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Over the past several months, ������Ƶ’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences has welcomed 29 faculty and staff members. The new employees are spread throughout all the college’s six academic divisions, the Dean’s Office, the Division of Advising and Academic Excellence, and the Innovative Simulation and Practice Center.

“I’m thrilled to welcome this incredibly diverse group of talented individuals to Decker College,” said Dean Mario R. Ortiz. “Each one brings energy, fresh ideas and a passion for their field that will undoubtedly enhance our college and help us take our mission to the next level.”

This year also brought new adjunct faculty (not listed) to Decker College, as well as several faculty/staff appointment changes and one retirement.

New faculty members

• Frances Adamo-Cass, Division of Occupational Therapy
• Carey Cadieux, Division of Nursing
• Kelly Grier, Division of Physical Therapy
• Rachel Kimani ’12, MS ’14, DNP ’15, Division of Nursing
• Geena Mocniak, Division of Physical Therapy
• Christina Muscatello ’08, Division of Nursing
• Danielle Ongondo ’11, MS ’14, PhD ’25, Division of Nursing
• Bridget Oppong-Darko ’17, MS ’19, DNP ’23, Division of Nursing
• Valerie Perkoski, Division of Health and Wellness Studies
• Abigail Pipher, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Jennifer Puchalski ’13, Division of Nursing
• Tristan Sharratt, Division of Nursing and Division of Public Health
• Melissa Sutherland ’97, MS ’01, Division of Nursing

New staff members

• Gabrielle Bonilla ’22, Decker College Dean’s Office
• Natalie Braman, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Seth Corbin, Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
• Alexandra Corna, Division of Physical Therapy
• Lisa DeMilio, MS ’17, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Marco DiRosa ’24, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Brenda Feinen ’02, Division of Nursing
• Joseph Hornick, Division of Nursing
• Francie Keefe ’20, Division of Nursing
• Olivia Mahany, Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
• Marlee Martin, Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
• Christa McEwan, Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
• Nicole Sirju-Johnson, MPA ’99, PhD ’11, Decker College Dean’s Office
• Shannon Summers, Innovative Simulation and Practice Center
• Marisa Wade ’06, Division of Nursing
• Philip Wood, Innovative Simulation and Practice Center

Faculty/staff appointment changes

• Marisa Mooney – promoted to clinical assistant professor, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Wendy Moore – was promoted to associate professor and received tenure, Division of Nursing
• Cassandra Natali – was promoted to clinical assistant professor, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Kara Nunn – was promoted to clinical assistant professor, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Jodi Sutherland, MS ’07, PhD ’15 – was promoted to associate professor and received tenure, Division of Nursing
• Jessica Underwood – was promoted to clinical assistant professor, Division of Speech and Language Pathology
• Sara Wozniak ’06, MS ’09, PhD ’24 – was promoted to associate dean and joined the Decker College Dean’s Office

Retired faculty member

Pamela Stewart Fahs, MS ’85, retired from Decker College in August 2025. She joined the School of Nursing (as it was called) in 1985 and held various roles, including director of the O’Connor Office of Rural Health Studies, the Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Endowed Chair in Rural Nursing, interim dean, associate dean and professor. Fahs is a widely published expert on rural health and cardiovascular health in women. She serves as editor-in-chief of the Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care. She is also a previous recipient of the Anna Mae Erickson Nurse Leadership Award from the Rural Nurse Organization. Fahs will continue to serve Decker College as a Bartle Professor.