Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations

A Private, Not-for-Profit, Licensed and Nationally Accredited College of Nursing
Where dreams of a Better Tomorrow Come True … Learn, Grow, Become …
Located at:
5154 Okeechobee Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33417
Phone: (561)683-1400
Fax: (561)683-6773
Email Us 
Lois M. Gackenheimer Richards, PhD Ed, MSN, RN
Executive Director / President

Administrative and Instructional Personnel

ADMINISTRATION

Lois M. Gackenheimer Richards, PhD, Ed, MSN, R.N., President
Corllins University - PhD Ed, MSN
Boston College, Boston, MA - BSN
Ordained Minister
Over 40 years Nursing, Education & Administrative Experience - Acute, Long Term, and Home Care
Joseph C. Molmer, MBA, Executive Director—FT
University of Georgia, Athens, GA – MBA
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA - BBA
Over 25 years experience in Management, Education Administration, Accreditation and Human Resources within Nursing, Allied Health, Acute Care Healthcare and Career and Technical Education (CTE) settings. 
Renée Werner, Director of Compliance — FT
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.—BBA
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA—MBA
Over 10 years experience in not-for-profit business administration with a background in Human Resources and Management.
Candi Giambatista, Compliance Educator - Part Time
Over 40 years experience Education, Management, Marketing, Bookkeeping, Auditing, Loan & Collections, over 8 years exp. Job Development and Job Placement: Career Counseling, Out-reach & Recruitment, and IT Services.

DEANS/DIRECTORS

Kenneth Leishman, Controller - FT
William Patterson University, NJ.— BA Accounting, Business Admin.
Over 25 years experience in Accounting, Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Payroll Processing, and Business Management.
Kacey Atkinson., Dean of Student Services/Financial Aid Director - FT
Nova Southeastern University, Davie FL- Master’s in Guidance Counseling & MBA
Eastern Michigan University-BS in Interpersonal Communications
Over 20 years’ experience working in Higher Education in various Financial Aid roles.  
Neala Asser MA, RN - Academic Dean – FT
New York University, NY, NY – Master of Arts, Delivery of Nursing Services
Fairfield University, Fairfield CT – BSN
Acute Care – Adult Medical Surgical; Adult and Pediatric Critical Care; Subacute Care, Rehabilitation & Long Term Care of Adult, Geriatric and Mental Health Patients
Over 40 years of Nursing experience in Acute Care; Sub Acute, Rehabilitation and Long Term Care; Nursing Administration and Nursing Education.
Kenneth Tyson - IT/Plant Manager – FT
University of Central Florida, BAS Information Technology
Palm Beach State College, AS Network Administration
Over 15 years of experience managing IT systems and supporting business operations throughout Palm Beach County.

STUDENT SERVICES

Valerie Butcher, Receptionist/Student Services Associate - FT
Palm Beach State College-Associates in Arts Degree
Over 20 years in customer service and medical administration
Jonida Gjergo, Financial Aid Processor. - FT
Keiser University, FL, MA—Homeland Security
Widener University, PA, BA—Criminal Justice
Over 10 years experience in customer service, collecting, documenting, and reporting data and information.
Over 3.5 years experience in private, non-profit financial aid.
Biaggia Jenkins, College Bursar - FT
Over 15 years in customer service
With 3 years in financial aid
Margaret Joseph, Academic Assistant—FT
South University, FL MBA -Healthcare Administration
ITT Technical Institute, IN — BS in Accounting
10 years in Academic Support, 7 years in Student Records (Registrar) and Management.
Judith Miller, RN, Job Development Placement Counselor - FT
Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth, FL - ASN
Over 40 Years Experience in Nursing Education and Long Term Care and Home Health Nursing
Assignment: Student Services—Job Placement
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Registrar – FT
Northwood University—BA, Business Management
Over 15 years experience in Business Management, Marketing, Customer Relations, Student Record Keeping
Angela Stiles, Admissions Specialist - FT
Over 25 years experience in Customer Service, Marketing and Counseling
Michele Vermiglio, Student and Community Services Coordinator - FT
Montclair State University, NJ-Masters in Education>
Rutgers University, NJ—BA>
Over 25 years experience in Education. 8 years in Higher Education; Admissions, Registrar, and Associate Dean

