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PHA Professional Mentor Profiles2022-08-21T11:12:47-04:00

PHA Professional Mentorship Program

Mentor Profiles

The clinicians and researchers listed here have volunteered to mentor other health care professionals and researchers new to pulmonary hypertension or taking on new career challenges.

Nurse/Nurse Practitioners

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Pharmacists

Social Workers

Nurse/Nurse Practitioner Mentors

Louise Durst, R.N.

RN Study Coordinator, Lead, Trainer

Pulmonary Hypertension Research Coordinator, Nurse Specialist

Cardiovascular Research Unit, Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota

Years of experience in PH? Louise has worked in PH since 1998.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Louise works with a diverse patient population that has various forms of PH including idiopathic, familial, associated, left heart disease, lung disease, porto-pulmonary, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and thromboembolic among others. She also works with the transplant program. She has experience with drug trials including phase 1, device trials and registry studies, including industry sponsored and institutionally funded.

Additional involvement: She is a former chair of the PH Professional Network Executive Committee and a former member and chair of the PHPN Membership Committee. She has also served on the Scientific Leadership Council and PHA Board of Trustees and has been a member of the PHA Accreditation Committee.

Areas of expertise

Data/outcomes management

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Palliative care and/or hospice patient

Patient support group activities

PHCC accreditation-CCC

PH research

Pregnancy and women’s issues

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Judy Germani, R.N.

Specialty Care Nurse Coordinator

West Virginia University Hospital

Heart and Vascular Institute
Morgantown, West Virginia

Years of experience in PH? Judy has worked in PH since 2007.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Judy works predominantly with PH patients in the Appalachian community, including patients who have difficulty obtaining medications due to weather conditions, problems commuting to appointments, issues with communication and lack of funding for medications.

Additional involvement: Judy has been a member of PHA and the PHPN since 2014 and has been a mentor for the PHPN Mentor Program.

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team

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Loida Johnson, R.N., MSN, ACNP, CNS

Nurse Practitioner

University of Maryland Medical Center
Baltimore, Maryland

Years of experience in PH? Loida has worked in PH at the University of Maryland Medical Center since 2010.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Loida has experience in both clinical care and research. She participates in all aspects of research and clinical trials on PH and PH therapies at UMMC.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? She works predominantly with PH adult population.

Additional involvement: Loida is a past member of the PHPN Education Committee.

Areas of expertise

Data/outcomes management

Developing disease self-management programs for patients (e.g. diuretic protocols)

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

PA/APN work-up and management of PH patients

PHCC accreditation-CCC

PH clinic nursing duties

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

PH research

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

Martha Kingman, FNP-C, DNP 

Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Pulmonary Hypertension Program
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Dallas, Texas

Years of experience in PH? Martha has worked with PH since 2000.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Martha’s expertise is with adults with PH.

Additional involvement: Martha is a past chair of the PHPN Symposium Committee and has also served as the chair of the Research and Publications Committee.

Areas of expertise

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Managing hospitalized PH patients

PA/APN work-up and management of PH patients

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

PH research

Publishing

PHCC accreditation – CCC

Pregnancy and women’s issues

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

Go to top of page >>

Jennifer Kliner, MSN, ACNP-BC  

Nurse Practitioner

Clinical Project Director, Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Programs

Coordinator, Comprehensive Pulmonary Hypertension Program

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Years of experience in PH? Jennifer has worked in PH since 2011.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Jennifer works with patients diagnosed with PH and/or pulmonary vascular disease associated with scleroderma and various other autoimmune disease, congenital heart disease, HIV, CTEPH and porto-pulmonary PAH as well as a large population of idiopathic and familial pulmonary hypertension, on all approved forms of therapies. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is a large volume lung transplant center with a heavy research presence in which Jennifer is active as a sub-investigator on the various clinical trials.

