Dr. Louise Pitts, Ed.D., MSN, ARNP

Dean of Health Sciences

I started my career at Valencia in January 1987 as nursing faculty teaching Mental Health Nursing.  I have had the wonderful opportunity to work in various positions at the college, in addition to my faculty position.  Prior to my becoming Dean of Health Sciences I served as Interim Assistant Vice-President, Curriculum and Articulation; Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs; and, Special Assistant for the Learning Centered College.  It has been my joy and privilege to return to the Health Sciences area as the dean.  Before joining Valencia as a faculty member I taught nine years in the nursing program at Jefferson State Community College and one year in the nursing program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama.

My academic career began at Florida State University where I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  I received my Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and my Educational Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. I am registered in Florida as an ARNP in psychiatric nursing and my specialty area is in the geriatric area.

My husband is also an ARNP who works in geriatric psychiatry in various long term care facilities in the Orlando area.  In addition, he loves to work on his Internet Radio website providing information to the public about how to care for aging persons with memory and behavior problems.  We have two daughters, two son-in-laws, and one grandson. 

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, ringing in a hand-bell choir, reading, and swimming and relaxing in my own back yard.

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Darlene Powers, BA in Education

Administrative Assistant to Dean/

Office Supervisor

Darlene brings over 35 years of executive administrative support to the department.  She received her BA in Education in November 1969.  Darlene joined the division in 1998 and has lead the support staff in providing for the smooth operation of the division which includes the dean, 52 full time faculty, and 109 adjunct faculty and over 1400 students.  This support also includes the administration of outside contracts of clinical sites, provide procedural guidance for students injured in the clinical setting, keep a record of required immunization records and licenses for faculty, provide direction in completing adjunct hiring packages,  following up on credentialing in addition to maintaining documents necessary for program accreditation.

Darlene has served on the following college committees:

• West Campus Career Council
• West Campus Career Council Co-chair
• Collegewide Career Staff Council 
• Collegewide Planning Council
• Communication Task Force for Strategic Planning
• Push for Pencils drive for Gift for Teaching
• Participated in the West Campus Culture of Service Team. 
• Awarded Career Service Award 2002

Barbara Rizzo, A.S. in Business

Administrative Assistant, Allied Health

Barbara brings a wealth of business experience to the Health Science office in her capacity as Administrative Assistant to the Allied Health Programs.  She worked 2 years as a work study student and 2 years as a part time staff member in the Business Department before coming to Health Sciences in January 2001.   

Barbara’s responsibilities include the following:

• Provides administrative office support for 5 program chairs, 15 full time faculty, 60 part time faculty and 711 students
• Monitors 5 program budgets and orders all Allied Health supplies
• Prepares completion certificates for EMT/Paramedic graduates at the end of each semester
• Prepares Allied Health adjunct contracts
• Inputs class schedules each semester for all Health Science courses
• Verifies completion of background checks for all Health Science students
• Coordinates room assignments for department events
• Prepares reports on class schedules and faculty assignments by semester
• Helps plan and prepare for program advisory meetings

Angela Lawrence-Pusey, A.A., A.S.,

Medical Office Systems Tech

Administrative Assistant, Nursing

Angela has worked at Valencia in many capacities since 1995.  While earning her AA, A.S. in Medical Office System Technology and Certificate in OST Medical Systems, Angela was a Student Assistant in the Reading/English Support Labs and the Human Resources Department.  After earning her degree, she was a Part-time Staff Assistant in the Communication Department where she worked for many years while attending UCF seeking a B.S. in Communicative Disorder.  Angela joined the Division of Health Sciences in May 2002 as a full-time career staff assistant.  Angela is usually the first person to greet you when you enter the office suite and her friendly and warm smile makes everyone feel welcomed and valued.

Angela’s responsibilities include the following:

• Provides administrative support for a nursing department comprised of a director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, 26 full time nursing faculty, 37 adjunct faculty and 600 students.
• Assists with the planning and preparation of  nursing orientations for approximately 120 students three times a year.
• Assists with the planning and preparation of  nursing graduations for approximately 110 students three times a year.
• Assists with the coordination of graduate completion lists, verifying students have completed nursing requirements.  Sends list to Tallahassee so students can get a seat pass for State Boards.
• Assists with the planning and preparation of two advisory meetings per year
• Prepares all nursing adjunct contracts and overload contracts
• Assists with the preparation of  nursing schedule of classes and clinicals
• Maintains hospital databases tracking all student clinical rotation assignments
• Prepares and submits SPD/travel documents for all full time Health Science faculty
• Maintains program budget and orders all program lab supplies

The mission of the Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences is to impact Florida’s economy by collaboratively engaging industry, education, workforce and economic development in a creative and innovative environment to address the current and future workforce needs in the health care industry.  The Banner Center’s vision is to provide statewide direction for the continued development and communication of education and training programs/courses to address the evolving needs of Florida’s

health care industry.

Jill Geraghty, Ed.D.

Director, Employ Florida

Banner Center for Health Sciences

As the director of the Employ Florida Banner Center for Health Sciences, Dr. Geraghty is responsible for ensuring the fulfillment of the Banner Center contract between Valencia Community College and Workforce Florida Inc.  She manages the daily operations of the Banner Center including coordinating the master schedule of activities and monitoring the budget.  She serves as the main point of contact for the Banner Center and its partners, and is also involved in special projects related to the Banner Center including the development of Valencia’s Simulation Center.

Dr. Geraghty earned an Ed.D. and a M.A. in Educational Leadership and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.  She has been an adjunct instructor at Valencia since 2005, and also taught at UCF.  Prior to her current position with the Banner Center, she was a full-time mom and worked from home as a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty and as a freelance proofreader/copyeditor.  Dr. Geraghty has 14 years’ experience in higher education, including 11 years in various administrative positions at UCF and also with a company that provides distance learning services to colleges and universities.

A Florida native, Dr. Geraghty has lived in Orlando since 1990.  She and her husband reside in Southeast Orlando with their one-year-old son, two labs and a cat.  She enjoys relaxing, spending time with family and friends, cooking, shopping and going to UCF football games.

For more information:

Banner Center for Health Sciences

Valencia Community College

1800 S. Kirkman Road, 4-14

Orlando, FL  32811

Tel: 407-582-5427

Fax: 407-582-1278

Email: jgeraghty2@valenciacc.edu

Web: http://www.valenciacc.edu/employflorida