Nursing – Faculty and Staff

Meagan Bennett is an Instructor of Nursing for the School of Health Sciences at Francis Marion University. She graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2010 (summa cum laude). She completed her Masters of Science in Nursing to become a family nurse practitioner at Francis Marion University in 2017. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.

Meagan has worked as a family nurse practitioner since 2018 in Cheraw, South Carolina and Florence, South Carolina. Prior to becoming a family nurse practitioner, she worked in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. Meagan practices locally at HopeHealth as a family nurse practitioner one day a week.

Meagan currently teaches in both the undergraduate and masters nursing programs while working to complete her DNP.

Rhonda Brogdon is a tenured associate professor of nursing at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. She is the Chair of the Department of Nursing. She has been a medical-surgical nurse for 30 years. She received her BSN degree from Clemson University, her MSN degree from the University of Phoenix, her MBA degree from Webster University, and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from Duquesne University. She received her certification in Online Instruction from Central Michigan University.

Rhonda began working in academia as a part-time clinical nursing instructor at the Medical University of South Carolina/Francis Marion University Satellite in 2001. During that time, she had instructed all levels of nursing students in the clinical setting. Her area of expertise is medical-surgical nursing with an emphasis in renal nursing. Rhonda had served as mentor and preceptor for over 16 years in bedside nursing and was consistently evaluated as a “role model” nurse. In academia, she has mentored and precepted faculty to their roles in course instruction. She had served as vice-president of the Francis Marion University Department of Nursing Honor Society, and a Phi Kappa Phi mentor for nursing students and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International. She was the recipient of the African-American Faculty and Staff Coalition Diversity Award from Francis Marion University in 2013.

Rhonda has contributed to the book entitled, Fast facts about developing a nursing academic portfolio: What to include in a nutshell and has presented on this topic at Drexel University Nursing Education Institute Conference. Rhonda is co-author of the book entitled Medical-surgical nursing test success: An unfolding case study review and has a reflection chapter in The new nurse educator: Mastering academia. She has served as an external abstract peer reviewer for the Annual Healthcare Informatics Symposium presented by the Center for Biomedical Informatics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rhonda’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice Capstone entitled: “A Self-Care Educational Intervention to Improve Knowledge of Dietary Phosphorus Control in Patients Requiring Hemodialysis: A Pilot Study” was published in the Nephrology Nursing Journal.

Sidney Coker manages graduate student preceptor paperwork for all of the graduate programs. She also serves as the liaison between practicing partners and other clinical sites where graduate students can attend for their clinical hours. She authorizes and maintains the use of the Lee Nursing Building, as well as handles all of the LNB office tasks. Coker has been working at Francis Marion University since August of 2019. She officially joined the Nursing Department in March of 2020. Coker is also an alumnus of Francis Marion University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Administration. Since graduating from undergraduate studies, Coker pursued a Master of Science degree in Marketing: Digital Marketing and Advertising from Liberty University. She completed that degree in December of 2023. Coker has said how much she enjoys working for the university and how special it is being an alumnus of such an awesome school. It feels like a full circle moment going from being a student taught by the some of the same professors that she now works alongside.

Tracy George is an Associate Professor of Nursing, the Coordinator of the Bachelor of General Studies Program, and the J.L. Mason Endowed Chair for the School of Health Sciences at Francis Marion University. She graduated from Davidson College with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She completed undergraduate nursing coursework and a Master of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 1999. During her time at Vanderbilt, she received the Luther Christman Award for Clinical Excellence. In 2014, she graduated from the doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program at the Medical University of South Carolina. She became a certified nurse educator (CNE) in 2014. She was selected as an Amy V. Cockroft Leadership Fellow for 2016-2017. In 2018, she was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She received the Research and Scholarship Award at Francis Marion University in 2019.

Tracy has worked as a family nurse practitioner since 1999 in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Tracy continues to work one day per week as a nurse practitioner. Since 2012, Tracy has taught undergraduate and graduate nursing courses at Francis Marion University.

