Executive Director

National Collaborative for Health Equity

Dr. Gail Christopher is an award winning social change agent with expertise in the social determinants of health and well-being and in related public policies. She is known for her pioneering work to infuse holistic health and diversity concepts into public sector programs and policy discourse. Dr. Christopher recently retired from her role as Senior Advisor and Vice President at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she was the driving force behind the America Healing initiative and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation effort. Dr. Christopher also served as Kellogg’s Vice President for Program Strategy and worked on place-based programming in New Orleans and New Mexico. In 1996 she was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. In 2015 she received the Terrance Keenan Award from Grantmakers in Health. She chaired the Board of the Trust for America’s Health from 2012-2022. In 2019, she became a Senior Scholar with George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Dr. Gail Christopher also became the Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity in 2019. In 2021, Dr. Christopher was elected by the APHA Governing Council to serve as the APHA Honorary Vice President for the United States.

History, Hope, and Wellbeing

This presentation will provide a journey through the social determinants of health towards a holistic understanding of wellbeing within the context of an evolving and diverse democracy.

Sherry Chesak is a Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota and a Nurse Scientist at Mayo Clinic. Her program of research is centered on care for the caregiver and she investigates interventions aimed at engendering resilience among both professional d and family caregivers of patients with complex health needs. Dr. Chesak is the inaugural director of the Center for Flourishing Health Care Communities at the University of Minnesota and is certified as a mindfulness meditation teacher and as a Resilience Trainer by the Global Resilience and Inner Transformation Institute.

Flourishing in Healthcare: Setting Intentions for Individual, Team and System Resilience

This presentation will provide insight into the importance of building resilience at the individual, team, and system levels; the key factors that are encompassed within each level; and evidence-based methods for engendering a flourishing healthcare environment.

Christina Jordan is an Assistant Professor at the University of West Georgia, teaching in the prelicensure undergraduate nursing program. She co-founded the Integrative Health Employee Renewal Center for a Level 1 Trauma Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and created programs and training for healthcare leaders, employees, faculty and students to provide inclusive care to LGBTQIA+ patient populations. Christina has a passion for transforming healthcare and uses her skill-set to guide others to reflect upon their roles, biases and expectations of self and others to provide equitable and inclusive care to diverse populations.

This presentation will provide Holistic Practice Stories from a diverse group of nurses.

Caroline E. Ortiz is an Associate Professor in the Pacific College of Health and Science’s Holistic Nursing Programs, an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the California Institute of Integral Studies’ Integrative Health Studies Program, and a Board-Certified Nurse Coach. She has developed holistic health programs for healthcare providers and general audiences, participated in clinical research of integrative medicine and created a Spanish-language guided meditation library for Health Journeys. She is active with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-NY Chapter and the Integrative Health Project’s work in Guatemala. Caroline is also an apprentice and researcher in Mesoamerican curanderismo (traditional medicine system).

This presentation will provide Holistic Practice Stories from a diverse group of nurses.

Dr. LaTonia Clark Chalmers is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing. She is a Board Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Coach, trained Mindful Self-Compassion teacher with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, and registered yoga teacher. Her professional nursing organization service includes being an AHNA Racial Healing Circle facilitator and Chapter President for the American Psychiatric Nurses Association NC Chapter. Her scholarly interests include health equity, anti-racism, the Strong Black Woman Superwoman phenomenon, culturally tailoring caring-healing modalities and the self-care/self-compassion practices of nurses and nursing students.

This presentation will provide Holistic Practice Stories from a diverse group of nurses.

