Name and Credentials: Carole Anne Pepa, PhD, RN
Candidate Statement
Professional background: As a Professor of Nursing at Valparaiso University, I teach graduate and undergraduate courses, including a course on global health issues. My clinical specialty is community/public health nursing; particularly, I am interested in keeping the elderly out of the hospital, health services delivery, and health policy. Publications and presentations include research on the topics of health literacy, critical thinking, resource use, and alternative/complementary medicine, as well as chapters on Alternative Health Modalities and Global Models of Health Care.
Qualifications and leadership experience: My experiences with Sigma Theta Tau International as well as other professional experiences have prepared me for the position of Region 9 Coordinator. For the past four years, I have served on the International Governance Committee. This experience has provided me with additional insights into how we, as an organization, are moving toward the goals of Vision 2020. During the 2005-07 biennial, I served as program co-chair for Region 9, which enabled me to be more involved at the regional level. As an active member of Zeta Epsilon Chapter, I have served as president, president- elect, treasurer, faculty counselor, and by-laws chair. In May, I was elected again to serve as Chapter Treasurer. I have also maintained my membership in Alpha Chapter, my chapter of induction. In addition, I bring leadership experiences from college and university committees. I have served as chair of the university Education Policy Committee, University Council, and Creative Work and Research Committee. I also just completed a term on the International Affairs Committee, which reviews overseas programs as well as policies for and needs of international students studying at the university. In addition, I have served on several presidential task forces, including one that focused on visioning for the university. These experiences have provided me with a good understanding of Sigma Theta Tau International and the challenges chapters face, as well as an understanding of governance, an ability to analyze and evaluate policies, and an ability to work as a member of a team to problem solve and achieve organizational goals.
What I would like to accomplish if elected: I have great respect for Sigma Theta Tau International and would welcome the opportunity to serve again. If elected, I would like to work with chapter leaders in Region 9 to help them achieve excellence though Chapter Key Awards and other recognitions. I would like to be able to share with chapters the successes that other chapters have had, and to encourage collaboration among the chapters through programming and other initiatives. This sharing could be achieved through the web site as well as personal communication. In addition, I think it is important to keep the lines of communication open from the Board, through the Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair, to the local chapters.
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