Winter 2012 Board of Directors

Elizabeth Mikes

President

My name is Liz Mikes and I am currently a 450 student.  I was a delegate during 320 and was treasurer during 350 and 420.  As President I am able to work closely with other board members to create a successful organization.  I enjoy volunteering and always enjoy participating in all the events that SNA has to offer.  Currently, I work in the Learning Resource Center in CHS 305 and enjoy working with the faculty and nursing students and I also work at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Facility as a Patient Care Provider on the Child and Adolescent Unit.  After graduation I hope to find a job in Chicago working in a NICU and potentially go on to grad school.  

I love working with SNA and I am excited to see what the semester brings!  

Erin Nicoson

Vice President

Hi!  My name is Erin Nicoson and I am currently a NUR 420 student.  I have been a delegate with SNA since NUR 315 and have served on several committees including resolutions, elder action committee, and breakthrough to nursing.  I love an opportunity to be involved with the community and can’t wait to start a few new fundraising events throughout Grand Rapids.

When not in class or clinicals, I spend my time involved in other Grand Valley organizations and act a research associate for the biomedical sciences lab.  Once I graduate I plan to submit my resume to several hospitals within the Michigan area but also several hospitals outside the state, including South Carolina and Florida.  I would love to work in the NICU and plan to earn my doctorate after a few years of experience.

I can’t wait to see what SNA brings this semester! 

Ashley Gaebel

Secretary 

My name is Ashley Gaebel and I will be graduating in April 2012. I have been involved with SNA since I began the program. I have been actively involved in the fundraising committee and the resolutions committee. During my time in SNA I have been actively participating in volunteer opportunites and supporting SNA by helping with fundraisers.

I have worked in a few different assisted living homes for the past 4 years and have enjoyed it very much. I feel I have learned a lot of skills that are very helpful being in the nursing program. I also recently started working with brain injuries and I love working with a different popoulation of people. After nursing school, I plan on applying for jobs all over the place, but mainly close to schools that I would like to continue my education for a DNP. I am interested in working in the ICU at first and then after some experience working in a NICU. Luckily, my husband is supportive and does not mind leaving Michigan. =)

I love working with people and look forward to this new semester!

Katie New

Treasurer

Communications Director

My name is Bethany Nies.  I will be graduating in April of 2012.  I choose nursing as my field of study because I have always had a passion to learn and a caring heart.  Nursing just felt like it was the best fit and I am loving every minute of it.  I took on this role of communications director because even as a nursing student I am involved with website design through my husband.  It seemed like a good fit.

I work for Spectrum Neuro Rehab Services in which all of our residents have brain injuries resulting from car accidents.  This job has helped me develop my nursing skills even though I am just a resident assistant. I can’t wait until I get that degree and can make a difference.

Erika Schilkey

Community Wellness Director

My name is Erika Schilkey and I am the Community Wellness Director.  I am in NUR 450 and am quite excited to be graduating in April.  I have been a member of SNA since my first semester of the program and I have been a delegate for the past 2 semesters.  I have been on the BTN committee as well as the community wellness committee and I have loved being involved with them both.  After I graduate I would love to land myself a position in the Emergency department or in a position with pediatrics, which would give me experience to do some traveling nursing after a few years. Working with the community, especially children, is a passion of mine and I am excited to see what opportunities I can bring to our organization this semester.

Molly Steensma

Image and Break Through to Nursing Director

Greeting Everyone! My name is Molly Steensma and I am currently in Nursing 420.  I am working on my second bachelor’s degree in nursing as my first degree was in Pychology from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 2005.  Prior to figuring out that nursing was my “calling” in 2009, I worked as an Account Executive for a healthcare intelligence & research firm out of Chicago, IL for 4 years.  That experience, along with my current position as a Unit Secretary/Unit Aide at Spectrum Health-Butterworth’s PACU (post-anesthesia recovery unit) has given me the knowledge and excitement for the new chapter of my life as a future RN.  Following graduation, I hope to work in the OR’s as a circulating/scrub nurse as I am absolutely IN LOVE with surgery.

Before becoming the new Image and BTN (Breakthrough to Nursing) Director, I held a delegate position for three semesters, was able to participate on various committees (resolutions, elderly action, fundraising), and participated in numerous volunteer opportunities that have helped advance my skills as a future nurse.  For the Fall 2011 semester, I am very excited to plan our upcoming Girl Scout Event as well as begin some new ventures at local high schools in order to educate our youth and future professionals of the world about the role of nurses in today’s society and around the globe, encouraging those who are interested in such a career to learn as much as they can about how awesome the field of nursing is.  Through my passion for teaching, my extremely love for nursing, and my commitee’s hard work, I think that this semester will be one of the best one’s yet!

Lauren Vockler

Membership Director

My name is Lauren Vockler and I am currently a nursing 450 student. As the membership director, I am looking forward to getting new students involved in SNA! I am also very excited to run the Elderly Actions Committee this semester! I am working at Sunrise of Cascade as a Care Manager. After graduation I hope to practice in the Grand Rapids area and eventually become a traveling nurse!

Laura Courtright

Evaluations Director

Hi! My name is Laura Courtright, and I’m currently serving on the GVSU SNA board as the Evaluations Director and as chair of the Community Health Project (CHP) Committee. For the last few semesters, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved with SNA by attending the meetings and by participating on the Resolutions Committee and the CHP Committee. I’ve really enjoyed being able to work with my fellow nursing students and these committees, and I look forward to chairing the CHP committee this fall 2011 semester! As far as nursing school goes, I’m currently in my third semester of the program (yay!!!) and am enjoying what I’m learning in class and clinical. 

Outside of nursing school, I love spending time with my family and meeting up with friends for coffee, ice cream, or a good movie! My favorite summer hobby (if you could call it a hobby), is going to the beach with my friends and family…it’s great fun! During the winter months, one of my favorite hobbies is to ice skate…so I’m looking forward to being able to do that soon! I love, love, love to travel to Europe, and I’m looking forward to the next time when I can head off on another overseas adventure! So, there’s a little about me!

Frank Durante

Curriculum Director

Frank Durante is the Curriculum Director of the GVSU SNA for the Winter Semester of 2012.  Frank is a graduate of Fruitport High school and has a B.S. in Biology from GVSU, where he is currently working on his B.S. in nursing. 

Frank has been married for less than two years, and is the proud father of two chickens and a rabbit.  He enjoys spending time with his family and utilizing the many miles of pristine and easily accessible bike path in the beautiful Village of Fruitport.  Frank also enjoys canoeing, sailing, and swimming in Spring Lake and its many tributaries that are also easily accessible in the Village of Fruitport’s Pomona Park. 

Frank has had a long standing interest in health science.  In 1998, he attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Washington D.C.  He has worked in a diagnostic laboratory for over 10 years.  His laboratory experience has consisted of registration clerk, OB clerk, phlebotomist, courier, histology/cytology aid, reference lab prep, and for 5 years the Manager of Non-technical staff.  Frank is currently holding the public office of Trustee, in the Village of Fruitport where he is responsible for ordinance enforcement, storm water planning, and special projects.  As a Trustee, Frank has participated in the revision of the Village of Fruitport Master Plan and Zoning Ordinances. 

Frank hopes that his experience can benefit the SNA by utilizing the relationships he has with local health system leaders, to bring unique perspectives to the SNA newsletter and SNA meetings.  

Angela Caruso

Staff Advisor

Norine Cunningham

Faculty Advisor