Posters

TAANAs pre-recorded poster session is approved for 1.00 Nursing CE

Extending safe harbor peer review beyond Texas & New Mexico

• Kathleen Kearney, JD, MSN, RN, CNE; Texas Tech Univ HSC School of Nursing; Dallas, Texas
• Melinda Mitchell Jones, MSN, JD, RN; Texas Tech Univ HSC School of Nursing; Lubbock, Texas

Safe harbor is a type of peer review unique to Texas and New Mexico. Safe harbor peer review is initiated by a nurse prior to accepting an assignment or fulfilling a provider's order when the nurse believes such an assignment or order may put at least one patient's safety at risk. Properly invoking safe harbor in good faith protects a nurse from disciplinary action by the state board of nursing as well as retaliatory action by the employer. If the goal of all peer review is to improve patient safety and ensure quality, then safe harbor peer review should be available to all nurses across the country.

Learner Objectives:

1. Identify the regulatory process and procedural requirements to invoke safe harbor peer review.
2. Describe the benefits of safe harbor peer review for nurses and agencies.
3. Discuss the difference between a request for peer review of unsafe assignments and medical reasonableness.
4. Evaluate the expected outcomes and limitations of safe harbor peer review.
   

Unmasking the Danger: Ensuring OR Safety from Surgical Smoke Exposure

• Kimberly Wylie Tuemler, JD, BSN, RN, CNOR, RYT200; Wylie Tuemler, Attorney Nurse Consulting; Charleston, South Carolina
  

Operating Room (OR) nurses ensure patient safety. However, one of the often-overlooked hazards in the OR is surgical smoke. About 90% of surgical procedures produce surgical smoke through energy-based equipment like electrocautery and lasers, releasing a noxious smoke containing 150 chemicals, including 16 priority pollutants designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This harmful mix can include aromatic hydrocarbons, viruses, cancer cells, and bacteria, posing significant risks to patients and healthcare staff. Despite the recognized dangers of surgical smoke inhalation, the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by OR staff, such as surgical masks and N95 respirators, does not effectively filter out the nanoparticles in surgical smoke. Several government bodies have acknowledged the health risks associated with surgical smoke and recommend evacuation, and there are various methods available for evacuating surgical smoke. However, no national regulations mandate its removal, prompting nurses to advocate for state-level legislation to protect everyone in the OR. Currently, only 18 states have enacted laws requiring surgical smoke evacuation, highlighting the urgent need for broader legislative action. The health implications of inhaling surgical smoke raise critical concerns, including the potential for future litigation for those affected by this occupational hazard. As healthcare professionals, nurses are responsible for advocating for patient and staff safety. Supporting the implementation of comprehensive surgical smoke evacuation laws is crucial to ensure the well-being of everyone in the OR. This presentation will define surgical smoke and its health hazards, emphasize the need for further surgical smoke evacuation legislation, and consider the potential for future litigation.

Learner Objectives:

1. Define surgical smoke and its health hazards. 
2. Explore the need for surgical smoke evacuation legislation.
3. Consideration of future surgical smoke litigation.

The Impact of Firearm Policy and Law on Black Maternal Safety

• Trinity Maria Rudolph, SN; Kent State University; Twinsburg, Ohio
• Kimberly Cleveland, PhD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC; Kent State University; Kent, Ohio
• Anthony Vander Horst, Ph.D; Kent State University; Kent, Ohio

The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (2023) focuses multiple governmental agencies on efforts to improve maternal health. The act focuses on racial and ethnic minority groups, veterans, and other vulnerable populations. While many consider the physiologic issues associated with the health of Black mothers, few have considered the relationship between gun violence, homicide legislation and program planning. This poster will discuss the findings of a literature review aimed at explaining how firearm policy and intimate partner combined are exacerbating the Black maternal death rates in the United States. The literature review was done in two parts. Legislative research was done using Congress.gov. The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Acts of 2021 and 2023 were identified as legislation that impacts Black maternal death. U.S Code Title 18 section 922 was used as guidance for the policy regarding firearm policies. The Code provides that an individual convicted of a misdemeanor of domestic violence or subject to a protection order cannot own or handle firearms. Next, a CINAHL search was conducted spanning 2018 through 2024.  The keyword search included a mix of the phrases and words like maternal mortality, firearms, Black women, safety, domestic violence, pregnancy, firearms, and homicide. The keyword search gave 50 articles, and 18 of those articles were relevant to the research question. The findings reveal a gap that impacts Black maternal health and safety. The implications of these findings include a proposal of revisions to existing policy at the federal and state levels. The implications for nursing education include providing education to nursing students regarding assessment of safety for mothers and the importance of raising the voice of nursing in this policy. Nurses and nurse-attorneys can assist in advancing comprehensive legislation that includes firearm safety provisions in legislation aimed at advancing Black maternal health. 