Monday, AM Half Day, June 3
E01.  Aromatic Medicine Keepers: Revitalizing Healing Practices thru Cultural Traditions and Biodiversity Awareness
Valerie Cooksley, RN, OCN, AN, CERT

E02. Level Up! Whole-Being Coaching
Linda Bark, PhD, RN, MCC, NC-BC, NBC-HWC

E03. Development of Holistic Self: Maharishi Ayurveda® Self Pulse and Self-Care
Amy Ruff, BSN, RN

Monday, PM Half Day, June 3
E04. The Essentials of Aromatherapy Research: A Critical Workshop
Denise Joswiak, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, RA™, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist

E05. Transformational Wholeness Through Healing Touch
Lisa Anselme, RN, BLS, HN-BC, CHTP, CHTI

Tuesday, Full Day, June 4
1. Expanding Our Worldviews: Building Bridges, Taking Steps Toward Cultural Humility
Margaret Erickson, PhD, RN, CNS, APRN, APHN-BC, SGAHN
James Welch, RN, HNB-BC, SGAHN

2. Mindful Nursing: Integrating Hypnosis for Enhanced Patient Care
Christy Cowgill, RN, CRNA, MBA, NC-BC, BCH, CHBE

3. Aligning the Koshas with Yoga for Freedom and Peace
Alyson Ross, PhD, RN, CIYT, C-IAYT, NC-BC
Linda Bark, PhD, RN, MCC, NC-BC, NBC-HWC

4. Health as Expanding Consciousness
Marcie Cooper, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, HWNC-BC, GHNA, Conscious Dying Coach and Sacred Passage Doula
Heather Manus, RN, RMT, Nique Pichette, DNP, MSN, RN
Lisa Cheatham, BSN. RN
Shakira Franklyn, CNM, RN, MPH, MS, BSN, NC-BC, CHES
Ken Sobel, Esq

Tuesday, AM Half Day, June 4
5. Poetry & Bibliotherapy: Exploring Holistic Wellness with Words
Shari Liesch, MSN, APNP

6. Art Therapy for Self-Development
Deborah Dye, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC

7. Heart-Energy Healing: Cultivating Subtle-Energy to Deepen Inclusion and Diversity
Lori Harger, RN, PMHNP-BC, Certified Hurqalya Healer
Nesrin Abu Ata MD, Certified Hurqalya Healer

8. Medical Cannabis Care: Holistic Coaching Approaches with Diverse Populations
Carey Cadieux, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, RYT, FAAN

9. Good Vibrations: Chakra Balance with Sacred Geometry, Crystals, and Sound
Dr Gail Van Kanegan, DNP, FNP-BC-R, RN, APHN-BC, EEM-AP
Barbara Evans, MS, BS, PGCE, Ed

Tuesday, PM Half Day, June 4
10. Introduction to Nurse Delivered Massage Workshop
Karen Maree Pike, RN, MSN, OCN, PHN, PMGT-BC, Dip.HomSwedish Massage Technician Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) Preferred Practitioner

11. Essential Oils in Healthcare: Professional Perspectives and Inclusive Approaches
Barb Picciano, MSN, RN, HN-BC, CCA

12. Breakthrough Inequities in Musculoskeletal Pain Management with Self-Massage for Self-Care
Dorotha Atkins, ThD, MA, BSN, LMT

13. Healing Veterans with the Art of Healing Touch
JoAnne Veith RN, HN-BC, HTCP/I
Stacy Noel MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, HTCP/I

14. Moving to Write My Journey in Race
Reva Rasmussen, BS Nursing, MA English

15. Reflexivity: An AntiRacist Practice toward Relational Accountability for Holistic Change
Kaija Freborg, DNP, RN, NC-BC
LaTonia Clark Chalmers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NC-BC, RYT-200

Workshop Block A (21 - 28)
Wednesday 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
21.An Ethic of Belonging: Holding Space for Diverse Perspectives
Cynthia Dols Finn, DNP, MN, RN, PHN, AHN-BC, CHTP/A
Joyce Perkins, PhD, MS, MA, RN AHN-BC, CHTP, RMP-T, ACE-GI, SGAHN

22. Eco-Healing...Be the Medicine the World Needs
Connie Grauds, MNPA, RPh

23. Implications for Holistic Nursing- Aromatherapy for the Bariatric Patient
Laura McNicholl, MS, CNS-BC, MEDSURG-BC, PMGT-BC, GERO-BC
Mary Ann Friesen, PhD, RN, CPHQ, SGAHN
Carmen Spencer, BSN, RN, CBN

