Nursing Faculty

Undergraduate Faculty

Danielle Bache MSN, RN, CPN

Mrs. Danielle Bache is a nursing instructor from Walker, Louisiana. She graduated from Franciscan University, then called Our Lady of the Lake college, in 2011. She dedicated 10 years of service to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center until finishing her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree in 2020. Her background includes telemetry, forensic, and pediatric nursing. She is a Certified Pediatric Nurse with many years of experience in the general medical-surgical care of children. She joined Franciscan University as a nursing instructor in 2021 where she teaches in the Fundamentals of Nursing course and Medical-Surgical clinical setting for various student levels within the school of nursing.

Shelita Bates, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Dr. Bates is a passionate nurse educator committed to shaping the future of nursing. With a solid foundation in adult post-operative surgery and primary care, Dr. Bates brings her real-world clinical expertise into the classroom, enriching the learning experience for her students. She earned her bachelor's degree in 2006 from Our Lady of the Lake College, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2008, reflecting her early commitment to teaching and mentorship. In 2014, Dr. Bates expanded her clinical skills by obtaining a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from Southern University A&M College, and she further advanced her academic credentials by completing her Doctoral Degree in 2023 at the Southern University Graduate School of Nursing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, Dr. Bates stays connected to both the educational and clinical communities. Her dedication to nursing education is matched by her commitment to high-quality patient care, making her a vital contributor to the profession's growth and development.

Rebekah Bergeron, MSN

Mrs. Rebekah Bergeron serves as the clinical coordinator for the undergraduate School of Nursing. She primarily teaches in Nursing 2750 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice. She completed her graduate degree at Our Lady of the College in 2009. Her clinical background includes oncology/hematology, trauma, med/surg, orthopedics, neurology, urology, rehab and postop.

Michele Blackwell, PhD, RN, CNE

Dr. Michele Blackwell serves as the Retention Coordinator for the Undergraduate Pre-licensure BSN program, teaching the senior seminar, Transition into Practice. She completed her nursing degree in 1997 at FranU, earned a Master’s degree in Nursing Education in 2008 and finished her PhD in Education at LSU in 2020. She has been teaching in the nursing program at FranU for 17 years. She has nursing practice experience in Trauma, ER, ICU, and Pediatrics, and holds a certification in Nursing Education.

Jaylin Cressy, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Dr. Jaylin C. Cressy serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing's Pre-licensure BSN program, primarily teaching Nursing Fundamentals. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern University and A & M College and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Loyola University New Orleans. Her professional/clinical background includes Trauma, Emergency Nursing, and Perioperative Nursing. Dr. Cressy is certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in holistic care. She is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society and Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated.

Eliska Davis, MRC

Eliska Davis has been in academia for over 20 years with 13 of those years in dental education, where she served as senior clinic supervisor in the dental hygiene program at LSUHSC School of Dentistry in New Orleans. She presented continuing education classes at dental conferences and was director of an advanced certification course for dental personnel. Professor Davis is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. She teaches pathophysiology for nursing students and anatomy and physiology for the Biology Department.

Latonya S. Dorsey, DNP, RN, CNE

Dr. LaTonya Dorsey is an Associate Professor and serves as the Associate Dean of Nursing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University. Prior to this role, she served as the Pre-licensure BSN Program Director for six years. With over 24 years of nursing experience in telemetry and 21 years of experience in nursing education, Dr. Dorsey is a certified nurse educator and the recipient of the 2016 Helen Johnson Cremeens Excellence in Teaching Award. She completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southern University in 1996, her master’s degree in public health/community health nursing from LSUHSC in 2001, and her doctorate degree in executive leadership from Loyola University New Orleans in 2017.

Her professional accomplishments include being named a Center for Innovative Teaching and Engagement (CITE) Fellow from 2018-2020 and a Collegium Fellow in 2018. Dr. Dorsey is also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Outside of her academic responsibilities, she enjoys spending time outdoors, dancing, and traveling, activities that help her stay balanced and energized.