Learner Objectives:

1. Identify laws that impact safety considerations for Black moms. 
2. Differentiate between state regulations and laws that impact Black maternal safety as it relates to gun violence.

Advancing Ethical and Legal Standards in Nursing Curricula: Mitigating Incivility through the Incivility and Relationship Dynamics Model

• Dawn L Morris, PhD, MSN, RN, JD; Tulane University; Dallas, Texas

Professionalism is a fundamental aspect of nursing education, with accredited programs required to incorporate ethical principles and standards into curricula. The widespread issue of incivility in nursing academia and practice necessitates the development of effective educational interventions. Behaviors like bullying and passive-aggressiveness undermine professionalism and pose significant legal risks under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. To combat these challenges, nursing curricula must emphasize the disciplinary and legal consequences of incivility while fostering a professional identity rooted in ethical behavior, respect, and adherence to legal standards. Professional organizations have long sought to improve nursing work environments. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) established six Healthy Work Environment (HWE) Standards—skilled communication, true collaboration, effective decision-making, appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership—to enhance nurse retention, team effectiveness, patient safety, and reduce burnout. These standards emphasize the human factor in healthcare quality. Similarly, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials outline necessary curriculum content for nursing programs. Domain 9 of the Essentials focuses on developing a sustainable professional identity characterized by accountability, integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration. This identity is shaped through continuous engagement, reflection, and experience, ensuring that nurses uphold the profession's core values throughout their careers. The Incivility and Relationship Dynamics Model (IRDM), developed by the author, highlights relational dynamics contributing to nursing incivility in academia and practice. Nurse educators can use the IRDM to develop comprehensive curricula that include interventions, such as civility training, self-awareness exercises, and mock licensure disciplinary hearings, in pre-licensure programs. This model fosters essential communication skills, personal accountability, and respectful relationships among nursing students. By focusing on these relational dynamics, the IRDM supports the creation of evidence-based interventions that enhance professional conduct, reduce workplace bullying, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for both nurses and patients.

Learner Objectives:

1. Analyze the role of the Incivility and Relationship Dynamics Model (IRDM) in addressing the relational dynamics that contribute to incivility in nursing education and practice. 
2. Understand the implications of the AACN Healthy Work Environment Standards on nurse retention, team effectiveness, and patient safety, with particular attention to how these standards address incivility. 
3. Analyze the process of professional identity formation as outlined in Domain 9 of the AACN Essentials, emphasizing the role of emotional intelligence, integrity, and collaboration in mitigating incivility.

Presenters

alphabetical by last name

Nancy W. Brown, Esq; Office of Counsel to the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Washington, DC
Nancy W. Brown is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she earned a B.A. in Sociology. She is also a proud alum of the Howard University School of Law (HUSL) where she earned her J.D. After finishing HUSL, she became a member of the New York Bar and worked in private practice before becoming an Assistant General Counsel at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. She civilly prosecuted financial fraud cases and specialized in consumer protection and consumer fraud. Ms. Brown relocated to Washington, D.C. to work for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) where she continued her efforts to combat fraud. Ms. Brown left the FTC to work as Senior Counsel for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the Department of Health and Human Services where she has been practicing health care law since 2006. Ms. Brown’s health care portfolio includes provider Self-Disclosures, False Claims Act cases, Civil Monetary Penalty cases, exclusion matters, and she also negotiates and monitors Corporate Integrity Agreements with health care providers around the country. Ms. Brown has been a speaker at numerous health care law symposiums and conferences including AHLA, NAMFCU, NAMPI and HCCA. Ms. Brown has also been a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia for nearly 10 years as well as an adjunct professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

Kimberly Cleveland, PhD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC; Kent State University; Kent, Ohio
Dr. Cleveland is a nurse attorney admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and The United States Supreme Court. She teaches healthy policy, law, and economics at Kent State University. Dr. Cleveland holds many leadership positions in nursing organizations, including Board Chair Emeritus of The Nurses on Boards Coalition and President of The American Association of Nurse Attorneys.  She has been Co-Investigator and Primary Investigator for funded research on nursing student anxiety during COVID and the value of nurses on boards. Her research focuses on building nurse leaders. Cleveland is the Co-Coordinator of the Kent State Interdisciplinary Policy Panel experience.

