Our Authors
Lashonda W. Broom
Holistic Cannabis Nurse
RN, HHP
Lashonda Broom is a holistic cannabis nurse and consultant and holistic health practitioner. She specializes in holistic health and wellness and cannabis education with safe access for patients through state’s medicinal cannabis programs. Lashonda consults patients across the country on cannabis use, access and helping them find ways to afford their cannabis medicine. She is passionate about the well being of her patients as well as advocacy for individuals who are living with HIV through her nonprofit movement #KnowUrStatus. The movement encourages global testing and awareness. Part of Lashonda’s mission is to show how healthcare can work to the benefit of the patient when used in collaboration with holistic modalities.
Education
- Nicholls State University-Thibodaux, LA: Health and Sciences degree in Nursing
Certifications
- Registered Nurse
- Holistic Health Practitioner
- Herbalist
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
- Meditation Teacher
- HIV Testing Counselor
Professional Accomplishments
- Founder of a Holistic Center Inc- 501c3 nonprofit holistic center
- Chapter Founder and Leader for the American Holistic Nurses Association Bayou Region of Southeast Louisiana
- Founder of #KnowUrStatus
- Advisory Board Member for Cannabis Nurses of Color
- Certified CPR/First Aid Instructor-10 years
Affiliations
- American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA)
- Cannabis Nurses Network (CNN)
- American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA)
- Cannabis Nurses of Color (CNOC)
- American Holistic Health Association
Hannah Laing
Hannah has been working in the hemp industry and at Green Wellness Life for 3 years. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2017 and received a second Fibromyalgia diagnosis in late 2018. She is the third generation in her family to struggle with managing Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, with both of her parents being disabled. Not many humans are as well acquainted with the sustained difficulty of managing chronic illnesses, especially at such a young age.
The Grand Valley State University student is currently studying health communications with a biomedical ethics minor and is dedicated to educating and promoting health and wellness. She has attended 3 different universities and studied across the country medicine, journalism, and is almost done earning a bachelor of science degree. She has been a published author since 2011 for both her poetry and many op-ed pieces. Moreover, she worked as a TEDx event organizer for 2 years, was a Future Problem Solvers coach for 2 years, and has first hand experience shadowing both physical therapists and chiropractors.
Cara Oorbeck
Cara is on staff and assists with the day to day administration at GWL. Cara has been writing and public speaking for the past 20 years. Before Cara started at Green Wellness, she owned her own business for 10 years and had a 50+ person staff that she managed. She has a degree in political science from Grand Valley State University and has a deep passion for learning. Cara also loves gardening and growing things, which you can see when you enter the store.
Cara is also passionate about animals and has rescued both cats and dogs. Cara has had the privilege of watching many people experience the benefits of hemp based products and she is passionate about sharing her knowledge of hemp and CBD any chance she gets. All of her pets are the resident taste testers when it comes to pet CBD and they have benefitted immensely from it, which has brought a lot of peace to the household. When Cara is not working at GWL she is enjoying her family and 7 rescue animals.
Brandy Palmer
Aft
er years in banking and manufacturing management, Brandy went to work for a hemp manufacturer in West Michigan. What was intended to be a fun summer gig turned into a passion for hemp. Brandy founded GWL in 2015 and is still excited every day to share that passion. Brandy has Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Management from Grand Valley State University. Go Lakers! Her journey as an entrepreneur has been featured in Revue magazine and on investcourier.com, among others. When she’s not talking hemp, you can find her playing chauffer to her two kids or cuddling at home with her husband, Jim, and their 4 (yes, 4) cats.
