Meet Our
Nurse Scientists
At the heart of Nursing Science Partners is a team of three exceptional, doctorate-prepared Nurse Scientists who have redefined what it means to lead, mentor, and innovate within the nursing profession. With more than 60 years of combined experience spanning critical care, research, education, and healthcare leadership, these women bring academic excellence into real-world nursing environments—bridging the gap between science and bedside practice.
Each of our leaders has walked the hospital floors, mentored nurses at every level, and driven award-winning projects that shape the future of care. Their shared mission is clear: make high-level nursing science accessible to every nurse at every stage of their career, no matter the setting. Explore their stories below and why many hospitals, nursing schools, and healthcare organizations turn to Nursing Science Partners for trusted, evidence-based expertise.
Nicole Fontenot
DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN
CEO of Nursing Science Partners
Nicole Fontenot, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCNS, CCRN, is the rare kind of leader who blends scientific rigor with practical vision. With nearly two decades in nursing—from the intensive care unit to the boardroom—Nicole has led award-winning research, launched high-impact clinical programs, and mentored hundreds of nurses and advanced practice providers into meaningful, lasting careers.
As CEO of Nursing Science Partners, she co-created a first-of-its-kind consulting firm that connects frontline nurses and healthcare systems to nurse scientists, offering research, education, and clinical inquiry services they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Before that, she created the nursing science program at an academic health system, one of the nation’s most active nurse consulting services. She also developed multiple internship and mentorship programs that are still going strong.
Nicole’s work spans everything from robotics in healthcare to moral distress, meaningful recognition, and nurse-led innovation. She’s secured over $1.3 million in research funding, served on national boards, and presented internationally on nurse workforce development, shared governance, and technology-enabled practice. She’s driven by two things: innovation that improves care and mentorship that builds leaders. Nicole doesn’t just study nursing science—she helps define what’s next.
Michelle Hehman
PhD, RN, NPD-BC
Chief Nurse Scientist
As the Chief Nurse Scientist, Michelle C. Hehman, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, heads the design, planning, and execution of all clinical inquiry activities for Nursing Science Partners. She is committed to fulfilling NSP’s mission through research that centers on the work and value of nursing, education that fosters a culture of evidence-based patient care, and advocacy that promotes more equitable and inclusive health policies.
Michelle is passionate about helping nurses connect research, theory, and practice to elevate the profession and improve healthcare for all. She brings over 18 years of nursing experience to this role, blending her clinical practice, nursing science, and leadership expertise to inspire collaboration and innovation. An award-winning author, researcher, and nurse historian, Michelle’s work connects nursing’s past and future, highlighting the profession’s integral role in healthcare. Her research reflects a long-term, interdisciplinary perspective that blends historical context with forward-thinking solutions for current and future issues in nursing and healthcare.
A former NCAA volleyball champion at Stanford University, Michelle now resides near Chicago with her husband and three children. When she’s not leading the charge for nursing science, she enjoys baking cookies, walking along the lakeshore, and cheering from the sidelines as her kids compete in football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. Michelle’s work—and life—embody her belief in the transformative power of nursing to create a healthier world.
Carliss Ramos
DNP, RN, CPHQ, EBP-C
Chief Growth & Quality Officer
Carliss Ramos, DNP, RN, CPHQ, EBP-C, is the Chief Growth & Quality Officer for Nursing Science Partners. She is responsible for marketing programs, strategic partnerships, and customer experience. She is focused on driving our vision of advancing the profession by expanding NSP’s brand awareness, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and serving as an ambassador for hospital-based Nurse Scientists in national and international nursing organizations.
Carliss’ strengths are her ability to connect with others and lead teams toward meaningful change. She brings more than 28 years of diverse nursing experience to Nursing Science Partners, having worked in adult acute and critical care, regulatory and clinical research, quality management for solid-organ transplantation, specialty accreditation, and nursing faculty roles. Carliss is equally passionate about clinical inquiry, nursing education, and the quality and safety of patient care, and she strives to help nurses integrate the latest scientific evidence into their daily practice through expert mentorship and quality educational programming.
In her most recent role as a Nurse Scientist for a large academic healthcare organization, Carliss served as an expert consultant in quality improvement and regulatory affairs to design and lead dozens of high-impact clinical inquiry initiatives across the system, earning Bronze Award recognition for Excellence in Nursing from the Good Samaritan Foundation. An educator at heart, Carliss also led the successful implementation of a new Nursing Science Fellowship program designed to offer clinical nurses advanced knowledge and practical skills in clinical inquiry, much of which formed the basis for NSP’s Nursing Inquiry Intensive. She maintains an active role as faculty in an RN-to-BSN program at a top 10 nationally-ranked community college, inspiring the next generation of nurses.
Carliss enjoys reading, cooking for her family, and salt-water fishing. When not working on professional development, Carliss is building her confidence in pickleball and knitting.
Nationwide Nursing Support From the Experts at Nursing Science Partners
At Nursing Science Partners, our leaders don’t just consult on research or teach evidence-based practice—they champion the transformation of nursing from the inside out. Through every course, consultation, and collaboration, they bring a unique combination of scientific precision, clinical insight, and human connection. As advocates for nurse-led innovation and equitable access to nursing science, they’re paving the way for a stronger, smarter, and more empowered nursing workforce. When you partner with us, you gain more than expertise—you gain allies in the future of nursing.
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