Board of Directors

WALLETTE G. WIDENER, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CNRN, MSCN
Savannah Neurology Specialists
Savannah, GA

Wallette Widener, PhD, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 30 years of nursing experience, including over 20 years specializing in neurology and 18 years dedicated to the care of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS). She currently practices at Savannah Neurology Specialists, where she provides comprehensive MS care to individuals across urban and rural communities in Southeast Georgia and the southern coastal region of South Carolina.

Throughout her career, Wallette has been committed to improving the lives of individuals affected by MS through compassionate care, patient education, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. She played a key role in the development of Savannah Neurology Specialists’ nationally recognized MS specialty program, an achievement recognized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She remains passionate about empowering individuals living with MS through education, self-management, and coordinated care.

Wallette earned her PhD with a focus on patient self-care and empowerment in multiple sclerosis. She continues to advance these principles through her clinical practice and through initiatives that support education, care coordination, and advocacy for individuals living with chronic neurological conditions.

In addition to her clinical work, Wallette is actively involved in statewide collaborative efforts in Georgia to improve timely access to care for demyelinating emergencies. She is also a dedicated volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and other organizations committed to supporting individuals and families affected by MS.

An active member of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) since 2011, Wallette has served the organization in multiple leadership roles. She previously served as a Board Member of the Multiple Sclerosis Nurses International Certification Board (MSNICB) and later as Secretary of IOMSN and MSNICB Liaison. Through these roles, she has remained committed to advancing MS nursing practice, education, professional development, and certification.

As President of IOMSN, Wallette is honored to serve alongside a dedicated community of MS nurses and healthcare professionals who share a commitment to excellence in patient care. She is passionate about fostering collaboration, supporting professional growth, and advancing the role of MS nurses in improving outcomes for individuals living with multiple sclerosis. She strongly believes in nurses caring for nurses and is committed to creating opportunities for MS nurses to support, educate, and learn from one another while navigating the challenges and rewards of caring for patients with complex neurological conditions. She is equally passionate about mentoring and educating the next generation of nurses, helping to cultivate future leaders in MS and neurological care.

Through her clinical expertise, leadership, and advocacy, Wallette continues to support and inspire healthcare professionals while championing high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals living with MS and other neurological disorders.

Sara Schaefer, AGPCNP-BC, CNRN, MSCN
University of Colorado Health
Harmony Neurology
MS Comprehensive Care Center
Ft. Collins, CO

Sara Scahefer is an adult-geriatric primary care nurse practitioner with 14 years of experience in MS. From 2012-2016, she practiced at the Linda Morgante MS Center at Maimonides in Brooklyn, NY. In 2016, she relocated to Colorado and have been practicing General Neurology specializing in MS at UCHealth Neurology in Fort Collins, CO. She obtained the designation of Comprehensive MS Care Center granted by the National MS Society for their office in 2018.

She is a proud member on the board of the IOMSN as President-Elect, West Regional Co-Liaison and serving on multiple committees – working for education and collaboration for MS nurses worldwide. She is also a board member and speaker for the Brain Health Center of the Rockies - a non-profit organization who provides no cost virtual MS education promoting brain health for patients and caregivers affected by MS. She is involved annually as team captain and fundraiser for Colorado Bike MS and Windsor Walk MS.

She enjoys biking to work most days and, on the weekends, playing in dirt in her vegetable garden, hiking, biking and camping with her husband and dog.

Rachael Stacom, ANP-BC, MSN, MSCN
Senior Vice President Population Health at Independence Care System (ICS)
New York, NY

Rachael Stacom, ANP-BC, MSN, MSCN, is Senior Vice President of Population Health at Independence Care System (ICS), a New York State Medicaid Health Home and Care Management Organization specializing in care for people with physical disabilities, many of whom have multiple sclerosis. Over twenty-five years at ICS, Rachael has developed and implemented programs addressing the complex health needs of individuals with physical disabilities, with a focus on improving health outcomes while preserving mobility and independence. Since 2007, she has practiced part-time as a nurse practitioner at the Multiple Sclerosis Center at BronxCare Health System. At IOMSN, Rachael serves as Board Secretary and chairs the Communications Committee. She also serves on the National MS Society Health Advisory Committee.

MARIJEAN BUHSE, PhD, NP-BC, MSCN, FAAN
Dix Hills, NY

Marijean Buhse, PhD, NP-BC, MSCN, FAAN is a Nurse Practitioner who focused on the care of people and families with multiple Sclerosis. She was Clinical Professor at Stony Brook University School of Nursing for over 30 years and recently retired from NYU South Shore Neurologic as an NP. Her career in MS spanned over 28 years and she still remains active in the field.

She has been the Treasurer of the IOMSN since 2023, is a current member of the Research Committee and a past president of the MSNICB.

BONNIE BLAIN, RN, CNN(C), MSCN
Central Alberta MS Clinic
Red Deer, Alberta
Canada

Bonnie Blain is a MS Nurse at the Central Alberta MS Clinic in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Since 2003, she has provided specialized neurological care while advancing MS nursing through leadership, education, and mentorship.

Bonnie serves as Immediate Past President of the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) and leads the IOMSN International Working Group and Emeritus Group. She is also Co-Chair of the Canadian MS Nursing Care Plan, an evidence-informed initiative designed to support consistent, high-quality MS nursing practice across Canada.

A frequent national and international speaker, Bonnie is passionate about preparing the future MS nursing workforce of the future, fostering global collaboration, and improving the lives of people living with multiple sclerosis through excellence in nursing care.

KATHLEEN COSTELLO, MS, CRNP, MSCN
CEO - CMSC | IOMSN | MSNICB
Hackensack, NJ

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Neurology
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
Concept and Strategy Lead, Can Do Multiple Sclerosis
Avon, CO

Kathleen Costello is the CEO of the Consortium of MS Centers and the International Organization of MS Nurses—leading organizations dedicated to advancing comprehensive MS care, professional education, and the dissemination of critical information to healthcare providers and individuals affected by MS and other neuroinflammatory conditions. She also serves as adjunct faculty in the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and as the Concept and Strategy Development Lead for Can Do Multiple Sclerosis.

With over 30 years of experience in MS care, Ms. Costello has lectured and published extensively on MS management. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Can Do MS, where she helped expand education and support programs for people with MS and their care partners. Her career includes key roles in workforce development and education for the National MS Society, clinical leadership at the Johns Hopkins MS Center and the University of Maryland MS Center, and work as a Senior Medical Science Liaison with EMD Serono. She is a past president of the International Organization of MS Nurses and chaired the MS Specialist Certification Committee for the Consortium of MS Centers. Additionally, she contributed to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation’s successful efforts to include MS medications on the World Health Organization’s essential medicines list.

Ms. Costello earned both her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and a certified MS nurse. In recognition of her lifelong dedication to MS care and advocacy, she was honored as a Giant in MS by the Consortium of MS Centers in 2023.