WFNN Board

Cathy Cartwright

Cathy is the Director of Advanced Practice Professional Development at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, with 20 years’ experience as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist in neurosurgery. She began her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where she became interested in neuroscience nursing. She enjoys sharing her passion for pediatric neuroscience with other nurses and is a frequent conference speaker on pediatric neuroscience topics at the national and international level. She is on the nurses’ planning committee for the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, where she assists in developing programs to increase neurosurgery nursing knowledge world-wide. She loves meeting neuro nurses around the world! She is also a past president of the American Association of Neuroscience Nursing (AANN), co-editor of the three editions of the book Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient, co-editor of chapters in the AANN Core Curriculum, a member of the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing editorial board, and a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. In 2015 she was the recipient of the ANCC National Magnet Nurse of the Year award for exemplary professional practice. An advocate of lifelong learning, she received her Doctorate in Nursing from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in May 2020, 40 years after earning her Masters degree.

Linda Nichols

Linda is a Registered Nurse with nearly 25 years’ experience. She began her nursing career in aged and community care before moving to neurosurgery in 2008 working across general neurosurgery, high dependency and oncology. From 2012, Linda has worked for the University of Tasmania in an academic role and as Stream Coordinator for the Postgraduate Neuroscience Nursing Stream. Linda also has a passion for public health and is an Authorized Nurse Immunizer working as an independent practitioner and as part of previous pandemic responses (influenza H1N1) and now Covid-19. Linda has a passion for learning and holds a Clinical Masters in Neuroscience Nursing, Graduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching, University of Tasmania, as well as postgraduate qualifications in Oncology and aged care nursing. Linda is currently completing her PhD in an epidemiological study of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhages. Linda’s research field is epidemiologically focused on the determinants of health, rural vulnerability and translational research. Her international standing is growing and evidenced though her collaboration in a number of other projects across a range of fields. Her research experience is evidenced through her published manuscripts, with her ability to present work orally evidenced by her invited and keynote lectures and awarded conference presentations. Linda has been actively engaged as a committee member for the Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association since 2010, fulfilling the role of Scientific Conference Convener from 2010-2016 and editor in chief of the Australasian Journal of Neuroscience (AJON) from 2016 to present.

Trudy Robertson

Trudy Robertson is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neurosciences in Fraser Health, British Columbia Canada. She served on the CANN Board of Directors since 2008 until her final position as Past-President in 2023. She has been a neuroscience nurse for over 30 years in a variety of roles and sub-specialities including neurosurgery, neurology, spine and stroke. She graduated with a Master Degree in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and has maintained Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Neuroscience Nursing since 2007. She has presented on a variety of neuro nursing topics at numerous local, provincial, national and international neuroscience conferences. She has conducted neuroscience nursing research studies and has published in the Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. As of 2023, Trudy holds a position on the Secretary/Treasurer of the World Federation of Neuroscience Nursing representing Canada. Trudy has a keen interest in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion into neuroscience nursing practice environments.

Ebonye Green

Ebonye Green is an accomplished healthcare professional with a diverse and extensive background in nursing, neurosurgery, and critical care. She began her journey as a staff nurse in a neuroscience ICU at St. Louis University Hospital in 2005 and later transitioned into a successful career as a travel nurse, gaining invaluable experience in some of the country’s top neurosurgical intensive care units. In 2009, after meeting her future spouse on an airplane, Ebonye decided to join the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as a staff nurse in the neuro/medical ICU.

At UAMS, Ebonye’s dedication and passion for healthcare led her to climb the clinical ladder. She assumed the role of the Interim Clinical Services Manager while earning her Advanced Practice degree. Currently, she serves as the Inpatient Advanced Practice Registered Nurse for the College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery at UAMS. In this role, she provides direct patient care within the Neuroscience Service Line, performing comprehensive evaluations, diagnosing and treating complex neurological conditions, and performing neurosurgical procedures. Ebonye also acts as a clinical leader and mentor for the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) team, offering guidance, supervision, and support for all clinical activities.

Ebonye holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Deaconess College of Nursing in St. Louis, MO, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Arkansas. She is a certified neuroscience registered nurse, holds board certifications in adult acute care gerontology, and has various other certifications and licenses related to her field.

She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Ebonye is dedicated to the field of nursing and neurosurgery, actively contributing to her profession by participating in educational programs, presentations, and research. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2020 Neurocritical Care Society Presidential Citation and the 2021 About You Magazine’s Best of the Best APRN for Arkansas.

Ebonye Green’s commitment to her profession extends to her community service involvement, where she has served on various committees and boards to help advance the field of neuroscience nursing and improve patient care.

With a strong track record of excellence and a passion for educating healthcare professionals, Ebonye Green is making a significant impact on the world of neurosurgery and critical care.