Visionary Leaders
Barbara Aranda-Naranjo, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Associate Provost for the Health Professions, University of The Incarnate Word
B.S.N., Class of 1979
Dr. Aranda-Naranjo has dedicated her teaching and public policy careers to promoting the understanding of vulnerable, resilient populations and the advancement of her fellow nurses by facilitating access to advanced education. She began her career serving indigent African-American and Latino patients with inadequate access to health care. She helped develop the first home for children with AIDS in San Antonio and became an expert provider for HIV/AIDS patient care worldwide.
Tommye Austin, Ph.D., M.B.A., RN, NEA-BC
Senior Vice President & Chief Nurse Executive, University Health System
Dr. Austin leads complex teams to implement hospital and nursing policy, compliance and regulatory standards for health care systems. Since joining UHS in 2017, she has made significant improvements to employee engagement and clinical care. She is dedicated to improving the emergency department and the overall hospital. She helped orchestrate University Hospital’s response to the Sutherland Springs church shooting. Modern Healthcare named her a 2018 Top 10 Minority Executive.
Kay C. Avant, Ph.D., RN, FNI, FAAN
Professor Emeritus of Nursing, School of Nursing
Dr. Avant has a lifelong interest in nursing knowledge development and maternal-infant health. Her teaching included philosophy of science, theoretical development of nursing, and informatics. Her research interests are primarily in standardized language development, and global health of women and children. Dr. Avant has had two Fulbright Professorships, one in Oslo, Norway, and one in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand. She continues to travel extensively as an international consultant.
Gary Baldwin, M.B.A.
Retired U.S. Air Force Captain/Friend of the School of Nursing
Mr. Baldwin has created a legacy of giving and service to his country and the residents of his community. He retired from the Air Force with 26 years of service. In memory of his wife, Ruth Ann Baldwin, M.S.N., B.S.N., RN, he established an endowment and scholarship at the School of Nursing to honor her passion for nursing. He now serves his community on local, county and state levels.
Louise Davis Beldon
Philanthropist/Friend of the School of Nursing
Mrs. Beldon, who retired from Beldon Roofing Co., is a longtime supporter of the School of Nursing. She and her husband, Michael, have established two scholarships in nursing. Mrs. Beldon served as chair of the Nursing Advisory Council from 2004-2006. She also is dedicated to supporting cancer research and patient care at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center and is a board member of the San Antonio Medical Foundation.
Donna Block, RN
Medical Consultant/Philanthropist/Friend of the School of Nursing
Ms. Block directed the first cardiac rehabilitation clinic in San Antonio and later opened her own business as a medical consultant. She is an emeritus member of the Nursing Advisory Council and helped establish the Block-Dreeben Endowed Nursing Scholarship. Ms. Block contributed to establishing the Donna Block Control Center at the Center for Simulation Innovation. She serves on the boards of UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Health.
Rose Marie Bolenbaucher
Trauma Network Survivor Coordinator, University Health System
Ms. Bolenbaucher has dedicated decades of service in trauma nursing education/training and performance improvement in military and civilian environments. During her military career, her reach ranged from multiple austere locations to definitive care locations—including Germany, D.C., Tampa and San Antonio—aiming at continuous improvement of trauma care. As a School of Nursing faculty member, she helped train and mentor medical/surgical students. Ms. Bolenbaucher’s work impacted delivery of care by all health care specialists, especially nurses.
Margaret Brackley, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FAANP
Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
Dr. Brackley retired as a professor with tenure in 2011. For more than 28 years, she taught undergraduate and graduate programs. She provided national leadership in the development of professional competencies for the PMHNP and D.N.P. degrees. She coordinated and helped develop FNP, PMHNP and Ph.D. programs. Before retirement, she had 32 years of clinical experience as a certified psychiatric/mental health CNS/PMHNP with 25 years as a primary care nurse practitioner. She researched non-violent family relationships.
