Meet Nursing Faculty

Leadership & Staff

Dr. Lana Watson, DNP, RN, CNE

Chair
Associate Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Watson is an experienced faculty and academic leader with 14 years of experience in Nursing Education. Prior to her appointment with Spalding University, Dr. Watson served as a Director of Traditional and Accelerated BSN Program at IUPUC where she developed and implemented Clinical Homes Model (CHM) of clinical placement and Nurse Preceptor development. Dr. Watson’s research focus is on Nurse Graduate retention within rural communities and Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) among rural America. Dr. Watson’s education focus is on student success, early identification of at-risk students, and international nursing education development. Dr. Watson is a proud Alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University. She is a member of Indiana Association for Nursing Leadership and is current president of South East Indiana chapter.

Jaclyn N. Bitterman, DNP, MSN, RN

Director, BSN Programs
Associate Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Jaclyn Bitterman earned a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Eastern Kentucky University, a Master of Science in Nursing- Family Nurse Practitioner and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan. She is an associate professor and clinical coordinator in the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Pamela Elzy, DNP, MHA, RN, NPD-BC

Director of Graduate Studies
DNP Program Director
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Pamela Elzy received her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership at American Sentinel University. She has two master’s degrees: a Master of Nursing in Nursing Leadership from Aspen University and a Master of Arts in Health Services Administration from Webster University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bellarmine University. She holds certification in nursing professional development. Dr. Elzy is an assistant professor and the Director of Graduate Programs and the Director of the DNP Program.

Rebekah Knauer, EdD, MSN, RN, CCFP

Director, Bailen Health Sciences Simulation Learning Center
Associate Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Rebekah Knauer earned her EdD from Spalding University, a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Walden University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from IUPUI. Dr. Knauer is interested in compassion fatigue, promotion of resilience skills and strategies, and professionalism. Dr. Knauer is experienced in various forms of simulation, such as computerized manikins, virtual simulation, case-based simulation, and standardized patients. Dr. Knauer has assisted in planning and implementing disaster simulation (tornado and bomb threat/aftermath) and has participated in simulation activities at local clinical partner hospitals in which students worked with experienced healthcare staff during the simulation. Dr. Knauer has a strong interest in interprofessional education (IPE) within the healthcare system. She has assisted in planning and participated in IPE case studies which involved undergraduate and graduate nursing students, along with other graduate healthcare professionals (mental health counseling, athletic training, and physician assistant programs). The IPE events included partnering with another college nearby and was facilitated by an organization that promotes healthcare careers and training within local communities, especially rural and underserved communities, to foster better health within the communities.

Patricia Spurr, EdD, MSN, CNE, FRE

Director, RN to BSN program
Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Spurr received a Doctor of Education from the University of Louisville. With over 40 plus years in nursing, she has held multiple positions in clinical nursing, corporate nursing, higher education, and state government. Dr. Spurr is active professionally holding membership in the American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau. In 2019, she was elected Vice President of the Kentucky Nurses Association. She has been a certified nurse educator through the National League for Nursing since its inception in 2005. Dr. Spurr is proud to be the only nurse in Kentucky to hold the designation as a NCSBN Fellow of Regulatory Excellence. She has held multiple roles at Spalding serving as the Associate Dean in the College of Health and Natural Science, BSN Director, Director of the RN to BSN Online Program, and the Director of the Bachelor’s in Health Science. Dr. Spurr is a tenured professor.

Renee Campbell, DNP, MSN, APRN, CNM

SON Clinical Coordinator
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Renee Campbell earned both her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University as well as a post-graduate certificate in women’s health. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Spalding University. In addition to being the interim director of the BSN Pre-licensure program, Dr. Campbell serves as clinical coordinator and assistant professor and is a practicing nurse midwife.

Missy Hawes, DNP, APRN, FNP, IBCLC

Coordinator, MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Hawes received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Spalding University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Spalding University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville. She holds certification as an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She is an assistant professor and the program coordinator for the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Jessica Estes, DNP, APRN-PMHNP

Coordinator, MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Estes is a Lifespan Certified Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned a Master’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 2004 and earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Kentucky in 2013. Prior to moving to Alaska, Dr. Estes served as the Executive Director at the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Dr. Estes is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and serves as the program Director for the PMHNP program at Spalding. The program will begin admitting students in 2023.

Angela Shelman

Department Coordinator Pre-licensure BSN Programs
[email protected]

Angela began working as an administrative professional at Spalding University School of Nursing in 2016. A graduate of Bellarmine University with Bachelor’s in Communication, Angela has worked more than 20 years as a communications professional in special event planning, development, and office management. Angela is passionate about working with people to assist them in achieving goals and has found her calling working in higher education assisting nursing students and faculty to prepare future generations of healthcare providers. Angela is here to assist you with any questions you have about the pre-licensure BSN programs and to guide you through your educational journey.

