ANA-Illinois is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 election and welcome a group of nurse leaders prepared to help guide the Association into its next chapter.
The newly elected officers and directors will assume office at the conclusion of the ANA-Illinois Professional Issues Conference on September 12, 2026, in Warrenville, Illinois.
Their service begins at an important time for ANA-Illinois. In 2027, ANA-Illinois and the Illinois Nurses Foundation will launch a new three-year joint strategic plan focused on strengthening the voice of nurses, supporting the nursing workforce, expanding engagement, building partnerships, and creating a strong and sustainable future for both organizations.
2026 ANA-Illinois Election Results
VICE PRESIDENT
Lovey Reynolds, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CPN, CNE
City Colleges of Chicago, Malcolm X College, Tenured Assistant Professor of Nursing
Ravenswood Pediatrics, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Reynolds brings experience in nursing education, advanced practice, research, community health, and leadership development. Her current ANA-Illinois service includes the Nominating Committee and Program Planning Committee, along with prior service on the Expert Panel on Nursing Education Advisory Group. Her work in nursing education and workforce development will support ANA-Illinois efforts to prepare nurses for leadership, strengthen professional development, and elevate nursing expertise in public policy discussions.
TREASURER
Dawn Vollers, DNP, MPH, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPHQ
Purdue Global University, Adjunct Professor
Dr. Vollers brings significant experience in financial stewardship, organizational leadership, professional development, policy, innovation, and strategic planning. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Illinois Nurses Foundation and has played an active role in strengthening collaboration between INF and ANA-Illinois. Her knowledge of both organizations will provide valuable leadership as ANA-Illinois and INF move into a shared strategic planning cycle focused on measurable impact and long-term financial strength.
DIRECTOR, RECENT GRADUATE
Kelli Watts, BSN, RN
Olympia Fields Hospital, Emergency Department Nurse
Watts brings the perspective of a newer generation of nurses along with experience in emergency nursing, clinical education, nursing leadership, behavioral health, patient safety, and quality improvement. Her frontline experience will help ANA-Illinois remain connected to the professional needs of nurses beginning and building their careers. Her voice will also support the Association’s work in workforce development, nurse well-being, leadership development, and professional engagement.
DIRECTOR
Claudia Choe, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
University of Illinois Chicago, Clinical Instructor
Tapestry 360 Health, Family Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Choe brings a strong background in clinical practice, nursing education, legislative advocacy, and civic engagement. She is an alumna of the ANA-Illinois Nurses Running for Elected Office Training Academy and has represented Illinois nurses through policy advocacy in Springfield and Washington, D.C. Her experience connecting frontline nursing perspectives with public policy will strengthen the Association’s work to increase nursing’s voice, visibility, and influence.
Ashley Frederick, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ, CPPS
Western Illinois University, Associate Faculty
Dr. Frederick brings expertise in patient safety, quality improvement, nursing education, systems improvement, leadership, and healthcare innovation. Her experience includes statewide quality initiatives and interdisciplinary work focused on improving clinical outcomes and strengthening safety culture. She also brings an important rural Illinois perspective to the Board and a commitment to ensuring nurses across geographic regions and practice settings remain represented in ANA-Illinois priorities.
ANA MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVE
Mary Beth Sheehy, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Critical Care APRN
Advocate Christ Medical Center, Palliative Care APRN
Dr. Sheehy brings extensive clinical experience in critical care and palliative care along with nursing education, mentorship, professional advocacy, and legislative engagement. Her involvement with the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing Government Relations Committee and the ANA-Illinois Nurses Running for Elected Office Training Academy provides a strong foundation for representing Illinois nurses at the national level. She will bring Illinois perspectives into ANA discussions affecting nursing practice, healthcare access, workforce policy, and the future of the profession.
ANA MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY ALTERNATE
Amanda Oliver, BSN, RN, CCRN
Advocate Christ Medical Center
Manager of Clinical Operations – Surgical Trauma Intensive Care
Oliver brings extensive state and national nursing leadership experience. She currently serves as President of the Illinois Nurses Foundation and completes her second term as Secretary of the American Nurses Association in December 2026. Her previous ANA leadership includes service as Director at Large, Staff Nurse and Director at Large, Recent Graduate. Her deep knowledge of ANA governance, Membership Assembly processes, advocacy, and the ANA-Illinois and INF partnership will provide Illinois with an experienced voice at the national level.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Jo Muller, DNP, APRN-FPA, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Bradley University, PMHNP Program Director and Assistant Professor
Private Practice Owner, PMHNP-BC
Dr. Muller brings advanced practice expertise, mental health leadership, graduate nursing education, mentorship, and program development experience. Her perspective will support identification and recruitment of future ANA-Illinois leaders from different practice settings and career paths.
Ty Miller, MSN, RN, CMSRN, VA-BC
SSM Health, Vascular Access Specialist
Miller brings direct clinical experience, quality improvement leadership, vascular access expertise, and a strong commitment to representing nurses in Southern Illinois. His experience across rural and metropolitan healthcare environments will help strengthen the leadership pipeline and promote geographic representation throughout ANA-Illinois.
Josie Schumacher, MSN
BJC, Nurse Manager
Schumacher brings nursing management, shared governance, professional association involvement, and workforce leadership experience. Her service with the ANA-Illinois PAC and as a regional leader with the Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders provides insight into professional engagement, leadership recruitment, and the importance of building opportunities for nurses to serve.
Leadership for the Work Ahead
The 2026 election brings together educators, frontline nurses, APRNs, nurse managers, quality and patient safety leaders, rural and urban perspectives, experienced association leaders, and emerging voices.
Each brings a different perspective. Together, they strengthen the range of experience available to ANA-Illinois as the Association addresses issues affecting nursing practice, workforce conditions, education, healthcare policy, professional standards, patient care, and access to healthcare.
ANA-Illinois congratulates each newly elected leader and thanks every candidate who stepped forward to serve.
The strength of a professional association comes from nurses willing to engage, lead, speak up, and serve. As ANA-Illinois enters this next phase, our focus remains clear. We will continue advancing the interests of nurses, strengthening the profession, and ensuring nursing has a strong voice wherever decisions affecting healthcare are made.
We look forward to welcoming our newly elected leaders into their roles on September 12 and beginning this next chapter together.