Meet Our Founder

Sharon Baker BSN, MN, CWHNP

The official information for my credentials is listed below. In a nutshell, I am a master’s prepared nurse with a specialty in women’s health. I have had the privilege of practicing nursing in hospitals, teaching institutions, clinics and women’s centers. During the last few years of my career, I worked in a methadone clinic and then a nursing home.

My true passion remains women’s health and consumer education. I founded WIN in 1991 in order to bring information to the community regarding “normal” issues such as menopause. Normal doesn’t necessarily mean without issues. (Think pregnancy. There are lessons for this event!) As health issues or needs arose, I found women to help me get the word out to other women. We learn from experts, but also need to have a forum to have our own voices heard and shared with other women.

Up to date information provides the tools to be better consumers of health care. Since retiring, I have been asked to write a monthly column for the Rome News Tribune. This opportunity provides me an avenue to bring current health issues and news to consumers.

The major goal of WIN is to provide health information and resources specific to the needs of women. We work very hard to do this in a comfortable setting that encourages our participants to have a good time, get their questions answered and meet other women. Right now we are working on programming for 2020. See our tab for upcoming events for details.

My time that is not working on WIN is spent trying to keep up with my yard. I love “digging in the dirt” and the challenge of getting things in the right spot and keeping things trimmed. My garden is the only exercise I find to be fun—probably because it rewards me with fresh vegetable and flowers! I would love to meet some other gardeners and share plants and gardening ideas.

I have two grown sons. My youngest is an MBA working for a major insurance company. He and his wife are now thankfully living back in the state of Georgia. They are expecting their first child and my first grandchild! My oldest son is now an ICU nurse and working on his master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner. He has also recently joined the medical group working with the SWAT team. (Be still my heart!) I’m proud of both of them! My other family member is a rescue dog named “Bebe.” He follows me every step I take. What a loyal companion and joy he is.

Finally, I am an active member of First Baptist Church and currently serving as the chair of the health committee. There are many enriching study groups and opportunities for hearing great music, community outreach and worship. Have a look at the service on TV or come for a visit some Sunday. I’ll be happy to meet you there.

I hope you will join me in whatever questions about health or life that you might have and contact me with your ideas. We need everyone’s ideas, talents and contributions to develop excellent programs. I look forward to hearing from you.

EDUCATION:

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
OB-GYN Nurse Practitioner Program, 1977-1979.

Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
M.N. Maternal Child Nursing, 1972-1974.

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois
B.S.N., 1968-1972.

LICENSURE:

Georgia R.N.: R52033           Georgia N. P. #100006

NCC (National Certification Corporation) OB-GYN Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Passed 1980, certification, current.

October 2004: Passed the Menopause Practitioner Competency Exam. Testing developed and implemented through the North American Menopause Society. (NAMS) certification is current through 2013.

EXPERIENCE:

