Dr. Jeri Milstead’s friends would say that she is a ball of energy. Actually, some would describe her as the “Energizer Bunny!” Jeri is currently a senior nurse consultant for health policy, the public policy process, higher education issues, and leadership to individuals and groups. She is a professor and dean emerita at the University Of Toledo College Of Nursing where she served for 10 years. Jeri also has served as a faculty member at Clemson University and as Director of Graduate Programs at Duquesne University.
Along with being a professor, Jeri is also an editor and senior author of “Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide, 5th edition.” The book is sold in 22 countries and is a textbook on the whole policy process and was written for doctoral and master’s students and health care professionals. Jeri also designed and implemented the first on-line course that was taught around the world for the PhD program in nursing.
Jeri feels that she has demonstrated a happy, productive, and interesting life so far. When her husband died at age 42, she thought that life had stopped but with the support of her family, she moved forward and they became a family her husband would be proud of. She is most proud that her 4 children turned out so well. “When my husband died, we had 3 teenagers and a 10 year old at home. Things could have become very negative. However, we all hung together and all 4 are college-educated, employed in jobs and careers they like, and are very caring individuals. They are beautiful inside and out.”
Jeri says that she has never really been given any advice but is an observer and has paid attention to people’s behavior. “I hope my own behavior reflects the best of those positive people who have been important to me – family, professionals, and friends. It took me several years as an adult to trust my own thoughts and feelings and not to worry about what others perceive.” As far as giving advice to others, Jeri does not offer advice very often. She prefers to listen to what others tell her and help guide them in the direction that will bring them to their goals.
Jeri stays busy serving as a guest lecturer for many college graduate nurse education programs on the policy process and leadership. She is also active in professional associations such as Ohio Nurses Association, Council for Ohio Health Care Advocacy, and American Academy of Nursing and is a member of the board of the Hayden Falls Condo Association. Jeri says that she will continue to read widely, write for professional issues, and speak to groups about leadership and preparing for every opportunity.