BNS CLEVELAND EXECUTIVE BOARD
Committed to the cause
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of Black Nurses Society Cleveland. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
SHNEA WEATHERSPOON, MSN, RN
President/CEO
Shnea Walker Weatherspoon graduated from Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio Licensed Practical Nurse diploma program in 2004. She started her career in a long-term care facility working on the behavioral unit as a charge nurse. While working at the long-term care facility she was promoted to several positions. These positions consisted of Unit Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing and MDS Coordinator. In 2007, Shnea decided to return to school to obtain her Registered Nurse License at Huron Road School of Nursing, East Cleveland, Ohio. She obtained her RN in 2010. In 2009 she started working for a nonprofit organization as the MDS Coordinator and assisted them in opening their skilled unit. The opportunity came along for her to advance her career as an Administrator with the organization, assisting with developing of a hospice program for the organization, and continuing her education by attending Ursuline College, Pepperpike, Ohio to obtain her Bachelor Degree in Nursing which she obtained in December 2013. Shnea completed her Master’s in Nursing Leadership from Grand Canyon University in April 2020.
Shnea helped establish Black Nurses Society Cleveland on October 8, 2020. She established Black Nurses Society Cleveland organization because it aligns with her vision of giving back to her community and educating the community about the health disparities and mentoring fellow nurses. Shnea is the President/CEO of Black Nurses Society Cleveland. She also serves as the Vice President of Operations for My Sister’s Keepers whose mission is to support individuals that are going through treatment for cancer or been through cancer treatment.
PATRICE WALKER, MSN, RN, PMH-BC
Vice President
Patrice Walker was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She has over 20 years of healthcare experience. 13 years in which is directly in Nursing. Majority of Patrice’s nursing experience is in Nursing Leadership. She has worked in variety of healthcare setting from Med/surg, Telemetry, Oncology and Psychiatry. Patrice obtained her Board Certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health nursing in 2016 and she is a proud graduate of Cuyahoga Community College-Associate of Nursing program. In 2011, Patrice obtained her Bachelors from Indiana Wesleyan and later pursued her Masters in Nursing Leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2018. She is currently enrolled and 75% near completion of her Doctorate of Nursing Program at Grand Canyon University. Patrice's DNP project is focused on Nursing satisfaction and how it relates to patient outcomes.
Patrice is married with two children; she is an only child and believe in helping others reach their max potential. She thrives in helping others, volunteering, traveling and shopping. Her greatest hobby is spending quality time with her husband. Patrice have been recognized for her outstanding capability of leading and building great teams. She understands that high quality patient centered care is non-negotiable. Patrice believes in a “Just Culture” environment and leads her team embracing the just culture work environment. She has received two certifications from the YWCA leadership Quest and Momentum programs. Patrice joined Black Nurses Society with a focus on developing the organization with her experience and integrity. She is dedicated to the profession of nursing and the community in which she was born and raised.
LAVADA TILLIE, MSN, FNP-C, APRN-CNM
Secretary
LaVada Tillie is a proud graduate of both Cuyahoga Community College with an Associate of Science and Huron School of Nursing with a Diploma of Registered Nursing in May 2002. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron May 2004. LaVada has a vast experience in nursing. Her professional experience includes Nurse Educator, School Nurse, Correctional Medicine, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Long Term Acute Care, Step-Down, Home Care & Labor and Delivery. LaVada returned to pursue Graduate education at Case Western Reserve University earning a Master of Science in Nursing in May 2008. She later returned to Case Western Reserve University to receive a Post Masters certificate for both Family Nurse Practitioner in May 2016 and Nurse Midwifery in May 2017. She is currently a Dual certified Family Nurse Practitioner & Certified Nurse Midwife employed by MetroHealth Medical Center in their Women’s Health clinic.
LaVada joined Black Nurses Society (BNS) Cleveland because she believed in the mission of motivating & encouraging your membership. Fostering good relationships & mentoring are vital to her. If you have members who are happy & engaged, they are in turn better Servant leaders. She brings leadership experience, enthusiasm, integrity & dedication to her role. Equally important is her, the mission to serve the community. She plays an active part in BNS Cleveland mission to build healthier communities through education and health promotion. LaVada desires to help restore trust & faith in the Medical system. Many individuals are hesitant to seek care because of the events such as the Tuskegee experiment and often providers don’t look like them. The goal is to bring information to the community and remove some of those barriers. LaVada is also the Health & Wellness Director for My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) Cleveland, one of BNS Cleveland’s proud Community partners. MSK provides services for women & families affected by cancer.
She is the proud mother of two young men, a 22-year-old former Army Infantry Soldier & a 12-year-old First Degree Black belt in Tae Kwon Do Karate, working towards his second.