Texas Nurses Association (TNA) 2023 Annual Conference - Registration at Capacity

Lynda Benton, Opening Keynote Speaker Related Seminars and Products

Senior Director, Global Community Impact

Johnson & Johnson

In this role she has responsibility for leading Johnson & Johnson Nursing, representing the company’s 125-year commitment to supporting and advocating for the nursing profession.

Lynda is a passionate nurse advocate who firmly believes that to improve healthcare, nurses need to be championed and supported for their impact, empowered to raise their voices and implement their ideas, and valued as innovative leaders helping to shape the future of healthcare.   

She has been with Johnson & Johnson for 32 years, with extensive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical sector, and within the Johnson & Johnson Global Corporate Affairs group.  

Dr. Cynda Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN Related Seminars and Products

Anne and George L. Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics

Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics & the School of Nursing

Cynda Hylton Rushton, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN is the Anne and George L. Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and the School of Nursing.

She was a member of the National Academies of Medicine, Science and Engineering Committee that produced the report: Taking Action Against Clinician Burnout: A Systems Approach to Professional Well-being. Dr. Rushton is a member of the American Nurses Association Innovation Board. Rushton is the chief synergy strategist for Maryland’s R³ Resilient Nurses Initiative. 

She is the editor and author of Moral Resilience: Transforming Moral Suffering in Healthcare.

Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC Related Seminars and Products

Director of Nursing Programs

American Nurses Association

Katie Boston-Leary is the Director of Nursing Programs at the American Nurses Association overseeing the Nursing Practice and Work Environment Division and Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation. She is also the Co-Lead for Project Firstline, a multi-million-dollar grant collaborative with the CDC for training on Infection Prevention and Control. Katie is also the co-chair for the DEI committee for the Healthcare Leaders Network Delaware Valley, an ACHE affiliate. She helped redesign the Nurse Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland with an embedded coaching program. Katie is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She is a board member on St. Johns University Health Programs and an editorial advisory board member with Web/MD Medscape and ACHE. Katie serves as staff on the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing and is also part of the National Academy of Science and Medicine’s National Plan to Address Clinician Well-Being supported by the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. Katie also leads as an ANA representative with 4 partner organizations to organize a National Nurse Staffing Think Tank and Task Force, which published short term actionable recommendations to address the nurse staffing crisis.

She was identified August 2019 Health Leaders Journal as “One of Five Chief Nursing Officers Changing Healthcare”. Her most recent research was a qualitative study on nurses’ perceptions of power dynamics in the hospital setting. She is a well-known speaker nationally and internationally with many publications and podcast guest invitations. She completed her PhD at Walden University in Health Services, obtained a dual degree MBA and MHA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bowie State University in Maryland.  She is a board-certified Nurse Executive and obtained a nurse executive leadership certificate from Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been interviewed for stories in numerous print, online and televised media outlets namely CNBC, NY Times, Cheddar TV, HR Maximizer, Axios, Beckers and Bloomberg News. She has written and co-authored numerous articles on staffing, diversity and leadership and was recently featured on NBC’s Today Show to discuss the nurse staffing crisis that is impacting health care delivery.

Ashley Vonnida, DNP, MBA, MSN, CNML Related Seminars and Products

Community Health Systems

Dr. Ashley Vonnida has over 25 years in the Healthcare setting, most recently serving in leadership roles at Community Health Systems.  Ashley has her Doctorate in Nursing Practice, and a Master’s in Business and Nursing.  

Before joining the team at Equum, Ashley spent her career in the Acute Care setting from a bedside nurse to a Chief Nursing Officer, improving patient outcomes and engaging nursing to make a difference every day.  Dr. Vonnida has been responsible for leading operations within large medical systems and rural community hospitals with excellent results, including improving employee metrics such as improved satisfaction and reduced turnover, achieving clinical targets such as hospital-acquired condition rates and improved throughput, and organizational financial initiatives to reduce utilization costs.

Dr. Vonnida prides herself on giving excellent patient care and inspiring the next generation of nurses through innovative care, delivery, and technology.

G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN Related Seminars and Products

Professor, School of Nursing, Assistant Dean of Relational Excellence

Adams School of Dentistry

G. Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN, noted presenter and consultant, is currently a professor in the School of Nursing, Assistant Dean of Relational Excellence at the Adams School of Dentistry and formerly the Associate Vice -Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion/ Chief Diversity Officer of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At the end of 2019, she completed her presidency of the National League for Nursing, the national voice for nursing education which has over 40,000 nurse educators and 1200 schools of nursing.

In February of 2021, she became the American Nurses Association’s Scholar-In-Residence and advises the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.  She most recently was appointed to The LeapFrog Group Board.  The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit watchdog organization that serves as a voice for health care consumers and purchasers, using their collective influence to foster positive change in U.S. health care. Leapfrog is the nation’s premier advocate of transparency in health care—collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data to inform value-based purchasing and improved decision-making.

