Attention WOCN members! The North Central WOCN region was presented a donation for $2000 in memory of Frances Demo through her estate to be distributed to an up-and-coming WOCN nurse. In her will, Frances specifically requested distribution of the funds to a person in the process of obtaining WOCN certification. The preference is that it be a Wisconsin resident.
The next application cycle for funding will close November 1, 2024. Please encourage anyone currently enrolled in a WOCN program to apply. If you know someone who is contemplating enrollment, now is the time. We will need proof of enrollment in a WOCN tri-certification program sent along with the application. 1 applicant from Wisconsin will be selected to receive the additional $2000 memorial grant. If we do not get an applicant from Wisconsin this cycle, we will hold the funds for one more application cycle. If we receive more than 1 applicant that meets all the requirements, the NCR WOCN board members will evaluate and vote on the recipient.
Includes applications for partial assistance with:
- Accredited (WOC) Nursing Education Program
Completed scholarship application to be submitted by applicant to aprilqnpc@gmail.com.
The nominations will be confidential in the sense that the reviewer will not know who is applying.
The State Representatives will present their recommendation for scholarship award distribution to the board at the next scheduled board meeting following the scholarship application deadline. The board will then vote on distribution of scholarship funds.
Note** Any applicant applying for a scholarship from the North Central Region is also eligible to apply for a scholarship from the WOCN National Office. The North Central Region encourages applicants to apply for both to assist in their education process.
Application must be received by the NCR-WOCN Professional/Clinical Practice Chair by:
November 1st or May 1st
Accredited (WOC) Nursing Education Program (MS Word .doc format)
Inaugural recipient of the Frances Demo Memorial and NCR Scholarship for tri-certification
Sarah Buccheri came to nursing as a second career from the arts and teaching film/video production at several Wisconsin colleges. Her first job as a nurse started in May of 2020, as a home health visit nurse, and soon after, an RN case manager. It was in patients’ homes that she fell for wound, ostomy, and continence nursing, enjoying both the holistic and localized nature of the practice. She particularly enjoyed collaborating with interdisciplinary care team members to achieve patients’ WOC and home health goals. She graduated from Emory University’s online WOCN program in January of 2024 and is excited to become fully certified. She is thankful to her preceptors, Janice Erbe-Gorsky and Jessica Held for their kindness and devotion to teaching, and to colleague Cristina Wu-Zimmer, who always takes time to provide experience and learning during busy work days. Currently she works at the inpatient spinal cord injury center at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, where her favorite day is Wednesday, skin rounds day!
Frances
Extensive experience across the healthcare continuum, to include hospitals, long term care, home care and industry. Have held administrative, clinical, and educational positions. A strong background in WOCN (wound, ostomy, continence nursing), a role requiring independence and creativity. Position responsibilities have included but were not limited to: patient care, department management, revising and creating policies, developing product formularies with a focus on cost containment, marketing, meeting the responsibilities of committee membership and learning codes & regulations necessary to meet patient and facility needs. My experiences have taught me flexibility, patience and the ability to adapt to the challenges of the opportunities that were presented to me.
A dependable leader with a talent for motivating clinicians, patients, families and colleagues. Experienced in building relationships among the healthcare team.
Successful record of department management to create an environment of teamwork, professional growth and cost effective, quality care in ever changing healthcare environment.
Specialties: Wound and Ostomy Care; Management; Case Management
Dallas Hepper
Congratulations Dallas Hepper on your selection for the WOCN program reimbursement funds. She is triple certified and working for Vibra Hospital in Fargo.
I started as a certified nurse aid in a nursing home in Grand Forks. In that location, I worked with nurses that loved to teach and I was curious to learn. After about a year, I decided to move back to Fargo, ND for the nursing school opportunities. I attended Rasmussen and got my RN. I worked at Bethany during this time and for about a year after obtaining my RN license, I worked as a night nurse. I was told about Vibra from one of my co-workers and decided that I wanted more clinical practice, so I applied. I was looking to either get a job in labor and delivery or general med/surg. Vibra offered me the job first. I worked for Vibra on the floor for about a year when the CNO came to me and asked if I was interested in taking a Wound Treatment Associate (WTA) course. I was always interested in wounds after starting at Vibra and would ask the wound nurses then questions and collaborate with them on the patient’s care. After completing the course, I worked with wound coordinator, Nikki Fischer-Buchholz RN CWON, as one of the wound nurses. During this time, I completed my BSN and a Web WOC course to obtain my WOCN.
– Dallas Hepper RN BSN CWOCN
