Nursing Faculty

Deborah Adell began her teaching career in 1994 at Desales University, and has taught at and directed nurse practitioner programs at the University of South Florida and the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. As a board-certified family nurse practitioner for 21 years, she also maintains an active clinical practice.

Education: PhD, Marywood University; MSN, Misericordia University; BSN, Drexel University

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner–Board Certified (FNP–BC), nationally board certified in menopause management through the North American Menopause Society

Honors and Achievements: International Association of Dance Medicine and Science research award (Harkness Foundation; London, England), diplomate of the National Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners

Deborah Adelman has been a nurse educator and professor of nursing for 26 years. She is currently the program lead for non-nurse practitioner Master of Science in Nursing courses as well as course lead for several of those courses. Adelman oversees numerous innovations in curriculum, including course revisions, creating new courses, and supporting faculty in these areas. She also mentors faculty who wish to do research, and has assisted five faculty in publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals. Adelman started her academic career at Lakeland College in Mattoon, Illinois. She moved on to the State University of New York and was an associate professor there for 2 years before joining Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) as a full-time faculty member in 2017.

Education: PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; MSN, University of Illinois, University Center; BSN, University of Illinois, Medical Center, College of Nursing

Honors and Achievements: Interagency Council on Information Resources in Nursing, Essential RN Resources, Ward Duel Award for Excellence in Public Health Writing, Faculty Owl Award for Scholarship (Kaplan University)

Research Interests: Disaster nursing, nursing education, perceptions of plagiarism at the graduate level, online faculty, the experiences of nurse practitioners related to sharing clinical notes with patients through patient portals

Sherrill Baumfalk teaches pathophysiology, medical-surgical nursing II, and the nursing capstone course. She facilitates the skills labs for courses she teaches and supervises students in the clinical setting. She is involved in several activities serving all ADN programs within Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) at its Nebraska and Iowa campuses, including as a Curriculum Committee member. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Baumfalk worked in an acute care hospital for 19 years, in numerous capacities from bedside nurse to preceptor and clinical care coordinator.

Education: RN, University of Nebraska Medical Center; MS, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global)

Certifications: Orthopaedic nursing (National Association of Orthopaedic Nursing)

Honors and Achievements: Faculty of the Term Award, Customer Service Awards, Kaplan Way Student Success Award

Erin Bellaire is a full-time nursing faculty member who teaches nursing theory and is the course lead for the clinical component of the nursing fundamentals course. She has been instrumental in the research and implementation of a new program that integrates a layered approach to learning to further prepare students for the NCLEX exam. Bellaire has 22 years of experience working in a hospital setting and has a deep understanding of clinical practice, supervision, leadership, management, and education. Prior to moving to academia, Bellaire worked as a director of nursing education.

Education: MSN, University of Maine; BSN, Husson College

Megan Bivens is a full-time faculty member for the RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In this role, she oversees curriculum development as a course lead, including modularized curriculum and competency-based programs, and also participates in faculty governance. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Bivens was a faculty member for LPN, RN, and RN-to-BSN programs and also served as coordinator for a high-fidelity simulation center in a face-to-face associate’s in nursing (ADN) program. She has worked in various areas of clinical nursing practice including labor and delivery, postpartum, operating room, medical-surgical (gynecology), and sick baby care.

Education: MSN, Florida State University

Honors and Achievements: Spirit of Kaplan Outstanding Online Faculty Leader Award (Kaplan University), Spirit of Excellence Award, additional teaching awards including outstanding course lead and classroom innovation

Research Interests: Emotions of online learners and computer-based simulation, predictors of success for ADN students

Catherine Black is a full-time faculty member in the ADN program at Purdue Global, where she teaches various courses focusing on fundamentals of nursing and medical surgical nursing as well as pathophysiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology. She was a staff nurse for 14 years and a patient education coordinator for 5 years before going into nursing education. Black is active in the Iowa League for Nursing for the past 8 years and a member of the Board of the ILN from 2012-2014, president-elect from 2014 to 2016, and president from 2016 to 2018. She is also an NLN Ambassador and the campus advisor for the international honor society of Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Mu Sigma Chapter.She has also completed all course work towards her PhD in Nursing Education at Capella University.

