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Staff Directory

Accreditation Review Team

ACC's Accreditation Review Specialists are highly dedicated clinicians with real-world experience treating cardiovascular (CV) patients in the hospital setting. Their sole focus is to help facilities identify processes that improve CV patient care through accreditation. Their mission is to approach each site review in a collegial manner to break down barriers and engage in meaningful conversations with professionals at the facility. As experts in the care of the cardiac patient, our team of reviewers have accredited healthcare facilities worldwide. They have developed and maintained a collective knowledge of process improvement initiatives, best practices, and help educate facility personnel.


Senior Director, Accreditation Services:

Westfall-Amy

Amy Westfall, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN, AACC

Amy joined us in November of 2016 as our Cardiac Cath Lab Clinical Product Manager. She is now the Senior Director of ACC Accreditation Services. She previously served as an Administrative Nurse Manager of Cardiac Cath Lab, EP, IR and Cardiac Imaging for a health system in Ohio. Amy has over 20 years of procedural nursing experience, which included working as a staff RN and staff developer in an interventional cath lab, hybrid lab and EP as well as pre- and post-op. Her previous responsibilities included oversight of regulatory processes, staff competencies, education, and policy and procedure development.

Accreditation Review Specialists:

Beers-Leela

Leela Beers, MBA, BSBM, CVT, AACC

Joining us in September 2008, Leela has been a Chest Pain Coordinator leading teams to successful CPC Accreditation for Cycle's III and IV. Leela also serves as a CV service line leader in the Tampa Bay area and has opened several new cath labs, EP, OH, and TAVR services. Leela is the Cardiac Cath Lab v1 Accreditation co-chair, assisting in the development of essential components for our Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation.

Chambers-Kristy

Kristy Chambers, MSN, RN, AACC

Joining us in February 2015, Kristy is an Accreditation Review Specialist. Previous to her ACC Accreditation Services employment, she was the Chest Pain Coordinator and Stroke Coordinator at Ogden Regional Medical Center where she served as chair for the HCA Mountain Division Cardiovascular Patient Care Coordinators Committee. She was a top 10 finalist for the Deputy Heart Attack Program with her Community and EMS Heart Attack Simulation Education Program. She is a TeamSTEPPS® master trainer and has years of experience in simulation education and training both nationally and internationally.

Melissa Ochwat, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

Melissa Chrystal, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, AACC

Melissa's journey in healthcare began in 2004 as an EMT/Paramedic, marking the start of her dedicated career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). She transitioned to the Emergency Department and over the course of 17 years, her career flourished. Melissa held various essential roles as an ED Nurse, Chest Pain Center Coordinator, EMS Coordinator, and Emergency Department Nursing Manager. Melissa led her team to achieve two versions of Chest Pain Center accreditation with PCI, reflecting her unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care. Melissa firmly believes in the crucial role EMS plays in patient care and the broader health system. Her passions encompass preventative cardiovascular care, community outreach, fostering interdisciplinary relationships, and driving process improvement to enhance the quality of healthcare services.

Hillary Craig

Hillary Craig, MSN, RN, RCIS, AACC

Hillary joined the ACC Accreditation Review Team after 12 years of diverse nursing experience, specializing in cardiology. Once becoming a registered nurse in 2012, Hillary grew into leadership positions within the Cardiac Cath Lab (CCL) at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. Subsequent to earning her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Robert Morris University, Hillary concentrated her time on travel nursing. After spending copious amounts of time in various Cardiac Cath Lab (CCL), Electrophysiology (EP), and Interventional Radiology (IR) labs across the country, she worked with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) as a Cardiovascular Research Coordinator. Most recently, Hillary worked within the CCL, EP, IR, and pain management labs at the Wilkes Barre VA Medical Center in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Ek-Anna

Anna Ek, BSN, RN, AACC

Anna began her work as an accreditation review specialist in 2007. Anna has a strong background in cardiac, surgical, and PACU nursing. She began her nursing career during the time of thrombolytic trials which ignited her longtime passion for cardiology. She is a strong advocate of EMS and the part they play in the pre-hospital care of the cardiac patient. In addition, Anna has a keen interest in induced hypothermia therapy and works to research the effects of hypothermia therapy on the post-cardiac arrest patient. Anna is the in-house expert on drastically improved outcomes for the patient population because of therapeutic hypothermia treatments and "cooling centers."