3/2015 – present RETIRED from gainful employment. Now a full-time volunteer as President and Founder of WIN!
11/2005 – present Speaker and consultant on midlife issues and osteoporosis.
9/1991 – present President & Founder of the Women’s Information Network, Inc., a non- profit 501c organization whose mission is: “To educate and empower women about health and wellness through information and networking.” This position involves planning biannual conferences, fundraising, grant-writing, presiding at board meetings, volunteer coordination, marketing and public relations activities
10/2011 – 3/2015 Nurse Practice Educator for Etowah Landing Care and Rehabilitation a Genesis Nursing Home facility. Role involved new employee screening, drug testing, background checks, orientation and competency testing, development of in-service education, documentation of mandatory education, infection control, safety committee, and workman’s compensation management. Duties also included department head meetings, clinical update meetings each morning, planning a calendar of mandatory in-services, tracking in-services, & participating in state regulatory reports and visits.
1/14/2008 – 7/2011 Clinical Nurse Practitioner and Compliance Officer for New Horizons Treatment Center, an outpatient opioid treatment center. Duties involve administrative duties, coordination of accreditation process, compliance officer, health and safety officer, and human resources coordinator. Work with medical director doing intakes and annual physicals
08/15/2007 – 12/20/2008 Adjunct Faculty for the Georgia Baptist School of Nursing at Mercer College and Clinical Faculty for Georgia Highlands College Nursing students. Working with beginning students in the skills lab and hospital.
9/2002 – 9/2006 Project Coordinator for An annual health promotion/health fair entitled Spring Training. The concept was developed into a regional collaborative of over 50 participating agencies participating in an all day health fair and four-week community-wide health promotion.
8/2005 – 8/2006 Executive Director for Affordable Health Care, LLC, a clinic whose mission is “To serve individuals without health insurance or those with high deductibles at the lowest possible cost.” This position involved establishing a full service family practice clinic, marketing the membership program, coordinating services, hiring and evaluating personnel, seeing patients, program development, the resource center and outreach to the community.
10/1/2003 – 6/2004 Kennesaw State University Student Health Center. Worked in the student health center providing examinations and treatment for common health issues for university students.
3/1998 – 2/2002 Part-time national speaker for the Eli Lilly Speaker’s Bureau: for Women’s Health Professionals and Consumer educational programs.
10/1996 – 2/1998 Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with Rome OB-GYN, P.C. Practice. Clinical position two days a week seeing GYN patients.
11/1994 – 9/1996 Founder and Executive Director of The Women’s Center, an affiliate of Floyd Medical Center. Employed to initiate and implement a comprehensive women’s health center. This position involved administrative responsibility for planning and initiating the center as well as clinical responsibility for seeing patients two days/week.
9/1990 – 11/1994 NP Clinical Practice with Dr. Keith Parmer, a Family Practice physician, in Rome, Georgia. This position involved seeing women for a variety of common problems, annual physicals, screening and GYN exams, and development of health seminars.
5/1983 – 4/1990 Clinical coordinator for the Master’s level Family Nurse practitioner program, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. This position involved classroom teaching and obtaining clinical sites for adult, OB-GYN, pediatric and emergency rotations, site visiting, planning student rotations and evaluation of students and clinical sites. The position also involved planning courses, selecting and scheduling speakers, revising courses, preparing syllabi, and course materials.
10/1980 – 5/1983 Project Director for the first and second operational, year of the certificate Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia. Joint administrative and teaching position to develop and implement a satellite continuing education program on the Berry College Campus, Rome, Georgia.
9/1979 – 6/1980 Assistant Professor for the Master’s degree OB-GYN Nurse practitioner program, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. This position included classroom and clinical teaching, student counseling, and evaluation.
1/1979 – 6/1979 Assistant professor of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Full-time position that included clinical and group discussion responsibilities for students during their maternity rotation. The curriculum was integrated and based on modular learning.
1978 – 1979 Atlanta Childbirth Education Association (CEA)Childbirth Educator. Taught a number of six week series of prepared childbirth classes to couples in the community.>
8/1973 – 12/1977 Nursing instructor, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. Lecture and clinical responsibilities for the Maternity nursing course. Also assigned lecture and clinical responsibilities for the Foundations of Nursing course, and lecture and coordination of a course entitled Family and Group. Promoted to rank of Assistant Professor in 1977.
7/1972 (full-time),
9/1972 – 8/1973 (part-time)
Staff Nurse, Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia. Assigned to the obstetrical area, which included labor, delivery, OR, complications, and therapeutic abortions.

 

AWARDS:

9/29/2016 Inspiration in Women’s Health Award. Given by the National Association of Women’s Health Professionals at the 19th Annual Conference.
10/2015 Reappointed by David Ralston, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives to the fifteen-member Georgia Commission on Women. Currently serving as the Chair of the Health Committee.
2008 Lilly Faculty Appreciation Award.Eli Lilly Osteoporosis Network of Educators.
4/2007 Women’s Information Network, Inc. featured in Southern Living magazine in the Georgia Living People & Places section. The article was titled “Geared for Health” and covered our organization’s activities.
5/17/2003 Pfizer, Inc. Outstanding Leadership and Service Award for work as program coordinator for the Spring Training Health Promotion/Health Fair.
5/8/2003 Georgia Commission on Women and Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative Volunteer Award.
4/18/2001 Appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to the fifteen-member Georgia Commission on Women. Currently Serving as Chairman of the Health Committee.
8/31/1999 Appointed by Governor Roy Barnes to the eleven-member Advisory Council for the newly established Office of Women’s Health.
1999 GNA, District 7 “Nurse of the Year.”
1998 Honoree as a “Georgia Women Pioneer in Health Care”. Georgia Women’s History Committee and Georgia Commission on Women
1996 Woman of Excellence Nominee: Women in Management, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.