Janice Hall, PhD, CNRN

Janice W. Hall is a Nursing Faculty member at the University’s School of Nursing for the Pre-licensure BSN Program. She is also a Chair for scholarly projects conducted by students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia program. She primarily teaches Fundamentals in Nursing Practice. She completed her PhD in Nursing Education and Administration at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Dr. Hall's clinical background is in critical care nursing and neuroscience nursing. She is currently certified as a Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN). She is an active member of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN), Baton Rouge District Nurses Association (BRDNA), and a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society in New Orleans.

Carla Harmon, PhD, RN

Dr. Carla Harmon is an Associate Professor and serves as the program director of the Pre-licensure BSN program. She is a certified nurse educator and the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Nurse Educator Award from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, as well as the 2015 Helen Cremeens Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Harmon completed her undergraduate degree in 1995 and her graduate degrees in 2004 from Southern University and A&M College, followed by a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University in 2015. Her clinical background includes orthopedics, neurology, medical-surgical care, and hospice care. Dr. Harmon currently serves as an ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) peer evaluator. She is an active member of the Baton Rouge District Nurses Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Lauren A. Hollingsworth, MSN, RN-BC

Ms. Lauren Hollingsworth serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. She primarily teaches community health and research content in the curriculum. She completed a B.A. Sociology and A.D Nursing from Louisiana Tech University. Additionally, she completed a B.S. in Nursing from University of Texas and M.S. in Nursing from Loyola University of New Orleans respectively. She is currently working towards completing a post-graduate certificate (FNP) from the University of South Alabama. Her professional/clinical background includes acute care experience in intensive care, cardiac care, telemetry, and medical-surgical nursing. She has an extensive work history in the home health industry.

Ashley H. Lee, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Ashley Lee serves as an instructor within the pre-licensure BSN program. She is a member of the community health faculty. She completed her undergraduate nursing degree in 2007 from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2023. Her clinical background includes medical-surgical, telemetry, and hematology-oncology. She is an active member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge.

Amit K. Mitra, M.D., PhD.

Dr. Mitra graduated with his medical degree in 1982. He practiced as a clinical pathologist for 20 years. He also holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Science and his field of research includes cell biology, hypertension, and heart failure. Currently, he teaches the pathophysiological basis of disease in the nursing program, medical physiology in the physician assistant program and also anatomy and physiology at the undergraduate level.

Belinda Munson, MSN, RN

Belinda Munson serves as assistant professor in the undergraduate School of Nursing program and primarily teaches in Nursing Concepts I. She completed her Master’s in Nursing Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2009 and her undergraduate degree from Southern University in 1995. Her background in nursing is medical-surgical.

Amanda Olinde, DNP, APRN, CNM

Dr. Amanda Olinde is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the Pre-licensure BSN program and has been at FranU since 2014. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Midwifery in 2011 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017 from Frontier Nursing University. Her professional accomplishments include being a FranU CITE Fellow (2022-2024) and an appointment to the Building a Competitive Workforce OER Course Development Faculty Team in 2024. Her clinical background includes obstetrics and women’s health.

Mindy Patteson, MSN, RN, CPON

Mindy is a native of Baton Rouge and attended Franciscan University, then called Our Lady of the Lake College. She graduated with her Masters in Nursing Informatics in 2015. She joined Franciscan University in 2019 after working for over 10 years at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. She is a Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse and is certified in bioethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. She has many years of experience in Hospice and Palliative Care. Mindy currently teaches students in both adult and pediatric concepts. Her passion is taking care of patients wholistically and providing dignity at their end of life.

Emily Richard, MSN, RN, CNEn

Emily Richard is a native of Baton Rouge and graduated from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, then called Our Lady of the Lake College, in 2005. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University in 2019. Her clinical background includes medical-surgical, perioperative, and neonatal intensive care nursing before transitioning to teaching at FranU in 2020. Mrs. Richard is certified in Catholic Health Care Ethics through the National Catholic Bioethics Center and is a Certified Nurse Educator Novice. Mrs. Richard primarily teaches Nursing Concepts V, patients with complex healthcare needs, in the classroom and clinical settings. Outside of the classroom, she is a member of the Louisiana State Nurses Association, Baton Rouge District Nurses Association, and serves as Vice President of the Louisiana Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Baton Rouge.

