Meet Our PHD Students
Marie Tamara Adonis-Rizzo
Marie Tamara Adonis-Rizzo, MSN, APRN, GNP, BC is currently practicing as a Gerontology nurse practitioner at Palm Beach PACE (Programs of all Inclusive Care for the Elderly). She has achieved national certification in advanced gerontological nursing practice. Since obtaining her Master’s degree from the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University (CELCON-FAU) in 2004, Tamara has been engaged in advanced practice caring for adult clients in acute, sub-acute, long term care settings. In 2005, she presented and published her thesis “The Haitian Health Beliefs of Haitian Elders Related to Influenza.” In 2014, Tamara was the Distinguished Alumna of the Year from the CELCON-FAU. Tamara also has a passion for teaching, and she has taught clinical courses at Palm Beach County Universities. She is currently enrolled full time in the CELCON-FAU PhD program with the goal a pursuing a full time University teaching position. Her research interest is focus on Healthy Aging and Health Equity in the undeserved communities, specifically Afro-Caribbean immigrants. As the volunteer coordinator of an outreach health program at our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Delray Beach, Tamara has developed and implemented a program of health education and screenings for the Haitian American parishioners as well as for members of the surrounding community. Tamara has precepted and mentored many CELCON-FAU graduate students in the study of culture care and advanced practice in the community setting. Tamara enjoy spending time with her family and she enjoys the missionary trips she frequently takes to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Katherine Chadwell
Katherine Chadwell, DNP, ARNP, GNP-BC, GCNS, CPHQ is an Associate Professor and teaches both at the graduate and undergraduate level. She is trained in primary care, acute care, and long term care as a geriatric NP/CNS. During her tenure in clinical practice, she worked in the intensive care unit, served as the clinical specialist for an open heart surgery program, and practiced as a CNS/ARNP at a local hospital, where she worked on improving quality of care and clinical nursing practice, particularly around the care of older adults. Her research focuses on safer sexual practices related to HIV, STD’s, substance abuse, and hepatitis. Dr. Chadwell has been funded by SAMHSA and OHAIDP and served as the project director for a successful HIV prevention program on a college campus. In addition, she is the President of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, Broward County Chapter and is recognized by both Sigma Theta Tau International and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. As a PhD student her research interest is focused on genomic and epigenetic factors in postmenopausal women that may contribute to neurocognitive decline and aging.
Kat Chalaron
Kat Chalaron has worked in Telehealth/Telemedicine for 8 years. Ms. Chalaron works as Deputy Director of the National TeleOncology Program, which is a rapidly growing specialty at the VHA that provides much-needed cancer care to those without access. She received her undergraduate degree in Nursing from George Mason University, her Master's in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a postgraduate certificate in Health Information Technology from George Washington University. She teaches clinicals to undergraduate nursing students at local Universities and Colleges near her hometown of Albuquerque New Mexico. She combines nursing knowledge with technology, including the areas of machine learning and deep learning. She has an avid interest in AI.
Lea Crestodina
Lea Crestodina is the Clinical Manager for wound care at Memorial Regional Hospital. She is an Advanced Practice Certified Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurse and a Certified Diabetes Educator. Experienced in acute care, home care, outpatient care, education, and long term care. Her nursing career has spanned 30 years. Lea began as an ADN graduate from Broward Community College (now Broward College), attained her BSN from FIU and her Master’s degree from FAU. Currently, Lea is a PhD student. Her employers have included the North Broward Hospital District (now Broward Health), Emory University, and the Memorial Health Care System.
Lea is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nurse’s Society. She has served as the chair of the Exam Committee of the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nursing Certification Board. She is currently a member of the Guidelines Taskforce for WOCN. This task force has recently updated the Guidelines for Pressure Ulcer (Injury) Prevention and Treatment. These guidelines were accepted by the AHRQ’s National Guideline Clearinghouse.
Lea’s research interests include perfusion and pressure injury development, health liminality during the first 6 months following ostomy surgery and compliance with diabetic regimens.
Tamara Lee Depascale
I have been a registered nurse for 20 years in the NICU. I currently work per diem at Palms West Hospital in the NICU and in education there teaching NRP and STABLE courses to the staff nurses. I also teach part time at PBSC in the nursing skills lab as well as right here at FAU as a graduate T/A. I received the start of my nursing career at Joe Dimaggio Children's Hospital where I stayed for 10 years. It was there that my passion for babies in withdrawal from opioids became my desire to achieve a higher education and begin a research project to help combat opioid withdrawal in infants and help increase bonding with mothers and babies. My educational background includes an ASN from Broward Community College, an AA and BSN from Palm Beach State College, and MSN from Florida Atlantic University, and starting my 3rd year of my PhD here at FAU. My research interests are infants in opioid withdrawal and their mother with substance abuse disorders.