Keith Hendricks

Keith Hendricks, MBA, RN, AACC

Keith Hendricks joined the ACC Accreditation Review Team after more than 25 years of nursing and leadership experience. His career began as a paramedic which spanned pre-hospital and hospital-based positions. Keith spent 12 years as a flight nurse with San Antonio AirLIFE and over 16 years within the HCA/Methodist Healthcare System. He provided direct patient care in the Emergency Department as well as the Cardiac Cath Lab (CCL) and Electrophysiology (EP) Lab. Keith held positions of Director of CCLs/Non-Invasive Cardiology, Director of Cardiovascular (CV) Service Line, and Division Associate VP of CV, Pulmonary, and Thoracic Service Lines. Additionally, he led the initial HeartCare Center of Excellence Accreditation for Methodist Hospital Texsan, which included CCL and EP Lab Accreditations. Keith especially enjoyed being a member of the Healthtrust Cardiovascular Advisory Board and improving performance within the CV service line.

L Nicholls

Lisa Nicholls BSN, RN, AACC

Lisa Nicholls joined the ACC accreditation review team after 35 years of nursing. Her career spanned service in critical care, emergency medicine, critical care ground transport as well as flight nursing. She provided direct patient care, served as an educator and then moved into leadership roles. Prior to joining ACC, Lisa was the accreditation coordinator at Georgetown Community Hospital in Georgetown, KY, and led her team to three successful Chest Pain Center and two Heart Failure Center accreditations. Georgetown Community Hospital received recognition during Heart Month in February 2022 as a Heart Failure Accreditation Champion. 

 

Nicholls-K-Marie

K. Marie Nicholls, BSN, RN-BC, CVRN, AACC

Marie has an extensive background in clinical cardiology and emergency medicine, and has a Board Specialty Certification in Cardiovascular Nursing. Prior to joining our team in 2015, she was a patient research educator for myocardial ischemia at Summa Health Systems in Akron, OH. While at Summa, she was a leading team member in the development and implementation of cardiovascular process improvement, formation and implementation of STEMI policy and procedures, a cardiac patient and staff educator, and an ACLS instructor. She has experience in electrophysiology and device interrogations. Marie was also a facility site manager for the NCDR Clinical Registries and an active participant in the accreditation processes for CPC Cycle IV Accreditation.

Shulee Norris

Shulee Norris, BSN, RN, CVRN, AACC

Shulee comes to us from Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas recently serving as the Cardiovascular Quality Manager where she was an active participant in the CPC accreditation process. Her background is in critical and cardiac patient care. Previously Shulee served as a Cardiovascular Coordinator where she obtained experience in quality process improvement and NCDR Clinical Registries.

Norman

Nicole Roman BSN, RN, AACC

Nicole has been a registered nurse since 2004. Her experience includes ICU, Cardiac Surgery ICU, Cath Lab holding area, stress testing, ED, and Nursing Supervisor. After many years at the bedside, Nicole became a Chest Pain Coordinator and successfully applied for ACC's Chest Pain Center with PCI Accreditation as well as Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation. The hospital she worked for was one of the first in the United States to receive ACC's Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation. Nicole was also charged with completing all state –mandated Cath Lab certificates and applications. She became a Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator (C4) through ACC Accreditation Services in 2017. In addition, Nicole has extensive experience with data abstraction in the ACC ACD and NCDR Chest Pain MI Registry. 

 

Kaitlin Stevenson

Kaitlin Stevenson BSN, RN, AACC

Joining us in June 2021, Kaitlin is an Accreditation Review Specialist. Kaitlin started her career in the United States Army as a medical-surgical nurse. In addition, she has experience in adult and pediatric cardiology, emergency medicine, and quality and performance improvement. Prior to joining ACC, Kaitlin worked as a Chest Pain Center Coordinator as well as a Heart Failure Center Coordinator at her local community hospital where she led her organization to successful accreditation. She also served as the NCDR data manager for the Chest Pain MI Registry. In addition, Kaitlin started the pediatric cardiology quality program at a large university hospital.

 

Beckie VickersRebecca (Beckie) Vickers BSN, RN, AACC

Before joining the ACC, Beckie worked for Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) in Murrieta, CA. She has previously staffed the facility's emergency and Cardiac Cath Lab, including four years as the chest pain coordinator/STEMI program manager. During her first year as the chest pain coordinator, LLUMC achieved Chest Pain Center Accreditation. Beckie's community projects include Sidewalk CPR, a high school EHAC/hands-only CPR program, and lifesaving awards event to reunite patients who suffered cardiac arrest with the community members who intervened on their behalf.

 

Washington-Deborah

Deborah Washington, BSN, RN-BC, NE-BC, AACC

Joining us in February 2015, Deb has a background in emergency medicine, sexual assault/domestic violence care, cardiology with cath lab experience, and provides leadership and guidance as a chest pain coordinator. She served on the writing committee for the Cardiac Cath Lab v1 Accreditation platform in 2015-2016. Deb has been a Certified Cardiovascular Care Coordinator (C4) since the C4 course was first offered in 2011. Deb led her previous employer's ED team to Chest Pain Center (CPC) Accreditation for Cycle III in 2010 and 2013. She also facilitated the CPC Accreditation for three other system hospitals in 2013.

