About Us

Teri Mills MS, CNE, RN
President

Teri Mills graduated from the College of San Mateo with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 1973. She worked as a charge nurse on a medical-surgical floor before going on to complete her BSN at Sonoma State University. Following graduation, Teri was hired to teach nursing at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. She was subsequently hired as a nursing faculty member in 1979 for Portland Community College (PCC) in Portland, Oregon. Teri continues as faculty in the nursing program.

In addition to teaching, Teri also worked for many years as a nurse and nurse practitioner for Multnomah and Washington County’s Health Departments. She graduated from the University of Portland, where she focused her graduate work on primary care of the adult and a minor in nursing education.

Teri received an excellence in teaching award from PCC in 2000. She has planned and carried out numerous volunteer activities in her own community, and is a trusted supporter of many political candidates. Teri was appointed by Governor Barbara Roberts to serve on the Oregon Sexual Offenses Against Children Task Force and was a member of the Bradley Angle House, a shelter for abused women. Teri authored “America’s Nurse”, which was published in the New York Times on May 20^th, 2005. Teri co-authored Office of the National Nurse-Leadership for a New Era of Prevention, published February 2007 in Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice.

Teri is a long-time member of the Oregon Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, the National League for Nursing, and the American Association of Women in Community Colleges. Teri was recently elected to the ONA Health Policy Cabinet. >> TOP <<

Alisa Schneider MSN, RN
Vice President

Alisa Schneider has practiced as a registered nurse for 19 years, specializing in pediatrics. She is a graduate of Portland Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program in Portland, Oregon. She then received her Master’s of Science in Nursing Administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia where she taught nursing and worked in the Center for Health Policy, Research and Ethics on emergency preparedness curriculum for nurses. Alisa was awarded a Certificate of Nursing Education in Virginia and now practices as a nurse educator for Portland Community College in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.

Alisa is devoted to advocating for nurses and in Virginia led legislative activities to further nursing involvement in workforce issues and health policy. Her concern for nursing issues worldwide inspired her to travel to Romania and Barbados to work as a nurse and nurse educator. She has worked as a grant writer for the March of Dimes and served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Metabolic Disorders in the District of Columbia. She has lectured extensively on various topics related to pediatrics, nursing in foreign countries, and emergency preparedness for nurses, as well as ethical and legislative topics. Alisa co-authored Office of the National Nurse-Leadership for a New Era of Prevention, published February 2007 in Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice.

Professional organizations that Alisa belongs to include American Federation of Teachers-Oregon, the National League for Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing, the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, and the Oregon Consortium of Nursing Education. >> TOP <<

Susan Sullivan MSN, PHN, RN
Secretary

Susan Sullivan recently retired after more than 45 years in nursing, the final 20 of which were in Public Health. After completing her BSN at California State University, Los Angeles and her MSN at Loma Linda University, Susan worked for 10 years as Nursing Supervisor in a large acute hospital and taught nursing at Long Beach City College. During the latter half of her nursing career, Susan worked in public health where her leadership experiences in the acute hospital and teaching helped prepare her for the challenges she found in community nursing.

For several years Susan worked primarily in public health and with the American Red Cross at the local, state and national levels in HIV prevention and education efforts. Basic nursing skills coupled with graduate education and teaching experience were invaluable in her work with schools, businesses and providers to author and implement HIV Prevention programs for youth and at-risk populations. Before retiring she served as Public Health Staff Training coordinator in her agency. Susan is proud of continuing the family ties to nursing, and has no doubt that her mother and her grandmother, both RNs would be proud to know she is actively promoting the campaign to create an Office of the National Nurse.

During her long career, Susan enjoyed memberships in ANA, CNA, American Public Health Association, and the Southern California Public Health Association. >> TOP <<

Sheryl Oakes Caddy JD RN
Board Member

Sheryl Oakes Caddy has practiced as a registered nurse for the past 26 years. She has worked in many settings, primarily obstetrics and infusion therapy. Currently, Sheryl is teaching nursing students at Linn-Benton Community College, where she graduated in 1984 with an ADN. She returned to school in 1995, graduating with her BSN from Oregon Health Sciences University. In 2007, she graduated from Willamette University College of Law with her Doctor of Jurisprudence. Currently, Sheryl is pursuing a Masters in Nursing Education form Walden University.

Advocacy has also been a driving force for Sheryl; whether it is through involvement in nursing contract negotiations, educating students regarding professional responsibility and ethics, or in defending nurses before their regulatory board. The National Nurse Network Organization is yet another form of advocacy that speaks to Sheryl. She firmly believes in the need for a National Nurse to be the visual nursing representative for all nurses who advocate for healthier lifestyles and conditions for all citizens.

Sheryl is a member of several professional organizations including:  American Nurses Association, American Bar Association, The American Association of Nurse Attorneys, and the American Association of Womens’ Health and Obstetrical and Neonatal Nurses. >> TOP <<

Janie McGrew MS, ARNP, CCRN, NE/NEA-BC
Board Member

Janie McGrew graduated with her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1980. Working in critical care, she continued to pursue her education and achieved her BSN in 1984 and MS in Nursing in 1990 from the University of South Florida. Janie is committed to making a difference, personally and professionally. She actively engages others to become involved in local and national communities of practice. As a nurse, Janie continues to inspire and motivate people from all venues with her passion to educate and empower. Janie’s community involvement includes the American Heart Association where she is the chair of the Community Action Network and the Ambassador for the Power to End Stroke Program. Janie has appeared on both radio and television and at community events advocating for stroke and heart legislation at the local and national levels within the American Heart Association.

A member of the Mid-Town Health Council, Janie also volunteers with other community leaders to address health disparities and establish resources for underserved and at-risk populations. She is one of the founding members of Churches United for Healthy Congregations, a group of churches working together to educate and share resources to help promote health.

Her work and commitment has been recognized through several awards including the “Power to End Stoke” Award (AHA), 2008 Nursing Spectrum Nurse Excellence Award Finalist, The VA Secretary’s Award for Nursing Excellence, and the 2010 American Business Women’s Association “Woman of the Year” award from the Sunshine City Charter Chapter. Janie is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Florida Nurses Association, Black Nurses Association, American Heart Association, and Blacks in Government. >> TOP <<

Terri Polick RN
Board Member

Terri graduated from Lake View Medical Center School of Nursing in 1978, and is a published author living in Maryland. She is currently working as a psychiatric nurse and as a freelance writer. Terri is a frequent contributor to Nursing Spectrum Magazine, Advance for Nurses, the Maryland Nurse, and she writes a weekly column about nursing leadership for Nursingjobs.org.

Terri has always helped the people of her community through public service. She has volunteered her time to help the homeless at Jude’s House in Champaign, Illinois. Terri also serves her community by giving testimony before lawmakers about nursing issues when the Maryland State Assembly is in session. Terri is currently enrolled in school, and is working towards a degree in journalism. >> TOP <<

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