President-Elect Candidates:
Mary Carey & Kara Dyer
Treasurer-Elect Candidates:
Sandy Farmer & Veronica McCollum
Secretary-Elect Candidates:
Bernadette House & Kelley Sicley
See below for information on each of
the candidates.
President-Elect Candidate:
Mary K. Carey
Education: BSN, MSN completion 7/11
CCRN since 1992
Current position: Nurse Manager of the Medical
Cardiology/Telemetry unit at Albany Medical Center Hospital
Previous/additional work positions: Several nursing positions at AMC, primarily
cardiac nursing- in the following ICU’s-cardiac, medical, surgical, heart transplant unit,
as well as in the cardiac surgical stepdown/ progressive care unit. I had a position of
Cardiac Outreach Coordinator-as liaison working with the AMC referral hospitals and
MD offices to promote cardiac services and now as the Nurse Manager of Medical
cardiology for past 10 years. I continue to maintain position as Adjunct Faculty at Maria
College since 2006-supporting clinical rotations and lab faculty needs.
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since 1992
Adirondack Chapter member since 2008
Will reactivate NYONE (NYOrganization of Nurse Executives) membership in July
Previous Adirondack chapter or other organization positions:
I was an active member of the local AACN chapter in its previous activation in 1980’s,
Co-Chair of the Membership Committee 2008-2009.
Active member of local chapter of Parents and Cardiac Children (local support group for
heart surgery children) (no longer active chapter in community).
Member of local NYONE chapter until 2008,(will resume membership in July)
Community Activities:
I have been an ACLS instructor since 1993-primarily working within AMC. Due to my
educational pursuits over the past 2 years, I have not been involved in community
activities. Prior, I was involved in my sons’ baseball activities-fundraising, concession
stand help. I have served as a volunteer in my church community, and served on the
Lansingburgh Education Foundation for my high school.
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
It is very exciting to see how our local chapter of the AACN has grown over the past
three years. Membership continues to expand as a result of the positive efforts of
members who communicate their satisfaction and excitement about the chapter and its
involvement in ongoing learning opportunities for membership.
As chapter President, I will promote opportunities for continued learning on topics
requested by the membership that will stimulate new knowledge-cutting edge
technologies in critical care, nursing procedures and interventions that will streamline
nursing care while promoting quality outcomes, evidence-based practice and current
trends in our profession.
I believe that, as experts in our respective fields of critical care, progressive care and
pediatric critical care nursing, we have much to offer through community outreach
efforts and I would like to see the chapter provide health, wellness and prevention
education at health fairs, and talks to community groups such as Seniors, students in all
grade levels, and general public. How about we form a chapter ‘Speakers Bureau’?
Emerging national trends in nursing indicate the need to make recommendations to
ensure that nursing is well positioned to meet long-term challenges such as nursing
shortages, faculty shortages, quality care at reduced costs and future technologies. I
would like to see the Adirondack chapter of the AACN take a leadership role in
initiatives currently underway to advance the profession of nursing. Towards this goal, I
will work with the Education committee to bring local and regional nursing leaders to
speak to our chapter on the current nursing trends, their impact on our profession and
what we can do to act and be a part of the future of nursing.
These are exciting times to be a nurse, be part of a nursing organization and active
local chapter member. Together we can make a difference and, as stated by Kristine
Peterson (AACN President) “What nurses do (and don’t do) today will directly influence
how our healthcare system looks in 10 years”. Together: Stronger, Bolder.
President-Elect Candidate:
Kara Dyer
Education: MS in Nursing, Sage Graduate School
Current work position: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Pediatric
ICU, Albany Medical Center
Previous/additional work positions: Adjunct Faculty & Clinical Instructor, The Sage
Colleges- Nursing Dept.. Connecticut Children’s Medical Center PICU. Dartmouth
Hitchcock, in VIR, staff nurse.
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since 2009
Adirondack Chapter member since 2009
Sigma Theta Tau.
Previous Adirondack chapter or other organization positions: Currently hold the
position of Secretary for the Adirondack Chapter of AACN.
Community Activities: Volunteer Nurse at Double H Ranch, a camp for children
suffering from illnesses that prevent them from attending regular summer camp,
Volunteer with St. Vincent DePaul Society at local food Pantry. Spent time preparing
meals for families at Ronald McDonald house.
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
As President elect, I would hope to bring leadership to the Adirondack chapter by
supporting educational opportunities and integrating the AACN national theme, mission
and values throughout our chapter events. AACN is an organization that recognizes the
value of nursing as a profession and celebrates the successes of nurses. As an
extension of AACN, I would lead the Adirondack chapter in recognizing the strength we
have among us to do great things! Together, as a chapter, we can create opportunities
to be bold, to impact more than just our members and our patients’ outcomes, but also
impact the community and promote the value of our profession. I would like to continue
our efforts in community service projects as well as support specialty certification.
Additional goals for the chapter include open sharing of ideas and encouragement of
current members to be active participants in planning our chapter events. I would also
like to utilize of creative ways to recruit new members. It would be a privilege for me to
have the opportunity to provide dedicated service to the chapter and our members, as
well as support its continued growth and success. Together, Stronger, Bolder!
