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BIOGRAPHY

Name - Emily Thompson
School - Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University
Expected graduation date - May 2018
Prior volunteer experience - Several mission trips with the local church across the country, philanthropy events with Zeta Tau Alpha at the University of Georgia, and local volunteering.
Prior hospital experience - Scribe in the ED at Athens Regional Medical Center. The goal for West District Director for 2016-2017 is to make this position more accessible to its chapters. It should help to link GANS constituents with the executive board to further effective communication and inspire more participation. GANS is such an incredible opportunity to make connections, get involved with peers, and gain valuable leadership experience, and this should be highlighted as best it can!

BIOGRAPHY

Gabriel Saldana is a nursing student at Georgia Gwinnett College. His expecting graduating date is May of 2018. Gabriel is delighted to be part of the Georgia Association of Nursing Students Board as the East District Director. Previously he has worked at Renew World Outreach in the media department. He has also volunteered at International House of Prayer in different areas of the world. He has served as a medical translator before nursing school. He is excited to serve the board and the members and encourage participation in the East District of Georgia.

BIOGRAPHY

Ashlea Shumpert - Legislative Director Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Graduating Class of May 2018 She holds an Associate Degree in Science, and a Medical Assisting Certification Ashlea worked as a Medical Assistant to a head physician in a Urology practice in Marietta for three years. She currently volunteers as the Unit Ombudsman for a U.S. Navy Reserves unit and has an extensive background in political grassroots volunteer work. Ashlea is looking forward to implementing grassroots efforts in our schools. She hopes to aid other nursing students in getting comfortable with becoming involved and advocating for nursing students across the state, and our future profession.

BIOGRAPHY

Carrie Turner is a senior at Georgia Southwestern State University. She will graduate in May of 2017. She plans to become a pediatric oncology nurse after graduation. Carrie sits as an executive member of her local nursing student association where she assists members of the executive board. She was recently inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International. What time she is not studying, Carrie spends volunteering. She is very passionate about raising awareness for childhood cancer and increasing funds for research. To date, Carrie has raised over $5000 for childhood cancer research. This summer, Carrie plans to volunteer as a camp counselor for Camp Sunshine, a summer camp for children with cancer. As NEC chair, Carrie plans to spend the year increasing GANS participation throughout the state. Carrie is very dedicated to making the process of running for office go smoothly for all candidates. She is determined and willing to help in whatever area she can. If she does not know the answer to a question, Carrie will find out as soon as she can. She is very excited to be the NEC chair and to have the chance to represent the South district on her committee.

BIOGRAPHY

Lauryn Edmondson is enrolled at Georgia Gwinnett College and is anticipating graduation in December 2017. It was during her first semester when she recognized the importance of student involvement including national, state, and local levels. She had the privilege of attending the National Student Nurses Association’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida last April. There she had the opportunity to appreciate the importance of using the voice one has to effect change. She was elected in November as the 2nd Vice President of her local chapter. She has made it her objective to increase the involvement of students on both the local and state level. Her goals for NEC East is to increase outreach and find the next slate of leaders to continue building upon the foundation that GANS has implemented.

BIOGRAPHY

Tiffany Sellers is an evening/weekend student that attends Brenau University Nursing School, and she is expected to graduate in December of 2018. She works full time as a pharmacy technician and is currently the Pinning Chair of her class, as well as the President of the student nursing association at Brenau. Though only in her third semester of nursing school, she has fallen in love with the adrenaline rush of the Emergency Department/Trauma. During her run as North District Director and Chair, her goal was to incorporate technology into the North District Chapters to connect the nursing schools. Tiffany strives to do more than ‘just an email.’ She hopes to provide as many opportunities to students in the district as possible – whether it be by advertising for volunteers for other school events or networking for local areas in search of ways to get the students out in the community more. Tiffany loves networking and meeting new people, and her motto in school is, “Semper Gumby – because the only thing constant in life is change.”

BIOGRAPHY

Julia Foley is a student at Brenau University and will be graduating from the nursing program in 2017. She currently serves as the secretary for the Brenau Association of Nursing Students. She has previously volunteered at nursing homes in Alabama as well as at Children’s of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham. She also served as a program coordinator for BamaCovered, an organization seeking to help citizens of Alabama obtain health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. As a member of the Nominations and Elections Committee representing the north district, Julia hopes to work with her fellow members to pre-slate at least one candidate for each position. She also hopes to work with the North District Director to contact schools and bolster convention attendance to achieve a full slate for each position by next year’s elections. Julia looks forward to collaborating with her fellow members and promoting the benefits of leadership to all GANS members!

