Dr. Mary Gail Wilder, Program Coordinator and Professor of Nursing

Dr. Wilder was appointed to the faculty of HCC in 1984. She has taught nursing for twenty-three years and has spent thirty-nine years in the nursing profession. A graduate of St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, University of Evansville, and Indiana University, she has earned a Diploma in Nursing, a BSN, a MSN, and a DNS. Specialty areas include medical surgical nursing and psychiatric nursing. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and was elected to Who's Who in Nursing Education, and Who's Who in American Nursing. Besides many professional organization memberships she is interested in needlepoint, antiques, and her grandchildren. She is a NLNAC accreditation visitor and is on the NLNAC Review Panel. She was appointed in 2001 by Governor Patton to serve on the Kentucky Board of Nursing for a 4 year term. On the HCC campus she serves as the Division Chairperson for the Biological Sciences and Related Technologies. She has been appointed as Kentucky Heart Association Regional Faculty for Basic Life Support and is the coordinator of the Henderson CPR Training Center.

Pennae Fuchs, Associate Professor of Nursing

A graduate of Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing, University of Evansville, and University of Texas at Austin, she has spent thirty-five years as a RN most of which involved mixing teaching and staff nursing. Specialty areas include Medical Surgical and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. She is a member of national honor societies Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Lambda Theta. As a member of the Indiana State Nurses Association she has served as District Vice-President and delegate. She was elected to represent the Community Colleges on the Board of Directors of the KY Network, a group of colleges and universities dedicated to decreasing the use of drugs and alcohol among college students. Personal interest includes working with her husband, Steve, in their flower and tree garden. In quiet times she enjoys a good science fiction book, needlework and trying a new dessert recipe. She is a CPR and First Aid instructor and a certified alcohol/drug prevention instructor of "Prime For Life" on campus. She was appointed to HCC in 1998 .

Libby Payne, Professor of Nursing

Her specialty areas are critical care and cardiac nursing. She has been a nursing teacher for twenty-five years and a registered nurse for thirty-one years. She currently co-teaches Nursing 202. She has membership in Kentucky Nurse's Association. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and from the University of Evansville with a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Personal interests are reading for fun, gardening, and traveling. She was awarded the Endowed Professorship in Nursing for 2003-2005 from Methodist Hospital. She was honored with being elected the Great Teacher on the HCC campus in 1995 and received the Presidents award in 1998. She was appointed to HCC in 1982.

Mary Jane Jones, Associate Professor of Nursing

Appointed to HCC in 1990, she has spent thirty-three years as a registered nurse and twenty-two years in teaching. She graduated from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, St Louis University, and UCLA. She is a pulmonary clinical nurse specialist and has earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Nursing degree. Walking, playing tennis and following all activities that involve her three children are her pastimes. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and is listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

Jill Keller, Associate Professor of Nursing

Ms. Keller received an Associate Degree from University of Louisville, a Bachelor's Degree from Western Kentucky University and a Master's degree from U of L. Practice areas include oncology, rehabilitation, and PACU. She has memberships in the Kentucky Nurses Association, American Nurses Association and serves as the faculty sponsor of the Henderson Association of Nursing Students. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, reading and painting. She has been in nursing for twenty-seven years and has taught for thirteen. Her appointment to HCC was in 1996.

Carol Palmer, Professor of Nursing

She was appointed to HCC in 1990 and has spent thirty-five years in nursing education. She has been a registered nurse for forty years. Death, dying and fundamentals of nursing are her areas of expertise. She holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Evansville. She enjoys her role as grandmother of four grandchildren. Her spare time is spent doing needle work, flower gardening, and shopping. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Theta Tau and NOADN.

Debbie Whitaker, Associate Professor of Nursing

Debbie was appointed to HCC in 2007. She has 24 years experience as a nurse and the last 15 have been spent in education. She currently co-teaches in the beginning Fundamentals course. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Evansville and her Master of Science in Nursing from Murray State University. She has extensive experience in med-surg nursing, especially cardiac services and critical care. She has additional experience as a nursing program coordinator and OR nursing. She has 4 children and one grandchild. Her hobbies include reading, shopping, and soccer.

Email address: debbie.whitaker@kctcs.edu

Dianne Siewert, Professor of Nursing

Initial appointment to HCC was in 1975. She has been a registered nurse for thirty-one years and has taught nursing for twenty-eight years. University of Evansville is her alma mater and she received both her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing there. She is a specialist in the area of pediatric and family nursing. Her personal interests are tole painting, woodcrafts, candlemaking, and gardening. Playing with her grandchildren is one of her favorite pastimes. She was awarded the Presidents Award in 1997 and was also honored with the Outstanding Educator award from KANS in the same year. Memberships include Sigma Theta Tau, KNA, ANA, American Lung Association, American Red Cross Nurse, and Hospice.

