Faculty & Staff

PhD, Nursing, Georgia State University

Simulation, Forensic Science, Transformational Learning, Maternal/Infant Health

Dr. Doss received a BSN from Troy University (2001), an MSN with a focus in maternal-infant nursing education from Troy University (2002), and a research doctorate (PhD) from Georgia State University (2017).  Dr. Doss has worked in maternal and infant health as a clinician and educator for over 20 years and is a trained forensic nurse.  She maintains certification in inpatient obstetrics (RNC-OB, 2003), as an Advanced Forensics Nurse (AFN-C, 2022), and as an Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A, 2020). She has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on women’s health, forensic nursing, and nursing education/research.  

DNP, Georgia College

Sexual Health in College Students, BSN Student Success, Supplemental Instruction, Collaborative Testing

Dr. Goldsberry attended Georgia Baptist College of Nursing, graduating in 1996 with baccalaureate degree in nursing. She continued her education and pursued her master's degree and family nurse practitioner studies at Georgia College, graduating with honors in 2000. She returned to GCSU for her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and graduated in 2015. She currently serves as Chair of the Jones County Board of Health and is involved in her church and community.

DNP, Georgia Southern
Post-MSN in Nursing Education, Georgia Southern University, 2014

Dr. Canady received her BSN from Georgia College & State University, graduating as vice president of her class. She returned shortly after to pursue her master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She practiced family medicine for several years before returning to the emergency room, where she had also spent most of her time as a BSN-RN. Dr. Canady completed her post-master’s in nursing education and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees at Georgia Southern University, where she received a recognition award for demonstrating exemplary promise in improving patient care.

Dr. Canady has multiple publications and presentations. Her research interests include stressors in the working environment of nurses and the role of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in nursing education. She currently practices as an FNP at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinic and is passionate about caring for underserved and vulnerable patient populations.

MSN, Nursing Education, Georgia College & State University

Tracy Stephens received her BSN from Armstrong Atlantic State University (2008), and her MSN in Nursing Education from Georgia College and State University (2024). She is currently pursuing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Master's Certificate from GCSU (graduating in 2026). Her clinical background is in mental and behavioral health, with inpatient and outpatient experience. She has special interests in forensic nursing and trauma-informed care. Mrs. Stephens serves as the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Program's Clinical Director. She is a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), the Academy of Forensic Nursing (AFN), and the Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE). She is enthusiastic about helping students find their areas of interest in nursing. 

BS, Sociology, Georgia College & State University

Paige Alford is an alumna of GCSU and has worked in the School of Nursing since 2013.  She has served as the clinical placement coordinator for Graduate Programs since 2019.

BS Health Information Management, Macon State College

Ms. Tiffany M. Bell is an alumna of Macon State College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. She has over 20 years of healthcare experience in the Central Georgia area. Ms. Bell specializes in Simulation Activity Coordination and Standardized Participant experience. She has completed training and received certifications in Standardized Participant Methodology through the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) and in Healthcare Simulation through Georgia College & State University.

MPA, Georgia College
BS, Sociology, Georgia College

Tracy is a double alumna of GCSU and has worked in the School of Nursing since 2012.  She oversees the day-to-day operations of the SON administrative office and provides budgetary oversight.  

MSN, Nursing Education, Georgia College & State University
BSN, Georgia College & State University

Melanie Hammond graduated from Georgia College & State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2019 and a Master's in Nursing Education in 2024. She also completed her healthcare simulation certificate at GCSU. Her background is in emergency department nursing and clinical research where she specialized in studies with an emphasis in endocrinology. She fell in love with nursing education and simulation and is now pursuing her DNP with an expected graduation date of 2026.

BS Nursing, Georgia College & State University

Patsy Hicks is a Georgia College & State University alum with a BS in Nursing and a BS in Community Health Education. She has over 36 years of medical-surgical nursing experience as well as two years of infection prevention experience. Patsy received her education in Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing from Emory University and holds a certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing. She is a member of the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing Society. Patsy also holds a certification in the Fundamentals of Standardized Patient Methodology through the Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE) and in Healthcare Simulation through Georgia College & State University and has received training in All Hazards/Medical Moulage through Moulage Concepts.  Patsy’s submission of Pin PPE on a Healthcare Worker was accepted for publication to the National League for Nursing-Simulation Innovation Resources Center HomeGrown Solutions website.

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, sewing, working in her garden, and spending time with her family.

AS General Studies, Georgia Military College
Certificate in Standardize Patient Methodology, Association of Standardized Patient Educators

Tyler Laster is a graduate of Georgia Military College where he received his degree in general studies. Mr. Laster has over ten years IT/ audio visual experience and four years in healthcare Simulation. 

