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Digital Health Content Authors and Reviewers for StayWell or Krames Consumer Health Library

Our Commitment

StayWell and Krames make a significant investment annually to medically review content and support its commitment to current high standards of accuracy. Digital health content is developed in conformance with current Practice Guidelines of government agencies and medical specialty organizations. For new content, the staff is exclusively dedicated to developing health communication solutions that are evidence-based, easy to understand, and behavioral-change focused.

Our Quality Oversight Committee meets on a quarterly basis and make updates to accommodate new medical practices and knowledge.

 

Our Medical Reviewers

Independent Contractors

The following table lists the credentials and backgrounds of independent contractors who are employed by The StayWell Company, LLC; they help develop and medically review digital health content for StayWell (also known as SCHL or StayWell Solutions® Online) or Krames Consumer Health Library (CHL). Our medical reviewers are asked to review content in their specialty to assure that stated facts and recommendations are evidence-based.

Digital health content is clinically reviewed or developed by a minimum of two clinicians and one of the clinicians is an expert or specialist in the area pertaining to the condition under review or being developed. Digital health content is medically reviewed and updated as appropriate when medical advances or new guidelines arise. Please review our Editorial Policy and Evidence-based Digital Health Content Development Policy.

Credentials of medical reviewers are verified with their state professional licensing or medical board to ensure that debarment or the suspension or revoke of licensure has not occurred. If a medical reviewer does not have a current professional license, then s/he will not perform any clinical duties until a professional license has been obtained and verified by their state licensing or medical board. After hire, the process to verify certifications and/or licenses of medical reviewers or authors occurs every 1 to 2 years based on their expiration date(s). 

List of Independent Contractors

Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH, MS

Dr. Bass is a board-certified physician who specializes in both pediatrics and internal medicine.

James G. Beckerman, MD

Dr. Beckerman is a board-certified physician who specializes in cardiology.

William J. Bogus, OD, FAAO

Dr. Bogus specializes in optometry and has a private optometric practice; National Vision Service Plan State Professional Representative; Fellow - American Academy of Optometry.

Daniel R. Brennan, MD

Dr. Brennan is a board-certified physician who specializes in pediatrics.

Carol DerSarkissian, MD

Dr. Dersarkissian is a board-certified physician who specializes in emergency medicine.

Sabrina Felson, MD

Dr. Felson is a board-certified physician who specializes in internal medicine.

Ronald J. Karlin, MD

Dr. Karlin is currently an attending emergency physician at Ascension Sacred Heart on the Gulf, Port St. Joe, FL. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.

He graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree and earned his doctor of medicine degree from the University of Kansas Medical School. He did his residency at the University of Missouri School of Medicine at Kansas City.

He has been published in this journal: Annals of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 13, Issue 6, pp. 449-55, June 1, 1984; “Septic Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis, Collective Review.

Michael Kapner, DDS

Dr. Kapner is a Dentistry Practitioner (Doctor of Dental Surgery).

Whitney A. Seltman, OD

Dr. Seltman specializes in Optometry.

Third-Party Vendor 

Verimed Healthcare Network -  http://verimedhealthcare.com/ - editorial teams (contracted by The StayWell Company, LLC) medically review and help develop digital health content for SCHL or Krames CHL. Digital health content is medically reviewed by VeriMed medical staff and their (medical reviewers) credentials and backgrounds are available upon request. For additional information, click on the following links to review VeriMed's editorial policies and procedures for health content development, review, and updates, and the credentials of their clinicians:

  1. About the Company - http://verimedhealthcare.com/our-consultants.php

  2. Medical Content Writing - http://verimedhealthcare.com/content-writing.php

  3. Medical Content Review -  http://verimedhealthcare.com/content-review.php

 

Our Clinical Reviewers, Editors, and Medical Illustrators

The following table lists the credentials and backgrounds of present (and former) StayWell employees and independent contractors (employed by The StayWell Company, LLC) who contribute to the development and medical review of digital health content on SCHL or Krames CHL.

Clinical Reviewers’ credentials are verified with their state’s professional licensing or medical board to ensure that debarment or the suspension or revoke of licensure has not occurred. If a clinical reviewer or employee does not have a current professional license, then s/he will not perform any clinical duties until a professional license has been obtained and verified by the employee’s state licensing or medical board. After hire, the process to verify certifications and/or licenses of clinical reviewers occurs every 1 to 2 years based on their expiration date(s). 

List of Independent Contractors - AND - StayWell Employees 

Trina Bellendir, MSPT, CLT

Ms. Bellendir is a certified physical therapist.

Ross J. Brakeville, PT, DPT, STC

Mr. Brakeville is a certified physical therapist.

Anne N. Clayton, BA, MPH, APRN-BC

Ms. Clayton is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specialty areas include: cardiology, cardiovascular, and public health.

Tennille Dozier, RN, BSN, RDMS

Ms. Dozier is a registered nurse who specialty areas include: pediatrics, pregnancy, childbirth, high-risk pregnancy, and high-risk newborn.

Anne Fetterman, RN, BSN

Ms. Fetterman is a registered nurse whose specialty areas include critical care, neurology, and cardiology. She is currently a nurse consultant for the Thomas Law Firm in Columbia, SC.

