Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President.  This will be my last President’s Message to the Membership as we transition leadership to Jennifer Rasp-Vaughn, MSN, MBA, BS, RN, RCIS, CNML, LBC, from Sheridan Memorial Hospital. The Board is excited to see Jennifer take the helm and continue to lead the association. 

The 2024 Wyoming Nursing Association Convention just concluded and it was great seeing so many people – we doubled attendance from 2023 and that is because of you, our members. There was great education from some amazing individuals, and we had a great Awards Reception acknowledging the accomplishments of so many nurses across the state.  Check out the rest of the newsletter for information about all the award winners.  We were also blessed with great exhibitors and sponsors who helped make this convention possible. 

The last year has been a whirlwind and I’m happy to share that the board has been very active this past year. At the end of 2023, the board went to work. With the addition of our new Executive Director, Kara Beech, we began reviewing and refining the 2022 Strategic Plan. During the strategic planning session, the board decided to be BOLD in their approach, what we’d been doing wasn’t working, it was time to do something different. Through the discussion we worked hard to identify key strategies to execute over the next three to five years to help propel the WNA forward.

A big portion of the work the board completed to execute the strategic plan depended on re-activating and re-imagining several committees that existed in the Bylaws that had been dormant. With BOLD action taken by your board, I’m happy to report that each of the committees outlined in the Bylaws have been reinstituted and have been extremely active over the past year.

Each of the following committees were re-activated with a new enthusiasm to engage members as they implemented the re-imagined format developed during strategic planning. Below is a quick summary of the work completed over the past year.

• Bylaws Committee - During strategic planning, this committee identified that the Bylaws had not been updated since September of 2020. With that recognition, the team completed an in-depth review and worked to reduce redundancy and streamline and update language to make the Bylaws clearer and more concise. The changes were sent to and posted for all members to review on September 4, 2024, and we appreciate all who took the time to vote “yay” or “nay” to the changes.
• Legislative/Policy Committee - The Committee kicked off their work in a big way, engaging members after last year’s Legislative Days and actively working to follow legislation and encouraging members to use their voices. A new Advocacy Tool Kit was provided for all members to address legislation that WNA was watching and advocating for. Over the next year the committee will begin work on the WNA legislative agenda based on national and statewide trends to help achieve the WNA mission of leading the profession of nursing and healthcare in Wyoming.
• Technology and Public Relations Committee (Engagement Committee) - This committee has assisted with the identification and implementation of the Mobile Up app in an effort to streamline communication with members throughout the year, during conferences and during the legislative sessions to keep members informed with up-to-date information at their fingertips. This committee also reviewed award nominations for convention, and searched for candidates to attend the upcoming offering of ANAI which includes a trip to Washington DC to learn more about advocacy for the profession. While I’m disappointed to say we won’t be sending anyone to ANAI this year, if you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity in the future, be looking for this information next year. This committee continues to search for WNA members to join, if you are interested, contact Kara Beech, Executive Director.
• Nursing Practice Committee - This Committee has been instrumental in assisting the board in researching and understanding the impact of nursing practice. Over the past year, a member of this committee has attended the Wyoming State Board of Nursing meetings to be better informed on the topics that are impacting nurses across the state. This group has researched best practice for aesthetic and infusion therapy procedures and care of maternal patients under correctional facility custody. This team also met with the Wyoming State Board of Nursing to discuss the Proposed APRN Compact. Going forward the Practice Committee has created a plan to work with clinicians across the state implementing best practices through clinical projects. The goal is to spread best practices across the state. This is such exciting work; Wyoming is small but mighty. Won’t it be amazing to have local nurses driving best practices across the state so that Wyoming citizens are getting high quality, evidence-based healthcare wherever they’re seen?
• Finance Committee - The Finance Committee worked closely with Executive Director Kara Beech to review and propose the 2024-2025 budget for the board. With their guidance the financial outlook for the WNA is much improved and positioning the board to continue to search for and support technology that will enhance membership engagement.

In addition to the actions taken by each of the committees, the board re-created all operating policies and procedures which were lost in the transition from the former management company, Ngage. These resources are all available and viewable on the WNA Website. 

