Faculty and Staff
Our nursing students develop relationships with clinically experienced faculty who genuinely care about them in a community that is deeply committed to extending compassion and care to others. Challenging courses are led by clinically experienced faculty whose mission is your success.
We'd love to talk with you about your future in the School of Nursing! Feel free to contact any of our faculty or staff using the contact information below.
Kari Firestone
Dean and Professor
(509) 527-2145 | College Place Campus | Kari.Firestone@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D., Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), 2016; M.S.N., Loma Linda University, 2006; B.S.N., Walla Walla University, 1994
Certifications: R.N., A.P.R.N.-C.N.S., C.N.E.
Research Interests: Chronic Pain, Pain Management, Complementary Health and Integrative Care Approaches, Health Promotion and Wellness, Population Health, Community-Based Research, Nursing Education
Methodological Strengths: Quantitative Approaches
Areas of expertise: Nursing Education, Teaching Innovations and Curriculum Design; Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice, Leadership, Public Health/Population Health, Interprofessional Education (IPE), Chronic Pain
Leasha Simafranca
Portland Program Director and Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2133 | Portland campus | leasha.simafranca@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Western Governors University, 2020; B.S. in Nursing, Union College, 2015
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Intensive Care - medical, cardiovascular; medical surgical
Margaret Carman
College Place Program Director and Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2651 | College Place campus | margaret.carman@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.N. in Population Health, Washington State University, 2022; B.S. in Nursing, Loma Linda University, 2006
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Pediatric intensive care; Pediatric critical care transport
Inga Ardzevanidze
Assistant Professor
Portland campus | inga.ardzevanidze@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Northern Illinois University, 2015; B.S. in Nursing, Oklahoma City University, 2012; A.S. in Nursing Oklahoma City Community College, 2010
Certifications: R.N., N.P.D-B.C.
Areas of expertise: Medical surgical; Intensive Care
Mary Cohen
Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2144 | Portland campus | mary.cohen@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Western Governors University, 2022; B.S. in Nursing, Western Governors University, 2017; A.A.S. in Nursing, The Sage Colleges, 1991
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Chronic disease, palliative care, hospice, community health
Rebecca Connell
Office Manager, College Place campus
(509) 527-2461 | College Place campus | rebecca.connell@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.A. in School Counseling, La Sierra University, 2002; B.A in Sociology, Walla Walla College, 1995
Expertise: Advising students interested in health-related professions at 3 institutions over 20 years.
Holly Coon
Instructor
(509) 527-2336 | College Place campus | holly.coon@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Grand Canyon University, 2026 (in progress); B.S.N. Loma Linda University, 1996; A.S.N. Loma Linda University, 1995
Certifications: R.N., C.G.R.N, Lactation Counseling
Clinical expertise: Endoscopy, obstetrics, lactation, outpatient surgery, infusion nursing, pediatric ICU stepdown
Yolanda Hall
Adjunct Instructor
Portland campus | yolanda.hall@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S.N., Capella University, 2016; B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla College, 1987; A.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla College, 1986
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Medical/surgial nursing
Carol Healy
Office Manager, Portland campus
(509) 527-2101 | Portland campus | carol.healy@wallawalla.edu
Education: B.S. in Office Administration, Southwestern Adventist University, 1983
Jennifer Larson
Simulation Coordinator and Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2462 | College Place campus | jennifer.larson@wallawalla.edu
Education: DNP, Weber State University, 2026 (In Progress); MSN, Grand Canyon University, 2018; BSN, Grand Canyon University, 2016; Associate of Science in Nursing, Southwestern Adventist University, 2001
Certifications: R.N., C.E.N, C.H.S.E
Clinical expertise: Emergency Department, Community and Mental Health, and PLBSN Clinical Placements and Simulation.
Deanna Ludwig-Bos
Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2131 | Portland campus | deanna.ludwig-bos@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Kaplan University, 2014; B.S. in Nursing, Washington State University, 2011; A.A.S. in Nursing, Lower Columbia College, 2009
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Psychiatric mental health nursing
Doug McClay
Assistant Librarian II
(509) 527-2124 | Portland campus | douglas.mcclay@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Library and Information Service, Drexel University, 2011
Expertise: Libraries and information
Judith Mendoza
Dean of Residence and Student Life
(503) 251-6118 | Hansen Hall | Portland campus | judith.mendoza@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.A. in Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Andrews University, 2026; B.A. in Spanish, Pacific Union College, 2016
Expertise: Working in higher education since 2020. Two years in admissions and five in student affairs as a Dean and Chaplain
Matthew Siahaan
Associate Dean of Residence
(971) 401-3744 | Hansen Hall | Portland campus | matthew.siahaan@wallawalla.edu
Education: Pursuing a degree in architecture, Portland Community College
Katherine Spencer
Assistant Professor
Portland campus | katherine.spencer@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S.N. in Leadership and Education, Northwest Nazarene University, 2023; B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla University, 2001
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Orthopedics, medical/surgical nursing
Patricia Witherspoon
Assistant Professor
(360) 326-5947 | Portland campus | patricia.witherspoon@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S.N., Grand Canyon University, 2025; B.S.N., Walla Walla University, 2015
Certifications: R.N.
Research Interests: Supportive management of nursing students; Simulation engagement strategies; Nursing education
Areas of Expertise: Emergency Nursing, Medical-Telemetry, Nursing Education, Case-Based Learning, Student Support and Development