Board of Directors

Jen is a trauma CNS at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She obtained her doctorate at Radford University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has experience serving as President of the ENA in both Pennsylvania and Virginia, Secretary of the Tau Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, as Director at Large on the VNA, and many others. She is passionate about advancing the role of the CNS in Virginia.

Dr. Ellen M. Harvey is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. She has recognized expertise in neuroscience, trauma, critical and acute care. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on the essential role of the nurse in team performance and prevention of failure to rescue and on CNS impact on advancing evidence-based practice. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to critical care, Ellen was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Critical Care Medicine. In 2021, she received the prestigious ANCC Magnet Nurse of Year Award for Empirical Outcomes for her CNS leadership of a nurse-driven team to sustain a health-system’s external ventricular device-related infection rate at zero. In 2025, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing for major contributions to health policy, research, and practice. She is enthusiastically committed to the development of students and interprofessionals in healthcare, mentoring individuals practicing across the country. Ellen serves as a volunteer in multiple professional and community organizations. As CNS community leader, Ellen promotes wellness throughout the southwestern Virginia region as a licensed animal therapy handler with her labradors Sheena and Herman.

Sarra Wildermuth, MSN, RN, ACCNS-AG is a Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist at ECU Health in Greenville, North Carolina. She specializes in the care of patients with epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and stroke; with a focus on evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Sarra maintains strong professional connections to Virginia, where she worked as a bedside nurse for five years and earned her Clinical Nurse Specialist degree from Old Dominion University. She is passionate about supporting the VACNS organization and remains dedicated to enhancing collaboration among CNSs in both North Carolina and Virginia.

Shelly is a CNS at Bon Secours Mercy Health – St Mary’s Hospital. She is an Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist who practices as a CNS with the Program for Diabetes Health She is passionate about assisting in managing complex hospitalized patients living with diabetes and supporting them in continuing to manage their chronic disease. She has been a practicing CNS for almost 3 years and is ready to represent and add her voice to support the working Virginia CNSs throughout the state.