Education: MSN, University of New Mexico; BSN, University of New Mexico

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator

Lisa Boshart has been a didactic nursing instructor for 8 years. She currently teaches a medical/surgical course, which has a critical care component, as well as a pediatrics course, which includes doing simulations for pediatrics clinic. In addition, she assists in numerous labs for nursing students of all levels. Boshart previously worked more than 20 years as a registered nurse in intensive care units. She spent 10 years overseas working with medical professionals in relation to U.S. medical customs and medical language as well as teaching English at a Korea university. Boshart has edited nursing journals for four nursing Korean organizations for over 5 years and attends nursing conferences each year. Currently, she is pursuing a certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); MA, University of Northern Iowa

Memberships: National League of Nurses; American Association of Critical Care Nurses

Sarah Brown joined Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) as an adjunct instructor for the nurse practitioner program in 2015. She was advanced to a full-time adjunct position in 2017. Her responsibilities include facilitating effective delivery of curricula in the graduate nursing program, primarily in the clinical courses. Brown's career path is inclusive of women's health, family practice, and wound care. She volunteers at a free clinic to the underinsured in her county and has precepted new graduate NPs in many settings along her career path. Brown is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2006 and is licensed in Florida.

Education: DNP, Chatham University; MSN, University of Central Florida; BSN, University of Central Florida; ASN Daytona State College

Publications: DNP project on medication adherence accepted for publication in Today's Geriatric Medicine

Pamela Caldwell has taught a variety of undergraduate courses at Purdue Global, including pharmacology for the medical assistant program, nursing fundamentals theory and clinical, pharmacology, adult theory and clinical, research, and geriatrics. Currently she teaches a course on physical assessment and capstone theory and clinical. She is also a course lead services on the Curriculum Committee. Her career in nursing encompasses a variety of settings and positions, including ICU, medical-surgical, and long-term care and as a practice manager at a private orthopedic practice. Prior to Purdue Global, she taught clinicals for Maine College of Health Professions.

Education: MSN, Western Governors University

Glenna Chickering teaches classes in the School of Nursing. Her previous experience includes 18 years as a medical-surgical nurse. In that time, she has also worked at a surgical/trauma office. Chickering was a clinical coordinator for 13 years and acted as an interim manager for one year. She also did some adjunct clinical for a few terms.

Education: MS, Walden University

Certifications: American Nurses Credentialing Center, Medical Surgical Certified, Basic Life Support Instructor Certified

Honors and Achievements: Clinical Ladder Four

Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau

Research Interests: Cultural awareness and influences on health

Amy Daly has worked in nursing education for over 26 years, teaching in associate’s, baccalaureate, and master’s degree nursing programs. At Purdue Global, she serves as the program lead for the Doctor of Nursing Practice. In this role, she assists in providing leadership in designated areas, focusing on academic operations that support timely student matriculation to program completion. She also serves as the nursing representative to the University’s Faculty Senate, and is chair of the School of Nursing Assessment and Evaluation Committee. Daly is the faculty liaison to the School of Nursing Leadership Council. In practice, she has worked in nursing administration, staff development, risk management, telephone triage, and community education. She has served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross in Mississippi and a state nursing organization. Currently, Daly serves as an on-site evaluator for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Education: PhD, William Carey University; MSN, Louisiana State University; BSN, William Carey College

Morgan Dutler teaches in a variety of classes and currently teaches the pharmacology course at Purdue Global, including in the lab along with the capstone and its associated lab. She also teaches in the maternity and pediatric labs. Along with those classes, she assists students in studying and preparing for their NCLEX exams. Previously, Dutler spent the beginning of her nursing career in long-term care, where she eventually was the director of nursing. In 2006, she changed paths and started working in Women's Services at Iowa Lutheran Hospital as a maternity nurse. In 2008, she took an adjunct position with Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) as a clinical instructor, becoming a full-time faculty member in 2016.

