Unity in Nursing: Embracing Mental Healthcare Perspectives (REGISTRATION CLOSED)

Presenters

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  Dr. ‘Joke Ayoola, PhD, RN, FAAN

  Dr. Adejoke B. Ayoola is the Dean of the School of Health and Professor of Nursing at Calvin University. She served as the Nursing Program Chairperson from August 2020 to July 2022 after which she was appointed the Inaugural Dean of the School of Health. She is a nurse scientist, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholar (2012-2015 Cohort) with a research background that focuses on advancing the science of health promotion among women and girls from various economic, educational and ethnic backgrounds by focusing on increasing women’s knowledge and understanding of reproductive physiology and contraception. She created the Preconception Reproductive Knowledge Promotion (PREKNOP) program for women and launched Health Education And Leadership Training for a Hopeful future (H.E.A.L.T.H.) Camp initiative for girls aged 9-75 years. Dr. Ayoola serves as a leader in the nursing profession and in the community. She served as the chair of the faculty development at Calvin University Nursing Department for over 10 years. She was the President of Sigma International Society of Nursing, Kappa Epsilon-at-Large Chapter (2013-2014). She also served as the Chair of the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Women’s Health & Transitions in Childbearing Research Section (2017-2018). She currently serves on the board of a university-wide committee, the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity at Calvin University. She is also the leader of the African Ladies Fellowship, an agent of the African Resource Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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  Dr. Jay Knight, DNP, MSN, RN, pronouns (they/them/theirs)

  Dr. Knight has been a healthcare professional since 2004 with roles within hemodialysis, emergency department staff nurse, hospital supervisor, nursing informaticist, stroke nurse navigator, health plan innovations, and most recently as nursing faculty at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Knight identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community and started unpacking their nonbinary gender identity in 2018. They have extensive educational experience and has been leading both traditional and non-traditional classrooms for 25 years including healthcare specific audiences and topics since 2015. Dr. Knight completed their doctorate in nursing practice with their dissertation focusing on addressing LGBTQ+ health disparities and HIV prevention. They were the project lead for the implementation of SOGI data collection and use at a large health system during their time as a nursing informaticist.
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  Jennie M Knight, BS, pronouns (she/her/hers)

  Jennie has been a part of the LGBTQ+ community for more than 30 years and has extensive experience in advocacy for affirming environments for over 15 years. She has worked in healthcare leadership for 20+ years in a variety of environments including behavioral health, addiction medicine, cancer health, FQHCs and community medicine. During Jennie’s time in healthcare spaces, she started a LGBTQ employee resource group (AKA inclusion resource group), chaired a professional inclusion program at her local chamber of commerce, been a member of the board of directors for a local LGBTQ resource center, created the “Top Surgery” clinic for transgender men at a local health system, and serves as the vice-president for the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium. Currently Jennie is the executive director for the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium, one of the most influential nonprofits in the area seeking to address health disparities LGBTQ+ community members are experiencing.
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  April N. Hackert, MS, RDN

  Professor April N. Hackert, MS, RDN is an internationally recognized Psychiatric Culinary Medicine Research Dietitian, Nutritional Neuroscientist, Chef, Eating Disorder specialist, and the Founder of Choose to Change Nutrition Services. As a scientific author birthing the use of Nutritional Neuropsychology and Forensic Culinary Medicine in conjunction with Medical Nutrition Therapy, this visionary orator is an international public policy advocate for the healing power of food on mental health. As a passionately articulate teacher, scientific researcher, and culinary wizard, April brings over two decades of experience to her food chemistry-inspired, culinary creations. She strives to communicate scientific principles in an entertaining and meaningful language. Her clinical work and research encompass a deep curiosity about the interconnected dietary and psychological belief patterns among humans with symptoms of anxiety. Watch April’s TEDx talk entitled, “Turn in at the fork” https://youtu.be/idDlgiCxpL8 or find numerous pictures of her culinary creations on Instagram (@healingkitchen). You can also follow: “#adventuresofapril #whatsyoursbutterhead #foodmatters #eatmore” for the latest updates in her capers.
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  Brittany Spoolstra, BSN, RN

  A registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ferris State University, Brittany has seven years of experience as a psychiatric nurse and currently works at the Neuromodulation Clinic at Pine Rest. She holds certifications in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy from Naropa University (2022) and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy from the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (2022). Additionally, Brittany is a trainee in the MDMA-assisted therapy program with the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.
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  Dr. Robi Thomas, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

  Robi Thomas, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, caritas coach®, has been a nurse for 34 years. She is an associate professor of nursing for the McAuley School of Nursing at University of Detroit Mercy. She also works part time as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at Pine Rest. Dr. Thomas has presented at the local, state, national and international levels, and has been published in numerous journals.
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  Joe Karb, RN, MSN, CENP

  Joe is currently the Director of Nursing at Pine Rest. Prior to this, Joe served at Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare in various roles including VP of Restorative Care, Director of Mission, Health Equity, and Social Responsibility, and Director of Mental Health & Addictions (to name a few). Joe has a clear focus on excellence in nursing care and is passionate about educating others.
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  Donna Ecklesdafer, MSN, BSN, RN

  Donna has been at Pine Rest as the Neuromodulation Clinic Manager for the past 30 years. She has seen the clinic grow considerably, from a few patients to now averaging over 4100 treatments per year. She has been a member of the International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation (ISEN) for years. With much persistence, Donna was able to take the ECT Certificate Course previously only given to physicians. She has been a co-chair in the ISEN Nursing Committee as well as the co-chair of the APNA Neuromodulation Community. Donna loves education. She is an adjunct professor at four universities and schools focusing on Psych-Mental Health Clinicals for nursing students. Donna is also a recent recipient of the Mary Rosedale Patient Advocacy Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to patient advocacy and expertise in the area of brain stimulation treatments!
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  Dawn M. Miller RN, BSN-BC

  Dawn started her career by completing the U.S. Army’s Psychiatric Nurse Specialty Course and has worked as a psychiatric nurse for 31 years, to include leadership positions and teaching psychiatric nurse clinicals, most recently specializing in ECT, Ketamine infusion, and TMS. Dawn has presented posters and oral presentations for the APNA, related to ECT and TMS.