Faculty

Full Time Faculty

Lora Cruz, R.N., B.S.N., R.N.C. - Ms. Cruz was appointed to the faculty in the fall of 2003 as an instructor of nursing. She is the primary instructor in Nursing 115, Disruptions in Mental Health, and a co-instructor in Nursing 100, Fundamentals of Nursing. She received the Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV. and is currently enrolled in the MSN program at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. She has ten years experience in adult mental health nursing and has certified in Psychiatric and Adult Mental Health Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Ms. Cruz is a member of the American Nurses' Association, the West Virginia Nurses' Association, the National League for Nursing, the West Virginia League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau.
Email: cruzl@davisandelkins.edu

Melissa DeWeese, R.N., M.S.N., C.F.N.P. - Ms DeWeese was appointed to the faculty beginning in the fall of 2004 as an assistant professor. She is co-teaching in Nursing 203, Disruptions in Health I and Nursing 206, Disruptions in Health II. She received both the Associate Degree in Nursing and the bachelor of science degree in nursing from Bluefied State College in Bluefield, WV. She earned the Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Radford University in Radford, VA. She has seven years clinical experience as a registered nurse in critical care. She is certified in Advance Cardiac Life Support and Intravenous Conscious Sedation. Ms. DeWeese is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, a member of National League for Nursing, West Virginia League for Nursing, American Nursing Association, and West Virginia Nurses Association.
Email: deweesem@davisandelkins.edu

Denice Reese, R.N., M.S.N., C-P.N.P. - Ms. Reese joined the nursing faculty in the fall of 2003 as an associate professor. She is the primary instructor in Nursing 205, Nursing of Children, Health 110, Introduction to Pharmacology, and she also teaches in Nursing 115, Disruptions in Mental Health. She has earned two bachelor's degrees, one in biology and one in nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. She holds the Master of Science Degree in Nursing also from Case Western Reserve University. Her area of focus was in pediatric nursing and she is certified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner by the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses. Ms. Reese is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, National League for Nursing, and the National Association of School Nurses.
Email: reesed@davisandelkins.edu

Karen Seel, R.N., B.S.N. Mrs. Seel joined the Department of Nursing as an adjunct instructor in 2003. She became a full-time faculty member in the spring of 2007. She teaches Nursing 203: Medical Surgical Nursing I, Nursing 206: Medical Surgical Nursing II, and Nursing 113: Medical Terminology. Karen received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, and is currently enrolled in the MSN program at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Her area of focus is Emergency Nursing and Oncology Nursing. Karen is currently working in the Emergency Department at Davis Memorial Hospital as well as being a staff nurse in their Family Birthing Center. She holds and has held certifications in Emergency Nursing, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation, Oncology Nursing, Trauma Nursing, and Basic Life Support. She is a member of ENA (Emergency Nursing Association) and WVNA (West Virginia Nurses Association). Karen and her husband are the parents of three children.
Email: seelk@davisandelkins.edu

Christina Swecker, R.N., M.S.N., N.H.D. Dr. Swecker became a member of the nursing faculty in 1992 and is an assistant professor. She is currently teaching in N103 - Maternity Nursing and N205: Nursing of Children. She also teaches N107: Nutrition. She holds the bachelor's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV and the master's from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Her major area of expertise is maternity nursing where the majority of her clinical experience has taken place. Her master's is in advanced community health with a focus in maternity nursing. Her thesis and research were in the area of high risk pregnancy. She maintains clinical expertise through part-time clinical practice at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV. She received an on-line doctorate in Natural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health. Dr. Swecker is tenured and holds the rank of Associate Professor.
Email: sweckerc@davisandelkins.edu

Adjunct Faculty:
Donielle Teter

Carol Straley

Jackie Turner

Earlene England