New Full-Time Faculty
2005-2006

New Faculty 2005-2006: Pictured with Nan Thomas from the Center for Faculty Development

Nancy Atkeison-Cherry

Rank: Associate Professor of Education

Educational Background:

  • Ed.D. Union University, 2004.
  • Ed.S. Union University, 2001.
  • B.S. Union University, 1987.

Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Lambuth University, 08/2002 – present.
  • Adjunct Instructor, Dyersburg State Community College, 01/2005 – 05/2005.
  • Adjunct Instructor, Union University, 11/2004 – 01/2005.

Pamela Binns-Turner

Rank: Assistant Director, MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • M.N.A. University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1996.
  • B.S.N. University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1992.

Experience:

  • Assistant Professor, Director of Admissions, University of Alabama at Birmingham Nurse Anesthesia Program, 12/2002 – 07/2005.
  • Staff CRNA, Medical Center Blount, 10/2001 – 12/2002.
  • Staff CRNA. Gadsden Regional Medical Center, 09/1999 – 10/2001.
  • Staff CRNA, Independent Locum Tenens Anesthesia, 1999 – 2001.
  • Staff CRNA, Anesthesia Services of Birmingham/St. Vincent’s Hospital, 1997 – 1999.
  • Staff CRNA, Greenwood Leflore Hospital, 1996 – 1997.
  • RN, Shelby Medical Center, 1993 – 1996.
  • RN, University Hospital, 1994 – 1996.

Connie Cupples

Rank: Assistant Professor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • M.S.N. Union University, 2004.
  • B.S.N. Memphis State University, 1982.

Experience:

  • Senior Instructor, Methodist Healthcare School of Nursing, 08/1999 – present.
  • Instructor, Methodist Healthcare School of Nursing, 08/1995 – 08/1999.
  • Part-time Clinical Instructor, Methodist Healthcare School of Nursing, 08/1987 – 08/1995.

Sarah Davenport

Rank: Instructor of Physical Education, Wellness, and Sport

Educational Background:

  • M.Ed. Auburn University, 2005.
  • B.S. Union University, 2002.

Experience:

  • Athletic Trainer, Baptist Rehabilitation – Germantown, 05/2005 – present.
  • Physical Therapy Aide, Human Performance and Rehabilitation Center, 02/2005 – 05/2005.
  • Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer, Auburn University Sports Medicine, 08/2003 – 05/2005.

Shirley Sykes Harris

Rank: Associate Professor of Library Services

Educational Background:

  • M.L.S. Texas Woman’s University, 1980.
  • B.S.E. University of Memphis, 1973.

Experience:

  • Reference/Photo Librarian, The Commercial Appeal, 06/1995 – present.
  • Reference Librarian, Alamance Community College, 1994.
  • Director/Agency Manager, Shelby State Community College, 1991 – 1993.
  • Branch Manager, Fort Worth Public Library, 1987 – 1991.

Mark Kossick

Rank: Director, MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Program and Professor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • D.N.Sc. University of Tennessee, Memphis, 2003.
  • M.S.N. University of Kansas. 1992
  • B.S. Edinboro University, 1984

Experience:

  • Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program and Associate Professor, University of Maryland, 06/2004 – 04/2005.
  • Director, Academic Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 03/2002 – 05/2004.
  • Associate Program Director, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 12/2001 – 05/2004.
  • Director, Clinical Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 01/1999 – 02/2002.
  • Assistant Program Director, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 08/1996 – 11/2001.
  • Assistant Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center, 06/1992 – 07/1993.

Gwen McCartney

Rank: Instructor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • M.S.N. Union University, 2004.
  • B.S.N. Union University, 2003.
  • B.S. University of Tennessee, Martin, 1979.

Experience:

  • Staff RN, Jackson Madison County General Hospital, 02/2000 – present.
  • Staff RN, University Home Health and Hospice, 01/1994 – 02/2000.
  • Staff RN, HCA Regional Hospital, 06/1988 – 01/1994.

Tracy Saddler

Rank: Instructor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • M.S.N. Northern Illinois University, 2002.
  • B.S.N. Union University, 1991.

Experience:

  • Adjunct faculty, Union University, 09/2004 – present.
  • RN, Baptist Memorial Hospital, 08/2004 – present.
  • RN, Regional Hospital Jackson, 03/2004 – present.
  • Director, Emergency Services, Freeport Memorial Hospital, 11/2001 – 02/2004.
  • RN, Rockford Health System, 10/1994 – 01/1999.
  • RN, University of New Mexico Hospital, 06/1991 – 10/1994.
  • RN, LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center, 04/1988 – 06/1991.
  • RN, Baptist Memorial Hospital, 04/1987 – 04/1988.

Kathy Swafford

Rank: Assistant Professor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • M.S.N. University of Tennessee, Memphis, 1981.
  • B.S.N. Memphis State University, 1980.

Experience:

  • Clinical Instructor, Union University, 09/2004 – 12/2004.
  • Instructor, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, 1999 – present.
  • Telephone Triage, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, 1996-1999.
  • Manager/Owner, Primary Care Specialty Imaging, 1990 – 1994.
  • Emergency Department/Staff Nurse, Germantown Community Hospital, 1991-1993.
  • Recovery Room/Staff Nurse, Baptist Home Plus, 1990 – 1991.

Jerithea Tidwell

Rank: Visiting Instructor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • Ph.D. University of Tennessee Health Science Center, expected May, 2006.
  • M.S.N. University of Nebraska, 1999.
  • B.S.N. University of Arkansas, 1995.

Experience:

  • Unit educator, St. Jude Children’s Regional Hospital, 2002 – present.
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist, St. Jude Children’s Regional Hospital, 1999 – 2002.
  • Staff Nurse, Children’s Memorial Hospital, 1996 – 1999.
  • Graduate Assistant, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1996 -1999.

Valerie Watters-Burke

Rank: Assistant Professor of Nursing

Educational Background:

  • D.N.Sc. University of Tennessee, Memphis, 2005.
  • M.S.N. Vanderbilt University, 1992.
  • B.S.N. St. Louis University, 1991.

Experience:

  • Clinical Director, Out-Patient Cath Lab and Cardiology Practice, Midsouth Heart Institute/Cardiovascular Specialists, 2004 – present.
  • Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner, Three Rivers Medical Center, 2003 – 2004.
  • Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner, Three Rivers Healthcare, 2001 – 2003.
  • Family and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pike County Memorial Hospital, 1996 – 2001.

 


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