Committees and Taskforces

Current Committees and Task Forces

Advocacy and Legislative Committee

The Advocacy & Legislative Committee supports and implements the AMSN strategic mission, vision, goals, and plans by developing the professional role of advocacy in AMSN membership through a variety of methods, including revising and writing position statements, articles for The Monitor, social media campaigns, podcasts, and webinars.

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  • Patricia West, DNP, MSN, CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, NEA-BC – Chair
  • Mike Urton, DNP, APRN, AGCNS, APRN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC – Vice Chair
  • Monica van der Zee, BSN, RN, CMSRN – Member and Past Chair
  • Lorraine Cuesta, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Charla Johnson, DNP, RN-BC, ONC
  • Malia Rogers, MSN, RN
  • Catherine Skowronsky, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CMSRN
  • Theo Urbano, MA, BSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, CCP
  • Yalanda Comeaux, MSN, MJ, RN, CMSRN – Board Liaison
  • Elizabeth Costello-Labedz – Staff Liaison

Awards, Grants and Scholarship Committee

The Awards, Grants and Scholarship Committee annually distributes scholarships, grants, and awards in an amount specified by the Board of Directors, to advance the medical-surgical nursing profession.

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  • Salyna Riggs, MSN, RN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Cynthia Kelly, RN, CCCTM
  • Jennifer Kennedy, MSN, RN, CNE, NPD-BC, CMSRN
  • Sylvia Keshinover, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Stephanie Landers, MSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Kelly Love-Schwarz, MSN, RN, CCCTM
  • Zarqa Malik, RN, CMSRN
  • Cynthia Purcell, DNP, RN, CNE, CMSRN, DNP, RN, CNE, CMSRN
  • Breanne Wilburn, RN, CMSRN
  • Michael Szeliga, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CMSRN, CPHQ – Board Liaison
  • Ericka Vega – Staff Liaison

Convention Program Planning Committee

The Convention Program Planning Committee is charged with developing, implementing, and evaluating the education programming for the AMSN Annual Convention. This includes reviewing and selecting session and poster abstracts as well as keynote presentations.

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  • Stacy Chapman, MSN, RN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Amanda Nelson, MSN, RN, CMSRN – Chair-Elect
  • Susan Hopkinson, PhD, RN-BC – Immediate Past-Chair
  • Aaryn Ebner, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, CMSRN, ONC
  • Lorelie Lazaro, MSN, MS, RN, CMSRN
  • Megan Nava, MSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Victoria Smith, DNP, RN, CMSRN CNE
  • Susan Tokarski, RN, DNP, CMSRN, NE-BC
  • Patricia Treasure, DNP, RN, OCN, CMSRN
  • Nelson Tuazon, DNP, DBA, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FAAN
  • Alissa Brown, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN – Board Liaison
  • Kelly Hunt, MN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC – AMSN Director of Clinical Practice Programs
  • Jessica Scott – Staff Liaison
  • Alejah Tabula – Staff Liaison

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee

The committee provides insight, oversight, and leadership to AMSN’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts and is a critical driver in fostering and measuring organizational change, establishing a dedicated focus on diversity and inclusion priorities, and promoting the DEI&J principles.

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  • Angela Simmons, PhD, RN – Chair
  • Anna Takaku, MSN, RN, GERO-BC – Vice Chair
  • Michelle Caruso, MBA, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Christine Ijiomah, RN
  • Sarah Jones, RN, PhD, CNE
  • Tara Lerew, BSN, RN, NE-BC
  • Stacey Trotman, DNP
  • Tonka M. Williams, RN
  • Kristi Campoe, PhD, RN, CPHQ, CMSRN, sMBA – Board Liaison
  • Elizabeth Costello-Labedz – Staff Liaison

Digital Content Committee

The Digital Content Committee is responsible for providing expert advice on content, attracting and soliciting new authors to contribute to AMSN content, and reviewing content through their subject-matter-expert lens.