 

RESEARCH/PUBLICATIONS:

Baker, Sharon. (2019) Series of monthly editorials published in the Rome News Tribune.

Baker, Sharon (2010) “Special Concerns for Women Who Abuse.” Opioid Treatment Providers of Georgia Quarterly. May 2010 issue.

Baker, Sharon (2001) “Stay in Shape, So You Won’t Break!” Smyrna.*Vinings Living Magazine. June/July 2001 issue.

Baker, Sharon (2001) “What is Gender-Specific Medicine?” Smyrna*Vinings Living Magazine. April/May 2001 issue.

Baker, Sharon (2001) “Hormones, Tea Leaves & Tofu.” Smyrna*Vinings Living Magazine. February/March 2001 issue

Baker, Sharon (1998) Revised the chapter entitled “Menstruation and Related Problems and Concerns.” Youngkin, E., & Davis, M, editors, of the book, Women’s Health A Primary Care Clinical Guide. Appleton and Lange

Baker, Sharon (1994) Wrote the chapter entitled “Menstruation and Related Problems and Concerns.” Youngkin, E., & Davis, M. editors, of the book, Women’s Health A Primary Care Clinical Guide. Appleton and Lange. This textbook received the AJN and Nurse Practitioner “Book of the Year” awards.

Baker, Sharon (Spring 1995) “The Women’s Health Phi1osophy.” Life Health, a Floyd Medical Center publication..

Baker, Sharon (Summer 1996) “Hitting Home: The Domestic Violence Epidemic”A Roundtable Discussion Life Health , A Floyd Medical Center publication..

Rome News Tribune, (November 1996) “Osteoporosis is a concern for all women.”

Women’s Information Network Newsletters: 1992 – 1996. Two newsletters per year.

Warren , C., and Baker , S. (1988) “Coping Resources of Women With Premenstrual syndrome.” Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, VI. 48-53. Publication quoted in Glamour magazine.

Research Thesis Topic: (1974)“The Relationship of an Unwed Mother’s Level of Self-Esteem and Her Decision to Keep or Place Her Infant for Adoption.”

SCIENTIFIC, HONORARY, AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

• Planning Committee for the National Association of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners 22nd Annual Conference. Speaker for the Menopause Pre-conference.
• First Baptist Church of Rome. Member & Chair of the Health Committee
• North American Menopause Society: Member, and certified menopause educator.
• Women’s Information Network, Inc., President and Founder 1991 through present.
• October 2019, reappointed to the Georgia Commission on Women by Georgia Speaker of the House, David Ralston.
• April 2001, appointed to the Georgia Commission on Women by Governor Roy Barnes.
• Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative: Elected Vice-Chair of the GOI, 2003-2010.
• Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative: Asked to Chair the statewide subcommittee developing a strategic plan for osteoporosis prevention and education for the young to middle adult age group. (2001)
• Chamber of Commerce: Member and Leadership Rome Graduate 1995.
• 1998, Nominee for the Woman of Excellence Award in 1996.
• Coosa Valley Tech–Board of Directors 1993 through 6/2003. Served as Board Chairman from 2000-2002.
• Commission on Children and Youth, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force 1997
• Georgia Commission on Women: Health Consultant and Partner, 1998 through 2000.
• Georgia Commission on Women. Steering Committee Member for Georgia Woman of the Year Committee, Inc.1999
• Georgia Commission on Women. Elected Treasurer for the Georgia Woman of the Year Committee, Inc. 2002.
• Georgia Commission on Women: Co-Chair for Summit on Women & Girls co-sponsored with The Women’s Information Network, Inc., September,1999.
• Georgia Commission on Women, “Stop Osteoporosis Special Train Ride” planning committee. (2000-2001)
• Office of Women’s Health: Co-Coordinator for the Cardiovascular Health Fair for Women Committee: Rome, Ga. (4/26/00 through 2006)
• National Association of Professionals in Women’s Health. 1994 Program Planning Committee member, speaker in 1996. Elected to the Board of Directors, Oct. 1997. Organized 1999 Post Conference Midlife Institute, and FIRST consumer event.
• National Wellness Institute: Presented the Midlife Momentum program and There’s No Business Like Bone Business project at the July 2003 conference.
• Technical Institute Foundation Trustee Association: Executive Committee, Chair Training Committee. 1998 through 2000.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:

