Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Nursing experts with a passion for teaching
What makes SFA’s nursing program so amazing?
Our dedicated and passionate instructors have decades of clinical experience and advanced degrees in their fields – and, most importantly, love teaching. Our faculty members have varied backgrounds, from pediatrics and prenatal care to psychiatric nursing and dialysis – and as a nursing student at SFA, you’ll have the opportunity to work side-by-side with them in the classroom and in clinical settings at area hospitals.
Sara Bishop, PhD, RNC-OB, CNE
Dr. Bishop earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana State University, her Master of Science in health professions from Texas State University, and her PhD in nursing research from Texas Woman's University. She began her clinical career in the United States Army as a perinatal nurse, an area in which she continued to practice as a civilian.
Bishop’s research interests include qualitatively exploring violence in the perinatal period, student retention, and simulation in nursing education. She has been a nurse educator for more than 20 years.
Carol Athey, MA, MSN, RN, CNOR, CCAP
Carol Athey earned her associate degree in nursing from Angelina College, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Arts in Art Education from SFA and her master’s degree in nursing education from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her teaching interests include basic nursing care, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, aromatherapy, complementary and alternative therapies and perioperative nursing. She has been a certified perioperative registered nurse since 1989 and a certified clinical aromatherapy practitioner since 2015.
Kesha Becnel, EdD, RN, CNE
Dr. Kesha Becnel joined the DeWitt School of Nursing in 2015 as a clinical instructor and was promoted to assistant professor in 2022. Dr. Becnel earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nicholls State University in 2002 and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing education from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2010. She received her Doctor of Education with a focus in Nursing Education from Teachers College at Columbia University in 2022. She is also a certified nurse educator. Her scholarship interests include innovative teaching strategies and nursing simulation. Dr. Becnel’s entire clinical nursing practice experience has been in medical-surgical nursing, as she has a passion for helping our aging population. She is currently teaching Nursing Capstone in the BSN program, and Nursing Theory and Assessment and Evaluation in the MSN program.
Erin Bailey, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Dr. Erin Bailey was born and raised in Nacogdoches and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA (Axe ‘em, Jacks!). She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech and her doctoral degree in nursing practice from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Her teaching specialties are children and women’s health, nursing capstone, pharmacology and courses for the family nurse practitioner. In addition to teaching, she also serves as a family nurse practitioner in a local primary care clinic.
Susan Ballard, DNP, RN
Dr. Ballard received her Associate Degree in Nursing from William Buchannan School of Nursing at Texarkana, Texas. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arlington, and her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Walden in Baltimore. She has served as president for STTI chapter for the School of Nursing at SFA.
Sheree Barrios, DNP, RN, WHNP-BC
Dr. Sheree Barrios holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in Organizational Systems Leadership from Northwestern State University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Science in Nursing with a women’s health nurse practitioner concentration from Northwestern State University. She currently works as a women’s health nurse practitioner in a women's clinic in Nacogdoches. Dr. Barrios teaches in the BSN, RN-BSN, and MSN programs.
Angel Brewer, MSN, RN
Angel Brewer joined the DeWitt School of Nursing in 2012. She has worked as a nurse in six states and accumulated 35 years of varied nursing experience, including serving as a pediatric, nursery, maternity, home health, hospice, psychiatric, perioperative, wound and ostomy care, and medical-surgical nurse.
Additionally, Brewer has served as a nurse educator since 2002. She received an associate degree in nursing from Thornton Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch and Master of Science in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University. Brewer currently teaches Fundamentals of Nursing in classroom and clinical settings and also serves as the Student Nurses Association faculty advisor.
Alysa Cummins, MSN, RN
Alysa Cummins earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University. Her background includes adult and pediatric medical surgical nursing with teaching specialties in pharmacology, nursing care of adults and children’s health.
Della Connor, PhD, FNP-BC, RN
Dr. Della Connor holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and she earned her PhD in nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. She has taught nursing since 2006 at the baccalaureate level, and she has been a family nurse practitioner since 2005. She has worked part-time with a local nephrology group, conducting chronic kidney disease educational sessions and rounding on dialysis patients. Her nursing interests include nephrology and dialysis, nutrition and fitness, motivation and coaching for nursing education success.