Tina Rochester, MSN, RN

Christina “Tina” Rochester, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been a registered nurse for over 20 years. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2005 and has been teaching at the University since 2013. Her nursing expertise includes Medical-Surgical Nursing, Home Health, Hospice and Burn care. She has a passion for Adult Health, Gerontology, and Pharmacology among others. Mrs. Rochester has been teaching Pharmacology in the School of Nursing since 2013 and Medical-Surgical clinical for a variety of student levels.

Samantha Summers, MSN, RN

Samantha Summers has been employed with FranU since January, 2020, starting her instructional career with the Covid pandemic. She obtained her associate degree in nursing in 2006 while FranU was still Our Lady of the Lake College of Nursing. After graduation, she spent approximately 11 of the next 14 years working on telemetry / cardiac units. The last four years at Lane Regional Medical Center (LRMC), she was an asset taking extra shifts floating between house supervisor, the emergency room, telemetry, and rehab when needed. While working full time at LRMC, Samantha attended Chamberlain University, completing a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree with a concentration in Nursing Healthcare Executive Administration. Coming home to FranU, she currently teaches the BSN senior level Leadership / Management course. Over the years, she has taken an active role in leadership, serving as a board member. Most recently, Mrs. Summers was one of the founding members of the Louisiana Nurse Honor Guard of Greater Baton Rouge in 2021 and continues to serve as their Secretary/Treasurer. She is also holding the office of Vice President of the FranU Alumni Association and is an active officer in the FranU Nurse Honor Society which recognizes students with outstanding grade point averages throughout their nursing curriculum.

Royneshia Ricard Williams, MSN, RN

Royneshia Ricard Williams, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana who primarily teaches in Nursing Concepts I. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Chamberlain University in 2019 and her undergraduate degree from Our Lady of the Lake College in 2016. Her nursing expertise is in medical-surgical nursing. She also has a passion for psychiatric mental health.

Graduate Faculty

Alicia Bates, PhD, NP-C, CDCES, CNE

Dr. Alicia Bates serves as the Director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program and holds the rank of Associate Professor in the School of Nursing. Dr. Bates has been a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner since 2012. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2017, she received her PhD in Nursing Education and Administration from William Carey University. Dr. Bates maintains active memberships in the American Diabetes Association and continues to practice weekly as a FNP in an outpatient diabetes management clinic.

Mandy Broussard, DNP, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Mandy Broussard is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and has practiced in a variety of settings and anesthesia practice models since 2011. Dr. Broussard obtained her doctorate and master’s degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center, in 2015 and 2011 respectively. Dr. Broussard currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing and teaches courses threaded throughout the Nurse Anesthesia Program’s curriculum. Dr. Broussard is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists where she has previously served in various roles as an elected Board Member.

Ross Castille, DNP, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Castille serves as a full time faculty member and holds the rank of Assistant Professor for the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia Program. Dr. Castille received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2002, his Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Texas Christian University in 2005 and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2011, also from Texas Christian University. Dr. Castille teaches anesthesia principles courses in addition to clinical instruction. Dr. Castille continues to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in the Baton Rouge area, which he has since 2006. His area of interest being primarily cardiothoracic anesthesia. Dr. Castille is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and is currently serving as President of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Beth Crochet, DNP, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Crochet is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and serves as a full-time instructor for the Nurse Anesthesia Program. Dr. Crochet obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2003, her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia degree from Texas Christian University in 2009. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2022 with Southeastern Louisiana University. Her DNP Project title was “A Process Improvement in Spinal Anesthesia Management of Elective Orthopedic Surgery Patients to Attenuate Post-Spinal Hypotension.” Dr. Crochet serves as the Lab Coordinator for the Anesthesia Simulation Lab and teaches various didactic and clinical courses within the Nurse Anesthesia program. Simulation education is her area of interest. Dr. Crochet continues to practice as a CRNA within the Baton Rouge area and is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists (AANA) and Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA). She is also an active volunteer with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

