OUR FACULTY

Thomas W. Barkley, Jr., DSN, ACNP-BC, FAANP is President of Barkley & Associates, Inc., dedicated to providing the nation’s best nurse practitioner certification review/clinical update and continuing education courses. He is also a Professor of Nursing and Director of Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs at California State University, Los Angeles. Since the mid-1990s, Dr. Barkley has been actively teaching, developing, and implementing nurse practitioner continuing education offerings both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Barkley’s clinical background and practice are in critical and acute care nursing, where he holds national certification as an acute care nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. He received a bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Alabama, a master’s degree in critical care nursing from the University of Virginia, and holds the doctor of science in nursing degree with a specialty in nursing education and nursing education administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is also distinguished as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

In addition to his classroom and practice responsibilities, Dr. Barkley is the primary editor of the American Journal of Nursing Book-of-the-Year award-winning text, Practice Guidelines for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. He has also published numerous refereed articles related to acute care nursing practice, nursing education, and multicultural HIV/AIDS prevention.

Using expertise gleaned from his years of experience, Dr. Barkley annually assists thousands of nurse practitioners with successful passing of their initial national certification exams. His company offers the most extensive number of different specialty live certification review/clinical update courses in the country. Additionally, Barkley & Associates provides the nation’s leading continuing education expertise in 24/7 online pharmacology updates for all nurse practitioners.

Sherry Carter, PhD, WHNP-BC, is an Associate Professor of Nursing and Coordinator of the WHNP track at Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Carter received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from University of Texas at Arlington and both the master of science in nursing degree and doctor of philosophy degree in health studies from Texas Woman’s University. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Carter serves on the Faculty Senate and is active in many professional and academic committee activities. In addition, she co-developed the Clinical Calendar Internet-based application for documenting students’ clinical encounters, which is now active at all Texas Woman’s University campuses.

As an expert in the field of woman’s health, Dr. Carter has received awards for her research and service as a nurse practitioner. Such accomplishments include an Award of Merit from the American Society of Cervical Cytology and Pathology (ASCCP), the Texas Woman's University Research Ambassador Award to the National Institutes of Health, as well as the Faculty Development Award from TWU. She has published refereed articles in women’s health and presented research as to factors associated with nursing student retention.

She maintains a part-time clinical practice at the Parkland Health and Hospital System as a WHNP and nurse colposcopist. Dr. Carter is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, AWHONN, NPWH, ASCCP, and Texas Nurse Practitioners.

Patricia Duffy Cunningham, DNSc, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, is an Associate Professor of Nursing and Coordinator of the Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice Option at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN

Dr. Cunningham received the bachelor of science degree in nursing from her hometown school of Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She completed the master of science degree in nursing from Indiana University with a major in adult psychiatric mental health nursing. After working as a certified psychiatric clinical nurse specialist in both hospitals and private practice, she became an instructor at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and completed the educational requirements for national certification as a family nurse practitioner. Blending the roles of family nurse practitioner and psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, she earned the doctor of nursing science degree at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center.

Dr. Cunningham is a member of the Tennessee Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau Beta Theta Chapter at Large. She has received numerous teaching and practice awards, including the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Tennessee Student Government Association and the Outstanding Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Award from the Tennessee Nurses Association.

Dominic E. Koh, MSN, CPNP, ANP-C is a Nurse Practitioner and the Nurse Manager at the Asian Pacific Health Care Venture in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Koh received his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Psychology and Sociology and the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He completed the Master of Science in Nursing degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, as well as a post-master’s certificate as an Adult Nurse Practitioner at California State University, Los Angeles. He currently holds dual national certification as both a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and an Adult Nurse Practitioner from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Mr. Koh’s extensive clinical experience as a nurse practitioner includes both pediatric and adult health. He works for two community health clinics providing care to a mostly indigent population and also works in a school based health center predominantly serving adolescents. He is a faculty member for both the University of Phoenix in the RN-BSN completion program and Los Angeles Valley College. In addition, he is an adjunct clinical faculty member at California State University, Los Angeles serving as a preceptor for numerous nurse practitioner students. Mr. Koh is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and has served as a previous board member for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners (NAPNAP).

Sara Clarkson Majors, PhD, DNP, CRNA, PNP-BC, CPNP is a Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing and Coordinator of the Child Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing in Mobile, Alabama.

