Meet the KSNA Board!

April 21, 2025

By: Kansas Nurses Association

The strength of the Kansas State Nurses Association lies in the dedication and leadership of its Board of Directors. These committed professionals guide our association, advocate for nurses across the state, and work tirelessly to advance the nursing profession. In this issue of The Kansas Nurse, we invite you to get to know the individuals who help shape our mission, drive important initiatives, and ensure that Kansas nurses have a strong voice.

I am Laura Mallett, a passionate nursing professional with 39 years of diverse experience in the healthcare field, specializing in Med-Surge, ICU, CCU, Trauma units, and ER settings. My journey in nursing began with a solid foundation in patient care, and I have had the privilege of working across various units during my two years of travel nursing throughout the United States. This experience allowed me to adapt quickly to different environments and understand the unique needs of patients from various backgrounds.

Transitioning to nursing education about 22 years ago marked a pivotal moment in my career. I have been fortunate to teach in both Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, where I have been able to share my knowledge and experiences with the next generation of nurses. Most recently, I was promoted to Director of Nursing at Neosho County Community College in Southeast Kansas. This role has not only allowed me to lead a department but also to cultivate an inspiring and supportive learning environment for students.

Since returning to Kansas in 2013, I have actively engaged with professional nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA). My commitment to nursing advocacy has led me to serve in various roles, including Regional Chair, Board Member, and President-Elect. Currently, I am honored to serve as the President of KSNA for another year. Additionally, I serve as the President of the Kansas Council of ADN Nurse Educators (KCADNE), where I am dedicated to enhancing the quality of nursing education in our state.

My passion lies in educating future nurses, and I’ve always believed that the strength of our profession lies in our ability to mentor and inspire those who will follow in our footsteps. I find great joy in watching my students flourish and become compassionate, skilled professionals who will make a difference in the lives of others.

When I am not immersed in my work or contributing to the nursing community, I enjoy reading, cooking, and continuously learning new things. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in religion with a focus on peace and social transformation at Graceland University, which I expect to complete in the fall of 2026. This program has allowed me to explore the intersection of healthcare, ethics, and social justice, further enriching my approach to nursing education.

Looking ahead, I hope to embark on new adventures through travel once I complete my degree. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and the opportunity to experience different cultures and healthcare systems around the world.

In summary, my journey as a nurse and educator has been both fulfilling and inspiring. I remain committed to advocating for nursing excellence and fostering an environment where future nurses can thrive, ultimately improving patient care and community health.

I’m currently an Assistant Professor for Baker University School of Nursing where I have worked since July 2022. I teach Research, EBP, & Informatics and Leadership & Management in Professional Nursing in the BSN program. I teach in the Masters program as well where I teach a variety of courses in the Leadership Track. Prior to academia I was the director for a Comprehensive Cancer Center for 16 years. I’ve held various positions and worked in various settings throughout my career.

I completed my DNP in Organizational Leadership at the University of Kansas School of Nursing in 2021. My MBA was completed at Baker University in 2009 and BSN at Washburn University in 1998.

Areas of expertise that I’ve gained through experience and education include;

Strategic leadership in healthcare
Nursing administration and operations
Quality improvement
Nursing research
Performance metrics and data analysis
Patient safety initiatives
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Leadership and team building

I’m a member of multiple nursing organizations at the local, state, and national levels. I currently serve on the Kansas State Nursing Association as Treasurer.

Julia Miller, BSN, RN, CEN, brings decades of experience and leadership to the Kansas State Nurses Association. A dedicated emergency nurse, she has been a member of the Emergency Nurses Association since 1996 and has held various leadership roles within the Kansas Emergency Nurses Association.

With a passion for education and patient safety, she has been actively involved in curriculum development, exam writing, and peer review for national nursing courses. She is a recognized expert in trauma and emergency care, serving on committees that shape best practices and policies. Her commitment extends beyond the bedside — she is an advocate for injury prevention, public health, and professional development for nurses statewide.

As KSNA’s representative on the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, Julia continues to champion initiatives that improve healthcare access and patient outcomes. Her dedication to nursing excellence and community engagement makes her a vital voice on the board.

Linda Moody is an accomplished nursing professional, educator, and healthcare leader with extensive experience across acute care hospital settings, academia, and healthcare management. Currently an Associate Teaching Professor at Wichita State University, Linda teaches healthcare leadership, strategic planning, healthcare finance, quality improvement, and health informatics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She is also deeply involved in advancing nursing practice through her work chairing and contributing to numerous Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) scholarly projects. In addition to her academic role, Linda serves as a Core Measure and Trauma Registry Abstractor for Parallon, HCA Corporation, and is a certified online course reviewer with Quality Matters.

