Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Hampton Roads Chapter

Angela, a native of the middle peninsula, was born and raised in Mathews County and later moved to Gloucester. She enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, her grandson, her granddaughter, 2 Yorkies, and extended family and friends doing all things outdoors. Angela takes pleasure in all the seasons of Virginia except Winter. From reading books by the pool, boating and fishing, and visiting wineries and breweries throughout Virginia, her love for being outdoors is apparent.

Angela obtained her ADN from Rappahannock Community College in 2012 and BSN (2017) and MBA (2021) from Western Governor’s University. She has 13 years of nursing experience with 6 ½ years in nursing leadership, all within Riverside Health. In her current role as Nurse Manager of Medical 1 – 4 West, a 24-bed Medical Surgical unit, Angela led her team in obtaining the first PRISM Award (Premier Recognition in the Specialty of Med Surg) in 2023 within Riverside Health. She is currently leading a team of Riverside Health’s nurse leaders in the acute care hospitals in submitting their PRISM Awards as well. Angela also serves as Chair for Riverside Regional Medical Center’s EBPAC (Evidence Based Professional Advancement Council) leading nurses in developing and enhancing their career growth.

Angela’s devotion as a leader, mentor, coach, and advocate to her nursing team is evident by the Daisy Team Award granted to her unit in July 2024 and Angela’s Trailblazer (Honorable Mention) Award received at the VNF’s (Virginia Nurse’s Foundation) Leadership Excellence annual Gala in November 2024. Focusing on patient safety, quality, and experience, Angela works closely with her nursing team to provide the best care. She collaborates with the interdisciplinary team striving to meet metrics and is proud to have almost a decade without a CAUTI (Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection).

Angela is a member of the following nursing organizations: VNA (Virginia Nurses Association), ANA (American Nurses Association), AONL (American Organization for Nursing Leadership), AHNA (American Holistic Nurses Association), and AMSN (Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses). Angela served as the local AMSN Hampton Roads Chapter 238 President Elect for the past 4 years and has recently stepped in to the role as President of the chapter. She is excited to explore the new opportunities that will come with this role and what the chapter will provide in the upcoming months. Angela has a strong desire to support medical-surgical nurses in the community, recognizing the critical role they play in patient care. She deeply respects the med-surg specialty as a vital and distinct field within nursing and is committed to advocating for its value and contributing to its continued growth.

Sarah has been a nurse for nine years, and what a journey it’s been! She currently serves as the Nurse Manager of the Medical 3 Unit and the Inpatient Wound Care Department at Riverside Regional Medical Center (RRMC), where she leads an exceptional team dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate care.

Sarah's nursing career began in 2016 at Spring Valley Medical Center, Las Vegas, where she started as a new graduate on an orthopedic unit. In 2018, life took her to Virginia when her husband, who was active duty military at the time (now retired), was stationed there. She continued her orthopedic background at RRMC on an ortho/trauma unit, where I gained invaluable experience.

In 2020, her path took an unexpected but rewarding turn. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered to care for patients on the COVID unit. Though it was a challenging and uncertain time, she found deep purpose in supporting both patients and fellow staff. When the opportunity arose to apply for the Nurse Manager position on that unit, it felt like a natural next step—and she was honored to be selected.

Sarah earned her first specialty certification (CMSRN) in 2019 and continue to grow both personally and professionally. She is very proud to share that her team on the Medical 3 Unit received the 2024 HCAHPS Award for excellence in patient experience—achieving top decile (91st percentile) performance on this nationally recognized survey.

Outside of work, she is currently pursuing her MSN/MBA degree at Liberty University to further expand her leadership capabilities. When she is not studying or working, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, visiting Busch Gardens, or curling up with a good book.

Sarah is truly excited to serve as your President-Elect and to continue supporting our amazing nursing community.

