Mandy Winkler
Dallas,Texas
Summary
Compassionate Registered Nurse with extensive experience at UT Southwestern Medical Center, excelling in patient assessment, and medication management. Proven ability to be a collaborative and motivational leader, coordinate care plans, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing patient outcomes. Recognized for effective communication and problem-solving skills, ensuring high-quality care in fast-paced environments. Caring, hardworking, and service-oriented nurse, well-versed in offering evidence-based, therapeutic care, and training new nursing staff while providing top-notch service to patient populations.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Unit
Vitas Healthcare Hospice
Carrollton, Texas
05.2023 - 10.2024
- Supervised nursing tasks for Hospice Aides, LPNs, and contracted RNs.
- Provided education and psychosocial support regarding end-of-life care for patients and families.
- Delivered effective communication through written and verbal shift reports to oncoming staff and physicians.
- Coordinated with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs for effective symptom management.
- Consulted with physician on-call to report patient status and secure medication orders as necessary.
- Implemented nursing interventions based on assessments and documented actions accurately and timely.
- Organized supply rooms and managed inventory, ordering additional supplies when required.
Registered Nurse, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Triage Nurse and Medication Coordinator
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
11.2013 - 05.2023
- Served as designated preceptor for new nurses in multiple sclerosis division.
- Developed medication coordinator position to enhance sustainability of nursing team.
- Processed approximately 900 medication requests (2,500 computer encounters) for nine providers over six months.
- Triaged telephone calls and MyChart messages based on provider and clinic protocols.
- Consulted with healthcare team to assess and evaluate patient care plans.
- Coordinated infusion orders and ensured necessary tests were performed.
- Provided patient and caregiver education and support during discharge regarding the new medication process, proper dosing, and potential side effects.
- Investigated insurance coverage eligibility issues related to prescription drugs.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Registered Nurse, Otolaryngology Clinic
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
03.2011 - 11.2013
- Educated patients on pre- and post-surgery instructions to ensure compliance.
- Coordinated necessary tests, obtained results, and prepared them for provider review.
- Assisted providers during examinations, tests, treatments, and in-office procedures.
- Triage telephone calls and MyChart messages from patients per departmental protocols.
- Prepared rooms and sterilized instruments for in-office procedures.
- Coordinated hospital admissions and ensured smooth transitions for patients.
- Administered wound care and dressing changes for patients post-surgery.
- Supervised and delegated tasks to licensed vocational nurses and non-licensed medical staff.
- Documented patient progress notes accurately and efficiently in the electronic medical record system.
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital
Tulsa, Oklahoma
12.2009 - 03.2011
- Monitored patient conditions by assessing vital signs, lab results, and EKGs; reported changes and initiated appropriate actions.
- Facilitated effective communication tailored to individual patient needs and preferences.
- Advocated for resources enhancing patient safety and supporting hospital initiatives.
- Collaborated with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care plans.
- Developed teaching plans integrating nursing and medical strategies through a multidisciplinary approach.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary care plans, ensuring collaboration among all healthcare team members.
- Educated patients and families on discharge care plans, documenting understanding and competence.
- Executed wound care procedures as required, adhering to nursing standards and policies.
Licensed Practical Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital
Tulsa, Oklahoma
08.2008 - 12.2009
- Coordinated with healthcare team to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care plans.
- Relayed laboratory and radiology results while implementing recommendations per doctor’s orders.
- Identified changes in patient condition through nursing assessments and vital signs, reporting findings promptly.
- Involved patients and families in care decisions to promote shared understanding.
- Maintained competencies according to unit expectations to ensure quality of care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop cohesive plans of care.
- Communicated effectively based on individual patient needs and preferences for optimal learning.
- Advocated for resources that improve patient safety and support hospital initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Oklahoma Baptist University
Shawnee, OK05-2009
Skills
- Patient assessment and education
- Medication management
- Care plan coordination
- Symptom management
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- High level of autonomy
- Electronic health records management
- Reporting and documentation
- Hospice care
Bibliography
- Enough of the Fear: An Insider’s Guide to Understanding, Managing, and Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis, Wright K, Winkler MD, Okuda DT, 2019
- Utility of shape evolution and displacement in the classification of chronic multiple sclerosis lesions, Okuda DT, Moog TM, McCreary M, Bachand JN, Wilson A, Wright K, Winkler MD, Ramos OG, Blinn AP, Wang Y, Stanley T, Pinho MC, Newton BD, Guo X, Scientific Reports, 2020
- African Americans experience disproportionate neurodegenerative changes in the medulla and upper cervical spinal cord in early multiple sclerosis, Moog TM, McCreary M, Stanley T, Wilson A, Santoyo J, Wright K, Winkler MD, Wang Y, Yu F, Newton BD, Zeydan B, Kantarci O, Guo X, Okuda DT, Multiple Sclerosis and other related disorders, 2020
- Three-Dimensional Shape and Surface Features Distinguish Multiple Sclerosis Lesions from Nonspecific White Matter Disease, Newton BD, Wright K, Winkler MD, Bovis F, Takahashi M, Dimitrov IE, Sormani MP, Pinho MC, Okuda DT, J Neuroimaging, 2017
- Patient outcomes influenced by reduced lymphocyte counts after dimethyl fumarate initiation, Wright K, Winkler MD, Newton BD, Sormani MP, Okuda DT, Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, 2017
Media
- Multiple Seasons: A Journey of Redefining MS, Documentary, 2020, Documentary aimed at redefining multiple sclerosis and highlighting how a single individual with multiple sclerosis can be the catalyst for positive change for an entire community., Katy Wright, Mandy Winkler, Jill Jones, Brent Yontz, Darin T. Okuda
- MS Relapse Tool, Mobile Application, 09/19/2018, 09/27/2018, A unique tool that allows patients to remotely evaluate their current symptoms and calculate the probability of a MS relapse.
