Board of Directors

Tracee Kennon has been a member of AACN since 2013 and a Board Member since 2022.  She is a visionary Founder and CEO.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University, equipping her with the leadership and strategic expertise to drive innovation in healthcare.

With 23 years of experience in critical care nursing, Tracee has played a pivotal role in ECMO and MCS program development in both high-acuity and community hospital settings. She is a sought-after speaker, educator and leader in the healthcare industry. Tracee continues to drive excellence in ECMO and critical care education, shaping the future of healthcare through innovation, mentorship, and leadership.

Gina is a dedicated nursing leader with ten years of experience in acute and critical care nursing. She recently began her first role as an advanced practice nurse. Currently, Gina is a critical care Nurse Practitioner at Houston Methodist Baytown. She brings an array of clinical expertise, operational insight, and a deep commitment to advancing patient-centered care in acute and critical care settings. 

Gina obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2024 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2014. Gina is also passionate about wound care and pressure injury prevention, and in 2016, she became a Wound Treatment Associate. Throughout her nursing career, she has chaired multiple unit-based Pressure Injury Prevention Committees, participated in several quality improvement projects related to managing and preventing pressure injuries, and served as a Co-Chair of a hospital-wide Wound Treatment Associate Committee. Through these positions, Gina has learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration to foster the growth and development of successful projects and committees. Additionally, Gina holds a board certification in Cardiovascular Nursing, is a Critical Care Registered Nurse, and is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

Hannah graduated from Houston Baptist University and has been a nurse for over 15 years. Her experience includes working in the Transplant, Surgical Liver, and Cardiovascular ICUs.  She currently works at the Houston Methodist Hospital, as a staff nurse and an ECMO Specialist in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.

Hannah has been a part of AACN since 2010 and has been on the Board of the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter in some capacity since 2019. Hannah is very excited for the coming year and serving as Past-President!

Holly M. Rodriguez is honored to serve as the 2025–2026 Treasurer on the AACN-HGCC Board of Directors. She brings nearly 15 years of nursing experience in the Texas Medical Center/Gulf Coast area and is currently a third-year PhD student in Nursing Research at UTHealth Houston, Cizik School of Nursing. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing (Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) and a post-graduate certification in Nursing Education.

Holly’s professional background includes roles as a faculty member at the Houston Methodist Academic Institute, a Professional Practice Leader in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Houston Methodist Hospital, and adjunct faculty at UTHealth Houston’s Cizik School of Nursing.

Her work has been recognized with several honors, including the Faculty Award of Excellence from UTHealth and the Excellence in Nursing Award from the Good Samaritan Foundation. She was recently inducted as a Professional Member of the National Academies of Practice (NAP), acknowledging her significant contributions to interdisciplinary healthcare. Holly has been a committed member of AACN-HGCC since 2015 and has served as a board member since 2022. She also currently serves as the Website Communication Committee Representative for the Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) Student Network.

Holly looks forward to continuing her service and leadership in advancing nursing practice, education, and research.

Ron Adolph is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 29 years of nursing experience, specializing in Emergency Nursing and Trauma Care. He currently serves as the Director of Clinical Informatics at HCA Houston Healthcare, where he leverages his clinical expertise and leadership skills to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.

Ron holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Houston. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Leadership at Walden University.

Throughout his career, Ron has held numerous leadership roles, including:

• Director of Emergency Services at Methodist Willowbrook
• Manager at Clear Lake Regional
• Interim Director of Medical-Surgical Services at HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland
• Interim Director of Dialysis Services at HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland

Beyond his professional achievements, Ron is deeply committed to community service. For over 13 years, he has served on the Medical Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He also volunteers at the Houston Chevron Marathon through the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). Through his fraternal organization, he actively participates in community initiatives such as blood drives, meal deliveries for the elderly, voter registration efforts, and yard maintenance for seniors.

Giselle Long is a dedicated registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field, currently serving in a Level One Trauma Neuro Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Her journey in nursing began as a nursing technician in a long-term care facility, where she developed a passion for patient care. Giselle obtained her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification, working in various settings, including long-term care and home care, before advancing her education.

Seven years after earning her LPN, Giselle completed her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) a few years later. Throughout her diverse career, she has worked in many areas, including long-term care, home care, oncology, and trauma ICU, ultimately finding her passion in neuro nursing.

Having spent a decade in her current unit, Giselle stands out as one of the few long-term staff members, mentoring many new graduates. She plays a vital role as both a charge nurse and a stroke nurse, contributing her expertise to the team. In addition, Giselle is actively involved in advancing nursing practices, serving on a committee dedicated to promoting nurses to the next level of their careers. She is responsible for submitting the monthly schedule for her unit, ensuring a well-organized environment for both staff and patients.

