The candidates that have been selected for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors election are listed below, along with their position statements. This year there are three open board positions: President-Elect, and 2 Director positions.
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President-Elect Candidate
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Ashley Streett, MSN, RN, ONC, CCRN
As a dedicated member of NAON's board of directors, I have had the privilege of working alongside leaders who share a commitment to advancing orthopedic nursing through education, advocacy, and professional excellence. My leadership style is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and vision-driven decision making. These qualities, coupled with my personal and professional life experiences uniquely positioned me to serve as President and to further NAON's mission and vision.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated the ability to bring diverse voices together to bring innovation and navigate complex challenges with integrity. From leading teams through change to mentoring potential facilities seeking certification, I've consistently sought to empower others while ensuring that organizational goals remain at the forefront. My experience on the NAON board has deepened my understanding of our members' needs and the opportunities ahead giving me a strong foundation to guide the organization with continuity and fresh perspective.
Beyond my professional accomplishments, my life experiences have shaped me into a leader who values resilience, empathy, and inclusivity. I believe these traits are essential to advancing NAON's vision and shaping the future of orthopedic nursing. As President, I am committed to amplifying our collective voice, strengthening member engagement and ensuring NAON continues to be a trusted resource and advocate for orthopedic nurses across all practices.
Board of Directors Candidates
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Heather Barnes, DNP, CPNP-PC, APRN, ONC
Second 3-Year Term
I have been a member of NAON for many years, serving on CAT as well as the Executive Board over the last decade. I have a strong commitment to seeing NAON overcome the challenges it has faced over the last several years. I believe the landscape of orthopedic nursing is evolving and to continue to be successful and relevant in the future NAON must continue to evolve with generational changes we are seeing in the workforce. While I firmly believe we are making moves in the right direction, we still have many opportunities ahead of us to make NAON the premier source for education, advocacy and orthopedic research.
Over my 25 years working in nursing, I have served in a variety of roles including leadership roles, countless committees and volunteer organizations. I am a believer that change is inevitable and should be embraced and there is always room for growth. My personal goal as a member of the NAON Executive Board is to expand NAON’s reach and relevance to pediatric orthopedic nurses. When I joined the Executive Board, I wasn’t sure how I was going to achieve that but as we move forward in creating special interest groups, I believe the inception of a pediatric special interest group is the stepping stone to increased membership, research, and education offered at Congress and other events during the year.
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Melissa Bourne, PhD, RN, CNE, ONC
First 3-Year Term
My dedication to orthopedic nursing is evident in my contributions to the field over the past 20 years. I have been an orthopedic nurse since 2006, a NAON member since 2007, and ONC certified since 2008. As a member and chair of the Research Committee, I have presented at NAON Congresses and published in ONJ. I also serve on the ONCB Test Committee and I am an active ONJ reviewer.
As an orthopedic nurse, I served in leadership roles including charge nurse, preceptor, Nurse Leader, and Unit Educator. I taught our pre-operative total joint replacement patient education classes for several years, helping patients and their families to feel prepared and empowered for their upcoming surgeries. I aimed to improve the healthcare experience for patients as well as the working environment for nurses. I stayed in orthopedics from 2006-2023 because I found great satisfaction in helping patients to regain their mobility and improve their quality of life.
I made the difficult decision to leave patient care in 2023 due to a physical disability. I am now an Assistant Professor and the director of the RN-BS program at St. John Fisher University. I also work per diem in nursing professional development at the University of Rochester Medical Center. I enjoy helping nursing students and practicing nurses to learn and grow through all stages of their careers.
As a scholar, I am passionate about improving health equity for people with disabilities. My research to date focuses on nursing education for the care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). I am now combining my interests by conducting a review of elective orthopedic surgery for people with IDD. I completed a fellowship through the Health and Disability Program with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and I am a fellow and mentor for the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing. I also serve as Secretary for the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities. These fellowship and director experiences have contributed to my personal and professional growth, as a leader, collaborator, and advocate.
I hope to move NAON forward in its mission and vision by contributing to orthopedic nursing education, research, and professional development. Orthopedics as a nursing specialty is evolving, which means the needs of NAON members are changing. Determining and addressing those needs will be crucial. I see myself as an efficient leader with strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities. I collaborate effectively and strive for mutual respect and inclusivity among team members. I have seen the difference that good leaders can make within an organization and I feel that I can learn from and add to the strength and passion of the NAON Board. Matt Lowe’s President’s message really resonated with me, and it would be an honor to contribute as a Director to help GROW the Future of NAON across all practices.