24. Promoting Self-Care Management in Healthcare Using Mobile Meditation Apps
Cathy Tierney, Ed.D, RN
Tiffany Hunt, EdD, RN
Liane Connelly, PhD, RN, NEA-BC,
Wendy Ramaekers, MSN, RN

25. Improving LGBTQIA+ Patient Care in a University Setting
Christina Jordan, MSN, RN, CCAP, HNB-BC

26. Songwriting as a Reflective and Holistic Practice
Jane Foote, EdD, MSN, RN

27. Holistic Physical Assessment: A New Framework for Nursing Practice
Olof Indridadottir, DNP, AHN-BC, CRRN Reiki Master, Bowenwork Practitioner
Nisco Madden, DNP, AHN-BC, PHN

28. What is the Endocannabinoid System?
Nicole Foss, MSN, MBA, RN
Nicole Ryan, RN

Workshop Block B (31 - 38)
Wednesday 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM 
31. Think Differently: How to Build Trusting Relationships and Environments for Real and Lasting Change
Angela Gray

32. Changing Minds, Changing Lives and the Power of Writing Together
Cynthia Peterson, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CCRN-K
Genevieve Chandler, PhD, RN, CRRN

33. Embodied Nursing- How to Find your Ground, Move from Center and Embody Healing Presence
Alison Shaw RN, HNB-BC, CBHS

34. Exploring Equity, Inclusivity and Diversity within Holistic Advanced Practice Nursing
Mary Enzman Hines, PhD, APRN, CNS, CPNP-PC, APHN-BC, SGAHN
Teresa Mahoney Fadely, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, ACNP-BC, HWNC-BC, SGAHN

35. Wisdom Cards
Michelle Lisenbee, RN, BSN, HNB-BC, BCTMB
Krista Crescenzo, RN, HN-BC

36. Healthcare Through the Eyes of Elders
Sue Roe, DPA, MS, BSN, RN

37. Racial Healing Circles for Nurses
Roxane Chan, PhD, BSN, MS, AHN-BC
Linda Keilman, DNP, MSN, GNP-BC, FAANP
Mary Turner, RN, NC-BC
Debora James, BSN, RN, HNB-BC
Kaija Freborg, DNP, RN, NC-BC
LaTonia Clark Chalmers, DNP

38. Every Nurse’s Role in Cannabis Therapeutics: ACNA Scope and Standards of Practice
Rachel Parmelee, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC
Deanna Sommers, PhD, MSN, RN, PNP-PC

Workshop Block C (41 - 48)
Thursday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
42. Sowing PLANeTary Health: Holistic Healing Through Plant-Based Nutrition
Angela Cox, MSN, RN, AHN-BC

43. Mindfulness as a Therapeutic Engagement Tool to Decrease Violence Risk
William Brooke, BSN RN PMHN-BC HN-BC
Susanlee Wisotzkey, RN, PhD, HNB-BC, NE-BC, CIMHP, PLNC

44. Getting Published: Strategies for Holistic Nurses to Navigate the Process
LeeAnn Hawkins, PhD, RN, FNP-C
MaryAnn Friesen PhD, RN, CPHQ, SGAHN
Heidi Honegger Rogers, DNP, FNP-C APHN-BC, FNAP

45. Diverse Models of Health to Advance Inclusivity and Healing
Angelica Walton, DNP, RN, CCRN, RYT

46. Incorporating Social Justice for an Inclusive Approach
Paige Riggins

27. Healing Veterans with the Art of Healing Touch
JoAnne Veith, RN, HN-BC, HTCP/I
Stacy Noel, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, HTCP/I

28. Integrating Cannabis into Your Holistic Practice: Starting Tomorrow
Tanya Scott, DNP, MHR, RN, NEA-BC, CPHIMS
Shannon King, RN