Treasurer-Elect Candidate:
Sandy Farmer
Education: MSN, SANE-A
Current work position: Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program Coordinator,
Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center
Previous/additional work positions: Project Specialist AMC, Administrative Nursing
Supervisor, Albany Medical Center. Excelsior Adjunct Faculty. Assistant Nurse
Manager of a Physical Rehab unit. Cardio-thoracic stepdown unit staff nurse.
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since at least 2008
Adirondack Chapter member since 2008
NYSNA
Previous Adirondack chapter or other organization positions: Adirondack Chapter
Program Committee Chair 2008-2010
Community Activities: unknown
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
Unfortunately Sandy has been away in Alaska since we sent out the biography and
questionnaire form to the candidates. While she has been away, Sandy also won an
award from NYSNA for "Innovation". She was recognized for positively impacting unit
organization and patient outcomes through interacting and collaborating with multiple
levels of employees and departments. It was noted Sandy strongly believes in
professional development. She has served as a mentor to an RN in completing her
BSN as well as to two novice nurse managers to develop and refine their managerial
skills. She would bring these qualities and characteristics to the Adirondack Chapter.
Treasurer-Elect Candidate:
Veronica McCollum
Education: BSN
Current work position: Assistant Nurse Manager, Medical
Cardiology unit, Albany Medical Center.
Previous/additional work positions:
Currently serve in the US army Nurse Corps.. Clinical instructor at Maria College.
Previous Medical-Surgical nursing position.
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since 2010
Adirondack Chapter member since 2010
Community Activities:
Fund Raiser Coordinator/ Board Member of V'Ville Lacrosse Association. Volunteer as
a BCLS Instructor, Member of the Legion Post 1493.
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
It would be a pleasure to serve on this board and be able to have a positive impact
within our Nursing Community. I am a professional RN and accept all responsibilities
and always willing to tackle any task with enthusiasm. I am very dedicated to my work
and always see projects thru to the end. I also have a lot of experience with fundraising
and will be able to coordinate multiple events to bring additional funds to the Chapter.
As the Fundraiser Coordinator for the Voorheesville Lacrosse Association, we were able
to start a self-funded JV Lacrosse Team by coordinating multiple fundraisers. In my
current position as Assistant Nurse Manager, I perform leadership duties in a positive
manner. I would use this experience and be able to perform the duties of Treasurer in
an organized, competent manner. I am a firm believer that you can always take the
positive out of any situation and learn from it. Always keeping your glass half full, you
can set out to accomplish much more allowing yourself to never set limits. By
encouraging professional RN's to join and become active members within their
profession outside of the workplace would be a goal I would set to accomplish. By
achieving this goal, we could increase our memberships and be able to reach other
areas within the community. I would be proud to serve all of you as Treasurer.
Secretary-Elect Candidate:
Bernadette House
Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science
Current work position: Albany Medical Center Hospital Clinical
Nurse Specialist for CCU, Cardiac Catheterization and
Electrophysiology Labs
Previous/additional work positions: Staff Nurse in CCU & MICU at AMC; Diabetes
Educator Memorial Hospital. Currently serve in the US army Nurse Corps..
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since 2009
Adirondack Chapter member since 2009
Sigma Theta Tau; past NYSNA (New York State Nurses Association) member.
Previous Adirondack chapter or other organization positions: Nomination
Committee Member 1999 NYSNA
Community Activities: Secretary of non-for-profit Guilderhaven, inc; a charitable
organization, which was incorporated in 2001 to help the animal community. The
organization provides food, financial assistance, transportation, and medical
intervention for NY residents and their companion animal.
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
I have been a nurse for 21 years and an APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) for almost 10
years; I can still say that I am proud to be a nurse. My humor, communication skills,
mentoring skills and enthusiasm for nursing is a plus for the chapter. I am proud of the
accomplishments and direction of the Chapter. I would like to promote more community
involvement with activities such as blood pressure screenings, etc..
Nurses have the power to heal, to impact a patient or family whether it is the joy of a
new birth, or supporting the pt and family through surgery or end of life. When nurses
work together they can accomplish so much i.e. Together Stronger Bolder.
Secretary-Elect Candidate:
Kelley Sicley MS, ACNP
Education: Post Master’s, Acute Care NP; Master’s –
CNS/Leadership; BS- Nursing
Current work position: CNS/NP- Post Cardiac Surgery Unit - Albany Medical Center
Previous/additional work positions: Instructor in RN and LPN Nursing Program at
Northeast Health. Clinical Instructor for Sage Bachelor Program. Staff RN- Intensive
Care Unit- Ellis Hospital, Staff RN-Progressive Care Unit/Oncology-Seton
Professional Memberships:
AACN member since 2005
Adirondack Chapter member since 2008
Previous Adirondack chapter or other organization positions: Member of the
Adirondack Chapter Education Committee.
Community Activities: Volunteer EMS/Firefighter, Health Education for 5th graders at
Turnpike School-Troy, NY
How can you positively impact the chapter through this position? (What you can
bring to this position and what goals you might have for the upcoming year.)
I recently completed my NP degree and am interested in devoting time to helping the
Adirondack Chapter grow and develop. I would like to see the chapter continue to grow
in membership. Some other areas of focus would be:
-Continue educational opportunities
-Support certification, offer more opportunities in this area
-Support area nurses in the workplace - how to create healthy work environments
-Foster evidence based research, find opportunities to engage in research
-Personal characteristics- teamwork is important, motivated, ambitious, and supportive