1997 Floyd County Juvenile Court System. Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program For Juveniles on Probation. Taught the first class in a series of four that focused on familiarizing girls with their anatomy, physiology of the menstrual cycle, common problems and solutions as well as a positive approach to preventive care and annual examinations. This class series was offered three times through grant funding.
10/23/1996
through
11/20/1996
Coordinator and Speaker for Three Sessions of Baby Boomer’s Lunch and Learn Wednesday Series, sponsored by The Women’s Information Network, Inc. “How to tell PMS From Menopause”, “Osteoporosis: More Than Sticks & Stones Can Break Your Bones”,and “Individualizing Menopausal Therapy: Hormones & A1ternatives.”.
9/28/1996 Site Coordinator for the Northwest Georgia United Nations “Follow up to the Bejing Conference. . . . One Year Later.” Speaker on “Health Care for Women.”
3/20/1996
through
4/18/1996
Coordination and Speaker for Three Sessions of a five part Lunch and Learn series entitled, “Five Programs to Change Your Life for Good!”. sponsored by The Women’s Center, an Affiliate of FMC. “Midlife Begins at 35”, “Standing Tall: Osteoporosis Prevention & Management”, and “Hormone Replacement Therapy and Other Menopausal options.”

 

Program Planner and Coordinator for the following Women’s Hea1th Day Events,
sponsored by The Women’s Information Network, Inc.:
9/24/2010 “Addiction: The Undisclosed Disease”(addiction to prescription meds, treatments, resources)
11/1/2008 “Osteoporosis: The Silent Epidemic”(osteoporosis education)
9/30/2008 “Women Going Green.”(Environmental issues)
9/25/2007 “Time For Your Fiscal Physical”(Money Management)
1/2007 “Midlife Calendar”
1/2006 “Midlife Calendar”
4/23/2005 “Spring Training Health Promotion/Health Fair”
1/2005 “Midlife Calendar”
9/28/2004 “Girl’s Night Out!” ( Launch of WIN Calendar based on the movie)
11/9/2004 “Change, Change, Change: Karaoke Night” (Menopause the musical)
5/1/2004 “Spring Training Health Promotion & Health Fair.”
4/17/2004 “Practical Answers to Common Menopausal Questions” CME at Emory University
10/17/2003 “Midlife Issues Cross the Gender Gap” (Andropause and menopause)
3/18/2003 “Spring Training Prevention/Health Fair”
11/19/2002 “Midlife Momentum” (menopause workshop)
10/18/2002 “The Menopause Maze: What’s a Woman to Do?” (menopause symptoms and treatment options)
7/20/2002 “Say No to Osteoporosis” (Series of events on osteoporosis prevention)
9/20/2001 “Setting Your Sights on Travel” (Lasik, and travel health advice)
10/18/2001 “Putting Me first in Menopause!” (World Menopause Day tea)
5/18/2001 “Stop the Silence, Stop the Violence.” (domestic violence prevention)
9/22/2000 “Getting Your Act Together” (end of life document preparation.)
5/30/2000 Osteoporosis Awareness Day at the Capitol, speaker with GCOW
10/12/99 “Wine, Women & Wellness”
9/15/99 “Women in the Workplace” Co-sponsored with the Georgia Commission on Women.
9/26/98 “The Dance of Healthcare”
5/16/98 “Stay in Shape So You Won’t Break!”
9/20/97 “This is Your Life! Are You Making the Most of It?”
11/12/96 “Domestic Violence Prevention Day.”
9/21/96 “Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall, I’m The Fairest of Them All.” (Fibromyalgia, Mental Health, Dermatology)”
2/17/96 “This Valentine’s For Me!” (Estrogen information, , Domestic violence, Choose to Change”
9/9/95 “Laughing Your way to Good Health” (Menopause, Incontinence , Humor)
2/4/95 “Only Angels Can Wing It” (Depression, Headaches, Motivational)
9/10/94 “My Mother Before Me” (Mother/Daughter Issues, Sexuality, Eating Disorders, Up’s & Down’s of Estrogen”–Speaker)
2/26/94 “You’ve Got To Have Heart” (Cardiovascular, Financial , Humor.)
11/13/93 “Potpourri of Women’s Topics” (Cosmetic Surgery, Vaginitis, Safety for Women)
9/25/93 “Defend Yourself Against Breast Cancer”
5/8/93 “Menopause/Osteoporosis: Why a11 the Fuss?” Speaker.
2/12/93 Take charge of Being in Charge” (Leadership).
9/26/92 “Life is Change, Growth is Optional”(Motivational , C1imacteric Health).
1982/1983 Developed and Coordinated a series of study courses to prepare R. N. ‘s to take the New York Regent’s External Degree Examinations. Sponsored by the Continuing Education Department, Berry College, Rome, Ga.
1989 Coordinated a series of Women’s workshops and taught them collaboratively with Dr. Laurie Johnson, developmental psychologist, and Diana Coleman, dietician. Topics included: PMS, Midlife Issues for Women, Support for Overweight Women, Assertiveness and Improved Communication Techniques for Women.