Wolfe-Debbie

Debbie Wolfe, BSN, RN, CCCRN-K, CHFN-K, AACC

Debbie joined the accreditation review team in 2015 after 27 years in the hospital setting. Her nursing career has included roles as bedside critical care nurse as well as critical care educator, heart failure coordinator/inpatient and outpatient; she has also managed quality measures surrounding the MI patient. Debbie has been a member of AAHFN since its inception and carries CHFN credentials. In 2013, she was awarded Cleveland, Ohio's Faces of Care award.

Gilley-Bridget

Bridget Gilley, MSN, RN, AACC

Bridget Gilley is a Team Leader within the Accreditation Review Team. Bridget has a wide variety of clincial experience including ED, education, Chest Pain Coordinator, Clinical Outcomes as well as nurse manager for a large telemetry floor, 10-bed observation unit and a 22-bed short stay unit. Bridget has also been published three times in Critical Pathways in Cardiology.

Bridget has a sincere passion for community education particularly when it comes to EHAC. Bridget received honorable mention for the EHAC person of the year award in 2016.

Wehrle-Kevin

Kevin Wehrle, RN, AACC, Team Leader

Kevin Wehrle is a Team Leader within the Accreditation Review Team. Beginning in 2007, he has worked as an Accreditation Review Specialist (ARS) with a focus on Chest Pain Center (CPC), Cardiac Cath Lab (CCL), Electrophysiology (EP) Accreditations as well as Transcather Valve (TCV) Certification. Prior to joining us in 2007, Kevin worked for Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, Ohio. While at that facility, he was a staff nurse/charge nurse within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as the CCL and eventually became the Manager of the CV Service Line that included the CCL, cardiac rehab, stress testing department, and the non-invasive vascular lab.

Accreditation - Clinical Products Team

The clinical products team works to ensure that our accreditation offerings are designed in compliance with the best available medical evidence and known medical therapies to support clinical decision making. Our team is also comprised of individuals who have years of real-world experience in the clinical setting and are versed in the language and methodology of quality and process improvement. 

Blevins-Tracey

Tracey Blevins, MBA-HCM, BSN, RN, AACC
Clinical Product Manager for Chest Pain Center Accreditation

Tracey joined in January 2015 serving as an Accreditation Review Specialist for Chest Pain Center Accreditation. Tracey has more than 30 years of nursing experience in cardiovascular (CV), emergency, staff development, critical care transport, and CV management of critical care services. Prior to joining us, she was the Chest Pain Center Coordinator at University North Carolina (NC) Healthcare in Chapel Hill, NC, leading them to achieve their first Chest Pain Center (CPC) Accreditation with Cycle IV. Tracey became the CPC Clinical Product Manager in April 2023.

Liza St.Claire

Liza St. Clair, MS, BSN, RN, CPHQ, AACC

Clinical Product Manager for the following:

• Electrophysiology (EP) Accreditation
• Heart Failure (HF) Accreditation
• Transcatheter Valve (TCV) Certification

Liza joined ACC in June 2014 and in May of 2019, Liza became the Clinical Product Manager for Heart Failure Accreditation and now manages the Transcatheter Valve Certification and Electrophysiology Accreditation service lines. She previously served as an ACC Clinical Quality Advisor for National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR®). Prior to joining ACC, Liza was a Clinical Outcomes Specialist/HF Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Heart & Vascular Institute in Falls Church, Va.

Ruth Cantu

Ruth Cantu, BSN, RN, AACC, Product Development Manager

Ruth has been with ACC Accreditation Services™ over 15 years, with 8 years of experience in Program Management, Project Development, Quality Assurance and Document Management overseeing all service lines products and programs development.

In her previous role, she served as a member of the Accreditation Review Team for 7 years and has over 32 years in Nursing. Ruth's clinical focus also includes Laboratory Diagnostics and serves as a key contact and facilitator to all major laboratory diagnostics vendors and industry contacts. To assist in educating staff and customers, Ruth continues to monitor the latest Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines, diagnostic regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines to stay current with the advances in Acute Coronary Syndromes diagnostics.

Robert BunneyRobert Bunney, MBA-HM, BSN, RN-BC, AACC,

Team Leader for Accreditation Product Management

Product Manager for Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation

Robert joined us in 2019 as an Accreditation Review Specialist and transitioned to Cardiac Cath Lab (CCL) and Electrophysiology (EP) Clinical Product Manager in 2021. Robert has extensive experience in cardiovascular procedures and considerable knowledge about ACC's Accreditation programs. In addition, he has experience working in or with cardiac catheterization, EP, pediatric, neuro, and vascular services. Robert has a strong quality improvement background and is well acquainted with the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR®) registries offered by ACC.


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American College of Cardiology: 2400 N St. NW, Washington DC 20006