Nursing Coordinators

Brittany Costakes, BSN, R.N. Day Shift Nursing Coordinator - FT
Chamberlain University, Chicago, IL. - BSN
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, West Palm Beach, FL.—ADN
Over 14 years experience in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, Hospice & Palliative Care, and Nursing Education
Chris Sheffield BSN, RN, Evening Shift Nursing Coordinator - FT
Capella University, Minneapolis, MN—Bachelor of Science in Nursing
San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX—Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing
Over 20 years nursing experience in Cardiology, Research, Pediatrics, Emergency Room and Critical Care
Over 4 years teaching experience

FACULTY

Maria Alma, BSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Concordia College, Wilmington, DE - BSN
Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing—Bridgeport, CT - ASN
Over 10 years Nursing Experience– Medical/Surgical, Geronotology, Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Teaching Assignment: HO Division
Michael R Berneche, Pharm. D. Instructor/Employment Counselor—FT
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie PA, Doctor of Pharmacy
Experience in Transplant Pharmacy, Advanced Compounding and Infectious Diseases
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Kristeen Cameron, BSN, RN Instructor/ - Per Diem
Valencia Community College: AA
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations: ASN
South University: BSN
Experience in Medical Surgical, Medical Psych/Behavioral Health, Alzheimer, Dementia and Neurocognitive disorders.
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Stacey Chavers, MSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor-Per Diem
Colorado Technical University - MSN Nursing Education
Colorado Technical University- BSN Nursing Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations - ADN
Over 30 years in Blood Banking and Transfusion Services Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Knolan DeVevo, MSN, BSN - Instructor/Employment Counselor– FT
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL MSN Leadership
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL  BSN
Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth FL AND
Acute Care- Emergency Department, ICU, Cardiac step-down, Medical Surgical, Community Health.
Combined of 20 years in nursing experience in Acute Care, Community Health, Nursing education, and Nursing Administration.
Teaching Assignment: PN Division
Garry Germinal, MSN/ED, RN, Instructor - FT
University of the State of New York, Albany, NY. MSN in Nursing
University of the State of New York: Albany, NY. BSN
Over 30 years of experience in Nursing. Consultant in the Clinical System Management, Legal Nursing, Health Care Risk Management, Infusion Therapy, Staff Education and Wound Management.
Over 10 years of Guest Lecturing, Didactic and Clinical Instructions, Interaction, Preceptorship.
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Dr. Robert Ghassemi, MD, MA, RphT Instructor/Employment Counselor - Per Diem
Saint Christopher IMD College of Medicine, Luton, UK - MD
Athabasa University, Canada, Masters In Health Sciences
Humber College, Etobicoke, Canada - Pharmacy Technician
Over 4 yrs experience teaching developing program outcomes, objectives, & program goals, curriculum development, lesson plans, teaching students study techniques.
Over 5 yrs experience in Internal Medicine managing diseases, creating treatment plans, and incorporating therapy, medication, nutrition, and or surgery.
Teaching Assignment: General Education
Cindy Giambatista, Ed. D., structor/Employment Counselor - Per Diem
Northcentral University, Scottsdale, AZ-Doctorate in Education
Arizona State Univ., West Glendale, AZ - Master’s in Secondary
Ed., Reading Emphasis
Arizona State Univ., West Glendale, AZ - Bachelor’s in Elementary Ed.
Over 8 Years Ground and Online Teaching Experience – Certified College Instructor in Educational Tech, Reading, Writing, English, and English as a Second Language
Teaching Assignment: General Education
Alison Gill, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - Per Diem
South University, West Palm Beach, FL - BSN
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations - West Palm Beach, FL - LPN
Over 4 years experience in Acute Care, Home Care, Private Care and Assisted Living
Devalie Gilzine, MSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Phoenix University, Palm Beach Gardens, FL—MSN
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL—BSN
Acute Care– Adult Medical Surgical, Emergency; Outpatient, Hemodialysis, Obstetrics & Pediatrics; Subacute Care Rehabilitation & Long Term Care of Adult, Geriatric & Mental Health Patients.
Over 20 years of Nursing Experience in Medical Surgical, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Geriatrics, Mental Health and Nursing Education
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Deborah Grotke, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
University of Miami, Miami, FL - BSN
Over 30 Years Experience - Acute Care, Geriatrics and Long Term Care
7 years experience of Nursing Instruction
Teaching Assignment: PN Division
