meet your podcast host

Wanda Chukwu, DNP, MSN, MA, CNEcl, RN

Wanda is a go-getter and a believer in working hard to make your dreams come true. As a true born and raised Detroiter, she grew up with five older brothers and no sisters. She was a first-generation college student several times over, which changed the trajectory of her family’s legacy forever.

Wanda knew she wanted to be a nurse from the young age of 5. She started her career as a nursing assistant, which was very motivating. She then went on to obtain her associate degree at Minneapolis Community College, followed by earning her BA and MA degrees in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. She then finished her MSN degree through the University of Phoenix, and finally received her DNP from Capella University.

Wanda’s true passion is in community engagement, specifically by conducting health awareness classes for patients. Her career thus far has focused on health literacy to improve patient clinical outcomes. Some of her past experiences include working as a clinical director, a business owner, a nursing supervisor, a marketing director for a retail pharmacy, and a health care consultant. Her current role is being a program coordinator and nursing faculty member at a local community college. She absolutely loves nursing and has been in the health care field for over thirty years.

One of Wanda’s favorite quotes is, "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." - Alexander Den Heijer

Fun Facts About Wanda:

• She loves movies and enjoys watching a good time piece.
• She listens to music of all genres.
• She is not good at dancing, but she is not ashamed to get on the dance floor to enjoy herself.
• She is a member of the ANA-Michigan Nursing & Health Policy Committee.
  

Barbara Medvec, DNP, MSA, MSN, NEA-BC

Dr. Barbara R. Medvec, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and prior Senior Healthcare Executive and System Chief Nursing Executive. She has a history of success in leading and coaching teams for transformational organizational success in both large multi-hospital, ambulatory care practices, and moderate sized healthcare and nursing organizations. Dr. Medvec’s scholarship and practice focuses on nursing workforce, practice environments, innovation extended reality/virtual simulation, workforce wellness and vitality, strategic planning, and quality/safety improvements. She has served on a variety of national, state and local organizations and currently is the President-Elect for the ANA-Michigan nursing association. 

Bridget Leonard, DNP, MBA-HCM, RN, CRRN, NEA-BC

Dr. Bridget Leonard is an award-winning nursing leader with extensive experience in nursing leadership spanning various roles, showcasing her dedication to empowering individuals within the nursing field. From her humble beginnings as a CNA to her current roles as President of ANA-Michigan, Nursing Professor, and Life Skills Coach, she focuses on mentoring, professional development, and breaking barriers to help others achieve their aspirations. Her commitment to advancing nursing practice, recognition, and professional growth highlights her passion for motivating and engaging others, leaving a lasting impact through her advocacy and leadership in the nursing community. Dr. B constantly challenges everyone she meets to Be Powerful On Purpose.

Bethany C. Skillen, MPA, BSN, RN

Bethany Skillen is a registered nurse with experience in med/surg, post anesthesia, and community health nursing. She oversaw the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Geriatrics programs for 7 years, a highlight of which is a nurse practitioner led house calls program called THRIVE. She has a master’s degree in public administration and is passionate about advocacy and moving legislation forward in support of nurses and patients alike. Bethany is currently the Director of Operations for Trinity Health, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, covering inpatient hospitalists and intensivists, palliative care, pulmonary and geriatrics. In her spare time she enjoys being bad at watercolor and being good at laughing at herself.

Joshua Meringa, MPA, MHA, MBA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC

Josh Meringa has served on the Board of Directors for ANA-MI since 2021. Additionally, his ANA-MI involvement includes serving on the nursing and health policy committee for ANA-MI, and he currently chairs the bylaws committee. Meringa also served on the workgroup for ANA-MI that developed a COVID-19 training program for K-12 schools. Meringa serves on the WNA-CEAP Committee with the Wisconsin Nurses Association Continuing Education Approval Program, and is the Student Nurse online community manager for ANA. He previously served on the Michigan Board of Nursing, and as Chair from 2013-2020. Additionally, Meringa is adjunct faculty at Calvin University and Davenport University. 

