SPCN Election 2024

Details of the person submitting the vote.

Candidate: Alicia Valentini

Bio:I have been a Pediatric Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery nurse practitioner in the Congenital Heart Center (CHC) at the University of Michigan, CS Mott Children’s Hospital since 1993. In 2011 I became involved in the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC) and in 2012 had an integral role in the development of the Home Monitoring program for Single Ventricle patients in the CHC. Currently, I lead the Home Monitoring program, expanded to include all shunt dependent patients with complex congenital heart disease. In addition to the Home Monitoring program, my clinical responsibilities include evaluating, diagnosing, and managing patients cared for in the CHC. My research and CQI focus lies in improving care and outcomes for these patients and families as well as gaining insight on health care disparities and their impact on health outcomes. I welcome the opportunity to serve in a leadership role within SPCN to further the mission of sharing expertise and expanding knowledge and collaboration within Pediatric Cardiovascular Nursing.

Candidate: Ruth Lemus

Bio: It has been an honor to serve as your current Treasurer. During my term, SPCN has launched a new website, offered CEU’s for educational meeting, and are one of the sponsors for 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. I feel our Board has just gotten started with all our wonderful ideas and thus, I am seeking reelection. I have been a nurse for 26 years. I was an LVN for 7 years and I received by RN, ADN from Los Angeles Valley College in December 2003. I started working as a new Grad nurse in the Cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in February 2004 and I’ve been at CHLA ever since. In 2016, I received my BSN from UT Arlington graduating Summa Cum Laude. Working with the CHD population has been my passion. Over the last ten years, I have transitioned from the bedside to a Research Nurse role within the Heart Institute, working as a Data Manager for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Database and coordinating several research studies. I am a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and I served as the Heart Institute ambulatory representative for 4 years on our shared governance Research Council. I have also worked per diem in the Pediatric Catheterization Lab. All these experiences have helped me apply my clinical nursing knowledge to data abstraction and analysis. My passion is now translating clinical data into improving patient outcomes.