Jessica Drecktrah, MHA, MN, RN, Faith Community Nurse
Chief Nursing Officer
Several years ago, Jess served a nursing leadership role as the Director for Evidence Based Programs. Recently, Jess served as Vice President, Life Enrichment for Presbyterian Homes & Services (PHS). At PHS, Jess provided service to 8,000+ senior housing residents with leadership responsibility for the functions of life enrichment, volunteerism, fitness, wellness coordination, wellness nursing and dementia care. Jess has held leadership positions at Target, the YMCA, Allina Health, Ecumen and the University of Minnesota.
Jessica graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, with a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Services Administration and English Literature. She obtained her Master of Healthcare Administration (including Licensed Nursing Home Administrator [LNHA] Certificate) and Master of Nursing degrees from the University Of Minnesota. Over the past two decades, Jess has championed innovative healthcare initiatives within academia, provider settings, fitness and retail.
Her areas of expertise include pioneering strategy, startups, and program development.
Cheryl Lanigan, MA, BSN, PHN, Faith Community Nurse
Program Director, Master Trainer
Cheryl received her BSN from the University of Minnesota and MA (Health and Human Services) from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN. She is retired from a greater than 40-year career of providing direct care or administration focused in infant and adult critical care and public health. Cheryl serves as the Faith Community Nurse at Grace University Lutheran Church and is a Stepping On Master Trainer, a Master Trainer for the Living Well suite of programs, and a Leader for Matter of Balance and Powerful Tools for Caregivers.
Carolyn Orttel, RN, BSN, PHN, FCN
Master Trainer
Carolyn Orttel has over 40 years of Gerontological nursing experience, working with older adults in skilled nursing facilities, her church and in the community. She has a passion for helping older adults live a safe and rewarding life. Currently she is working with the Faith Community Nurse Network to provide Evidenced Based Programs for falls prevention and Living Well with Chronic Conditions. She is a certified facilitator and Master Trainer for Stepping On, Living Well with Chronic Conditions and Chronic Pain. Carolyn attended Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earning a three-year RN diploma and Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota where she received a BSN degree.
Sondra Weinzierl, RN, BA, MA, Faith Community Nurse
Chair, Education
Sondra received her Bachelor in Nursing degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and her Masters of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas in Adult Education and Human Resource Development with a Certificate in Training. Her nursing experience includes Medical-Surgical, Neurology, Diabetes Education and Health Promotion and Education. Sondra was the owner of Weinzierl Education Associates for over 25 years and provided workshops, team facilitation, strategic planning and health promotion consultation to a wide variety of organizations in government, health care, education and industry. She has served as an FCN in faith communities in Boston, MA and in Minnesota over the past 11 years. She received her board certification in Faith Community Nursing in 2018.