Additional involvement: Jennifer was an invited speaker at the 2017 Midday Symposium conducted at the 52nd American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, discussing Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Collaborative Care. Jennifer has spoken at PHA’s International PH Conference in 2012, discussing the integration of palliative Care Medicine for PH patients. She has served as a speaker at several PH Patient PHorum support group meetings and has worked with pharmaceutical companies on advisory boards.

Areas of expertise

Managing IV and SQ therapies

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH program development and evaluation

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Judy Lane, R.N., BSN  

PH Case Manager

Research Nurse

Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Years of experience in PH? Judy has worked in PH since 2007.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Judy works in an adult congenital heart disease and PH clinic that is run with an adult congenital heart physician. Her expertise is with adult PH patients. Her clinic sees many rheumatology patients. Judy treats patients with all forms of therapy, but her clinic tends to use mostly IV Veletri.

Additional involvement: Judy attends annual PHA and PHPN meetings and has been a member of the PHPN Practice Committee. She has facilitated support groups in her area and has worked with pharmaceutical companies on advisory boards and as a speaker.

Areas of expertise

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

Patient support group activities

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH clinic nursing duties

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH Program development and evaluation

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

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Susie McDevitt, DNP, ACNP-BC 

Nurse Practitioner

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Years of experience in PH? Susie has worked in PH since the late 1990s mostly as a nurse practitioner but also in the field of medical affairs.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Susie works with adult PH and CTEPH patients from a large comprehensive care center. She manages inpatient and outpatient PH and CTEPH patients. She completed a one-year palliative care certificate program in December 2021.

Additional involvement: Susie served as the chair of the 2021 PHPN Symposium Committee. She is a former member of the PHPN Executive Committee and has served on the PHPN Membership and Education committees.

 

Areas of expertise

Developing disease self-management programs for patients (e.g. diuretic protocols)

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

PA/APN work-up and management of PH patients

Palliative care and/or hospice

Patient support group activities

Patient/family counseling (insurance and psychosocial)

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH clinic nursing duties

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

PH research

Pregnancy and women’s issues

Publishing

Work/life issues for the health professional

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

Stephanie Nolley, R.N., B.S.N  

Nurse Coordinator

Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program

University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle, Washington

Years of experience in PH? Stephanie has worked with PAH patients since 1996.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in both clinical care and research.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Stephanie works with all populations.

Additional involvement: She is a former chair of the PHPN Education Committee.

Areas of expertise

Developing disease self-management programs for patients (e.g. diuretic protocols)

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

Palliative care and/or hospice

Patient support group activities

Patient/family counseling (insurance and psychosocial)

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH clinic nursing duties

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

PH research

Pregnancy and women’s issues

Work/life issues for the PH professional

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

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Laura Nowicki, R.N. 

Clinical Nurse Specialist

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Years of experience in PH? Laura has worked as a dedicated PH nurse coordinator since 2014. She previously worked in the pulmonary inpatient ward for eight years and was involved in the care of PH inpatients admitted to pulmonary service.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? She has expertise in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Laura works with adult PH patients, including a large group of patients with socioeconomic hardships. She has coordinated care for patients on all forms of PAH therapy with experience managing patients on higher doses of inhaled treprostinil.

Additional involvement: Laura is involved in PHA and the PHPN. She regularly attends PHA’s International PH Conference and Scientific Sessions and the PHPN Symposium. She helps coordinate the annual NC Research Triangle PH Symposium with specific focus on the patient education. She presented at the PHA 2022 International PH Conference on understanding and navigating insurance.

Areas of expertise

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

Patient/family counseling (insurance and psychosocial)

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PHCC accreditation – RCP

PH clinic nursing duties

PH program development and evaluation

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Traci Stewart, R.N., MSN, CHFN 

Pulmonary Hypertension/Heart Failure Nurse Clinician Specialist

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Pulmonary Hypertension Program

Iowa City, Iowa

Years of experience in PH? Traci has worked in PH since 1997.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Traci’s expertise is in adult PH.

Additional involvement: Traci is a past chair of the PHPN. She is also a past Practice Committee chair and past sub-chair of Online University Allied Health.

