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Faculty Administrative Staff

Faculty

Tally

Tally Breitstein RN, BSN, MSN

Faculty

Schuenbrun Academic School of Nursing, Tel Aviv, Israel 1988
Tel Aviv University with BSN 1995
Masters in Nursing Education from Colorado Technical Institute July 2019

Born and raised n Tel Aviv, Israel. Graduated from Schuenbrun Academic School of Nursing, Tel Aviv, Israel in 1988. Graduated from Tel Aviv University with BSN in 1995. Past Nursing experience includes Neurosurgery, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal ICU, and Hospice care. 15 year of experience in Nursing education.

Carol

Mir Alikhan

A and P/ Medical Terminology
CPR/Medical Administrative Assistant

University of Texas




Mir Alikhan hold a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of Texas. His areas of interest in the health field are Emergency medicine and minority health. He was competitively selected for his public health fellowship in Washington DC. There he worked with several NGOs and govt agencies on various issues of public health. His claim to fame while in DC. was that he was inside the Supreme Court for the Affordable Care Act hearing. He loves doing research and has worked on different topics such as vasodilation, VO2 max, cholesterol and health education for the minority population. He has presented at various conferences, received awards for his research and he is a published author. Teaching has always been his passion, he has 9 years of experience in teaching and has taught AP at UT. He started a health initiative in the minority population to educate people about best health practices taking a preventative approach. He has always found time to volunteer to give back what he has learned. He is an award-winner at the Literacy Council where he raised awareness in the Hispanic community about Cholesterol, Diabetes and Heart Disease. As a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer he worked directly under the Surgeon Generals office and trained people on disaster preparedness in situations like Hurricanes, outbreaks and other natural disasters. He worked as a cholesterol screening volunteer to educate people about cholesterol. He volunteered educating the working poor on diet for better health and assisted in making food bags for the program participants with healthy foods to eat on a budget. He worked with diabetics in educating them on diabetes management and to prevent the onset of diabetes in the borderline risk population. He is also the co-founder and Chief Editor of the Journal of Student Research which publishes research on multi-disciplinary topics.


Amy Keen has been a licensed nurse since 1998. Originally from Houston, Texas but grew up most of her life in Tampa, Florida. She started off as a certified nursing assistant while in High school at the age of 16. This is when she found her passion for helping others and decided to pursue a career in nursing. She attained her Licensed Practical Nurse in 1998. She graduated in 2004 from Hillsborough Community College with her Associates as a Registered Nurse and from The University of Phoenix with her Bachelor’s of Science in 2011. Mrs. Keen just recently obtained her Master’s degree in Nursing Education from Aspen University. She has over 20 years of experience in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Pediatric Health. She also has over 7 years of management and leadership experience. Mrs. Keen is very familiar with patient education, parent health guidance meetings, and the implementation of professional development trainings for staff education. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, camping, and reading. She looks forward to teaching at The Vocational Nursing Institute where she can inspire others to become great nurses.

Carol

Shady Mansy, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP

Adjunct Instructor Medication Aide Program

Linda University School of Pharmacy for Doctorate of Pharmacy


Shady Mansy, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP, received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy in 2013. Dr. Mansy completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare Systems in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2014. He is also certified as a pharmacotherapy specialist and a geriatric pharmacist. Dr. Mansy has started his own pharmacy consulting business (Perennial Pharmacy Consulting) and works as a consultant for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and group homes. In his free time, he enjoys cooking with his wife, hiking, reading, and playing with his dog.

Ann Norman

Kristine Byrd

RN Clinical Instructor/Adjunct Instructor

I have almost 20 years’ experience in Nursing with a background in Long Term Care Facility and Home Health both geriatric and pediatric, where I took care of patients in their home and or at the facility, then went on to work more Administrative as ADON, DON, Infection Control, training and in-servicing our CNA’s, Outpatient Surgery -PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit), Pre-Op, Community Nursing, Summer Camp Nursing Director for the Deaf-Renaissance festivals and public-school trips, and Texas School for the Deaf. I am a Founder and a Co-Founder for many volunteer groups and activities such as; Family Readiness group activities for the military serviceman and their families, community health clinics for Bastrop and surrounding areas to reach many who are in need of health services, Deaf Awareness Weekends for the two Renaissance festivals to bring and share the joy of a festival of fun to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Born and raised in Texas most of my life, I grew up in the country and was always one that cared, and patched up all our animals growing up along with caring for my three loving brothers. My father served his country in the United States Airforce, It was his mother/my grandmother that showed me how to use sign language to communicate to the deaf and hard of hearing, as she had a deaf friend, she also showed me how to care when caring for someone else. As I watched her take care of so many, I learned this is where my passion began for my desire to be a nurse, over 40 years ago. I began back in 1995 as a CNA with the plan to go right into nursing, funny how life gives you a curve ball and my curve ball gave me four amazing children, who are all grown and even though we are spread a far we communicate on a daily basis. I have been blessed with four beautiful grand-children. I went back to school after 10 years of a break called life and in 2005, I became an LVN. I wasted no time and went back into school and in May 2007, I graduated as an RN. That was one of my most memorable, proud moments in my life, I had 4 young children at home that saw mom accomplish something so time consuming, and stressful yet at the same time being “Their Mom”.

