Alumni Notes
2002 - 2006
Lynn S. Sanders (B.S., Nursing, 2006), now a registered nurse and oncology certified nurse, has been promoted to clinician at Northside Hospital in Atlanta in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.
Cathy Carswell (B.S., Nutrition, 2003) received a Masters in Education of Occupational Studies (MEd) in December from the University of Georgia. She is currently employed as an assistant manager for the Ivy Creek Elementary Nutrition Department.
Deborah J. Clark (Ph.D., Nursing, 2003) recently joined Clayton College & State University in Morrow as an associate professor and associate dean of nursing. Clark focuses her studies in gerontological nursing and technology, having done extensive research on the ICONS web system.
Kelli O’Neil (M.S., Nutrition, 2003) had the results of her master’s thesis published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The article, entitled “Quality of Life and Diabetes Knowledge of Young Persons with Type 1 Diabetes,” was co-written with faculty members of the Nutrition Department.
New! David Orozco (M.S., Nutrition, 2005) has been elected as the Georgia representative to the American Dietetic Associa¬tion House of Delegates, the governing body of the American Dietetic Association.
1996 - 2001
Wesley Belizaire (B.S., Nursing, 2001), a regional manager and trainer for Belizaire and Associates, is collaborating with a local company which specializes in helping people supplement or replace lost incomes due to sickness or injury. Mr. Belizaire has worked with the company for close to two years.
Brent Robinson (M.S., Nursing, 2001) was named Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Services in the DeKalb Regional Health System – holding jurisdiction over the DeKalb Medical Center, Decatur Hospital, and a new hospital at Hillendale scheduled to open in the summer. Mr. Robinson previously served as the Director of Medical Services at DeKalb Medical Center.
Cedric Johnson (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1999) is the Aviation Security Manager for the Port of Oakland, Calif. where he manages and oversees all Oakland International Airport security activities and develops action plans in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations to maintain public safety and security of the airport.
Magon Mbadugha (M.S., Nutrition, 1998) was recently elected as the National Chairperson of the Chronic Disease Directors Diabetes Council. The group consists of all workers and researchers working in state and territorial agencies on CDC Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs.
New! Joel Rush (M.S., Nutrition, 1996) has been employed with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2007 as a senior clinical dietitian. He recently became a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition.
Bethany Smith (Dietetic Intern, Nutrition, 1998) is the current president of the Georgia Dietetic Association, the state branch of the American Dietetic Association, which serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.
Rhonda A. Scott, RN (Ph.D., Nursing, 1997) has been appointed to the National Advisory Council on Education and Practice for a four-year term. Scott, who is the chief nursing officer and senior vice president of patient care at Grady Health System in Atlanta, was selected by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt.
1985 - 1995
Sharrod Shah (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1995) received his M.B.A. at Troy State University in 2002. He is presently Security Manager with Atlanta Fulton Public Library.
Karen D. Parks (B.S., Nursing, 1994) continues to practice at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, where recently she has been promoted to Assistant Unit Manager of the Outpatient Services Department.
New! Kathryn Grams (Ph.D., Nursing, 1993) has been named as the first dean of the new University of West Georgia School of Nursing. Grams previously served as department chair in West Georgia’s nursing program.
Ann Grediagin (MS, Nutrition, 1992) was recently promoted to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army, in which she is Director of the Military Dietetic Internship/MS
Program. Her master’s degree from Georgia State University provided necessary foundation for her to earn a Ph.D. in nutrition and exercise from Oregon State University. Grediagin states that, soldiers, like athletes, perform physically demanding tasks creating the need for proper nutrition to achieve high levels of performance.
DeeAnna Merz Nagel (B.S., Mental Health, 1992) is currently the president and CEO of Merz Consulting, Inc. She is also the president-elect of the International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO), and will serve as president of the organization in 2005. ISMHO works to increase education and awareness of the public health field among students, teachers, and professionals.
Delynn “Dee” Heberlein Keeton (B.S., Nursing, 1988) was recently appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to serve on the Georgia Board of Nursing. In addition to her new duties, Ms. Keeton also holds the position of Director of Risk Management at the DeKalb Medical Center.
Ann Wilborn Jackson (B.S., Physical Therapy, 1987) recently completed a transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Rosalind Franklin University. She is a program developer and researcher in the rehabilitation department at the LaRabida Children’s Hospital and also has a private practice.
Julius R. Lockett (B.S., M.S., Criminal Justice, 1986) recently published Urban Essentials 101: A Handbook for Understanding and Unleashing Academic Potential in Urban Underperforming Schools (AuthorHouse 2006). Lockett received California teaching credentials in 1997 and has been Dean of Students at Gompers High School in San Diego for the past four years.
New! Judge Penny Brown Reynolds (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1991) has given up her seat on the Fulton County State Court to become the latest television court judge. Reynolds appears on “Family Court with Judge Penny” which airs on WUPA in Atlanta. Reynolds, who held her post on the Fulton County bench for eight years, was appointed by former Governor Roy Barnes and was the first female and African-American on the bench.
Maranah A. Sauter (M.S., Nursing, 1986) is an official volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross. Sauter, who is a professor of nursing and chair of the Division of Professional Programs at LaGrange College, is also chair of the Americorp/CareLink Advisory Board of LaGrange/Troup County.
New! Linda Scott (B.S., Nursing, 1985) has been named the Chief Operating Officer of the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc., an independent, non-profit accrediting body for community-based health care organizations in the United States. Until this appointment, Scott was Vice President and General Manager for Professional Healthcare Resources, Inc., a Virginia-based regional home health, hospice, and private duty services organization.
1980 - 1984
New! Judge Gregory A. Adams (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1981) has been elected chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Insti¬tute of Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia. The Institute provides training each year to over 3,000 elected officials, court support personnel, and volunteer agents of the State of Georgia’s judicial branch. Adams is a Superior Court Judge in DeKalb County.
In addition, Judge Adams recently received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Board of Directors of Leader¬ship DeKalb. The award recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions for the betterment of their com¬munities. Judge Adams is a 1990 graduate of Leadership DeKalb.
New! L. Gale Buckner (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1981) has been elected Chairperson of the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. Buckner, who received a unanimous vote from her fellow board members, was originally appointed in January 2005 by Governor Sonny Perdue. She has served as the vice chair of the board for the past two years. Parole board mem¬bers are responsible for determining which prison inmates are ready to be transitioned back into the community.
1975 - 1979
New! Janet Duff Childs (A.S., Nursing, 1978) is a family nurse practitioner (FNP) with the Alexian Brothers Medical Center.