Director, Council on Nursing Research

Beverly Russell, DNP, RN

Dr. Beverly Russell is a Lecturer in the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama.  She previously served in the role of nurse manager for nephrology, dialysis, and COVID ICU at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS.  Dr. Russell has nursing experience in pediatrics, nephrology, medical-surgical, clinical education, and nursing leadership. Dr. Russell has served as the Nurse Executive Chair for the Shared Governance Practice Council, a member of the NMMC PICC 2015-2021, and previously served as the Chair for the Nurse Educator Council.

Dr. Russell’s career began after earning her BSN from the Mississippi University for Women.  She then went on to receive her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Alabama, and recently obtained her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Samford University.

Director, Council on Nursing Education

Deloris Slade, DNP, FNP-BC

delorisslade@aol.com

Dr. Deloris Slade has more than 15 years of experience in primary and urgent care practice, serving primarily uninsured and under-insured patients.  She also serves as Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Dr. Deloris Slade has served MNA for more than 20 years.  Her initial participation was as a district member and Second Vice-President of District VII before joining the Provider Unit.  Eventually becoming Co-Chair, she improved her knowledge of ANCC standards and requirements, ensuring accredited offerings. During the time she served as the Director for Council on Education, educational offerings to registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses around the state were increased from two per year, to an average of two per month. She continues to serve on the Provider Unit as Co-Chair.  

Dr. Slade completed both her BSN and MSN at the University of Southern Mississippi and her DNP from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Treasurer

Gayle Harrell, MSN, FNP,
NP-C, CWCN

gayle.harrell13@gmail.com

Gayle Harrell is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Wound Care specialist. She received her MSN/Family Nurse Practitioner from UMMC and a subsequent Wound Management Certification Course at the Washington University School of Nursing in Seattle.

She has practiced in the field of Wound Care for over 17 years and additionally serves as a consultant to other wound clinics, nursing homes, and attorneys. In 2011, she opened a wound care clinic in Kosciusko where she serves as provider.

Gayle has served MNA in numerous ways: State and national delegate, Board Treasurer and President. She has managed two financially successful wound care clinics, owns and operates her own business, currently serves on the board of a multi-million dollar health care business and has served on non-profit organization finance committees.

Director, Council on Organizational Affairs

Tomekia Luckett, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC

tomekialuckett@yahoo.com

Dr. Tomekia Luckett is currently the Associate Dean for Nursing Continuing Professional Development at Walden University. Dr. Luckett  is a sought-after presenter and prolific author. Her books include a number of devotionals and prayer journals for nurses.

Dr. Luckett has held a number of high-profile leadership positions within the Mississippi Nurses’ Association. She served as the Director for the Council on Nursing Education 2017-2021, District 7 Executive Board 2013-2015, and Council on Nursing Research Committee, member at large 2012-2013. Additionally, she was elected to serve as a Delegate, 2023 for the American Nurses Association Membership Assembly.

Dr. Luckett earned a PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi with a focus on nursing leadership. Dr. Luckett’s MSN and BSN are from William Carey University.  She holds an ADN degree from Southwest MS Community College.

Director, Council on Health Affairs

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.

President

Carl Mangum, PhD, PMHNP-BC, NHDP-BC

cmangum@umc.edu

Dr. Carl Mangum is an Associate Professor, Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Track, and Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing. Dr. Mangum has taught nursing for 23 years at UMMC following his work at Mississippi State Hospital.

He is also a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Team Commander of Delta-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team for the U.S. Department of Human Services. Dr. Mangum has been an active member of MNA for many years, and previously served as Vice-President of MNA from 2007 to 2011 and 2019 to 2021, and Treasurer from 2017 to 2019.

He has also served on the Professional Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for the Epilepsy Foundation of Mississippi.

Secretary

Beverly Oliver, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, CHFN

oliver59beverly@icloud.com

Beverly Oliver has 25 years of nursing experience and 15 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Mississippi College in 1981. In 2005, she graduated from Mississippi University for Women with honors with a Master’s Degree in Nursing.

Beverly was the first Nurse Practitioner (NP) St. Dominic Hospital hired. She worked with the Cardiovascular Surgeons and initiated many innovative changes to improve Healthgrades and Core Measures. A Chronic Care Clinic was opened for the care of Heart Failure and Coumadin patients, which was the first NP run clinic within St. Dominic Hospital system. Afterwards, her career led her to work in a Homeless clinic located in the inner city of Jackson.

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

Paige Nabors, DNP, RN, FNP-C

pnabors4@gmail.com

Dr. Paige Nabors serves full time as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 7 long-term care settings across north Mississippi providing care to rehab, long-term, and hospice residents. Additionally, she is a nurse practitioner for cardiovascular services at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, MS, and Kindred hospice services. Dr. Nabors is an experienced nurse and has previous nursing experience in the areas of medical, surgical, cardiac, vascular, and corrections. She has served in leadership and education as a clinical nurse educator and nurse manager.

Dr. Nabors started her career with an ADN from Itawamba Community College, then received her BSN from the Mississippi University for Women, and later an MSN from The University of Alabama, Post Master’s FNP Certificate from the University of Southern Mississippi, and graduated with her DNP from Samford University.