Education: MSN, Gonzaga University; BSN, GranView University; LPN, Southwestern Community College

Tina Eslinger-Vaughn currently teaches in the online Master of Science in Nursing program, including specialty courses in the nurse educator track. She also serves as a course lead and is on on multiple University committees. She is licensed as a registered nurse in the states of California, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Vaughn has worked in a diversity of clinical settings with over 29 years in emergency care services. She has also worked in the perioperative services of her community hospital and as an occupational health nurse. She is co-founder of the Shasta County Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.

Education: DNP, Walden University; MS, Walden University; BS, National University

Certifications: Public Health Nurse, Certified Online Instructor, Certified Medical Surgical Nurse

Kellee Flurry has been in the field of nursing for 26 years. At Purdue Global, she serves as the course lead faculty member for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing directed studies course and teaches many other courses in the curriculum. She also serves on several University committees. She has a wide variety of clinical specialty areas in nursing, and spent a total of 19 years working in various clinical areas. Flurry will complete all requirements of a PhD in August of 2018 from William Carey University. Her dissertation focuses on job satisfaction and emotional intelligence among online nursing faculty.

Education: MSN, Grand Canyon University; BSN, William Carey University

Elizabeth Frander has been with Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) since 2011. She teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program; other responsibilities include curriculum review, course lead duties, and service on the Academic Policies Committee. Frander has held faculty positions in various nursing degree programs and has over 30 years of experience in critical care, palliative care, and community health. Frander serves on numerous committees within the community. She has attended and presented at numerous conferences and presented, internationally, nationally, and regionally on best practices in online education.

Education: DNP, Medical College of Georgia; MS, Troy State University; BSN, Columbus State University; ASN, Columbus State University

Publications: Nurse Educator, Creative Nursing, Perspectives in Learning

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (AACN), Certified Nurse Educator (NLN)

Research Interests: Online learning, student engagement, and educational technology, and compassion fatigue in nurse educators

Bonnie Fuller teaches in the nurse educator concentration of the Master of Science in Nursing program in the School of Nursing. She is a Certified Nurse Educator with significant educational experience at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Throughout her career in nursing education, she has participated in and led initiatives and committees for curriculum and program development, evaluation, and accreditation. Her work has resulted in grant funding for nursing program expansion and services to meet the needs of diverse nursing students. She has advised and led study abroad programs for nursing and health care students that promote awareness of cultural diversity in health care.

Education: PhD, Notre Dame of Maryland University; MSN, Indiana University; BSN, University of Indianapolis

Publications: Journal of Nursing Education, Nurse Educator, Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator (National League of Nursing)

Honors and Achievements: Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society; Kappa Delta Pi, American Nurses Foundation (grant reviewer), nursing journal reviewer, nursing textbook reviewer

Memberships: American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing

Research Interests: Diversity in nursing education; student success

Rachel Goldenstein began to teach full time in the associate’s nursing degree (ADN) program at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2014. She currently teaches several classes for the ADN program. Prior to teaching, Goldenstein worked as a registered nurse in multiple hospitals and areas across the United States. Her main experience was in the intensive care unit and emergency room.

Education: MSN, University of North Carolina

Jessica Gordon has been a full-time faculty member with the School of Nursing since 2010. She serves as the course lead for transcultural nursing as well as ambulatory care nursing, and teaches the courses in leadership and management and health assessment.. Her prior work experiences in practice includes neuro/surgical/trauma intensive care nursing in a level 1 trauma center for 7 years and multiple university instructor roles. Current interests include high fidelity simulation in nursing curricula and developing curricula for schools of nursing focused on innovative teaching methods.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); Graduate Certificate, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); BSN, Nova Southeastern University; BS, University of Florida

Certifications: Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE)

Roxanne Gould currently teaches community health and nursing fundamentals. While assisting with course curriculum revisions, she developed numerous learning games for her course. Her nursing experience includes public health and med/surg on a progressive care floor. She taught as an adjunct instructor at several colleges before becoming a full-time faculty member at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University). Gould is currently a board member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, where she co-writes the quarterly newsletter. She has served on numerous committees and has been part of five international medical mission trips.

