On this page:
Sandra Amamoo-Kakra | Belinda D. Avila | Anita H. Ben | Iman Clinton | Myra Henley | Jennifer L. Jabara | Deldelker James | Heather Rizzo | Yvonne Rowe | Sharon Sawyer | Nilka Schulman | Linda Tondreau | Elizabeth (Betsy) Wendell
Sandra Amamoo-Kakra, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, Blood Services Section, ICU Critical Care
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
MSN, Clinical Nurse Leader, University of Maryland School of Nursing, USA
B.A. (Hons) Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Email: sandra.amamoo-kakra@nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-8128
Biosketch:
Sandra Amamoo-Kakra is currently the Nurse Manager of Blood Services Section (BSS) at the NIH, Clinical Center Department of Transfusion Medicine. Previously, she served as the BSS Clinical Educator and later as Clinical Manager for the Donor and Research Blood Program. She provides oversight of operations in BSS, ensuring the provision of safe clinical and research services for NIH Clinical Center patients as well as blood donors and healthy volunteers. In this capacity, she assures compliance with regulations and accreditation standards to foster an environment that prioritizes the delivery of safe and competent care to patients; and provides blood components to NIH intramural investigators for in vitro research.
Sandra Amamoo-Kakra earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD, and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Law and English from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. Her prior work experience includes Postpartum, Labor & Delivery and High-Risk Perinatal Care. Prior to her nursing career, Ms. Amamoo-Kakra worked with the Food and Nutrition Board at the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) as a Program Associate.
Belinda D. Avila, CRCST
Supervisor, Sterile Processing Section
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees/Certification
Graduated from Accredited Surgical Technologist School Naval School of Health Science Portsmouth, Virginia (Surgical Technologist)
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
Email: Belinda.avila@nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-4096
Biosketch:
Belinda Avila is currently the Sterile Processing Supervisor at the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Center (CC) in the Nursing Department. In this capacity, she is responsible for first line supervision of all central sterile activities including staff scheduling, shift management, creating and implementing staff orientation, conducting staff training, preparing continuing education for staff members. Ms. Avila also coordinates and monitors all central sterile processing functions such as decontamination, preparation, packaging, sterilization of surgical instruments, high level disinfection of medical of flexible scopes, probes, and medical devices, ordering of all sterile processing supplies and equipment, and coordination of the pickup of dirty and drop off of all instruments that have been sterilized or high level disinfected back to the customer.
Ms. Avila joined NIH in 2005 since that time she has led several major initiatives to include building a Materials and Inventory Control module for the department's Perioperative Information System resulting in the development of par levels and re-order points for over 4,000 materials, as well as surveillance metrics for operating room equipment, surgical instruments, and drugs. She also led an initiative to introduce Prime Vendor to the Operating Rooms ordering mechanisms. This program is a streamlined acquisition method whereby Prime Vendor contractors maintain stock of various contracted items, such as surgical supplies, and offer items from multiple contractors under a single order. The program reduced the amount of man power and paper work associated with placing an order for a surgical item that is ordered on a weekly basis and is over the government spending thresh hold of $3,000 at the time. The program also reduced the amount of overnight orders and instances where supplies have had to be borrowed from other hospitals.
Prior to joining NIH, Ms. Avila served in the United States Navy as Surgical Technologist and Supply Petty Officer for the Operating Room at the National Naval Medical Center. During this time, she deployed once as part of Baltic Challenge - a multinational military exercise in the Baltic Sea near Lithuania on board the USNS Comfort (TAH-20) Hospital Ship – and again as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom on board the USNS Comfort (TAH-20) Hospital Ship.
Anita H. Ben, DNP, CNML, RN
Nurse Manager, 1NW, 1NWDH, 1H Peds Clinic
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, Christian Medical College, India
MSN, Christian Medical College, India
DNP, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD
Email: anita.ben@nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-1212
Biosketch:
Anita Ben is currently the Nursing Manager for Pediatrics nursing units at the NIH, Clinical Center. Dr. Ben provides oversight of the daily operations, planning and advising of the programs of care within her specialty areas. She works closely with the multidisciplinary teams and Institutes within her service and directs the agenda for the pediatric programs of care regarding clinical research nursing.
Dr. Ben earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, MD, with a focus on Executive Leadership. Dr. Ben's research focus was on reducing hospital readmissions among Older Adults.
Dr. Ben has extensive years of leadership experience in various hospital settings. The most recent one as the Nurse Manager, overseeing Oncology unit, Infusion center and Vascular Access team. Dr. Ben has worked as part-time faculty at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She has served in various committees Magnet Steering committee, Pathway to excellence, Hospital Construction and Renovation Project, Patient Safety council, to name a few. Dr. Ben brings extensive leadership and teaching experience to the organization with a vision to build a highly motivated and resilient team focused on quality patient outcomes.