Josh Meringa’s background is in adult medical/surgical and orthopedics nursing. He currently works as a nurse educator at Corewell Health West. He also serves as a local elected official in his hometown of Grandville, MI. Meringa holds a BSN from Calvin College, and master’s degrees in public administration, health administration, and business administration from Grand Valley State University. He is certified in Nursing Professional Development through ANCC. 

Jakara Ventour, BSN, RN

Kelly May, BSN, RN

Sue Renfer, BSN

Episode 4: The One About How To Build A Nurse

Maria L. Bobo, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC, CENP, NPD-BC

Dr. Maria L. Bobo is an innovative and transformational leader with over 28 years of experience in the nursing profession. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Wayne State University. She has also been a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner for over 23 years, board-certified in Executive Nursing Practice and Nursing Professional Development.

She is the Director of Nursing Professional Development & Education and Magnet Recognition Program at University of Michigan Health and a Clinical Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.

Dr. Bobo’s areas of expertise include women’s health, leadership, quality improvement and management, clinical program development, project management, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient experience/satisfaction, shared governance, nursing education and development, research, and evidence-based practice.

Dr. Bobo is passionate about significantly contributing to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Michigan Medicine and nationwide through presentations and publications. She is co-chairing Michigan Medicine’s Anti-Racism Oversight Committee and one of the DEI Leads for the University of Michigan Health Nursing Department.

She has received several awards recognizing her professional success, including Oakland University’s Nightingale Award Winner, Michigan Chronicle's Women of Excellence Inductee, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Leadership of the Year Award, Sigma Theta Tau-Rho Chapter Leadership Award, and Institute for Professional Nursing Leadership Award.

She has been a guest speaker at numerous nursing conferences on the local and national levels. Dr. Bobo is also actively involved in numerous professional and social organizations, such as the American Nurses Association, American Nurses Association-Michigan, National Black Nurses Association, American Organization of Nursing Leadership, Association of Nursing Professional Development, Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She is a native Detroiter, and her passion is serving as a mentor to nursing leaders, staff nurses, and nursing students throughout the state of Michigan and across the country.

Nadine Wodwaski, DNP, MSN-ed, ACNS, RN

Nadine Wodwaski, DNP, MSN-ed, RN, ACNS is a registered nurse/clinical nurse specialist. She has had the pleasure of caring for clients in the community and acute care setting. She has practiced in emergency, maternal child, med/surg, and the cardiac catheterization lab.

As an advanced practice nurse, she strives to improve healthcare through evidence-based practice at the individual patient and systems levels.

Episode 5: The One About Accreditation

Lori Glenn, DNP, CNM, C-EFM, RN

Dr. Lori Glenn has served as the midwife member of the Michigan Board of Nursing since 2017, where she serves as the board vice chair, education committee chair, and member of the rules committee. She is active in disciplinary proceedings and contributes the APRN perspective to the board. Dr. Glenn completed the ICRS certificate program as a member of the inaugural cohort, along with the George Washington University Health Policy and Media Engagement program sponsored by NCSBN. She is a clinical associate professor and program director at the University of Detroit Mercy, working with students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels since 2007. In that role, she led the proposal and launch of the first direct entry master’s in nursing program in Michigan, developed NCLEX success programs, and championed holistic admission processes to enhance the diversity of nursing students. Dr. Glenn has been a nurse midwife since 1993 and is currently practicing in the Triage Department of Labor and Delivery, with front line experience providing health care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keri Nunn-Ellison, EdD, MSN/Ed, RN, CNE

Dr. Keri Nunn-Ellison is the Senior Director of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Dr. Nunn-Ellison holds an associate in applied science degree in nursing, a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing with an emphasis in nursing and health care education, and a doctor of education with a specialization in educational leadership and management. She has also been a Certified Nurse Educator since 2010.