Education: MSN, Nebraska Methodist College; BSN, University of Nebraska Medical Center; ASN, Metropolitan Community College

Julie Grissom has clinical expertise in the areas of emergency nursing, critical care, adult coronary, and trauma. She became a faculty member for the School of Nursing in 2012, and currently serves on the Faculty Curriculum Committee and the University Ethics GEL committee. Grissom practiced clinically as an RN for over 15 years before beginning her academic career. She served as vice president and president of the South Mississippi Medical Alliance and on the Mississippi State Medical Alliance Board. At Purdue Global, she served on the School of Nursing Assessment and Evaluation Committee and chaired the School of Nursing Curriculum Committee.

Education: PhD, William Carey University; MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); BSN, University of Southern Mississippi

Memberships: Phi Rho Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

Kristie Harrison began her academic career as a full-time professor for Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2016. She brings 12 years of nursing experience in medical surgical nursing and community/public health nursing. She also brings a deep passion for educating students in ways that are applicable to society’s ever-changing health care needs. Harrison currently teaches courses focusing on care of older adults and community health clinical. She serves on the Medical Reserve Corp for the state of Maine, is an advocate for Partners for World Health, and is an active member in her community providing education in the adult education program for certified nursing assistants. Harrison is also a public health PhD candidate.

Education: MS, Walden University

Honors and Achievements: 2017 Award of Excellence (KU Village Online Conference)

Research Interests: Use of technology in the classroom, engaging students through technology

Lisa Heald started her career in academia as adjunct faculty in both clinical and theory before joining Purdue Global full time. She currently teaches critical care theory and clinical courses. She is currently the chair of the Curriculum Committee and a course lead. Heald is also a Team STEPPS Master Trainer which is a national program aimed at improving patient safety. She teaches the program to nursing students as well as American Heart Association courses as a certified instructor. Heald’s career in nursing has spanned 20 years in various roles including critical care, medical-surgical, post-anesthesia care, resource nurse, administrative nursing supervisor, and 10 years as a hospital staff educator and director of clinical education.

Education: MSN, Grand Canyon University

Barbara Loguda teaches various undergraduate nursing courses with a special emphasis on medical surgical and intensive care nursing; she uses a variety of teaching strategies to engage the adult learner. She started her academic career at Hamilton College in Nebraska in 2006. She joined Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2008. Loguda has earned several honors for her teaching, including three professor of the term awards and the DAISY Nursing Faculty Award. She is in the research phase of her doctorate degree and is studying ways to enhance nursing faculty retention.

Education: MSN, Walden University

Elaina Mahlan began teaching for the School of Nursing in 2011. Currently, she teaches first-semester RN students in the BSN program. She also serves as the course lead and subject matter expert for the professional leadership course. Her efforts include oversight and optimization of both modularized and competency-based versions of this course. Mahlan is a licensed registered nurse whose career includes practice and professional certifications in oncology and faith community nursing. Her publications include professional career development resources for Nurses Without Borders, LinkedIn, eLearners, and the Journal of Christian Nursing.