Kim Deaton, DNP, RN, FNP-C
Dr. Kim Deaton is a proud alumna of the DeWitt School of Nursing. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and is certified as a family nurse practitioner. Deaton completed her doctoral degree in nursing practice at Chamberlain School of Nursing. She began her career as an emergency room nurse, and her experience in surgery ranges from working as a circulator to day surgery to endoscopy. She served as coordinator of the stroke program for CHI St. Luke's Memorial, the first JACHO-certified stroke center in Angelina County. She continues to work as a family nurse practitioner in the emergency room and at urgent care facilities in the East Texas area.
Dr. Tammy Harris, APRN, FNP-BC
Dr. Tammy Harris earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA, her Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus from the University of Texas Medical Branch, and her doctoral degree in nursing practice from Chatham University. She has taught at SFA for more than 20 years and has continued to practice as a family nurse practitioner. She has worked in the clinical areas of women’s health, occupational health, family practice and surgery. She also enjoys participating in medical mission trips to third-world countries and has had the opportunity to take students on many occasions. Harris’ research interests include the use of simulation to develop critical thinking, student recruitment and retention, and civility in nursing.
Shelley Hunt, BSN, MSN, RN
Shelley Hunt earned her associate degree in nursing from Texarkana College, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler and holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. She has worked in labor and delivery at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Her primary teaching interest is nursing care of women and children. .
Dr. Angela Jones, RN
Dr. Angela Jones joined the DeWitt School of Nursing as an assistant professor in August 2015. She received her vocational nursing certificate in 1995 and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing in 1996 from Angelina College. She received both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001 and her Master of Science in Nursing in 2007 from the University of Texas at Tyler. Jones received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2013. Her scholarship interests includes patient safety, civility, teamwork and collaboration among nursing programs, cultural awareness among nursing faculty, and innovative teaching methodologies to enhance student learning.
Jones has clinical experience in medical-surgical nursing, postpartum, perianesthesia and community nursing. She is an experienced nurse educator currently teaching Nursing Care of Community Populations (didactic and clinical) in the BSN program. Jones also teaches in the RN-BSN and MSN programs.
Michelle Klein, BBA, MSN, RN
Michelle Klein holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Texas Tech University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. She serves as a chair of the School of Nursing Policy and Procedure Committee and as course coordinator for basic care of nursing and special problems in nursing.
Laura Logan, MSN, RN, CCRN
Laura Logan earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lamar University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University. She has served as a nurse since 1988, specializing in critical care nursing, and joined the SFA faculty in 2006.
Regina Brown, RN, MSN
Regina Brown received her Associate of Science from Tyler Junior College, Diploma of Nursing from Texas Eastern School of Nursing in Tyler and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in Sacramento. Over a span of 25 years, she has worked in the clinical areas of critical care, progressive or step-down care, home health, and internal medicine practice and utilization management. She began teaching nursing education at SFA in 2005, starting with Care of Patients with Complex Health Needs, and currently teaches clinical in the Health Assessment course, along with the electives Healthy Aging and Exploring Grief. Her scholarship interests include gerontology and end of life.
Cindi McCarley, RN, DSN
Dr. McCarley holds an Associate Degree in Nursing from Angelina College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler, a Master of Science in Nursing in critical care from Northwestern State University and a Doctorate of Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her major research interest is pulmonary medicine, and she has worked closely with area hospitals to coordinate the Better Breathers Club, a support group for people with chronic lung disease.
Debra McCarthy, MSN, CNM, RN
Debra McCarthy received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She is a certified nurse-midwife and served as the clinic director for the Montgomery County Health Department for several years.
Karen Migl, Ph.D., RN
Dr. Karen Migl holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She received a master’s degree in education, guidance and counseling from SFA and her doctoral degree from UTMB.
Kassondra N. Perry-Weaver
Kassondra Perry-Weaver came to SFA after a 26-year career in law enforcement and 911 emergency dispatching. She earned her degree in Christian education at the East Bay Theological Seminary in 2007.
Rose Powell, Ph.D., RN
Dr. Powell earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University, her Master of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University and her doctorate from George Mason University. She has been nursing since 1978, and her specializations include medical/surgical nursing and nursing administration.
Dr. Christopher Ryan, RN
Dr. Christopher Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA, and he worked as a critical care nurse for nine years before he earned his Master of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman's University, specializing in adult health as a clinical nurse specialist. He completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Missouri, and his teaching interests include special problems and nursing care of the young adult.
Joanie Selman, RN, MSN
Joanie Selman earned a Bachelor of Science in medical technology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA, and she worked for several years as an ICU nurse before earning her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler. Her special interest is the use of simulation as a learning tool to enhance student learning, and she serves on the simulation committee and is active in the development of simulations using high fidelity mannequins.
