Did You Know?
To sign up or for more info, click here to link to the website.
Board Members - currently serving for 2010-2011
Elaine Grenier began her nursing career as an RN in 1992. She started out as a staff nurse in the med-surg units. She was promoted to Nursing Supervisor focusing on Med-Surg, ICU, and Emergency Departments. In 2005 she obtained her BSN with the University of Hartford. While working in the hospital setting, she also worked evenings part-time as a nursing instructor. Elaine began working in home infusion in 2006. She joined the CT INS in 2006 and in 2007 began serving as the Newsletter Editor. In March 2008 Elaine obtained her CRNI. Elaine is in her 2nd year of her 3 year Presidential term serving the CT INS. Elaine is currently employed by Omnicare of CT as the Director of IV Nursing Services working with the IV education needs of long-term-care facilities. Elaine is presently working towards a Masters of Nursing and Healthcare Education with the University of Phoenix Online. To contact Elaine, email: edgrenier@sbcglobal.net
Theresa began her career as a LPN in 1979. Working inpatient on a unit that cared for pediatrics, ENT, ortho/neuro, gyn-oncology that gave her a solid foundation while pursuing a BSN at the University of Central Oklahoma where she graduated magna cum laude in 1989. She remained at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City but moved to Neonatal ICU where over the course of another 10yrs she acted as mentor, Charge Nurse and Nurse Manager. She participated in several committees; self-scheduling, lead a multi-disciplinary PI committee and updating policies. With a spirit for adventure, Theresa hit the road with her career taking NICU assignments in TX, UT, NY, and CT. Settling in NYC in 2003, an interest in infusion therapy was born with a position at an outpatient center of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In 2007, Theresa entered home infusion with Walgreen’s Infusion Services where she currently works full-time. To contact Theresa, email: tpclimb@yahoo.com
Robin Tentoni received her BSN from Southern CT State College in 1982 and her MSN from The University of Hartford in 2000. Her initial clinical focus in nursing was in orthopedics and pediatric ICU. Robin then focused her career in the Emergency Department setting, beginning as a staff nurse and then advancing to Nurse Manager and subsequently Director of Nurses. In 2003, she changed her clinical and managerial focus from the ER setting to Home Infusion Therapy. She is presently the Nurse Manager for Walgreen’s – OptionCare, a home infusion therapy company. Robin achieved her CRNI in September 2007. In 2007, she joined the CT Chapter INS joining the Ad Hoc Committee. This year is the 3rd year of Robin's Presidential term serving the CT INS. To contact Robin, email: dagnymsn@yahoo.com
Wendy Richardson began her nursing career as an LPN in 1995, working in long term care. She received her ASN in 2000 and is currently working towards achieving her Bachelors degree through Southern Connecticut State University. When her career took her to the hospital environment in 2000, she worked full time on a surgical floor and became a Unit Leader and Preceptor for her nursing unit. She was selected to become a member of the hospital's Specialty Practice Council, working on such issues as fall prevention and a new hyperglycemia protocol. As a result of inclusion in this council, she obtained valuable experience working on committees and performing staff education. She also joined the hospital's Ethics Committee where focus was placed on issues such as patient privacy and patient rights. Wendy was also selected for specialized education in pain relief and became one of her hospital's Pain Relief Nurses. Wendy began working in home infusion therapy in 2005 and joined the Connecticut INS chapter in 2007 and is serving her 3rd year on the board as the Chapter's Secretary. She is currently employed as a per diem RN for Walgreen’s – OptionCare as a home infusion therapy RN.