Education: MSN, Walden University; MS Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); Post-Master’s Certificate, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Certifications: Certified Nurse Educator

Honors and Achievements: Outstanding Full Time Faculty Member (Kaplan University), additional teaching honors

Tony Mangiafico teaches various graduate epidemiology, ethics, research, and clinical courses in the School of Nursing. He started his clinical career with a diploma in nursing and his academic career at Upsala College earning a degree in psychology, followed by studies at the Tulane University School of Tropical Medicine. After teaching psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth and regional professional schools, he joined Purdue Global as a full-time adjunct faculty member. He currently practices in a community-based mental health center and has been treating a general mental health population as well as populations at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Education: PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University

Honors and Achievements: Numerous service grant awards to provide mental health care to at-risk and vulnerable populations

Jessica Manning currently teaches a variety of undergraduate School of Nursing courses in the areas of maternal-infant nursing, pathophysiology, and leadership and nursing trends. She is also a course lead, active in the curriculum revision process, and has extensive experience in running a variety of nursing simulations. Manning is an RN in the state of Iowa and has worked in both the hospital and clinic setting. Her primary experience is in maternal-infant nursing. Manning is an elected member of Faculty Senate and member of the Waiver Committee at Purdue Global.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); BSN, Coe College

Honors and Achievements: 2014 Instructor Excellence Award (Kaplan University)

Memberships: Iowa League for Nursing, National League for Nursing, Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

Patricia Mason’s career in nursing has spanned 23 years in various roles including over a decade in emergency medicine. At Purdue Global, she teaches courses in mental health nursing theory and clinical and nursing fundamentals and adult clinicals. She serves on the University’s MERT committee and is a course lead. Mason also teaches Mental Health First Aid, a national program aimed at improving care to people experiencing crisis. She has worked in OB, medical-surgical, primary care, interventional radiology, poison control, hospice, mental health, forensics, and administration. Currently, she is proud to be providing care to our nation’s veterans by working per diem at The VA Medical Center at Togus.

Education: MSN, Walden University; BSN, University of Maine; Associate’s Degree, Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing

Wendy Mason was the chair of the MSN program from 2011 to 2013, after which she resumed her position as a professor teaching in the graduate programs. She has created curriculum for a number of the School’s nursing programs and helped develop the successful doctoral program. Mason has previously served as a staff and charge nurse and served populations with psychiatric needs. She has also developed policies and procedures and worked closely with community and statewide primary care providers and policymakers. In 2016, she transitioned into holistic nursing and earned her certification as a Reiki Practitioner. Her research has been published in a wide variety of journals and books.

Education: PhD, California Institute of Integral Studies

Marilyn McDonald has been a nurse practitioner and nurse educator for over 25 years. At Purdue Global, she teaches courses in primary care in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program. She is the program lead for the AGNP graduate program and her role is focused on improving processes for student success. McDonald has authored several publications and a book chapter on nursing education. She has been a national and international presenter.

Education: DHSc, Nova Southeastern University; MSN, Yale University

Honors and Achievements: Freeman Foundation Nurse Scholar Award

Research Interests: Health literacy, depression and health issues of uninsured adults

Danielle Moore was a clinical instructor for nursing for 6 years before moving into didactic education. She started her Purdue Global career as an adjunct clinical instructor and then transitioned into her current full-time faculty role, also serving on the curriculum committee. She teaches pharmacology for nursing and medical/surgical courses. She also is a course lead and chairs a curriculum committee sub-committee on test question writing for the associate’s degree nursing programs. Moore has remained dedicated to staying abreast of current practice and recently completed a Medical-Surgical Review course at the Mayo Clinic and is pursuing Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification.

Education: MSN, Western Governors University

At Purdue Global, Puiia now serves as full time faculty for the pre-licensure BSN program, Augusta Maine location. She participates in educating nursing students in the hospital setting as well as in the classroom and lab.

Puiia spent her early years of nursing as a staff nurse in cardiac, emergency, and critical care areas of local hospitals. She moved into nursing management and directorship in 2006. In 2012, she pursued positions in nursing education as a clinical instructor and was employed at a number of nursing schools in Southern Maine.

