Board of Directors

Years of nursing experience: 20

Brief summary of types of work/experience: CVICU RN, Nurse Educator, Asst Nurse Manager, Nurse Manager, Director of Tele-ICU, Director of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine  

Current nursing role: Director of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine

Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Corporate

Previous roles within the Chapter: Member

One thing you love about MOC: Networking with fellow critical care nurses and enthusiasm for our profession

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: Provide an avenue for our colleagues to learn and grow in the profession

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme Courage to Soar: As critical care nurses, we step into each day with courage to care for our patients with skill and compassion.  We recognize that we need each other to care for our patients and care for one another.  We individually challenge ourselves to do our best and stretch to become better which can take courage.  With that leap we are able to soar personally, professionally and as a community of critical care nurses.  

Years of nursing experience: 7 
Brief summary of types of work/experience: Emilee began her RN career with AdventHealth in the Nurse Residency program in 2014. During her time on the multisystem PCU, she served many roles including Charge Nurse, Assistance Nurse Manager, and Clinical Nurse Educator. In 2018, while in the Educator role, Emilee took on a new adventure by branching out into Oncology. In 2019, she stepped into Lead Educator role, overseeing the Medicine, Oncology, Palliative, Procedural, Psych, and Observation units within the hospital. And in 2020, Emilee found her passion for education and leadership align with her role as Senior Nurse Manager of Clinical Education. 
Current nursing role: Senior Nurse Manager of Clinical Education
Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Orlando  
Previous roles within the chapter: Treasurer  
One thing you love about MOC: The camaraderie among critical care nurses whose unique passions come together to work toward common goals!
One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year:  To expand nursing education opportunities and professional/leadership training for our entire nursing community. Every nurse is a leader!
Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if
possible (2021-2022 President’s Theme: Rooted In Strength): When I first heard about MOC AACN, I was a nurse seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and expand my exposure to our great profession. As a new member, I found peers both seeking the same and providing those very opportunities. As a new leader in MOC AACN, I reveled in fact that this chapter boosts members of 20+ years alongside student nurses who are just dipping their toe in to the water. Now, transitioning into a role of President-Elect, I reflect on each piece of the puzzle, each perspective and how it tells the story of this great chapter. Bear with me and my use of simile: MOC is a still river whose water runs deep. I give my time and energy to MOC because of this. As a nurse in this community, you can take an adventure along this river at any time and the company is really great! MOC bends and adapts to changes in our environment. It carries with it vital resources and an innate strength. MOC is Rooted In Strength from its past, the path it continues to take, and like any river- with enough collective energy it can change the landscape.

Years of nursing experience:  3.5 years

Brief summary of types of work/experience: I originally started my nursing career on a Cardiothoracic pulmonary Progressive care unit. Over the past 3+ years I have climbed the career ladder but stay on the unit that made me fall in love with nursing! I worked as a charge nurse for over a year and my most recent change in the last year has been becoming an assistant nurse manager. The unit I work on deals with primarily surgical patients within the thoracic area of the body! This includes cardiac surgeries, thoracic surgery and even reconstructive surgeries. The day to day for our nurses involves managing chest tubes, pacer wires, foleys, NG tubes and much more. 

Current nursing role: Assistant Nurse Manager

Current work facility/type of unit:  Cardiothoracic Pulmonary PCU

Previous roles within the Chapter: N/A

One thing you love about MOC: The doors it can open in nursing. From expanding your knowledge in nursing, getting involved and different awards offered to further your career in nursing.

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: My goal this year is to truly advocate for people to become members with MOC.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing the 2024-2025 President’s theme if possible - "Courage to Soar:" As for within MOC I started in the secretary role and going into my second year in the role! I love being apart of MOC to see all the available opportunities nursing has to offer and being able to award people or units that go above and beyond! There are great opportunities to learn new things but also get involved in volunteering. This year I am looking forward to taking advantage of more of the education events and volunteering within the community. I became apart of MOC to challenge myself but also to have the courage to get involved with something in nursing that isn't your typical day to day bedside nursing. MOC has given me the courage to challenge myself when it comes to nursing and trying new things, to come past what I'm doing now. 

35 years in Nursing
My arena is primarily in critical care, where I have worked in open heart recovery, medical surgical ICU, post anesthesia care and neuro critical care units. I also have experience from the home health arena, office nursing and legal nurse consulting. She maintains national certifications in critical care, neuroscience and as an acute and critical care clinical nurse specialist. I am an online instructor for the bachelor and master’s degree programs for two nursing programs. Currently I am the CNS for neuroscience which encompasses 120 beds (Neuro Critical Care, Neuroscience & Neuro Medical) and Behavioral Health at Advent Health Orlando.

