Nursing Staff & Faculty
Prelicensure Nursing Program
Prof. Cecilia DeCotes MS, RN, CNE
Assistant Dean/Professor
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4464
Cecilia DeCotes is an alumna from both SUNY Sullivan and SUNY Delhi, where she first
received her Associates in Applies Science in nursing in 2000 and worked primarily
as an RN in a dialysis center. She later completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing
in 2013 and Master of Science in Nurse Education in 2017 at SUNY Delhi. Mrs. DeCotes
started teaching pre-licensure nursing students in 2017 at SUNY Sullivan and later
transferred to SUNY Delhi in Fall 2018. She has instructed Medical-Surgical, Lab,
and clinical courses for four years at SUNY Delhi before taking on her current position
as the Assistant Dean of the pre-licensure nursing program. Mrs. DeCotes enjoys spending
time outdoors, visiting family and friends, and traveling.
Prof. Brigid Finn-Maguire MS, RN
Professor of Nursing
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4471
Brigid has been a member of the SUNY Delhi Nursing faculty since 1997. Her nursing
education started at Utica College of Syracuse University where she obtained her BSN.
She then completed her Master’s degree in Community Health Nursing from SUNY Binghamton
in 1991. Prior to coming to SUNY Delhi Brigid worked as a Clinical Nurse specialist
in the Binghamton, and then the Capital District area of New York. Currently her
specialty in teaching includes Maternal Newborn nursing, teaching both the lecture
and clinical Maternity portion of the SUNY Delhi Nursing curriculum. She also teaches
general nursing principles in both the 1st year and 2nd year practicum lab courses.
Brigid is a long-time resident of Delaware County, residing in Walton NY. She enjoys
her work here at SUNY Delhi, teaching alongside a group of amazing dedicated faculty
and staff. Ultimately it is Brigid’s work with the students that has kept her dedicated
to SUNY Delhi, knowing that she is educating future nurses that are bound to change
the world.
Prof. Jennifer Gerster MS, RN
Assistant Professor
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4809
Jennifer Gerster, MSN, RN, is an Assistant Professor in the Nursing Program at SUNY
Delhi, where she has been teaching since 2017. She also works at Oneonta Specialty Services,
a department of the Bassett Healthcare Network, in the Ambulatory Care Unit. She
earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from SUNY Delhi and brings valuable
clinical experience in medical-surgical and perioperative nursing to her role. Professor
Gerster teaches medical-surgical nursing and nursing laboratory courses and serves
as the coordinator of Simulation Center activities. Her teaching focuses on promoting
patient safety and the development of clinical judgment, with an emphasis on bridging
theory to practice. She is dedicated to preparing nursing students for the complexities
of real-world healthcare through engaging, evidence-based, and experiential learning
approaches.
Maja Krzyston MSN, RN
Program Director, Nursing
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4485
Maja Krzyston is the Program Director of the Associate Degree Nursing program at SUNY
Delhi. She earned an MSN in Nursing Education from SUNY Poly and an MSN in Nursing
Administration from SUNY Delhi. With extensive clinical experience in medical-surgical
nursing, staff development, and clinical education, she teaches both fundamental and
contemporary nursing courses. She leads the program with a focus on patient safety,
clinical judgment, health equity, advocacy, and social justice to prepare nurses for
the demands of today’s healthcare environment.
Prof. Valerie H. Maddalone, MS, FNP-C, BSN, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4487
Valerie Maddalone has been teaching at SUNY Delhi since Fall 2018. She received her
BSN from Binghamton University in 2010 and MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner from
Binghamton University in 2013. She most recently completed her MSN in Nursing Education
at SUNY Delhi in 2022. She is currently teaching in-person Nursing I and Nursing II courses at SUNY Delhi and nursing clinical courses
on campus and in regional long-term and acute care settings. Mrs. Maddalone also works
as a family nurse practitioner at Bassett Healthcare as the clinician in the Cancer Treatment Center. She focuses primarily in cancer screening, treatment and cancer survivorship. In her spare time, Mrs. Maddalone enjoys travelling and spending time with her two young children and family.
Kelley J. Quarino
Practicum Assistant
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciences
607-746-4819
Kelley Quarino has been an Instructional Support Technician at SUNY Delhi since 2015.
She came to Delhi with over 12 years’ experience in the financial sector, managing
operations and staff for over 15 different locations for a financial institution.
She works between both the Pre-Licensure and BSN/MSN programs, assisting the on-ground
faculty in the nursing labs and the online practicum coordinators with student’s health
and preceptor requirements. She is also a registered New York State notary public.
BSN program
Prof. Rebecca Norman-Eck
Professor
School of Nursing and Arts and Sciences (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
607-746-4816
Professor Eck earned a BA in Psychology from Western Connecticut State University,
a BSN from the University of South Carolina, and an MSN from Duke University. Joining
SUNY Delhi in 2010, she was formerly faculty at Midlands Technical College in Columbia,
SC for over 10 years and remains there as a clinical adjunct.
Professor Eck has extensive nursing experience in high-risk antepartum obstetrics,
forensics, psychiatry, and many years as a nurse educator. Her scholarship expertise
includes forensic nursing and educational best practice interventions for transitioning
nursing students to the online learning environment, and is an international speaker
in forensic nursing and a national speaker on nursing education topics.
Prof. Professor Elizabeth Pratt
Associate Professor
School of Nursing and Arts and Sciences (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
607-746-4804
Elizabeth Pratt earned a BSN from Grambling State University in 1993 and an MSN from
Walden University in 2007. Professor Pratt joined SUNY Delhi in 2009 after serving
as a faculty member at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR for over 9 years.
Professor Pratt has many years of experience in obstetrical and neonatal nursing, camp nursing, and as a nurse educator. Her certifications include Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing (since 2013) and Registered Nurse Certified-OB (Inpatient Obstetric Nurse) through the National Certification Corporation (since 1995). Professional memberships include American Nurses Association, National League for Nursing, and Sigma International including the Chi Tau at-Large Chapter founded at SUNY Delhi. She is a national speaker on nursing education topics, a contributing author for numerous texts and NCLEX review guides, and has served as a panel member for the National Council States Boards of Nursing RN Item Writing for the NCLEX exam.
MS in Nursing/ BSN
Dr. Beth Boyd
Associate Professor
Online Faculty
Dr. Beth Boyd is an Associate Professor of Nursing. She teaches in both the RN-to-BSN
and MS Administration programs at SUNY Delhi. She received her doctoral degree from
Quinnipiac University (Leadership Track), MSN from the University of Hartford (Education
Track), BSN from Fairfield University and is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through
the National League of Nursing (NLN). Dr. Boyd is a practitioner-educator with experience
as an Administrative Manager/Educator in acute care, Director of Simulation as well
as teaching both on campus and online. She has published as well as provided presentations
and poster exhibitions. Dr. Boyd has received the Jane E. Murdock CT Life-Long Learning
Excellence in Nursing Award and the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. She
is a member of the CT Honor Guard of Nursing. Dr. Boyd is passionate about the profession
of nursing.
Dr. Barbara Ann D’Anna
Professor
School of Nursing and Arts and Sciences (Virtual, RN-to-BSN and MS in Nursing Programs)
843-836-1160
Dr. D’Anna has been full-time faculty since 2009 teaching in the RN-BSN and MS Administration
programs. Her degrees are from Wagner College (BSN), The Catholic University of America
(MSN), and Regent University (DSL). Dr. D’Anna has been a nurse for over 40 years.
Her clinical background is in the care of adults with a specialty in peri-operative
nursing to include first assisting. In addition to faculty, she has held the position
of clinician, consultant, and nurse executive. Her research interests include adaptive
and maladaptive perfectionism as it relates to leadership and the perceptions of leadership
roles and competencies.
Dr. Kirsty Digger
Professor
School of Nursing and Arts and Sciences (Virtual, MS in Nursing Programs)
607-746-4817
Dr. Kirsty Digger has been teaching for the SUNY system for 20 years, the last 12
of those at SUNY Delhi. She earned her Doctorate in Nursing Science from the Sage
Colleges in Albany in 2012. Dr. Digger teaches with the graduate nursing program,
preparing students for roles in nursing education. In addition to her teaching, Dr.
