Election Candidates

President Candidate: Jennifer (Gigi) Taylor

Gigi has been a career ED Nurse fp\or 40+ years working in a small community ED, a pediatric ED and has been at UT Medical Center, Knoxville, a Level I Trauma Center since 1992.  Gigi currently works prn for the Trauma Program assisting with trauma education. 

She holds her Master of Science in Adult Health, Clinical Nurse Specialist as well as her certifications of Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN).  She has been teaching the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC for almost 30 years and currently also serves ad a Course Director and Faculty.  She teaches many other continuing education disciplines including ENPC, ATCN, regional EMS education, and guest lecturing at symposiums and luncheons.  

She joined ENA in 1987 and became an active member of Smoky Mountain Chapter in 1992 after moving to Knoxville.  Gigi has served in multiple roles at the chapter and state level.  She is currently the Tennessee ENA Treasurer, Trauma/TNCC Committee Chairperson, and the annual Conference Committee Chairperson. 

Gigi Taylor, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN

Secretary Candidate: Beckye Dalton

Beckye Dalton serves as a Risk Management Clinical Nurse Specialist at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxvllle. She has more than 25 years of experience in emergency and critical care nursing - including both adult and pediatric populations and over four years of expertise in healthcare risk management. 

A longstanding and dedicated member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), Beckye has held key leadership positions, including Eastern Regional Director and Secretary for the TN ENA. She has represented the state as a National Delegate for more than five years and has shared her knowledge through presentations at both state and national ENA conferences. In addition to her work with ENA, Beckye Is an engaged member of the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASH RM), where she continues to advance patient safety and quality improvement through evidence-based risk management Initiatives. 

With a deep commitment to professional excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning, Beckye remains a dedicated advocate for the emergency profession and the patients it serves.

Beckye Dalton, MSN, RN, APRN, CCNS-BC, CEN

Treasurer Candidate: Michelle Seay

Michelle is an RN with 30+ years of clinical experience including a strong background in emergency, cardiac and medical-surgical nursing.  She has worked as a medical-surgical staff nurse early in her career and later worked in Cath Lab and Home Health  before finding her passion in the Emergency Department for 26+ years.  She has recently worked at the as a Correctional Facility Nurse and is currently working for the Tennessee Department of Aging and Disability.  

Michelle has been a long time member of ENA and was very active with her local West Tennessee ENA chapter and the state meetings and events.  She has served as a Tennessee ENA Delegate at General Assembly on multiple occasions.  

Michelle Seay, RN

East TN Regional Director Candidate: Jenny Fritz

With 17 years of nursing experience, I have dedicated my career to serving patients and supporting fellow nurses at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. I began in acute care, transitioned to perioperative services, and for the past eight years have found my true calling in the Emergency Department. Currently, I serve as the ED Educator, fulfilling the role of Clinical Nurse Specialist, where I focus on staff development, clinical excellence, and evidence-based practice.

I have been a proud member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) for the past five years. Through ENA, I've embraced opportunities to grow in leadership, advocacy, and professional development-experiences that have deepened my passion for emergency nursing and inspired me to become more engaged at the regional level.

In addition to my hospital role, I teach classes for the Center for Domestic Preparedness, where I help prepare healthcare professionals for disaster and emergency scenarios. I am a lifelong learner, always seeking to grow while helping others do the same.

Outside of work, I am a devoted mom to an 11-year-old daughter, a proud bonus mom to a 21-year-old son, and the slightly outvoted human in a home ruled by a spirited 2-year-old toy Aussiedoodle. I enjoy attending church, relaxing with a good book, exploring local festivals, and treating myself to a well-earned massage. Whether at the bedside, in the classroom, or through ENA, my goal is to uplift and empower emergency nurses across our region.

Jennifer Fritz, MSN, RN, CEN

Middle TN Regional Director Candidate: Michael Shaw

In 2019, after a 22-year career in association government affairs and politics, I faced a tough decision as my employer reorganized and eliminated my position. Struggling to find another opportunity, I started my own business and was able to recruit a couple clients, including a company developing business in China. Well, we all know what happened next with the world shutting down. 

My business died. Faced with yet another tough decision and the support of my family I started back to school at age 44 to become an emergency nurse. After earning my BSN from Marian University in August 2022, I started my current role as an emergency nurse at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford serving a broad array of patient from across the age and health spectrum. During that time, I also learned about ENA and found an opportunity to utilize my old career and skills. 

During my time with ENA, I have attended and participated in several meetings and served as a delegate to ENA 2024 on behalf of the Tennessee ENA. I believe that as a profession we are stronger together and with the challenges that we face in serving the public it is more important than ever that we build on the success of TN ENA and expose more emergency nurses to the value that our organization represents. 

In the role of Middle Tennessee Regional Director, I will put my energy and experience into doing just that and help build a yet stronger TN ENA. 

Michael Shaw, BSN, RN, TCRN