Celina Serna, RN, MSN
Celina Serna holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix. Her nursing experience includes medical surgical, chemotherapy infusion, preoperative and postanesthesia care. As a first-generation high school and college graduate, she has a special interest helping all students succeed.
Joy Shupak, MSN, RN
Joy Shupak received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing education from the University of Texas at El Paso. Before becoming a nurse educator in 2015, she worked for 20 years as an ER/trauma nurse. She currently teaches Nursing Care of Clients with Complex Needs. Her teaching interests include simulation, critical care and student retention.
Veronica Sjolander, MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Veronica Sjolander has a variety of experience in nursing with a predominate focus in forensics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Kaplan University, and she is credentialed as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner for both adult/adolescent (SANE-A) and pediatric (SANE-P) patients. She is currently the president-elect of the International Association of Forensic Nurses-Texas Chapter. Sjolander works as a commissioned peace officer, and she has worked with Angelina Count Sheriff's Department, Angelina Count District Attorney's Office and Montgomery County District Attorney's Office as an investigator.
Crystal Talavera, MSN, RN
Crystal Talavera received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lamar University and her Master of Science in Nursing and women's health practitioner certification from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She has worked as a labor and delivery nurse and as the clinical director at the UTMB Regional Maternal Child Health Program. Her primary area of interest is women's health.
Katy Trotty, EdD, RN, IBCLC
Dr. Katy Trotty joined the DeWitt School of Nursing in 2012 as an assistant lab coordinator. She has been in the classroom since 2013 as a clinical instructor and transitioned to an assistant professor role in 2022. Dr. Trotty holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler, and a Doctorate of Education with focus on Leadership in Nursing Education from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She is a certified nurse educator and international board certified lactation consultant. She has practiced as a nurse in medical surgical, pediatrics, and postpartum. Dr. Trotty still practices as a lactation consultant and volunteers regularly at a local pregnancy center. Her scholarship interests include the topics of attrition, non-cognitive variables that impact student success, simulation, leadership in nursing education, and innovative teaching techniques that impact student learning. Dr. Trotty currently teaches nursing care of women and children, nursing research, and a graduate nursing education capstone course for future educators. Additionally, she is serving as the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program coordinator.
Rebecca Zihlman Self, BSN, RN
Rebecca Zihlman Self is an SFA graduate, and her nursing experience include medical surgical, day surgery, recovery, infection control and employee health. Rebecca is the simulation lab assistant for the Ed and Gwen Cole Simulation Lab at the Richard & Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing.
Christopher Strong
Christopher Strong holds a Bachelor of Science in health science from SFA and a master’s degree in education from Walden University. In 2011, Strong worked as the project coordinator for the Statewide At-Risk Tracking and Intervention for Nurses grant, hosted through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the School of Nursing. The grant studied 27 different nursing schools across the state of Texas. Once the grant ended in 2013, Strong became the advisor for the School of Nursing.
Dee Kimbrough, MSN, RN, FNP
Dee Kimbrough is a native East Texan from Jacksonville. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 1993 and her Master of Science in Nursing with a family nurse practitioner focus from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2000. She has over 24 years of experience in psychiatric nursing, nursing administration and nursing leadership and 17 years of experience as a nurse practitioner. In her spare time, she loves to hunt, fish, cook and watch college football.
Christell Bray, PhD, APRN, FNP
Dr. Christell (Chris) Bray is a visiting professor of nursing. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin and her doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, obtaining a certification as a family nurse practitioner from Corpus Christi State University. She has worked in mostly primary care clinical settings throughout her nursing career and has also served as distance education coordinator and chair of the graduate department at two other universities. Her research interests include the quality of distance education, especially as it relates to graduate education.
Laurel Matthews, MSN
Laurel Matthews is a native East Texan and an SFA alumna. She completed her Bachelor Science in Nursing at SFA and obtained her master’s degree in nursing education at the University of Texas at Tyler. Her background includes medical-surgical experience, with an emphasis in oncology and renal diseases, as well as community nursing and education. Her nursing interests include nutrition, exercise, cultural complacency in nursing and innovative teaching strategies to enhance student learning.
Allison Younger, MSN, RN
Allison Younger is a Texas native, born and raised in Nacogdoches. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 2009 and her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Texas at Tyler in May. Younger’s nursing experience primarily focuses on women’s and children’s care and adult medical-surgical care. She currently teaches Nursing Care of the Young Adult to Elderly. She is married to Paul Younger and has two children, Eleanor and Jacob.
