Premier nurse leadership academy made possible through
STTI’s long-standing partnership with Johnson & Johnson
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) today announced the participants in the 2016-2017 cohort of the Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy. The nurses in this cohort represent North America, and they join a previously announced 2016-2017 cohort of nurses and midwives focusing on maternal-child health in Africa.
About the Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy
Since its inception in 2004, STTI’s Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, has prepared more than 300 nurses and midwives who lead health care teams toward improving maternal-child health in communities across Africa, Canada, and the United States. Through leadership lessons, self-assessment, interdisciplinary team development, and project management, the 18-month mentored leadership development program challenges nurses to implement change within their organizations.
Partnered with a nurse mentor, mentees (called “Fellows”) are led through a curriculum designed to develop leadership in action through projects that improve the overall health of mothers, babies, and children up to age 5. Goals include:
- Influencing maternal-child health care practices within varied settings, serving hundreds to tens of thousands of mothers and children
- Improving maternal-child health mortality and morbidity rates through nursing leadership
- Growing and empowering nurses for leadership in prenatal care for rural clinics
- Benefiting facilities through the retention of experienced nurses and midwives
"Nurse leaders, equipped with new leadership and management competencies, are changing the face of health care as they are better prepared to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities presented in their health systems. STTI's Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy is aligned with Johnson & Johnson's heritage of improving the health of mothers and babies, and supporting the health workers who care for them. We welcome the new fellows and look forward to seeing and hearing about the impacts they are making in their communities through this journey,” said Yezenia Ramos, Corporate Contributions Manager, Johnson & Johnson.
STTI President Cathy Catrambone, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “I congratulate these individuals as they embark on a leadership journey that will pay dividends in their careers and in the lives of the women and children they serve. STTI is grateful to Johnson & Johnson Corporate Contributions for their continued investment in these leadership programs and the impressive global health outcomes they have impacted.”
2016-2017 Cohort Participants
FELLOWS
Jennifer L. Aguilar, MSN, RN
Welspan York Hospital
Catherine Bell, RN
Winthrop University Hospital
Felesia R. Bowen, PhD
Rutgers University
Jeannie Connolly, RN, CNM, MSN
West Florida Hospital
Rachael Edjou, RN, MSN, NNP-BC, APNP, CPNP-PC
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Warren E. Furry, RN
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Carrie E. Gorski-Murphy, MSN, BSN, RN
Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health
Renee Maietta, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CBC
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Elizabeth A. McIntire, RN, MSN, WHNP-C
IU Health Riley
Lynda M. Nolan, RNC-OB, CCM
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Rachel Preiss, RN, WHNP-BC, IBCLC, SANE
Dimcock Center
Yesenia Sandino, RN
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Marilyn Smith, RN, BSN, CLC
LeBonheur Children's Hospital
Lisa Spencer, RNC-OB, MBA-NM, BSN
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Meredith Waldrop, RN
University Health
LEADERSHIP MENTORS
Mary Bianchi, MSN, RN, CNS, NEA-BC
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Barbara L. Buchko, DNP, RNC-MNN
Welspan Health
Mary W. Byrne, PhD, DNP
Columbia University
Cathyjo Catalano, MSN, RNC
Winthrop University Hospital
Amber Clayton, MBA, BSN, RN
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Sharon Cochran, MSN, BSN, RN
Adjunct Faculty, Indiana University School of Nursing
Tammy Cupit, PhD, RN-BC
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Kimberly Claire Hite, MSN, RN, RNC-MNN
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Roger H. McBride, RN, MSN
West Florida Hospital
Mary O'Connor, MSN, IBCLC, MNN
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Jaime Panton, DNP, APRN, CPNP
Northwestern State University
Heidi Riegel, RN, MSN, NNP-BC, APNP
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Michelle Saysana, MD, FAAP
Indiana University School of Medicine
Janet Tucker, MSN, RNC-OB
LeBonheur Fetal Center
Linda Tuggle, RNC-OB, BSN
LeBonheur Children's Hospital - Olive Branch
FACULTY ADVISORS
Carla Rider, MBA, MSN, RN
MCHNLA Lead Faculty
Katheryn Arterberry, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Northwestern State University
Billie Bitowski, APRN, FNP, BC, MSN
Geriatric Associates
Sharon Harris, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
LeBonheur Children’s Hospital
Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, RNC-NIC, IBCLC
Vidant Medical Center
Carol Klingbeil, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Leigh Small, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Virginia Commonwealth University
Julie Snethen, RN, PhD
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Barbara Woodring, EdD, RN
Georgia State University (Retired)
MCHNLA LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT
Pegge Bell, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC
For more than 90 years, STTI has honored the best and brightest women and men in nursing. The honor society provides its members with exclusive programs, resources, and opportunities, including leadership academies such as the Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy.