Introducing MSNCB’s New Board Members

We are well on our way into 2025! The beginning of a new year is always a time for reflection, growth, and renewal. This year promises to be an exciting one as MSNCB embarks on new initiatives and builds upon the successes from the past.

A highlight of this momentous start to 2025 is the introduction of our new board members. I am thrilled to welcome each of them to our team. They bring with them diverse perspectives, expertise, and a shared passion for validating excellence in medical-surgical nursing. Their unique insights and leadership will play a crucial role as we continue to grow and make a positive impact in the communities we serve.

Director, Blaise Nieve, Ph.D., Ph.D., RN, CMSRN, NEA-BC

Blaise Nieve is a Clinical Nurse III in the Adult General Medicine Stepdown Unit at Duke University Hospital (DUHS). With over nine years of patient care experience, Blaise also serves as a Geriatric Resource Nurse Champion and is an active member of the DUHS Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Council, where he contributes to enhancing healthcare practices and environments, including as part of the DUH Healthy Work Environments — Effective Decision-Making Subgroup. Blaise also is an adjunct professor at the School of Nursing Graduate School, San Pedro College, mentoring Ph.D. students.

Blaise holds two doctoral degrees — a Ph.D. in Nursing and a Ph.D. in Education with a major in Educational Leadership. Blaise also is currently admitted to the prestigious Clinical and Translational Research Ethics Fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, further advancing his expertise in research ethics. His contributions span nursing practice, education, and research, and he has held prominent leadership positions in the Philippines, United Kingdom, and United States, demonstrating his dedication to local and international nursing communities.

Director, Lisbeth Votruba, MSN, BSN, RN, CAVRN

As a third-generation nurse, Lisbeth Votruba believes she has a duty to give back to the community and the profession. She completed her BSN at San Francisco State University and her MSN at Columbia University in New York. She has 29 years of healthcare experience, with nine years as an industry nurse executive in telehealth. She is a pioneer in virtual sitting and has a vision to revolutionize inpatient care delivery through virtual care. She is a nurse "intrapreneur" committed to continuous improvement of healthcare and the diffusion of new technologies to drive patient and staff safety. She has been recognized as one of Becker’s Patient Safety Experts to Know in 2023 & 2024 and has published multiple research articles on technology and patient safety.

Emerging Professional, Alyssa Denning, BS, BSN, RN

Alyssa Denning is a dynamic leader who consistently seeks out meaningful opportunities for professional growth in her working environment. She enjoys teaching new graduate nurses and inspiring their confidence in the clinical setting. After working in a high acuity medical-surgical unit for over a year, Alyssa currently practices as a cardiothoracic intensive care nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

Alyssa is a DAISY award recipient and an active member of the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. She is working toward a dual specialty certification as a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse and Critical Care Registered Nurse. Alyssa plans to pursue her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist.

As we move forward, we are setting ambitious goals for the year ahead. We are committed to expanding our efforts, increasing our reach, and collaborating even more closely with partners. With the guidance and fresh ideas of our new board members, I am confident we will continue to achieve meaningful progress and create lasting change.

Here’s to a year of innovation, growth, and collaboration. I look forward to all we will achieve together in 2025!