Union University
Union University School of Nursing

Faculty & Staff



Jackson Campus
FAX 731-661-5504

Renee H. Anderson

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Tennessee, Martin
    M.S.N., University of Memphis
  • Office: WH 233, Box 1801, 731-661-5905 (voice)
  • E-mail: randerson@uu.edu



Brandy Brown

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of South Alabama
    M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
  • Office: WH 2xx, Box 1801, 731-661-6558 (voice)
  • E-mail: bbrown@uu.edu


Sandra Brown

  • Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Memphis
    M.Ed., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences
  • Office: WH 248, Box 1801, 731-661-5315 (voice)
  • E-mail: sbrown@uu.edu


Elsie A. Cressman

  • Coordinator of Nurse Anesthesia Track, School of Nursing
  • Office: WH 235, Box 1801, 731-661-5124 (voice)
  • E-mail: ecressma@uu.edu


Rita C. Croom

  • Director of Admissions and Marketing, School of Nursing
  • Education: B.S., Union University
  • Office: WH 266, Box 1801, 731-661-6545 (voice)
  • E-mail: rcroom@uu.edu


Sharon J. Evans

  • Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Oral Roberts University
    M.S.N., St. Louis University
    Ph.D, St. Louis University
  • Office: WH 254, Box 1801, 731-661-5949 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: sjevans@uu.edu


Sherrita C. Fitzhugh

  • Instructor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: WH 245, Box 1801, 731-661-5539 (voice)
  • E-mail: sfitzhug@uu.edu


Sheilla Foster

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Union University
    B.S.N., University of Tennessee, Martin
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: WH 259, Box 1801, 731-661-5988 (voice), 731-541-4196 (fax)
  • E-mail: sfoster@uu.edu


Jeff Hampton



Kelly Harden

  • Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Track and Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, School of Nursing
  • Education: A.D.N., Mississippi County Community College
    B.S.N., Regents University
    M.S.N., University of Missouri
    DNSc., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: WH 239, Box 1801, 731-661-5946 (voice)
  • E-mail: kharden@uu.edu


Charlotte Harris

  • Administrative Assistant, School of Nursing
  • Office: WH 220, Box 1801, 731-661-5029 (voice)
  • E-mail: cpharris@uu.edu


Paula Karnes

  • Coordinator, Undergraduate Nursing Program, School of Nursing
  • Office: WH 241, Box 1801, 731-661-5125 (voice)
  • E-mail: pkarnes@uu.edu


Melissa Lefave

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing Anesthesia, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Union University
    M.S., Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
  • Office: WH 233, Box 1801, 731-661-6519 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: mlefave@uu.edu


Donna Latham

  • Georgia Wilson Distinguished Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.A., Union University
    B.S.N., Texas Christian University
    M.S.N., University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Additional Masters Study, University of Memphis
  • Office: WH 240, Box 1801, 731-661-5238 (voice)
  • E-mail: dlatham@uu.edu


Rosemary McLaughlin

  • Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Harding University
    M.S.N., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
    Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: WH 246, Box 1801, 731-661-5155 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: rmclaugh@uu.edu


Lisa Medlin

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.A., Union University
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
  • Office: WH 242, Box 1801, 731-661-5154 (voice)
  • E-mail: lmedlin@uu.edu


Kathy M. O'Connor

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Union University
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.B.A., Union University
    M.S.N., University of Memphis
    D.N.P., Union University
  • Office: WH 258, Box 1801, 731-661-5452 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: koconnor@uu.edu


Zoila Sanchez

  • Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.A., Florida International University
    B.S.N., Florida International University
    M.S.N., Union University
    Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: WH 243, Box 1801, 731-661-5929 (voice)
  • E-mail: zsanchez@uu.edu


Carla Sanderson

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Provost and Executive Vice President, Administrative Office of the Provost
  • Education: Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
    Ph.D, University of Florida
  • Office: PAC F-6, Box 1815, 731-661-5203; 5355 (voice)
  • E-mail: csanders@uu.edu


Timothy L. Smith

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Dean of the School of Nursing, School of Nursing
  • Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
  • Education: Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
    Diploma, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
    B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
    Ph.D, University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
    Additional Study, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
    Additional Study, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Additional Study, Union University
  • Office: WH 221/PH 361, Box 1801, 731-661-5029 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: tsmith@uu.edu


Jessica M. Suiter

  • Instructor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S., University of Missouri, Rolla
    B.S.N., St. Louis University
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: PH 360, Box 1801, 731-661-5907 (voice)
  • E-mail: jsuiter@uu.edu


Melissa Swinea

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S., Lipscomb University
    B.S.N., University of Alabama
    M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
  • Office: WH 2xx, Box 1801, 731-661-6559 (voice)
  • E-mail: mswinea@uu.edu


Carol K Sykes

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Associate Dean, Undergraduate Nursing, School of Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Union University
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: WH 222, Box 1801, 731-661-5902 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: csykes@uu.edu