On a national level, we continue to lobby our Wyoming legislators during Hill Day every year at the National Membership Assembly. This year President-Elect Jennifer Rasp-Vaughn and Kara Beech attended with WNA Member and Past ANA Board member, Faith Jones. The three were able to specifically address the APRN Compact, long-term care staffing regulations, restricting mandatory overtime for nurses, Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act (H.R. 7002, S. 2815), Improving Care and Access to Nurses (ICAN) Act (S. 2418, H.R. 2713), and Protect Timely Access to Quality Nursing Care in LTC Facilities. While legislation moves slowly, the discussions with our legislators were promising, so we continue to advocate and ask you to contact our legislators to do the same.

The work the board has undertaken over the past year, has certainly kept us busy, but we are so excited to see the strategies in action. As we continue to execute on our strategic plan, we hope that you feel the impact and movement in a positive direction that emphasizes the value that the WNA brings to the nursing profession and you as a member of the profession. 

The Nursing Excellence in the Workplace Award is conferred on a Registered Nurse who has developed an innovative and unique approach to nursing theory and knowledge in any practice setting.  They are role models of consistent high-quality nursing practices who have created an environment of professional autonomy and control over their nursing practice.  

This award winner’s career is marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to providing exemplary care in rural Wyoming. She embodies the spirit and criteria of this award through her exceptional contributions to nursing theory, knowledge, and practice.  Her journey in nursing began after she graduated from Western Dakota Technical Institute and has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to continuous growth and leadership. Starting as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), she progressed through the roles of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and then to a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Emergency Department/EMS.

Her current position as Care Coordination Supervisor has been transformative not only for her but for the entire organization.  Under her leadership, Crook County Medical has seen the successful implementation of a Vaccine Program at the Sundance Clinic, which has increased patient access to essential vaccines, especially critical in their rural setting. She has significantly expanded their Chronic Care Management program and founded the Care Coordination department, allowing them to provide more comprehensive and coordinated care to their patients.  She is a visionary who has initiated and developed a Behavioral Health Integration program, addressing a critical need in their community and improving patient outcomes. She is continually working on several more initiatives that will further enhance the quality of care their department provides.  Her extensive certifications, including Management of Aggressive Behavior, Basic Life Support, Mental Health First Aid, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Emergency Nursing Pediatric Certification, Trauma Nursing Core Course, and Wound Care, demonstrate her commitment to maintaining the highest level of competency in her practice. This range of skills and knowledge ensures that she and her team are well-equipped to handle the diverse and complex needs of our patient population.  Her innovative approach to care coordination has also included creative community outreach efforts, such as leveraging social media platforms like Facebook to connect with patients and educate the community.

Additionally, she spearheaded the organization’s first annual free shopping event in Sundance, where over 1,500 articles of clothing were donated for patients and community members to shop free of charge. The event’s success prompted its expansion to Moorcroft and Hulett, showcasing her ability to engage with the community in meaningful ways.  As an RN raising a family in rural Wyoming, she has a unique understanding of the people she serves in her care coordination program. Her ability to connect with individuals on a personal level has been instrumental in helping them achieve better health outcomes and live their best lives.

Katie Wolf, RN, Care Coordination Program Supervisor from Crook County Medical Services District is an exemplary role model of high-quality nursing practice, professional autonomy, and leadership. Her innovative contributions and her ability to create an environment of trust and excellence make her the 2024 WNA Nursing Excellence in the Workplace Award winner. 

Katie Pictured with Alicia LePard, PhD, MBA, ACNP, ENP, FNP, GNP, FAANP, WNA Vice President

The Nursing Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing Award is conferred on an Advanced Practice Nurse who has developed an innovative and unique approach to the provision of nursing in their practice setting. Briane Olson, MSN, PMHNP is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a champion for telehealth services, Briane has significantly impacted the field of mental health care by improving access and quality of care for patients in rural and underserved areas. Her innovative and unique approach to providing nursing services in her practice setting exemplifies the qualities this award seeks to recognize.