BIOGRAPHY

Erin Cordell is a first-year nursing student in Kennesaw State University's accelerated BSN program, with an expected graduation of December 2017. She holds a prior degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia. She has over a year's experience volunteering at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's oncology unit, and also she volunteers in a variety of roles with local communities to engage with Atlanta neighborhoods and residents. As treasurer of Georgia's Association of Nursing Students, she plans to guide and manage the finances of the organization effectively, while hoping to increase future revenue through stronger engagement with local communities and raising awareness of the organization.

BIOGRAPHY

Helen Clark is in her first year of the accelerated MSN program at Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She is pursuing a dual specialty as a Midwife and Family Nurse Practitioner. After graduation, she hopes to use these dual certifications to increase healthcare access for underserved populations around the globe, though her dream job is to be Beyoncé's midwife. Helen has an A.B. in Women, Gender and Sexuality and Social Anthropology from Harvard College, where she played varsity women's rugby. Before attending Emory, she took a gap year to work in education in her hometown of Kingsland, GA. She is a National Coca-Cola Scholar and a G.E. Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholar. As Second Vice President of GANS, Helen is looking forward to expanding learning and advocacy opportunities for nursing students in Georgia. She is excited to work with other board members to plan an engaging and inspiring 2017 GANS convention with an emphasis on service and advocacy.

BIOGRAPHY

Julia Whitaker is a junior at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. Her expected graduation date is May 2018. She holds a prior Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Georgia which she received in May 2016. She attended University of Georgia’s Ghana Service Learning and Study Abroad for 30 days in June/July 2015, where she shadowed at different hospitals and helped administer community clinics to areas in need. She participated as a volunteer at Lazarus Day in metro-Atlanta where she provided free health screenings to the homeless. Julia was a Hospice volunteer for Hospice Advantage in Athens, GA, where she watched over clients and helped with everyday activities. Julia has three main goals for this year’s Community Health position: become involved in organizations students view as important, increase the amount of community service opportunities in each district, and promote involvement in all community service activities.

BIOGRAPHY

Lacey Evans is a student at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, class of 2018. She is a previous 2014 graduate of The University of Alabama with a B.S. in community health sciences. Lacey has always had a passion for healthcare -specifically mental health and wellness – and spent four weeks from December 2013 to January 2014 volunteering in the psychiatric ward of Chitwan Medical Center in Chitwan, Nepal. After completion of her BSN, Lacey plans to pursue a master’s in psychiatric mental health nursing. Lacey is honored to be serving on the Georgia Association of Nursing Students executive board. Her goals for the 2016-2017 year include efficient organization of the board’s documents and plans. By being efficient, Lacey can maximize the board’s planning time and make certain that board members are making well-informed decisions. In addition to serving as executive board secretary, Lacey is the recruitment chair for Georgia Baptist College of Nursing’s Student Ambassadors and is actively involved in her school level GANS chapter, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the American Holistic Nurses Association.

BIOGRAPHY

As a nursing student at Georgia State University, Perimeter College Karen A. Davis will earn her ASN in May of 2017, then continue on track toward a master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or Certified Nurse Midwife. She began her journey with GANS first as the Assistant to the Executive board, then for last six months of the term, as the Public Relations Director. The 2015-2016 board of directors and NEC honored Karen with voting her the GANS Board Member of the Year with a $500 scholarship sponsored by Northside Hospital. Karen feels fortunate that she can serve GANS membership for another year, now in the role of President for 2016-2017. She currently serves as President of her school SNA chapter, Student Nurse Association at Perimeter College (SNAPC), and serves as a member of the Access to Care Advisory Group with the Georgia Department of Public Health and its sub-committee Health Care Work Force Strategy Team. Before the demands of nursing school, she functioned as 1st Vice President of her roller derby league and earned her derby name Tutu Intense!. She and her husband Randy have owned and operated a successful business together since 1998. Karen believes that leadership is best executed by example through inspiring and empowering those around her. It is her goal, not only to be a leader within her workplace and professional nursing organizations but also to develop leadership potential in others. A primary objective Karen has this year is to continue her initiatives, begun last year, to move GANS toward being financially sound and sustainable through modern online financial record keeping that is accurate, transparent and budget-driven. Also important to her is that all board members have an optimal learning experience while hosting the Council of Student Leaders (COSL) Retreat in May, and holding an outstanding 65th Annual Convention next October.