MSN, Nurse Educator, Georgia College & State University

MSN, Nursing Education, Georgia College & State University

Tormechi Chambliss has been a nurse for 17 years with experience in medical/surgical, cardiac ICU and telemetry, radiology nursing, endoscopy, and case management. She graduated in 2007 with an associate degree in nursing from Macon State College. She then completed the RN-BSN program at Georgia College & State University and received a bachelor's degree in 2018 and a master's degree in nurse education in 2021. While pursuing her master's degree, Tormechi worked as a graduate assistant in the School of Nursing for the 2019-2020 academic year. She is starting her third year at Georgia State University pursuing a Ph.D. Tormechi’s research interests include African-American veteran women and the barriers to health-seeking behaviors for PTSD treatment.

DNP, Georgia Southern University

Dr. Claxton graduated with a BSN from Armstrong State University and MSN and DNP from Georgia Southern University. His clinical background includes mental health nursing and advance practice mental health nursing in both outpatient and inpatient settings. A large portion of his career has been spent in community mental health working with indigent and underserved patients. Dr. Claxton's special interests include bullying behaviors, suicide prevention, and child/adolescent mental health nursing.

MSN, Vanderbilt University, Nurse Midwifery
BS, Lipscomb University, Biology

Denise Cochran is an alumnus of Lipscomb University (1998) and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (2005) with a focus on Nurse Midwifery. She has over 18 years of experience as a Certified Nurse Midwife in hospital and home birth settings. Denise also has experience working as a hospice nurse and clinical nursing instructor at Middle Georgia State University. 

Denise joins Georgia College & State University (GCSU) in 2024 as a lecturer. She is currently enrolled in the MSN-DNP program at GCSU. Denise discovered a love of teaching as a midwifery preceptor and desires to expand her role as an educator with a DNP degree. 

PhD, Nursing, Georgia State University

Dr. Coke received her PhD in Nursing from Georgia State University, her Post Master’s as a Family Nurse Practitioner from University of Massachusetts, her MSN as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from Emory University, and her BSN in Nursing from Georgia College & State University. She has published in a number of peer reviewed journals and presented nationally and internationally on her research related to innovative teaching techniques and using service learning to enhance nursing education. Dr. Coke has received numerous research grants that are focused on improving access to healthcare in rural areas of Georgia and her international service-learning work. She currently has an ANEW HRSA grant where she serves as lead researcher. Dr. Coke actively practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner in rural Georgia in a medically underserved county. Her role as International Coordinator for the College of Health Sciences has led to the development of a Global Health Minor for Georgia College and service learning and exchange opportunities for Georgia College & State University's nursing students in Sweden, Honduras, and Tanzania.

DNP, Nursing, Georgia College & State University

Dr. Copeland received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2013 and was awarded the Outstanding DNP student for her cohort. She holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Georgia College. She has taught undergraduate and graduate nursing courses since 1998. Her research work includes Magnet hospital, nursing research, informatics, and clinical practice guidelines. She has authored and co-authored nursing journal articles, presented her research at national and international venues, and lobbied at the local, state, and national levels for health care issues. Dr. Copeland also serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc.

PhD, Nursing, Texas Woman's University

Dr. Culpa-Bondal is a Professor of Nursing and has more than 25 years of experience in the area of psychiatric/mental health. She is board-certified as a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner.  She received her Ph.D. in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University, her Post Master’s in Healthcare Informatics from Georgia College & State University, her MSN in Family Mental Health from Georgia College & State University, and her BSN in Nursing from Holy Name University, in Bohol, Philippines. Her clinical practice serves underserved populations around the Middle Georgia area and encompasses several clinical sites from correctional facilities to outpatient community mental health centers and crisis stabilization units.  She has numerous papers/presentations including adult mental health, psychiatric nursing education, and the use of informatics in healthcare and nursing education. Dr. Bondal leads a summer study abroad program that teaches undergraduate research to nursing students while exploring the Filipino culture.  She uses problem-based learning, service-learning and evidence-based learning pedagogies.

DNP, Spring Arbor University
MSN, Nursing Education, Spring Arbor University
BSN, Georgia College & State University

Dr. Fordham is a Georgia College & State University alumna, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017. She continued her education at Spring Arbor University receiving a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in Nursing Education in 2021 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a concentration in Strategic Leadership in 2023. Dr. Fordham has nursing experience in academic medical-surgical and psychiatric nursing. Her research interests include non-pharmacological interventions for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, resiliency and stress management techniques for healthcare staff and nursing students, and active engagement strategies to promote student learning.