Dr. Nunn-Ellison is dedicated to quality teaching and learning and has focused her career on course-, program-, and college-level outcomes assessment; her curriculum vitae includes professional faculty development presentations and publications on these topics. She participated on the ACEN Standards review team contributing to the 2017 Standards and Criteria and co-chaired the team contributing to 2023 Standard 4 Curriculum and Standard 5 Outcomes. Prior to joining the ACEN in 2016, she championed quality assessment practices in multiple roles at Sinclair Community College including faculty, Associate Program Administrator for Nursing, Divisional Assessment Coordinator for Health Sciences, and chair of the college-wide Assessment Committee. She served two terms on the Education Advisory Board for the Ohio Board of Nursing and was an active volunteer for the ACEN as a peer evaluator with experience as a team chair and participation on the Evaluation Review Panel.

Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN
Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Duke University School of Nursing
Immediate Past President- American Nurses Association (ANA)

Dr. Ernest J. Grant is the Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the Duke University School of Nursing. He is also the immediate past president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation’s largest nurse’s organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4.3 million registered nurses. He is the first man to be elected to the office of president of the American Nurses Association in its 127 years of existence.

A distinguished leader, Dr. Grant has more than 30 years of nursing experience and is an internationally recognized burn-care and fire-safety expert. He also serves as adjunct faculty for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing, where he works with undergraduate and graduate nursing students in the classroom and clinical settings. For the past four years in a row, Dr. Grant has been recognized by Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of 50 Influential Clinical Executives in Healthcare and as one of 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. He has been nationally recognized for his work addressing racism, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession. Modern Healthcare named him as one of 2023 Top Diversity Leaders.

In 2002, President George W. Bush presented Grant with a Nurse of the Year Award for his work treating burn victims from the World Trade Center site. He was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2011. Grant holds a BSN degree from North Carolina Central University and MSN and PhD degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Episode 7: The One About Nursing Deans

Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN
Professor
Associate Dean for Professional Graduate Studies
Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences

Dr. Kane Low focuses her research on advancing evidence based care practices during childbirth that promote optimal outcomes for childbearing women and their families. She conducts clinical research aimed at answering significant questions about the ways in which women can best be cared for during the process of normal birth particularly during second stage labor to prevent pelvic floor injury. Currently, Dr. Low is involved in a number of NIH-funded and internally grant supported studies focusing on the process of care during childbirth including: Clinical and Non-Clinical Factors Influencing the use of Electronic Fetal Monitoring, the SCOR Sex and Gender Factors Affecting Women’s Pelvic Floor Health During Childbirth directed by Dr. John De Lancey, Promoting Optimal Outcomes to Prevent Prolapse with Dr. Dee Fenner, Defining Events during Second Stage Labor and a prevention and treatment series of projects focused on incontinence in childbearing women and older age women. She had worked with a model program called Doulas Care to provide volunteer Doulas for low income women and has conducted studies in Honduras aimed at the prevention of post partum hemorrhage. She also has extensive experience working with multi-stakeholder groups to develop and implement model practice and national guidelines focused on the provision of maternity care. She also works as a certified nurse midwife at the University of Michigan Health System.

While Dr. Kane Low has extensive teaching experience across the nurse midwifery education curriculum, her primary teaching responsibility is the course entitled Care of Childbearing Women whose subject matter compliments her own research and clinical expertise. She has also taught an International Women’s Health course in the Doctoral program and provides research mentoring for doctoral and master’s students in the School of Nursing. In addition to training future nurses, Dr. Low teaches Perspectives in Women’s Health in the U-M Women’s Studies Department, and works with almost 400 undergraduates every year, showcasing the value of a nursing and feminist perspective in addressing women’s health issues for non-nursing students. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Kane Low enjoys the opportunity to work with students through non-traditional service learning mechanisms to foster their interests in Midwifery, Women’s Health and Maternal Child Health both domestically and abroad and works with graduate midwifery and medical students during their clinical experiences at the University of Michigan Women’s Hospital Birth Center where she practices as a certified nurse midwife.