Ms. Fetterman earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and in nursing from Baker University in Baldwin City, KS.

Amy Myers Finke, RN, BSN

Ms. Finke is a registered nurse who specialty areas include: pediatrics, childbirth, normal newborn, high-risk newborn, and high-risk pregnancy.

Maryann Foley, RN, BSN

Ms. Foley has 30+ years of experience as a registered nurse and over 20 years as a Freelance Clinical/Developmental Editor, Clinical Consultant/ Subject Matter Expert (nursing textbook publications), and NCLEX question writing across all specialties. Ms. Foley has been a nursing instructor and specializes in the following nursing fields: medical/surgical, oncology, maternal/child/women’s health, nursing fundamentals, acute care, home care, and patient education.

Marianne Fraser, MSN, RN

Ms. Fraser has expertise in public health, gerontology, hospice, health promotion, and chronic disease management.  She also has extensive clinical experience in case management, patient education with high risk populations, health care disparities, gerontology, hospice, and health care policy.  As an educator, Marianne taught community health nursing courses in university settings and implemented both national and international public health clinical experiences in geographic areas at high risk for health problems.  In addition to her bachelor's degree in nursing, she has a master's degree in community health and cultural anthropology, and doctoral work in health policy, American national government, and biomedical ethics.

Donna Freeborn, PhD, CNM, FNP

Ms. Freeborn is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing at Brigham Young University. She is a board-certified nurse midwife and family nurse practitioner. In 2008, Ms. Freeborn received her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and has 35+ years of professional experience in health care.

Paula Goode, RN, BSN, MSN

Ms. Goode is an Application Analyst-Certified Epic ClinDoc and Stork at WellStar Health System. She has 17+ years of experience as a registered nurse in the areas of HealthcareIT, clinical informatics, labor & deliver, intensive care, and acute care nursing.

Jessica Gotwals, RN, BSN, MPH

Ms. Gotwals is a registered nurse with experience in cardiac care, oncology, diabetes education, care coordination, population health, and nursing management. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Goshen College and a Master of Public Health from Oregon Health & Science University. 

Wendy Hiller Gee, CMI, FAMI

Ms. Hiller Gee has over 30 years of experience in medical illustration, creative direction, and design, with a strong focus on health literacy and patient education. She has a Master's degree in Medical Illustration from the University of Texas Southwestern College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from San Jose State University. Wendy has been a certified medical illustrator for over 15 years. She is a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators, was a director of the AMI Board, and was the elected president of the AMI for the period 2016-2017.

Cristina Lucuski, BA

Ms. Lucuski is an editor and managed the editorial production of publications for more than a dozen healthcare clients, including multiple-versioned publications of Spanish language versions. She also served as program manager for MediMedia Managed Markets, a StayWell sister company. Before joining StayWell, Ms. Lucuski worked for NJN Public Television. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and a minor in Spanish from West Chester University in West Chester, PA.

Geri K. Metzger, BS

Ms. Metzger has 25+ years of experience in writing and editing health information for consumers. She has experience in plain language, evidence-based medicine, and consumer engagement. Geri worked at Healthwise, Inc., Mayo Clinic, OptumHealth, and WebMD. Ms. Metzger holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical communications from Ohio State University.

Tara Novick, RN, MSN

Ms. Novick has 5+ years of experience as a registered nurse in the following nursing fields: medical, surgery, pain management, patient education, and informatics. 

Daphne Pierce-Smith, MSN-FNC/P, RN

Ms. Pierce-Smith has 35+ years of professional experience in healthcare and has held several leadership and educator positions – Clinical Nurse Manager, Research Manager & Educator, Change-Agent, Research Chairperson, Pediatric Nursing Instructor, and Adjunct Faculty. In 1989, Daphne received a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner/Clinician track - and was certified as a Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC) by the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) for 20 years. In 2008, she completed a two-year certification program in healthcare management, and in 2013, she completed a federally funded program based on the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 and received a certificate as a Health Information Technology Pro-Clinician/Practitioner Consultant. Daphne was a guest researcher at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and co-authored numerous abstracts, manuscripts, and medical and nursing articles while employed at Emory University School of Medicine (EUSOM). She sat on several regulatory, academic, state, and national boards, as well as EUSOM Institutional Review Board. For several years, Daphne also sat on the Commission for Nursing Practice for Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) and wrote articles for their official publication. She is published and has been a contributing author in gastroenterology (GI) textbooks and clinical GI handbooks for 20+ years. Ms. Pierce-Smith serves as the Chairperson for the Quality Oversight Committee. 

Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CD, CDES

 Ms. Poulson is Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES – formerly CDE) with a Master of Dietetics Administration from Utah State University. She is a member of several professional organizations including, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.

Rita Sather, RN

Ms. Sather is a registered nurse who has specialized in surgical services and ambulatory care.  Rita has been a registered nurse for 35+ years and is currently working as a Legal Nurse Consultant. 

