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.
Michaelynn Paul
Dean, School of Nursing
(509) 527-2150 | Portland campus | michaelynn.paul@wallawalla.edu
Education: D.N.P. Walden University, 2017; M.S. in Nursing, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 2004; B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla College, 1987; A.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla College, 1986
Certifications: R.N.; Alumnus, C.C.R.N.-K.
Clinical expertise: Critical care, emergency, staff education, management
Margaret Carman
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
Bio: Born and raised in southern California, I'm a very happy transplant to the PNW. After working in the PICU for 10 years, I never thought I'd want to teach, and here I am, six years later, loving it. I really enjoy traveling, eating at great restaurants in WW, trying new recipes, reading a variety of books, and watching live theater and musicals. My husband teaches computer science here at WWU and we have a young daughter and son who are an incredible combination of sweet, loving, wild and hilarious.
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: B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla University, 2015
Certifications: R.N., C.C.R.N.
Clinical expertise: Critical care, trauma, emergency
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: B.S.N. Loma Linda University, 1996; A.S.N. Loma Linda University, 1995
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Endoscopy, obstetrics, lactation, pediatrics
Bio: Over the years I've worked in a variety of settings including pediatric ICU stepdown, mother-baby, endoscopy, diabatic education and administration. I enjoy tea, musicals, reading, hiking, cycling, birding, backpacking and camping, and love the PNW. I look forward to working with students and participating in educating the next generation of nurses.
Lorna Dotolo
Adjunct Instructor
College Place campus | lorna.dotolo@wallawalla.edu
Education: B.S.N. Grand Canyon University, 2015; A.D.N. Walla Walla Community College, 2012
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Management, infection Control, medical/surgical nursing
Yolanda Hall
Adjunct Professor
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
Bio: Many happy moments include good conversations with students, staff, and faculty, watching birds, taking hikes, and long walks. You will find me reading books and magazines well after I should have gone to bed. My husband and I love our Adventist church in the countryside of Hockinson, Washington. Dog Days at Portland campus is great fun.
Nancy Irland
Adjunct Professor
Portland campus | nancy.irland@wallawalla.edu
Education: D.N.P., Oregon Health & Science University, 2012; M.S. in Nurse Midwifery, Oregon Health & Science University, 1998; B.S. in Nursing, University of Portland, 1996; A.S. in Nursing, Pacific Union College, 1972
Certifications: R.N., C.N.M.
Clinical expertise: More than 25 years at the bedside as a labor and delivery, and postpartum nurse. Practiced as a certified nurse-midwife and a clinical consultant for high risk maternity patients at a tertiary care center in Portland, Oregon. Connected to obstetrical nursing for over 50 years.
Bio: I enjoy sleeping in, peanut brittle, variety, writing, cooking, and opportunities to experience as many interesting things as possible. I do not like housework. I am also an author of more than 15 books for children and adults, many of them now out of print. Textbook publisher F. A. Davis published an NCLEX review for obstetrics that I updated and expanded in 2021. I will be updating the next edition in 2024 for release in 2025. I carry around two unfinished novels in my head that I plan to finish before life pulls the plug on me. I love to cook it rice and curry since I spent the first 16 years of my life in Burma, India, and Sri Lanka.
Lindsay Loa-Siahaan
Student Advisor & Clinical Placement Coordinator
(509) 527-2163 | Portland campus | lindsay.loa-siahaan@wallawalla.edu
Education: B.S. in Nursing, Walla Walla University, 2020
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Communicable disease nursing
Bio: My nursing journey began here at the WWU School of Nursing. After graduating with my B.S. degree, I began working in public health. My passion is to bring compassionate and quality nursing care into the community. I enjoy making music, taking scenic walks, trying new food, and traveling with my husband, Matt, as well as curling up with a good book and tea, and spending time with family and friends.
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
Bio: I am passionate about health equity and believe all people should have access to quality healthcare. My favorite Bible verse is Matthew 25:40: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
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
Matthew Siahaan
Associate Dean of Residence
(971) 401-3744 | Portland campus | matthew.siahaan@wallawalla.edu
Education: Pursuing a degree in architecture, Portland Community College
Leasha Simafranca
Instructor
(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: Medical intensive care, cardiovascular intensive care
Bio: I was born in Walla Walla WA, but grew up moving all over the U.S. I moved to Portland in 2016 and married my husband Jeff the next year. I started teaching part time in 2018 but then transitioned to teaching full time at WWU in 2020. I have a son Milo who was born March of 2023 and an Australian Shepard named Laylee. I will admit I don’t have many hobbies outside of work because I consider myself lucky to say teaching is my passion and my biggest hobby. However, I do enjoy music, interior decorating, a good TV show, trying new places to eat in Portland, and board games.
Karen Tetz
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 Tolonen
Adjunct Instructor
Portland campus | katherine.tolonen@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
Janice Vigil
Assistant Professor
(509) 527-2108 | Portland campus | janice.vigil@wallawalla.edu
Education: M.N. Oregon Health & Sciences University, 1982; B.S.N., Loma Linda University, 1977; A.S.N., Pacific Union College, 1975
Certifications: R.N.
Clinical expertise: Neonatal, medical/surgical, IV therapy, critical care, PACU, education, community health
Bio: I enjoy theology, jazzercise, gardening, and ancestry.