Education: BSN, University of Southern Maine; MSN Education, University of Phoenix; MS Higher Education, Kaplan University

Lisa Riecke began her academic teaching career at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2015 as an adjunct instructor in the LPN program. In 2016 she transitioned to teaching clinical and lab in the pre-licensure BSN (PLBSN) program as a full-time adjunct professor. Riecke currently teaches courses in adult health theory and clinical, adult health lab, and capstone lab. She serves as co-chair of the PLBSN faculty curriculum committee. Riecke earned her RN in 1997 and has worked in surgery, GI, med/surg, and cardiac units. Early in her career as a nurse, she began working with her unit educators, serving as both a preceptor and educator for her units.

Education: MSN, Western Governors University; BSN, Western Governors University

Honors and Achievements: 2016 Daisy Faculty Award (Kaplan University Omaha Campus)

Tomeka Royster is a full-time faculty member in the graduate nursing program and has taught in the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. She currently teaches courses in the nurse practitioner program and is a member of the School of Nursing's Academic Policies Committee. Royster initially entered the health care field as a combat medic in the United States Army Reserves at the age of 17. She eventually became an officer in the United States Army Nursing Corps. Her nursing career includes acute care, nursing research, and psychiatric care as well as primary and geriatric care. Royster was among the first graduating class from the University of South Alabama DNP program, and also the first DNP graduates in the state of Alabama. She remains active in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Education: PhD, William Carey University; DNP, University of South Alabama; MSN, Samford University; BSN, University of Alabama; BS, Samford University

At Purdue Global, Sheila Rucki is a full-time faculty member in the RN-to-BSN program, subject matter expert for pediatric nursing, and course lead. She oversees the development and implementation of modularized and ExcelTrack curriculum. Rucki recently served as associate director of the graduate nursing program at American International College and prepared the initial submission for CCNE accreditation. She has held additional leadership and faculty positions in nursing education. Rucki is an ANCC-certified Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist and practiced at Baystate Medical Center Children’s Hospital for many years. She has also served as a consultant on a statewide Department of Public Health project, and is a founder of the statewide planning committee Project Safe Child and a bereavement consultant.

Education: PhD, University of Connecticut

Renee Shell has over 23 years experience as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and has an extensive background in graduate nursing education. Shell currently teaches graduate nursing courses in the family nurse practitioner program at Purdue Global and is course lead. She serves as a liaison between the nursing program and the virtual i-Human© patient-simulation program, and has been involved in course development and revision. Previously, Shell was an associate professor at East Tennessee State University, where she maintained an active practice as a nurse practitioner in a variety of settings and roles, and later taught at University of Virginia and Florida Southern College. She has presented on numerous occasions at local, national, and international levels and she has served as an expert witness and consultant for multiple medical-legal cases. Shell is currently practicing in the role of a family nurse practitioner.

Education: EdD, East Tennessee State University

Laura Shenkman began her career at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2009 as an adjunct nursing professor teaching didactic and clinical courses and acting as a course lead. She is currently the family nurse practitioner program lead. She also been an integral part of various faculty initiatives including curriculum and policy development, course revisions, and preparation for CCNE accreditation. Shenkman’s current clinical practice is at the Pender County Health Department in rural North Carolina where she provides primary care and oversees three school based health centers using telemedicine. She is active in community organizations that provide support to the migrant farm workers and she currently serves on the Board of Directors for PATH (Pender Alliance for Teen Health).

Education: DNP (in progress), Purdue Global; MSN, Duke University; BSN, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; PA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (American Nurses Credentialing Center)

Research Interests: Understanding the issues and concerns of vulnerable populations with a focus on self-efficacy and health promotion practices of women and adolescents

Mary Anne Theiss is a full-time faculty member at Purdue Global for the Master of Science in Nursing, nursing informatics and education tracks. She serves as a member of the Faculty Curriculum Committee, the Academic Administration Council, and the School of Nursing's Assessment and Evaluation Committee. Theiss brings a diverse background to Purdue Global, with experience in nursing and law. She is admitted to practice in New York State and the Federal District of New York, and has represented nurses in licensure, products liability, and malpractice cases. As an instructional designer, she has designed courses for India, Saudi Arabia, Cengage Learning, and Kaplan University (now Purdue Global). Theiss is published in the areas of education, risk management, and informatics and has lectured extensively.