Iman Clinton, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, General Medicine/Metabolic/Medical/Telemetry/Surgical Services/Special Clinical Studies Unit
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, Coppin State University
MSN, Stevenson University
Email: iman.clinton@nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-1579
Biosketch:
Iman Clinton is the Nurse Manager of the Medical/Surgical Unit, Metabolic Unit/Suites, Medical Surgical Day Hospital, and Dialysis Unit. Iman provides oversight of the day-to-day operations of the programs of care on her units. She provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to staff. Iman works closely with the programs of care stakeholders and Institute Partners to optimize patient safety and clinical research. She collaborates with other leaders and stakeholders within the Clinical Center to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
Iman Clinton earned her Masters of Science Degree in Nursing Leadership and Management from Stevenson University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. Iman is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD. She has many years of cardiac, medical surgical, infectious disease, clinical research, and leadership experience. Iman is extremely passionate about mentorship and nursing leadership. Her mission is to include nurse leadership in all aspects and arenas of nursing whether formal or informal.
Myra Henley, MSN, RN, CSSM, CNOR
Nurse Manager, Operating Room
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
MSN, Aspen University, Phoenix, AZ
Email: myra.henley@nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-8466
Biosketch:
Myra Henley is the Nurse Manager for the Operating Room. Ms. Henley provides oversight of the operations and program of care within her specialty area. Ms. Henley provides supervision, leadership and guidance to staff including registered nurses, surgical technologists, direct care and administrative staff. Ms. Henley works closely with multidisciplinary teams within and external to her service to optimize patient safety and support clinical research. She collaborates with other leaders and stakeholders throughout the Clinical Center and Institutes to achieve effective and optimal patient experience, outcomes, and satisfaction.
Ms. Henley earned her Masters of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Informatics from Aspen University, Phoenix, AZ and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Hampton University, Hampton, VA. Ms. Henley is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Aspen University in Phoenix, AZ. Ms. Henley has enjoyed a well-rounded career in perioperative nursing and has many years of experience in critical care, medical-surgical and community health nursing within various hospital settings. Ms. Henley's passions include nurse leadership, professional development with a focus on mentorship, recruitment and retention and creating an environment that supports staff development, promotes diversity, ensures equity and encourages inclusion. Ms. Henley holds two specialty certifications, Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM), and Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR). As a strong advocate for professional certification, Ms. Henley led her operating room team to recognition as a CNOR Strong facility since 2020 and was instrumental in the operating room-NIH CC winning the 2022 CCI-TrueNorth Award that exhibits the highest standards in perioperative certification excellence.
Jennifer L. Jabara, DNP, RN, CPN-BC, NE-BC
Nurse Educator, Nursing Professional Development
LCDR, United States Public Health Service
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, The Pennsylvania State University State College, PA
MSN, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
DNP, Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
Email: jennifer.jabara@nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-3954
Biosketch:
Dr. Jennifer Jabara is a Nurse Educator in the Office of Nursing Professional Development. Dr Jabara is recognized as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Pediatric Nurse (CPN-BC).
Dr. Jabara earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, with a focus on organizational leadership and interprofessional education, a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University with a focus in health care systems administration and nursing education, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Jabra's clinical experience includes oncology, hematology, bone marrow transplant, pediatrics, and end-of-life care.
Dr. Jabara serves as the NIH Clinical Center simulation coordinator, bringing together interprofessional teams for high-fidelity simulation experiences.
Dr. Jabara coordinates the IV/Blood Workshop, the Fundamentals of Clinical Research curriculum, the Genetics and Genomics curriculum, the coordinating council education series, and manages the Absorb learning management system.
Deldelker James, MSN, RN, OCN, BMTCN
Nurse Manager,
Hematology Oncology Day Hospital & Medical Oncology Inpatient Care Unit
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI
MSN, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
Email: jamesdel@cc.nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-1149
Biosketch:
Deldelker James is the Nurse Manager for the 3SE Hematology-Oncology Day Hospital and the 3SEN Medical Oncology Inpatient Unit which includes two Hospice suites. She provides daily oversight for the operations and planning of the program of care within her specialty area, ensuring the provision of safe clinical and research care for Clinical Center patients. In her capacity, she provides leadership, guidance, and supervision to staff to include Team Leads, Clinical Research Nurses, Patient Care Technicians, and Support Staff.
Del obtained her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Leadership, Management, and Education from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan. She has worked in the areas of Medical Surgical, Rehabilitation, Emergency Medicine, Hospice, Bone Marrow Transplant and Oncology. She has also fulfilled diverse roles such as Clinical Educator, Clinical Manager, Team Lead and Supervisory Nurse. Del has two specialty certifications, Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) and Bone Marrow Transplant Certified Nurse (BMTCN).
