Why I Serve – Pamela Guthman
Credentials: DNP, RN-BC
Place of Employment: UW Madison
Which Nursing Organizations are you current a member of? Wisconsin Center for Nursing, ANA, WNA, WPHA, APHA, STT
Boards currently serving on: Wisconsin Center for Nursing, Forward Community Investment
1. Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
I was nominated for a secretary position several years ago for the Wisconsin Public Health Association, and from there other opportunities have presented
2. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I try to stay current with the changing landscape in community/public/population health nursing especially as related to rural communities, poverty, and the social economic determinants of health with a focus on primordial, primary, and secondary prevention initiatives intertwined with collaborative collective impact.
3. What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
I provide a preventive, broad public/ community/population health perspective of which I address issues as related to the lack of living wages, lack of social connections, unaffordable and unhealthy housing, and inequitable access to education, opportunities, and access to health care. This has influenced some alternative strategies related to funding priorities for some of the boards. I have also brought the reality of what rural, aging populations are experiencing in regard to the determinants of health as well as lack of resources, including the lack of a culturally, highly skilled nursing workforce.
4. What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
I would say to encourage them to introduce themselves to the leadership (president/executive director), let them know your interests and/or your particular skills/knowledge you are willing to share. I would also suggest that you spend the first few meetings observing and listening so as to fully understand the issues/challenges.
5. What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader and eventually obtaining a board position?
Wisconsin Center for Nursing has a board training they offered, there is CD as well. I would encourage participation in non-profit board leadership/competency courses. I would also encourage attending a variety of board meetings so as to understand varying types of leadership styles and how boards may function similarly and/or differently.
6. Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
There have been too few nurses at the table to discuss health care and health care needs, especially in regard to understanding the difference between the focus of nurses and medicine. Therefore, our patients’ health care interests are being represented in tertiary (treatment) care vs. concentrating on prevention and health promotion. We have failed our clients/patients because we are not fulfilling our professional legal responsibilities as licensed nurses when we are not in leadership levels advocating for vulnerable populations’ needs.
7. What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards?
Lack of knowledge/skills in this area, lack of adequate salaries and reimbursement to support travel and board level engagement by very busy and overwhelmed nurses, and lack of awareness of the substantial education, knowledge, and skills professional nurses have.
Why I Serve – Thomas Veeser
Credentials: RN, MS
Place of Employment: Ascension Wisconsin
Which Nursing Organizations are you current a member of? WONE, AONE, AAMN
Boards currently serving on: Ascension Quality, Gold Cross Ambulance Company, Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives, Wisconsin Center for Nursing, Appleton Homeless Connections
1. Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
My first Board was on the American Heart Association. I learned that at the Board level I could influence more directly where an organization put its energy to achieve its mission. I also learned skills and communications that aided me in all activities professionally and personally that allow me to better effect change.
2. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Constant learning through experience, conferences, reading and seminars. Volunteering has also been valuable development for me.
3. What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
The first one that comes to mind is the work we did at Gold Cross to work with the competition on pre-hospital work that supports the community. More recently and more fulfilling is the influence the approach our Ascension quality prevention work on chronic disease into segments of prevention of the disease, management of the disease and palliative care at the end of the disease process.
4. What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
Ask questions, ask for orientation and learn the mission of the organization and its primary deliverable. Participate!
5. What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader and eventually obtaining a board position?
Join a professional organization as a member and get involved.
6. Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
Nurses are naturally trained to align knowledge, outside influences and to direct it at the patient. Making it person-centered care. This is a transferable skill set to any organizational mission.
7. What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards? We are perceived as
Internal – Nurse Leaders not engaging External – stereotypes of nurses not driving change.
Why I Serve – Linda Puccini
Credentials: RN, BSN, MA
Place of Employment: Ascension/St. Joseph
Which Nursing Organizations are you current a member of? N/A
Boards currently serving on: N/A
1. Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
Wanting to have a part and a voice in improving the quality of care of our patients as well as being an advocate for the nursing profession
2. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I try and take advantage of any education opportunities, seminars, etc.
3. What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards? We are perceived as
Time
Why I Serve – Denise Parrish
Credentials: RN, MSN, NE-BC
Place of Employment: Mercy Medical Center
Which Nursing Organizations are you current a member of? ANA, WNA, Sigma Theta Tau, WONE
Boards currently serving on: Library
1. Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
I wanted to improve the working environment for the nurses serving patients as well as improve outcomes for patients.
2. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
Read, take classes, recently tested for NE-BC.
3. What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
Networking within the community
4. What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
Many board positions are available, and boards are always seeking additional help.
5. What are a few resources you would recommend to someone looking to gain insight into becoming a better leader and eventually obtaining a board position?
Stay current in your profession. Become involved in the community in which you serve.
6. Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
So that we have a voice.
7. What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards? We are perceived as
Time
Why I serve – Sarah T Kruger
Credentials: N/A
Place of Employment: N/A
Which Nursing Organizations are you current a member of? N/A
Boards currently serving on: Oakwood Lutheran Homes (Chair) and several other subsidiary boards.
1. Tell us about your journey to the boardroom. What inspired you to seek a leadership position?
I have served on many boards since the age of 30. My parents were both community leaders and I followed their guidance and wisdom in how giving back is an essential life journey.
2. What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
I am telling my friends in business that nurses are talented contributors to society. We often have skills not typically represented on “boards.” We are good problem solvers; our educational backgrounds are diverse and teach us holistic approaches to societal challenges. We care about human growth and success and are good listeners. These are all essential talents and skills needed by society.
3. What impact have you had serving on a board? Example?
I have learned to listen more. I have learned to reach out to those with less “voice.” I have learned about patience and respect. I think these lessons make me a better contributor and leader.
4. What advice would you give someone going into a board leadership position for the first time?
Be strong; reach out to those already in place. Take some time to understand the organizations mission and vision Be prepared before you say something and work hard on developing financial literacy, cultural competency about the organizations you are interested in.
5. Why do you feel it is important for nurses to serve on boards?
We are a meaningful part of society for bunches or reasons. We have solid problem-solving skills. We know the importance of listening and value added of kindness.
6. What do you think is the most significant barrier to nurses serving on boards? We are perceived as
We are perceived as care givers not intellectuals