In this special WOC Nurse Week episode of WOCTalk, we’re putting mentorship in the driver’s seat—exploring how WOC nurses can grow their careers and support the future of the specialty.
Co-hosted by WOCN® Society President-Elect Derik Alexander, this episode features a panel of seasoned WOC nurses, Ferne Elsass, Emilee Bartolo, and Vashti Livingston, who share how mentorship has shaped their journeys—and how they’re steering the next generation of nurses toward confidence, growth, and leadership.
This episode of WOCTalk is sponsored in Part by the WOC Nurse Week 2026 High Octane Fueler Sponsor, Smith + Nephew.
Resources:
Explore the WOCN® Society Mentor Match Program and sign up as a mentor or mentee
Join the WOC Nurse Week 2026 celebrations and events
About the Speakers:
Derik Alexander, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, has been a member of the WOCN Society for over years. He is a WOC Nurse Practitioner at Dignity Health Medical Group and St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He currently serves as President-Elect of the WOCN Society. His educational background includes a Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Phoenix (2009), as well as completion of the Emory University Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse Education program.
Ferne Elsass, MSN, RN, CPN, CWON, WOCNF, is an experienced Clinical Instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. She is a skilled pediatric registered nurse with certifications in Pediatrics and Wound and Ostomy care, and has a strong clinical focus on pediatric wound and ostomy services. Ferne has presented on pediatric wound care locally, nationally, and internationally and is a published content expert in the field. She has also served on the Mid-Atlantic Chapter WOCN board in multiple roles over a 10-year period and currently supports the board as Past President.
Emilee Bartolo, BSN, RN, CWOCN, is a WOC nurse practicing in the outpatient setting at a suburban wound clinic, where she has worked for over 15 years. Prior to this role, she spent 10 years in home health care. She obtained her WOC certification in July 2003. Emilee is actively involved in the WOCN Society through national and chapter volunteer roles. She previously served as Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee, where she helped develop the Mentor Match Program launched in 2025.
Vashti Livingston, MS, RN, CWOCN, has been a member of the WOCN Society for over 20 years. She has served as a WOC nurse co-facilitator for an ostomy support group for two decades and has worked for 21 years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in the Urology Ambulatory Division, primarily supporting urological outpatient clients.
She has served two terms as a Director of the WOCN Society and has contributed to numerous committees and projects. Her experience also includes serving as an editor of a peer-reviewed journal and committee member of the International WCET Norma Gill Foundation. Vashti has presented at 11 international conferences on ostomy care and WOC practice, in addition to numerous local and regional presentations across the U.S. She has precepted and mentored numerous WOC nurses over the past 20 years and remains active in community initiatives promoting bladder and colon cancer awareness.
She co-facilitates an online bladder cancer support group and volunteers with the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA). She has also served as a clinical expert on two ostomy online forums and as a clinical advisor for ostomy products and services for three major companies. She is currently a speaker for Coloplast’s ostomy division.
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.