Meet Our Nursing Leadership

Shirley Roth, RN, MSA, CHE
Chief Nursing Officer

LPN - Johnston School of Practical Nursing
AA - Nursing Essex Community College
BS - Nursing Johns Hopkins University
MSA - Central Michigan University

Shirley Roth brings a passion to the nursing department at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital with a proactive focus on providing top quality care to patients, while at the same time furthering the professional practice of nursing. She has over 30 years of progressive nursing and hospital administrative experience including a previous six years as associate director and director of nursing at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital with responsibilities for rehabilitation, renal and the medical surgical areas. She also brings years of executive staff experience to the hospital from her administrative positions at Fallston General, Huntington Hospital and Southern Maryland Hospital.

Shirley extends her commitment to the profession through her affiliations with the American College of Healthcare Executives, American Organization of Nurse Executives and the Maryland LPN Advisory Board. This work has also led her to being published in Case Studies in Trauma Nursing as well as numerous professional conference abstracts and presentations.

Kim Sylvester, RN, MS
Senior Director Patient Care Services

BSN - Mississippi State University
MSA - Central Michigan University


Kim Sylvester's previous experience in home healthcare and medical/surgical nursing has led her to a 25-year nursing career which now encompasses a senior role in providing top quality patient care to the patients of MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.

Kim is a certified by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology [BONENT] as a hemodialysis nurse [CHN], and is a member of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses Association [ANNA]. She has been recognized with appointments to the Kidney Commission Board as well as president and vice president positions with the Baltimore Chapter of the ANNA.

Kevin Platt, PT, MBA
Senior Director, Rehabilitation

BS in Physical Therapy - University of Scranton
MBA - Loyola University
Fellow Designate ACHE

Kevin has administrative responsibility for the 51-bed,
CARF-accredited Medical Rehabilitation Program at
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. He began his career over 20 years ago, working with patients with traumatic brain injury at REHAB Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. He went on to provide care in a variety of settings, including comprehensive outpatient, industrial rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics & sports medicine, home care, and post-acute services, and has held licenses in CA, CT, FL, HI, MA and PA.

Kevin joins MedStar Good Samaritan with vast experience in healthcare leadership and his competencies include: identifying and implementing best practices, directing for outcomes, building strong professional relationships, developing business plans and strategy, and navigating our ever-changing market and regulatory environments. He believes in clear communication, teamwork, accountability, honesty and integrity, and is committed to delivering services with the highest level of excellence, focused on our patients.

Kevin is a Fellow Designate of the American College of Healthcare Executives, and serves as Treasurer for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) of Maryland, and a Delegate to the APTA House of Delegates.

Stevie Battista, RN, BSN
Director of Clinical Informatics

RN - St. Joseph Hospital of Maryland
BSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Stevie has had a wide range of experience working in a variety of positions at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital for the last 32 years. During her first 28 years, she worked in the operating room as a scrub tech, circulating nurse, charge nurse and manager. Advancing in her career, Stevie worked as the Director of Perioperative services and most recently, for six years, she has worked as the Information and Materials Management Supervisor for Perioperative Services.

In January 2012, Stevie was promoted to Director of Clinical Informatics, marrying her passion for Nursing and Informatics. She is dedicated to improving patient care through the promotion and advancement of nursing practice and integration with computer and information science. She is a member of the MedStar Nursing Quality and Safety Council and ANIA and MDHIMSS.

Bridget Schall, RN, BSN, CNOR
Director, Perioperative Services

AA - Marymount University
BSN - University of Phoenix

Bridget has over 30 years of operating room experience including overseeing a large, 35-room OR.  She has experience working as a coordinator for cardiac surgery which included the development of a cardiac transplant program for OR.  She also served as a clinical educator with responsibility for the education and training for over 200 FTE's as well. Prior to coming to MedStar Good Samaritan, Bridget gathered a great deal of management experience serving as a Department Head for the OR at a sister MedStar hospital.

Bridget is a Certified Nurse, Operating Room [CNOR] and a member of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses [AORN].