Carrie Jo Braden, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing
For more than 30 years, Dr. Braden has taught doctoral-level students in courses on theory-based evaluation and theory-based intervention. She joined the faculty in 2000 and served as the associate dean for research and oversaw the Office of Nursing Research and Scholarship. Her current research focuses on educational interventions to promote commitment to a research career among students from underserved groups. She is well published and renowned in community health nursing.
Lisa Cleveland, Ph.D., RN, CPNP, IBCLC, FAAN
Associate Professor, School of Nursing
Dr. Cleveland is a national expert on opioid use disorder. She’s been awarded more than $27 million in funding to address the opioid crisis locally and in Texas. Her School of Nursing team’s efforts include: addiction recovery housing, overdose prevention education, distribution of naloxone (lifesaving medication), and the evaluation of community impact outcomes. Her favorite research focus is compassionate care of pregnant opioid-using women and their infants born experiencing withdrawal.
Nancy Cuevas-Soto, D.N.P., RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nurse, Education, and Research, South Texas Veterans Health Care System
Dr. Cuevas-Soto has served the Department of Veterans Affairs for 19 years and joined STVHCS in 2015. She oversees the Nursing Education Department and the BARTTER Research Center, a collaborative effort with UT Health San Antonio. She has been a driving force in the cultural transformation of STVHCS Nursing Service. She is an advocate for the professional development of nurses and provides mentorship for many emerging VA nurse leaders.
Shaun Hartford Danney, M.S.N., RN, CPN
Faculty Member, Baptist School of Health Professions, Department of Professional Nursing
B.S.N., Class of 1984; M.S.N., Class of 1988
Mrs. Danney, a certified pediatric nurse, teaches the “Nursing Care of Children and Families” course and supervises approximately 50 students per year in their pediatric clinical rotations. She has taught at Baptist for 23 years. In 1987, she helped start a new day camp for children with diabetes in San Antonio. Now 32 years later, she continues to help lead Camp Independence of San Antonio and still volunteers each summer.
Lark Ford, Ph.D., M.A., M.S.N., RN
Associate Professor/Clinical, School of Nursing
Dr. Ford retired as a colonel with 33 years in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She joined the school in 2006 and has served in many leadership positions, including chairing multiple academic committees. She is an instructor/collaborator for the Caring for the Caregiver program for individuals helping loved ones with dementia. She is a leader/educator for the RESPECT Project, an inter-professional team serving the homeless.
Alicia Gallegos
Manager, Financial Planning, School of Nursing
Since arriving on the UT Health San Antonio campus in 1976 as a high school volunteer, Ms. Gallegos has dedicated her life to the university. She joined the nursing school in 1992 as an accounting coordinator. Ms. Gallegos has been recognized repeatedly for her outstanding dedication to the school. In 2015, she received the school’s Unsung Hero Award. She has made significant contributions to all areas within the School of Nursing.
Nancy Girard, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Retired Chair of Acute Nursing Care, School of Nursing
M.S.N., Class of 1978
Dr. Girard, who retired in 2007 with 29 years of service to the School of Nursing, was an outstanding clinical nurse and role model for her students. She contributed to the school’s growth and productivity through her leadership and research efforts. Dr. Girard took an active role in research involving products for wound care and healing. She was editor of three nursing journals and continues to write monthly columns.
Clarice Golightly-Jenkins, COL (USA Retired), Ph.D., RN, CNS
Assistant Professor/Clinical, School of Nursing
Dr. Golightly-Jenkins served more than 26 years of active duty with valor and distinction in acute and primary care, in-theater combat support, nurse officer recruiting, and senior executive leadership positions. In 2017, she was inducted into the historic Tuskegee University ROTC Military Hall of Fame. Dr. Golightly-Jenkins is a skilled change strategist. At the School of Nursing, she engages in preparing next generation nurse leaders and advanced practice scientists.
Rudy Gomez, M.B.A.
