Board of Directors

Nwamaka has been a nurse for over 23 years, currently working as a Professor at Montgomery College and Bowie State University, and a Consultant in Global Health. She is also an entrepreneur that deals in wide range of medical equipment and services worldwide and involved with healthcare strengthening in the global community. Educationally, has a doctorate degree in Nursing Practice DNP, Leadership track, Family Nurse Practitioner, Master’s degree in Community Public Health Nursing and several Certificates. Her expertise includes Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions, Global Health, Medical Surgical Nursing and Healthcare Coordination.

She has been a member of both MNA and ANA for several years and have participated in many activities within D5 and MNA including MNA strategic planning meeting 2019, planning and executing educational bi-annual dinner for D5 2018, volunteering at the MNA yearly conferences, participated in Legislative Nurses Night in Annapolis and meeting with legislators. She also served as the D5 Representative to the MNA Board of Directors.

Her goal is to use her expertise to improve healthcare delivery in her community and in global community.

In her spare time, she loves to volunteer in her community serving the less privileged and bringing
smiles to faces.

Dr. Eucharia Mbagwu is an accomplished, resolute, and transformational nurse leader, change agent, and consultant with over 28 years of healthcare experience. She is highly credentialed and experienced, recognized in the planning and coordinating of new healthcare programs. Her experiences range from initially being a nurse/midwife in the early years of her career to currently being a member of the nursing leadership team in the Cardiovascular Center, Trauma, Orthopedics, Surgery, and Intermediate Care Unit. She has held various positions in nursing and is the founder of Karia Healthcare Plus, Consulting, LLC. She is a fellow of the Nurse Leadership Institute of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, an inducted member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a member of the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders, and a lifetime member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

A Bowie State University, Maryland Alumni, Dr. Mbagwu obtained her doctorate from Grand Canyon University in 2020 with a concentration in Evidence-Based Practice. In 2022, she completed a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner post-masters certification program. She has been an engaging member of the Maryland Nurses Association District 5 for many years and has served as the President-elect, President, and Immediate Past President for the past 5-years. During this period, she actively participated yearly in the Legislative Nurses Night in Annapolis, volunteered in the MNA convention planning committee, collaborated with the MNA D5 board, and worked tirelessly to rebuild the district’s functionality while collaborating with other Districts in Maryland for uniformity. She was re-elected to serve MNA D5 as the President for 2023 and the Immediate Past President for 2024. She is an active member of her church, a member of the Sisters Fellowship International Group, and Women of Common Ground Global Impact. She has a wealth of knowledge in financial education and wants to continue serving the underserved in her community.

Dr. Carol Chike is a Family Nurse Practitioner, and a Psych and mental Health Nurse
Practitioner serving as one of the members of the Board of Directors of MNA District 5.
She holds a Doctorate degree in Nursing, and currently a Professor of Nursing at one of
the local community colleges in the state of Maryland. Her compassionate heart and
passion in making a difference in the lives of the unknown compelled her to become a
nurse, and she has proven in many stances, her devotion to this noble profession and
professional organizations. Dr. Chike started climbing the ladder of the nursing and
nursing support profession in 2005 as a Nursing Assistant, went further to become a
Licensed Practical Nurse in 2009, and continued her journey towards becoming a nurse
in 2011. She has ceased the opportunity offered in the diverse field of nursing to serve
as an MDS coordinator RACC-CT, Medical-surgical nurse with telemetry, Hospice
Nurse, Nurse Supervisor, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, and Nurse
manager. Dr. Chike has also served in the capacity of Geriatric Nurse practitioner, and
Addiction and Substance use provider and Psych and mental health Nurse Practitioner.
In her spare time, Dr. Chike loves to garden, read, research, travel and interact with
people of different cultural heritage. Dr. Chike is a family-oriented mother of four
children among whom is a United States Navy Seaman.

Gwen has been a registered nurse since 1971. In addition to her membership in MNA/ANA, she also holds membership in the National Black Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nurses, and Chie Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., A Professional Nursing Association. Gwen is retired from clinical practice as a Perinatal Nurse Coordinator and is currently an Independent Consultant with GJ Consultants. 

I began my professional nursing career almost 39 years ago at a pediatric hospital on the Burn Unit, Burn Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Critical Care Unit. After many years in clinical and leadership positions, I wanted to expand my health care knowledge. To meet that professional curiosity, I worked in an ambulatory setting in an HMO and later spent several years in corporate compliance. I transitioned back to nursing leadership and held the positon of Senior Director for various departments including, but not limited to, Critical Care, Maternal Infant Health, Cardiology, Dialysis, and Nursing Operations.

