Secretary

Kristen Long, DNP

knd-rn@hotmail.com

Dr. Kristen Long serves as Senior Director of Nursing and Interim Chief Nursing Executive at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. During her nursing career of 16 years, she has previous experience in neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, intensive care nursing, intermediate care nursing, nursing supervisor, nurse manager, and administration.

Her focus as a Senior Director of Nursing and Interim Chief Nursing Executive is to provide leadership that results in the most favorable environment for patients and staff. She is also passionate about mentoring new nursing leaders and serves as a preceptor for MSN students.

Dr. Long graduated with her ADN from Itawamba Community College, then received her BSN from the University of North Alabama, later received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Samford University.

Dr. Long currently serves as the chair of multiple NMMC committees and has served as a delegate for the MNA House of Delegates.

Vice-President

Alena Groves, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ONP-C

aagroves@muw.edu

Dr. Alena Groves has served as a registered nurse for 20 years. Her experience in the field is vast including such areas as intensive care, emergency room, radiology, renal, cardiology, orthopedics, internal medicine, education, and administration within both the hospital and outpatient setting.

She is passionate about educating new and experienced nurse practitioners as Assistant Professor of the graduate nursing program, Mississippi University for Women, where she also earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice.

Her focus as an educator is in improving provider knowledge and practice in regards to technology, informatics and policies that affect and govern practice. She is a strong advocate for strengthening the role of nurses in Mississippi, and for doing her part in guiding competent, confident, and active nurses for our association and our state.

She is a certified family nurse practitioner and orthopaedic nurse practitioner currently employed at Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic in Columbus, MS. She has served as a nurse practitioner for 5 years, providing care to patients across the lifespan in both specialty and family practice.

Dr. Groves has served as President of MNA District 18 and has actively recruited members and speakers to offer continuing education for MNA members.

She has presented on local, regional, and the national level regarding osteoporosis fracture prevention and musculoskeletal injuries in primary care, and well as published outcomes of role expansion and increasing patient access through the development of an employee-family clinic, which she still manages.

Director, Council on Nursing Practice

Sandra “Sandi” Arnold, MSN, RN

sandi.arnold@hattiesburgclinic.com

Sandra “Sandi” Arnold serves as the Director of Clinical Education at Hattiesburg Clinic in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Sandi started her nursing career with an ADN from Meridian Community College and then received a BSN and later an MSN in education from William Carey University.

Sandi has been employed at Rush Hospital in Meridian, MS, St. David’s Community Hospital in Austin, TX and at Hattiesburg Clinic in Hattiesburg, MS.  Throughout Sandi’s nursing career of over 40 years, she has nursing experience in the areas of general surgery, neurosurgery, neurology, endocrinology, hematology, oncology, dialysis, family medicine, leadership and clinical education.

Sandi’s professional affiliations include MNA, Sigma Theta Tau -Upsilon Theta Chapter, National League for Nursing, the Nursing Advisory Council for William Carey University and Pearl River Community College and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI).

Sandi has served on the MNA Board in numerous positions, including MNA Secretary, Director of the Council on Organizational Affairs, and previously as Director of the Council on Nursing Practice.