Shawn Smith has worked as an RN for over 17 years. She spent 9 years in oncology, most recently as Clinical Nurse Manager of an oncology/hematology practice and outpatient infusion center. Shawn is currently employed at Walgreen’s – OptionCare; specializing in home infusion. She has been a member of INS since 2006 and ONS since 1999. She is an ONS Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Provider. Shawn also continues to work per diem as a staff RN for Hospice Southeastern Connecticut. Shawn is serving her 3rd year on the board as the Treasurer for the CT INS. She has obtained both her OCN and CRNI certifications. To contact Shawn, email: smith.shawna@comcast.net
Chairpersons - currently serving for 2010-2011
Karen graduated from the last class of Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1976 and has never left!. She worked 2 years on a med-surg unit before giving IV therapy a try in 1978. Way back then the IV team reconstituted medications, including chemotherapy in utility rooms, broke needles and hubs of syringes off and placed the syringes into cardboard boxes! Karen passed the first CRNI exam offered in 1985 on her 30th birthday. She is still an infusion nurse at Hartford Hospital where her primary job is placing PICC’s, updating procedures and orienting new staff. In her spare time she is involved in many church activities. Karen has been married for 33 years and has three grown children. To contact Karen email: membership@ctins.org
As a member of the infusion therapy department at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut, Crystal brings 25+ years of infusion experience to the Ct INS Chapter. Crystal has published articles and book chapters on infusion therapy; including authoring two chapters in the 3rd edition of the textbook Infusion Nursing: An Evidence-Based Approach. Her extensive involvement with INS has enabled Crystal to serve in a number of leadership positions, most notably as INS (national) President. She has proudly held the CRNI® credential for 17 years. In 2009, Crystal was elected to the position of Chair-Elect of the Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation.
Leslie Leon received her BSN in 1987 from the University of Rochester and, in 2005, achieved her Certificate in Gerontology from Western Connecticut State University. Her background includes pediatric, adult, and geriatric clinical and management positions at Yale-New Haven Hospital, Hartford Hospital, and alternate care settings. In 1995, she founded High Tech Nursing Services, a CT-based nursing company providing IV insertion, education, and consultation services. In 2000, she created Innovative IV, LLC, an education and consulting company focused on promoting excellence in infusion nursing and pharmacy care. Innovative IV provides IV Program Management and Consultation, Custom Education, and Expert Legal Review for national as well as local customers. In 2006, Leslie was a Poster Presenter at the INS National meeting, and, in 2007, Leslie presented at the NHIA Annual Seminar in Savannah, Ga on the topic: “Top 10 Tips for New Home Infusion Nurses.” In addition, Leslie has been an active member of INS serving two 3-year terms as President, Membership Chair, Newsletter Editor, member of the LTC PICC Committee, and Chairperson of the VAD Tracking Form committee. Leslie is committed to evidenced-based practice, upholding the highest standards of care, and advancing the CT Chapter INS towards the future of infusion therapy. To contact Leslie, email: LeslieLeon@comcast.net
Alice Cennamo has been a registered nurse since 1992 and has worked in the specialty of infusion nursing since 1997. She became certified as a CRNI in 2001. Alice started PICC Resource Associates, LLC in 2003. She is President in charge of company operations and clinical consulting services which include PICC and IV education, venous access consulting, and PICC and IV insertion services. Her background in IV care is in clinical and leadership positions in acute, home infusion, and long term care. Alice's previous acute care positions have included Charge Nurse of a hospital PICC/IV Team, and Coordinator of IV and Phlebotomy in charge of IV and phlebotomy staff development training for a 425 bed hospital. Alice has served as the Chapter's Internet Chair since 2006, and has previously served as the Chapter's Membership Chair, a member of the Chapter's Long Term Care PICC Commitee, and served a 3 year Presidential term. In 2003, she presented at the National INS annual conference on the topic of Informed Consent. To contact Alice, email: alice@piccresource.com
Pam received her nursing degree from the University of Maryland – Baltimore, in January of 1995. She has worked as an emergency room nurse and high school nurse prior to focusing her efforts on infusion nursing in December of 2001. Pam has worked as a Senior Infusion Specialist for a major Pharmaceutical firm instructing neurologists, infusion nurses, and pharmacists in all aspects of a drug used for the treatment of MS in New York state and Vermont. Pam applies her clinical expertise as an instructor, independent contractor, and home infusion patient care. Pam was a Special Education teacher for 13 years and has her degree in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University. She has been a CRNI since 2003 and has placed over 1500 central lines. Pam has previously served the Connecticut INS Chapter as Chapter Secretary, and for a 3 year Presidential term. To contact Pam, email: pamela3@optonline.net
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
