MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS - MICNP
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MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF
NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Ann Arbor MICNP Chapter Newsletter Spring 2020
By: Opal Patricia Lesse, Brian Kaminski, Wilma McKenzie & Abby Weiler
We are taking the necessary actions to protect our families, our co-workers and
ourselves from COVID-19. The Ann Arbor (AA) MICNP Chapter is working with
the State MICNP and AANP association to give you all the current information you
need as Nurse Practitioners to practice in a safe and secure manner.
____________________________________________________________________
Your Board Members are Here to Serve YOU!
Opal Patricia Lesse DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE-President
I have a passion for nursing that started with an LPN and ADN degree from Washtenaw
Community College, I bridged to the University of Michigan for the RN to BSN program then went
on to Michigan State for a Masters in Nursing and a Family Nurse Practitioner degree. After a few
years I completed the Doctorate in Nursing Practice from University of Detroit Mercy Nursing
School. I worked at the University of Michigan for many years at the bedside in the ICU’s, as a
Care Coordinator, and Lead NP of the Cancer surgical population for transition of care. Currently I
am a Lecturer at Eastern Michigan University. I educate across the curriculum of Nursing, and
volunteering in the community.
I am a Nurse Practitioner because I know I can influence change and lead people to their desired
outcomes. I influence decision making through education for my patients and mentor my students
to be advocates in their profession. I listen to understand. For several years, I have been writing to
and meeting with legislators. As an Advocate and Mentor, I have spoken with NPs and Nurses
throughout Michigan about NP Policy and Practice issues. As a member of the Michigan Council
of Nurse Practitioners I seek full scope of practice, change in policy structure for SAFE practice for
all nurses.
Ann Arbor MICNP Chapter Newsletter Spring, 2020 Page 2
President Elect: Brian Kaminski, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC
As a second-generation nurse I feel honored and blessed to serve the public good in his 11th year as an
RN and 5th year as a Nurse Practitioner. I have a strong passion for advance practice nursing. In 2015,
I helped co-found and serve as membership chair of the student chapter of MICNP at U-M School of
Nursing in collaboration with Dr. Beth Kuzma and colleague NP students. I am excited for the future
of the Ann Arbor chapter and growing our membership. I seek to partner with Opal, Wilma, Abby, and
Ericka to provide value-added experiences through MICNP including advocacy, legislation, education,
and clinical practice.
I believe Nurse Practitioners meet critical needs and provide essential services to local communities
and should help shape health policy through the lens of patient advocacy and Dr. Jean Watson's Theory
of Caring. I desire to work together with congress persons at the state and local level on behalf of our
membership for the betterment of humankind, specifically in the state of Michigan.
I practice lifelong learning and am a strong advocate for mentorship, excellence and research
throughout Nursing and healthcare. Currently, I serve as full-time faculty teaching Nursing at
Lawrence Technological University. I work for multiple healthcare systems including Michigan
Medicine, Ascension Michigan, and Beaumont Health System. I maintain acute care clinical practice
as a Nurse Practitioner in Trauma Surgery/Surgical Critical Care and Orthopedics.
Education Coordinator: Ericka Brunson-Gillespie, DNP
Ericka is the current Educational Coordinator for the Ann Arbor Chapter Michigan Council of Nurse
Practitioners. She is a graduate of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Doctor of
Nursing Practice Program at Wayne State University. She received her B.S.N from Madonna
University and takes pride in acknowledging her nursing career started as a L.P.N. She is currently a
Nurse Practitioner in the Neurosurgery Department at Michigan Medicine. In 2019, she was awarded
the New Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award. In April 2020, she was re-elected as the Michigan State
Representative for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Ann Arbor MICNP Chapter Newsletter Spring, 2020 Page 3
Secretary: Abby Weiler, BSN, FNP
I graduated from University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a B.S. in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science
in 2008. It was an interesting time to graduate, when the local economy and job market was at its worst in
recent history. Fortunately, I started my first job in health care as an aide for TBI patients, one of the only
places hiring at the time. I worked with a very inspiring nurse and decided to go back to school. I graduated
from University of Michigan’s second-degree nursing BSN in 2010. I then worked at UM hospital for 3
years as a bedside nurse while going back to school for my FNP. I graduated from University of Michigan
in 2014. Since then I have worked in general orthopedics for 3 years at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital and for
the last 3 years have been in General Medicine providing primary care. As a member of the MICNP Ann
Arbor chapter, I want to help organize meaningful continuing education for NPs and provide opportunities
to network and support one another.
Treasurer: Wilma Mackenzie, BSN, MS, AGACNP-BC
I returned to school to become a nurse in my golden years because I wanted to be useful and care for people
when it was needed. In nursing school, I learned about nurse practitioners and knew that was the role for
me! I have served on the board of the Ann Arbor Chapter of MICNP and the Great Lakes Chapter of
GAPNA since before I graduated and on both boards, I met people who are passionate about advancing the
knowledge base and practice of advance practice nurses. I have learned so much from them and am so
proud to be part of a wonderful group of nurses. As part of the Ann Arbor MICNP board, I hope to help
encourage and support other nurse practitioners as they develop into the role. We continue to see our roles
grow because of the sterling work done by our professional organizations to expand our scope of practice.
This important work requires all of us to play a part – by continuing to provide excellent care, being
involved in legislative events, and learning how to educate everyone on the role that we can play in
healthcare. Being part of MICNP is a good way to become involved and help make a difference – I would
encourage every nurse practitioner to join.
Ann Arbor MICNP Chapter Newsletter Spring, 2020 Page 4
Chapter News
It is important to keep everyone informed
on the latest news and information
FUTURE CHAPTER MEETINGS relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay
More details coming soon. Information will informed by visiting the webpage HERE.
be posted on the MICNP website.
(www.micnp.org)
The Ann Arbor Chapter will have two
baskets in the PAC Silent Auction!
Bidding will begin online in June. Stay
tuned for more information.
Basket 1. Beautiful skin products from Sephora
Bidding Price: $100
Basket 2. Featuring Ann Arbor products from Roos Roost,
Mindo Chocolates, Patrice homemade BON BONS, a
Chocolate tower, a large coffee press and 2 matching cups.
Bidding start price is $85
The AA chapter has introduced a
fundraiser (Sharing for Shields) to
support those on the Front Line.
Learn more about Sharing for
Shields HERE.
Are You an NP Student? An NP? Do You Want to Be a Leader?
Interested in volunteering? Meeting great people? Hanging out and discussing NP issues in cool places? If your answer is
YES to any of these, the MICNP Ann Arbor Chapter is for you! We are looking for two Nurse Practitioners who are ready
to devote a couple of hours a month to hang out with us and LEARN how to schedule CE events, talk with other members,
meet with students and challenge thoughts in the board meetings! We welcome you!! If you feel you meet these
qualifications, please e-mail oplesse@gmail.com soon.
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