Retired Associate Dean for Finance and Administration, School of Nursing
Mr. Gomez retired with 41 years of distinguished service to the School of Nursing. He was hired in 1973 and quickly was promoted through the ranks. Mr. Gomez was a very dedicated and highly valued member of the school. His constant hand on the helm of the business side of the operation helped to the move the school ever forward. An endowment in his name continues to support the school.
Rosemary T. Goodyear, Ed.D., APRN, FAANP
Associate Faculty Member, University of San Diego and University of South Florida
Dr. Goodyear, who taught at the School of Nursing from 1971 to 1980, has been a registered nurse for 60 years, nurse educator for 49 years, and nurse practitioner for 42 years. She also is an independent consultant with Consultant Nurse Associates providing clients with assistance on accreditation, regulation and program development nationally and internationally. Her work as a professional nurse includes hospital nursing, school nursing and nursing education.
Susan Griffin, M.S.N., RN
Chief Nurse Executive, Methodist Healthcare System
Ms. Griffin is responsible for setting the strategic direction and initiatives for professional nursing for the 4,500 nurses and nine hospitals within Methodist Healthcare. She is passionate about cultural transformation to exceptional care and mentoring nursing leaders. Under her leadership, Methodist has significantly decreased nursing turnover and increased RN engagement while improving the quality of care for patients with exceptional quality outcomes. She is a skilled leader, mentor, and motivator.
Carolyn Gunning, Ph.D., RN
Professor and Dean Emerita, Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing
Dr. Gunning was an excellent teacher and administrator at the School of Nursing from 1971-1988. She then became dean at Marshall University, where she initiated a master’s nurse practitioner program and developed distance education for an RN to B.S.N. program. From 1991-2003, she was dean at Texas Woman’s University. Under her leadership, master’s programs and long distance learning were developed. She served as provost and vice for president for academic affairs.
Patty L. Hawken, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
Under Dr. Hawken’s leadership as dean from 1974-1997, a variety of baccalaureate and master’s degree program options were developed. A doctoral program and off-campus programs in South Texas and Lubbock were approved. Dr. Hawken established the first Nursing Advisory Council and served 10 years on the board and as president of the National League for Nursing. Her legacy is honored by the Dr. Patty L. Hawken Nursing Endowed Professorship.
Sister Ursula Herrera, B.S.N., RN
Director, Benedictine Sisters’ Caridad de Corazon (Charity of the Heart) Ministry
B.S.N., Class of 1973
After attending high school at the Benedictine Sisters of Boerne convent, Sister Ursula was an early enrollee in the new nursing program at the School of Nursing. After graduation, she held various positions at several hospitals while consistently helping women who had been abused in San Antonio. In 1996 she was called to Eagle Pass to start a border ministry for the Benedictine Sisters. She has been director since 2000.
Karen and Ronald Herrmann
Philanthropists/Friends of the School of Nursing
Karen and Ronald Herrmann are longstanding supporters of UT Health San Antonio’s School of Nursing. Karen serves on the Council for Excellence in Women’s Health, is an emeritus member of the Nursing Advisory Council and serves on the Board of Governors of the Mays Cancer Center. The couple established the Roger L. and Laura D. Zeller Professorship in Nursing to honor Karen’s mother, Doris L. Heizer, RN, and to support the nursing field.
Carol Reineck Huebner, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, CENP, FAAN
Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
M.S.N., Class of 1982
Dr. Huebner served as an academic department chair at the School of Nursing, after her service as a career military officer. She retired as chief nurse executive of the worldwide U.S. Army Medical Command. Her area of expertise is preparing and developing a competent, patient-centered, high-quality nursing workforce equipped to deliver evidence-based care. As a researcher, her work centered on research education for clinical nurses, psychometrics, and the nursing workforce.