BIOGRAPHY

Angelique Noble is a senior in the charter nursing class of Georgia Gwinnett College pursuing her BSN. She is expected to graduate December of 2016. She has been accepted into the new Graduate Nurse Residency Program at Gwinnett Medical Center and will start her career in the Intensive Care Unit. After gaining real-world experience, she intends to start working towards an MSN to fulfill her goal of becoming a nurse educator. Throughout her adolescence and adult life, Angelique has always been involved in some type of civic or volunteer work. She currently serves as elected Chapter President of her school's student nurses' association, as well as Treasurer for GGC's Nursing Student Government. She has served GANS as Assistant to the 2014-2015 Executive Board of Directors, as well as East District Director for the 2015-2016 Board of Directors. She is proud to serve an organization that thrives by assisting and better preparing nursing students for a future of success. She intends to continue to use every available means to act as a proactive conduit in providing information about GANS to students wishing to learn how this organization can have a positive impact on their academic experience and future career

BIOGRAPHY

Sara Smith-BTN. After earning her B.S. in Finance from Arizona State University, Sara discovered a passion for learning and developing others. Professionally, Sara started her career as a Teller for Norwest/Wells Fargo in 1990. Expanding on her interest in developing people, she moved into the role of Regional Development Manager. Recognized for her contributions, Sara was promoted to Regional Development Manager and then VP of Regional Director. She spent the last 4 years of her 15-year career with Wells Fargo as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing. One recommendation included: "Sara is both strategic and creative in her approach to solving problems. Her ability to connect with others quickly and create centers of influence has an impact on results." As a mother to 4 beautiful children, Sara deeply understands the importance of both quality healthcare, involvement in education and personal fulfillment. With a desire to create a sustainable product that didn't harm the environment, the next chapter in Sara’s life journey involved building a baby clothing line- literally from the ground up. Sara speared headed negotiating contracts, managing international vendors, creating, and designing products, and managing the sales operations. Sara was touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to her products and with earning opportunities to be offered in Babies-R-Us.com and 200 boutiques around the world. Realizing that she had so much more to give to the community, Sara decided to pursue her Bachelor of Nursing in the Fall of 2013 and started at Georgia Gwinnett College, where she continues today in the BSN program.

BIOGRAPHY

Shelby Smith is currently the Council of School Presidents Chair for the Georgia Association of Nursing students, as well as the president of the Student Nurses Association at her school, West Georgia Technical College. She is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and will graduate in May of 2017. Shelby is working to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and plans to work with veterans and low-income families. Her goal for this year is to provide support and encouragement to the chapter presidents. Her role is to act as a liaison between the schools in Georgia and the state board. She is very optimistic about the upcoming year and is so honored to be serving on the board for the Georgia Association of Nursing Students.

BIOGRAPHY

Mike Stone, Assistant to the Executive Board, attends Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. He will be graduating in May 2018. He has attended two GANS Conventions, one as a participant and one as a board member, and one NSNA National Convention. As the assistant to the executive board, there are many things that could be asked of Mike. He could be asked to help with anything dealing with the executive board. Over the next year, Mike hopes to assist in planning the best convention that has been put on for the state of Georgia. He hopes to help with organizing the fundraising for the GANS Board and help raise enough to have excess after the convention is fully paid for. Mike would like to have more donations for the silent auction/raffle at the next convention. When he graduates, he would like to either work in pediatrics or critical care. He volunteers at any opportunity that is presented to him. Mike has had many things happen in his life that has led him to want to be a nurse. All through his life, he was the one that was always willing to help others and the friend that others would talk to about any issues that were going on in their lives. When his mother passed he dealt with many different types of nurses, some he wanted to emulate and others he did not. He hopes to be the type of nurse that others aspire to be like.