Vanessa Pacheco, MSN, RN
Vanessa Pacheco earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2007 and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing education from University of Texas at El Paso in 2017. She began her clinical career in a small, rural hospital in Athens, Texas, where she worked in medical surgical adult and pediatric care and discovered a love for emergency care nursing. Pacheco has a passion for patient education, with teaching interests that include nursing theory, basic nursing care, the assessment process, emergency care nursing and the cardiac catheterization lab. In her spare time, she works for CHI St. Luke's Memorial Hospital as an ER nurse.
Kelley McDonald, BSN, RN
Kelley McDonald joined the DeWitt School of Nursing in August 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University in 2009 and will receive her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in nursing education from the University of Texas at Tyler in December 2018. McDonald has clinical experience in emergency nursing with certifications in both adult and pediatric populations. Her scholarship interests include the onset of burnout in undergraduate nursing students related to stressors and emergent care practices. She currently teaches Basic Care of Adult Clients in the undergraduate program.
Marilyn King
Born and raised in Nacogdoches, Marilyn King is married to Pat King and has two grown sons. She is currently secretary for the Woden High School Alumni Association – go, Eagles! She enjoys spending time outdoors and going to Eagle basketball games. She attends Calvary Baptist Church and has a rescue pet name Yodie.
Deborah Ellisor, MS, RN
Debbie Ellisor received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Simmons College in Boston where she worked as a med-surg nurse following graduation and later earned her master’s degree at Texas Woman’s University. She has worked in med-surg, oncology, diabetes, geriatrics, addiction, eating disorders and psychiatric nursing and has taught in associate degree and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Ellisor enjoys nature, ranching, traveling, hiking and spending time with her grandchildren.
Alyson Young, MSN, RN, CCRN
Alyson Young holds a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and education from Abilene Christian University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from University of Texas at Arlington. She has experience in both adult and pediatric critical care and has been a nurse educator since 2014. She is currently working as a clinical instructor for Care of the Complex Client. Her husband, Nathan Young, serves as a football coach for SFA. Axe ‘em, Jacks! They have three children – Slade, Saylor and Sloane.
Morgan Showman, BSN, RN
Morgan Showman, a Nacogdoches native, holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA and is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her areas of experience include medical surgical, postpartum and pediatrics, her primary focus. Showman serves as a clinical instructor in the maternal/child class. She and her husband, Kelly, have two children, Kennedy and Sammy.
Jordan Baker, MSN, RN
Jordan Baker, a Nacogdoches native, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 2009 and a Master of Science in Nursing with an education focus from Texas A&M in May 2020. She has spent her nursing career with an emphasis primarily in intensive care and has experience in emergency medicine, home health, dialysis and med-surg. Baker also has experience with COVID-19 crisis management in skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, she has had a dual role as a health science educator at the secondary level while staying active in acute care settings. She and her husband, Zac, have two children, Audrey and Easton.
Justin Timmons, BSN, MSN-FNP
Justin Timmons received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Before becoming a family nurse practitioner in 2007, he worked six years as an emergency room/trauma nurse. His nurse practitioner experience includes family practice, pediatrics, urgent care and emergency medicine. Currently, he is the lead nurse practitioner for Texas Quick Care, a hybrid family practice that employs seven nurse practitioners. He and his wife, Katy, have four children, Connor, Kaleigh, Quinn and Caroline.
Sherry Cheever, MSN, RN, FNP-C
Sherry Cheever is a Nacogdoches native. She graduated from SFA with a Bachelor of Science in 2007 before completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She then earned her Master of Science in Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Cheever is a family nurse practitioner and has practiced in both oncology and primary care.
Ashley Goar, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C
Ashley Goar graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in May 2013. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty as an adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in May 2019. Goar has also received her post-master’s certificate in nursing education from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She has a varied background as a registered nurse in hepatology, med-surg, telemetry and school nursing (sixth through eighth grade). As a nurse practitioner, she has worked in assisted living and nursing homes with geriatric patients.
Cassie Barr, MSN, RN
Cassie Barr, a Nacogdoches native, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 2014. In May 2020, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her area of expertise is in women and children with a focus in labor and delivery, and she is currently working as an adjunct clinical instructor in the maternal/child course. She continues to work as the Women's and Children's Services performance improvement/educator at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.
