News Releases

Nurse Leadership Institute Names Fifth Class of Leadership Development Program Fellows

July 16, 2019

Fellows to lead changes to enhance health outcomes for Maryland residents.

Baltimore, Md. – The Nurse Leadership Institute (NLI) at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (USMON) is pleased to announce the 2019-20 class of NLI Fellows, the institute’s fifth cohort. The group of 35 nurse educators and clinicians from throughout Maryland were selected through a competitive application process and will participate in a yearlong Leadership Development Program (LDP) designed to prepare nurse faculty and practitioners to assume leadership positions, facilitate collaborative partnerships between academia and practice, and improve health outcomes for Maryland’s residents.

Admitted Fellows demonstrate leadership potential through their work and professional activities. During the LDP, Fellows develop and strengthen their leadership skills, style, and competencies. The program includes a robust evaluation process, a residential training program, didactic and simulated learning experiences, collaborative team activities, and interaction with expert faculty and trainers. Fellows also select a mentor who serves as a professional guide throughout the program. In addition, the program offers a free, one-year membership in the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders and continuing education units for all LDP activities.

“I continue to receive updates from previous Fellows who found this a transformational experience in both their professional and personal lives,” said Patricia D. Franklin, PhD, RN, director, Nurse Leadership Institute, and assistant professor and director, Office of Professional Education, UMSON. “I cannot wait for this new cohort to enjoy a similar experience. The 2019-20 Fellows represent multiple areas within Maryland’s health care systems. Leadership at all levels of a system is crucial for designing and implementing sustainable innovation; therefore, this group of emerging nurse leaders represent the promise of better health outcomes for Maryland’s residents.”      

The NLI was established by a $2.5 million, five-year grant awarded in 2015, funded through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission and administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission through the Nurse Support Program II. Grant funding covers program expense, fees, and costs for Fellows selected to attend the year-long LDP.

“The Nurse Leadership Institute is a testament to the importance of continually expanding nursing leadership throughout Maryland,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “NLI exemplifies the power of collaboration among nurse educators and nurse clinicians, as evidenced by the impressive array of educational and health care institutions that participate and the caliber of the individual Fellows. The ongoing accomplishments of past and present Fellows speaks to the importance of this innovative work. The health care system of Maryland, and the patients, families, and communities that we collectively serve, all benefit from the leadership skills and abilities that program graduates exhibit. We welcome the 2019-2020 Class of Fellows and look forward to their continued contributions to improving the health of Maryland’s residents.”

To date, 92 Fellows have completed the LDP, with the 2019-20 Fellows beginning the program on Sept. 1. The 2019-20 Fellows represent 22 health care organizations and higher education institutions statewide; they are:

• Rachel Allen, MS, CRNP-A, nurse practitioner supervisor, St. Agnes Hospital
• Sarah Arnett, DNP, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, executive director acute care services, Peninsula Regional Medical Center
• Kelsey Brooks, MSN, RN-IV, CEN, staff nurse, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
• Leigh Chapman, MS, RN, CIC, director surgical nursing, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
• Elizabeth Cipra, DNP, clinical nurse specialist, University of Maryland Medical Center
• Amanda Curry, MSN, RN, CEN, nurse manager – emergency, Anne Arundel Medical Center
• Eursula David-Sherman, MSN, RN, nurse residency coordinator, Adventist Healthcare-Shady Grove Medical Center
• Miriam Dobson, DNPc, RN, CPH, NHDP-BC, director community health services, Frederick County Health Department
• Rachael Farrell, EdD, assistant director of nursing, Howard Community College 
• Michael Hamburg, MSN, RN, CEN, director patient care services, Northwest Hospital 
• Linda Hamel, MSN, RN, assistant professor, College of Southern Maryland
• Heidi Holdren, MSN, RN-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center 
• Maranda Jackson-Parkin, PhD, RN, CRNP, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN-K, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing 
• Dawanya Lewis, MSN, RN, CCM, NEA-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
• Denise Lyons, MSN, RN, CEN, associate professor, Anne Arundel Community College
• Cheryll Mack, MPA, RN, senior clinical nurse II, University of Maryland Medical Center
• Carol Maddrey, MSN, RN, nurse manager, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Kaitlyn Mannon, MSN, RN, NHDP-BC, CEN, CPEN, senior clinical educator, Anne Arundel Medical Center
• Brenda Martin, MSN, RN, CNML, manager nursing practice and innovation, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
• Cynthia Mitzman, MSN, RN, clinical unit coordinator, St. Agnes Hospital
• Alexandra Mora, MS, RN, charge nurse, Mercy Health Clinic
• Toni Murray, DNPc, RN-BC, CENP, CMSRN, director nursing professional development, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
• Deborah Naccarini, DNP, RN, CNE, associate dean, Notre Dame of Maryland University
• Anna Nji, PhD, RN, administrator, Gandhi Health Career Services
• Marlene Pasion, MSN, RN-BC, clinical nurse specialist, St. Agnes Hospital
• Jill Patton, MSN, CRNP, AACC, nurse practitioner supervisor, St. Agnes Hospital
• Kimberly Sadtler, MSN, PMH, APRN-BC, NE-BC, nurse manager, University of Maryland Medical Center
• Christie Simon-Waterman, DNP, RN, CRNP, nurse practitioner, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Edna Travers, MS, RN, VA-BC, interim assistant director nursing/nurse manager, Johns Hopkins Hospital
• Chinyere Uduhiri, MSN, CRNP, DNPc, nurse practitioner, FutureCare Capital Region
• Jaime Van Allen, MS, RN-BC, clinical practice development coordinator, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center
• Lesley Weihs, MBA, MSN, RN, CENP, director professional practice and nursing Quality, Peninsula Regional Medical Center
• Autumn Wilkins, MSN, RN, CMSRN, nurse manager, St. Agnes Hospital
• Chuwana Woode, MHA, RN, administrative coordinator, University of Maryland Capital Region Health
• Michele Zimmer, DNP, RN, CCRN-CMC, assistant nurse manager, University of Maryland Medical Center

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.