Kerry-Ann Dixon
Kerry-Ann Dixon, MSN, RN joins the program as a part-time PhD student. Kerry-Ann has been serving families in Palm Beach County since 2003, first as an educator taking her love for learning into the field of nursing. She has primarily worked in obstetrics as a RN. A former educator, she serves as the Community Health Nursing Consultant for Florida Department of Health in the Maternal-Child Health Division managing the Nurse-Family Partnership and Women’s Health Initiative Programs. Her area of interest and expertise include Social Determinants of Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and maternal challenges for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). She is also an Adjunct Instructor with the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing in the Second Degree Working Professional BSN Track. Kerry-Ann has her undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University in Sociology with an Ethnic Studies Certificate. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education at the University of Central Florida. She currently serves as the Chair for the Riviera Beach Health Initiative, BRIDGES of Riviera Beach Advisory Board Member and is a member of FNA. Her research interest includes examining the lived experiences of BIPOC in obstetrics and health equity.
Vanessa Duncan
Vanessa Duncan has been a Registered Nurse (RN) for the past 8 years. She currently works at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) where she teaches Medical Surgical Nursing I and is also the clinical coordinator of the course. In addition, she works per diem at Bethesda Memorial Hospital East in the Emergency Room (ER). Previously she has worked on the Oncology Unit at Bethesda Memorial Hospital and John F. Kennedy (JFK) hospital. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) from PBA and a Master of Nursing (MSN) from Grand Canyon University. Recently she held the position of member chair for her local chapter Palm Beach Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Vanessa is currently a PhD student; her research interest includes improving patient’s perception of care and outcomes in the acute care setting.
Nadine Jacobson
Nadine Jacobson, RN, JD, MS, is a doctoral student at Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing. She received her bachelor’s of science in nursing and master’s of science in nursing health policy degrees from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She was an intern in the office of legislative affairs at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. She received her juris doctor from Catholic University of America School of Law where she took specialty coursework in advocacy for the elderly, health law, healthcare fraud & abuse, and medical malpractice trial skills.
Her current research and policy interests include international healthcare, interprofessional simulation collaborations, the use of virtual reality in healthcare, oncology, meditation, drug addiction, cannabinoids, nursing theory as taught throughout the nursing curriculum, veterans’ health issues, and continued development of the caring sciences.
Nadine Jacobson is licensed in Florida as a registered nurse and as an attorney. She served in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps on active duty from 1988 to 1991 during which time she earned her flight nurse wings after completing nursing flight school. She served in the USAF during the Gulf War and was awarded the National Defense Service Award and attained the rank of captain. She has written numerous articles on nursing topics, several of which have been published in Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice, for which she served as editor. She is co-chair of FAU’s Minority Nursing Student Organization’s legislative committee.
Judyta Kociolek
My name is Judyta Kociolek. I am originally from Poland. I have been a registered nurse for over 10 years. I graduated with an associate degree from Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander, WI in 2011. My first nursing job was in Midland Memorial Hospital, in Midland, TX, on the oncology floor. I absolutely loved it, and at that time, I knew that oncology is my calling. After a couple of years, I received a great opportunity to move to Austin, TX and help to build a new bone marrow transplant program at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center. From a floor nurse, I became a charge nurse and a nursing supervisor.
After a couple of years, I decided to transition into outpatient setting. Thus, I accepted a job as an infusion nurse. I administered chemotherapy and immunotherapy to cancer patients. I also got exposed to research and clinical trials. I was fascinated with research, and really wanted to learn more. From that time, I knew that my ultimate goal is to work in research and become a nurse scientist.
When it comes to my educational pathway, I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor’s degree in 2015. I started a nurse practitioner program at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi in 2016, but very soon decided that I do not want to be a nurse practitioner. When I moved to Florida in 2017, I chose to change my master’s program orientation. I graduated from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with a master's degree in nursing management and financial leadership in 2019. I also hold a Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Provider Card from Oncology Nursing Society.
During my educational journey at FAU, I worked in Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Lynn Cancer Institute as an oncology/infusion nurse. In 2021, I was given an opportunity to finally become a research nurse coordinator at Lynn Cancer Institute. However, in January 2022, I was offered a research nurse position at the FAU Clinical Research Unit, and after a thorough consideration, I accepted it. I have to say that joining FAU team was life changing. In July 2022, I was promoted to Interim Director of Clinical Research Unit Operations, and this month, I accepted a permanent position as a Director of Clinical Research Unit Operations.
