MDAC 2025 VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT:
Advancing Nursing Excellence through Innovation and Leadership

Dr. Crystal DeVance-Wilson is a board-certified public health clinical nurse specialist with 30 years of experience working in acute care and community settings with diverse populations. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing where she has been employed for the past 14 years teaching in the graduate and undergraduate programs. Dr. DeVance-Wilson is the Vice-Chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing at the Universities at Shady Grove department and also serves as the Director of the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center where she works to address issues affecting Maryland nurses, nursing students, schools of nursing, and healthcare organizations. Dr. DeVance-Wilson is a member of several national organizations including the Association for Public Health Nurse Educators (ACHNE), American Public Health Association (APHA) and Sigma Theta Tau (STT). As a member she has served on committees, delivered podium and poster presentations, and collaborated on publications. In addition to national committee membership, she has been elected or appointed to several University of Maryland School of Nursing committees including Chair of the Faculty Council. Dr. DeVance-Wilson has also held leadership positions in several community organizations and is currently the Immediate Past Chair of the Montgomery County Commission on Health. Dr. DeVance-Wilson’s research interests include Black men’s health, health policy, and health disparities.

Tracie Risling RN, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary, the Vice-President of the Canadian Nurses Association and the Past-President of the Canadian Nursing Informatics Association. With a practice background in pediatric nursing, Tracie leads a patient-oriented program of health and nursing informatics research including study on artificial intelligence, social media, co-design, and the use of texting for wellness and workforce support. She is a passionate advocate for increased nursing engagement in the development, use, and evaluation of digital health solutions.

Kimberly Ford is the Assistant Grant Administrator for Nurse Support Program II (NSP II), which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). Previously, she served as the Grant Coordinator for MHEC's Office of Student Financial Assistance on the federal Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) scholarship grant. Prior to working at MHEC, Kim worked as a research and budget analyst at the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC) and the Maryland Independent College & University Association (MICUA). While working for MACC, she helped administer federal grant funds to each community college in Maryland to purchase nursing simulation equipment. Along with receiving her Bachelor of Science in Management in Non-Profit Organizations with a concentration in Political Science and Government from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 1992, she worked on State Senatorial Scholarships for nurses and teachers during her college internship in the Maryland legislature. She has worked on all of the NSP II Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) workshops with the National League for Nursing since 2018, with 29 years of higher education experience in grants management, financial aid, advocacy and research.

Dr. Susan Finlayson is recognized as a national expert on leadership development and strategic planning. She has over 30 years of Patient Care and Operational experience and is currently Senior Vice President of Operations at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. During her tenure at Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Finlayson was responsible for attaining Magnet Status Recognition, moving into a brand new hospital as well as having Mercy be recognized as one of the top hospitals in Maryland. Dr. Finlayson was a part-time instructor at Johns Hopkins University, where she received her Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree, and is certified in gamification from the University of Pennsylvania. She has published several articles on leadership development, Magnet and gamification and co-authored the book, Fundamentals of Magnet Toolkit. She has presented locally, regionally and at many national and international conferences on the use of gaming and virtual reality in healthcare. Because of her many outstanding achievements in the nursing profession, Dr. Finlayson was recognized twice as one of the top 100 Women in Maryland.

Dr. Laura Schenk is the Grant Administrator for Nurse Support Program II (NSP II), which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and funded by the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). Previously, she worked as an Academic Progression Coordinator and an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Harford Community College, where she gained experience as a Course Coordinator, NSP II Project Director, and Interim Dean. Along with receiving her Bachelor and Masters of Science in Nursing from Stevenson University, Dr. Schenk graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Leadership from Salisbury University in December of 2022. She is an active registered nurse with a clinical background in orthopedic/medical-surgical nursing and community health. She is also a certified nurse educator (CNE) with 9 years of teaching experience in the classroom, clinical, and simulation/lab settings.