Linda Carlson, RN, BSN
Director Emergency Department

BSN - Stevenson University
RN - Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing
Pediatric Internship - Columbia University

Linda Carlson has a broad nursing background that includes over 30 years of administrative experience in roles such as VP of professional services where she was responsible for risk management, infection control, radiology, respiratory therapy and emergency services.

Linda's ongoing commitment to the nursing profession continues through her membership in the ENA [Emergency Nurses Association].

Joanne Eich, RN, BC, MSN
Director Professional Development/Education

BSN - College of Notre Dame
MS - Applied Behavior Johns Hopkins University
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Joanne Eich brings a passion for nursing to her role at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital along with almost 30 years of experience, eight in professional development and education and over 20 in nursing management. Much of her work involves research projects including a CAPS Program between MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and Coppin State, Nursing Leadership Development through NNSDO [National Nursing Staff Development Organization] as well as participation in the Excellence in Nursing conference at Duke University.

Joanne holds certification in Staff Development from ANCC [American Nurses Credentialing Center]. She also holds membership in Sigma Theta Tau and Kappa Gamma Pi as well as NNSDO.

George Farley, RN, MS
Director Nursing Support Services

AD - Suffolk Community College
BSN - SUNY Stoneybrook
MS - SUNY Stoneybrook

George Farley has a broad nursing background with over 15 years of experience in nursing administration. His background includes service with the U.S. Air Force as an EMT and LPN. His service to his country continued with his work as an assistant nurse and head nurse for the Veterans Administration. His clinical experience also includes four years of psychiatry and geriatric practice as a clinical administrator at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

George has been honored by the Veterans Administration with their Performance Award and Certificate of Appreciation. He was also awarded the World Class Team distinction from Medstar Good Samaritan Hospital in 2008.

Nancy Hebert, RRT
Respiratory Services

AA - Baltimore City Community College

Nancy is a registered Respiratory Therapist and has over 25 years of experience in Respiratory Therapy. Her previous experience includes serving as a critical care respiratory therapist at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Nancy came to MedStar Good Samaritan in 1987 as a clinical therapist. She was promoted into a supervisory position in 1989 and worked closely with the Rehab Medicine Department to develop procedures and write policies to co-treat patients requiring mechanical ventilation in need of rehab. Nancy has been the Director for the Respiratory Care Department since 1995.  Her current job responsibilities include oversite of a Respiratory Therapy Department comprised of 45 Respiratory Therapists, Pulmonary Function Lab and Pulmonary Rehab program as well as a 4-bed Sleep Center accredited by the American Association of Sleep Medicine.

Barbara Kimsey, RN,MAS, CPHQ
Magnet Coordinator

RN - DePaul Hospital School of Nursing
BSN - College of Notre Dame
MAS - Johns Hopkins University

Barbara Kimsey heads the Magnet initiative at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital with a focus on quality care through measurement, risk management and accreditation standards. She brings to the position over 25 years of hospital and nursing administration experience. This experience predominantly lies in the areas of accreditation, quality and risk management. Her clinical specialties include critical care, hospice and long term care.

Barbara's holds certification as a Certified Professional Healthcare Quality [CPHQ] as well as membership in the National Association of Healthcare Quality. Barbara has also been honored with the president's award from the Health Facilities Association of Maryland. Barbara has presented quality, regulatory and risk management topics to Life Span Network and the Maryland Society for Healthcare Risk Managers.

Ruth Bertuzzi, RN, MSN
Patient Care Manager

AA - Nursing Harford Community College
BSN - Nursing College of Notre Dame
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Ruth Bertuzzi brings to her patient care role a broad nursing background including experience in medical/surgical, intensive care, PACU and infection control disciplines. Ruth continues her commitment to the profession with membership in the AACN [American Association of Critical Care Nurses]. 

She also holds certifications as a CMSRN awarded by the Academy of Medical Surgical Nursing. Because of her work, Ruth has been honored by Advance for Nurses with Best in Awards and Recognition in the Best Nursing Teams contest.

Barbara Buchanan, RN, BSN, CNOR
Patient Care Manager

Barbara Buchanan began her nursing career as a certified OR nurse before accepting a management role. This has included being involved in planning and opening a pre-admission testing unit, two ambulatory units, a PACU unit as well as a pain management area. 