DHS, Health Care Leadership & Education, Nova Southeastern University

Resilience, Student Success, Stress Management, Emotional Intelligence, Disaster Preparedness

Dr. Fowler received her BSN from Boston College, a Master of Science in nursing education degree from Sacred Heart University, and her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. She completed active duty service in the United States Air Force and was a volunteer at Ronald MacDonald House. Dr. Fowler is also trained as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Her hobbies include reading and travel.

DNP, Medical College of Georgia

Dr. Haley received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2009. Her translational and clinical research project focused on improving adherence to core measures for heart-failure treatment in the hospital setting. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner Degrees from Georgia College & State University. Her nursing background is in pediatric and adult critical care. Her advanced practice experience includes internal medicine and the specialties of hematology/oncology and cardiology. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

DNP, Georgia College & State University

Dr. Marcia Henry is a three-time graduate of the GCSU School of Nursing. She obtained her BSN, MSN Nurse Educator, and DNP at the university. She spent the majority of her career in critical care and also worked in nursing administration and case management.  Dr Henry recently completed her DNP project "The Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Songwriting Intervention to Improve Quality of Life for Individuals with Chronic Pain." She has presented her research nationally and her research focus is music and pain management. She sings, plays piano, and is an award-winning songwriter who has managed dual careers for many years. Dr Henry is married to Tim and, and they make their home in Milledgeville.  Together they serve on the worship team (piano & drums) at Northridge Christian Church in Milledgeville.  She enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with family. The Henry's have 3 children.

DNP, Georgia College

Dr. Henry is a “Triple Cat” having graduated from Georgia College & State University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1985), Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education (2018), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (2020). Her background includes critical care, management, and education. She has maintained her instructor certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS for more than 15 years. In 2018, she began working with a federal grant to train sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and currently holds SANE-A certification. Her forensic work includes multiple presentations and journal and book publications. In addition to her role as the SANE grant’s program director, Dr. Henry is an Assistant Professor at the school of nursing. She is active in her church where she serves on the Medical Response Team.

DNP, Georgia Regents University

Dr. Ketchie's educational background includes earning a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Augusta University, a Post Master’s Certificate as an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Northern Kentucky University, a MSN concentrating in Nurse -Midwifery from East Carolina University, and a BSN from the University of Connecticut. With over 30 years of experience as a certified nurse-midwife (CNM), she has dedicated the past decade to nursing education while continuing to practice as a CNM.

Dr. Ketchie is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (FACNM), an honor bestowed upon midwives who have demonstrated leadership, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship, and professional achievement that has merited special recognition both within and outside the midwifery profession. As a co-principal investigator, she helped to secure $2.7 million from the HRSA ANEW grant to advance APRN practice in rural Georgia.

She is passionate about fostering student growth and encouraging them to reach their full potential. Her current research focuses on the transition of new APRN graduates into rural practice and initiatives to reduce maternal mortality rates in the state. Dr. Ketchie initiated and directs the Nurse-Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program at GCSU, where she continues to inspire and educate future healthcare providers. 

DNP, Brenau University

Dr. Malcom came to GCSU in August 2023 as an assistant professor of nursing. She received her DNP in Advanced Practice from Brenau University in 2014. Her project was about type 2 diabetes self-care management using telehealth. Dr. Malcom is currently in her final year in Augusta University’s Ph.D. in Nursing program. She completed the American Association of Nurse Practitioner’s Execute Leadership Program in 2023. She has been a nationally board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2011 and works in rural family practice. At her previous university, she was the NP Programs Coordinator for 10 years. She received her MSN and BSN from Brenau University. As an RN she worked primarily in critical care and was a certified critical care RN. She has been in higher education since 2012 and is a National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator. She is active in AANP, UAPRN of Ga, AHNA, STTI, and Phi Kappa Phi. She received the “Master in the Art of Nursing” award from the Gainesville Community in 2017 for her 30 years in nursing. Her research areas are compassion care, telehealth, and type 2 diabetes. She likes to take students on mission trips to the Gypsy villages in Romania. She loves to read and travel.

DNP, University of Hawaii

Dr. Norris-Taylor received her DNP from the University of Hawaii at Hilo where her research focused on a Transcultural Nursing Approach to Secondary Prevention of Pressure-Related Foot Injury in Micronesian Migrants in Hawai’i with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2017 and works with disabled veterans. She also received her BSN from the University of Hawai’i at Hilo. Her special interests include long-term care and underserved populations. 