Giselle holds both the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) certifications, showcasing her commitment to professional development. Additionally, she has achieved recognition as a WTA champion.  Her dedication to nursing has been honored through several prestigious awards, including the Daisy Award, the Bronze Award of Excellence, and being named one of the top 15 nurses in Houston. Giselle has also been an active member of the Houston chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for the past three years.

Outside of her professional commitments, Giselle is passionate about her work and dedicated to providing the best possible care for her patients, making a significant impact in the neuro intensive care community.

I graduated from Houston Baptist University (Go Huskies) and have 5 years of experience as an intensive care nurse. I have been a member of the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter since 2017.  In addition to my clinical experience, I have also served as a pressure injury committee co-chair and a member of the code blue committee in the CVICU, where I collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to improve patient care outcomes and streamline processes. I have spearheaded unit-based projects that have resulted in enhanced patient safety and satisfaction. I am passionate about education and teaching, and I strive to empower my colleagues with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their roles. I am committed to staying current with the latest advancements in critical care.  I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others, both inside and outside of the healthcare setting. I am so excited to learn, meet new people, and help take our chapter to new heights. 

I’m Claudia Cruce, and I bring 13 years of critical care experience to the table. Over the course of my nursing career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in diverse roles from bedside care to administration, operations, and now, education. I currently serve as the Nurse Residency Program Coordinator at Memorial Hermann TMC, a role I’m incredibly passionate about as it allows me to support and guide new nurses as they begin their professional journeys.

A few fun facts about me: Nursing is actually my second career, and I’m a proud Texas A&M Aggie, Whoop!  My husband and I are enthusiastic supporters of the 12th Man Foundation. I’m also a proud mom to two amazing boys. In my rare moments of free time, you’ll usually find me with a good mystery novel or tuning in to a true crime podcast.

I’m truly excited to get to know each of you and can’t wait to make this an incredible year of learning and growth together!

Juaymah graduated with a BSN from St. Paul University - Manila, Philippines and earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of the Philippines.  Her career spans over fifteen years of bedside experience, including roles in the ICU, telemetry, and the operating room. She is currently working the CVICU at Houston Methodist Hospital. During her days off, you can catch her tending to her garden, putting together LEGO sets, or taking weekend trips to the beach with her husband. Together, they are also actively involved in community volunteer programs that support preschool and elementary-aged children. With a passion for critical care nursing and a commitment to fostering professional growth, she is looking forward to promote connection, collaboration, and support amongst our members as the new memberships chair. 

I graduated from Western Governors University in 2020 and have been an ICU nurse for 3 years. My ICU experience began in Neuro Trauma ICU and has spanned to Medical ICU and now CVICU at Houston Methodist Hospital where my heart belongs. I have been a member of this chapter of AACN for a year and now a board member. In my free time I enjoy traveling, reading romance novels, and spending time with my family. I’m looking forward to serving on this year’s board and getting to know each and everyone.

As a dedicated learner, I hold a BSN from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and an MSN in the Clinical Nurse Leader track from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. My thirst for knowledge and professional growth is evident as I am currently pursuing a DNP in the leadership track.
I have worked for Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center as a bedside clinician in the CV recovery room, an Education Specialist, and a Nurse manager. I have been active in shared leadership and am committed to supporting nurses' professional development. I continue to run the Critical Care RN Fellowship Program. Simulation became a passion while working with nurse residents and fellows, prompting me to become certified as a healthcare simulation educator. This passion has led to a new opportunity to work with the Memorial Hermann System Education and Center of Nursing Innovation teams running a state-of-the-art interprofessional simulation lab.
I am a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the Clinical Nurse Leader Association, Sigma Theta Tau, the American and Texas Nurses Association, the Association for Nurse Professional Development, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. As a board member of the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of AACN, I have demonstrated my leadership skills and active involvement in the nursing community. I am currently serving as the seminar committee chair. I volunteer with National AACN whenever possible as an ECCO or exam reviewer and serve as an ambassador. I have been honored as one of the Top 150 nurses in Houston, a bronze medalist from the Good Samaritan Foundation in 2017 and 2022, and a TNA District 9 Twenty Outstanding Nurse honoree in 2022. I have been a podium and poster presenter at local and national conferences.

I graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2002 and have been at the bedside for over 20 years. My ICU experience began with the cardiac patient population and has spanned surgical and liver transplant ICU and COVID ICU. I've been in the Cardiac ICU at Houston Methodist Hospital since September of 2021.

Other non-clinical interests include professional development, education, and mentoring. A member of the AACN HGCC board since 2020, I look forward to working hard to provide a valuable year of events this coming year!