My previous role in MOC has been as a member but I made a decision this past year to be more involved within the critical care aspect of my career versus so neuro-focused. I really enjoy the collegial aspect of MOC and diversity of the members from various work areas and hospitals. I hope to learn more of the leadership aspects of the chapter and of AACN.

Why I am involved with MOC AACN, well.. starting now I decided I needed to diversify and stretch myself professionally. I have been in a comfortable area in nursing and feel that I need to put myself out there to learn more and utilize my CCRN more so, personally and professionally. Never too late to do it.. even after 35 years in the profession!

Years of nursing experience: 5 years

Brief summary of types of work/experience: Cardiovascular intensive and progressive care

Current nursing role: Nursing Professional Development Practitioner

Current work facility/type of unit: Cardiovascular Progressive Care Unit, and Cardiac ICU team support

Previous roles within the Chapter: Student Member & Member

One thing you love about MOC: I have loved being part of the community of passionate and skilled nurses since I was a student nurse! Being a member has inspired me to continuously seek opportunities to grow and mentor others along the way – because that’s what MOC members have always done for me.

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: I hope to reconnect with our membership and inspire their inclusion with the wonderful network of Metro Orlando’s critical care nurses.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2024-2025 President’s Theme: Courage to Soar): I’m involved with the MOC AACN because I’ve been surrounded by courageous and caring nurses from the moment I entered the profession. These members, board members, and fellow critical care colleagues have given me the courage to soar these last five years – from surviving my first year as a new nurse, to building up the courage to move to the ICU during a pandemic and continue to transition into my latest role as an educator learning the ropes of instilling courage, competency, and confidence into the latest generation of nurses. Being an MOC AACN member keeps me connected with my past and excites me for the future of critical care nursing as we soar to new heights in nursing together.

Years of nursing experience: 8

Brief summary of types of work/experience: My bedside experience has been with all types of surgical patients. I love them! I have been a Clinical Nurse Educator for 4 years and have had the opportunity to lead the education service line for Surgical PCUs/ICU at AdventHealth Orlando for the last 2 years.

Current nursing role: Lead Clinical Nurse Educator

Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Orlando Education Department

Previous roles within the Chapter: Communications Director

One thing you love about MOC: The great thing about the nurses that you meet at MOC is that they all are taking time out of their personal lives to get together and learn and do what they can to advance the nursing profession. It's really amazing to see the things they are working on.

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: Engage a larger base of nurses to become involved in the chapter through our communication platforms.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing the 2023-2024 President’s theme if possible - "Courage to Soar:" It's an interesting time in Nursing. Here we are - post Covid- trying to rebuild our workforce. It's not enough to just have the numbers. We have a duty to those fresh faces in our profession to guide them and inspire them to love their profession and really give them the courage to dive in and learn and love what they do.

Years of nursing experience: 5

Brief summary of types of work/experience: Oncology PCU Bedside RN; Clinical Nurse Educator; Lead Clinical Nurse Educator

Current nursing role: Senior Nurse Manager of Clinical Education  

Current work facility/type of unit:  AdventHealth Orlando

Previous roles within the Chapter: None

One thing you love about MOC: Opportunities to learn and grow

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: Establish strong connections and volunteer in the community.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing the 2023-2024 President’s theme if possible - "Rising Now:" I am involved in MOC AACN to help build on my knowledge of nursing and build relationships with other nurses in the community. MOC is a great platform for nursing professional development, connection, and Rising Now together.

Years of nursing experience:  42 as a nurse, 38 in Critical Care

Brief summary of types of work/experience:  I worked on a urology surgical unit for 3 years before working in Critical Care in a Surgical ICU. My years at the bedside were primarily in Surgical and Trauma ICU specialty units. I became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2007 and have spent that time working for the Trauma/Burn Critical Care population.

Current nursing role: Clinical Nurse Specialist

Current work facility/type of unit: Orlando Regional Medical Center/ Trauma-Burn Critical Care patient populations

Previous roles within the Chapter: I have been a member of MOC since 1998 and have served in all capacities within the chapter and the chapter’s board

One thing you love about MOC: I love the chapter’s ability to have remained a strong and cohesive group. Our membership represents diverse facilities and critical care specialties that come together specifically to support each other in our endeavors to provide excellent patient care.

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: I wish to continue to provide mentorship to our new board and chapter members.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2022 -2023)  President’s Theme: Starting Now): My connection to MOC-AACN over the years has been a combination of professional activities and a strong dedication to nursing.  Last years theme was “rooted in strength”.  When you plant seeds in a small container and care for it, the plant outgrows the container and the roots can suffocate.  What I have witnessed in the last 2 years is the growth and resiliency of our chapter and its leaders. MOC is a “large container”; we have plenty of room for all types of growth!  Starting now, we have to recognize that and nurture what we have.  Starting now we have to draw in new members and prepare them for the future.  Starting now, we need recognize our potential to make a difference for our patients and ourselves. Starting now, I am committed to making that potential a reality.