Barbara maintains her commitment to the profession as a certified OR nurse through CNOR as well as her membership in the Association of Operating Room Nurses.

Princess Deal-Cook, RN, BSN
Patient Care Manager

AS - Biology El Paso Community College
AAN - Essex Community College
BSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Princess Deal-Cook counts 7 years of bedside clinician and charge nurse experience as part of her background in addition to roles as manager, chair and co-chair in units such as ICU/CCU. This includes serving as the Project Impact data coordinator, co-chair of ICU quality team, chair of unit education committee and member of the hospital Professional Practice Council.

In addition to certifications in ACLS and as a Project Impact data collector, Princess has held membership in Sigma Theta Tau and AACN. Her honors also include presentation of critical care excellence issues as part of AACN Futures.

Maureen Ryan, RN, BSN, CNOR

RN - Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
BSN - University of Phoenix

Maureen, more commonly known as Marty, has over 22 years of clinical and progressive management experience in the operating room. Marty started as a surgical technologist at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. She coordinated the neuro/spine surgery service prior to being promoted to Patient Care Manager. Marty joined MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in 2010 and accepted the position of patient care manager of the OR. Marty effectively and efficiently manages the day-to-day activity of a team of more than 100 staff members, 18 operating rooms and an endovascular suite.

Marty is a Certified Nurse, Operating Room (CNOR). She is a member of The Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) and The Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN).

Rae Fodel, RN, BSN
Emergency Department 

Nadja Muchow, MS, RN, CBN
5 West

BSN – South Dakota State University
MSN – University of Maryland

Nadja began her nursing career as an LPN and quickly went on to earn her BSN from South Dakota State University. She has diverse clinical experience in a variety of clinical settings including HIV, oncology, bariatrics and hospice. Nadja, a leader and a role model for her unit, takes pride in her staff. Her vision is to create an environment where nurses can advance in their careers and reach their full potential.

Linda Hawes, RN, BSN
Patient Care Manager

BSN - University of Delaware

Linda has spent her entire career her at MedStar Good Samaritan. Linda has held clinical positions in orthopedics, rheumatology and the ICU/CCU. She helped to open the cardiac catheterization lab in 1990 and was promoted to manager of cardiology services in 1996.

She has also managed our HCU [Heart Care Unit]. Linda has always taken an active role in the implementation of new technologies for her specialty both here and for MedStar Health. Linda has a passion for patient satisfaction and is a presenter for our Service University program.

BSN - University of Maryland
MS - University of Maryland

Carol recently joined MedStar Good Samaritan as the Patient Care Manager for 5 East. Carol received her BSN and her Master's degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Maryland. She brings more than 30 years of combined clinical and management experience in acute care to her position, focusing on quality patient care.

Her background includes both nursing and organizational initiatives surrounding recruitment and retention activities. Her work also includes mentoring and encouraging autonomy through unit-based governance activities.

Amy Keegan, RN, BSN, CEN
Patient Care Manager

BSN - Nursing, RN, CEN Salisbury State University
LPN - Eastern Vocational Technical High School

Amy Keegan started with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital as part of the transitional care unit and emergency department before moving onto her management role as patient care manager. She values her time in emergency care because it served as a great learning tool and developed the quick thinking needed for patient care.

Amy's Certified Emergency Nursing [CEN] certification displays her ongoing commitment to the profession and her patients. She also holds membership in the Emergency Nursing Association [ENA].

Jo Mitchell, RN, BSN
Patient Care Manager

BSN - University of Maryland

Jo Mitchell brings both extensive clinical and managerial experience to her role at MedStar Good Samaritan hospital. Jo's accomplishments include national and international presentations related to IV Therapy including phlebotomy, central lines, PICC lines, complications of IV Therapy and customer service.

Alan Pentz, RN, MSA
Patient Care Manager

AA - Harford Community College
BSN - College of Notre Dame
MS - Central Michigan University

Alan brings a variety of clinical experiences that range across the healthcare continuum. These include acute medical surgical, inpatient detox, geri-psych, long term care, and community outreach in TB preventive healthcare. His management experience reflects his clinical areas of expertise and also included responsibility for the emergency department, obstetrics, adult psych , nursing supervisors and float pool. Alan's combination of experience contributes to the effective management of our orthopaedic unit.