Debra Phyllis Hymovich, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Founding Faculty Member, School of Nursing
After leaving Texas, Dr. Hymovich received a Doctorate in Human Development, and later a post-doctoral fellowship in psychosocial nursing research. She was an educator, researcher, and consultant. Her research centered on theory and instrument development and families experiencing chronic illness. She authored/co-authored 10 books and numerous articles and book chapters. She retired as a professor emeritus from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Brenda Jackson, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
M.S.N., Class of 1976
When she completed her M.S.N. in 1976, Dr. Jackson was asked by then Dean Patty Hawken to join the faculty. She taught undergraduate and graduate students and served in several leadership positions, including associate dean for the undergraduate program and director of the M.S.N. program. She was appointed to several state committees and by the Governor’s Office to the Texas Board of Nursing as a representative of Baccalaureate Nursing Education.
Ulondia Denise Lee, M.S.N., RN, CENP
Chief Nursing Officer, Methodist Metropolitan Hospital
As a transformational leader, Ms. Lee develops nurses into exceptional leaders using her innate ability to ignite and empower teams. Her dynamic leadership has led to exceptional operational and patient-centered outcomes including improved employee retention, increased patient and customer engagement, innovations, and cost savings. She served on the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing Taskforce for Care Coordination where she co-authored the Acute to Ambulatory curriculum.
Wendy J. Lee, D.N.P., RN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor/Clinical, School of Nursing
Dr. Lee authored and implemented policies that expanded the family nurse practitioner scope of practice and improved care for victims of violence. She is an expert for military medical provider training needed to deliver care to sexual assault victims. She advocated for FNPs as independent primary care providers and combat force multipliers. As an educator, she teaches future NPs in simulation debriefings, hands-on coaching in laboratory experiences, and clinical preceptorship.
Janna Lesser, Ph.D., RN
Director, Center for Community-Based Health Promotion in Women and Children
Director, South Texas AHEC Program
For more than 20 years, Dr. Lesser, nursing professor, has conducted community-engaged projects with individuals and communities living with myriad health and social inequities. Her work is based on principles of humanistic and patient-centered care, health equity and social justice. Dr. Lesser is dedicated to health care education, practice and research. She is an outstanding nursing educator who exhibits excellence as a researcher and teacher with undergraduate and graduate students.
Nancy K. Maebius, Ph.D., M.S.N., B.S.N., RN
Founding Faculty Member, School of Nursing
Dr. Maebius was one of four founding faculty members for the School of Nursing. She has more than 45 years of experience in medical-surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, education, and clinical research. Dr. Maebius is an education consultant at Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio. She is the author of two textbooks and is a member of the Advisory Council on Education for the Texas Board of Nursing.
Norma Martinez Rogers, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing
M.S.N., Class of 1978
Dr. Martinez Rogers has served the school with distinction for 19 years. She continues to innovatively demonstrate excellence as a mentor, nurse educator, nurse leader, an advocate of underserved populations, and an advocate for policy changes in health care. Hailed as one of the most influential Latino nurses in the U.S., she created successful student mentorship programs, increased diversity in the nursing workforce, and promoted culturally inclusive health care.
Carolyn Regena Mueller, Ph.D., RN
Retired Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing
M.S.N., Class of 1985
Dr. Mueller retired in 2016 as faculty at UT Austin. She taught child/family nursing and served as co-chair, Division of Family, Public Health and Nursing Systems. She previously taught nursing in Washington, New Mexico and Tennessee. She cared for children at summer camps, in neonatal ICUs and general pediatric units. With her husband, she endowed the Carolyn Regena Mueller, Ph.D., RN and Gary Louis Mueller, M.D., FACP, FACE Nursing Scholarship.
Gregg E. Muenster, Ph.D.
Philanthropist/Friend of the School of Nursing
Dr. Muenster has made incredible contributions to the School of Nursing through his efforts with the Nursing Advisory Council. He served with distinction in several positions, including NAC chair and chair of several committees. He led the strategic planning committee to create the NAC’s Strategic Plan: 2016-2018, which identifies action goals that complement the dean’s priorities to increase public awareness and support. The Strategic Plan was applauded by accreditation examiners.