It has been a pleasure working at FAU with researchers and professors. I love my job! This is the reason why I decided to pursue a doctorate degree, also at FAU. I am honored to work here and also to receive my education at this institution.
Stephanie Little
Stephanie Little MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM has been a registered nurse since graduating with her associate degree from Palm Beach Community College in 2007. She then continued on to receive both her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Florida Atlantic University. Her research in the doctoral program will focus on health equity in the perinatal population. Her clinical background is in labor and delivery. Currently, she is the maternal-child clinical nurse educator at Jupiter Medical Center. In addition, she is the co-chair of the PBC/Treasure Coast Chapter of the Association for Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN).
Kathy Muniz
Kathy Muniz is a native New Yorker who relocated to Florida 12 years ago to be near to her children and grandchildren. After 25 years of working as an LPN, she returned to school to fulfill her life long dream of being a Registered Nurse. She received her Bachelors degree from Miami Dade College and her Masters Degree in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University. Her clinical experiences include Surgical Intensive Care, Medical Surgical Nursing, Long-term care, triage nurse and caring for HIV/AIDS clients. She was the inaugural president of the Miami Dade College BSN Honor Society the prelude to a Sigma Theta Tau Chapter. She is currently a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Iota XI Chapter. Presently, she is an instructor at Miami Dade College, where she teaches adult health assessment, pharmacology, and professional nursing leadership. She is also presently assisting at risk undergraduate nursing students with remediation. Her current interest of research study is related to transforming health care environments through best nursing practices effecting patient outcomes.
Suzy Pinos
Suzanne Pinos has been an instructor in the nursing department at Palm Beach State College for over a year, managing the Patient Care Assistant Program, as well as teaching simulation with nursing students. She worked as a Telemetry Nurse at West Boca Medical Center prior to her teaching career at Palm Beach State. Before discovering her passion for nursing, Suzanne pursued her first degree in accounting, and worked in the financial/business sectors. Dissatisfied with her career, she decided to return to her first love, helping others, and returned to school for a degree in Nursing. A huge proponent of education, Suzanne earned her Master’s degree in Nursing Education in December 2016 at Florida Atlantic University, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing. While earning her graduate degree, she worked as a Research Assistant and held an integral role in several research projects. She is a co-author to an article published in the October 2016 issue of Psychiatric Nursing, entitled: “Stress in persons with dementia: benefits of a memory center day program”. Currently, Suzanne is sitting as interim president of the newly established Palm Beach County chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN).
Héctor Rosso Diaz
Hector is a Faculty Director for Watson Caring Science Institute (WCSI. He leads the Latin – Ibero – America strand to support Spanish speaking health colleagues who want to understand Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring. Hector graduated from the WCSI Senior Scholars/Postdoctoral Program (2020). He is also a certified Caritas® Coach, approved by AHNA, and a Distinguished GAHN Scholar (Global Academy of Holistic Nursing). In addition, he is a published author.
Hector has a double master’s degree in Strategic Management, specializing in health care organizations (2018). Originally from Uruguay, Hector has worked as a nurse for more than 27 years. More recently, he was Assistant Director of a large Psychiatric Hospital (CEREMOS – ASSE). Hector was previously Professor and Director of the Department of Education and Community Health of the Faculty of Nursing and Health Technologies at the Catholic University of Uruguay. Previously, Hector worked for 24 years for the only Public Pediatric Hospital in Uruguay as a nurse in varying positions such as Emergency, Intensive Care, Diabetes Education and Head of Nursing.
Hector is also a certified Master Reiki Practitioner. A profound family tragedy changed Hector’s life and led him to the path of Human Caring Science.
Paulette Sepe
Paulette Sepe, MSN, RN, CNL, WCCN, is a part-time PhD student. Paulette began her healthcare career as a medical specialist with the United States Army where she served for eight years as both active duty and reservist/National Guard. She earned a Baccalaureate of Nursing from New Mexico State University in 2001 and a FAU graduate of the inaugural MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Track. Her most recent clinical experience includes as a certified wound and continence care specialist and clinical educator at Broward Health Imperial Point. Currently, Paulette is employed as a Senior RN Specialist at the American Nurses Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence® Program. She is embarking on an area of research investigating the impact of a positive practice environment on patient safety, nurse retention, and well-being.