Del is extremely passionate about mentorship, nurse retention and recognition.
Heather Rizzo, MSN, RN, NE-BC, ONC
Nurse Manager, Staffing and Workforce Planning
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
ADN, College of Health Sciences
BSN, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ
MSN, South University, Savannah, GA
Email: heather.rizzo@nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-1254
Biosketch:
Heather Rizzo is the Nurse Manager for the Staffing and Workforce Planning Office and was the previous Nurse Manager for 7SWN Neuroscience inpatient unit at the NIH, Clinical Center. Heather Rizzo provides oversight of the operations, planning and advising for the supplemental staff, contract nurses as well as contract medical support associates. She works closely with the nursing leadership to ensure that the staffing office is providing the necessary support staff to ensure staff patient care.
Heather earned her Master of Science in Nursing from South University with a focus in Nursing Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix in Phoenix Arizona. Heather was previously the Clinical Director of a surgical unit at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. She has additional prior experience as the Nurse Manager of a medical unit at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Heather has two specialty certifications, Orthopedic Nurses Certification (ONC) and Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC).
Yvonne Rowe DrPH, MS, RN, IBCLC
Nurse Manager, Area OP1 (Dental Clinic), OP 5 (Neurology/ENT), OP 9 (Medical Surgical), and 5SWDH (Day Hospital)
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
MS, Healthcare Leadership/Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
DrPH: Public Health, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
Email: yvonne.rowe@nih.gov
Phone: 301-402-7142
Biosketch:
Dr. Yvonne Rowe, DrPH, MS, RN, IBCLC is currently the Nursing Manager for OP1 (Dental Clinic), OP 5 (Neuro/ENT), OP9 (Medical Surgical) and 5SWDH (Day Hospital) at the NIH, Clinical Center. Dr. Rowe provides overall supervision of the operations, planning and guiding of the programs of care within her specialty areas. She works closely with the multidisciplinary teams within her service to improve human health.
Dr. Rowe earned her Doctor of Public Heath (DrPH) from Walden University, a Master of Science with a focus in healthcare Leadership and Education from The University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD. She previously served as the Clinical Operational Manager for Kaiser Permanente Gaithersburg, Maryland. Dr. Rowe has additional prior experience as Maternal Child Health Leader, Lactation Consultant. Co-Chair for Black at KP MidAtlantic Region (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Dr. Rowe’s leadership training at Kaiser Permanente and her multiple awards—including the Daisy Nurse Leadership Award 2022, and the Culture of Health and Wellness Award—demonstrate her unwavering commitment to patient-centered care and team collaboration, and relationship-based care and nursing leadership. Dr. Rowe remains dedicated to advancing healthcare excellence and creating supportive environments for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Sharon Sawyer, MBA, MSA, RN
Nurse Manger, Alcohol & Addictions, Neuroscience & Sleep Lab, Pediatric & Adult Behavioral Health
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BA, University of Missouri Kansas-City, Kansas City, MO
BSN, Rockhurst University/Research College of Nursing, Kansas City, MO
MA, Webster University, Kansas City, MO
MBA, Webster University, Kansas City, MO
Email: sharon.sawyer@cc.nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-0315
Biosketch:
Sharon Sawyer is the Nurse Manager for Alcohol and Addictions area (1SE and 1H Alcohol Clinic) and Neuroscience and Sleep Lab unit (7SWN). As the Nurse Manager, she oversees the daily inpatient and outpatient services of a behavioral health unit and clinic dedicated to alcohol use disorder research, as well as an inpatient unit dedicated to individuals with neurological disorders and epilepsy.
Ms. Sawyer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri Kansas-City in 1994, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rockhurst University/Research College of Nursing in 1999, a Master of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Webster University in 2005 and her Master of Business Administration from Webster University in 2007. She previously served as the Associate Chief of Mental Health at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in Kansas City, MO. Ms. Sawyer has additional prior experience as an Executive Director at RSI, Program Director at Truman Medical Center, a Program Manager at Truman Medical Center, Director at Harmon Diabetes Center, Director of Surgical Services at Research Medical Center and Surgical Services Manager at Miami County Hospital. Two quotes serve as Ms. Sawyer's daily professional philosophies, as a nurse and as a leader. They are the following: Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around (Leo Buscaglia). Have a heart than never hardens, and a temper that never tires and a touch that never hurts (Charles Dickens).