Tracy has presented statewide and nationally on nursing and nursing education topics. She has written several peer-reviewed articles and chapters in textbooks.

Karen Gittings is a professor of nursing and Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina. Dr. Gittings received her diploma in nursing from The Washington Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, Pennsylvania and her BSN from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus. She earned her MSN with specialization in nursing education and her DNP at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was a 2015 to 2016 Amy V. Cockcroft Fellow, achieved certification in online instruction in 2011, became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) in 2013 and earned certification as an Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) with the inaugural group of test-takers. Dr. Gittings has extensive experience in critical care nursing and has been a certified critical-care RN (CCRN) since 1991.

Her areas of teaching and clinical expertise are medical–surgical nursing, critical care, and cardiac nursing. She has taught students across the curriculum in the BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Dr. Gittings has co-authored three books and eight book chapters. Dr. Gittings has also presented nationally on multiple nursing education-related topics.

She is past president of Francis Marion University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, Chi Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Pee Dee Area Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. She is a recipient of multiple Outstanding Faculty Teaching Awards at Francis Marion University and the South Carolina Palmetto Gold Award (2005).

Ms. Grubbs Taught at Francis Marion University in the School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing August 2005- May 2021, and is now Faculty Emeritus.

Ms. Grubbs received her education from the following institutions:

M.S.N. Community Mental Heath & Psychiatric Nursing- University of South Carolina

M.Ed Elementary Education, Francis Marion University

B.S.N. Nursing- University of South Carolina

In her role as the Coordinator of Nursing Student Services, Kelly supports pre-nursing students as they navigate the admission process for the upper division nursing program. Among her other duties, Kelly meets with perspective students to answer questions they may have about the nursing program. She also recruits for the BSN, RN to BSN, and graduate nursing programs by touring hospitals to speak with nursing staff, attending educational and professional development events at hospitals, speaking with technical college students at transfer events, and meeting with students from other university BSN programs about graduate opportunities at FMU.

Kelly graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and from Liberty University with a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

Deborah is a professor and director at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. She has been a Family Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years. She attended Georgia Baptist School of Nursing. Her ADN degree is from West Georgia College (now known as West Georgia State University). Her BSN was from the Medical University of South Carolina through the satellite program at Francis Marion University. She obtained her MS/FNP and DNP for the University of South Carolina.

Deborah is the current chair for the South Carolina Advisory Committee for Nursing Education and has held leadership positions on the APRN Chapter for South Carolina and past President of the South Carolina Nurses Foundation. She has served as a preceptor, mentor and role model for Nurse Practitioner students and graduates. Deborah serves the University on Academic Affairs, and Graduate Council. Deborah is active on the Nursing Graduate Committee and the Dean’s Advisory Committee.

Deborah received the Outstanding Community Health Nurse of the Year Award from the Pee Dee Nurses Association, the Community Health Nurse of the Year from the South Carolina Nurses Association, and was awarded the AJN Excellence in Writing Award for South Carolina. Deborah won a scholarship to Beth Israel Hospital to study “Pain Management”. Her doctoral thesis “The Early Use of Insulin in Type II Diabetes: Achieving Better Glycemic Control and Preventing Adverse Complications” validates current practice for diabetic patients. Recently Deborah was awarded the Outstanding Policy award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). She is a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nursing.

Deborah served as a team member on a Medical Mission Trip to Nicaragua and continues her outreach to vulnerable and underserved people by working part-time at Hope Health (a Community Health Care Center) in Florence South Carolina. She serves on several boards like Fact Forward and the Felician Center to facilitate vulnerable population needs. Deborah is a wife, a Mother, and a grandmother and owned by a wonderful chocolate lab.