 

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

6/2/1989 Podium Presentation of research, “Coping Resources of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome,” done collaboratively with Dr.Charlotte Warren, at the “Menopause, Premenstrual Syndrome, & Menstruation: Clinical and Socio-cultural , Implications” conference sponsored by the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, Salt Lake City, Utah.
2/19/1990 Poster presentations of research, “Coping Resources of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome,” done collaboratively with Dr. Charlotte Warren, at the “Women in the 90’s” conference ” sponsored by the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Orlando, F1orida.

 

RADIO:

(Prior to each WIN workshop or Health Fair, numerous radio promotional shows are done.)

5/16/2003 Talk show promoting the Spring Training Health Fair.
4/7/2003 Recording PSA’s for Spring Training with WRGA, WLAW, K-98.
12/17/2002 Talk of The Town with Nelle Reagan WRGA Rome. Introducing the Spring Training Project.
8/15/2002 Georgia News Network, “Health Matters in Georgia” program on osteoporosis. This monthly radio program is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Division. Broadcast to 30 stations in Georgia.
5-9/2002 PSA’s written, developed and recorded for the 11 week osteoporosis prevention activities series, “There’s No Business Like Bone Business.”
9/21/1999 Interviewed on WLAQ, “Talk of the Town Program” with Nelle Regan.
2/25/1999 Interviewed on WLAQ, “Talk of the Town Program” with Nelle Regan. Talked about Midlife Momentum and Adolescent needs.
1992-1999 Interviewed on WLAQ, WRGA, and K-98 Prior to all Women’s Health Day Events to promote conferences and topics to be addressed.
1998 Numerous interviews on Women’s Topics ranging from “Menopause, Grieving, The Sandwich Generation, to The Need for a Women’s Resource Center” aired on WRGA, 14:70 Talk of The Town Program with Nelle Regan.
10/20/1988 Taped a radio interview on the topic, “PMS”. Program broadcast on Atlanta 101.5 and 88.5 on 12/11/88 and 2/16/1989.
10/24/1988 Taped a radio interview on the topic, “Menopause.” Program broadcast on Atlanta 101.5 and 88.5 on 11/6/1988 and 11/11/1988.
10/31/1988 Taped a radio interview on the topic, “Women’s Health Issues.” Program broadcast on KISS, Atlanta station.

 

TELEVISION:

9/20/1999 Interview with Jennifer Abney on the topic of the upcoming Georgia Summit on Women & Girls. Interviewed jointly with Nellie Duke, chair of the Georgia Commission on Women on the show, “A Closer Look.”
9/13/1999 Interview with Jennifer Abney on the topic of WIN. Coordinated interview that included four other board members on her show, “A Closer Look.”
WAGA interview with reporter Don Hatcher on the topic, “Domestic Violence.”
8/1989 Interview with Joy Purcell on the topic “PMS” for the daily program “Coffee & Conversation.”
The following presentations were taped for “The Betty Crane Show”, a local Cartersville Television Program:
6/1989 “An Overview of Women’s Issues.”
2/1990 “Upcoming Women’s Programs.”

 

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES

1985 Nurse educator/consultant for family centered maternity care modules sponsored by the Borning Corporation. Presented “Loss of an Infant” programs to nurses and physicians in a variety of hospitals. (Florida, Kentucky, Alabama , Georgia) .
1999 Reviewed a prospective Women’s Health Book entitled, Winning in the Women’s Health Marketplace, by publisher Jossey-Bass Inc.