About the WOCN Society
Founded in 1968, the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®) is the largest and most recognized professional nursing community dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare to individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs. Through relevant education, effective advocacy, cutting-edge science, a supportive network, and a patient-centric approach, WOCN is dedicated to enabling professional growth for 5,000+ members and improving patient outcomes.
Mission
The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ is a professional community dedicated to advancing the practice and delivery of expert healthcare to individuals with wound, ostomy, and continence care needs. We support our members’ practice through advocacy, education, and research.
Vision
To be the preferred community for wound, ostomy, and continence advocacy, education, and research recognized for promoting safe and effective care worldwide.
Core Values
Integrity
Demonstrated by uncompromised dedication to be a trusted, unbiased, and
credible source of evidence-based information and expertise.
Leadership
Demonstrated by being stewards of excellence with a common passion for
mutual respect, shared experience, and life-long learning.
Knowledge
Demonstrated by continuing commitment to education and research to generate and
disseminate knowledge that improves patient outcomes.
What is a WOC Nurse?
A WOC nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) who holds a Baccalaureate Degree or higher and completes a formal, accredited WOC full scope or specialty education program. WOC nurses can specialize in wounds, ostomies, or incontinence, and provide acute and rehabilitative needs for individuals with select disorders of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and integumentary system. WOC nurses provide direct care to people with abdominal stomas, wounds, fistulas, drains, pressure injuries, and/or continence disorders, and can serve as an educator, consultant, researcher, or administrator.
Board of Directors
Meet our current Board of Directors to learn about the dedicated team behind our advocacy, education, and research.
Committee Chairs
Meet our current Committee Chairs who work diligently to keep our society running at peak performance on a daily basis.
Headquarters & Staff
Meet our national office and support staff based at our headquarters location in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.
WOCN Past Presidents
Meet the WOCN Past Presidents and view their terms.
WOCN Past Presidents
Dea Kent, DNP, RN, NP-C, CWOCN
2021-2023
Stephanie Yates, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, CWOCN
2019-2021
Kelly Jaszarowski, MSN, RN, CNS, CWOCN
2017–2019
Carolyn Watts, MSN, RN, CWON
2015-2017
Phyllis Kupsick, MSN, FNP-BC, CWOCN
2013-2015
Kathleen Lawrence, MSN, RN, CWOCN
2011-2013
Phyllis Bonham, PhD, MSN, RN, CWOCN, DPNAP, FAAN
2009-2011
Janice Colwell, MS, RN, CWOCN, FAAN
2007-2009
Margaret Goldberg, MSN, RN, CWOCN
2005-2007
Laurie McNichol, MSN, RN, CNS, GNP, CWOCN, CWON-AP, FAAN
2001-2005
Dorothy Doughty, MN, RN, CWOCN, FAAN
1999-2001
Bernie Cullen, MSN, RN, CWOCN
1997-1999
Ruth Bryant, MSN, RN, CWOCN
1993-1997
Kristy Wright, MBA, RN, CETN, FAAN
1989-1993
Glenda Motta, MPH, BSN, RN, CETN
1987-1989
Linda Klein, MS, BSN, RN, CETN
1985-1987
Debra Broadwell-Jackson, MN, RN, CETN
1981-1985
Bonnie Bolinger, RN (retired), CETN
1979-1981
Bettie Jackson, EdD, RN, ET
1977-1979
Patricia Zollars, RN, CETN
1975-1977
Mary-Jane Brewer, ET
1973-1975
Henrene Honesty, ET
1971-1973
Edith Lenneberg, ET (Deceased)
1969-1971
*Please note, the credentials listed above are from their time of presidency and may have changed since the end of their term.
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