Dakeisha (Dee) Cook, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Professor Cook is an experienced acute care clinician with 17 years of acute care experience. She completed Associated Degree in Nursing at Jefferson Community and Technical College and her Baccalaureate degree in Nursing and Master’s degree in Nursing Education at Indiana Wesleyan University. Professor Cook has been a Nurse of the Year finalist in 2016 and 2020 for Norton Healthcare and a recipient of “Good Catch of the Year” Award. Professor Cook has experience as a clinical and didactic faculty and is currently a lead faculty for Nursing III course. Professor Cook is committed to student success.

Faculty

Dakeisha (Dee) Cook, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Professor Cook is an experienced acute care clinician with 17 years of acute care experience. She completed Associated Degree in Nursing at Jefferson Community and Technical College and her Baccalaureate degree in Nursing and Master’s degree in Nursing Education at Indiana Wesleyan University. Professor Cook has been a Nurse of the Year finalist in 2016 and 2020 for Norton Healthcare and a recipient of “Good Catch of the Year” Award. Professor Cook has experience as a clinical and didactic faculty and is currently a lead faculty for Nursing III course. Professor Cook is committed to student success.

Christie Cooper, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Academic Success Coordinator
Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Mrs. Christie Cooper is an Advanced Practice Nurse received her Master of Nursing (2019) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2007) from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mrs. Cooper has more than 13 years of nursing experience and over 2 years in academic nursing education. Christie is especially dedicated to a life of service to the profession and community at large as an active member of several professional nursing and medical organizations, and health-related or faith-based community organizations including American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners (LANP). Mrs. Cooper is an active member of National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Mrs. Cooper has professional experience in Nursing Education, Diabetes Education, Quality Management, Step Down/ICU, and Medical Surgical as a Registered Nurse. Her Nurse Practitioner experience includes Family Heath where she serves as a Clinical Resource Person, Diabetic Educator, and Lead Provider. She previously served the community through family practice in a Rural Community in Baton Rouge, LA known as Open Health Community Clinic. “As a leader in nursing, I strategically evaluate and engage all my nursing practices on the belief of “Nursing is not just a practice; but an attempt to provide holistic care to patients, students, and the community while bring them to optimal health as an individual.”

Collan J. Darnall, DNP, APRN, FNP, ENP

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Darnall received a Doctor of Nursing Practice at Frontier University. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from Spalding University. Darnall holds certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) as well as Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP-C). Dr. Darnall is an assistant professor in the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Trayce Dixon, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Trayce earned Post-Masters Certification as Family Nurse Practitioner from Northern Kentucky University and is a two-time graduate of the University of Southern Indiana earning both MSN – Nursing Education and BSN degrees. Trayce teaches in our pre-licensure BSN program currently teaching Med Surg I and Pharmacology. She comes to us from UofL Primary Care as an FNP and JCTC as Asst. Professor. Trayce also recently completed certification of the Essentials of Clinical Simulations Across the Health Professions.

Erica Lemberger, DNP, FNP, AFN, SANE, CFN, FCN

Associate Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Lemberger received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University, a Master in Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. Dr. Lemberger is an associate professor in the RN-BSN Online Program.

Jacey Maple, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Jacey is two-time graduate of Bellarmine University where she earned both a Masters degree in Nursing Education and a BSN degree. She has strong OR/Procedural areas background. Jacey is a member of the Lamda Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International and has received the Norton Healthcare Good Samaritan Award.

Allyson Mattingly, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC, CNE

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Allyson is a PhD student at Bellarmine University and has strong background in pediatrics and neonatal nursing. Allyson transitioned from an adjunct instructor to a full-time faculty role during the 2021-2022 academic year. Professor Mattingly is School of Nursing social media coordinator and primary teaches pediatric and fundamental courses.

Tammy Mullins, DNP, APRN

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Mullins received a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Kentucky, a Master of Science in Nursing at Spalding University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Indiana University Southeast. Dr. Mullins is an assistant professor in the Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Program.

Kelly Noble, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Dr. Noble is an Assistant Professor for the MSN Program at Spalding University. She has extensive clinical practice in emergency and urgent care medicine. She holds certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners; and actively practices as a nurse practitioner in the Louisville area.

Samantha Orman, MSN, RN

Associate Professor
[email protected]

Samantha Orman earned a Master of Science in Nursing from St. Joseph’s College and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Vincennes University. She serves as associate professor in the Bachelor of Science Pre-licensure Program.

Taryn A Ray, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor
[email protected]

Taryn Ray earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Ball State University and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville. She serves as assistant professor in the Bachelor of Science Pre-licensure Program.