Bonita Hughes, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor – per Diem
Chamberlain University, Chicago, IL. - BSN
Palm Beach State College, West Palm Beach, FL.—ASN
Over 25 years’ experience in Medical-Surgical, Surgery, Vascular Access, Telemetry and Nursing Education
Teaching Assignment—ADN Division
Faith James, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
University of Miami , Miami, Fl—BSN
Miami Dade Community College , Miami, FL - AA
Over 26 years of experience as a theory/clinical educator and staff for Obstetrics/Pediatrics, Medical Surgical, Geriatrics, and Behavioral Health
Teaching Assignment - ADN Division
Lisa Kanakry, MSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor – FT
Kaplan University, MSN, Nurse Educator
Wagner College, Staten Island, NY - BSN
Over 15 years experience in Maternal/Child Health in Acute Care Settings and Community
Teaching Assignment - ADN & PN Division
Catrina Leandre, MSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor– FT
Keiser University-MSN Nursing Education
Keiser University-BSN Nursing Education
Keiser University-ADN Nursing Education
Over 14 years of experience in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry, Hospice & Palliative Care, and Nursing Education
Teaching Assignment: ADN, PN
Dinah Macavinta, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Velez College, Philippines, BSN
Over 20 years experience in Acute Care and Psychiatric Nursing and Nursing Education
Teaching Assignment: PN Division
Edwin Ortiz, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - Per Diem
Catholic University Puerto Rico - BSN
University of Phoenix - MBA, HCM
Over 30 years nursing experience - acute care, ER triage, and medical surgical
Teaching Assignment: General Education Division
Timothy Parker, MAT, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Teachers College, Columbia University, NY, NY—PhEd
Simmons College, Boston, MA—MA in Education
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL -FBSN
Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ-BA in Natural Science & Mathematics
Gloucester County College, Sewell, NJ—AS in Biology
Over 5 years Nursing Education, Medical Surgical, Oncology, Over 10 years teaching experience.
Teaching Assignment— ADN Division
Marva Pinnock, BSN, RN Instructor /Employment Counselor - Per Diem
Palm Beach State College, West Palm Beach, FL – BSN
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, WPB, FL – LPN
Over 20 years of experience as a Nurse with experience in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), medical surgical, telemetry, Neuro ICU, Surgical ICU, and Medical ICU.
Teaching Assignment - ADN Division
Kelly Pollino, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations – ADN
Greater Lowell Nursing—LPN
Over 30 years Nursing experience as an LPN and now an RN
Served 20 years in the military as a nurse
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Christiane Previlma, MS, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor - FT
Southern New Hampshire University, MS in Psychology
Florida Atlantic University, BS in Healthcare Administration
The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations– ADN
15 years experienced in Geriatric Care and Case Management.
5 years experience in Mental Health and Home Healthcare.
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Jamie Rubin, BSN, RN, Instructor/Employment Counselor – FT
College of Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, OH - BSN
Miami University, Oxford, OH - Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
Over 20 years experience in cardiology, open heart unit, critical care, respiratory and hospice
Teaching Assignment: PN Division
Natalie Sanaty-Nya MSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor—FT
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT—MSN
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT—BSN
Over 13-years of healthcare experience including Level 1 trauma hospital ICU nursing, outpatient neurology and primary care nurse practitioner experience
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Onika Sears MSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor— Per Diem
Chamberlain University, Chicago, IL - MSN
University of Guyana, Georgetown, Guyana - BSN
Over 22 years of nursing experience in Acute care, Sub Acute Care, Geriatric, Rehabilitation services, Long Term Care and Clinical Education.
7 years of Nursing Management.
3 years in Clinical Education.
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division
Alexis Stallings, BSN, RN, Instructor /Employment Counselor - FT
Indian River State College—ADN & BSN
Over 4 years experience in Adult Medical Surgical and Dialysis Care, Home Health, and Assisted Living
Teaching Assignment: PN Division
Linda Vieux, BSN, RN Instructor/Employment Counselor– Per Diem
Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell, OK - BSN
Rose State College, Midwest City, OK - ADN
Over 26 years with nursing experience in Medical Surgical, Orthopedic, Rehabilitation, Dialysis, Corrections Department, Assisted Living and Allergy & Asthma
Over 16 years teaching lecture, online, clinical, and developing curriculum
Teaching Assignment: ADN Division