Nilka Schulman, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager, Pre and Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Interventional Radiology (IR)
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
AS, Daytona State, Daytona Beach, FL
BSN, Chamberlin College of Nursing, IL
MSN, Walden University, MN
Email: Nilka.Schulman@nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-7137
Biosketch:
Nilka Schulman is the Nursing Manager for Pre- and Post-Anesthesia Care unit and Interventional Radiology, including the Radiology IV Room. Ms. Schulman provides operational oversight of patient care delivery system, support clinical research, and patient care goals met within the specialty areas. She works closely with the multidisciplinary teams within her areas to implement systems that support recruitment, retention, development, and career progression within the workforce.
Nilka Schulman earned a Master's of Science in Nursing with a specialty in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN) from Walden University in Minneapolis Minnesota, a Bachelors in Science in Nursing from Chamberlin College of Nursing in Addison, Illinois. She previously served as the Emergency Department Director for Adventist Health in Florida. Ms. Schulman has additional prior experience in various areas of nursing Intensive Care Unit, labor and Delivery, Newborn Nursery, Pediatrics, Telemetry, Transitional Care Unit, and Intermediate Care Unit. During her tenure at Adventist Health she revolutionized delivery of emergency care with “Zero Wait Times”, “30 min Door to Provider”, Chest Pain Center accreditation, and 12 EKG transmission from field to Emergency Department collaboration with Flagler County Emergency Services. Ms. Schulman's research interest are the use of analytics data to streamline healthcare.
Linda Tondreau, MHA, RN, BSN
Nurse Manager, Procedure Services, Medical Oncology Clinic & Dermatology Clinic & Adult Medical & Surgical Oncology
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland
MHA, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Email: ltondreau@cc.nih.gov
Phone: 301-451-0531
Biosketch:
Linda Tondreau is the Nurse Manager for 3 SWN/ Procedure Services and 5 NE- N / Diagnostic Testing, and Ambulatory Clinics: OP12 and OP13. As the Nurse Manager, she manages a comprehensive procedural unit offering non-sedating and moderate conscious sedation services, which includes bronchoscopy, endoscopy, cardiac catherization and vascular access device(s) insertion utilizing ultrasound. On 5NE-N, she manages the cardiac diagnostic testing unit, which includes Exercise stress tests, liaison to the Research teams in ECHO and Pulmonary Function procedures. As of November 2015, provides support for procedures with anesthesia support (DPM) in both pediatrics and adults.
Linda started her nursing career as a Trauma/ Critical Care Nurse in 1993, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. From 1993 until 2001, she worked in various ICU settings, PACU and Operating room. She came to NIH in September 2001 to join the Surgical ICU team as a Clinical Research Nurse. In 2009, she became the Clinical Manager for 3 SWN/ Procedure Services. Linda has been very passionate about Performance improvement initiatives and/ or projects at the unit level. She was an active participant in the Shared Governance model in the Clinical Center Nursing Department as the Chair of Performance Improvement Committee. She was co-author on two publications related to the Domain of Practice in the specialty of Clinical Research Nursing: Delineating Clinical Research Nursing Practice: Results of a Role Delineation Study, 2011, Clinical and Translational Science and Validating the Clinical Research Nursing Domain of Practice,2011, Oncology Nursing Forum.
Elizabeth (Betsy) Wendell, MS, BSN, RN, OCN
Nurse Manager, Ambulatory care clinics: Cardiology, Pulmonology and Hematology; Infectious Diseases; Ophthalmology; Allergy/Immunology/Infectious Diseases and Genetic Eye Disease; and the Vaccine Research Center
NIH Clinical Center Nursing Department
Academic Degrees
BSN, University of Maryland at Baltimore, MD
MS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Email: wendelle@cc.nih.gov
Phone: 301-402-0282
Biosketch:
Elizabeth Wendell is Nurse Manager for multiple ambulatory care clinics and the Vaccine Research Center. In this role, she provides supervision and leadership to 40 Full Time Equivalents or FTEs. She is involved in resource management, operational oversight, and strategic planning for multiple ambulatory care clinics. She collaborates extensively with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Eye Institute, and the National Institute for Allergy Infectious Disease to plan and institute new protocols while ensuring the highest level of clinical and research care. She works closely with multiple interdisciplinary teams to provide continuous quality improvement for patients, staff, and research teams.
Elizabeth Wendell, earned her Master of Science degree in health care administration at the University of Maryland College Park, MD. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Campus. She additionally has certification as an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN). She has completed certification as a Six Sigma Green Belt in Performance Improvement.
Elizabeth Wendell, has served as a Primary Nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Washington Hospital Center. She also served as the Director of Intensive Care and has many years of critical care experience. She changed her focus to oncology nursing and served as the Nurse Manager for an inpatient oncology and hospice unit and infusion center. She has multiple years of experience in ambulatory care focused on improving patient outcomes. She has experience leading multiple performance improvement projects in multiple different hospital environments. Her research focus is relationship centered care, social determents of wellness, and pain management.