Marlena Buchanan, Associate Professor of Nursing

Appointed to HCC in 2003, she earned an Associate Degree in the Applied Science in Nursing from Paducah Community College. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. Her nursing career includes being certified as an adult Clinical Specialist and certification as a Critical Care RN. She has been a nurse for twenty-four years and has taught nursing for four years. Personal interests include walking, reading and keeping up with her family and friends. She has acted as the Master of Ceremony at past Critical Care Challenges. She is a member of the national and president of the local chapter of AACN, and a member of the Nursing Alumni Society of USI.

Carol Murch, Instructor

Carol was appointed to her current position in 2007. She is the lead instructor in the evening ADN program. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from UK in 1995. She returned to Murray State University and completed her BSN in 2005. She is currently attending Murray's graduate school in the Clinical Nurse Specialist program. Carol has clinical experience in pediatrics, hemodialysis, medical and hospice nursing. She is a certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse. She is an active member and certified educator with the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.

Email address: carol.murch@kctcs.edu

Sandra Cox, Instructor

Sandra was appointed to her current position in 2007. She is a part-time instructor in the evening ADN program. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky and MS from the University of Indiana. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a licensed ARNP. She holds memberships in many professional organizations including, the ANA, KNA, Sigma Theta Tau International, Nurse Practitioner Society of the Dermatology Nurses Association. She loves being a nurse practitioner in dermatology.

Email: sandra.cox@kctcs.edu

D. Michelle Carson, Associate Professor of Nursing

Appointed to her current position Spring 2006, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Evansville and her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Pace University in Pleasantville, New York. She currently co-teaches the Fundamentals (Nursing 101) course. She has worked in various roles as a nurse, encompassing pre & post-op surgical unit, OB/GYN, home health, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, emergency department, and finally as an AD and Baccalaureate nursing instructor since 1992. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, ANA, KNA, and a former member of the Indiana State Nurses Association. She is married with two daughters, Noelle age 17, and Erin age 15. She is originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Email address: michelle.carson@kctcs.edu

Linda Boostrom, Instructor

She was appointed to HCC in 2005. She earned her Master of Science degree from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. She co-teaches OB/Peds (Nursing 204) course. She is a member of AWHONN and Sigma Theta Tau International. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, good books both fiction and non-fiction, orchestra concerts and old, old movies. She says that at this time she is only honored by her husband and dog, since her children have not learned as of yet to appreciate her.

Email address: linda.boostrom@kctcs.edu

Debbie Yates, Associate Professor of Nursing

Appointed to her current position in 2005. She has taught nursing since 1992. She earned her BSN from Murray State University in 1974. She has graduate work from University of Evansville, Murray State, and Canyon College. She is working on her MSN through Canyon College.

Email address: deborah.yates@kctcs.edu

Deborah Long, Assistant Coordinator Practical Nursing

She was appointed to HCC in 2005. She received her ADN from Madisonville Community College, BSN from University of Phoenix and her Master of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix. She taught at Madisonville Community College for 5 years in the week-end ADN program prior to relocating to HCC. She currently teaches in the non-traditional evening/week-end PN program.

Email address: deborah.long@kctcs.edu

Yvonne M. Davis, Practical Nursing Instructor

She was appointed to HCC in 2006. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practioners & Midwives. She is married with one young daughter at home. Her personal interests are traveling and SHOPPING!

Email address: yvonne.davis@kctcs.edu

Denise Sutton, Instructional Specialist in Nursing

She was appointed in 1991 as specialist in the nursing laboratory. Her Bachelor of Science in Nursing is from the University of Kentucky and she also attended HCC. She has been a registered nurse for twenty-nine years with a specialty area in medical nursing. Personal interests are crafts, gardening, and collecting recipes. She is a member of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing Alumni. She was honored with the Henderson Community College Presidents Award for outstanding mid-management personnel in 2001. She was one of two HCC New Horizons Award recipients in 2005-2006.

Shelly Chandler, Instructional Specialist in Nursing

She received her associate degree in the Applied Science in Nursing from Henderson Community College in 1999. She graduated from Murray State University RN-BSN program in 2004. She is currently a student in the Murray State University Clinical Nurse Specialist graduate program. While a student at HCC she received the Nursing Leadership Award. She received the Outstanding Nurse Award from Murray State University in 2004. She was appointed to her current position in 2002. She is a member of ANA, NLN, KLN, Sigma Theta Tau International and a lifetime member of the U of K Alumni Association. Her nursing experience has been in the emergency room, psychiatric services, and dialysis units. Her interests are hunting, the outdoors, spending time with family and not necessarily in that order.

Secretaries

Nursing Tutors

Copyright 2000 Henderson Community College

Send inquiries regarding application or admission to Dr. Mary Gail Wilder, Program Coordinator