Ceci Pukacz, RN, BSN
Patient Care Manager

AA - Science Concentration Villa Julie
BSN, RN - Villa Julie

Ceci Pukacz has over 15 years of experience in nursing including 10 years in critical care and 5 years in patient care management. Her role at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital started with her work in the transitional care unit and continued as an emergency department nurse and then manager before taking a management position in the short stay unit. Her greatest satisfaction is seeing her critical thinking skills result in an improvement in a patient's condition right before her eyes.

In addition to her intensive patient care experience, she was recognized by Advance for Nurses magazine as the Nurse Leader of the Year in 2004.

Cathy Rossetti, RN, CMSRN
Patient Care Manager

RN - Church Home and Hospital        

Cathy has over 40 years of medical-surgical, critical care and transitional care experience, primarily in management. Cathy began her career at Church Hospital and functioned as a charge nurse, nurse manager and opened their first high-tech critical care unit. She also pioneered 12-hour shifts for staff.

Her past experiences contributed to her most recent management project at MedStar Good Samaritan - the opening of our newest state-of-the-art medical-surgical unit. Cathy participated in design and implementation activities and led her staff and patients in a successful move to O'Neill 4. Cathy holds certification as a CMSRN awarded by the Academy of Medical Surgical Nursing.

Rosine Castro, RN, BSN
Heart Care Unit

BSN - University of St. La Salle, Philippines

Rosine is an experienced nurse with a background in renal and oncology nursing.   Throughout her career, Rosine’s leadership skills and commitment to her healthcare team have led her to be highly recognized by her peers. Being well prepared as she stepped into the manager role on the Heart Care Unit, Rosine possesses years of valuable management experience as a charge nurse and patient care coordinator.

Carol Zeller, RN, MSN, CRRN
Patient Care Manager

BS - University of Maryland at Baltimore
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Alfredo Sagisi, RN, MS, Fellow Designate ACHE
Renal Dialysis

BSN - University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
MS Informatics – University of Maryland

Two years after graduating from a BSN program, Alfredo began his nursing career in New Jersey. He has many years of experience in, and dedication to, nursing while working as an emergency room nurse, nurse manager, assistant director of nursing at a rehab facility, clinical education specialist as well as informatics. He passed the Board of Governor Examinations from American College of Healthcare Executives [ACHE] and Green Belt certified in Six Sigma. In his current role of nurse manager of renal dialysis, he maintains his strong commitment to nursing with emphasis on safe, effective and efficient healthcare.

Kenny Barajas, RN, BSN, MSN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

RN - Mount Saint Mary College
MSN - Liberty University

Kenny brings over 21 years of clinical and management experience to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.   His clinical area of expertise is emergency nursing and trauma management. Kenny has a great passion for teaching and particularly enjoys teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support and emergency nursing procedures at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.

Kenny served in the U.S. Army for 21 years and earned a Bronze Star for combat service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Alexis Braxton RN, BSN
Education Specialist

BSN – University of Maryland

Energetic and outgoing, Alexis is excited to work as a nurse educator in the emergency department. Working as a staff and agency nurse for years, Alexis has had a wide range of experience in several emergency departments in the Baltimore and Anne Arundel areas.   Her skills as charge nurse and preceptor in the emergency department prepared her for her role as a nurse educator. She has also worked as a State of Maryland Certified Delegating Nurse and Case Manager, providing education and training for staff.

Joy Burke, RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

BSN - Towson University
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University        

Joy Burke has over 30 years of experience in nursing including 26 years of critical care experience. Her role at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital as clinical placement coordinator involves working directly with all of the nursing education pipeline programs in the staff development office. Joy also serves as one of the education specialists for the Short Stay Unit [SSU].

In addition to her nursing and education program experience, she is active as a member of AACN as well as a board member of the AACN Chesapeake Bay Chapter. She and Johanna Romero DeSlavy recently presented a poster titled "Mentoring is the Right Choice" at a national nursing conference for the National Nursing Staff Development Organization [NNSDO].