Joy Thomason

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Director of Undergraduate Nursing Education, Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: PH 359, Box 1801, 731-661-5964 (voice)
  • E-mail: jthomaso@uu.edu


Sherrie Turner

  • Simulation Specialist, School of Nursing
  • Office: PH 358, Box 1801, 731-661-5152 (voice)
  • E-mail: sturner@uu.edu


Jill J. Webb

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Assistant Director of Honors Community, Honors Community
  • Education: B.S.N., Murray State University
    M.S.N., University of Evansville
    Ph.D, University of Tennessee, Memphis
    Additional Study, Paducah Community College
  • Office: WH 244; PAC J-6, Box 1801, 731-661-5235(Nursing) 731-661-6517(Honors) (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
  • E-mail: jwebb@uu.edu


Nelda Webb

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Union University
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Office: WH 238, Box 1801, 731-661-5112 (voice)
  • E-mail: nwebb@uu.edu


Dana LeAnne Wilhite

  • Instructor of Nursing and Interim Chair of Undergraduate Nursing, Jackson, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Memphis
  • Office: WH 253, Box 1801, 731-661-6569 (voice)
  • E-mail: lwilhite@uu.edu


Cullen Williams

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Vanderbilt University
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee
  • Office: WH 2xx, Box 1801, 731-661-5348 (voice)
  • E-mail: ccwilliams@uu.edu


Wendy Googe Williams

  • Nursing Admissions Assistant, School of Nursing
  • Office: WH, 731-661-6542 (voice)
  • E-mail: wwilliams@uu.edu


Molly Gregory Wright

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing and Chair, MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Program, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Union University
    B.S., University of St. Francis
    M.S., Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: WH 236, Box 1801, 731-661-5347 (voice)
  • E-mail: mwright@uu.edu


April Yearwood

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing and Assistant Chair, MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Program, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: WH 237, Box 1801, 731-661-6557 (voice)
  • E-mail: ayearwood@uu.edu


Germantown Campus
FAX 901-759-5874

Glynis D. Blackard

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: UUG 219D, 901-312-1912 (voice)
  • E-mail: gblackard@uu.edu


Laurie Bagwell

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Indiana University - Kokomo
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Union University
    D.N.P., Chatham University
  • Office: UUG 214A
  • E-mail: lbagwell@uu.edu


Linda Billings

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., Shelby State Community College
    B.S.N., Union University
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: UUG 225, 901-312-1939 (voice)
  • E-mail: lbillings@uu.edu


Patsy Crihfield

  • Chair, MSN-Nurse Practitioner Track and Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.A., Stephens College
    B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Memphis
    F.N.P., University of Missouri, St. Louis
    D.N.P., University of Tennessee, Memphis
  • Office: UUG 214D, Box 1801, 901-312-1907 (voice), 901-759-5874 (fax)
  • E-mail: pcrihfie@uu.edu


Connie K. Cupples

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: Diploma, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing
    B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: UUG 214F, Box 1801, 901-312-1930 (voice), 901-759-1197 (fax)
  • E-mail: ccupples@uu.edu
  • Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/ccupples/


Wendy Glass

  • Coordinator, BSN Program Germantown, Germantown Campus
  • Office: UUG 215, Box 1801, 901-312-1901 (voice)
  • E-mail: wglass@uu.edu


Brad Harrell

  • Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., University of Memphis
    D.N.P., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: UUG 219B, 901-312-1951 (voice)
  • E-mail: bharrell@uu.edu


Mary Lee Jacobson

  • Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., Union University
  • Office: UUG 219A, 901-312-1950 (voice)
  • E-mail: mjacobson@uu.edu


Patricia R. Keene

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.S.N., University of Memphis
    B.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    M.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    D.N.P., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: UUG 219C, Box 1801, 901-312-1934 (voice)
  • E-mail: pkeene@uu.edu


Cynthia Powers

  • Chair, MSN - Nurse Education/ Nurse Administration Tracks and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: A.D.N., University of Memphis
    B.S., University of St. Francis
    M.S.N., St. Josephs College (Maine)
  • Office: UUG 214G, Box UUG, 901-312-1955 (voice), 901-759-5874 (fax)
  • E-mail: cpowers@uu.edu


Donna S Sachse

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
    B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: UUG 214E, Box UUG, 901-312-1922 (voice), 901-759-1197 (fax)
  • E-mail: dsachse@uu.edu


Jo Anna Tacker

  • Coordinator of Graduate Programs, School of Nursing, Germantown Campus
  • Office: UUG 214B, Box UUG, 901-312-1949 (voice)
  • E-mail: jtacker@uu.edu


Lois W. Tate

  • Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., University of Memphis
    M.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    Ed.D., University of Memphis
  • Office: UUG 214H, Box UUG, 901-312-1935 (voice)
  • E-mail: ltate@uu.edu


Denise Thornton-Orr

  • Chair, Undergraduate Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
  • Education: B.S.N., Mississippi University for Women
    M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    DNSc., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Office: UUG 214C, Box UUG, 901-312-1924 (voice)
  • E-mail: dthornton@uu.edu