Joy Elwell has served on The NPA’s Board of Directors since 1998 – as Membership, and Government Relations Chairs, and as Chair of the Board in 2002, and 2008. She was selected as the Nancy J. Macintyre NP of the Year Award winner in 2007, and received the AANP’s State Award for Excellence in 2003. She earned her DNP in 2006; her doctoral work focused on eliminating barriers to NP practice. She is the Practice Area Consultant to the ACNP.

Dr. Elwell directs the Primary Care Center at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, serving students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding communities. She maintains a private practice at that site. She directs the Parish Health Ministry at the Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville, NY.

Ralphene Matuszewski has served as Treasurer 2006-2007, prior to that has been a Regional representative for Region 5 and has been a member of the convention committee. Ralphene has been an active member of the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter for many years. Ralphene works for New York Presbyterian Payne Whitney Westchester as the Manager of OHS and the NPs. Ralphene lives in Putnam Valley with her husband Robert and has three daughters and three grandchildren. Ralphene received her Masters of Science in Nursing from Pace University in 1994.

Dr. Marion R. Golden has served as the Long Island Regional Representative of the NPA for the last three years. Dr. Golden owns North Country Family Practice where she provides primary care to the community in Wading River, New York. She lives in Wading River with her husband John and their three sons.  She received a Doctorate of Nursing degree from Rush University in 2003 and a Master of Science in Nursing from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1996.

Scott has been a nurse practitioner for 15 years and has been a member of the NPA for more than 10 years. Currently, he is working in a large pediatric practice in Kingston where he provides primary pediatric care as well as supervises the 20+ nurses of the organization. Scott has been married for 16 years and has two teenaged boys. Their hobbies include camping, kayaking, and BBQ.  Scott’s philosophy about the NP profession and healthcare is that “Healthcare is the balance of art and science. I have learned the science, but as an NP, include the art.”

A seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in healthcare in both the private and public sectors, Seth Gordon has held several senior level positions in healthcare policy and management. He brings extensive Association experience to the position including that with the Healthcare Association New York State (HANYS). His accomplishments are numerous including a White House meeting to discuss healthcare reform with then, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. Seth holds a B.S. degree in healthcare administration, as well as M.P.A. in healthcare policy from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He has received several advocacy awards including Honorary Nurse Practitioner Alumnus from the State University at Buffalo, School of Nursing, and is the recipient of the ACNP’s 2005 Koehler Legislative Advocacy Award for outstanding political and legislative leadership. This year will mark the 10th year of service to The NPA as its Chief Executive.

Connie Pasternak is an NP for Evercare in Buffalo, N.Y. Specializing in Geriatrics, she coordinates health care services and provides primary and palliative care to elderly residents in long term care. She obtained her BSN, magna cum laude, in 1999 from the University at Buffalo, and her MS in Adult Health along with a Post Master’s Certificate in Geriatrics in 2002. Connie is Board Certified in Adult Health. She is a member of the NCGNP, and has been an active member on the Board of the NPA of WNY for the past 5 years, serving on committees, as Treasurer, President-elect, and as President for the past 2 years. Her clinical training includes geriatrics, dermatology, neurosurgery, head and spinal cord rehabilitation, primary care, medical/surgical, psychiatry, and quality assurance. As an RN she has worked in dialysis, orthopedics, medical/surgical, and long term care. As an NP she has worked in geriatrics, pulmonology, and ambulatory care.

Kit Veley has served as the Regional Representative for Region 2 for the last 2 years. Currently, she is president of Tompkins/Cortland Chapter. Kit has been employed by Northeast Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine the past 12 years and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She has been a RN for 35 years and an NP since 1996 after attending Community General Hospital’s FNP program in Syracuse.

Christine is a graduate of the Community General Hospital Certificate program 1991. Currently she is working at the Cortland City School District and finishing her baccalaurean program at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. She is a family nurse practitioner and this is her second year as Regional Representative for Region 3. Christine feels that, “Due to the collegial prowess of NPs I believe we should all belong to The NPA NYS .Collectively, if we work for a Healthier NY we will enrich our fellow New Yorkers and ourselves.”