As one of nursing’s prominent thought leaders, guiding individuals in academic, corporate, health care and religious organizations in the exploration of marginalizing processes and lived experiences of difference, her expertise has and continues to be frequently sought.  She has been appointed to several transformative healthcare initiatives addressing diversity, equity and inclusion including the Commission of Workforce for Hospitals and Health Systems of the American Hospital Association (over 500,000 copies of the report have been distributed nationally and internationally), the Tri-Council of Nursing, and the National Quality Forum’s steering committee which developed the first national voluntary consensus standards for nursing-sensitive care.  As the Senior Vice President for Clinical and Professional Services at the Tennessee Hospital Association and their first vice president of color for 2 decades, she designed and executed one of the nation’s first minority health administrators’ program, Agenda 21, which exists to this day. As a result, over 250 minority health care executives are serving and stewarding healthcare in the nation.  Her passion for equity of opportunity and penchant for holding courageous dialogues to steward and promoting human flourishing is evident in all her encounters and characteristically describes her as a prophetic and caring leader.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville, a    Masters’ of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Family Nurse Practitioner from Vanderbilt University and an EdD (Doctorate) in Education, Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University.  

Dr. Andrea Coyle, DNP, MHA, NE-BC Related Seminars and Products

Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer

SE Healthcare

Dr. Andrea Coyle, DNP, MHA, NE-BC is Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at SE Healthcare, where she is laser focused on preventing clinician burnout.

She is recognized for her passion and ability to inspire, motivate, coach, and empower teams to advance the profession of nursing. Andrea led a large academic Medical Center to its first Magnet designation and its first Magnet re-designation. Additionally, Andrea has consulted with international leadership teams to enculturate nurse excellence and support Magnet designation. Andrea is published and is an international speaker.

She works collaboratively with patient advocates, physicians, and industry partners to create healthy work environments.

Tena Brown Related Seminars and Products

Empathy Educator, Inspirational Speaker

Tena is an empathy educator, inspirational speaker, and patient advocate. For more than 20 years, she has motivated professionals and individuals alike with her insightful approach to the patient experience.

Tena’s personal experience as a patient with lifelong chronic illnesses places her in a unique position to elevate patient care. Tena has created and conducted training for thousands of dermatologists, dermatology nurses, and medical students, speaking at institutions such as the FDA, Mayo Clinic, Geisinger Clinic, and other medical schools around the country. In fact, she is the only professional patient advocate to regularly deliver workshops at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) national conferences. Her AAD workshop, “How to Have an Unforgettably Positive Office Visit”, has been one of the most highly rated and attended offerings at the conference for 12 years in a row.

As a speaker, Tena is guaranteed to touch your heart as well as inspire you to live a “positively unforgettable” life.

Jack Frazee, J.D. Related Seminars and Products

Director of Government Affairs & General Counsel

Texas Nurses Association

Jack Frazee is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. He is the Director of Government Affairs and General Counsel for the Texas Nurses Association and owns and operates the Frazee Law Firm as a civil litigator.

His litigation work has received the support of the Texas Attorney General's Office through amicus briefing; shaped the interpretation of laws by litigating issues of first impression; and advanced the interests of workers, patients, homeowners, consumers, and taxpayers. He advocates on behalf of the Texas Nurses Association to advance nurses' interests through legislative and regulatory reform.

Brenna Youngs Related Seminars and Products

Program Professional

Nurses Service Organization (NSO)

Brenna Youngs is a Program Professional for Nurses Service Organization (NSO) in the Healthcare Division of Aon Affinity Insurance Services. She has worked in Medical Professionally Liability Insurance for over 20 years. She began her career at Bill Beatty Insurance Agency in Texas working with associations, individuals, businesses, and schools. She continued her work with her move to NSO in 2019 as an Account Manager, where she now works on the NSO program with over 30 associations as their primary contact. She is responsible for maintaining associations relationships at the highest level while assisting in the education of risk management and professional liability principles and trends. She also works with underwriting, marketing initiatives, and competition analysis to remain current on the topics affecting healthcare professional liability.

Kathy Thomas, MSN, RN Related Seminars and Products

Texas Board of Nursing

Katherine Thomas is the Executive Director for the Texas Board of Nursing (BON), a position she has held since November,1995. Prior to her appointment to the ED position, Thomas served the Board as Director of Nursing Practice, November 1994 - 1995, as Nursing Consultant for Advanced Practice from 1990 - 1994, and as Education Consultant from 1989-1990. Prior to joining the BON, Thomas taught nursing as an Instructor and Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, baccalaureate and graduate degree programs, and practiced for 10 years as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Her educational preparation includes a BSN from the University of Virginia; a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certificate, US Army, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver, CO and a Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Kansas. Thomas is the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrator for Texas and served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Compact Administrators, and on the Compliance Committee.  She served as the Chair of the Health Professions Council, a council of agencies who regulate health care professionals in Texas, for 10 years. Thomas served on several Advanced Nursing Practice committees of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), chairing the APRN Advisory Committee from 1995-2007.  She was a member of the Joint Dialogue Group that developed the APRN Consensus Model: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education.  She served on the NCSBN Board of Directors as Director at Large, Area III Director, President Elect and President.  She has been active in the NCSBN for the past 28 years and has received the top two awards from this organization: the R. Louise McManus Award (August 2002) and the Meritorious Service (August 1999). She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Theta Chapter and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Erwin Ballarta Related Seminars and Products

