TCAR Faculty

LAURA M. CRIDDLE

PhD RN TCRN FAEN

Portland, OR

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER & LEAD NURSE PLANNER

Dr. Criddle's passions are emergency, trauma, neuro, transport, and critical care. She is a nationally registered paramedic and has been board certified in emergency nursing (adult and pediatric), trauma nursing, orthopedic nursing, medical-surgical nursing, gerontological nursing, critical care (adult and pediatric), neuroscience nursing, stroke nursing, flight nursing, and nursing professional development. Laura holds advanced practice certifications as an adult acute care clinical nurse specialist and as a critical care clinical nurse specialist.

Dr. Criddle has been a clinical nurse specialist since 1990, practicing as an emergency, trauma, flight, or neuroscience CNS at 6 health care organizations across the country. Throughout her career, Laura has cared for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations and has published over 100 journal articles, books, and book chapters covering a wide range of topics. She has been an editorial board member for the Journal of Trauma Nursing, the Journal of Emergency Nursing, the Advanced Journal of Emergency Nursing. Dr. Criddle is a fellow of the Academy of Emergency Nursing and former chair of the Academy. Laura has held academic appointments at 4 universities and colleges and is the co-founder of TCAR Education Programs where she currently serves as a faculty member, clinical nurse specialist, and chief clinical officer. She has an extensive history of speaking to health care audiences across the U.S. and in several countries around the world.

CHERYL WRAA

MSN RN TCRN FAEN

Sacramento, CA

DIRECTOR, TCAR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Born and raised in Northern California, Cheryl Wraa graduated from the Kaiser School of Nursing in Oakland, California in 1975. Cheryl later received BSN and MSN degrees from California State University, Sacramento. The majority of Cheryl's career has been in intensive care, emergency, flight nursing, and trauma care. Ms. Wraa spent 6 years as the Trauma Program Manager for the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, an ACS level 1 Adult and level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center that serves a large geographical area. Cheryl also worked for several years as clinical faculty for the School of Nursing at California State University, Sacramento and is coauthor of the widely read Prentice Hall textbook, Medical Surgical Nursing: Preparation for Practice. In her spare time Cheryl volunteers as an educator for Resurge International and works as an associate editor for the Journal of Emergency Nursing. Ms. Wraa has long been an ATLS coordinator, an ATCN instructor, and a site surveyor for the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Services.

Cheryl is a board certified trauma nurse and a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Nurses and has served on local and national professional boards. She has been president of the National Flight Nurses Association, a Resurge International nursing committee member, and was president of the Trauma Managers Association of California. In addition, Cheryl brings to TCAR Programs extensive experience with conference and educational planning, consulting, and presenting to audiences across the country. TCAR Programs is thrilled to have Ms. Wraa on our faculty as TCAR director, a role to which she brings her passion for both education and trauma nursing.

BETH BROERING

MSN RN CEN CCRN CCNS CAISS TCRN FAEN

Nashville, TN

FACULTY

Beth Broering brings to TCAR Education Programs more than 30 years of trauma nursing expertise across the care continuum and across the age spectrum. Beth is a Critical Care/Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist with extensive bedside, educational, leadership, and program management experience at leading U.S. trauma centers. In addition, Ms. Broering–in her role as Director of Nursing–was instrumental in establishing a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Her international practice also includes work in Heidelberg, Germany at a U.S. military hospital.

Beth is a frequent speaker at regional and national nursing conferences and a popular instructor for ATCN, TNCC, ENPC, PHTLS, and the Rural Trauma Team Development courses. Her board-certifications include Emergency nursing, Critical Care nursing, and Trauma nursing, as well as Abbreviated Injury Scoring, and Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. Beth is a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing.

LORI DANKO

MSN RN CEN TCRN

Sarasota, FL

FACULTY

Lori Danko comes to TCAR Education Programs from sunny Florida with more than 15 years of trauma nursing experience in Level I and Level II trauma centers in several states. Ms. Danko has practiced in diverse trauma care settings including critical care, emergency, and acute care, with both adult and pediatric patients. In addition to years of bedside care, Lori has been an Emergency & Trauma Clinical Practice Specialist and a Trauma Program Manager. She is board certified in both emergency and trauma nursing. Ms. Danko has long been a popular instructor teaching many standardized courses including BLS, ENPC, TNCC, PALS and Stop The Bleed. In addition, she has presented at numerous healthcare conferences across the U.S.

TERESA T. GOODELL

PhD RN CNS CWCN TCRN

Aloha, OR

FACULTY

Dr. Goodell hails from Oregon and brings to TCAR Education Programs over 35 years of experience as a trauma ICU staff nurse, nurse educator, and trauma program coordinator at an ACS verified Level I trauma center in Portland, Oregon. Teresa has taught nursing at Oregon Health & Science University, Walla Walla College, & Linfield College, among others.