Melanie Colburn, RN, BA, DNC
Wound Care Specialist

BA - Psychology/Anthropology   University of Maryland
AS Nursing - Essex Community College
BSN Nursing - Notre Dame of Maryland University

With over 12 years of nursing experience as a medical/surgical, staff and charge nurse, Melanie has continued to add to her skills while serving as both a preceptor and mentor at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. Her role has also included serving as a member of the Professional Development Council. In addition, Melanie has served as the skin and wound specialist at GSH as an educator for nurses and patients.  Melanie also has experience as a staff nurse while working in a department of imaging at a nearby facility.

Melanie holds certifications with a number of organizations including Dermatology Nurse Certified, Jan Marini Skin Research and Physicians Care Alliance Skin and is a certified and licensed esthetician. She also holds membership in the Dermatology Nurses' Association and provides skin cancer screenings and education to the community for the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Joyce Falkenhan, RN, BSN
Stroke Coordinator

Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
BSN - Villa Julie College

Joyce is a nurse with over 30 years of experience including work in medical-surgical, neonatal intensive care [NICU], hemodialysis, PACU, home care nursing, school nurse for a special education secondary school as well as her current role as a CHF/Stroke Coordinator. Joyce is very active with the research council at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital as well as her role as a clinical nurse III.

Her certifications incude Medical-Surgical Nurse [ANCC], American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC] and Neuroscience Registered Nurse [ANCC]. She also holds membership in a number of professional organizations including UMH/VJC Alumni Association, American Nurses Association [ANA] and American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.

Daisy Fischer, RN, MSN, CPAN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nursing - St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing
BSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Daisy Fischer has over 30 years of experience in nursing, most of it in critical care units. Her path to becoming a nursing educator began with her work with the nursing education council, representing the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit [PACU].

Daisy is certified through CPAN and holds professional memberships in ASPAN, AACN and STTI. She was also given the distinction of "Nurse of the Year" at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in 2005.

Norma Flores, RN, MAN, CMSRN, CCRN
Education Specialist (CHF)

BSN - University of Santo Tomas
MA Nursing - University of Santo Tomas  

Norma Flores has a broad, 17-year nursing background in education, patient care and leadership. Her experience in nursing education includes holding a faculty member position at the University of Santo Tomas, as well as an adjunct faculty position at the Community College of Baltimore County.

Her patient care experience includes that of a staff nurse position both in medical-surgical and critical care areas at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. She has recently served as a patient care coordinator and manager for the Heart Care Unit [HCU] at MedStar Good Samaritan. She continues her passion for teaching as she moves to the Nursing Education Department with congestive heart failure as her speciality.

Norma continues her commitment to the profession with her certification in medical-surgical nursing [CMSRN] and in critical care nursing [CCRN].

Kathy Gnardellis, RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

BS Nursing - University of Maryland
MS Nursing - University of Maryland

Kathy has been a part of the MedStar Good Samaritan family for the past 11 years and is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Rehabilitation Nursing Services. A University of Maryland graduate for both her bachelors and Master of Science Degrees in Nursing, Kathy has over 33 years of nursing experience in the fields of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Rehabilitation, both inpatient and subacute.

She is the advisor for unit-based councils, past chair and member of the hospital-wide Nursing Research Council. Certified in Rehabilitation Nursing since 1992, she promotes specialty nursing certification and over 30% of the Rehab nursing staff is certified as a result. In addition, her special interests are Spinal Cord Injury, Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice.

Katherine Gundzik, RN, MSN, CCRN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist, Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing

Katherine works as a clinical nurse specialist at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and oversee unit education for O'Neill 3 and 5 West. The experience she brings to MedStar Good Samaritan includes care of patients' during post open heart surgery, critical care, post anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery setting as well as critical care educator.

Katherine's certifications include CCRN and ACLS and has served as a past president of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Her unique background also includes serving as a principal investigator for the research project titled The Derby Duo: An Exploratory, Descriptive Study of Hospital Staff's Knowledge and Attitudes about Research, which was completed at MedStar Good Samaritan in 2007. Her accomplishments also include the publication of an article in the May/June 2008 issue of Orthopaedic Nursing titled Nausea and Vomiting in the Ambulatory Surgical Setting.

