Unity in Nursing: Building Skills, Strengthening Practice

Presenters

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  Renee Thompson, DNP, RN, FAONL, FAAN, CSP®

  As an international speaker and consultant Dr. Renee Thompson tackles the professional challenges facing healthcare leaders today. With 30 years as a clinical nurse, nurse educator, and nurse executive, Dr. Thompson is an internationally recognized expert on creating a healthy workforce by eradicating workplace bullying & incivility, hosts an award-winning blog and is the author of several popular books on bullying and professional development. She is the CEO & Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute and works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional workforce by addressing bullying, and incivility. Renee has authored several books including, “Enough! Eradicate Bullying & Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Front Line Leaders”. Renee is one of only 26 nurses in the world who have achieved the prestigious certified speaking professional designation and in 2018 was recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Ten Voices in Healthcare for her contribution to their global online healthcare community
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  John Budnick, PA-C

  John is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant with extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings. He earned a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from Grand Valley State University and has specialized in addiction medicine since 2002. In addition to his clinical practice, John serves as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and has been a faculty member of the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at Pine Rest since 2018. He is also a core faculty member for the Advanced Practice Provider Psychiatry Training Program here at Pine Rest. With a wealth of experience in evidence-based and system-based practices, John is highly skilled in various aspects of addiction psychiatry. His expertise includes outpatient substance abuse treatment, inpatient detoxification, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine and naltrexone, and the management of dual diagnosis patients. John’s primary area of expertise lies in the diagnosis and medication management of psychiatric and substance use disorders in adults ages 18 and older.
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  Lois J. Thomas, BSN, RN, CDP, Dementia Specialist

  Lois has over 12 years of diverse nursing experience in behavioral health, outpatient rehabilitation, management, geriatrics and dementia care. She achieved her bachelor’s in nursing through the University of Michigan and holds 5 certifications in dementia care including Certified Dementia Practitioner. Her greatest passion is in supporting people living with neurocognitive changes as well as their care partners. In doing so, she is proud to be one of a team of authors who published a second edition of Evening Star ™ Worship Handbook for Persons Living with Dementia. She has worked in skilled nursing settings and through the Dementia Institute she provides education, supportive services, and consultations to the greater community. She also volunteers for the Greater Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator. When not at work she enjoys reading, watching movies, crafts and spending time with family.
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  Syreeta Drake, MSN-Ed, APRN, PMHNP-BC

  Syreeta Drake is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nursing professor, author, speaker, and community leader with more than two decades of diverse nursing experience across critical care, psychiatric nursing, palliative care, case management, education, long-term care, employee health, and faith-based health initiatives. In addition to her faculty responsibilities, Syreeta serves as the faculty advisor for Montcalm Community College’s Student Nurse Association, where she mentors emerging nurse leaders and supports initiatives that strengthen student connection, engagement, advocacy, and professional growth. Beyond the classroom, Syreeta serves as a leader and advocate dedicated to advancing health equity and strengthening communities. She currently serves as president of Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association (GRBNA), a local chapter of the National Black Nurses Association, and is a board member of the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI).
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  Evonne Edwards, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

  Evonne has specialized training in interpersonal and attachment-based psychodynamic therapy, as well as evidence-based treatments that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy-informed CBT (DBT-I), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) Therapy. She has additional training in interventions to address the intersection of mental health and religion/spirituality, which she can integrate in session when appropriate and as preferred by a client. Evonne earned a Bachelor of Science psychology degree from the University of Iowa in 2006 and completed her master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology in 2008 and 2012 at Rosemead School of Psychology, which is part of Biola University near Los Angeles, California. Evonne joined Pine Rest for her pre-doctoral psychology internship in 2011. She is Pine Rest’s Zero Suicide Clinical Director and is trained in several types of suicide prevention interventions and treatments. Evonne is currently Pine Rest’s Chief of Research Instruction & Development as well as a faculty member in Pine Rest/Michigan State University-College of Human Medicine Psychiatry Residency and Fellowship Programs.