Dr. Goodell's particular areas of interest are trauma intensive care, wound care, and care of older adults. Teresa has served as associate director of the Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Oregon Health & Science University and as research scientist at the Oregon Medical Laser Center. Dr. Goodell is a board-certified trauma nurse and wound care nurse. In addition to her clinical and teaching practice, Teresa has directed and participated in numerous research projects, has published many peer-reviewed articles, and speaks throughout the country on multiple nursing care topics.

Abbie Blackmore

MSN RN TCRN

ARVADA, CO

FACULTY

Abbie Blackmore brings to TCAR Education Programs over 20 years’ experience in trauma nursing, with expertise in neurotrauma and critical care. Ms. Blackmore has practiced in trauma centers in Colorado and Illinois. Besides many years of bedside care practice, Abbie recently served for 8 years as the Trauma Program Manager at St. Anthony Hospital, in Lakewood, CO, a level 1 American College of Surgeons verified trauma center. She is also a Trauma Nurse Reviewer for the Colorado Department of Public Health.

Ms. Blackmore is a dynamic presenter who brings to TCAR Education Programs many years of teaching experience. Abbie is a board-certified trauma nurse and has published several manuscripts in professional journals on various aspects of trauma care.

MELISSA HARTE

DNP MSHA RN TCRN

Chandler, AZ

FACULTY

Melissa A. Harte brings to TCAR Education Programs over 30 years’ experience in trauma nursing, in a wide range of areas including adult and pediatric critical care, and emergency care. Dr. Harte has served in level 1 and community trauma centers from Boston to Phoenix. Besides her bedside care practice, Melissa has held healthcare leadership positions as Director of Trauma & Child Protection Program, Emergency Services Director, and Trauma Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Dr. Harte is a board certified trauma nurse, a popular speaker and consultant, and has published several book chapters and journal articles. She is Past-President (2012-2013) of the Society of Trauma Nurses and has extensive presentation experience. In addition to teaching both the TCAR and PCAR courses, Melissa is a TNCC, ENPC, and ATCN instructor. She is also lead facilitator for the Society of Trauma Nurses TCRN preparation course, taught throughout the U.S.

ELLEN HARVEY

DNP RN ACNS-BC CCRN TCRN FCCM

Salem, VA

FACULTY

Dr. Harvey's passion for care of the injured patient spans a 35-year career in adult and pediatric nursing practiced in trauma centers across the country. Ellen received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Colorado, Master of Nursing from Emory University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Radford University. Her clinical expertise is in trauma, emergency, critical care and acute care nursing. Dr. Harvey has practiced as a frontline nurse, advanced practice nurse, educator, nursing and paramedic instructor, nursing quality performance specialist, FCCS instructor and TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer. Ellen is board certified as an Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, critical care, and trauma nurse. Dr. Harvey has published and lectured extensively on multidisciplinary team performance, simulation-based training, critical care, and evidence-based nursing topics. She received the Virginia Nurse Association Magnet Excellence in Advanced Clinical Practice Award in 2013. Ellen is a fellow in the American College of Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Harvey's volunteer activities encompass service on a number of professional and community boards, with special focus on injury prevention and community support following traumatic brain injury. Living in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ellen is currently a licensed animal assisted therapy specialist visiting injured and hospitalized patients throughout the Roanoke valley.

JOLENE KITTLE

PhD(c) MS RN ACCNS-AG NE-BC CEN CCRN-K CFRN TCRN

Cicero, NY

FACULTY

Jolene Kittle has spent the 15 years since becoming an RN honing her passion for trauma nursing. She has cared for injured patients as a flight nurse, med-surg nurse, critical care nurse, and emergency nurse. Jolene is an avid learner and her keen interest in trauma took her back to school to become an acute care clinical nurse specialist in adult and geriatric nursing. She is now pursuing a PhD in nursing.

Ms. Kittle currently serves as Trauma Program Manager at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse NY, an American College of Surgeons level I trauma center. Jolene is a popular instructor who has taught TNCC, ATCN, the Rural Trauma Team Development Course, and is an adjunct faculty instructor for Upstate Medical University. She is board-certified in emergency, flight, critical care, and trauma nursing, as well as being a certified acute care clinical nurse specialist and nurse executive. In her spare time, Jolene serves as a Board Member for the Society of Trauma Nurses, a peer reviewer for the Journal of Trauma Nursing, and an item writer for the TCRN exam.

Nataly KUZNETSOV

MS RN CNS ACCNS-AG CEN CCRN CFRN TCRN

Napa, CA

FACULTY

Nataly Kuznetsov became a trauma nurse after personal experience as a critically-injured patient. She has worked in nursing positions across the trauma care continuum including transport (ground and air), emergency, critical care and acute care. Nataly attended the University of California, San Francisco to become a critical care/trauma clinical nurse specialist. Ms. Kuznetsov is currently a flight nurse for Guardian flight. She is board certified in Emergency (CEN), Critical Care (CCRN), Trauma (TCRN) and Flight (CFRN) nursing and also holds advanced practice certification as an Adult–Gero Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACCNS–AG).