Linda holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Organizational Leadership from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University, blending clinical expertise with strong leadership and business acumen.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles in various hospital settings, including obstetrics, neonatal, medical/surgical, and women’s health. A passionate advocate for the nursing profession, Linda is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives, and will serve as President-elect for the Kansas State Nurses Association in 2025. Committed to community service, Linda volunteers with organizations like Special Olympics and the YMCA and contributes to healthcare initiatives like Wichita’s Medical Mission @ Home.

Dr. Terri Shill has a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Arizona, Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Texas A & M University and has been a nurse educator since 2005. Her nursing practice background includes adult medical-surgical and primarily cardiology nursing (telemetry step-down, cardiac catheterization lab, cardiac rehab). She has served in nursing leadership-management as nursing director of various acute-care nursing units (cardiac critical care, telemetry step-down, thoracic/pulmonary, renal, general surgery) and a cardiac rehab out-patient program. Dr. Shill’s academic background in nursing education includes teaching in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Wichita State University and teaches in the graduate nursing program.

Dr. Shill’s research and practice interests focus on promoting the well-being of vulnerable populations, especially those with chronic, challenging health conditions such as type I/type II diabetes, as well as cancer and cardiovascular conditions. Her other interests include health promotion, disease prevention strategies and practices, holistic care, and applying theory to nursing practice and research. Dr. Shill serves as a Board Member for the Kansas State Nurses Association and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the Kansas State Nurses Association.

Pia Spitzer is currently the Vice President of KSNA and she brings in years of experience from various health care settings and nursing levels. She has been a front-line clinician in Neuro- DOU, Telemetry, Orthopedics, Medical-Surgical, Sub-acute and Home Health. She advanced to multiple leadership positions such as Department Director, Educator, Regional Consultant, and up to Chief Nurse Executive. She currently works as an Adjunct Nursing Instructor for Mid America Nazarene University and also as a PRN support for the Quality Management department at an Inpatient Rehab hospital where she was previously the Director. Pia is also the CEO of Wise Alliance Consulting, which is a legal nurse consulting firm that specializes in supporting attorneys who litigate in medical malpractice that involves nurses. Her nurse expertise in litigation includes elder abuse, neglect, untimely deaths, falls, infections, medication errors, aspirations, wounds and other matters where nursing is involved. She is passionate about educating nurses on the importance of safe clinical judgments that reflect quality of care. Pia is a busy mom to her 13-year-old son David, and 9-year-old Kiara, who has Down’s Syndrome. She is married to her husband Shawn, who is a retired Marine Sniper, who now manages a ministry to the veterans. In her spare time, she loves spending time and praying with her family, enjoys kickboxing, taking walks, and visiting new places.

Association Involvements:

Kansas State Nurses Association – Vice President American Nurses Association – Member Warriors Faith Ministry – Board of Directors
American Institute of Healthcare Professionals – Member American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants – Member

Susan Stark, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC

Susan is currently the Administrative Director of Professional Practice at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. Overseeing administration operations for multiple departments, including communications, regulatory requirements, outcome management and facilitating highly effective teams across multiple disciplines. Adept at process improvement strategies, outcome improvement and developing policies and procedures in alignment with clinical, corporate and regulatory requirements.

Remarkable communication, analytical and time management abilities. Leadership philosophy of innovation, transparency and open communication to facilitate inclusion, diversity and shared decision making. She is currently the Secretary for KSNA starting her second term.

Dr. Angie Storrer is a highly accomplished nursing professional with extensive clinical and academic experience. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Kansas, along with a Master of Science in Nursing as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University, Dr. Storrer has cultivated a career dedicated to advancing patient care and nursing education. Her clinical expertise spans roles such as ICU Nurse, Labor and Delivery Nurse, and Nurse Practitioner in acute and surgical settings, while her academic contributions focus on teaching undergraduate and graduate students critical care and evidence-based practice at Wichita State University.

In addition to their professional roles, Dr. Storrer is actively engaged in the nursing community as a Board Member of the Kansas State Nurses Association and a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses. They are certified as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and Registered Professional Nurse and volunteer with Phoenix Hospice, providing compassionate end-of-life care. Dr. Storrer combines a passion for teaching, a commitment to patient-centered care, and active participation in professional organizations to make significant contributions to the field of nursing.