Digger is a family nurse practitioner who works in the urgent care setting. Research
interests focus on integrating technology into nursing education. She has been the
recipient of several grants for technology-based research, and has presented on this
topic at numerous nursing and education conferences across the United States. When
not teaching or seeing patients, Dr. Digger spends her time on numerous outdoor pursuits
in the mountains of Colorado.
Dr. Cheryle Levitt
Associate Dean, Professor
School of Nursing, Arts, and Sciences (Virtual, RN-to-BS and MS in Nursing programs)
215-687-4716
Cheryle Levitt is the Associate Dean and a Professor in the online RN-to-BSN and MS
in Nursing programs. Online nursing education has been her passion for over 25 years,
ad she is dedicated to high-quality learning, innovation, and student success. She
earned her BSN from Temple U, MSN from Villanova U, and PhD from Duquesne U. Dr. Levitt
joined Delhi’s faculty in 2008 when the RN-BSN online program began, has developed
and taught many courses in both BSN and MS in Nursing programs, and co-developed the
MS in Nursing Education program. She was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for
Faculty Service in 2015.
Dr. Levitt has been a nurse for40+ years, with many years of clinical experience in
pediatrics, neonatal ICU, and community health. Research interests are in maternal-child
health, online pedagogy, technology in learning, program assessment, and she has received
grants and conducted funded research. Dr. Levitt has published, presented at numerous
international and national conferences, is an accreditation site visitor, and reviews
manuscripts for numerous nursing and healthcare journals.
Dr. Jamie Murphy
Associate Professor
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, MS in Nursing Programs)
607-746-4808
Dr. Murphy is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing teaching in the Nursing
Education track of their graduate program. Her academic focus includes Development
of the Nurse Educator Role, Global Health, and Rural Health. She earned her master’s
degree in nursing education from SUNY Poly and her PhD in Rural Nursing from Binghamton
University. She has an extensive background in the areas of nursing education, community
and population health, psychiatric nursing and has held ANCC certification in Psychiatric
Nursing.
In addition to being an Open SUNY fellow, Dr. Murphy authored an open textbook, Transitions
to Professional Nursing Practice, for Delhi’s online RN-to-BSN program. She is the
recipient of the 2021 MERLOT Classics Award for Exemplary Online Learning Resources,
holds a certificate in Creative Commons licensing, and is the open education resource
liaison for SUNY Delhi’s Nursing programs. Research interests include investigation
of the learning gains with open textbooks, the use of 3D video technology in online
education, student and faculty perspectives of teaching and learning during the pandemic
and heart failure readmission in the home health setting. She has presented her research
at national conferences and SUNY webinars.
Dr. Nancy Winters
Professor
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, RN-to-BSN and MS in Nursing Programs)
607-746-4813
Dr. Winters has been teaching at SUNY Delhi since Fall 2016. She received her PhD
in Nursing Education from Adelphi University in 2012. She has been a Registered Nurse
for 20+ years and holds certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Winters
has been nominated for the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching and for
Excellence in Scholarship. Nancy’s overall teaching philosophy is based on the belief
that learning needs to be student-centered and that facilitators of learning must
show true presence. Of utmost importance to Dr. Winters is the facilitation of activities
which are student-centered and promote a learning environment which is both structured
and conductive to learning.
Adjunct Faculty
Prof. Tammy Chandler
School of Nursing, Arts, and Sciences (Virtual, RN-BSN program)
607-746-4806
Professor Chandler is an Assistant Professor in the RN to BSN program teaching part-time
since Spring, 2020. I am a graduate of SUNY Delhi’s RN-to-BSN program and proud to
have been in the first graduating class of SUNY Delhi’s Masters in Nursing Education.
My courses include Healthcare Ethics, Teaching and Learning in Nursing and Healthcare,
and Health Assessment.