Dr. Majors received her associate’s degree in nursing from Georgia State University, a bachelor of science degree in nursing anesthesia from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as well as a master’s degree in public health.  From the University of South Alabama, Dr. Majors completed the master of science degree in nursing and post-mater’s study in advanced child health nursing – preparing as a pediatric nurse practitioner.  Additionally, she earned the doctor of philosophy degree in public administration from LaSalle University and the doctor of nursing practice degree from the University of South Alabama.  Dr. Majors is nationally certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner by both the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

Dr. Majors’ extensive clinical and educational experiences including roles as a neonatal nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, registered nurse anesthetist and educator.  In addition to her primary teaching position, she also serves as a field missionary annually.

Dr. Majors’ vast clinical experience with an emphasis on the child makes her uniquely prepared as an educator of child health, from the infant to young adult.  She is a national speaker and consultant in the field of child health.

Anne Moore, MSN, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC, FAANP, is Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she developed the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program 1992. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she maintains an active clinical practice in Nashville.

Ms. Moore is a certified nurse practitioner in women’s and adult health, as well as a nurse colposcopist, earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.

Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2003, she serves on the editorial review boards of Women’s Health Care: A Practical Journal for Nurse Practitioners and the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing. She currently is a member of the Board of Directors for The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH). She is also the author or co-author of numerous journal articles and book chapters.

Ms. Moore served as Chair of the Committee to develop Standards of Practice and Education for Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners through NPWH and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).  She was asked to participate on the National Association of Nurse Practitioner Faculties task force to establish curriculum competencies for nurse practitioner programs and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing expert panel to develop curricula for care of the elderly.

Ms. Moore speaks nationally on topics related to the health care of women. She has been honored with two national awards for nurse practitioners: The Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award from the National Certification Corporation and the Nurse Practitioner Award for Excellence from the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.

Charlene M. Myers, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN  is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing and Coordinator of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of South Alabama College of Nursing.

In her primary position, she actively teaches nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist students in adult acute care.  Ms. Myers is a seasoned clinician in acute and critical care with specialty foci in trauma, neurological disorders, and general surgery.  Ms. Myers holds national certification as an acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, as well as certification as a critical care registered nurse (CCRN) from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Ms. Myers received her bachelor of science degree in nursing, master of science degree in nursing as a clinical nurse specialist in adult health, and post-master's preparation in adult acute care from the University of South Alabama. Along with her teaching and clinical practice, she is the co-editor of the American Journal of Nursing Book-of-the-Year award-winning text, Practice Guidelines for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners, now in its second addition.

Ms. Myers has presented at numerous conferences with an emphasis on trauma, neurological conditions, and acute situations.  She is highly respected and valued for her clinical expertise and teaching skills and consistently receives excellent evaluations.

Kathryn Schroeder-Bruce, MSN, PMHNP-BC is an Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing and Specialty Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Rochester School of Nursing in Rochester, New York.

Ms. Schroeder-Bruce received the bachelor of science degree in nursing from Albany University. She earned the master of science degree in nursing as both a clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner from the University of Rochester. Ms. Schroeder-Bruce holds national certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Ms. Schroeder-Bruce is a psychiatric nurse practitioner in private practice. She began her practice as a nursing assistant, then licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, and clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric mental health.

Her experience consulting among teams including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical residents and students is extensive and allows her to help multi-level care providers thrive in a changing and turbulent health care system.

Dixie Thompson, ARNP, WHNP-BC, currently serves as a women’s health nurse practitioner at the Pensacola Downtown Health Clinic in Pensacola, Florida.

Ms. Thompson received a Diploma in nursing from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, and certification as a Gynecologic/Obstetric Nurse Practitioner from the Regional Training Center for Family Planning at Emory University. Additionally, she is credentialed as an advanced registered nurse practitioner by the Florida Board of Registered Nursing. She currently holds certification in High Risk Perinatal Nursing, Inpatient Obstetric Nursing, Childbirth Education, Breastfeeding Education, Lactation Counseling and Early Infant Developmental Stimulation Activities.

Throughout her vast experience, Ms. Thompson has been involved in grant programs for Reproductive Health Education, Intervention programs with high risk mother/infant couples as well as a Breastfeeding Task Force. She is currently a member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.