Jonathan L. Culpepper, Esq; Office of Counsel to the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Washington, DC
Jonathan L. Culpepper is an attorney with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) where he represents the agency in affirmative program exclusions and civil monetary penalties against health care providers. Mr. Culpepper also monitors Corporate Integrity Agreements. Prior to working for the OIG, Mr. Culpepper worked at health care regulatory firm called Liles Parker, PLLC. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Howard University, and his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. At Northeastern, Mr. Culpepper concentrated in Health Law and Policy. He is a member of the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bar.

Chad Eggspuehler, JD; Tucker Ellis, LLP; Cleveland, Ohio
Chad Eggspuehler is an appellate and complex litigation strategist with experience in federal and state courts across the United States. Chad specializes in crafting succinct and thoughtful solutions to complex legal issues at all stages of litigation, ranging from jurisdictional and discovery motions to appellate briefing and oral arguments. Applying experience gained as a law clerk to federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Chad has devised winning strategies for a variety of clients, ranging from product-liability multidistrict litigation to copyright and trade secret cases and LGBT civil rights issues. He has penned merits briefs in state and federal courts across the country, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Circuits, and amicus briefs in the Supreme Court of the United States and the Supreme Court of Ohio. Every case is a puzzle; Chad thrives at arranging the pieces and fitting them together.

Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM; Aon/Nurses Service Organization (NSO); Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, is Vice President of Risk Management for Nurses Service Organization in the Healthcare Division of Aon’s Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. Specializing in risk management and having worked in the healthcare insurance business for over 23 years, Jennifer is dedicated to educating nurses and health care professionals on professional liability risks and offers strategies to mitigate those risks by supporting patient safety principles and developing quality management programs.  In addition to being a frequent national speaker on healthcare risk and liability, Jennifer is also a published author on various risk management topics. Jennifer is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management and is a licensed Property & Casualty agent. She earned a BA in Psychology from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Toni Jamisin Victoria Fife, DNP, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC; PsychoGeriatric Services, LLC; Winchester, Virginia
Dr. Fife has over 30 years of experience in providing direct care within medical and mental health fields. She is an alumna of Kent State University, California State University, Herzing University, and Liberty University. Dr. Fife holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice and a Master’s degree in Nursing Leadership & Management. She is dually Board-Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her professional background involves teaching Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing at Shenandoah University and providing regional supervision and clinical education to nurse practitioners managing psychiatric care. Dr. Fife is the owner of Fife Integrative Health & Wellness providing psychiatric telehealth across the lifespan. She is actively involved in direct care practices, including emergency medicine at Winchester Medical Center, and provides consultative, inpatient, and outpatient psychiatric care. As a dual health provider and educator, she promotes health through evidence-based practices while managing medical and psychiatric conditions.

Kimberly Ann Cleveland, PhD, JD, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC; Kent State University College of Nursing; Canal Fulton, Ohio
Dr. Cleveland is solo practitioner of law admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and the United States Supreme Court and a professor of health policy, law, and economics at Kent State University.  She holds many leadership positions in nursing, including Chair of the Nurses on Boards Coalition and President of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys, and a member of the Public Policy Committee of the National League for Nursing.  She has participated and led funded research regarding nursing student anxiety during COVID.  Her research interests include the preparation of nurse leaders to positively impact health outcomes of diverse populations and use of open educational resources and affordable digital resources in providing health policy education to nursing students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Patricia Harmon, RN, MM, CPHRM; CNA Risk Control Consulting Director; Bristol, Rhode Island
Patricia Harmon serves as a Risk Control Consulting Director for CNA’s Allied Health Facilities and large physician group practices providing analysis and evaluation of patient safety risk exposures and offering risk mitigation strategies for our insured clients. Patricia is a national speaker at professional industry associations and has co-authored several risk control publications including claim studies and white papers. Patricia serves as a publisher on the editorial board for CNA healthcare publications and authors quarterly risk control newsletters for insured physician groups. Prior to joining CNA, Patricia worked for a large academic health system in various roles providing clinical risk management, risk control, and claims management services for the system’s captive insurance company. Her clinical background includes medical-surgical acute care, dialysis, obstetrics, physician office practice, and pediatric nursing. Patricia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts. She also maintains the designation of Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management from the American Hospital Association and is actively involved in the national chapter of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM). Patricia has completed the TeamSTEPPS® Master Training Course sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality aimed at improving communication and teamwork to improve patient safety and reduce hospital professional liability exposures.