Brief summary of types of work/experience: Cardiac (surgical and interventional), trauma, and transplant as a bedside nurse, charge nurse, mentor, and nurse educator. 

Current nursing role: Assistant Nurse Manager Procedural Support and Recovery 

Current work facility/type of unit: Advent Health Orlando Procedural Support and Recovery 

Previous roles within the chapter: Director of Chapter Relations, President, and Immediate Past President

One thing you love about MOC: MOC allows nurses to network with other healthcare professionals locally and nationally. 

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: To be able to come together as a group again! 

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2022-2023 President’s Theme: Starting Now): Nurses have gone through many things over the course of the profession. This current nursing workforce can say they worked unbelievably through a global pandemic. There were many days and nights where we thought it was never going to end. We worked hard to see it through to the other side. Being (hopefully) on the back side of the pandemic has given us the chance to say starting now! We can look forward to each day that we care for patients, help our coworkers, or build the young minds of aspiring nurses that we made it. Now we begin anew and forge ahead as the strong, hardworking, and exceptional nurses we are. The AACN allows for that comradery and the platform to reset our path starting now! 

Years of nursing experience: 33 years of experience
Brief summary of types of work/experience: My nursing experience has been in the multisystem, cardiac, and neuro PCU arena. I have been wearing many hats over time, from being a bedside nurse, preceptor, mentor, charge nurse, ANM, Chair of the Nurse Practice Council at the unit level and at the hospital level (Chair of the Education and Informatics Council and the Coordinating Council at the AH Orlando campus) and the Chair of the Pain Management Committee at the AH Orlando campus.
Current nursing role: Assistant Nurse Manager
Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Celebration – PCU – Cardiac/Neuro
Previous roles within the chapter: Member, Director of Scholarships and Merit Points
One thing you love about MOC: The endless opportunities for education, activities, networking, and involvement in the community.
One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: I hope to help increase chapter member participation in activities by more advertisement and to help increase the number of applications for awards and scholarships by helping the members with the application process.

President’s Theme: (2023-2024: Rising Together): Nurses are ranked as the most trusted professionals every year since 2002 and we should be very proud of this accomplishment. We are compassionate, bright, wise, kind, resilient, just to name a few of our strengths, but most of all, we are Raising Together and do not act individually, but instead as a community. I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing group of people that always come together as one, are interconnected and work synergistically as a whole for the greater good of our patients and community. 

Years of nursing experience: 7 years

Brief summary of types of work/experience: I started my nursing career in 2017 in a Multi-System ICU where I was lucky to be exposed to an extremely diverse patient population and grow into a charge nurse role. That experience facilitated a lot of growth in me, both professionally and personally. It was an experience I will be forever grateful for. My favorite part of being a charge nurse was supporting my team. That passion led me to take the jump into clinical education in late 2021. I started out in education working with our contingent work force and grew into a Lead Educator role where my focus has evolved over time. I have helped support six different ICUs, observation medicine, rapid response, vascular access, wound care and more.

Current nursing role: Assistant Nurse Manager of Education

Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Orlando

Previous roles within the Chapter: N/A

One thing you love about MOC: Being surrounded by individuals who drive positive change within nursing!

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: Increase member engagement within the community.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2024-2025 President’s Theme: Courage to Soar): I have always wanted to become more involved in MOC, but never took the leap. I am lucky to have some amazing peers, leaders and mentors that push me to be better every day. It was with their nudging that I gained courage to invest in myself and my fellow nurses. I am extremely passionate about personal and professional development but understand that it can be frightening and challenging to us. I am honored to be part of something that embraces the courage to soar!

Years of nursing experience: 7

Brief summary of types of work/experience:  I started my nursing career in 2017 as a bedside nurse in a medical-surgical/telemetry unit because I wanted to learn things from the bottom up. I then transitioned to Cardiac ICU in the fall of 2018 and never looked back. I love the challenge, teamwork, and constant growth of working in an ICU. After working through COVID-19, I joined the education team. I found my passion working as the Clinical Educator for the Multi-System ICU and then as a Lead Educator for the cardiac service line at AdventHealth Orlando.  

Current nursing role: Clinical Educator Multi-System ICU, Lead Clinical Educator Cardiac Service Line

Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Orlando

Previous roles within the Chapter: None

One thing you love about MOC: I love the camaraderie, networking, and personal and professional growth opportunities that being a part of MOC provides.  

