Public Speaker’s
Demographic
Profile
VA Staff / Presentation Experience and CredentialsKathryn Ball, BSN, MSN
Ambulatory Care Nurse Manager
Began at VA Medical Center – 2008
31 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Nursing Management
· Community Education Management
Available to speak on the following topics:
· What VA has to offer Veterans
· Types of care provided in Urgent Care setting
· Emergency Preparedness/What to do in an emergency
· Types of specialty care offered at VAMC
Michelle Debernardi, RN, MPA
Cardiology Case Manager
Began at VA Medical Center – 2008
20 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Research Presentations
· Quality and Disease Management on Asthma, Diabetes, and Cardiac Conditions
· Class presentations through UofM Flint’s Graduate Program
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Cardiology Program at Saginaw VA
· Coordination of Care between Saginaw and Ann Arbor for Cardiology Procedures
Cassandra Ellison, BHS, RHIT
Medical Record Supervisor
Began at VA Medical Center – 2008
10 Years in Medical Records Career Field
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Presentations in staff meetings
· Presentations on Healthcare Billing and Coding
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Advance Directives
· Release of Information
· Healthcare Billing and Coding
Denise M. Fix, RN, BSN
Safe Patient Handling/Patient Education Coordinator
Began at VA Medical Center – 2002
23 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· SVSU Masters leadership classes
· Staff meeting presentations for many disciplines
· Formal and informal presentations for VA staff
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Safe Patient Handling Program
· Fall Prevention Program
Archia Jackson, RN, MSA
Wellness/Veteran Orientation Coordinator & Black Employment Program Manager/EEO
Began at VA Medical Center – 2007
10 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Presentations to Veterans on VA Care and Services – New Patient Orientation
· Provides information to Veterans during Diabetes Education Classes
· Provides information to Veterans on MOVE program
· Public speaking at community events in support of high schools and seminars
Available to speak on the following topics:
· VA care delivery process
· Diabetes prevention or disease management
· Health and wellness
Barbara Johnson, RN, MSN
VA Nursing Academy Program Director
Began at VA Medical Center – 2004
28 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Classroom teaching
· VA Nursing Academy National Conference presentations
· Saginaw Valley State University presentations
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Nursing – the profession
· Clinical Nursing Education
· VA Nursing Academy
· Cardiac Diseases and Preventative Care
· Home Care
Sally Lewis, MSN; ACNP, BC; ANP, BC; LTC, USAR
Nurse Practitioner
Began at VA Medical Center – 2005
30 Years in Nursing and Clinical Care
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Army Nurse Corps Reserve recruitment, active duty
· Regularly-scheduled speaking events
· State Nurses Association meetings
· Nursing schools for education on US Army Nurse Corps opportunities
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Geriatrics and Extended Care Programs
· Opportunities for medical providers in VA
· Medical care available for veterans
· OEF/OIF Veterans
Tom Linabury, RN, BSN, Ambulatory Care Board Certified, Navy Veteran
Care Coordinator
Began at VA Medical Center in 2008
15 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Presentations at staff meetings
· Power Point presentations for multi-disciplinary initiatives
· Public speaking at high school commencement ceremony
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Co-managed care
· Traveling Veteran process
· VA and the private hospital experience
David Roberts, RN, BSN, U. S. Army Veteran
MyHealtheVet Coordinator, Hospital Education
Began at VA Medical Center in 1984-1986 and again in 2000
30 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Presentations in staff education
· Presentations for senior citizen groups
· Presentations as chair of committee meetings and other initiatives
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Health Care
· Treatments and Disease Prevention
· MyHealtheVet
Margaret Russell, RN, BSN, MSN
Chief, Quality Management Department
Began at VA Medical Center in 1999
12 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Public speaking engagements for colleges and universities
· Presentations to VA staff for quality management/survey purposes
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Patient Care
· Quality of Care
· Patient Advocacy
Carrie Seward
Public Affairs Officer
Began at VA Medical Center in 1990
Federal Administrative/Management Since 1986
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Public Affairs Officer and Voluntary Service Chief
· Previous Quality Management Team Facilitator
· Chair/Lead of various committees/teams
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Overview of VA Services and Eligibility
· Volunteer Opportunities and Programs
· Special Events Planning
Tracy Smith, RN
Patient Aligned Care Team Nurse
Began at VA in 2004
27 years in nursing profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Participating in Spinal Cord Injury Conference
· Presenting to peers, physicians, and others on Patient Aligned Care Team concept
· Speaks at staff meetings and medical grand rounds on various VA topics
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Ambulatory Care
· VA Nursing
· Patient Aligned Care Teams
Susan Sobieray, LPN
Specialty Clinic/Podiatry/Compensation & Pension Nurse
Began at VA in 2009
30 Years in Nursing Profession
Has experience in public speaking through:
· Catechetical Program Director and Teacher
· Organizational and Historical Presentations in Public Settings
· Genealogy Conference Speaker for Classroom and Polish Language
Available to speak on the following topics:
· Variety of nursing professions
· Cancer survival
· Importance of family genealogy
· Experience as a member of a military family (son and daughter active duty)