I co-authored Meeting AACN’s Essentials for Competency-Based Education with Hands-Free
Video Recorded Skills Assessment and was recently published with Teaching Online Pedagogical
Repository on Creating Weekly Introduction Videos to Facilitate Successful Navigation
of Course. Volunteer efforts include medical missions in Belize, Bolivia, and Florida.
I enjoy travel, scuba diving, gardening both in NY and Florida, and photography, especially
birds and blooms.
Prof. Jami Everett
Adjunct Faculty
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
607-746-4000
Jami is a two-time alumnus of Suny Delhi’s Nursing Programs, including a BSN and an
MS in Nursing Education. She has vast medical experience working within multiple departments
at her local hospitals. Jami has also worked in long-term care as an Inservice Coordinator,
Infection Control Nurse, Wound Nurse, and in Employee Health. Currently, she is also
working as a Procedure RN in an Endoscopy Suite. She enjoys spending time with her
family, which includes another Delhi alumni, and caring for several pets.
Prof. Emily O’Hern
Adjunct Faculty
School of Nursing, Arts, and Sciences (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
607-832-7987
Emily grew up in Syracuse, NY where she attended St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and
immediately joined the work force as a bedside nurse in the trauma ICU. Twelve years
later she attended SUNY Brockport for my BSN and SUNY Delhi for my MS in Nursing Education.
In addition to being an adjunct professor at Delhi, she also works full time at SUNY
Upstate Medical University as a cardiac device clinic coordinator in outpatient cardiology.
She enjoys teaching Ethics in Healthcare and is active on Upstate’s Ethics Committee,
as well as the Heart Rhythm Society’s Ethics Committee.
In her spare time she enjoys attending her children’s activities and school events,
gardening, camping, and spoiling the family dogs.
Prof. Landa Palmer
Adjunct Faculty
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
845-746-5516
Landa Palmer, RN, MSN, CEN is an Online Adjunct Professor for the RN-to-BSN program,
where she has taught since 2014, after teaching in the Associate Degree program since
2010. She obtained her Master of Science, Nursing-Education, SUNY Institute of Technology;
BSN from Keuka College; and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League
of Nursing (NLN). Her experiences in nursing include Intensive Care Nursing, Hospice
and Palliative Care Nursing, and roles in nursing leadership. She has published and
presented research and is a Facilitator for Lumen Learning, leading other educators
in Belonging and Inclusive Teaching educational practices.
Prof. Linda Siegrist
Adjunct Faculty
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
Linda Siegrist received her associate’s degree from Cypress College in California,
her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University in North Carolina and her master’s
degree in nursing from College Misericordia in Pennsylvania. She has been an adjunct
instructor with SUNY Delhi for the past 6 years teaching in the online RN- to-BSN
program. Linda has worked in a variety of locations as well as a variety of clinical
areas including medical surgical nursing, obstetrical nursing, Intensive care nursing,
emergency nursing, occupational health nursing, home health nursing and camp nursing
for a YMCA camp in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.
After retirement from Passaic County Community College in NJ, where she taught in
a face-to-face environment for 25 years, Linda relocated to Colorado where there are
many opportunities for adventure including hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, and pickleball.
Dr. Susan Siebold-Simpson
Adjunct Faculty
College of Health, Liberal Arts & Sciencess (Virtual, RN-to-BSN Program)
607-759-3755
Dr. Seibold-Simpson earned her BS, Major in Nursing (1983) and MS, Major in Family
Nursing (1988) from Binghamton University, her Master's in Public Health from SUNY
Albany (2010), and her PhD in Health Practice Research from the University of Rochester
School of Nursing (2009). She has been a family nurse practitioner for 35 years and
currently focuses on sexual and reproductive healthcare. She has been a nursing faculty
member at Binghamton University, SUNY Polytechnic, and SUNY Broome Community College,
where she was also the chair of the Nursing Department.
Dr. Seibold-Simpson's research area is sexual and reproductive health and nursing
education. She is a site visitor for the Accreditation Commission for Education in
Nursing (ACEN), serves on the editorial board of Teaching and Learning in Nursing,
and as the part-time Research Specialist for the Center of Nursing Research located
at the Center for Nursing at the Foundation of New York State Nurses, Inc.