The Copper Ridge Institute

Biography

Wanda began her career in health care working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. During that time, she found great fulfillment in working with older residents which motivated her to seek education to become a licensed nurse – first as a licensed practical nurse, and then as a registered nurse, completing her bachelor’s degree at Towson University.  Wanda has been a nurse for over 30 years, and has devoted most of that to long-term care nursing. She has held both clinical and administrative positions.  As a Director of Nursing, she was the founder and first president of the Maryland Chapter of the National Association for Directors of Nursing/Long-term Care (NADONA/LTC). She was also inducted into the national nursing honor society in recognition of her work in promoting a positive image for long-term care.  She has maintained certification in gerontological nursing since 1987. In 2006, she obtained a Master’s degree in the Studies in Aging program at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, where she received the Academic Achievement Award, and was inducted into Sigma Phi Omega, the National Academic and Professional Society in Gerontology.  Wanda has continued her work in the field of long-term care, most recently in the roles of consultant and educator. She has delivered a number of professional presentations, both locally and nationally. In recent years, she co-authored a textbook specifically for nursing assistants working in long-term care, which was published by Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins in 2009. She is currently serving as clinical faculty for the nursing program at Towson University for Leadership and Management, in addition to her role as faculty and consultant with The Copper Ridge Institute, specializing in dementia care and behavioral management. 

Education

• College of Notre Dame of Maryland, MA