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

Patient support group activities

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Go to top of page >>

Melisa Wilson, MSN, ACNP, BC

Nurse Practitioner

Florida Hospital Orlando

Orlando, Florida

Years of experience in PH? Melisa has worked in PH since 2005.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Melisa’s expertise is in PHCC accreditation and management of adults in PH.

Additional involvement: Melisa currently serves a Board of Trustee member. She is the immediate past chair of the PHPN and former member of the Scientific Leadership Council. She has also served as a chair for the PHPN Symposium, co-chair of PHA On the Road, a speaker and panelist at multiple PHPN Symposia and PHA Conferences.

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

PH research

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Michelle Cash, R.N., MSN, APRN   

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio

Years of experience in PH? Michelle has worked in PH since 2007.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? She wPediatrics, CDH, CHD and BPD

Additional involvement:

PHA Pediatric Task Force, 2018-ongoing

PHA Mental Health Task Force, 2017-ongoing

PHPN Symposium Planning Committee, Vice Chair, 2013-2015; Chair 2015-2017

PHA Professional Network Executive Committee Member 2013-2017

PHA’s Pulmonary Hypertension Comprehensive Care Review Committee, 2014-2015

PH Professional Network Mentor, 2010-present

PHA Pediatric Resource Ad Hock Committee, Chair 2012

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

PA/APN work-up and management of PH patients

Pediatrics

PHCC accreditation – CCC

PH clinic nursing duties

PH program development and evaluation

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Go to top of page >>

Michelle Ogawa, MSN, R.N., CPNP

Nurse Practitioner

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Years of experience in PH? Michelle has worked in PH since 2006.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Michelle cares for pediatric patients with PH and/or pulmonary vascular disease associated with congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease, porto-pulmonary syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome, Alagille syndrome, rheumatologic/autoimmune diseases, as well as idiopathic and familial PH. She has extensive experience caring for patients on parenteral prostacyclins (IV and subQ).

Additional involvement: Michelle has spoken at several PHPN symposia in the past. She and a colleague created a resource for teens that is now available on PHA’s website.

Areas of expertise

Data/outcomes management

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

PA/APN work-up and management of PH patients

Patient/family counseling (insurance and psychosocial)

Pediatrics

PH clinic nursing duties

PH coordinator roles and responsibilities

Pharmacists

Laura Duvall, PharmD, BCPS  

Specialty Practice Pharmacist, Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Hypertension

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio

Years of experience in PH? Laura has worked in PH since 2007.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Laura’s expertise is in internal medicine.

Additional involvement: Laura has spoken at the PHPN Symposium about the safe use of infused prostacyclin.

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Managing IV and SQ therapies

PH educational opportunities for health professionals

PH program development and evaluation

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

Go to top of page >>

Social Workers

Allyson Rupp, MSW, LCSW

Social Worker and Complex Care Manager

Stanford Healthcare

Stanford, California

Years of experience in PH? Allyson has worked in PH since 2003.

Expertise in clinical care, research or both? Her expertise is in clinical care.

Any specific expertise, such as a certain patient population? Allyson is a clinical social worker for inpatients and outpatients, covering support and assessment for all patients and caregivers and providing counseling around adjustment to illness, grief and bereavement. She also handles inpatient case management/discharge planning and relevant treatment authorizations for inpatients.

Additional involvement: Allyson is a member of the Scientific Leadership Council Sub-Committee for insurance advocacy, the PHPN Symposium Planning Committee and the PH Care for All initiative. She has previously been a member of PHA’s Caregiver Advisory Board, facilitator of PHA’s Telephone Caregiver Support Group and an editor of and contributor to PHA’s Survival Guide.

Areas of expertise

Developing patient education materials

Managing hospitalized PH patients (including hospital policy and procedures)

Obtaining coverage for PH medications, including use of patient assistance programs

Palliative care and/or hospice

Patient support group activities

Patient/family counseling (insurance and psychosocial)

Work/life issues for the health professional

Working as a part of a multidisciplinary team

 

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