Callie Simoneaux Dorn, DNP-A, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Callie Dorn is the Assistant Program Director and an Associate Professor in the Nurse Anesthesia program. Dr. Dorn teaches Advanced Health Assessment, Healthcare Policy and Policy Advancement, and Principles of Anesthesia Practice V. Dr. Dorn received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southeastern Louisiana University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Anesthesia from Texas Christian University. Dr. Dorn has practiced in the Baton Rouge area as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist since 2014. She is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists (LANA).

Leon Gallow, DNP, FNP-BC

Dr. Leon Gallow serves as full time faculty in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program and holds the rank of Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. Dr. Gallow received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McNeese State University in 2000, a Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from Northwestern State University in 2006, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from University of South Alabama in 2017. Dr. Gallow previously practiced in community health and continues to function as a family nurse practitioner in the arenas of home health and hospice.

Kristin Martin, DNP, FNP-C, CNEcl

Dr. Kristin Martin serves as the Director of Clinical Education in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program and holds the rank of Associate Professor in the School of Nursing. Dr. Martin focuses her energy on the program’s clinical education components, a commitment to clinical relationships, and securing clinical placements for students. Dr. Martin obtained additional credentials as a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) to further demonstrate her commitment to assuring that FranU’s FNP program provides the best and highest quality of clinical education possible. Dr. Martin obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana College in 1991, Master of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix in 2003, post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification from Louisiana State University in 2008, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University in 2014. While maintaining active memberships in the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Dr. Martin also continues to serve her community as a Family Nurse Practitioner at a clinic for the underserved in Ascension Parish.

Lindsay Mullins, PhD, FNP-BC, APRN

Dr. Lindsay Mullins serves as part-time faculty in the FNP program. Since August 2017, Dr. Mullins has served as the Sister Agnes Marie Fitzsimons Endowed Chair of Gerontology and teaches in our graduate nursing programs. She has held multiple faculty and director positions at FranU and served as the first director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program. As a practicing Family Nurse Practitioner, Dr. Mullins works with hospice patients in their homes.

Amber Poirrier, DNP, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Amber Poirrier serves as the Director of Clinical Education in the Nurse Anesthesia Program and holds the rank of Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing. Dr. Poirrier has been a faculty member since 2015 and a practicing nurse anesthetist since 2009. A graduate of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at FRANU (formerly Our Lady of the Lake College), Dr. Poirrier obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2019. Dr. Poirrier’s area of research interest is opioid-free anesthesia.

William Schreiter, PhD

Dr. William Schreiter serves as the Research Director and Assistant Professor for the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia Program. He completed his PhD in Chemistry from Louisiana State University in 2013. He is responsible for teaching Physical Science in Nurse Anesthesia and the research-related courses throughout the curriculum.

Albert Swafford, PhD

Dr. Albert (Bert) Swafford holds the rank of Associate Professor of Physiology and has been with the university since 2006. Dr. Swafford obtained his Master of Science in Physiology from the University of South Alabama in 1998 and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2003. Dr. Swafford was named the Didactic Instructor of the Year by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists in 2013. His research interests are mathematical modeling of physiological principles and (as a hobby) abstract algebra and number theory. Dr. Swafford teaches Advanced Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology I and II.

Lindsay Williams, DNP, CRNA, APRN

Dr. Lindsay Williams is a full-time faculty member in the Nurse Anesthesia Program. Dr. Williams received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in 2010, Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from FranU (formerly Our Lady of the Lake College) in 2015, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2022. Her doctoral research focused on pediatric opioid-free anesthesia. Dr. Williams is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She teaches various courses in the DNP program and continues to be a practicing CRNA in the Baton Rouge area.