Workshop Block D (51 - 58)
Thursday 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
51. Transforming Patient Care: The Holistic Approach to Food and Body
Tiffany North, RN, BSN, Certified Intuitive Eating Professional

52. Looking Forward, Not Back...Holistic Nurses’ Framework for Belonging and Inclusivity
Linda Thomas, PhD, APRN, FNP-C, AHN-BC, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, CHTP/I, HTAP

53. Aligning the Yoga Koshas for Transformation and Unity
Alyson Ross, PhD, RN, NC-BC,CIYT, C-IAYT

54. Being a Good Ancestor, Transforming Holistic Nursing for the Future
Heidi Honegger Rogers, DNP, FNP-C, APHN-BC, FNAP
Jenifer Prather, MPH, RN, PhD(c)
Leslie LaPointe, MSN, APRN, CPNP, CHSE, HSMI
Laurie Laugeman, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC
Susie Johnsen, MSN, BSN, NTMNC

55. Journaling for Grief: Connecting to the Body, Emotions and Culture
Rebecca Servoss, NC-BC, RNC-NIC
Roshni Kavate, RN

56. Transcending Wellness with Aromatic Diversity: An Introduction to Aromatherapy
Dawn L. Langley-Brady, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, CHPN, CCA

57. Planting Seeds of Hope Using the CIINDE Approach
Janessa DeCoste, MN, RN, NC-BC, CCHNC-C, SGAHN, ANCC AP-PD
Kim Derkach, RN, BScN, NC-BC, HN-BC, CCHNC-C, SGAHN
Sherry Hole, MN, BN, RN, Nurse Educator, SGAHN, WWCC, HWNC-BC, RIHC

58. Cannabis HealthCare Consumer Safety Tips
Deanna Sommers, PhD, MSN, RN, PNP-PC
Sherri Mack, RN, BSN

Workshop Block E (61 - 68)
Friday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
62. Heart-Energy Healing: Celebrating Diversity in your Heart
Lori Harger, RN, PMHNP-BC, Certified Hurqalya Healer

63. Lymphatic Techniques & Essential Oils: Accessible Well-Being for Anyone
Barb Picciano, MSN, RN, HN-BC, CCA

64. Family Wellness: During-Life & After-Life Healing
Mary Jo Bulbrook, BSN, RN, MEd, EdD, CEMP/S/I, CIH/S/I, HTP/I

45. Building Competencies in Structural Racism: Nurturing Caring Capacity
LaTonia Clark Chalmers, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NC-BC, RYT-200
Kaija Freborg, DNP, RN, NC-BC

46. Transcending From the Physical Body Image to the Human Field Image of Potentiality
Wyona M. Freysteinson, PhD, MN, RN, FAAN

27. Silent Resonance: Mastering the Art of Unconscious Communication
Christy Cowgill, RN, CRNA, MBA, NC-BC, BCH, CHBE

28. Cannabis Assessment for Nurses and Patients
Nicole Foss, MSN, MBA, RN
Rachel Parmelee, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC

Workshop Block F (71 - 78)
Friday 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
71. Using Chakra Energy Fields in Writing for Health
Shari Liesch, MSN, APNP

72. Legally Navigating the Holistic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
Terri Roberts, JD, RN

73. The Wake Up Call: The Truth about Sleep
Pamela Rivera, RN, BSN, CMSRN, HNB-BC
Araksya McInerney, RN, BSN, MA, RN-BC, HNB-BC

74. Implementing Self-Care, Well-being, and Resilience for Nursing Faculty and Staff
Cynthia Brown, DNS, RN, AHN-BC, CNE, NBC-HWC
Christina Jordan, MSN, RN, CCAP, HNB-BC

75. Spiritual But Not Religious: Providing Spiritual Care in a Diverse World
Clare Biedenharn, DMin, BCC

76. Native American Drumming Circle and Vibrational Medicine
Lisa Van Getson, APRN, DNP, FNP-C, RN, APHN-BC, AHNC-BC, MAT