Tricia Thomas, PhD, MSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, ACNS-BCN, CNL
Assistant Dean for Practice & Associate Professor
Kirkhof College of Nursing

Dr. Tricia Thomas PhD, RN, FAAN, FACHE, FNAP, NEA-BC, ACNS-BC, CNL is a Professor at Grand Valley State University in the Kirkhof College of Nursing. As a leadership coach in a national health system, her leadership practice centers on innovative technology enhanced care delivery model implementation and empiric study of impact. Having held previous leadership roles in practice, academe, and professional organizations, Dr. Thomas is known for her pioneering work with clinical nurse leaders, academic-practice partnerships, leadership development, and mentorship. With keen attention to the contribution of nurses in interprofessional teams, innovations in quality, safety, and implementation science guide her work to improve clinical care and financial outcomes. Dr. Thomas consults nationally and internationally, is a co-editor of several recognized textbooks, and serves as an ANCC Magnet appraiser and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education site visitor.

Kari Szczechowski, DNP, RN, PCCN-K

Dr. Szczechowski is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and a Staff Specialist working with the Chief Nursing Officer at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Michigan focused on improving the unit climate for evidence-based practice by focusing on leadership training and mentoring.

Dr. Szczechowski has over 27 years of progressive nursing leadership and clinical responsibilities. In her various roles at the unit, hospital, and organizational levels, she has led organizational strategies to build infrastructures supporting clinical quality, safety, and operational effectiveness to elevate nursing practice.

Leading her previous organization to its first ANCC Magnet Designation, Dr. Szczechowski’s passion is focused on implementing evidence-based practice initiatives using shared decision-making models to provide nurses at all levels, with the knowledge and skills necessary to positively impact clinical outcomes.

Dr. Szczechowski is a member of the ANA-Michigan Nursing Practice Committee, the World Medical Relief Advisory Board, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the American Organization of Nursing Leadership, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society–Rho Chapter, among others.

Lisa Simmons, RN-CFCS, MSN

I love nursing. This profession has been and continues to be a wonderful career. As a nurse what a thrill to be working with a new life just beginning or sharing the experience of sweet sadness, a life well lived, ending. I have challenged my brain and collaborated with other health care professionals, to solve complex problems, and discover a better way of providing care to improve health outcomes. The intimacy and accomplishments of these moments provide memories of achieving something worthy

In dog sledding, the lead dogs especially start to pull harder, run faster when approaching a corner. Who knows what could be around the next corner? In my nursing career I have always looked forward to the challenges and creative endeavors that await my next venture. Working as a new graduate in critical care I loved seeing how everything came together, the medications, life saving equipment, hands on care, and heartfelt prayers all  to make a life hanging in delicate balance stronger. Home health taught me about the challenges people face at home without adequate resources and access to care.  How just a home health nurse being there could make their day special. Community Health made me think bigger, how to make a lasting impact, sustainable programs that could positively influence generations of people. Now, approaching this new corner, I feel the need to help others discover their local resources, develop resources they don’t have and to build unity and a cooperative spirit to more than survive but, thrive in our always changing world that we live in.

Education has always been necessary as the years go by, I have to stay current. Working on certifications, bachelor’s degree, and bachelor’s degree has kept me up to date and confident in my abilities. Michigan is my family’s home, and we live in a beautiful spot. Working in home health care years ago, I would always feel a little envious when leaving a cozy warm environment, the news muted in the background, people drinking coffee and reading the paper. I would get bundled up, go to the car and drive away to the next destination. Now I have a few days where I sit inside, in the early morning watch the snow drift and blow against the windowpane and drink something warm. Although I appreciate the moment, I am soon reminded that there is that new thing just around the corner……

Barbara Medvec, DNP, MSA, MSN, NEA-BC

Dr. Barbara R. Medvec, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and prior Senior Healthcare Executive and System Chief Nursing Executive. She has a history of success in leading and coaching teams for transformational organizational success in both large multi-hospital, ambulatory care practices, and moderate sized healthcare and nursing organizations. Dr. Medvec’s scholarship and practice focuses on nursing workforce, practice environments, innovation extended reality/virtual simulation, workforce wellness and vitality, strategic planning, and quality/safety improvements. She has served on a variety of national, state and local organizations and currently is the President-Elect for the ANA-Michigan nursing association.