Briane began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in 2013, working in a rural Wyoming community mental health center and the local county jail. Her early exposure to telehealth visits, facilitated between local patients and remote psychiatric prescribers, laid the foundation for her professional resilience and resourcefulness. Over seven years, she continued her education, gaining a BSN from the University of Wyoming in 2015 and her MS, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of South Alabama in 2018. All the while, she collaborated with five skilled psychiatric nurse practitioners and a psychiatrist, most located outside Wyoming. These experiences allowed her to develop a unique skill set in telepsychiatry, which she has applied to her practice ever since.  After relocating to Florida and working in a different underserved mental health center, Briane recognized her potential to improve access to psychiatric care in Wyoming through telehealth. Motivated by her deep connection to the community and the full practice authority granted to Nurse Practitioners in Wyoming, Briane established a private telepsychiatry practice, The Art of Tele-Psychiatrity, in the winter of 2022. Her practice focuses on enhancing patient care through technology, team collaboration, and minimizing travel burdens, especially during dangerous weather conditions. Briane’s approach to telehealth extends beyond patient care. She actively involves students, family members, and interdisciplinary teams in video visits, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute to the patient’s care. Her ability to convey empathy and build trust through technology is a testament to her dedication as a healthcare provider. Patients often express their appreciation for her genuine care and support during their darkest times.

Moreover, Briane is a pioneer in the Collaborative Care Management space, serving as the psychiatric medical provider for HealthTech's Wyoming Collaborative Care Management Consortium. She meets virtually each week with RN Care Coordinators to review behavioral health patients, offer recommendations, and provide teaching. Her unique skills and comfort with telehealth have made her an invaluable resource to her colleagues and patients. Briane Olson is a role model for other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, embodying the spirit of leadership, innovation, and compassionate care. Her contributions to nursing practice have positively impacted patients and nursing colleagues, setting a high standard for others in the field and why she is this year’s WNA Nursing Leadership in Advanced Practice Nursing Award winner. 

The Collaborative Practice Award goes to a health system or individual hospital for a collaborative project which shows an interdisciplinary approach to best practices that resulted in improved patient outcomes or cost savings.  Crook County Medical Services District’s (CCMSD) dedication to improving patient care through innovative collaboration and comprehensive health and wellness programs make it a worthy candidate for this award.  They put patients first. Established in 1991, they have spent decades serving patients in Sundance, Moorcroft, and Hulett, ensuring high-quality care from skilled, attentive, and compassionate medical professionals. Under the leadership of their CEO, the organization thrives due to her encouragement of creativity among staff to enhance care and connect with the community. Dr. Micki Lyons, DNP-C, CEO along with the project champions – Katie Wolf, RN, Director of Care Coordination; Samantha White, RD, Dietitian; and Anthony Vopat, Ambulance Director – have been instrumental in the success of our collaborative project. 

Project Overview: Health and Wellness Program with Care Coordination Integration - Their Health and Wellness Program, integrated with a comprehensive Care Coordination model, exemplifies Crook County Medical Services District’s commitment to a collaborative and innovative approach to patient care. The program emphasizes health promotion through personalized training and nutritional wellness sessions while connecting patients to essential health services through effective care coordination. 

Project Highlights:1. Health and Wellness Sessions are Tailored personal training goals for patients, focusing on cardiovascular fitness, strength training, balance techniques, flexibility, and body composition.  Sessions led by an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.  2. Nutritional Wellness Visits: Cover topics such as building a healthy plate, portion control, and healthier eating options. Personalized nutrition plans created by their dietitian and when appropriate in collaboration with the care coordination team.  3. Care

Coordination Integration:  In addition to providing care management services for patients with chronic conditions, they include Behavioral Health Care Coordination services and Community Health Workers into the care coordination program. Performs RN led annual wellness visits to create a health promotion plan for the patients and facilitates patient navigation through insurance coverages and access to additional services such as Diabetes Education, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity.

Sustainability: Effective care coordination helps patients avoid unnecessary procedures and services, resulting in significant cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system. The use of a structured care coordination program with foci on physical, mental and social health allow for both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement ensuring long term sustainability in covering the costs of the care team. The program's focus on preventative care and health promotion lead to improved quality of life as patients receive the care, they want close to home. 

At Crook County Medical Services District, they live out their mission every day, supporting "Your Community, Your Health." Their team of healthcare professionals has the knowledge, training, and experience to provide exemplary patient care. The ongoing success and growth of their collaborative project in care coordination is a testament to the hard work and dedication of their entire team, who work tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of our community and that is why Crook County Medical Services District are the 2024 WNA Collaborative Practice Award winners.

Photo Katie Wolf, RN, Director of Care Coordination and Anthony Vopat, Ambulance Director

Julia Samz, MSN, RN received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021, and in 2024, a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management.  She graduated at the top of her class when she completed her BSN and was the class Valedictorian.  While in the BSN program, she was an active member of the student government program. 