Felicia Heimer, Esq; Office of Counsel to the Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Washington, DC
Felicia Heimer is a senior attorney with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) where she represents the agency on a wide range of healthcare fraud and compliance matters including the settlement of cases arising under the civil False Claims Act, the resolution of matters under the Self-Disclosure Protocol, and the negotiation and monitoring of Corporate Integrity Agreements. Prior to entering government service, Ms. Heimer worked for a global litigation advisory firm assisting health systems, pharmaceutical manufacturers and their boards of directors in responding to government investigations and conducting internal compliance reviews. Ms. Heimer began her legal career at an academic medical center and research institute in Southern California. Ms. Heimer is a frequent speaker on healthcare fraud and compliance issues, and also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Seton Hall University and Loyola University Chicago where she teaches courses on health care fraud and abuse laws, and healthcare payment and policy matters. She received her B.A, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago, her M.P.H. from University of California, Los Angeles, and her J.D. from Whittier College. She is a member of the California Bar.

Melinda Mitchell Jones, MSN, JD, RN; Texas Tech Univ HSC School of Nursing; Lubbock, Texas
Melinda Mitchell Jones is a Professor in the RN to BSN Program at Texas Tech University Health Science Center where she has taught nursing jurisprudence and ethics for over 20 years. In addition to serving as a Program Director, Associate Dean, and Department Chair, Professor Jones has helped secure millions of dollars in grants for the university. Her career as a servant leader began in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital in Dallas in 1976.

Kathleen Kearney, JD, MSN, RN, CNE; Texas Tech Univ HSC School of Nursing; Dallas, Texas
Kathleen Kearney is an Associate Professor in the RN to BSN Program at Texas Tech University Health Science Center where she has taught nursing jurisprudence since 2009. In private practice, Kathleen has represented people injured anywhere in Texas since 2006. Kathleen has been a member of TAANA for over 20 years.

Michael Maschke, CEH, CISSP, EnCE, CCE, CCO, MCP/MCSE; CEO, Sensei Enterprises’s; Fairfax, Virginia
Michael Maschke is the Chief Executive Officer at Sensei Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Maschke is an EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), a Certified Computer Examiner (CCE #744), an AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE), a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He is a frequent speaker on IT, cybersecurity, and digital forensics and has co-authored 14 books published by the American Bar Association.

Donna Matias, Esq; Pacific Legal Foundation; Sacramento, California
Donna is an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, where she represents clients pro bono in challenging federal, state, and local laws and regulations that impede individuals’ constitutional rights. A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, she has decades of experience in private practice, public interest law, and teaching law school.

Dawn L Morris, PhD, MSN, RN, JD; Tulane University; Dallas, Texas
Dawn Morris, PhD, MSN, RN, JD, is a Tulane University Program of Nursing faculty member. She started her career with a Diploma in Nursing. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Loyola University in New Orleans and a Master of Science in Nursing, Health Care Systems Management, from the same university. She subsequently earned her terminal nursing degree, a PhD in Nursing, from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.  In addition, Dr. Morris holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Dr. Morris is a nurse-educator and an attorney. Her clinical specialties are pediatrics, PICU, NICU, and home hospice.  She has taught clinical and didactic courses in both two-year and four-year pre-licensure nursing programs in Louisiana in pediatrics, maternal health, and law and ethics. She is a speaker and peer-reviewed author of topics related to nurse education and the link between nursing professionalism and legal and ethical principles. Dr. Morris also worked for twenty years as an insurance defense attorney in Louisiana, with workers’ compensation, litigation, and appellate experience.  

Lynn M. Rapsilber, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, FAANP; National Nurse Practitioner Entrepreneur Network; Torrington, Connecticut
Lynn graduated with a Doctorate in Nursing Leadership from Quinnipiac University, May 2016. She received the Benjamin and Juliette Trewin Award for Professional Leadership in Nursing. She was the recipient of the UCONN 75 Difference Makers. She owns NP Business Consultants, LLC, disseminating information regarding reimbursement for nurse practitioners and other health care provider services. She is recognized as an expert on coding and documentation for APRNs. She has presented at local, state, and national forums. She is an author and educator of NP students and seasoned NPs. Dr. Rapsilber also co-founded and CEO of the National Nurse Practitioner Entrepreneur Network (NNPEN) a member service organization cultivating the business brain of an NP, resources, education, and partnerships with those who get NPs. NNPEN is creating a movement to elevate the nursing model by creating a community of NP entrepreneurs one practice at a time. Dr. Rapsilber also serves as the Chair of the Connecticut Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses. Under her leadership, full practice authority for APRNs was attained in Connecticut passaging PA 14-12. She is the former Connecticut State Representative and current Health Policy Chair for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She was bestowed induction as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She owns NP Wellness Care, LLC providing Hepatitis C treatments at residential and addiction treatment centers.

