Contact the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Ruth A. Wittmann-Price
Dean
Phone: 609-633-6460
rprice@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- Ph.D. in Nursing, Widener University
- M.S., Columbia University
- BSN, Felician College
Dr. Ruth A. Wittmann-Price is dean of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions. Prior to this role she was a professor of nursing and undergraduate chair for the Jefferson College of Nursing (JCN) Center City undergraduate programs. Wittmann-Price was the founding dean of Health Sciences for Francis Marion University, S.C., and developed many healthcare programs including an MSN and DNP in nursing, a physician assistant, Healthcare Administration and a Speech-Language Pathology Program.
Wittmann-Price has been a women’s health nurse for more than 40 years and has been teaching for more than 20 years. She developed a midrange nursing theory “Emancipated Decision Making in Women’s Health Care” and has tested her theory in four studies. The theory recognizes that oppression continues to exist in the healthcare setting and is imposed by society for purposes of situational control effecting the decisions women make about healthcare for themselves and their families. The theory is referenced in multiple books and is being used in Asia, Africa, British Columbia, Brazil, Bogota, United Kingdom and Canada.
Dr. Dawn Alerassool
Assistant Dean of the Accelerated BSN Program
Phone: 609-633-6460
dalerassool@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- DNP in Healthcare Systems Leadership, Chamberlain University
- MSN in Healthcare Systems Management, Loyola University
- BSN, Old Dominion University
Dr. Dawn Alerassool, assistant dean of the Accelerated BSN Program, noted, "We are very happy to be a part of your nursing education. My goal is to promote optimal learning and outcomes by supporting our amazing students and expert nursing faculty. We hope that your time at TESU leads to a spirit of inquiry and lifelong learning."
Susan Blake, RN, MSN, MBA NE-BC
Academic Support Coordinator
Phone: 609-633-6460
sblake@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- MSN Nursing Administration, Indiana Wesleyan University
- MBA, University of Cincinnati
- BSN with a minor in psychology, The Ohio State University
"I have been a nurse for 40 years working in many varied areas coast to coast. In these final years of my career, I am pleased to serve as an educator to the next generation of nurses. You can schedule with me through my bookings page or at sblake@tesu.edu.”
Eboni Brown-Freeman, DNP, PMHNP, APN-BC
Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Phone: 609-633-6460
efreeman@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- DNP, Wilkes University
- MSN, University of Kansas
Dr. Eboni Brown-Freeman joined the Cary W. Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions to direct the new Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program. Brown-Freeman brings a wealth of clinical and academic experience and is well known for her compassionate care of patients and families in need of psychiatric and mental health nursing.
Dr. Lorraine M. Chewey
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs
Phone: 609-633-6460
lchewey@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- Ed.D. in Nursing Education, Columbia University
- M.S., New Jersey City University
- BSN, Seton Hall University
Dr. Lorraine Chewey, associate dean of Undergraduate Programs in the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, noted, "I am delighted to be a part of your nursing education journey. We have an incredible team of nursing faculty, advisors, mentors and support staff to nurture and support our students. We are committed to our mission and work hard to provide students with an excellent learning experience." Chewey's role is to promote and maintain an optimal learning environment for students and ensure that the School is responsive to students educational and career needs. "I sincerely hope that your time at TESU is positive, productive and stimulates a lifetime love of learning," Chewey added.
Margaret (Maggie) Ciocco, M.S., RN, BC
Nursing Program Advisor
Phone: 609-633-6460
mciocco@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- M.S. in Nursing, Syracuse University
- BSN, Seton Hall University
- AAS in Nursing, Ocean County College
Maggie Ciocco, nursing program advisor, works with BSN, AAS in health studies/nursing and the provisional BSN students. Ciocco noted, "I look forward to working with you as you plan for courses or credit options that will help you reach the goal of earning your BSN. Please feel free to schedule an advisement appointment or email your questions to nursing@tesu.edu. I congratulate you as you begin your journey, work toward your goal or reach the pinnacle of success."
Maureen Clark-Gallagher, M.S., RN
Assistant Dean/Director of Distance Learning
Phone: 609-633-6460
mgallagher@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- M.S., Pace University
- B.S., Pace University
Maureen Clark-Gallagher, assistant dean/director of Distance Learning, noted, "Congratulations on continuing your education! I am certified in distance learning, have years of nursing experience (clinical, administrative and nursing education) and, prior to this position, I was a mentor for the School for eight years. I have the pleasure of working with your mentors and the rest of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions staff to ensure that your courses run smoothly."
Clark-Gallagher is the acting president of Region 4 of the New Jersey State Nurses Association as well as the treasurer of Upsilon Rho, which is the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing Chapter of Sigma (the International Honor Society of Nursing).
"I trust you are finding that distance learning meets your needs, both professionally and personally. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to email me," Clark-Gallagher added.