Currently, I am the Director of Accreditation. I am responsible for planning, implementing, and directing all activities that support the hospital’s ability to achieve and sustain accreditation compliance. In addition, I am a consultant on the interpretation of regulatory standards including, The Joint Commission and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

I have served as an Adjunct Professor for Graduate and Professional Studies in the nursing program at Washington Adventist University. I am also a volunteer for Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps. I have participated in many MNA District 5 activities over the years. Most notable, I was the presenter at the 2019 District 5 Fall Event. I am currently an active member of the MNA Legislative Committee as well.

I received both my DNP and BSN degrees from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I am certified as a Nurse Executive Advance-Board Certified. I have published several articles, the last in Nursing Management’s August 2021 issue, Sustaining Regulatory Readiness During the COVID-19 Pandemic (https://journals.lww.com/nursingmanagement/toc/2021/08000)

My experience in various nurse leadership positions and leadership, in general, has given me the opportunity to engage nurses in all areas and positions in health care. I believe my broad scope and related skills can be used effectively as a member of the Committee on Nominations.

Dr. Joan E. Smith has more than 15 years in the nursing profession. Currently, she is a nurse practitioner in pre anesthesia testing where she provides preoperative assessment for patients undergoing surgery. Dr. Smith works in collaboration with nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgeons to ensure the best possible outcome for surgical patients. She lectures her fellow colleagues and staff on various topics that surround perioperative medicine.  She also works with patients to ensure they are well informed of their disease process and their perioperative course. As a nurse practitioner, Dr. Smith is passionate about health promotion and disease prevention especially in marginalized communities. Dr. Smith is a proponent of health justice and health equity and one of the most palpable passions is being a fierce advocate for her patients, particularly the underserved and vulnerable.

As a servant leader, Dr. Smith is recognized as an Equity Champion by the Satcher Learning Institute at Morehouse Medical School. Focused on meeting the unmet needs of members in the community, Dr. Smith spearheaded the partnership of the Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington DC and DC Food Project Pantry Program to address food insecurity in children. She is an active member of several local, national, and international organizations, whose primary focus is public service including Alpha Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. where she serves as co-chair of the Northeast Region Health and Wellness Committee, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioner Association of the District of Columbia, Black Nurses Association of Greater Washington DC Area Chapter where she serves as Vice President,  and Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps where she served as a  volunteer to administer the COVID19 vaccine in Prince George’s County. In addition, Dr. Smith received the 2019 Nurses’ Choice Advanced Provider Collaboration Award for Perioperative Services.

 Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Chatham University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Marymount University, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bowie State University. In her free time, Dr. Smith enjoys reading, walking, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. 

Carol Holness DNP, RN has over 30 years of nursing experience; the genesis of which began in an Associate degree program and she subsequently matriculated through the BSN, Masters in Nursing Education and finally the Doctor in Nursing Practice degree programs. During her clinical and academic appointments Carol has demonstrated leadership skills that enabled her to mentor new nurses, facilitate clinical instruction, coordinate nursing courses, chair a department committee, and organize community events. Carol is currently a Professor of Nursing at Montgomery College where she is actively involved in the unit and college-wide committees.

As an active member of the MNA District 5 for many years, she values community service and advocacy for the nursing profession as well as promoting educational opportunities for its members. She has served on the Nominating Committee for a few years and was recently re-elected to a second term as Chair of the Nominating Committee. Carol also represents D5 on the Maryland Nursing Association Committee on Nominations. Her passion to be a change agent in the nursing profession and her knowledge, skills, and past experiences have contributed to her strengths as a confident and motivated individual. 

Ama Owusu, nursing journey started about 30 years ago as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant. She is
experienced as a Mastered prepared nurse in the Hospital, skilled rehabilitation and Long-Term Care field has provided her with a wide exposure of conditions and has allowed her to develop rapid assessment skills. She has worked in different capacities as a registered nurse including, Unit Manager, Quality Assurance Nurse, Staff Development Nurse, Local Care Coordinator/Case Management with Sharecare/Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and currently aspiring Family Nurse Practitioner with University of Maryland Medical System. Some of her achievements are: In 2015, during a transition of a facility wide computerized system, she was able to organize about 25 licensed staff to take training for the Point Click Care system that usher the facility to their MAR/TAR and Charting System.

The foundation of her practice is guided primary by policies, procedures, standards and experience. Her teamwork style of leadership helps the interdisciplinary team to produce an exceptional amount of work on a consistent basis. Her calm demeanor, relates well with people from varied background and learn new task with ease. She always demonstrates empathy in interactions with patients, families, and team members. She is actively involved in her local church as an appointed Deaconess of the Women’s Movement and have mentored many young women to achieve their dreams. In addition, she volunteers in her community, serving and helping the underserved, and vulnerable residents.

She decided to become an active member of MNA D5. Her goal is to become a bridge to her colleagues to bring them to MNA, and together they will promote the MNA initiatives. She continues to serve the District Nurses Association (DNA) to the best of her ability in the promotion of the platform adopted bythe DNA membership in the best interest of nurses and nursing in Maryland.
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