Our Team
Anita Rich, DNP, RN, CHFN, CDCES, CGNC, FAAN
Founder and Executive DirectorDr. Anita Rich earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Emory University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Georgia State University. She began her nursing career at Emory University Hospital in 1981 and in 2011, she began serving as the Heart Failure Coordinator and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, a role she held for 14 years. Dr. Rich is a Senior Clinical Instructor at her alma mater, the Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Dr. Rich is the recipient of the 2024 ANCC National Magnet Nurse of the Year® Award for Transformational Leadership. She was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in October 2025.
DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
RN: Registered Nurse
CHFN: Certified Heart Failure Nurse
CDCES: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
CGNC: Certified Global Nurse Consultant
FAAN: Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Tanya Owens, DNP, MSN, RN, CNM
Director of Midwifery EducationDr. Tanya Owens earned her Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health degree from Emory University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Georgia College and State University. Before entering midwifery, Dr. Owens built a strong clinical foundation working as a registered nurse in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Coronary Care Unit. She has served as a Certified Nurse Midwife for 26 years and has taught at several institutions including The Georgia College of Nursing, The University of Georgia Medical School, Frontier Nursing University, and Emory University. Dr. Owens currently serves as a Nurse Midwife for the Virginia Department of Health and Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital, specifically serving vulnerable populations in rural areas.
DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
MSN: Master of Science in Nursing
RN: Registered Nurse
CNM: Certified Nurse Midwife
Anna Rickrode was part of the very first NHTH trips to Iraq and Mongolia. She earned her Master of Science degree in Ethics from the University of Edinburgh and spent nine years in nonprofit fundraising and communications before officially joining the NHTH team in 2022.
Director of CommunicationsAnna Rickrode
Nurses Heart to Heart Volunteers
Director of CommunicationsNurses Heart to Heart is grateful for the nurses, midwives, and others who volunteer their time and skills to travel with NHTH to the countries where we serve. If you are interested in volunteering with NHTH, please contact us!
Our Board
Nurses Heart to Heart has a governing board comprised of passionate experts who are dedicated to meeting the needs of nurses, midwives, and other healthcare providers in the developing world.
Jane Thomas, RN
Orlando, Florida, USAJane Thomas graduated from Pensacola Junior College School of Nursing in 1970 and worked as a cardiology nurse for 54 years, serving in the Coronary Care Unit, Medical ICU, Cardiac Rehab, Telemetry Unit, and Non-Invasive Cardiology Department. Jane is passionate about medical missions and has done several medical services trips on her own and with other organizations. With NHTH, Jane has participated in five trips to Mongolia and one trip to Uganda—so far! In addition to her expertise in cardiology, Jane's deep connections in Uganda and her cross-cultural nursing education skills are significant assets in NHTH's work.
Sandra Dunbar, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, FPCNA
Atlanta, Georgia, USASandra Dunbar is a tenured Professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, where she has been a member of the faculty since 1988. Dr. Dunbar is a cardiovascular nurse researcher and educator whose program of research focuses on psychosocial responses to serious cardiac illness. Dr. Dunbar has led interdisciplinary teams in studies funded by NIH NINR, the American Heart Association, and NHLBI. She is also an active volunteer and former chair of the American Heart Association's Council of Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing, and she has served as President of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and chair of the Nursing Committee of the Heart Failure Society of America, and President of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. Dr. Dunbar's expertise in nursing education and in research are nationally recognized—you can read more about her work here.
Twyla Green, MSN, RNC-NIC, CNE
Gulf Shores, Alabama, USATwyla Green obtained Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry from Lee College and nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her Master of Science in nursing education was granted from Saint Xavier University in Chicago. She holds two specialty certifications: NIC (neonatal intensive care) and CNE (certified nurse educator). She served as a NICU nurse at Erlanger East Hospital in Chattanooga from 2004 to 2026. While at Erlanger East, Green received the Nurse Excellence Award for 2018. Green served as the director of health services and was the administrative director for the student health clinic at Lee University from 2005-2007. She served as full-time faculty in the Lee University School of Nursing from 2018-2023. Green has served on multiple medical mission trips with Lee University to Guatemala and with NHTH to Mongolia.
Tanya Owens, DNP, MSN, RN, CNM
Eastern Shore of Virginia, USATanya Owens serves on the NHTH governing board in addition to her volunteer role as Nurses Heart to Heart’s Director of Midwifery Education.