President, Cathy Giasson, DNP, MHA, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ

NOVA begins 2024 under the helm of President Cathy Giasson. Cathy is the Associate Director of Patient Care Services/ Nurse Executive at VA Central Western MA. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Nursing Service and all nursing care provided within the health care system. As the Associate Director, she provides 24/7 leadership for all nursing care provided in the inpatient and outpatient settings for the main campus and five community-based outpatient clinics. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, Cathy participates in the decision-making process and governance of the entire system.

Cathy has been at the forefront of conducting salary surveys for all Advanced Practice Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical nurses, and Nursing Assistants to ensure retention, recruitment, and competitive salaries in her community. It is worth noting that this is and has been one of NOVA’s standing legislative priority goals.

Cathy holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Master of Science/Health Administration, a Bachelor’s, and an associate degree in nursing – all of which she earned with high honors.

An interesting fact about Cathy: she spent time in 2023 at the Montana VA, home of Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair, Jon Tester!

President-Elect Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez, BSN, RN

Working as second in command is Michelle Salazar-Rodriguez. Michelle joined NOVA in 2015 and quickly became active in her chapter (364/Black Hills) and in many of its national committees. She was named the chair of the Legislative Committee and remained in that role until 2020.

In her current role as a Patient Flow Coordinator and Bed Manager at the Black Hills, VA, Michelle works in a complex healthcare delivery system and is dedicated to its improvement. She has a background in a broad range of clinical nursing tasks with over 16 years of nursing experience and three years in program management. She has also been involved with the Nurse Professional Standards Board and Nurse Professional Practice Council for over seven years and is currently co-chair for both committees.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science and an associate degree in nursing and is currently obtaining a Master of Nursing in Leadership and Management.

A fun fact about Michelle: she was recently married and spoke her vows in Spanish embracing her and her husband's culture.