WSAOHN BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION of BOARD

President - Karen Bowman, RN, MN, COHN-S

I am a native of Seattle and have been advocating for human and environmental health in the Pacific Northwest for over two decades.  Graduating from the University of Washington’s School of Nursing with an APCHSN Masters (special focus in occupational and environmental health) in 2004, I started a corporation that provides occupational health and safety consulting services, environmental health advocacy and policy work for the global community.  I teach Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington-Bothell Branch, where I use my company and clients as educational platforms for occupational and environmental health nursing students to learn “hands-on” occupational health nursing and environmental health advocacy in setting, such as; maritime, law enforcement, biotechnology, local Indian Tribal communities, city municipalities and environmental health advocacy organizations.

I work with nursing organizations, government agencies and environmental health advocacy organizations across the nation, making chemicals policy reform a legislative priority. Through my work with the Washington State Nurses Association as their Environmental Health Specialist, nurses were strongly instrumental in passing the first Children Safe Products Act in the Nation, and nurses continue to advocate for stronger chemicals policies that phase out persistent, bioaccumulating toxins in our Puget Sound environment.

I serve as the President of the Washington State Association of Occupational Health Nurses and am a board member for Washington’s Physician’s for Social Responsibility.  My work with this organization focuses around Hanford, Energy & Peace, where I have recently accepted a delegate position on the Hanford Advisory Board; the first nurse to be appointed to this position.

When I am not advocating for my clients or the environment, I am busy playing with my two rabbits, playing with friends and training for my second triathlon.  I can be reached at Karen@karenbowman.com.

Karen Bowman, MN, RN, COHN-S

 

Vice President - Betsy Gilbert, PhD, RN

I have served on the board of the Washington State Association of Occupational Health Nurses as a Director at large and the chair of the nominating committee.  I am a second year Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing at Seattle University.  I earned my doctorate from the University of Washington, School of Nursing (Occupational Health Nursing), Seattle, in 2005.  My dissertation studied taxi cab drivers and identified, from drivers’ perspectives, the characteristics of their work that increase their risk for occupational violence.  A registered nurse for over 30 years, my interest and focus on occupational health/stress has spanned over 15 years, starting during my years working in the employee assistance field at a large health care organization.  My knowledge and experience extends to general practice of occupational health nursing, community health, mental health and illness across the life span, health disparities, and social justice.  It has been my privilege to serve as a provider, teacher, mentor and trainer to clients, students and workers.  I have provided expert consultation, developed programs and administered initiatives related to occupational and mental health in a variety of settings.  My article "Employee assistance programs history and description", published in AAOHN Journal (AAOHN Journal, October 1994, Vol. 42, No. 10), workshops offered and posters presented at AAOHN Symposia & Expos 2006, 07, 08, and presentations to students in the UW’s Occupational Health Nursing Masters program as affiliate faculty are among my contributions to the OHN field.  I am excited to be serving as your chapter vice-president and continue to contribute positively to the Occupational Health Nursing profession. I can be reached at betzgilbert@comcast.net.

Betsy Gilbert, PhD, RN

Treasurer - Judith B. Davies, RN, MN, COHN-S

I started my involvement with the Association in 1996 as a graduate student at the University of Washington.  I held the offices of WSAOHN President from 1999-2000 and Director-at-Large/Communications Committee Chairperson from 2000-2001.  I currently manage the Occupational Health Program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and have been in this role since 2003.  Prior to this, I was the Infection Control Practitioner/Occupational Health Nurse/HIV Program Coordinator at the Seattle King Department of Public Health from 2001-2003, and the Occupational Health Nurse at the PACCAR Seattle Plant from 1998-2000.  Participating in the Association has been very rewarding and has provided me with many opportunities to network with other Occupational & Environmental Health Professionals. I can be reached at jbdavies@fhcrc.org.

Judith B. Davies, RN, MN, COHN-S

 

Secretary - Sharon Ballard, MN, BSN, RN

I currently serve on the Board of Directors for WSAOHN in a director at large position and in the past as Secretary. I am serving on the AAOHN Mountain/Western Region Election Advisory Committee. I am employed at the Department of Labor & Industries as an Occupational Nurse Consultant. I worked at State Farm Insurance Company as a Senior Occupational/Environmental Health Nurse from 2002-2006. Master in Nursing earned in 2002, from the University of Washington, in the Occupational/Environmental Health Nursing Program. Previous nursing experience consists of 24 years at Harborview Medical Center; King County Medical Examiner’s Office; Air Force Aero-Medical Reserve; Virginia Mason Hyperbaric Chamber; Northwest Kidney Center. I can be reached at 2ballards2@comcast.net.

