Nevada Nurses Foundation

Sandra "Sandy" M. Olguin, DNP, MSN, RN, received her Bachelor's and Master's in Science degree from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Touro University Nevada. In 1989, she relocated from Campbell, California, to Reno, Nevada. In her tenure as a Nevada nurse, she has held nursing positions as a staff nurse, nurse leader, and nurse educator. As a member of the Nevada State Collaborative against Workplace Incivility and Bullying, she provides workshops to individuals and Health Care Organizations. After receiving a Nevada Nurses Association (NNA) scholarship, Betty Razor afforded her with many opportunities to give back to NNA. In 2014, she, Betty Razor, Margaret Curley, Rev. Dr. Denise Ogletree McGuinn, Dr. Susan Growe, Dr. Elizabeth Fildes, and Dr. Scott Lamprecht influenced the creation of the Nevada Nurses Foundation with the intention to grow quality care providers in Nevada. While she is passionate about and grateful for being a nurse, giving back to her community and the profession of nursing through the Nevada Nurses Foundation has been most rewarding.

Denise Ogletree McGuinn, APRN, RN, D. Minn., has extensive nursing and healthcare experience, including over 20 years as a military officer. She holds several degrees from numerous universities including the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing and has been a nursing professor. She is a co-founder of both a nonprofit mobile and stationary children’s clinics and currently works as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Nicki Aaker MSN, MPH, RN, is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. She holds a master's degree in nursing and is nationally accredited as a public-health clinical nurse specialist and as a nurse executive. She also holds a master's degree in public health. Although Nicki is originally from Wyoming, she has lived in Carson City with her family since 1994. She loves the area and appreciates all the amenities it has to offer. She likes the small town-feel, the weather, and all the great people. She also recognizes all the great outdoor opportunities, such as biking and walking trails.

Mary Bondmass, PhD, RN, CNE, BSN, MSN, earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Loyola University in Chicago, and her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has almost 30 years of critical care and emergency nursing experience, has been certified and practiced as a clinical nurse specialist, and is currently a certified nurse educator with more than 15 years in the academic setting. She has led grant-supported research focused on advanced practice tele-management of chronic heart failure, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation. More recently, her research has examined nursing education with an emphasis on teaching and learning evidence-based practice at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is interested in pre- and post-self-efficacy among undergraduate and graduate students regarding QSEN competencies, and has initial QSEN research in progress. Mary has published data in medical, nursing, and lay literature, and she has several research book chapters to her credit. She has reviewed manuscripts for professional publications including Journal of Nursing Education, International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, and Research in Nursing and Health, and has served on several health advisory boards in Washington D.C. including the National Consumers League. Bondmass is currently a Professor in Residence at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), where she teaches undergraduate and graduate nursing courses; since 2007, she has served in multiple administrative, service, and faculty roles. She has served on the Board of the Nevada Nursing Association (NNA) for multiple terms and was the Association's President from 2018 to 2022. She was the recipient of NNF's Distinguished Nurse Leader with Lifetime Achievement in 2019.

Alexx Echevarria has resided in Nevada since 1993 and is a successful Nevada business owner of Scrubs Carpet, providing exceptional service to the northern Nevada region since 2017. When not working, he enjoys being outdoors fishing, camping, and taking photographs. Alexx is pursuing a degree in Website Development at BYU Idaho. As a previous caregiver for twelve years, he holds the utmost respect for nurses and is committed to seeing the Nevada Nurses Foundation reach $1 million in scholarship and grant awards.

Dave Tyrell, RN, has been a nurse with University Medical Center in Las Vegas since October of 2006. He started working as a new grad in Med/Surg then moved to IMC in 2008. In August of 2010, Dave was promoted to clinical manager of IMC. Before becoming a nurse, Dave held management/leadership positions with several private companies. Dave received a Bachelor of Science degree from UNLV School of Nursing in 2006. He is an active member of the Nevada Nurses Association and has served as the President of the Southern Nevada District 3. He enjoys photography and has recently rediscovered running for exercise. Born and raised in New Jersey, Dave moved to Las Vegas Nevada in 1995. Dave is married to Lynn Comis Tyrell and the proud father of four daughters, Andrea, Nicole, Lee and Jordan.

Arvin Operario, MBA, BSN, RN, has extensive nursing and health care experience that spans almost three decades in nursing practice, leadersip, and nursing education. He has held multiple nursing positions in three countries including Philippines, Canada, and the United States, and currently works as Nevada Director of Patient Experiences at Optum Care. He was also appointed by Governor Sisolak to serve a 4-year term as a Commissioner for the Nevada Commission for Behavioral Health. He has been an active member of different nursing organizations advocating for advancement of nursing practice in Nevada.