2023 Medical Mission Teams

---

Ayanna Toney is a RN with experience in several critical areas including, but not limited to, cardiovascular ICU, trauma ICU, and surgical intensive care units. She currently works as an Assistant Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care and Medical Surgical Telemetry units while serving on the Stroke and Code Blue committees for a major hospital entity.

Ayanna is a natural leader with a great passion for nursing, leadership, and community service.  Her professional career ladder which includes teaching, public health and nursing is what has helped to create the well-rounded person she is today. While a nurse at heart, education has remained a strong focus and is at the forefront of how she embraces the challenges in today’s society.

She has been volunteering with NWP in various capacities since 2018.  When not traveling the world for adventure and fun, this social butterfly enjoys spending time with her family, exploring different cities with friends and experiencing other cultures. Ayanna was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and is a true WHO DAT at heart. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University, Masters of Public Health from Florida A&M University, and her Bachelor Science in Nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Kelli Dykens has been a geriatric registered nurse for over 12 years.
She has volunteered three times with Nurses with Purpose since 2018 in medical missions to Guatemala and South Africa.
Kelli has done extensive traveling within the USA and around the world. She’s also volunteered internationally with other organizations for wildlife conservation, English teaching, childcare and elder care. Her hobbies include yoga, hiking, kayaking and cooking.
 

Ashley’s career began more than 12 years ago as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist. While working in the laboratory, Ashley had a passion of helping others, teaching and desired patient contact. She decided to return to school and enter into a nursing program for second degree students. A natural leader, Ashley quickly worked her way into a leadership role within a

healthcare organization in the Charlotte metro area. With experience in pediatrics,

orthopedics, neurology, oncology, and the ambulatory setting, she has worked on numerous initiatives focused on improving clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction and teammate retention. She earned her Masters of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville University. With an itch to teach and support future nurses, Ashley became adjunct faculty at Queens University of Charlotte. Currently, Ashley is a Nurse Manager for a healthcare group that specializes in Dermatology, Endocrinology and Sleep Medicine in Charlotte, NC. In her spare time, Ashley is continuously looking for ways to support and uplift vulnerable communities. She is a current board member for the Domestic Violence Advisory Board in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Nurses Association, a Big Sister, and long life volunteer of

Nurses with Purpose. Ashley attended her first medical mission trip with NWP in October 2017. Additionally, Ashley enjoys going to brunch with friends, staying active, traveling and spending time with family. A forever learner, she is currently enrolled in a real estate program. Ashley lives by these words daily, “Never let the fire inside of you die. There’s more work to

do.”

 Joyce Blue has been a registered nurse for over 26 years in various roles and settings. As a serial entrepreneur since 2003, she has created businesses to include non-skilled homecare, healthcare staffing, hospice, primary care and behavioral health; as well as residential and commercial real estate.

She currently serves in various capacities in her community, as well as on several boards. She is an active member in her church and her sorority. She has volunteered with Nurses with Purpose since 2018 in medical missions to South Africa.

She has been married for over 26 years has four children and four grandchildren: London, Kayden, Brooklyn and Catherine. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, laughing and eating.

Vincent began his career in healthcare by first becoming a CNA at a LTAC in 2013, he later on decided to pursue nursing and became a LPN/LVN in 2016. Vincent didn’t stop there in 2018 he finished the RN program in Arizona, and graduated with honors. Vincent is a NYC native who resides in the ATL. Vincent has experience in Long-Term Care,  In-patient Psychiatric Centers, Medical/Surgical Units, PCU, Oncology and Hematology. Vincent has also traveled and worked various COVID-19 hotspots including NYC during the beginning of the pandemic. Vincent’s hobbies include cooking, meditation, traveling, nature/hiking, music festivals, and turning up whenever he has free time 

Started off in a nursing home as a server and transferred to home services where I worked as an STNA.  I left that position after six years to be a PCA in the acute care setting.  Been a float nurse for six years at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.  I serve on the board of directors for The Ohio State University Nurse Organization (OSUNO) and for Mid-Ohio District Nurse Association (MODNA) where I advocate for patients and staff.  I am also a clinical instructor at Capital University.  I love being with the students and being a mentor and support.  I was born in Gualan, Guatemala and came to the US at a very young age.  I live with my husband, Ben, in Columbus, Ohio with our three dogs Mila, Chloe and Peyton.  I enjoy being outside as often as I can.  I love spending time with my family, traveling and listening to music at all times.  I will never pass up an opportunity to talk about my dogs.

Armani has been a Registered Nurse for 7 years and a travel nurse for 4 in the adult ICU. She has been an active member of NWP since 2020 and has served on two mission trips in Johannesburg. Armani is not new to mission work; she has also served in Nicaragua assisting in prevention education and detection of parasitic infections at pop up clinics in rural communities. 

When Armani is not working her favorite pastimes include trying new restaurants, visiting museums, listening to music and traveling. When visiting a new country her goal is to embrace in the history, culture, food and music. She is excited embark on her new role as a Team Supervisor and cannot wait to meet her fellow nurse volunteers.