Linda Grinnell-Merrick, MS, NP-BC

President

Nurse Practitioner
University of Rochester Medical Center / Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology
Rochester, NY

Linda Grinnell-Merrick currently resides in New York where she works as a nurse practitioner in the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She studied at the University of Rochester and has been practicing rheumatology since 2012. Linda chartered the International Transplant Nurses Society of Upstate New York in 2004, served on the medical advisory board, is a speaker for the National Liver Foundation of Upstate New York, and a current board member of Kidney Cares—a local organization providing services to patients with renal diseases. She firmly believes in establishing long term relationships with her patients in order to provide chronic care.close

Cathy Patty-Resk, MSN, RN-BC, CPNP-PC

President Elect

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Children's Hospital of Michigan
Detroit, MI

Cathy Patty-Resk currently resides in Michigan where she works as a rheumatologist at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. She studied nursing at Wayne State University and has been practicing rheumatology since 2009. Cathy is recognized as a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatric at-large-member and active member of the legislative advocacy team of the RNS. She has served as the co-editor of and a contributor to the Core Curriculum for Rheumatology Nursing and has partnered with the American Nurses Credentialing Center to launch the certification by portfolio for rheumatology nurses. She continually seeks opportunities to bring awareness of the need for pediatric pharmaceutical clinical trials and health care system barriers that negatively impact the health of children with autoimmune diseases.close

Carrie Beach, BSN, RN-BC

Historian

Staff Rheumatology Nurse
Columbus Arthritis Center
Columbus, OH

Carrie Beach currently resides in Ohio where she works as a rheumatology nurse at Columbus Arthritis Center. She studied nursing at the Ohio State University College of Nursing and has been practicing rheumatology since 2003. Carrie was recognized by the Arthritis Foundation in 2015 as the Walk to Cure Arthritis Medical Honoree and continues to work closely with the Arthritis Foundation to advance her passion in rheumatology education. She firmly believes in serving her patients and peer nurses as a leader of thought, subject matter expert, and coach in the application of best practices for patient and nursing education. close

Vickie L. Sayles, BSN, CRNI, RN-BC

Treasurer

Clinical Nurse Manager
Cleveland Clinic Foundation / Department of Rheumatic and Immunological Diseases
Cleveland, OH

Vickie Sayles currently resides in Ohio where she works as a Clinical Nurse Manager for the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She studied nursing at Ohio University and has been practicing since 2008. Vickie was recognized as a “Tier 1” leader and volunteers for various projects both within and outside of the Cleveland Clinic. She has board certifications in Ambulatory Nursing, Rheumatology Nursing, and Infusion Nursing. She firmly believes in delivering world-class care through quality initiatives and evidence-based practices.close

Elizabeth Kirchner, CNP, RN-BC

Education and Curriculum Chair

Nurse Practitioner
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH

Elizabeth Kirchner currently resides in Ohio where she works as a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic. She studied English Literature and Medieval Studies at Ohio Wesleyan University, received her Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University and has been practicing rheumatology since 2000. Elizabeth is recognized as board-certified in Rheumatology Nursing and also lectures frequently on biomarkers, vaccines, biologics and the immune system. She has published several articles and book chapters and her current work within the RNS includes writing and editing content for the Core Curriculum.close

Eileen McCullagh, BSN, RN, ONC, CCRC

Research Special Interest Group

Clinical Research Manager
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, NY

Eileen McCullagh currently resides in New York where she works as a Clinical Research Manager at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). She studied nursing at Pace University in New York and has been practicing orthopedics and rheumatology since 1981. Eileen is recognized as Vice President of New York Tri-state Metropolitan Chapter of RNS and Chair of the RNS Research Special Interest Group (SIG). She hopes to assist rheumatology nurses to become part of a clinical research team and work on developing nursing research projects in the future.close

Monica Richey, MSN, ANP-BC/GNP

Member at Large – Advocacy

Nurse Practitioner
Northwell Health, Division of Rheumatology
New York, NY

Monica Richey currently resides in New York where she works as a Nurse Practitioner at the Division of Rheumatology at Northwell Health. She received her training at Hospital for Special Surgery and has been practicing nursing since 2002. Monica developed several different patient education programs including cardiovascular disease prevention, contraception, and preventive health and works as the advocate member-at-large for the RNS and has participated in several Washington, D.C. meetings helping to support patient advocacy groups and making the patient’s voices heard.close

Eileen J. Lydon, MA, RN, ANP-BC

Chapter Development Chair

Nurse Practitioner
New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases
New York, NY

Eileen Lydon currently resides in New York where she works as a Nurse Practitioner in the rheumatology department at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. She studied nursing at Molloy College, joined the Adult PA program for her MA at New York University, and has been practicing rheumatology since 2003. Eileen is the the chapter chair on the board of RNS and the founding and current President of the Tri-state Metropolitan RNS chapter. She firmly believes that seeing nurses and other rheumatology healthcare professionals in community with one another can change the world of rheumatology.close

Amanda Mixon, PA-C

Physician Assistant (PA) Board Liaison

Physician Assistant
Arthritis and Rheumatology Clinic of Northern Colorado
Denver, CO

Amanda Mixon currently resides in Colorado where she works as a rheumatologist at Arthritis and Rheumatology Clinic of Northern Colorado. She studied Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science at Michigan State University, accomplished PA studies at the University of New England, and has been practicing rheumatology since 2007. Amanda has taught medical students at MSU, educated the public in regards to various autoimmune and arthritis-related topics, and volunteered to provide rheumatology care to the underprivileged. She firmly believes in treating each patient with compassion and empathy as if they are a member of her family while offering the most current and up-to-date practices.close

Denise Smith-Hauser, NP-C

Member at Large

Nurse Practitioner
Cleveland Clinic
Brecksville, OH

Denise Smith-Hauser currently resides in Brecksville, Ohio where she works as a Certified Nurse Practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic. She studied Adult/Gerontology APN at the University of Akron College of Nursing and has been practicing rheumatology since 2000. Denise has represented the Cleveland Clinic and US State Department by educating nurses from the US Embassy and Consulate around the world including Singapore, Turkey, Portugal, and Thailand. She firmly believes in working in collaboration with her patients and educating them on their disease and treatment options at every visit.close

Carolyn Zic, BSN, RN, CPN

Member at Large

Registered Nurse
Comer Children’s Hospital
New Lenox, IL

Carolyn Zic currently resides in New Lenox, Illinois where she works as a Pediatric Rheumatology Nurse at Comer Children’s Hospital in the University of Chicago Medicine. She studied nursing at Madonna University and has been practicing pediatric rheumatology since 2011. In 2018, Carolyn was recognized as the Chicago area Arthritis Foundation Medical Honoree for her excellence and compassionate care to patients and their families. She firmly believes in patient advocacy and treasures the bond that she has created with her patients over the years. close