About the Author

First the reality, then the accolades. This is me with sweaty hat hair after my doctoral commencement. Like my books, this is the reality, not the prettied-up version. I live in t-shirts and jeans, have Dr. Mom tattooed over a butterfly on my lower leg, and cherish my first cup of coffee each day. My cats get attention before I get coffee, but that’s how life is with emergency responders; we come last, and for the most part, that’s ok. Now the fluff:

Sherry Lynn Jones is a registered nurse, retired paramedic, and a critical incident stress management (CISM) educator with more than two decades of experience in civilian and paramilitary emergency services. Jones is the author of a blossoming Trauma Junkie anthology featuring the personal and professional experiences, thoughts, and feelings of emergency responders from both sides of the gurney. Sherry’s urban and rural Paramedic experience and nursing in ER trauma centers, inpatient psychiatry, and state corrections merge with ground and air team training with the United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol (CAP). As a Lieutenant Colonel, Jones was a key architect in developing CAP’s National CISM Program, taking it from concept to full program supporting the organization’s 50,000+ emergency services volunteers, addressing a growing need for resilience training and posttrauma response strategies. Sherry is a faculty member of and approved instructor for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress (FAAETS). Following her Master of Science in Psychology specializing in Crisis Management and Response, Jones completed her Doctorate in Education, writing her dissertation on Nurses’ Occupational Trauma Exposure, Resilience, and Coping Education (http: //scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/2360/). Sherry lives in the Detroit area, serves as CEO of Education Resource Strategies, and is a board member of the Michigan Crisis Response Association, promoting and providing emergency services education. Her most valued duties involve acting as Nona to her grandsons and Dr. Mom to children of two and four feet. Sherry’s website is http: //www.SherryLynnJones.com

Foreword Author:

Victor Welzant, PsyD, is the Director of Education and Training and past member of the Board of Directors of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, based in Ellicott City, MD. Victor previously served as Director of Acute Trauma Services for the Sheppard Pratt Health System and as a consultant to the State of Maryland, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in the area of disaster behavioral health. Victor maintains a private consulting and clinical practice in Towson MD, where he specializes in the treatment of Trauma and Stress related conditions, organizational training, and program development. Victor is the Clinical Director for the Anne Arundel Fire Dept. Critical Incident Stress Management team in MD, as well as a supervisor for the Sheppard Pratt Health Care CISM team development. He is a consultant to the Harford County Maryland Sheriff’s Department’s Crisis Negotiation, and Peer Support teams and serves on the adjunct faculty of Towson University in Psychology, Nursing, and Homeland Security. Victor currently serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Emergency Mental Health. Victor lectures and consults internationally on the topics Crisis Intervention, Critical Incident Stress Management, Suicide, Disaster Behavioral Health and the impact and treatment of trauma.

Dr. Welzant has been my friend and mentor for more than 15 years. In terms of CISM response, he has answered every question, provided support, and handled the stuff that was way over my head. If you get the chance to learn from him, take it; worth its weight in gold.