Tracey Smith Page, D.N.P., RN, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner/Contractor, Army Virtual MEDCEN
Dr. Page is a clinical and educational leader who advocates for improving health care for vulnerable populations. Her leadership on key educational, clinical and multi-disciplinary initiatives has impacted international and national adult and pediatric nursing service activities. She serves on the inaugural advanced practice nursing team providing health care for our nation’s military using remote care technologies.
Daniel J. Pesut, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
M.S.N., Class of 1977
Dr. Pesut, past president of the Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau International, is known for his work in nursing education. Dr. Pesut has won numerous awards for his teaching, mentoring and leadership. At the University of Minnesota, he is a professor of nursing in the Nursing Population Health and Systems Cooperative Unit and director of the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership.
Charles Reed, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNRN
Vice President/Associate Chief Nursing Officer, University Health System
B.S.N., Class of 1996; M.S.N., Class of 2006; Ph.D., Class of 2014
Dr. Reed is known for outstanding service, research and leadership. As vice president, he provides executive oversight and leadership to various programs including the Center for Clinical Excellence, Simulation Center, Nurse Residency Program, Magnet program as well as In-Patient Rehab Therapy and Respiratory Therapy. He has been a principal investigator and active researcher on numerous studies. His emphasis has been on Glycemic control in critically ill patients, family presence and alarm fatigue.
Suellen B. Reed, Ph.D., RN
Founding Faculty Member and Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
Dr. Reed was one of the first faculty members hired in 1969. She served in a variety of positions until her retirement in 2000. She was a master teacher admired by her students. She was a sought-after consultant nationwide and assisted many schools in the development and integration of curriculum and evaluation tools. Her writing abilities brought in more than $2 million in grants for the School of Nursing.
Beverly H. Robinson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Professor Emeritus, School of Nursing
Throughout Dr. Robinson’s extensive nursing career, she achieved many accomplishments and received numerous awards. She has served on or chaired more than 100 local and national committees over the course of her career and continues to serve in retirement. She joined the School of Nursing in 1979. Dr. Robinson served as professor and associate dean for the graduate nursing program starting in 1998 and became director of doctoral studies in 2004.
Susan D. Ruppert, Ph.D., RN, FNP-C, ANP-BC, FCCM, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN
Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, Cizik School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health)
M.S.N., Class of 1979
Dr. Ruppert has received numerous accolades as a nurse educator, including the 2018 UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and 2019 induction to the UT Shine Academy. She has been a UT Health faculty member since 1989. She is hailed as a true mentor/leader by her students, graduates, and colleagues. Her greatest impact has been on developing national standards for nursing practice and education and as a leader in advanced practice and certification.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Philanthropic Organization/ Educational Partner
Every February the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hosts more than 2 million visitors, over 18 consecutive days. The success of this organization is attributed to more than 6,000 volunteers who support its mission: A volunteer organization that emphasizes agriculture and education to develop the youth of Texas. Scholarships are directed to students intending to practice in rural communities in Central and South Texas.
Judith Shockley, M.S.N., RN
Former Faculty Member, School of Nursing
Judith Shockley served on the faculty from 1971 until 1998. She was actively involved in the development of the initial curriculum and contributed to numerous university health system committees. She initiated the application of information technology into both the educational and administrative domains in the school. She was recognized nationally and internationally for early involvement in the emerging field of medical informatics. Her vision was invaluable to the success of many of the school’s programs.
Colonel (Ret) Kimberly K. Smith, D.N.P., M.S., CPHQ
Lead, Performance Improvement Joint Trauma System, Defense Health Affairs, Joint Base Fort Sam Houston
Dr. Smith’s 28-year trauma critical care Army career culminated in a variety of leadership roles to include: Chief Nursing Services at BAMC, Chief Nurse USISR Burn Center; Chief Nurse 28th Combat Support Hospital, and Critical Care Consultant to the Surgeon General. In her current role, she continues to strive toward optimizing clinical outcomes on and off the battlefield. Dr. Smith also facilitates meditation and mindfulness for an organization called Veterans PATH.
