA’s Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., for the past three years, as well as at the state level, with a focus on nursing and patient-centered legislation. I present regularly at local ANNA chapter meetings on advocacy and regulatory issues.

Networking

As ANNA’s liaison to the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation’s Renal Committee, I can strengthen our influence through collaboration, partnerships, and professional networking with industry manufacturers. Nurses have a voice in ensuring health literacy regarding the technical aspects of kidney replacement therapy. As part of the Administration SPN, we led focus groups with licensed practical nurses to identify perceived educational and clinical gaps. The data was provided to the board to explore opportunities to eliminate potential barriers.

Education

This past year, as part of the Administration SPN, we partnered with a healthcare system to create an escape room for their dialysis curriculum to determine if gamification is a creative tool for teaching and retaining education. I have authored numerous ANNA publications. I am a co-author of a chapter in the Career Pathways book and serving as a section editor for infection control in the Core Curriculum, 8th Ed.., both of which are in progress.