Becky is a Military brat, having been born in Berlin Germany and traveled the world at a young age. She has two daughters (aged 30 and 20), a significant other that has tolerated her for 21 years and an all-white American Shepard named Lumi that is very spoiled, being the only “kid” still at home. She loves movies, specifically horror, and she likes to read in her spare time. Becky obtained her ADN from Riverside College of Health Careers in 2014, her BSN from Chamberlain in 2016, and her MSN from Western Governors University in 2022. She is currently working towards her DNP at Chamberlain University. She has almost 11 years of nursing experience with 8 of those being in Leadership. Her current role is Nurse Manager, Orthopedic Trauma and the Discharge Lounge and Transport Unit at a Level II Trauma Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. Becky was recognized for her exemplary performance in Nursing Leadership and honored with the Daisy Nurse Leader Award in 2022. Becky is currently the President of the Nurse Honor Guard of Southeastern Virginia, an organization that honors the commitment of fellow nurses at their funerals, releasing them from their nursing service. Becky served as the former President of the AMSN Hampton Roads Chapter 238 for 4 years and has now on the Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Tiffany received her associate’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina-Aiken in South Carolina (2005). As a new grad she worked in a cardiac step-down unit at University Hospital, Augusta GA. She then moved to the ED (2008) where she spent the next nine years of her career. In 2011, she obtained her bachelor’s in nursing from Walden University. In 2018, the Navy moved her family to Virginia Beach. She began working at Sentara Norfolk General Norfolk VA in the burn/trauma step-down unit. In 2020, she was promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager. In 2021, she obtained her master’s degree in nursing leadership from Walden University. In 2022, she was promoted to Clinical Nurse Manager of a Medical-Surgical unit at Sentara Norfolk General. She continues to hold that position. Tiffany is an active member of the American Nurses Association and Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses Association. Tiffany loves educating new nurses on Med-Surg and providing them with the foundational skills of nursing. She enjoys seeing nurses master skills and move on to their dream job, knowing that they have the foundation they need to be successful anywhere they go.

Melanie Thumm is a registered nurse and has been in the healthcare industry for 30 years. She has held various positions at different hospitals in Medical-Surgical and Critical Care specialities, Staff Development, Nurse Manager, working at a Coumadin Management clinic and as an associate professor at a local community college. Currently, she is working at Riverside Regional Medical Center as a Nursing Professional Development Specialist.

She received her associate degree in nursing from Muhlenberg School of Nursing in New Jersey (1996). Then graduated with her BSN from Kean University (2000) and master’s degree in nursing education from Walden University in 2021. To maintain her practice, she is an active member of the American Nurses Association and the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Association. She loves orienting new staff to Regional and helping on the units.

When she’s not at work educating staff, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son. Recently, she welcomed her first granddaughter. To keep her mind and body healthy, she takes hikes, travels, listens to audiobooks (thriller/mystery) and completes challenging puzzles. Melanie is an active member of her church, her son’s Boy Scouts troop and school.

Jamie-Lee, is a dedicated nurse for over 17 years, currently serves as the Clinical Nurse Manager for an Orthopedic/Joint/Spine Med-Surg Unit at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. She has had a variety of experiences during her career to include a Urology/ENT/Bariatric Med-Surg Unit, transitioning Into a Level 1 Trauma ED, and then a General Intensive Care Unit.   

She started her leadership career as a Team-Coordinator on a Medical Surgical Unit, where she continued to hone her skills as a leader, educator, and advocate for her team as evident by the Daisy Team Award granted to her team in May 2020. She was also a key writer for the PRISM Award, that made her team the 1st in the system and 2nd the state. She was also nominated as Trailblazer for 2024 in her Nurse Manager role. She exemplifies professionalism and is well respected by her team, being nominated for a Nurse Excellence Award. She consistently advocates for her team members, prioritizing their well-being and safety in her decision-making process. Actively engaging in process improvement, she is unafraid to explore innovative and creative solutions to address issues. She is passionate about nursing, the care she and her team provide and safety. She looks forward to a new challenge and collaborating with other fellow nurses to ensure the future is bright for those coming into the field.

Susan, a nurse for 38 years is currently working as a Clinical Manager of an Inpatient Rehab Unit at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She obtained her nursing degree from Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing, a 3-year diploma program. She considers herself a lifelong learner, receiving her BSN from Clarion University, MSN from Waynesburg University, and DNP from Grand Canyon University. Susan has been a member of AMSN since 2006 and has held her CMSRN since her membership. In addition, she obtained her NE-BC in 2019. Susan is actively involved in multiple aspects of the national organization as well as with the local chapter including participating on the program planning committee for AMSN’s National Conventions for the past 4 years.