Nataly is currently enrolled in a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program from the University of Cincinnati with a goal to provide peer support to first responders and disaster relief responders. Nataly has served as an educator at both Pacific Union College and at an ACS verified Level II trauma center in the San Francisco bay area. She is a TNCC director and ACLS instructor. Nataly was born in Russia and lived in Israel before eventually immigrating to the United States. She now resides in the beautiful Napa Valley wine country and is the founder and president of Disaster Responder Assets Network, a non–profit organization whose mission is to support emergency responders.

BONNIE MCCRACKEN

MSN RN FNP-C PA-C TCRN

NAPLES, ID

FACULTY

Bonnie McCracken graduated from Montana State University with a BS in nursing. She practiced in Billings, Montana for a year before taking off to see the country as a traveling nurse. After migrating to Northern California, Bonnie returned to school and graduated from the University of California, Davis nurse practitioner/physician assistant program. Bonnie's first position as an advanced practice nurse was in a combined internal medicine and OB/GYN practice. Bonnie later accepted a job at the UC Davis Medical Center— an ACS verified Level I trauma center in Sacramento, California—where she provided care to trauma patients for 23 years.

Ms. McCracken recently retired from her position as the manager of nurse practitioners for the UC Davis Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Service and Associate Director of NPs. As part of her role, Bonnie regularly instructed and mentored UC San Francisco and UC Davis student nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical residents. She teaches alcohol screening and brief interventions at hospitals. Bonnie also advises hospitals about nurse practitioner utilization for trauma and emergency surgery.

YVONNE PROWANT

MM BSN RN CEN TCRN

Kentwood, MI

FACULTY

Yvonne Prowant has over 40 years of nursing experience caring for trauma patients in critical care and emergency department settings. She is board certified in both trauma and emergency nursing. Combined with her bedside care experience, Ms. Prowant's Master of Management degree has given her the skills to lead emergency departments and trauma programs. Ms. Prowant currently serves as director of the trauma service line for an ACS verified Level II trauma center in Wyoming (Grand Rapids area) Michigan.

Yvonne is an avid learner and teacher who makes concepts practical and uses adult learning principles to find teachable moments. She has long been a TNCC instructor and is a popular lecturer at nursing, management, and academic programs. In addition, Ms. Prowant has experience as a business success coach and a staff development educator. Yvonne was selected as a Trauma Centers Association of America (TCAA) Fellow, in 2018. As a Fellow, her project involved writing a chapter for the TCAA Reference Manual, regarding onboarding new trauma staff.

SUE WATKINS

JD RN CNML TCRN

DISNEY, OK

FACULTY

Sue Watkins has over 35 years of trauma nursing experience working in pediatric, emergency, and critical care areas. During her career, Sue has practiced in settings ranging from the only RN in an 18-bed hospital to one of a team of many trauma care providers in an 1,100 bed medical center. She is a board certified trauma nurse and certified nurse manager and leader.

In addition to nursing, Sue holds degrees in both law and human resource management. Her emphasis in law school was bioethics, which has influenced and informed her decisions as a trauma care provider and trauma program manager. Ms. Watkins teaches legal aspects of healthcare to MBA and MHA students.

She has taught EMT and paramedic classes and has served as a coordinator and/or instructor for ATLS, NDLS and the ENPC, TNCC, and CATN courses. Sue served on several regional and state trauma improvement and CQI committees and workgroups, and has published on the care of children during disasters.

CHERI A. WHITE

PhD RN ACNP-BC CCRN TCRN

Applegate, CA

FACULTY

Dr. White is Director for the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery Program and Neuroscience Service Line at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, an ACS verified Level II trauma center in Northern California. She graduated with a BSN degree from Palm Beach Atlantic College and MSN and PhD degrees from the University of Miami, with a specialty in trauma and critical care nursing. Cheri also received a post-master's acute care nurse practitioner certificate from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2007. Dr. White is a board-certified acute care nurse practitioner, trauma nurse, and critical care nurse.

Throughout her nursing career, Cheri has specialized in trauma and critical care nursing. Past positions have included critical care staff nurse, ED staff nurse, trauma/critical care clinical nurse specialist, and clinical faculty. She was the Trauma Program Manager at UC Irvine Medical Center, an ACS-verified Level I trauma center in Orange County, California, from 1990-1993. Cheri then joined the national office staff of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) to lead a national research project on procedural pain in critical care. At AACN, Dr. White worked as the Director of Practice, Research, and Membership until moving to northern California in 2000. Cheri, a lieutenant commander, also served in the US Navy Nurse Corps from 1991 to 2002 and was recognized as the Junior Nurse Corps Officer of the Year in 1999.

Dr. White came to Sutter Roseville Medical Center in October 2000 as the Trauma Program Director. She has taught all aspects of trauma nursing, including TNCC, ATCN, and the Rural Trauma Team Development Course. Cheri also serves on many local, state, and national committees that influence the development of trauma systems and the care of the trauma patient.