Natalie Boucher, RN, MSN, CMSRN, Nurse Educator/Staff Development Coordinator, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation

Natalie received her Bachelors degree in Nursing from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1991 and her Masters degree in nursing from University of Phoenix in 2002. Natalie began serving St. Vincent Healthcare and our patients in 1989 as a CNA, then as an RN. In 1997 Natalie accepted a position with Montana State University as a clinical instructor. After obtaining her Masters degree she took on the role of course coordinator/lead instructor for a Medical/Surgical course. While serving at the university Natalie continued to work as a staff nurse at SVH. Natalie left her post at the university in 2007 to accept a nurse educator position with the Center for Nursing Advancement Practice and Study at SVH (now St. Vincent Healthcare University).

Christina Beals, BSN, MBA, Director, St. Vincent Healthcare University

Maria Brosnan, MSN, ACNP-BC, Assistant Professor, Nursing Department, Carroll College

Maria received her graduate degree from Rush University of Chicago. Her experience has primarily been in ICU and acute care settings. She has been an Assistant Professor at Carroll College for the past four years. She is also working as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in the Emergency Room / Urgent Care at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana.

Shirley Cudney, MA, RN, retired Associate Professor, Montana State University College of Nursing (MSUCON)

Shirley graduated from Montana State College School of Nursing in 1953 and received her MA in Nursing Education from Teachers' College, Columbia University in 1956. In 1984, she was certified as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) by the University of Washington. She was the Principal Investigator for the federally funded "Nursing Approaches for Quality Care for the Elderly" continuing education project for rural nurses from 1988-1994. Since her retirement in 1994, she has been serving as a research associate with the NINR funded "Rural Chronically Ill Women: Online Support Network" (Women to Women Project) at MSUCON. In the summer, she adds a second job as a campground host and commutes the 14 miles from campground to university. At age 80, she is trying to age well by walking 2-3 miles a day, dancing, losing weight, and eating a lot of oatmeal and barley.

Diane K. Duin, PhD, Interim Dean, College of Allied Health Professions, Montana State University Billings

Diane also serves as a Fellow for the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education, is a member of the Board of Directors for RiverStone Health Clinic, Billings, MT, a member of Building and Supporting Montana's Healthcare Workforce Group, serves as a member of the Review Board for the Journal of Health Administration Education, and is a member of the editorial board for HAP/AUPHA Publishing. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives; the Gerontological Society of America; and the American Corrections Association. And most important, Diane has been deemed the 'fun grandma' by her three beautiful grandchildren.

Heather Fink, Director of Grants Division, St. Vincent Healthcare Regional Level II Trauma Center

Angie Heaney, Administrative Assistant and Event Planner, St. Vincent Healthcare University

Angie Heaney has been working in the Nursing Education Department at St. Vincent Healthcare for the past 4 years. Angie has an extensive background in event planning and coordination. Angie is currently the Administrative Assistant and Event Planner for the St. Vincent Healthcare University.

Gayle A. Hudgins, Pharm. D., Executive Director, Montana Geriatric Education Center (MTGEC); Director, Experiential Education, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions & Biomedical Sciences, University of Montana

Gayle has been the principal investigator for the HRSA grant-funded Montana Geriatric Education Center since its inception in 2002. The MTGEC currently offers an on-line Geriatric Education and Certificate Program, the Health Literacy Scholars Program, and Geriatric Health Screening performed by health professions students throughout the state. The MTGEC Annual Conference is held each October, followed by two statewide videoconferences for further exploration of conference topics. Gayle has more than 25 years of experience as a pharmacy consultant in long term care, home health, and hospice, and with disabled adults.

Kristin Juliar, Director, Montana Area Health Education Center and Office of Rural Health

Kristin is the Director of the Montana Office of Rural Health (MORH) and Area Health Education Center (MT AHEC). MORH and AHEC support health professions education in rural and undeserved areas; provide opportunities for K-12 students to explore health careers; develop continuing education programs; provide strategic planning services for rural hospitals; and provide educational programs and assistance for community based wellness programs. The MORH and MT AHEC programs are located at Montana State University, Bozeman, with regional offices in Dillon, Missoula, Billings and Great Falls.

Libby Markus, RN, Vice President of Health Services, St. Johns Lutheran Ministries

Libby has rich background of geriatric nursing for over 33 years inclusive of Skilled Home Care, home infusion therapy, Case Management, as well as long term care. She has been employed by St John’s Lutheran Ministries for the last 7 years serving as Health Director at The Vista and Mission Ridge and now as VP of Health Services. Her role includes fulfilling the Mission of “providing living opportunities within nurturing environments of hope, dignity, and love” and providing leadership to Nursing Services, Dietician Services, Rehabilitation Services, Medical Records, and Pharmacy Services.

Cynthia Pike, RN, BSN, Central Staff Development Coordinator, Saint Vincent Healthcare University

Cynthia has been a nurse at St. Vincent Healthcare for 26 years. She is the current lead nurse planner for the SVH MNA provider unit, a position she has held for 8 years. As the lead nurse planner, Cynthia is responsible for assuring that the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning activities for which nursing continuing education contact hours are provided follow the ANCC and MNA process and criteria.

Julie Pullen, MS, LPC, MSN, FNP, GNP-C, Associate Clinical Professor, Montana State University

Julie has 24 years of experience in the field of mental health, with clinical emphasis on geriatrics as RN, NP and licensed professional counselor.