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  • Blaine Jumper, MSN, RN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Kristina Arellano, RN
  • Anthodith Garganera, MSN, MHA, RN, CNL, CMSRN
  • Marie Mullins, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Deltra Muoki, PhD, APRN, AGNP-C, CMSRN, CNE, NE-BC
  • Shara Rhodes, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, MEDSURG-BC, NPDA-BC®
  • Deirdre Smith, MSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Elizabeth (Betsy) Thomas, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, RN-BC
  • Kelly Hunt, MN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC – AMSN Director of Clinical Practice Programs
  • Mark Lee, MS, BSN, RN-BC – Board Liaison
  • Morgan Manghera – Staff Liaison

Education Content Development & Review Committee

The Education Content Development & Review Committee is responsible for assisting in the identification and development of new educational content for AMSN through various mediums including, but not limited to, podcasts, webinars, online educational courses, textbooks, and other educational programs.

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  • Colleen McCracken, MSN, RN, CHPN, OCN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Shannon Henfield, MBA, MSN-Ed, BS, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC – Chair-Elect
  • Janie Robinson, PhD, RN, CNE
  • Amber Smith, MSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Brenda Rich, MHA, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Rachel Smigelski-Theiss, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG, CMSRN
  • Jennifer DeJans, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Stefanie Smoot, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CAVRN
  • Cynthia Rothenberger, DNP, RN, ACNS, BC – Board Liaison
  • Kelly Hunt, MN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC – AMSN Director of Clinical Practice Programs
  • Jessica Scott – Staff Liaison
  • Alejah Tabula – Staff Liaison

Journal Editorial Board

The Journal Editorial Board is responsible for advising on the creation and ongoing management of AMSN’s peer-reviewed, evidence-based practice journal.

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  • Linda H. Yoder, PhD, MBA, RN, AOCN, FAMSN, FAAN – Chair
  • Adem Cengiz, PhD, MSN, RN
  • Heather Craven, PhD, RN, CMSRN, CPHQ, FAMSN
  • Amy Davis, CNS
  • Jane Lacovara, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CNS-BC
  • Margot (Lisa) Hedenstrom, PhD, RN, MBA, NEA-BC
  • Karen Percell, PhD, RN, CPHRM
  • Arlene Travis, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, CHFN-K, CHC
  • Marisa Streelman, DNP, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC
  • Morgan Manghera – Staff Liaison

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee has the job of recommending the best-qualified candidates to serve as President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director on the AMSN Board of Directors. They do this through a rigorous vetting process to ensure the candidates have the proper competencies, experience, and willingness to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

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  • Marisa Streelman, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CMSRN – Chair
  • Summer Bryant, DNP, RN, CENP, CMSRN
  • Wes Foster, MSN, BA, RN, OCN-E, CMSRN
  • Krystal Lott, MSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Alissa Brown, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
  • Ronna Kalinga – Staff Liaison

Podcast Subcommittee

Med-Surg Moments is the official podcast of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. The podcast co-hosts and leadership team are responsible for delivering timely, conversational, and educational audio content to the medical-surgical nursing community and beyond. The podcast team serves as a collaborative of the AMSN Digital Content Committee to further AMSN’s position as a thought leader in medical-surgical nursing. As the members and experts in medical-surgical nursing, the podcast team ensures the voices of AMSN members and medical-surgical nurses are represented via this medium.

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  • Samantha Bayne, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC
  • Kellye McCrae, MSN-Ed, RN
  • Maritess M. Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
  • Marcela Salcedo, RN
  • Eric Torres, AND, RN, CMSRN
  • Sydney Wall, RN, BSN, CMSRN
  • Kelly Hunt, MN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC – AMSN Director of Clinical Practice Programs
  • Stuart Meyer – Producer
  • Mark Lee, MS, BSN, RN-BC – Board Liaison
  • Morgan Manghera – Staff Liaison

PRISM Award Committee

The PRISM Award recognizes exemplary medical-surgical nursing units. Committee members review blinded applications and use an objective scoring tool to determine if the unit has achieved the award.