Ivy Simmons, RN, BSN
Education/Education Specialist
Nursing Renal Services

BSN – Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Ivy has served as a registered nurse for the past 14 years in the Renal Department at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. Her roles have included staff nurse, charge nurse, preceptor/mentor and patient care manager. For the last four years, Ivy has served as the Renal Department’s Education Specialist.

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital not only has one of the largest  dialysis centers in the state, but also is an approved training facility by the Maryland Board of Nursing for the Certified Nursing Assistant Dialysis Technician Program. Ivy has been the acting Program Director and instructor at MedStar Good Samaritan for the last 4 years. Ivy is passionate about teaching and educating both staff and patients in regards to best patient care outcomes as they relate to End Stage Kidney Disease.

Ivy is also a member of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses Association.

Michele Pitt, BA, BSN, RN, CWOCN
Wound, Ostomy, Continence Specialist

BA Psychology - Notre Dame of Maryland University
BS Nursing - Coppin State University

Michele serves as the wound ostomy continence nurse at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and has been a valuable part of the MedStar Good Samaritan nursing staff for 8 years. Her past experience involves work in inpatient rehabilitation specializing in spinal cord injuries. More recently, Michele has been working with patients with wounds, and providing education to patients with a new ostomy.

Michele's long-term goals are to start a support group for new ostomates and ultimately help to open an outpatient ostomy clinic to assist patients make a smooth transition back to independence.

Johanna Romero-DeSlavy, RN, MSN, CRRN-BC
Clinical Nurse Specialist

BS - University of Maryland, Baltimore County
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Johanna Romero-DeSlavy brings 13 years of experience to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital including 11 years in an acute rehabilitation/medical-surgical unit. Her roles have included charge nurse, preceptor and mentor. In recent years, Johanna has become an education specialist and is now working with the Short Stay Unit [SSU]. She also serves as a nurse coach to all novice nurses. Her passion is teaching and educating others on how to best use the tools available to them.

Johanna holds certification in Certification in Rehabilitation Registered Nurses [CRRN] and Certification in Gerontology [BC]. She also holds membership in Association Rehabilitation Nurses [ARN].

Anita Sipes

RN - Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing

Anita Sipes brings 16 years of experience to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital including 13 years in home health care encompassing all areas of nursing.  Her role at MedStar Good Samaritan as a cardiac rehab RN involves working directly with all cardiologists performing stress testing and providing patients with education prior to all procedures.

Anita holds certification in Medical Surgical Nursing [CMSRN] and also holds membership in the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association [PCNA].

Yolanda Thornton, RN, MSN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

AAS - Monroe County Community College
BS - University of Rochester School of Nursing
MS - University of Rochester School of Nursing

Yolanda has 21 years of healthcare experience that she brings to her role as an educator with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.  Her nursing experience consist of a variety of roles including medical office assistant, surgical technician, medical/surgical staff nurse, operating room staff and travel nursing and family nurse practitioner.

Her role as clinical nurse specialist for perioperative services involves coordinating unit-based orientation and competencies for staff in the ASU, PACU and operating room.  Educational duties include coordinating the nursing fellowship program for novice nurses in the operating room.  She also coordinates clinical rotations for surgical technician students and nursing students in the perioperative areas.

Yolanda holds certification with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP]. She is also an active member of the Chesapeake Bay Perioperative Consortium.

Debbie Wagner, RN, BC, MSN, OCN
Clinical Nurse Specialist

BSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University
MA - Notre Dame of Maryland University
MSN - Notre Dame of Maryland University

Debbie Wagner has a variety of nursing experience that she brings to her role as an education specialist with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. Her experience includes a number of nursing positions including staff nurse and assistant head nurse as well as manager of medical/surgical oncology units. Her role as a nursing nursing educator involves coordinating monthly orientation for nursing staff and functioning as a nurse planner for MNA-approved activities at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. In addition to her education program responsibilities, she is co-chair of medication safety committee and coordinator for the glycemic task force and diabetes resource nurses.

Debbie is a certified oncology nurse and board certified in nursing staff development. She has also lectured on various topics including medical/surgical, medication safety and oncology.