Ms. Thompson has participated as a consultant and presenter for numerous local, regional, and national educational programs on women’s health. She has served in the Florida Healthy Start Coalition, serving on the Provider Education and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Committee, the Escambia and Santa Rosa Breastfeeding Task Force Chair, as a guest lecturer for Pensacola Junior College and University of West Florida, as well as precepted numerous nursing and nurse practitioner students.

Ms. Thompson has been honored with the Dunning Foundation Award for Compassionate Care. She has also received both the Woman of the Year Award and Citizen of the Year Award for the Pensacola region.

Joetta DeSwarte Wallace, MSN, FNP-C, CPON, is the Program Coordinator of the Pediatric Supportive & Palliative Care Service at Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, California. She is an Associate Clinical Instructor at the University of Southern California.  Ms. Wallace also actively works as a nurse practitioner in a pediatric hematology/oncology private practice in Long Beach.

Ms. Wallace is an expert in pediatric nursing, having served in the roles of nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, educator, manager, researcher and staff nurse for over 35 years.  Her wealth of expertise caring for children spans from genetics through young adulthood and across the care continuum.

With a specialty in children and adolescents with cancer and blood diseases, she is a past President of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses, Society of Pediatric Nurses and the Children's Oncology Group.  In addition, Ms. Wallace has published over 30 articles and book chapters.  Her down-to-earth, energetic and often humorous approach makes her a frequently invited speaker both nationally and internationally on a wide variety of pediatric topics.

Colleen Walsh, MSN, ACNP-BC, ONC is a full time faculty member in the Graduate Nursing Program at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana.

Ms. Walsh received a Diploma in nursing from Massachusetts General Hospital and a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Regents College. She earned the master of science degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama as a clinical nurse specialist, as well as completed a post-master s certificate preparation in the advanced adult cute care nursing specialty. Ms. Walsh holds national certification as an acute care nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Ms. Walsh's clinical background and practice are in orthopaedics, trauma, and acute care. In addition to her credential as an acute care nurse practitioner, she holds national certification in orthopaedics from the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses. Ms. Walsh has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons/National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Joint Scholarship Award, the Excellence in Professional Nursing Practice Award from the University of Michigan Medical Center Hospital, the Carrie B. Lenburg Nursing Alumni Award from Regents College, and the Outstanding Graduate Nursing Alumni Award from the University of South Alabama.

Ms. Walsh has published extensively in peer reviewed nursing journals on topics related to orthopaedic nursing and acute care practice. She is also the author of multiple textbook chapters on topics such as orthopeadic disorders, trauma, arthritis, metabolic and endocrine disorders, as well as multisystem organ dysfunction.

Ms. Walsh is a proven dynamic speaker and has presented at numerous local, regional and national meetings and conferences. She has enjoyed excellent evaluations and feedback from participants from her lectures and speaking engagements.

Kathleen P. Wilson, DSN, PNP-BC, FNP-BC, CPNP is the Director of Children’s Medical Services for the Florida Department of Health in Tallahassee, Florida.

Dr. Wilson is a nursing educator, practitioner, researcher, administrator and consultant with extensive experience in adolescent health promotion.  She received a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Florida State University and both her master of science and doctor of science in nursing degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  She completed an additional traineeship in Adolescent Health (Children, Youth, and Families Project through the United States Public Health Service) while completing her Master’s degree, which emphasized specialization in Adolescent Medicine and Family Practice as both a clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner. Dr. Wilson holds national certifications as both a pediatric nurse practitioner and family nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is also nationally certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Dr. Wilson formerly coordinated graduate level nursing programs including the Pediatric Advanced Nursing Program at Emory University, as well as the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.  She has mentored graduate students in both clinical and research arenas, with specific emphasis on medical management of children and youth who are behaviorally and emotionally-challenged.  Currently, she oversees clinical programs for children with special health care needs including both physical and mental health components.

Elizabeth VandeWaa, Ph.D., is a Professor of Nursing at the University of South Alabama.  She teaches pharmacology and pathophysiology to nursing students in the baccalaureate program, and advanced pharmacology and advanced pathophysiology to master’s, post-master’s, and  DNP students.  Her engaging teaching style resulted in winning the first Teacher-of-the-Year Award granted by her College of Nursing.

Dr. VandeWaa received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Michigan State University.  She spent years as a bench researcher studying chemotherapeutic interventions in parasitic diseases, and has published extensively in this field.  She has also authored several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on a variety of topics relating to pharmacology and toxicology.