Tampa Campus: Lisa Flanagan, Instructor (LPN Program)

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?

I absolutely love listening to music! To pick just one song is really hard for me because during my free time I am always listening to music. Currently, it would have to be, “Compass” by Lady Antebellum.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?

Mother Teresa. Her compassion for all living things, her acknowledgment of our human struggles and her belief in the power of a smile is incredibly simple and motivating.

If you could witness any event in human history – past, present or future – what would it be?

World Peace – Harmony among all people and the wisdom to agree to disagree.

Who or what influenced you to become a nurse?

Between my love of biology and the human spirit, it became a natural choice. My desire to motivate, support and assist patients has been something I cherish.

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?

If you would poll my family and friends, they would laugh and want to give you an example when I didn’t cry! I am the one crying at Hallmark commercials, Disney movies, emotional songs, graduations, weddings, and funerals. A recent book for my book club that made me cry was called, “The Husband Secret” by Liane Moriarty.

MORE ABOUT LISA:  Lisa Flanagan is an Instructor in the LPN Program at Galen College of Nursing. Flanagan graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. She has been with Galen College of Nursing since 2005 and has taught clinical, theory and lab at the College. Her passion is teaching in the Clinical Learning Lab. Flanagan’s background consists of hospital oncology early in her career. The majority of her career has been working in outpatient dialysis centers doing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and apheresis. Additionally, she has been a patient educator. In her free time, Flanagan enjoys gardening, growing orchids, yoga classes, mosaics, reading, traveling and maximizing time with family and friends.

 

Cincinnati Campus:  Steven Tankersley, Instructor (Anatomy & Physiology)

Do you have any pets?

We have a Golden Retriever named Trilogy, to carry on after his Sire name, Elvis. Elvis still holds the United States record for jumping off a deck into a swimming pool and has even appeared on the David Letterman Show! (Claim to fame!) Although Trilogy himself was unable to compete, he remains our very loyal, very large (125 pounds!) family lap dog.

Describe a medical experience that challenged you, and how you overcame it.

I was a Medic for over 15 years and during that time I delivered three babies. The first one was actually the toughest because the mother was involved in an auto accident and the car she was in was lying on its side. The mother was crowning, and her water had broken, all the while she was seat belted in hanging in mid-air. I had to break through a side window, lowered the mother to a supine position and deliver the baby girl while the mother was entrapped in the car.

Luckily, both mother and child were fine and transported safely to the hospital. They were so grateful that they named their daughter Stephanie, after me.

Most trusted stain remover for scrubs?

I have two! For blood stains, I have always found soaking it in Hydrogen Peroxide for about five minutes works great. For other bodily fluids, I recommend using about a tablespoon of TSP,  Tri-Sodium Phosphate. It works well in a load of laundry, and you can get TSP at any hardware store.

The best part of waking up is …?

The best part of waking up is to get my girls up and get them ready for school. I make their lunches every morning and see them onto the bus.

Favorite TV show?

I actually have two of them  I am into vintage objects and I restore old farmhouses to their original form. (Our current house is 113-year-old Victorian.) So, because of that, I like “American Pickers.” “Ghost Hunters” is also a favorite since we have paranormal activity [in our house] on a daily basis.

EDITOR’S NOTE: While the jury is still out on the paranormal stuff – Share this post if you think we should rally to feature Steven’s home on the Ghost Hunters TV show! 

MORE ABOUT STEPHEN: Stephen teaches Anatomy & Physiology Lecture and Lab at Galen College of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, while working full-time as a Public Safety Officer where he performed the duties of a police officer, firefighter, and paramedic. Â Stephen continued his graduate education at Wright State University School of Medicine, earning a master’s degree in Anatomy and Physiology. He brings to Galen over 15 years of teaching experience and has instructed physicians, medical students, nursing students, and medical assistants. In addition, he has a great deal of clinical experience working in surgery, emergency, and as a Coroner’s investigator. Stephen’s hobbies are cycling, coaching and flying.

 

Louisville Campus:  Buffy Simpson, Instructor (PN Day & Evening) 

What’s your best advice for new nursing students?

It’s important to learn how to learn, and it’s OK if you do not get everything perfect. You are learning, and that is expected.

Favorite instructor when YOU were a nursing student? Why?

My favorite nursing instructor was Dr. Carla Hermann.  She taught Medical/Surgical at a level that everyone could understand.  Her passion for teaching was evident with how she could take a subject that might appear to a student as “boring” and make learning fun  She was able to break the material down for students to comprehend.

Are you a Chef Extraordinaire, or a Take-Out Expert?

I would say I might be a little of both. I love to cook, but they are not meals that Chef Emeril would particularly prefer! I do enjoy picking up take-out once in a while to help with time constraints.

Typical response after you tell someone you’re a nurse?

Oh, my (daughter/grandmother/ wife) is also a nurse.

MORE ABOUT BUFFY: Buffy Simpson is a faculty member in the PN Day and Evening programs, has taught for Galen for over five years.  She received her BSN from the University of Louisville in 1992 and her MSN from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014. Her nursing specialty area is critical care with experience in many types of ICUs, such as neurological, transplants, Medical-Surgical with an emphasis in cardiac, and has over 20 years of experience.  She currently works PRN in the pre-operative and post-operative specialty departments for Jewish Hospital.  She is a proud member of the Kentucky League for Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.

San Antonio Campus: Daniel Lovasz, Instructor (ASN Program)

Biggest pet peeve?

Ordering food in the drive-thru. They always ask me 100 questions, when all I want is a combo meal.

What is the greatest reward you find in your nursing career?

Receiving text messages from my graduates like, “I just passed my NCLEX, I am so happy. Or, “Thank you for all your help, I’m now an RN.”

Guiltiest pleasure?

Cheesecake at Cheese Cake Factory! Also – I must always get the newest iPhone on the release date.

The most valuable piece of nursing advice you have received from a peer or instructor?

Early on in my teaching years, an AS Director told me not to be afraid to say to students, “I don’t know.” It invites further discussion and group learning.

Last city you visited?

San Francisco.

MORE ABOUT DANIEL:  Born in Romania and immigrated to the US in 1996, Daniel enjoys teaching and finds it very rewarding.  He is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and his hobbies include skiing, fishing, hiking, and statistics. He is married (to a psychiatrist) with three children, is a Major in the US Army Reserves, has a dog (Duchess), and a cat (Rocky).  Daniel holds a Doctorate in Health Administration/Ph.D. and has experience as an educator of various subjects including Pharmacology, Community Health, Behavioral Health, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Foundations of Nursing, Physiological Psychology and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing.  Daniel has also has served as the Chair of CSU Institutional Review Board for effective evaluation and approval of research studies. He is currently an RN to BSN Instructor for Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio, Texas.