Executive Director

Texas Police Association

Erwin M. Ballarta began his career with the Big Spring Police Department in 1982. He moved up the ranks as a Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Sergeant, and Criminal Investigator Sergeant. In 1987, he accepted a position as a recruit with the Texas Department of Public Safety and after graduation, he found duties in Highway Patrol, Safety Education, Governor’s Protective Detail, and Training Academy. Before retirement in August 2008, he attained the rank of Lieutenant coordinating the In-Service Program, Defensive Tactics Program, and the Specialized School Program of

the Texas Police Association. Since retirement from Law Enforcement, he has been Senior Vice President of CCNG Inc. and CEO of Armatek USA Security Group Inc. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Texas Police Association.

He had instructed both the United States Army and Marines on pre-deployment training. He was recognized by Major General Box for instructing the Governor's Office of Homeland Security Infrastructure Security Teams. He served as a Committee Chair Person for developing the Texas Department of Public Safety's cultural diversity program, entitled "Valuing Relationships." The program focused on developing and teaching values, ethics, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership.

In 2001, he received the Wallace Beasley Association of Texas Law Enforcement Educator of the year award. He received the "Texas Professional Achievement Award" from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education for his contribution to Law Enforcement in the field of training. On November of 2001, he acted as Liaison between Phillippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President George W. Bush on mutual alliance to combat world terrorism in Washington, D.C.

Erwin M. Ballarta is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and the 188th Session of the FBI National Academy.

George R. Gooch Related Seminars and Products

Chief Executive Officer

Texas Health Services Authority (THSA)

George Gooch is the Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Health Services Authority (THSA), a public-private partnership responsible for the private and secure exchange of electronic health information in the State of Texas. As part of his duties at the THSA, George manages the state’s health information exchange program, known as “HIETexas,” as well as its privacy and security certification program, known as “SECURETexas.” George is a data privacy professional and attorney, holding multiple privacy certifications in healthcare and consumer privacy. George also serves on the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s eHealth Advisory Committee (eHAC). George lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and daughter.

Pete Camacho Related Seminars and Products

Vice President of Security

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Pete Camacho is from Albuquerque NM, where he is currently a Vice President of Security responsible for over 50 healthcare sites to include 9 hospitals. Pete possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and he is both a Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) and a Certified Protection Professional (CPP). He is a retired police executive with over 20 years of law enforcement service and has been leading in healthcare security for over 4 years. Pete is a member of the International Association of Healthcare Security, and he leads with an emphasis on employee safety and security, specifically in the realm of workplace violence.

Lisa Weatherwax, MSN, RN, CNOR-E Related Seminars and Products

Sr. Clinical Solutions Lead

PointClickCare

Lisa Weatherwax, Sr. Clinical Solutions Lead at PointClickCare, is a registered nurse with a diverse clinical background. Lisa began her nursing career over 30 years ago in various clinical settings including OR, critical care, home care, and post-acute. She transitioned to the EHR world as a senior analyst where she built and supported the Epic EHR for over 30 hospitals for a large Midwest health system. She also spent time as the CNO for two critical access hospitals where she led her team to some of the highest HCAHPS and quality scores in the nation.  Lisa returned to implementing healthcare technology solutions when she joined the PointClickCare team in 2018. Her area of focus on the team is clinical care collaboration across the care continuum, ED and inpatient workflows, mental health and post-acute.

Lisa is a BSN graduate of the University of Iowa College of Nursing, and she is based in the Des Moines, Iowa area. She received her MSN in nursing administration from WGU Texas and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-graduate degree through Purdue. 

Kim Ogg Related Seminars and Products

Harris County District Attorney

Texas

Harris County District Attorney Kim K. Ogg is a native Houstonian licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1987 and recognized as a specialist in Criminal Law by the Board of Legal Specialization since 1992. Upon taking office, she promised a new era of criminal justice by ensuring a just process for the victim, the accused, and the community in every case. She has focused her prosecutors on public safety and equal justice.

Kim Ogg has been a line prosecutor in the Harris County D.A.’s Office, the City of Houston’s first appointed Anti-Gang Task Force Director, and the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Houston. From 2006 until her election as District Attorney, Kim Ogg was in private practice, handling criminal defense, family, and civil rights cases.

Kim Ogg has been a line prosecutor in the Harris County D.A.’s Office, the City of Houston’s first appointed Anti-Gang Task Force Director, and the Executive Director of Crime Stoppers of Houston. From 2006 until her election as District Attorney, Kim Ogg was in private practice, handling criminal defense, family, and civil rights cases.