MidEast Region of the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society

My name is Shannon Smith, and I have been a nurse for 8 years.  I began my career at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana as a MedSurg nurse.  I then went on to traveling nursing out west in Denver and Palm Springs.  After marrying my husband, I found myself back in Indiana at Riverview.  Fran Demo was the CWOCN at the time, and she asked me if I would like to work with her.  I went through my training online with WEBWOCnurse.com, through Metropolitan University in Minneapolis, MN.  I have worked as a CWOCN since 2006. 

            I have served in a leadership capacity in my church for many years, helping as a board member, shepherding leader, and service with children’s church and prayer team leader.  During my time at Riverview as a CWOCN I have sat on the pressure committee and have given input with many different processes on the floors to help with pressure prevention, supply changes, protocols and treatments.  At the current time I am the Riverview liaison for the Indiana Pressure Ulcer Prevention Initiative. 

            I am running for trustee #4 and would love the opportunity to serve you in this capacity.  I would like to be involved in the region to learn more about the people within the organization and the policies of the region. 

Thanks for your consideration.

Shannon Sue Smith RN, CWOCN

Treasurer Candidate

Cathy Blackwell RNC, BSN, CWOCN

I have been a member of the WOCN for 17 years.  I work as a CWOCN.  I am a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse and Team Leader of the WOC department  in a 72 bed Long Term Acute Care Hospital.  My education background includes:  1975 BSN;  1992 Harrisburg Enterstomal Therapy School;  1992 certification as a WOCN.

Related past and present positions:  Served as Trustee for the WOCN  Mideast region 2006-2008.            Served as Fundraising Chair Mideast Region  2003-Present.  Served on Conference Planning Committees for the Mideast Region  2000, 2005 and presenting for the 2010.  Served as Secretary of the Madison County Ostomy Association  1996 to 2005.  Served as Treasurer of the Indiana Skin Consortium  2001 to present.

                I would like to be considered for the Treasurer’s positon.  I bring strong organizational skills.  I have past experience as Fundraising chair and Treasurer of ISCC.

Terri Ross MSN, RN, ACNS,BC, CWOCN,ET

Terri graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1981 with a BSN degree

and completed a MSN degree in 1992.  She attended The Cleveland Clinic School of Enterostomal Therapy Nursing in 1995 and was certified as Wound  Ostomy Continence Nurse that same year.  She is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.  She maintains a Certificate of Authority in Ohio and is certified as an Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  After two terms as President of the local Cincinnati Area ET Nurse Organization she became Trustee for the Mideast Region in 1998.  She served two years as President-elect and became President of the Mideast Region in Fall 2002.  After a term as Past-President Terri was elected as Treasurer for the term 2005 – 2007.  Terri volunteers regularly for the Cincinnati United Ostomy Association .  She is a member of the Beta Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau and the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses.   Terri is an item writer for the advanced practice clinical nurse specialist certification examination of ANCC.

I would like to serve the MidEast Region as Treasurer.  I have the skills and experience required to manage the finances of our professional organization.  As treasurer in 2006 and 2007, I suggested and then implemented the approved strategies which brought spending more in line with revenues. This helped the region maintain its fiscal viability.  I also provided a revised financial report which better reflected actual transactions.  Our region is highly respected within the national society and I will work faithfully to manage our finances and support that reputation.

President elect, Mid East Region WOCN

I have been a registered nurse for 20 years. I graduated from Sinclair Community College with my associate’s degree, returned to school and obtained my BSN from the University of Cincinnati with the goal of becoming an ET Nurse. In 1998 I completed the ETNEP program through Albany Medical Center and became certified in wound, ostomy and continence. In 2009, I completed the Master’s Program at Wright State University in Nursing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advance Practice Nurse and I am board certified. I am the clinical nurse manager of the new wound center at Sycamore Hospital.

I have served as a member/leader on the local level as a secretary and president of the Cincinnati WOC Nurse Organization. I have served on the regional level as your Treasurer for 5 years, and currently as your elected Secretary of the Mid East Region of the WOCN. After receiving the region’s scholarship and attending NIWI, I have served as Chair of Government Affairs and did a short stint as the Parliamentarian. At the National level I serve as a committee member on the Public Policy Committee. I try to assist the National WOCN by volunteering at our National conference as a room monitor. Currently, I am a member of the Conference Planning Committee for the conference scheduled for October 2009 in Dayton, Ohio. Outside of the WOCN, I serve as the treasurer and secretary of the Clinton County Area UOAA.  I am active at St. Columbkille Church and serve on the worship committee as well as lector. In the past I have served on the social action committee as well as parish counsel. Now that school is over, I spend quality time with my husband who addicted to Habitat for Humanity in our local community (we are called the roofing couple). Following Katrina, we traveled to Louisiana where we worked with the RV Habitat group building homes. Last year we traveled to Alabama and worked with the Millard Fuller group (Habitat’s founder) and built homes.

I would like to be chosen to serve the region in the capacity of President elect because I feel that the members of the WOCN have the power to shape and reform our healthcare system. Our Members provide the vital aspect of the care and future of our wound, ostomy and continence clients. The Mid East Region is a strong and necessary organization that has been shaped to serve not only our members but also the clients that we deal with on a daily basis and the medical profession we work with. I feel that we as an organization can make a difference in the lives of those that we deal with. The challenge is to continue to take the lead in the education; clinical and professional practice issues that affect our clients in this challenging economic climate.  I believe that my passion for my role as a WOCN and Advance Practice Nurse and the knowledge of the political, business and financial aspect of the Mid East Region qualify me for the position of the President elect.  I wish to continue to serve the Mid East Region with the knowledge and experience gained through serving and volunteering for such a wonderful organization.