Jennifer Gaston, MSN, RN
Jennifer Gaston is a proud SFA alumna and joined the DeWitt School of Nursing in 2019. She earned her vocational nursing certificate and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Angelina College, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA and her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. Gaston has been a nurse for more than 25 years with experience in long-term care, medical-surgical, clinical educator, camp and emergency nursing.
Dari Pierce, RN
Dari Pierce has served as a nurse for more than 25 years and has a love for labor and delivery, where she worked for more than 14 years. She has additional experience in the operating room, same-day surgery and the post-anesthesia care unit. While at SFA, Pierce was a Twirl-O-Jack. She and her husband, Drew, have two children, Davis, a current Lumberjack, and Dayli.
Dr. Carla Hairston, APRN, FNP-BC
Dr. Carla Hairston, a native of Kirksville, Missouri, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northeast Missouri State University, a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus as a family nurse practitioner in 1996 from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and a doctoral degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University in 2006.
Hairston has worked as nurse for 45 years, serving 25 years at a private family practice in Nacogdoches with her husband. While serving all aspects of family practice and minor emergencies, physicals and women’s health, she focuses primarily on diabetic and hypertensive patients. Hairston has precepted many nurse practitioner and physician assistant students and is excited to work with them in the classroom and online setting.
Casie Risinger
Casie Risinger graduated with her bachelor’s degree from SFA and her master’s degree from UT Tyler. She has worked as a nurse for 15 years where she has gained experience in med-surg, cardiology, home health, gastroenterology and recovery room. Most of her expertise has been in the operating room where she was a circulating nurse for seven years. She and her husband Jared have three amazing children, Brayden, Ally and Addison.
Megan Nichols
Megan Nichols graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 2016, where she is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing Education. After graduating with her BSN, Nichols worked in the ICU at Nacogdoches Medical Center for five years. When she began the master's program, she transferred to the mother/baby unit, where she currently works. She and her husband Aaron have two rescue dogs, Scout and Chevy, and they just welcomed a baby boy into the world in 2021.
Sherrie Fontenot
Sherrie Fontenot earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in fall 2007. She then went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing Education from the University of Texas at Tyler in May 2020. Her clinical experience includes antepartum, mother/baby, labor and delivery, pediatrics, geriatrics and public health. She currently teaches Basic Care of the Adult Client.
Tammye Willis
Tammye Willis was born and raised in Nacogdoches and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA’s DeWitt School of Nursing. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from South University in Georgia and is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner. As a nurse she has the privilege of working in ICU, IMC and ER. She has worked in primary care and urgent care as an FNP. Her teaching specialties include Med Surg. In addition to teaching, she continue to work as a FNP in a local urgent care clinic.
Yesenia Cabral
Yesenia Cabral grew up in the heart of New York City. She got her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Long Island University in 2003 and her graduate degree from Capella University in 2017. She moved to Texas in 2019. She has a passion for community nursing, and most of her work reflects improving quality of care and creating awareness within the community. She has obtained several recognitions for her level of work, such as the Clear Water Award, and appeared in several media outlets. She currently is teaching basic to first semester students at SFA. She loves interacting with students and preparing them for the great career of nursing.
Rebekah Wagoner, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Rebekah Wagoner earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Panola College and her Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus from Walden University through their RN to MSN degree program. Her nursing experience includes women's health, medical surgical, intermittent care, surgical assist and urology. In addition to teaching, she continues to practice as a nurse practitioner in the Nacogdoches community.
Tonya LaForge, MSN, RN, CNOR
Tonya LaForge is a Lufkin native that graduated from Angelina College with an Associates of Applied Science in Nursing in 1997, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA in 2008 and obtained her MSN in Nursing Education from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2014. Her areas of expertise are perioperative services, education, infection control, employee health and psychology. She is currently working as a clinical instructor in mental health courses.
Marsha Pohorelsky
Marsha Pohorelsky earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA and has a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Texas Tech University and a Post Master's Certificate from The University of Texas at Arlington. Her experience includes critical care with specialization in cardiac surgery, trauma care with helicopter flight experience, and emergency medicine. Pohorelsky currently works as a family nurse practitioner and teaches in the BSN program as a clinical instructor.
Margo Chumley, MSN, RN
Margo Chumley earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Georgia and holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in nursing education from the University of West Georgia. She has worked as a cardiovascular nurse at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta and, most recently, was a quality improvement nurse at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. She is currently a clinical instructor for “Basic Nursing Care of Adult Clients."
Contact
DeWitt School of Nursing
936.468.7700
nursing@sfasu.edu
5707 North Street
Administration Building
Suite 102
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 6156, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