MSN, Georgia College

DNP, Georgia College

Health Prevention & Promotion, Palliative Care, and Opioid Addiction 

Dr. Queen is a Georgia College & State University (GCSU) multi-alumni earning both her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995 and her BSN in 1996. She pursued and completed a master’s degree and family nurse practitioner education at GCSU in 2000.  She completed her DNP in May 2022 which focused on APRN's knowledge of Opioid Use Disorder.  She had been practicing full-time as a nurse practitioner in an outpatient private practice until joining GCSU in August 2019.  She continues to practice part-time as a nurse practitioner for a local hospice and as a peer reviewer for the Georgia Board of Nursing as her schedule allows. She has a broad range of experience in the clinical setting which includes oncology, family practice, preventive and alternative medicine, palliative care, and women’s health including obstetrics, bariatrics, and cardiology.  In her spare time, she loves traveling, hiking, and other outdoor activities and is passionate about animal rescue. She has 4 rescue dogs - Shine, Lady, Trooper & Gypsy Rose.

DNP, Georgia College

Dr. Roberts is a Georgia College & State University alumna, where she received her Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master's in Nursing Education, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During her doctoral studies she was signified as a Jonas Scholar. She has worked in various clinical areas as a registered nurse including intensive care, pain management, and emergency care services. Dr. Roberts received the Laurie Hendrickson McMillan Award in 2020 for excellence in teaching, research, and campus and community service. She holds a certification as a Healthcare Simulation Educator from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and Standardized Participant Methodology certification through the Association of Standardized Patient Educator. In addition to being a 2022 alumna of National League for Nursing Lead Institutes Simulation Education Program and the 2022-2023 recipient of the College of Health Science Excellence in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. 

As the director of the Simulation and Translational Research Center at Georgia College & State University she provides leadership, development of faculty/staff, metrics, and integration of simulation technology into the nursing curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Roberts is the Program Coordinator for the year long, healthcare simulation certificate program that teaches healthcare educators about simulation pedagogy, best-practices, and operations. 

Dr. Roberts has secured grant funding from various sources at Georgia College. Her current research focuses on using simulation to support the learning needs of undergraduate and graduate healthcare disciplines. She has published simulation related research in various nursing journals. Dr. Roberts has also presented on simulation research and simulation center management at the local, state, national, and international levels.   

DNP, Georgia College & State University
MSN, Perinatal Women's Health Nursing, Georgia State University

Dr. Schwartz is a Georgia College & State University alumna and received her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2024. Her project focused on improving maternal mortality by increasing access to doulas. She received her Master of Science at Georgia State University and has been a nationally board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner since 2000 and received a BSN degree from Augusta University (formerly the Medical College of Georgia) in 1995. She is a member of ANA/GNA, NPWH, AWHONN, and UAPRN of Georgia. In 2006, as the Director of Health Policy for UAPRN of Georgia, she lobbied for the successful passage of prescriptive authority for advanced practice nurses of Georgia. Currently, she serves as a member of the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Georgia doula workforce group to determine strategies to improve access and utilization of doulas aimed to address maternal mortality in Georgia.

MSN, Emory University

DNP, Georgia College

Dr. Smith began his nursing career in the medical-surgical setting before transitioning to critical care.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College & State University and returned to complete his MSN and DNP.  A board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, he also holds certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse.  He currently teaches medical-surgical nursing within the undergraduate nursing program and enjoys working in the clinical setting with both undergraduate and graduate-level nursing students.

DNP, Georgia College

Dr. Warren earned both her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from Georgia College. She previously received her Bachelor and Associate Degrees in Nursing from Excelsior College and completed the U.S. Army Practical Nurse Course. Previously in the clinical setting, she has practiced in the Intensive Care, Step-down, Hospice, Telemetry, Postpartum, and Labor & Delivery settings. Most recently she has practiced as a staff Emergency Room Nurse. She maintains Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certifications. Her teaching assignments within the undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program focus on transition to nursing practice, research, and simulation while her graduate courses focus on nursing theory and simulation. Her research interests include prevention of unrecognized clinical deterioration, the use of simulation as a teaching modality, and the training impact of clinical faculty.

MSN: Adulty NP/CNS, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
DNP, Georgia Southern, Statesboro, GA

Dr. Winn has a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Georgia Southern University, where she also completed a cognate in Public Health.  Her DNP research focused on the use of Motivational Interviewing for Diabetes Prevention in Adult African American males. She has been board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner since 1997. She graduated from Emory University School of Nursing in 1996 with her Master's in Nursing ANP/CNS, with an education minor.  She has been a nurse educator since 1996. Her nursing background is in Cardiac nursing and Cardiothoracic surgery, including Heart Transplants. Dr. Winn works as an Adult NP in a homeless clinic and provides clinical experience for FNP students there.