Trinity Maria Rudolph, SN; Kent State University; Twinsburg, Ohio
Trinity Rudolph is a third-year nursing student at Kent State University where she is pursuing a BSN.  Ms. Rudolph is pursuing a Spanish minor.  She recently completed a one-month study abroad trip to Salamanca, Spain. She has also presented at the Kent State University Interdisciplinary Public Policy Panel where she provided policy analysis on the policy concerns impacting Black mothers.

Teressa Marie Sanzio, RN, MPA, JD; Law Office of Teressa M. Sanzio; Phoenix, Arizona
Teressa has devoted her practice to administrative and regulatory law, representing licensed health care professionals for over two decades.  Teressa is the past President of TAANA and served on the TAANA Board of Directors for approximately 10 years.  She is the proud recipient of TAANA's Cynthia Northrop Distinguished Service Award (2015), and also the recipient of TAANA's Outstanding Advocate Award (2016) and Outstanding Education Award (2007).  Teressa is admitted to practice in all Arizona Courts and in the United States Supreme Court.  

Jeffrey T. Stewart, JD; Challenge Mfg. Company LLC; Detroit, Michigan
I am a lifelong Michigan resident born and raised in the Detroit area. I graduated from the U of D Jesuit High School in 1967; completed my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and graduated from the Wayne State University Law School in 1974 cum laude. I have been a general trial practitioner all of my career handling cases in a broad variety of areas, including medical malpractice, legal malpractice, product liability, general personal injury, worker’s compensation, probate litigation a wide spectrum of business litigation. federal and state constitutional law matters involving private versus public sector entities, school law, civil rights litigation, partnership and corporate dissolutions and disputes, and truck accident litigation. I handle cases both at the trial court level and on appeal. Between September 2020 and February 2023 I was with Johnson Law in Detroit and since then as general counsel for Challenge Mfg. Company LLC where I handle and oversee the companies litigation. I served on the School Board for the West Bloomfield School District for 24 years, holding the offices of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. I am a member of the Board of Regents for the Orchard Lake Schools. I also serve as a hearing panelist for the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board and in that capacity have authored numerous opinions on individual discipline cases. I was a former member of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice. I am admitted to the State Bars of Michigan and Ohio, the United States Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Northern District of Ohio. I have also been specially admitted in Ohio, Missouri and Texas.

Kimberly Wylie Tuemler, JD, BSN, RN, CNOR, RYT200; Wylie Tuemler, Attorney Nurse Consulting; Charleston, South Carolina
Kimberly Wylie Tuemler obtained her law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1993, beginning her career as a criminal trial attorney and a United States Marine Corps Officer. After gaining over a decade of legal experience at federal, state, and international levels, she paused her full-time career to concentrate on her family and manage her fitness business. In 2019, Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Summa Cum Laude from the Medical University of South Carolina and embarked on a new path as an operating room nurse at a level 1 trauma center, valuing the precision, teamwork, and satisfaction of the role. In October 2023, her awareness of the hazards of surgical smoke in the OR rekindled her interest in law, recognizing the preventability of these risks. Currently, Kim works on a PRN basis at a local hospital, champions surgical smoke evacuation, and provides consultancy to attorneys on medical matters in civil and criminal cases.


Anthony Vander Horst, PhD; Kent State University; Kent, Ohio
Dr. Anthony Vander Horst is a trained statistician, research methodologist, and professor of statistics and criminology at Kent State University.  While recognized as an outstanding teacher in the classroom, Vander Horst’s work also includes consulting with the sociology Survey Research Lab (SRL) and with exemplary colleagues as a statistical expert in psychometrics, survey construction and design, as well as a unique skill in raking weight survey data. Vander Horst projects include many state, local, and county health surveys and viral outbreaks. Vander Horst is the Co-Coordinator of the Kent State Interdisciplinary Policy Panel experience.