Arlene Pericak is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and Director of the Graduate Program at The Sage Colleges in Troy, NY. In addition to teaching, she practices as a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner for the wellness center at the Sage College of Albany. She works per-diem at Albany Medical Center as an Educational Specialist. Her research interests include women’s health. She is presently enrolled in the Doctorate of Arts program in Humanities at SUNY Albany with a major in Sociology and a minor in Women’s Studies. Arlene Pericak has contributed to OB/GYN secrets. In 2005 she was the recipient of the home town hero nursing award from Excelsior College.

A family nurse practitioner since 1997, Patti Tessler has been involved in The NPA since her graduation from the Pace NP program. She currently works in women’s health, adult medicine, school health, and urgent care in the Mid Hudson Valley. She volunteers with The NPA because she believes that no other organization does more to protect her practice. Her interests within the organization are increasing membership and allowing NPs throughout Region 5 to enjoy a personal connection to their professional association. She also serves on the board of Mothers of Supertwins, an international organization supporting families with triplets and more, and is a former board member of Planned Parenthood Orange-Sullivan. Prior to her nursing career, Patti earned a BS in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering.

Rebecca Rigolosi has been practicing as an Adult Nurse Practitioner for 11 years. She worked in Vascular Surgery for 10 years, and has taught Nursing for the past year.  She began her membership with The Nurse Practitioner Association as a student NP.  She was most recently the Alternate Regional Representative for Region 6.  Rebecca received her BSN at Syracuse University, and her Master’s degree at NYU.  She received the President’s Award for Excellence when practicing at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, and is currently working as an ANP in a local community hospital. 

Jeanne Martin has been practicing as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner since 1997. She is currently employed by the Department of Urology, SUNY Stony Brook in Stony Brook NY. She has been a member of the NPA since 1996 and has served on the Board of Directors of the NPALI, (LI Chapter) since 1998. She has held positions on the NPALI’s Executive Board including Secretary, President-Elect President and most recently, finishing her term as Immediate Past President in December of 2007. She has also served on the NPA’s BOD in the position of Alternate Regional Representative for Region 7 since January 2005. She is the recipient of the Pura Pantojas Award for Nursing Excellence as a Registered Nurse and the Lenora McClean Award for Nursing Excellence as a Nurse Practitioner, both granted by University Hospital at Stony Brook.

Dr. Zychowicz is an Associate Professor at Mount Saint Mary College.  He was recently selected for the AACN Leadership in Academic Nursing Fellowship.  He practices in Orthopedics & Sports Medicine where his research interests include returning patients to work after occupational back injuries.  Dr. Zychowicz is a Faculty Representative for the National Health Service Corps and served as an Army Reserve Officer for 15 years.  He has published several articles and book chapters and is the author for the book Orthopedic Nursing Secrets.  He is frequently invited to lecture nationally on orthopedic topics.  Dr. Zychowicz serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Advance for Nurse Practitioners and is a Contributing Editor for The Clinical Advisor.  Michael was selected as the 2004 NY State NP of the Year.  In 2007 he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and was selected for their Award for Excellence.

Dr. Susan Apold is Dean and Professor of Nursing at Concordia College, New York.  Dr. Apold has served as Chair of the Graduate Program in Nursing, Director of Nursing Programs and Vice-President for Academic Affair, Dean of Faculty at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.  Dr. Apold has numerous editorials and publications.  In addition to teaching, Dr. Apold maintains a private practice as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in New Rochelle, NY.  Her research interests include career satisfaction and leadership development in nursing.  Dr. Apold serves on the editorial board of the Journal for Nurse Practitioners.  She has served as President of the NPA in 2001, and President of the American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) in 2003 and again in 2007.  Dr. Apold is the recipient of the ACNP’s inaugural Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership and the NPA’s Nancy J. MacIntyre Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award.  Dr. Apold lives with her husband, John Giampietro, in New Rochelle, NY. 

Stephen Ferrara is co-owner and president of Ferrara and Orlando Nurse Practitioners-Family Health, P.C., a retail health practice. Prior to this, he was the Associate Director of Student Health Services at Fordham University. Stephen has lectured on various health topics at the American College Health Associations’ annual conferences and has served as a clinical preceptor for Family Nurse Practitioner students. Stephen’s research interests include nursing informatics and integrating technology into healthcare. He is also an EMT and enjoys volunteering for a local volunteer ambulance corps.