Sharon Ballard, MN, BSN, RN

Director at Large - Nancy Richmond - Eastern Washington Affairs

I have been an occupational health nurse for 20+ years. Most of my work experience has been with Energy Northwest in Richland, Washington. My early work experience included a short time with the Department of Social and Health Services providing occupational health services at the state level and consulting with local health departments. Energy Northwest is a joint operating agency of the State which owns and operates projects to generate electricity. Our major plant is Columbia Generating for nuclear power. Other facilities include a wind farm and hydroelectric plant.  My main areas of responsibility include managing and administering programs in medical qualification and surveillance, wellness, workers’ compensation and most recently pandemic flu planning. Past board experience includes five years as a Director with the American Board of Occupational Health Nurses (ABOHN) and nominating committee chair with WSAOHN. I am serving on this Board to represent the OHN’s in Eastern Washington and to promote more involvement from this side of the State. I hold a masters degree from the U of W and a BSN from PLU. I have lived in Richland for 23 years. In the winter my husband, son and I enjoy skiing and escaping in the summer to central Oregon. I can be reached at nkrichmond@energy-northwest.com.

Nancy Richmond, RN, COHN-S/CM

Director at Large - Chelley Rohrig

I am currently the Environmental Health and Safety Manager at Amgen, located in Seattle, Washington.  I have over twenty years of experience within environmental, occupational and safety management fields with large and smaller companies across multiple states.  I have served on the board as a Director – at – Large and worked on event planning and public affairs issues for the chapter for two years.  I am happy to have the opportunity to continue serving you and the association. I can be reached at crohrig@amgen.com.

Chelley Rohrig, BSN, MSEd, COHN-S

 

 

Director at Large - Janet McTurnal

I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University magna cum laude in 1982, and worked two years for Indian Health Service, and division of the United States Public Health Service.  Then I worked a short time in oncology nursing and home health care, before joining the Army National Guard and working 12 years as their Occupational Health Nurse.  I am acclaimed locally, nationally and internationally for development, implementation and management of OSHA programs.  In 1995 I was recruited to be the Medical Director for State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems, a position formerly held only by physicians.  As the first nurse to hold this position, I have blazed trails for other states that have followed suit and now employ nurses as medical directors.  I love my work, and enjoy the opportunity to promote health and wellness in my job site as well as using my OH and case management experience and training to help others as they make crucial life-altering decisions.  I have served her state association, WSAOHN, on the Nominating Committee, as Director-At-Large, and as President for three terms. I can be reached at JanetM@drs.wa.gov.

Janet McTurnal, RN, COHN-S/CM

Director at Large - Linda Wheadon

I am so pleased to be serving on the board of the Washington Association of Occupational Health Nurses. I have been in nursing for almost 30 years now. I worked in cardiac units for most of that time. It took me a while, but I began to realize how dumb it is to talk to people about a healthy lifestyle only after their heart attacks. So I have become preoccupied with prevention. What better place to talk about preventing illnesses and injuries than where people are? --and where people are is at work. I am now working at Group Health in the Occupational Health Services Deptartment. I organize programs and go out to worksites sprinkling health all over the place. It is the best job in the world. So be sure to eat your vegetables, buckle your seatbelts, and take some time to enjoy life.

Linda

Director at Large - Annie Bruck

 

Director at Large - Julie Postma

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Nominating Committee – Susan Geatz, BSN, RN, COHN

I have been engaged in Occupational Health Nursing for almost 26 years. I worked 10 years for Pacific Northwest Bell (now Qwest Communications) and 15 1/2 years for Weyerhaeuser Company. I am now retired as of 8/1/08!

I will be volunteering in the classroom for 3 of my grandchildren in the 1st grade (total of 14 grandchildren 19 years down to 17 months). I am looking forward to exercising at the YMCA, joining Weight Watcher's and playing some golf. In my spare time, I would like to give flu shots and maybe work part time in an Occupational Health Clinic. When my husband retires in about 3 years, we would like to do some travel.

Susan Geatz, BSN, RN, COHN