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: My goal this year is to learn all I can about the treasurer's role and responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition next year.  

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2024-2025 President’s Theme: Courage to Soar): Until this past year, I have been a "silent" member of AACN and MOC. I didn't understand the personal and professional growth opportunities being an active member of the chapter provided. As I consistently attended meetings, I recognized that I was surrounded by active and engaged MOC AACN members and wanted to be a part of this group. This group consists of many of the same people who currently support my growth, push me outside my comfort zone, and give me the Courage to Soar daily. I feel a sense of belonging and am excited about new relationships and possibilities for the coming year.  

Sandra Muse MSN, RN, CCRN

Co-Director for Certification

Years of nursing experience: 19 years

Brief summary of types of work/experience: I began my career in a large Multisystem and Neuro ICU. Throughout my career, I have expanded my knowledge and work experience to include comprehensive neuro patients and transplant donors/recipients. I have had the pleasure of serving in multiple positions including frontline team member, various leadership roles, and clinical nurse educator in an inpatient setting.

Current nursing role: System Spine Program Manager

Current work facility/type of unit: Neuroscience Institute

Previous roles within the Chapter: Co-Director of Education

One thing you love about MOC: The professional networking and personal friends I have gained since joining MOC.

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for this year: Provide a variety of opportunities for our colleagues to learn and grow towards achieving certification

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2024-2025 President’s Theme: Courage to Soar): The landscaping in nursing has drastically changed over the years. Together, we have overcome global pandemic, a growing nursing shortage, and a rapidly changing world. Despite all of this, Nursing continues to be ranked as the most trusted profession year after year. As part of MOC, we are here together, advocating for nurses, instilling and fostering a love for the profession that is deeply rooted within, and building a professional family. This nurturing comradery provides me with the courage and strength to rise to new heights in my career. I am fortunate to be part of such an amazing group of individuals and I am looking forward to sharing their impact and providing the courage to soar to others.

Judy Winther RN, BSN, PCCN

MOC Board Position: Treasurer

Years of nursing experience: 13 years

Brief summary of types of work/experience: One year in South Dakota at Avera St Lukes, Aberdeen, as a bedside Nurse on a Medical Surgical unit.  Twelve years as a PCU bedside nurse and preceptor at AdventHealth.  One year at AdventHealth Oralndo on a PCU Surgical Oncology unit and eleven years at AdventHealth Celebration on the PCU Medical Neurology Unit.

Current Nursing Role: Bedside PCU Nurse

Current work facility/type of unit: AdventHealth Celebration PCU Medical Neurology

Previous roles within the chapter: Member, Director at Large

One thing you love about MOC: Networking with nurses from other units and facilities.  Also, the diverse education that is provided after each meeting

One goal you hope to achieve in your MOC role for the year: To learn the roles and responsibilities of the Treasurer so that this position can have a smooth transfer from one Treasurer to the next.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing the 2023-2024 President’s theme if possible – “Rising together” : This year’s theme is very important for nursing.  As our population ages and individuals hospitalized have a higher acuity and more comorbidities it has become important for nurses to work together.  By ‘Rising Together” we will be able to support each other physically and emotionally as we work with our patient in this challenging time.  From the new graduate nurse, experienced nurse, nurse educator and nurse leader it will be important to work together as by only rising together will individuals remain in the field of nursing.  With the current and projected nursing shortage rising together will aide in keeping nurses in the field while more nurses can be educated.

Vanessa Y John, RN

Role: Merits & Scholarships Co-Chair

Experience: I started out in nursing as an LPN and worked in multiple disciplines including multi-specialty clinic where I was the senior nurse that ran the Urgent Care, nursing homes, private duty vent, trach, g-tube, to ER spanning 13 years. 

Current Role: My journey continues as I have been blessed to transition into my RN role for the past year as a Surgical Thoracic PCU nurse.

Current Work Facility: I currently practice at Advent Health’s Orlando Campus, in the Surgical Thoracic unit affectionately called WT8.

One thing I love about MOC: One thing I love about MOC is the warm, welcoming educational atmosphere as I venture to master my craft and learn under seasoned knowledgeable nurses.  

One goal I hope to achieve this year: A goal I have is to help celebrate nurses and all the little things we do that make a huge impact on the care we give.  I hope to empower nurses to continue expanding their depth of knowledge.

Describe why you are involved with the MOC AACN, utilizing President’s theme if possible (2024-2025 President’s Theme: Courage to Soar): There is a saying that “iron sharpens iron” and if I am going to be an above average nurse, then I need to study, learn, and grow experienced nurses.  The education and wealth of knowledge that I have been exposed to within 1 year has made a profound change in the quality of care I am able to provide my patients.