My certifications are vast, here are just few; CPR/AED, ACLS, PALS, Vision & Hearing, ASL communicator, infection control certified. The life skills and lessons I have learned throughout my life have shown me how to juggle, manage and care for not only my own family but those of others that are entrusted in my care.

Zahiyah Franks RN

Zahiyah Franks RN

RN Adjunct Faculty Evening Program

Professor Franks works for the VA and has functioned as a liaison between Houston VAMC and community care facilities. She joins Vocational Nursing Institute Inc. to assist our students in the evening VN program learn curriculum content and teaching didactic coursework. She has her Master's Degree in FNP.

Administrative Staff

Kim Kelly

Dr. Kimberley Kelly RN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LNC

President The Vocational Nursing Institute Board
Director of Education June 2021 | Former School Director 2009-2021

Ohio State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 1986
Walden University Masters in Nursing Education 2013
Walden University Doctorate of Nursing Practice graduated November 2018


Dr. Kimberley Kelly is the founder of both The Vocational Nursing Institute Inc. in 2009 and the consulting firm, Compliance Review Services, Inc., established in 1997. She graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986. Dr. Kelly graduated from Walden University in 2015 with a Master's in Nursing Education. She completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and graduated with a 4.0 in 2019 from Walden University. Dr. Kelly's nursing specialty is geriatrics. Dr. Kelly has 20+ years of experience in the healthcare field, ranging from Administrator, Director of Nurses, Consultant, Supervisor in Nursing, and home health agency owner. She has worked in multiple medical environments, taught at a vocational college in Florida, and has developed and taught numerous educational offerings.

Dr. Kelly is a member of the Home Health Alliance Team, DADS external stakeholder group for rule review, and sits as a member of the State of Texas Health Preventative Taskforce team. She is a Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Consultant-Monitor and sat on the Texas Outcome-Based Quality Management coalition team. Dr. Kelly became a Legal Nurse Consultant in 1999. She has been a consulting nurse expert and testifying nurse expert witness in both plaintiff and defense cases. Inducted into the Hall of Fame for Business Who's Who in March of 2004, Dr. Kelly was recognized for her accomplishments as a small business owner. Dr. Kelly is an honorary chairperson for small businesses through NRCC and is an external workshop member for DADS for Texas.

Dr. Kelly founded the Vocational Nursing Institute with the vision to help individuals to become Licensed Vocational Nurses. Her passion for education and assisting others provided the image to open up this school. See her complete resume (https://vocationalnursinginstitute.com/pdf/2017%20Resume%20Kim%20Kelly.pdf) (Microsoft Word). The school has received the most outstanding VN program in Texas by Global Health Pharma in 2020 and another award in 2019 for Dr. Kelly entrepreneurship skills.

Dr. Kelly enjoys spending time with her two girls and husband on her small ranch outside of work. An accomplished pianist, she also likes swimming, reading, bowling, and watching movies. Kim is actively involved with her church. Dr. Kelly is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and has resided in Florida for several years. She has lived in Texas since 1995.

Robin Christie

Robin Ferruggia

School Director

Robins background is in customer service, she brings her cheerful self and welcoming personality to our team. Originally from New Jersey she moved here in 2007 for warmer weather and the medical center for her daughter. She enjoys reading, movies, day trips and spending time with her family.

Carol

Amalia Keen RN, BSN, MSN

VN Day Program Coordinator

Hillsborough Community College Associates in Nursing 2004 The University of Phoenix Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing 2011 Aspen University in Master’s Degree in Nursing Education
Jonathan Hajjar

Jonathan Hajjar, PRN

Full Time Evening Administrative Assistant

Jonathan Hajjar has experience working in the retail world and has a degree in Nutrition. He has joined our evening team while he continues to work on his Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is excited to expand his skill set to include office administration activities and to work with the students and faculty.

Kaitlyn Kelly

Kaitlyn Kelly

Administrative Assistant

Kaitlyn Kelly is currently an enrolled student at Sam Houston State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree Criminal Justice and a minor in Forensics Science. Her future plans involve joining the United States Marine Corps Reserves as an Officer, and ultimately work towards becoming a forensics investigator or homicide detective. Kaitlyn brings organization and a hardworking mindset wherever she goes! Her interests include art, reading, music, and spending time with her family.

Tony Latorre

Tony Latorre

Financial Aid Administrator

Born and raised in New York City, Tony Latorre brings a nice change of pace to the Vocational Nursing institute. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology of Communications from SUNY Buffalo State in 2019 and is looking to pursue a Master’s degree I higher education and student administration soon. He has prior experience in higher education including financial aid and alumni relations. A former football player he enjoys watching games, traveling and dogs.

Criss White

Crissaundra (Criss) White

Admissions & Accreditation Administrative Assistant

A Houston Native, Crissaundra (Criss) has an extensive customer service background. She is currently a Science major at Lone Star with an interest in joining the healthcare field herself. Criss’ passion for health and fitness makes VNI the perfect introduction to a healthcare career. Her innovative mind and cheerful demeanor make her an excellent addition to the team.

Crista Jones

Crista Jones

Evening Administrative Assistant

With over 20 years in customer service, Christa is a determined, confident, and well-organized Administrative Assistant, with extensive experience in supporting mid & senior-level management. Christa is an approachable and pleasant individual with a willingness to make a positive mark. Christa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013.

 

 

We will miss you Joyce, may you rest in peace.