- Plant Process, Mobile Application, 03/21/2018, 5-week transition guide for those seeking to improve their health through a plant-based diet.
- MS Fatigue Fix, Mobile Application, 03/02/2018, An educational tool that provides patients with personalized solutions to help combat their fatigue.
- Understanding MRI Multiple Sclerosis, Mobile Application, 09/16/2017, An educational tool designed to help patients and their care partners understand the importance of MRI in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis.
- Pre-Meet: MS, Mobile Application, 06/11/2017, Aimed to better prepare a patient for their first visit with a specialist in MS.
Credentials
- BSN
- RN
Certification
- Texas Registered Nurse, 796888, 01/2011 - current
- Basic Life Support Program, 01/2008 - current
- Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse, 1192118, 01/2019 - 12/2024
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support Program, 01/2016 - 12/2017
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Program, 01/2011 - 12/2012
- Oklahoma Registered Nurse, R0097762, 01/2009 - 12/2014
- Oklahoma Licensed Practical Nurse, L0056077, 01/2008 - 12/2011
Professional Societies
- American Academy of Neurology, 01/2016 - 12/2023
- International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses, 01/2013 - 12/2023
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 01/2013 - 12/2023
Honors And Awards
- Served on the Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Global Advisor Council for Merck, 01/2023 - 12/2024
- Magnet champion for UT Southwestern, 01/2021
- Earned Ambulatory Nurses’ Clinical Ladder Level 3 for FY2020, 01/2020
- D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Winner for Research, 01/2020
- Editor of the second edition Registered Nurses Newsletter for Sanofi Genzyme, 01/2018
- Recipient of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Award, 01/2017
- Served on the Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Global Advisor Council for Sanofi Genzyme, 01/2017
- Nurse speaker/presenter for Genentech on Ocrevus infusions, 01/2017
- Served on Nurse Leadership Advisory Boards for Celgene, Genentech and Sanofi Genzyme, 01/2016 - 12/2020
- D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Finalist for Neurology, 01/2015
- Linda Morgante Leadership program at the Consortium for Multiple Sclerosis, 01/2014
- Received multiple PACT cards from patients and co-workers at UTSW, 01/2011 - 12/2022
- Cared for the first Tandem Heart patient at Saint Francis Hospital, 01/2010
Accomplishments
Served on the Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Global Advisor Council for Merck, 2023-2024
Magnet champion for UT Southwestern, 2021
Earned Ambulatory Nurses’ Clinical Ladder Level 3 for FY2020
D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Winner for Research, 2020
Editor of the Second Edition Registered Nurses Newsletter for Sanofi Genzyme, 2018
Recipient of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Award, 2017
Served on the Multiple Sclerosis Nurse Global Advisor Council for Sanofi Genzyme, 2017
Nurse speaker/presenter for Genentech on Ocrelizumab infusions, 2017
Served on Nurse Leadership Advisory Boards for Celgene, Genentech and Sanofi Genzyme, 2016-2020
D Magazine Excellence in Nursing Finalist for Neurology, 2015
Linda Morgante Leadership program at the Consortium for Multiple Sclerosis, 2014
Received multiple PACT cards from patients and co-workers at UTSW, 2011-2023
Cared for the first Tandem Heart patient at Saint Francis Hospital, 2010
Affiliations
Volunteer with the nursery and Champions Club (special needs) classes at Covenant Church Carrollton in Carrollton, Texas, 2023- current
Volunteer at Our Daily Bread homeless ministry in Denton, Texas, 2020-2021
Volunteer with Zoie’s place, an organization that helps girls aging out of foster care, 2016-2021
Collaborator for Bring Healthcare Back Home; a community service initiative funded by the MS Foundation that allowed patients to receive multidisciplinary care in their home, 2016-2018
Coach community group leaders with Watermark Community Church, 2012-2017
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Registered Nurse, Inpatient Unit
Vitas Healthcare Hospice
05.2023 - 10.2024
Registered Nurse, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic Triage Nurse and Medication Coordinator
UT Southwestern Medical Center
11.2013 - 05.2023
Registered Nurse, Otolaryngology Clinic
UT Southwestern Medical Center
03.2011 - 11.2013
Registered Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital
12.2009 - 03.2011
Licensed Practical Nurse, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Saint Francis Hospital
08.2008 - 12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Oklahoma Baptist University