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  • Melanie O’Neill, DNP RN NE-BC – Chair
  • Danielle Broder, RN, CMSRN
  • Erica Collins, MSN, APRN-CNS, CMSRN
  • Bonnie Clement, DNP MSN-Ed RN CMSRN CNML
  • Charles “Wes” Foster, MSN, BA, RN, OCN-E, CMSRN
  • Nancy Hardewig, MSN, RN, CNML
  • Stacey Hobbick, DNP, RN-BC
  • Rebekah Housman, BSN, CMSRN, CVRN-BC, PCCN
  • Elisa Mangosing-Lemmon, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
  • Tanya Panula, DNP, RN, CMSRN, PMGT-BC
  • Kimberly Rick, RN BSN, MHA, NEA-BC
  • Susan Spencer, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
  • Valarie Thomas, DNP, RN, CMSRN, M.Div.
  • Cynthia “Cindy” Ward, DNP, APRN-CNS, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC
  • Marie Mullins, BSN, RN, CMSRN – Board Liaison
  • Ericka Vega – Staff Liaison

Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) Certification Review Course Revision Task Force

The CMSRN Certification Review Course Revision Task Force is charged with reviewing and revising the content for both the live and online versions of AMSN’s CMSRN review courses.

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  • Denise Verosky, MSN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Caroline Ashman, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN
  • Melissa Avallon, RN, CMSRN
  • Venecia Holmes, DBA, MSN, MHA, BSN, NE-BC, CMSRN
  • Cristen Mackwell, DNP, RN, CMSRN, EBP-C, GERO-BC, NPD-BC
  • Nora Sangirardi, BSN, RN, CMSRN, RN-MEDSURG, RN-GERO
  • Jennifer Stringham, MSN RN CNE NPD-BC CMSRN
  • Doris Velasquez, MSN, RN, CCCTM, PHN, CMSR
  • Alissa Brown, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN – Board Liaison
  • Kelly Hunt, MN, RN, CNL, NPD-BC – AMSN Director of Clinical Practice Programs
  • Jessica Scott – Staff Liaison

Certified Acute Virtual Registered Nurse (CAVRN) Certification Review Course Creation Task Force

The CAVRN Certification Review Course Creation Task Force is charged with creating the education content for the upcoming CAVRN Certification Review Course.

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  • Members Coming Soon

Fellows Task Force

The AMSN Fellow program recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on AMSN and the medical-surgical nursing community through volunteer service and leadership, promotion of certification, research activities, and publications. The AMSN Fellows program is an honorary recognition and a call to continued leadership and service within the medical-surgical nursing community. The task force has been charged with creating the Fellowship Application, criteria for receiving the fellowship, and the selection of the 2025 AMSN Fellows slate.

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  • Alice Poyss, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, FAMSN – Co-Chair
  • Dottie Roberts, EdD, MSN, MACI, RN, OCNS-C, CMSRN, CNE, FAMSN – Co-Chair
  • Jill Arzouman, DNP, RN, ACNS BC, CMSRN, FAMSN
  • Heather Craven, PhD, RN, CMSRN, CPHQ, FAMSN
  • Robin Hertel, EdS, MSN, RN, CMSRN, FAMSN
  • Terry Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAMSN
  • Cora Palmer, MSN, CMSRN, FAMSN
  • Kathleen Reeves, MSN, RN, FAMSN
  • Kathleen Singleton, MSN, APRN-CNS, CMSRN, FAMSN
  • Linda Yoder, PhD, MBA, RN, AOCN, FAAN, FAMSN
  • Marisa Streelman, DNP, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC – Board Liaison
  • Ericka Vega – Staff Liaison

Medical-Surgical Nurse Staffing Task Force

The task force has been charged with creating AMSN’s response to ANA’s request to develop minimally safe staffing standards. This is done through reviewing nursing organizations’ staffing statements, researching and reviewing literature and current acuity-based staffing position statements, considering ANA recommendations, determining minimum safe staffing standards for medical-surgical nurses, and developing a white paper and presentation on the rationale and recommendations.

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  • Monica van der Zee, BSN, RN, CMSRN – Chair
  • Kristine Arcadi, MSN, MBA, RN, CMSRN
  • Mary Booher, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • Marie Mullins, BSN, RN, CMSRN
  • DeLaura Padovan, RN
  • Nora Ann Sangiardi, BSN, RN, CMSRN, RN-MEDSURG, RN-GERO
  • Dorothy Syrocki Haag, MS, RN
  • Sarah Varney, MSN
  • Kristi Campoe, PhD, RN, CPHQ, CMSRN, sMBA – Board Liaison
  • Elizabeth Costello-Labedz – Staff Liaison