Laura Semko, MA

Ms. Semko is an editor and she helped hospitals and other clients in the healthcare field produce engaging print publications. Laura specializes in creating health content that is accessible to everyone. She also has over 5+ years’ worth of technical and scientific editing experience. She has a master’s degree in writing from DePaul University in Chicago, IL.

Dianna Sinovic, MA

Ms. Sinovic began her editorial career as a print journalist. Dianna has been an editor and reporter for newspapers in California, Kansas, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia Inquirer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master of Arts with an emphasis in science writing from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

Mandy L. Snyder, MSN, ACNP-BC

Ms. Snyder is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner who works in a Clinic/Structural Heart Program. Her specialty areas include: cardiovascular disease, cardiology, stroke, acute and chronic respiratory failure, complex wound management, thoracic critical care, pathophysiology, emergency care, and post-op care to critically ill cardiovascular patients.

Kimberly A. Stump-Sutliff, RN, MSN

 Ms. Stump-Sutliff is certified as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in Oncology. Kimberly is an associate medical editor for the American Cancer Society (ACS), Health Promotion Department in metro Atlanta. She also publishes booklets, pamphlets, and medical information for ACS.

Wanda L. Gomez Taylor, RN, PhD

Ms. Taylor has a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing and specializes in geriatrics and hospice care.

Callie Tayrien, RN, MSN, CCRN

Ms. Tayrien is a registered nurse who specializes in critical care, trauma, interventional radiology, and nursing education. She has over ten years of nursing experience. Callie has a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and is certified by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as a critical care nurse.

Kimberly Tchang, BA

Ms. Tchang is an editor. She developed and managed custom publications for hospitals and health plans. Ms. Tchang has an extensive trade and consumer magazine background and has written widely on health and wellness issues for national publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English/Writing from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.

Heather Trevino, BSN, RNC-MNN

Ms. Trevino is a certified registered nurse who manages the medical review schedule of StayWell digital health content. She is also certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing, LEAN and EPIC. Ms. Trevino has been a registered nurse for 15+ years.

Tziporah Thompson

Ms. Thompsonis is a senior medical iIllustrator. Tziporah comes highly qualified as a Certified Medical Illustrator, with a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is proficient in Illustration, 2D & 3D animation, script, and storyboard creation.

Raymond K. Turley, SR, RN, MSN

Mr. Turley, Sr. has been a registered nurse for 10+ years specializing in neurology and neurosurgery. He has a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from the University of Utah. Ray Sr. has also successfully completed a Diabetes Educator Certification Course. He manages neurology, diabetes, orthopaedics, arthritis, rehabilitation, vascular, and genitourinary digital health content (for StayWell).

Raymond K. Turley, JR, PA-C

Mr. Turley, Jr. (a.k.a.Kenny) is a certified Physician Assistant (PA). Ray Jr. has been working as a PA for 3+ years. He is currently working in general surgery and assists with surgical cases in OB/GYN. Ray Jr. also has experience in orthopedics. He attended Des Moines University in Iowa and received a master's degree in Physician Assistant studies. Ray Jr. received a Bachelor of Science at Utah State University in human movement science.

Olivia Walton-Ziegler, PA, MPAS

Ms. Walton-Ziegler is a board-certified physician assistant who specializes in internal medicine and palliative care.

L. Renée Watson, MSN-NLH, RN

Ms. Watson has been a registered nurse for 35+ years, specializing in oncology, hospice and palliative care, triage nursing, ambulatory care, healthcare quality, and medical writing. She holds both an Associate of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boise State University and a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Leadership from Gonzaga University. Renée previously sat on the Idaho Medical Board's Dietetics Licensure Board and was appointed by the governors of Idaho to two (2) terms on the idaho State Board of Nursing from 2016 to 2024.    

Brooke C. Wheeler

Ms. Wheeler has been a writer and an editor of consumer health, technology, and education content for over 20+inda years. Brooke has written hundreds of patient education articles, patient consent sheets, video scripts, and other materials, for consumer-level and low-literacy readers. Ms. Wheeler held senior editor posts at publications including BabyCenter.com, Americanbaby.com, AOL UK Health, and iVillagehealth.com. She attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Joanna Wilkins, BS, RD, CD

Ms. Wilkins is a registered and certified dietitian.

Stacey Wojcik, MBA, BSN, RN

Ms. Wojcik is a registered nurse, specializing in ambulatory care, telehealth, and neonatal intensive care.  She has a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Stacey manages cardiovascular, orthopaedic, radiology, pathology, ophthalmology, oral health, speech, physical medicine, and exercise rehabilitation digital content (for StayWell).

Derek Wu, MA

Mr. Wu is a medical illustrator. Derek has experience with both traditional illustration and 3D computer animation and modeling. He graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Molecular Environmental Biology, and from the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas with a Master of Arts in Biomedical Communications. He is a professional member of the Association of Medical Illustrators. 

Mary Ann Zapalac, MA

Ms. Zapalac is a medical illustrator. Mary Ann has 25+ years of experience as an illustrator, specializing in instructional and medical art. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art from The University of Texas in Austin and a Master of Arts in Medical Illustration from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.  

 

Reviewed and Approved by the Quality Oversight Committee: Q4 2022

Revised: June 2024

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