Education: PhD, Capella University; MSN, Syracuse University; JD, Syracuse University

Certifications: Nurse Educator, Managed Care Nurse

Research Interests: Use of patient portal activation, an observational retrospective study with a sample of 461,700 individual patient encounters within a health care system

Tracy Towne has been a health care professional for over two decades and has a variety of experiences in the field of nursing and nursing education. At Purdue Global, she teaches undergraduate courses in the RN-to-BSN program and has overseen the development of the specialty courses in case management and faith community nursing. She is also responsible for the program’s capstone course. Towne has worked in urology, orthopedics, oncology, renal, geriatrics, long-term care, home health, private duty nursing, and public health nursing. She has been an instructor at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degree level in a variety of courses.

Education: PhD, Mercer University Georgia Baptist College of Nursing; MSN, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing; BSN, Edgewood College

Research Interests: Management of long-term chronic disease related to Type 2 Diabetes

At Purdue Global, Denise Tufts teaches a course on nursing care of the geriatric patient and serves as lab coordinator for the nursing program at the Augusta, Maine location. Her nursing career has included critical care areas, office nursing, working at a bone marrow transplant center, and long-term care. Tufts began teaching at an associate’s degree nursing school and before joining the Purdue Global faculty. She recently earned a post-master's certificate in executive leadership.

Education: MSN, University of Phoenix; BSN, University of Southern Maine; Nursing Diploma, Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing

Honors and Achievements: Full-Time Faculty of the Year Award (Kaplan University Maine locations); GEM Award; Daisy Faculty Award

Cynthia Turner is a faculty member in the School of Nursing graduate programs. She is a former chair and current member of the Academic Policies Committee. Turner has 30 years of nursing experience, including 12 years as a nurse practitioner. She has taught courses in online and traditional nursing programs for 10 years including pediatrics, maternal-child, adult health, community health, geriatrics, family practice, advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and nurse practitioner clinical. She has over 6 years of experience in curriculum design, test item development, and course review.

Education: DNP, University of Alabama; MSN, Old Dominion University

Certifications: Family Nurse Practitioner (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)

Memberships: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), National organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), North Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association (NANPA), Sigma Theta Tau (UAB)

At Purdue Global, Kathleen Ware currently is the theory, lab, and clinical instructor for nursing fundamentals and mental health areas in the ADN program, and she is a clinical instructor for mental health in the BSN program. She also serves as the Skills Lab coordinator. She has previously taught a variety of courses in the University’s undergraduate nursing and medical assisting programs. Ware has served in many roles in her nursing career, including patient education, trials research, and memory disorders. In addition she was a co-author of a published research study on R+ pramipexole as a mitochondrially focused neuroprotectant: Initial early phase studies in ALS.

Education: MSN, Nebraska Wesleyan University; MA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; BSN, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Nursing Diploma, Mercy Hospital School of Nursing

Certifications: Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse, Legal Nurse Consultant (Kaplan University)

Honors and Achievements: Daisy Award, District III Nebraska Nurses Association Nurse of the Day Nominee

Memberships: Lincoln American Heart Association Education Committee, American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau

Laura Wood teaches various graduate nursing courses, with a special emphasis on nursing education and leadership. She is a subject matter expert for the nurse educator track and currently chairs multiple committees in service to the University, profession, and public and works as a nurse consultant. Prior to joining Purdue Global, Wood held roles as a wellness coordinator, court advocate, and pediatric nurse.

Education: MSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); BSN, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global); AAS, Prairie State College; ASN, Prairie State College

Publications: Using a Telephone Call to Increase Social Presence in Online Classes

Certifications: Certified Nurse Care Manager (American Board of Managed Care Nursing