BIOGRAPHY

Victoria Collins is a Junior at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University. She is expected to graduate in May of 2018 and has an Associate’s Degree in Health Sciences from Georgia Perimeter College. With her education, Victoria hopes to work in a hospital, specifically in Pediatric Oncology. She annually volunteers for a Toys for Tots charity event in Atlanta known as Jingle Mingle and also coordinates her charity event every September 11th for the Fire Departments of New York City. She enjoys getting involved in a variety of charity events through her school as well. Victoria hopes that through Georgia Association of Nursing Students, she can help other students find their path in their nursing careers and network them with the appropriate people. She also hopes to reach out to local communities who lack the resources that they need to live a healthy lifestyle. Last and above all else, Victoria is a mother of two daughters whom she loves endlessly. They are her motivation in everything that she does, and she dedicates all of this to them.

BIOGRAPHY

Camille Laslie is a Georgia Gwinnett College nursing student aspiring to make a difference in the robust field of Nursing. An energetic, dedicated and compassionate person Camille is expected to graduate in May of 2018. Throughout her college years, she has attended school full time as well as worked full time. Through this busy schedule, she has effectively mastered balancing her life through efficient coordination and organization skills. Previously as an Assistant Director of a Preschool, Camille possesses experience in both administrative duties as well as communicating with a variety of individuals on both a business and interpersonal level. Currently, she is an active member of multiple professional and leadership societies including her school nursing chapter, NSNA, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. In March 2016 she was the receipt of the National Excellence in Leadership Award. A chosen busy and constantly full life Camille has developed exceptional organizational skills and adaptability to anything life may throw her way.

BIOGRAPHY

Dominic Che is a second-semester nursing student at Georgia Gwinnett College. He will be graduating in May 2018 with a BSN. He is a dedicated person who remains calm and confident even in the most adverse and stressful conditions. He is equipped with a strong moral code and excellent crisis management techniques. He excels at prioritizing, completing multiple tasks simultaneously, and following through to achieve project goals while using time management and team player skills. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies, an Associate Degree in Health Sciences, and a CNA Certification. He has a passion for helping, and has volunteered in various capacities with Trees Atlanta, Medshare, Books for Africa, Georgia Equestrian, Bui Family Union, and Fall Festival MADD Indian Creek. He served as the SNT Coordinator for the Honor’s Society Sigma Alpha Pi for 2 years and got the Excellence of Service to Student Award, and Emerging Leader Scholarship. He plans to create and propose a new GANS logo, redesign the GANS website, provide a new taste to the EKG Newsletter, and start a Facebook live video nursing education.

BIOGRAPHY

Rebecca Yoo is a senior nursing student at Georgia Gwinnett College School of Health Sciences. She anticipates graduating with her BSN in December 2017. Prior to her position on the GANS Executive Board, Rebecca served as the 2nd Vice President of her local chapter, Gwinnett Grizzly Bears Association of Nursing Students. Outside of organizational involvement, Rebecca has a true inclination towards bedside nursing and nursing practice. She has four years of experience as a certified nursing assistant and currently holds a certificate in hospice and palliative care. She is also a Nurse Extern at WellStar Health System, and hopes to pursue the fields of trauma and critical care in the near future. Rebecca considers herself fortunate to serve at both local and state levels because she is passionate about ongoing involvement and commitment to her profession. She believes in positive networking experiences and connecting the nursing community. Rebecca is excited to collaborate with the student nurses in her region as they evolve into professional leaders.

BIOGRAPHY

William London is a senior at Chamberlain College of Nursing in Atlanta, Georgia and will graduate in May 2018 with his BSN and is planning to pursue his Family Nurse Practitioner studies in 2019. He is honored and excited to be serving a second term as the 1st Vice President on the Georgia Association of Nursing Students’ Executive Board of Directors. William leadership experience includes serving as President of his local Student Nurses Association, as well as President and Secretary of his high school’s Future Farmers of America Board. Previously his academic studies included Surgical Technology, Emergency Medical Technology, and Paramedicine. His past employment experiences has created a broad understanding of nursing, in a variety of nursing fields, including its benefits, challenges, and unique perspectives. As convention chairperson, he hopes to build upon and surpass the success of last year’s Annual Convention. His personal goal is to help his fellow nursing students reach their full potential while gaining the most experience possible from their nursing school education through local, state, and national nursing organizations. William looks forward to helping GANS increase participation which helps mold great nurse leaders for the State of Georgia.