June 09, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Jill DeVries of Zeeland, Joshua Meringa of Grandville, and Mary Vander Kolk of Traverse City to the Board of Nursing.
Housed within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the 23-member board establishes qualifications for nurse licensure, approves standards for nurse education programs and takes disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and welfare of the public has been adversely affected.
"I am confident these appointees will continue to effectively assist the board in overseeing the practice of Michigan's registered and practical nurses and nurse specialists," Snyder said.
DeVries is a licensed practical nurse at Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital. She has extensive experience in surgery, pediatrics, intensive care, obstetrics, and burn and wound care. She has a practical nursing certificate from Grand Rapids Community College. She will continue to represent licensed practical nurses.
Meringa is a registered nurse in orthopedics and trauma and a nurse educator for Spectrum Health Hospitals. He previously served as chairman of the Spectrum Health Central Shared Leadership Council. He has a bachelor's degree in nursing from Calvin College and a master's degree in health and public administration from Grand Valley State University. He will continue to represent professional registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree engaged in nursing practice or nursing administration.
Vander Kolk is a professor of nursing and lead instructor at Northwestern Michigan College. She has previously worked at Munson Medical Center, Eastern Michigan University, Catherine McCauley Health Center, and Sparrow Hospital. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and nursing from Michigan State University, a master's degree in nursing from Wayne State University and a master's degree in business administration from Lake Superior State University. She will continue to represent registered professional nurses with a baccalaureate degree engaged in nursing education in a licensed practical nurse program.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring June 30, 2020. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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