Carol Marie H. Smith, M.S.N., B.S.N.
Philanthropist/Friend of the School of Nursing
A supporter of the nursing school, Mrs. Smith is an emeritus member of the Nursing Advisory Council, chair from 2008-2010. Mrs. Smith served as a clinical specialist and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University before moving to San Antonio. She is a community volunteer, recently chair of the San Antonio Area Foundation. She founded Respite Care of San Antonio and is a former executive director of Komen San Antonio and a local school foundation.
Kathleen R. Stevens, Ed.D., RN, ANEF, FAAN
Berneice Castella Distinguished Professor in Aging Research, School of Nursing
Dr. Stevens served for 15 years as founding director of the Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice and pioneered the field. This center of excellence and improved science research network garnered over $12 million to advance evidence-based quality improvement and patient safety. She initiated and guided the annual Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice, a national interdisciplinary conference. Dr. Stevens serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science.
Ruth Stewart, M.S., RN, FAAN
Founding Faculty Member, School of Nursing
Ms. Stewart joined the faculty in 1969, collaboratively developing the undergraduate program. She was later instrumental in developing other programs, including the first family nurse practitioner in Texas and the graduate community health programs. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Stewart served as chair of the Texas Board of Health (the first woman and first nurse ever appointed) and president of the Texas Nurses Association. In retirement, she continues to be a public health advocate.
Margretta Styles, Ed.D., RN, FAAN
Founding Dean, School of Nursing
Awarded Posthumously
Dr. Styles was the first dean of the School of Nursing from 1969-1973. She was responsible for the development and implementation of the nursing programs and the planning and completion of the first building. Dr. Styles and the founding faculty developed the undergraduate program and graduate majors. She was a prolific writer and speaker. She served as president of the American Nurses Association and the International Council of Nurses.
Carol Swartz, M.S.N., RN
Former Director of Development, School of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., Class of 1999
After earning her degrees at the nursing school, Mrs. Swartz joined the faculty. She later served as the school’s assistant dean of development. Her talents were next needed on the university level. She joined Institutional Advancement where she recently retired as assistant vice president with 20 years of service. The Carol Ann Swartz President’s Endowed Scholarship for Nursing Excellence was established in 2009 by her husband, Barry Swartz, M.D.
Delight Tillotson, M.S.N., RN
Former Faculty Member, School of Nursing
Awarded Posthumously
Mrs. Tillotson joined the faculty in 1975 and remained until 1994. She brought a sense of commitment and eagerness that made the school a better institution. She served as assistant dean for undergraduates and in that capacity served on the committee to implement the Flexible Process for on-campus students and was the leader in planning and implementing the program in South Texas. She later served on the Nursing Advisory Council.
Nelson Tuazon, D.N.P., D.B.A., M.A.Ed., RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, FNAP, FACHE
Vice President & Associate Chief Nursing Officer, University Health System
Dr. Tuazon has over 35 years of experience in nursing practice, academia, administration, and executive leadership. He has executive responsibilities for patient care in the intensive care units, acute care units, behavioral health, Infusion Center and the float pool. He was a RWJF Nurse Executive Fellow. He serves as president of the South Central Texas Organization of Nurse Executives and managing editor of The Journal of Nursing Practice Applications and Reviews of Research.
Carole White, Ph.D., RN
Director, Caring for the Caregiver program, School of Nursing
Nancy Smith Hurd President Chair in Geriatric Nursing & Aging Studies
Dr. White’s dedication to caregiving is impacting the lives of caregivers and their loved ones with dementia. Since late 2017, the Caring for the Caregiver program has increased its impact exponentially; the main class grew by 700 percent in two years. She has secured private, state and federal level funding that is crucial to the program’s future expansion. Her primary teaching responsibilities are for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.