77. Holistic Nature of Endocannabinoid System Care
Marcie Cooper, MSN, RN, AHN-BC, HWNC-BC, GHNA, Conscious Dying Coach and Sacred Passage Doula
Heather Manus, RN, RMT, HWNC-BC
Nique Pichette, DNP, MSN, RN
Shakira Franklyn, CNM, RN, MPH, MS, BSN, NC-BC, CHES
Lisa Cheatham, BSN, RN
Ken Sobel, Esq

78. Therapeutic Use of Cannabis – Case Studies
Sherri Mack, RN, BSN

Workshop Block G (81 - 88)
Saturday 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
82. Shine On! Moving Research into Practice Addressing Vitamin D Deficiency for Improved Patient and Population Health
Beth Sanford, DNP, MSN, RN, ACN, CLC

83. The Use of a Holistic Podcast to Improve Nursing Resilience
Caitlyn Waddell, RN, BSN, HNB-BC
Cidalia Vital, PhD, RN, CNL, CRRN

84. Resentment to Renewal: Harnessing Forgiveness & Therapeutic Journaling for Nurses
Christy Cowgill, RN, CRNA, MBA, NC-BC, BCH, CHBE

85. Integrating Aromatherapy into Your Clinical Practice
Debra Reis, MSN, RN, HNC

86. Establishing Your Own Nursing Integrative Care Program for Your Hospital
Stacy Noel, MSN, FNP-BC, Reiki Master, HTCP/I

87. Rebalancing the Chakra Energy System through Food as Medicine
Lisa Van Getson, APRN, DNP, FNP-C, RN, APHN-BC, AHNC-BC, MAT

88. Healing Plant or Forbidden Drug? Historical Perspectives of Medicinal Cannabis
Nicole Ryan, RN

Workshop Block C
Friday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
41.Research Papers 1
A. Understanding Silent Moral Outrage to Empowering Women Veterans: Phenomenological-Hermeneutical Study
Wyona M. Freysteinson, PhD, MN, RN, FAAN
B. The Effects of Forest Bathing on Anxiety Levels in Adults
Nancyruth Leibold, EdD, RN, MSN, PHN, CNE, AHN-BC
Laura Schwarz, DNP, RN, PHN, CNE, AHN-BC
C. PART-HBLU PTSD: Anxiety Reduction Through Tapping: Healing from the Body Level Up
Andrea Skillman, BSN, HBLU certified level 6
D. La Mujer Sabia (The Wise Woman)
Caroline Ortiz, PhD, MPH, RN, NC-BC

Workshop Block E
Friday 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
61. Research Papers 2
A. Hidden Hunger: Food Insecurity and First-Generation College Students
Kala Mayer, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE, MCHES, NBC-HWC
B. Exploring the Perceived Value of Holistic Certification Among Staff Nurses
Cidalia Vital, PhD, RN, CNL, CRRN
Patricia Faron, BSN, RN, CPAN, HN-BC
Cynthia Peterson, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CCRN-K
C. Stress Management of New Graduate Nurses
Dr. John Balcuk, DNP, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC
D. Students’ Perception of Nurse Coach Interventions
Jutara Srivali Teal, DNP, MTOM, RN, L.Ac., NC-BC

Workshop Block G
Friday 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
81. Research Papers 3
A. Adolescents’ Experiences with Asthma Behavior and Their Asthma Self-Management Behaviors
Elif Isik, PhD, MSN, RN
B. The Power of Hope: An Inclusive Look at the Impact on Bereaved Parental Coping During Children’s Cancer Journeys
Ellen Johnson, DNP, RN, CNE
Sally Clemenson, DNP, RN, CNE, AHN-BC
Shantelle Smith, DNP, RN
Allyson Hopperstad, DNP, RN, PHN
C. Integrating Complementary Health Therapies in Reducing Labor Pain
Yea-Jyh Chen, PhD, RN