She began her nursing career at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County (MHSC) in the surgery department then transferred to the Medical Surgical Unit. During this time, she completed her required orientation plan and continued to reach out and seek learning opportunities.  She challenged herself by taking courses and working with staff in other departments to develop skills and gain knowledge. 

She shared her capstone project with her Director, the CNO, and the Education Department at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County, and information from this project will be presented to staff and implemented as part of the department's ongoing Fall Prevention program. Her willingness to look for areas to improve not only patient safety, but staff safety is evident in her work and actions.

If this was not enough, she participated in a preceptor course through the Colorado School of Nursing, to prepare herself to become a preceptor for future new hires and nursing students.  Along with that, she is studying for the Certified Professional of Healthcare Quality exam in June and is planning to start her MBA in Healthcare Management this summer. Just recently, she was excited to share that she joined the American Nursing Association/ Wyoming Nursing Association because she recognized the importance of being involved at a national and local level.

She is very excited to move forward in her nursing role and looks forward to precepting new graduates in the future. Her peers and patients respect Julia for her willingness to always assist them.  Along with her confidence to take on any assignment and is willingness to learn Julia truly exhibits the attributes described in the Faces of Our Future Nurses Award and why she is this year’s winner. 

Cynthia Duncan, RN, MSN, SANE-A, SANE-P, Associate Director of Emergency Services has been a nurse for over 30 years and has worked at Banner – Wyoming Medical Center for 18 years. She has dedicated herself as an emergency room nurse, charge nurse, educator and has now become a leader in the department she loves so much. She is one of very few certified SANE nurses here in Wyoming and dedicates much of her time to ensuring that any patient who suffers from an assault of any kind, is cared for with excellence. She is a resource to not only our Casper community, but surrounding communities as well when it comes to education for forensic nursing.

She frequently meets with critical access hospital leaders in our community to set up education on forensic nursing, as well as provides resources and her own personal time to ensure patients in our state are cared for. She was able to obtain the purchase of a state-of-the-art forensic camera that is used for all exams and is proven to be a great asset for our system. She has also trained all our emergency department nurses to complete forensic exams and maintains yearly competencies to ensure that our patients receive the best care in those sensitive situations.

She holds her master's degree in nursing education and is dedicated to always providing continuing education to her team and nursing throughout the hospital. She is a course instructor for Trauma Nursing Core Course and Emergency Nursing Pediatric Certification. She has been a leader now for 2 years, and has shown grace, kindness and dedication to ensuring that her team is taken care of and held to high expectations of excellent patient care. She involves herself in several process improvement projects within the department and throughout the hospital to improve safety and positive patient outcomes.

Cyndi has proven herself as a leader who would give the scrubs off her back to ensure her team is taken care of and is able to have everything they need from equipment to education to an extra set of hands on those super busy days to provide the absolute best care for our community and that is why Cynthia Duncan, RN, MSN, SANE-A, SANE-P is this year’s WNA Excellence in Leadership Award winner. 

Pictured Cynthia Duncan and Connie Coleman, Banner – Wyoming Medical Center

It is with immense pride and excitement that I assume the role of President of the Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA). As a dedicated nurse with over 20 years of experience, I am deeply committed to advancing the nursing profession and ensuring that our state has a strong, healthy future.

Our vision at the WNA is to create a healthy Wyoming through the power of nursing. We believe that nurses are essential to providing high-quality healthcare to all Wyomingites. Through our strategic plan, we will work tirelessly to be the voice of nursing in Wyoming and elevate the profession, evolve the practice of nursing to be a leader in healthcare, and advance the practice of nursing by engaging nurses all across the state.

I encourage all members to download the Wyoming Nurses Association app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. This will give us the opportunity to easily stay engaged and provide timely advocacy information on items impacting nursing.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Abby Bremer for her outstanding leadership during the management transition. Abby’s dedication and hard work have been invaluable, and we are grateful for her continued support of the WNA.

We invite all nurses in Wyoming to join us on this journey to create a healthier future for our state. Together, we can make a difference. Please visit our website at https://wyonurse.nursingnetwork.com/ or follow us on social media for updates and opportunities to get involved.

I am honored to serve as your President and look forward to working with all of you to achieve our shared goals. Together, we can create a brighter future for nursing in Wyoming.