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), Portland, OR; M.S.N., Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA; B.S.N., Walla Walla University, College Place, WA
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
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 Site Director and Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2461 | 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
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
Kayla Cohn
Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2329 | Portland campus | kayla.cohn@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.S. in Nursing Education, Oregon Health & Science University, 2024; B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla University, 2015
Certifications: R.N., C.C.R.N., S.A.N.E.-OR, A.T.C.N.
Clinical expertise: Intensive care - medial, trauma, neuro; Emergency medicine - trauma; Forensic Nursing - sexual assault, strangulation, elder, and pediatric abuse
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.N. 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
Assistant Professor
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., CEN
Clinical expertise: Emergency Department, Community and Mental Health, and PLBSN Clinical Placements and Simulation.
Christina Lee
Adjunct Professor
Portland campus | christina.lee@wallawalla.edu
Education: MSN and MBA in Health Care Administration, University of Phoenix, 2014; BS in Nursing, Loma Linda University, 1999
Clinical Expertise: Pediatric intensive care, GI lab, research, radiation medicine, staff education
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
Annette Riebe
Dean of Residence and Student Life
(509) 527-2178 | Portland campus | annette.riebe@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.A. in Educational Leadership, Loma Linda University, 1988; B.S. in Business Education, Walla Walla College, 1980
Expertise: Working in educational leadership since 1980, 9 years on the secondary level and in higher education since 1989. More than 30 years in student services/residential life
Heather Schlund
Assistant Professor
Portland campus | heather.schlund@wallawalla.edu
Education: DNP with emphasis in family nursing practice from Loma Linda University, 2021; B.S. in Nursing from Southern Adventist University, 2014; A.S. in Nursing from Southern Adventist University, 2012
Certifications: RN; FNP-C
Expertise: Pediatrics, Family Primary Care, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Lifestyle Medicine.
Matthew Siahaan
Associate Dean of Residence
(971) 401-3744 | Portland campus | matthew.siahaan@wallawalla.edu
Education: Pursuing a degree in architecture, Portland Community College
Karen Tetz
Adjunct Professor
(509) 527-2144 | Portland campus | karen.tetz@wallawalla.edu
Education: Ph.D. in Gerontological Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, 2003; M.S. in Nursing, Loma Linda University, 1983; B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla College, 1977
Certifications: R.N.
Expertise: Medical/surgical nursing, hemodialysis, home health, gerontological nursing
Katherine Spencer
Adjunct Instructor
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