For the duration of Susan’s career as a nurse, she is known for promoting evidence-based practice and patient safety. She currently has a focus on fall prevention and is the Chair of the Fall Prevention Committee. In addition, Susan is the immediate past chair of the System Fall Collaborative. She’s always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that her patients receive the best care possible. When Susan is not devoting her time to her love for nursing, she spends time at the beach collecting shells and loves to garden.

Most recently Susan took on the role as Awards Manager for the local AMSN Hampton Roads Chapter 238 in which she will pursue opportunities for recognition of the well-deserved nurses in our community. She will be assisted in this role by Stephanie Bustillos, Awards Assistant Manager.

Jessica Johnson, MSN, RN, born and raised in Gloucester County, Virginia, has over seventeen years of experience in healthcare. She spent much of her bedside nursing career in the operating room before deciding to pursue a graduate degree in nursing leadership. During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jessica was completing her education while stepping into her first role as a nursing leader. This experience reinforced her belief that change is inevitable, a mindset that continues to shape her leadership approach today.

 Currently, Jessica serves as a nurse manager within the Bon Secours Mercy Health System at Mary Immaculate Hospital. Her journey has deepened her understanding of the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, and she remains committed to leading with adaptability and resilience.

 Jessica is married to her husband, Tyler, and they have two sons: 17-year-old Bryce and 7-year-old Brody. As a family, they enjoy spending time on the water or cheering on their kids at local youth baseball games. Whether relaxing at home with their golden retrievers or traveling to nearby or distant beaches, they value quality time together.

Jessica is thrilled about her new role as the Communications/Public Relations Manager of the AMSN Hampton Roads Chapter.

Nicole has dedicated 20 years to nursing and currently serves as the Clinical Nurse Manager for a Medical Surgical Unit at Sentara Healthcare. She earned her nursing degree from Prince George’s Community College and obtained her BSN from American Sentinel University. She is deeply passionate about both healthcare and the nursing profession. Since 2008, Nicole has held her Medical Surgical certification and has played a pivotal role in her unit achieving the prestigious PRISM Award, making it a first for Sentara and second unit in Virginia to receive this award.

In her leadership position, Nicole is recognized for championing evidence-based practices and raising awareness about the Med-Surg specialty. She takes pride in being creative in streamlining workflows and embodies Sentara's mission of improving health daily, whether for community members or fellow nurses. Nicole is always ready to go the extra mile, ensuring her patients receive exceptional care while dedicating time to mentor and coach new nurses entering the field.

Brooke was born and raised in Michigan and is loving this Virginia coastal living! She enjoys spending time with her husband and their Goldendoodle, Bentley, hiking, swimming, and traveling. She received her BSN from Spring Arbor University and worked on Ortho, Neuro, Medical Surgical, and Cardiac Care units. She participated in Riverside Health’s journey to Magnet Recognition. She personally achieved multiple Daisy nominations and served as Co-Chair of Medical 1 – 4 West’s unit-based Professional Governance Council. In addition, she served as a Charge Nurse and Preceptor, orienting student nurses and new graduate RNs to the unit. 

In 2024, she graduated with her master’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University as a Family Nurse Practitioner with experience in primary care, mental health, and pediatrics. She has a passion for fostering connections between modern and alternative natural medicine, focusing on natural, non-toxic, clean lifestyles.

Currently, Brooke is serving as a Medical Surgical adjunct faculty instructor for Riverside College of Health Sciences. She also works as a consulting FNP for Addy’s Colors, a nonprofit organization, providing patients with medication management and integrative alternative health options for those diagnosed with mental health concerns.

"I strive to be a patient & family-centered provider with flexibility and creativity to meet people where they are and bring them to higher levels of health and happiness." 

Most recently, Brooke transitioned from her role as Secretary/Treasurer, AMSN Hampton Roads Chapter 238 to Web Manager where she will manage all aspects of our Nursing Network platform.