Beth Dombkowski
Grant Manager
Degrees:
- MFA, Creative Nonfiction, Cedar Crest College
- MS, Arts Administration, Drexel University
- BFA, Studio Art with Art History Emphasis, Moore College of Art and Design
Beth Dombkowski is the grant manager for the Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant at the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions. Beth brings my over twenty years of expertise in higher education enrollment management, marketing, and nonprofit administration.
Jessica Keefe
Nursing Program Administrator
Phone: 609-633-6460
jkeefe@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- B.S. in Psychology, Holy Family University
- A.A. in Liberal Arts, Suffolk County Community College
Jessica Keefe, nursing program administrator, noted, "I am excited to assist in your nursing education. I work closely with the Accelerated BSN Program professors, deans and students from interview to pinning. Looking forward to meeting you."
Holly Leahan
Nursing Program Advisor
Phone: 609-633-6460
hleahan@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- MSN, Drexel University
- BSN, Drexel University
- B.S. in Sports Medicine, Northeastern University
Holly Leahan, nursing program advisor, works with RN-BSN, RN-BSN/MSN and MSN students. Leahan noted, "I am here to assist you with course planning as you work toward completing your degree. I am also here to address any questions or concerns you may have relating to final MSN Practicum courses and end of program requirements. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email. I look forward to assisting you with your academic needs."
Kim MacAvoy-Sorochen
Clinical Education Coordinator
Phone: 609-633-6460
ksorochen@tesu.edu
Degrees:
- MSN, Thomas Edison State University
- BSN, Thomas Edison State University
- A.S. in Nursing, Middlesex County College
- B.A. in Biological Sciences, Rutgers University
Kim MacAvoy-Sorochen, clinical educator and simulation laboratory coordinator for the on-ground experiences in the Accelerated BSN Program, noted, "My role is to support the Accelerated BSN Program educators and students in their clinical settings and augment experiences in the simulation lab. We have close relationships with several local hospitals to provide students with a variety of experiences in the real-world setting. The simulation lab boasts seven high-fidelity simulators including a birthing mother, a junior and a baby to provide additional unique experiences. If I can be of any help, please reach out via email."
Sasha Mata-Herrera
Hourly Lab Assistant for Nursing
Sasha Mata-Herrera works closely with the Accelerated BSN program simulation/clinical educator coordinator and students in the simulation lab. Her role is to assist with simulations and maintain and organize the laboratory to ensure it is safe and conducive to learning.
Janet McGuire
Assistant to the Dean
Phone: 609-633-6460
jmcguire@tesu.edu
Degree:
- B.A. in Art History, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Janet McGuire, assistant to the Dean of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, noted, "My primary responsibilities include supporting the dean with managing appointments, correspondence, travel arrangements and special projects. I would be happy to help you in any way that I can and wish you the best of luck."
Dr. Lori Prol Ph.D, APN, FNP-BC
Family Nurse Practitioner Program Director
Degrees:
- Ph.D nursing education, Capella University
- Post-master's certificate family nurse practitioner, College of New Rochelle
- M.S. parent-child nursing, Rutgers University Graduate School in Newark
- BSN, Pace University
Dr. Lori Prol Ph.D, APN, FNP-BC Dr. Prol brings 33 years of nursing experience and 28 years of nursing education experience to Thomas Edison State University. Her research interests include clinical nursing education and interprofessional education, with multiple publications and presentations in these areas. She is an active member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and currently chairs its Distance Education Special Interest Group.
As the Family Nurse Practitioner Program Director, Dr. Prol plays a key role in expanding the existing MSN degree and post-master's certificate program by developing and implementing the Family Nurse Practitioner track. She has effectively designed and launched DNP, MSN, and post-master's certificate programs for nurse practitioners at previous institutions and has successfully led nursing accreditation endeavors at her institutions.
Jenee Schutz
Clinical Compliance Assistant
Degrees:
- M.A. Psychological Studies, Seton Hall University
- B.A. Psychology, Seton Hall University
Jenee Schutz works closely with the faculty and students in the undergraduate and graduate programs here at TESU ensuring that the students are compliant with site mandates during their clinical rotations. “I am always happy to answer any questions students may have regarding their compliance expectations and I wish the students the best of luck in their endeavors here at TESU and beyond.”
Jenna Shuberda
Nursing Program Advisor
Phone: 609-633-6460
jshuberda@tesu.edu
Degree:
- B.A. in Biology, Georgian Court University
Jenna Shuberda, a nursing advisor, noted, "I look forward to working with the undergraduate nursing students in achieving their BSNs here at TESU. Please feel free to schedule an advising appointment with me, so we can start working together to achieve your educational and career goals."
Victoria Smith
Assistant Director of Clinical Health Professions
Degrees:
- B.A. Psychology Rowan University
Victoria Smith's primary responsibility is scheduling all nursing and health professions programs clinical activities, both undergraduate and graduate, to meet student needs. She also helps to maintain partnerships and managing the logistics of student placements. Victoria noted, "I plan, schedule, and coordinate students’ clinical activities in alignment with accreditation and state regulatory standards."