New and experienced nurse academics, educators, and clinicians receive
 intensive training through programs supported by Chamberlain University

INDIANAPOLIS —The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) today announced the 2021 cohort of nurse scholars selected to participate in the organization’s New Academic Leadership Academy, Experienced Academic Leadership Academy, Nurse Educator Development Academy, and Nurse Leadership Academy for Practice. 

Through an inventive partnership with Chamberlain University, Sigma was able to support academy experiences for underrepresented nurses and nurse faculty from several historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.  

“We are committed to educating, empowering, and emboldening diverse healthcare professionals at all levels of their career,” said Chamberlain University President Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN.  “The Chamberlain Scholars program allows us to provide the opportunity for healthcare professionals to accelerate their careers and make a positive impact on the future of nursing.”

“Sigma’s academies have long been one of the organization’s best-kept secrets,” said Sigma President Richard Ricciardi, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN. “Thanks to Chamberlain University’s generous support, more great nurse leaders such as those in this year’s cohort can now benefit from these intensive leadership experiences. I can’t wait to see how they will impact future students and colleagues.”

About Sigma Academies

Sigma’s four intensive academies support nurses across career stages and focus areas. Each lasts 12 months and incorporates instruction, mentorship, and special projects completed by the participating scholars. The fully updated academies begin cohort activities in April. The academies include:

• New Academic Leadership Academy
  Develops leadership skills and enhances the career trajectory for nurses in their first 5 years of an academic appointment
• Experienced Academic Leadership Academy
  Builds upon and refines leadership skills while enhancing the career trajectory for nurses with 6 or more years of academic appointment
• Nurse Educator Development Academy
  Enhances the teaching knowledge and skills of those who don’t have a formalized educational background in nursing education, but who aspire or teach in classroom and or clinical settings  
• Nurse Leadership Academy for Practice
  Provides a leadership development experience designed to prepare nurses at the forefront of clinical nursing practice to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare environment

2021 Academy Scholars

Experienced Academic Leadership Academy
	Barbara Baudler, MSN, RN     Texas Woman's University  Houston, Texas, USA
	Benjamin Joel Breboneria, DNS, MA, MSN, RN, CNE,  NEA-BC          King Faisal University  Hofuf, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
	Abby Garlock, DNP, RN           Gardner-Webb University  Boiling Springs, North Carolina, USA
	Kelly Hantack, MSN, RN, CPN             Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College  St. Louis, Missouri, USA
	Megan Lippe, PhD, MSN, RN  University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing  Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
	Nisha Mathews, PhD, RN        San Jacinto Community College, Central  Houston, Texas, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Tracy Perron, PhD, RN, CNE, CSN       The College of New Jersey  Ewing, New Jersey, USA
	LeAnne Prenovost, DNP, MSN-Ed, MBA, RN, CNE   Chamberlain University  Phoenix, Arizona, USA
	Kumhee Ro, DNP, ARNP, FNP             Seattle University  Seattle, Washington, USA
New Academic Leadership Academy
	Amanda Choflet, DNP, RN, OCN         San Diego State University  San Diego, California, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Kristen McVerry, MSN, RN-BC            Western Governors University  Charlotte Hall, Maryland, USA
	Vivian Palmer-Lewis, DNP, RN           University of Virgin Islands  Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands  Chamberlain Scholar
	Angela Silvestri-Elmore, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE    University of Nevada, Las Vegas  Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
	Kimberly Smith, MSN RN, AGNP-BC, CCM     Howard University  Washington, District of Columbia, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Natasha Trujillo, MSN, RN      Santa Fe Community College  Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Amber Young-Brice, PhD, RN, CNE     Marquette University  Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Nurse Educator Development Academy
	Kenicia Adams-Strong, DNAP, CRNA  Henry Ford Macomb Hospital  Clinton Township, Michigan, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Emily Bechtel, BSN, RN           WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital  Ephrata, Pennsylvania, USA
	Janice Dunlap, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, ACNS-BC  University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences  St. Augustine, Florida, USA
	Vincent Ford, DNAP, CRNA     Duke University Hospital  Durham, North Carolina, USA  Chamberlain Scholar
	Allison Johnson, BSN, RN        Kaiser Permanente  Oakland, California, USA
	Traci Marcus, MSN, RN, OCN  Moravian College  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
	Anne Schneider, MSN, RN      Villanova University  Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
	Colleen Woolsey, PhD, ARNP  Seattle University  Seattle, Washington, USA
Nurse Leadership Academy for Practice
	Marla Martin, MSN, RN          SSM Health  St. Louis, Missouri, USA
	Stacie Massett, MSN, RN, CLC            WellSpan Health Gettysburg  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA
	Stefanie Smith, BSN, RN, CNOR          Oregon Health and Science University  Portland, Oregon, USA

Learn more about Sigma’s partnership with Chamberlain University through the Center for Excellence in Nursing Education.