Marty Hucks is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and practices part-time as a family nurse practitioner at Internal Medicine Specialists. Marty received her BSN from The University of South Carolina Honors College (cum laude) and her MN from the University of South Carolina. She received a Certificate in Nursing Education from Francis Marion University in 2014. She became a certified nurse educator in 2016 and also holds certifications in parish nursing from St Louis University and in on-line instruction from Central Michigan University.  She is an Amy V Cockcroft Nursing Fellow (2004), Oxford University Round Table delegate (2007), and a 2008 recipient of The Palmetto Gold Award.

Marty has worked as a family nurse practitioner since 1994 and has taught undergraduate nursing since 2000.  She primarily teaches population-focused nursing and has developed a foreign study course, in which students have had the opportunity to study in Germany, England, Belize, Dominican Republic, Cambodia, and Thailand. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences on topics related to nursing education. She serves on the nursing curriculum committee, and is a member of the Chi Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International.  She is active in the community, serving on the Boards of The Boys and Girls Club of the Pee Dee and Southeastern Medical International.

Florence, SC. She has been a medical-surgical and critical care nurse for 34 years. She received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Florence-Darlington Technical College in Florence, SC in 1978, her BSN from MUSC Satellite Program at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC in 1984 and her MN from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.  She is currently completing her EdD from Walden University.  She has held certification in Neuroscience and Critical Care Nursing. Lynn has served as mentor and preceptor for 16 years in acute care and critical care nursing and received the Sylvester Award for outstanding new graduate in 1980. In academia, she has mentored and precepted faculty for approximately 21 years.  Lynn began working in academia as a full-time clinical nursing instructor at Florence Darlington Technical College, part-time clinical faculty with University of South Carolina/Francis Marion University Satellite in 2005 and is currently full time tenured faculty with Francis Marion University.  Lynn has taught Critical Care, Trauma Nursing, Advanced Trauma Nursing and various other medical-surgical and critical care topics for Pee Dee AHEC in Florence, SC, and assisted healthcare agencies in implementing stroke units and providing staff education. Lynn has instructed all levels of nursing students in all areas of medical-surgical nursing in the classroom and in the clinical setting.  Lynn currently teaches Adult Health III to pre-licensure students and Pathophysiology to RN-BSN students.

Lynn is co-author of one article entitled, “Senior Nursing Student Usage and Perceptions and Staff Nurses’ Perceptions of Students Using Personal Phones to Access Healthcare Information During Clinical Education.” In addition, she has edited two books entitled, Medical Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy and Prioritizing and Delegation for the NCLEX. She also co- presented at two Drexel University Simulation Conferences on Senior Nursing Student Usage and Perceptions and Staff Nurses’ Perceptions of Students Using Personal Phones to Access Healthcare Information during Clinical Education” and Intravenous Education through simulation.

Sylvia Rabb Lufkin was born in North Carolina, and earned her BSN and MSN at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.   She earned the Doctorate in Education, majoring  in Curriculum and Instruction,  from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

As first Department Chair in Nursing at Francis Marion University, she was responsible for obtaining state approvals for the program, and initial national accreditation of the program.

Before coming to FMU, Dr. Lufkin taught at the University of South Carolina College of Nursing in Columbia, SC.   She earned faculty ranks of Instructor, Assistant Professor, and Associate Professor there.

In addition to academic experiences, Dr. Lufkin served in administrative positions in hospitals and public health.

She has held numerous state and regional offices in nursing professional organizations, and in Sigma Theta Tau, International.

Her primary interests in nursing have been in nursing history, human caring theory, and gerontology.

Currently, Dr. Lufkin is retired from active practice, but is very active in community service and a volunteer teaching role at the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

Dr. Kellie LaVaun Middleton is a Registered Nurse who has served the public health population since 2013. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees from Francis Marion University, Florence, SC (2013, 2017), and her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (2020). She also holds a Certification in Simulation through Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (2018).

Over the years, she has served as a part-time clinical instructor for Francis Marion University, Department of Nursing’s BSN program, a Graduate Mentor for Francis Marion University pre-nursing freshman students, and PRN services to a local hemodialysis clinic. She also works part-time for HopeHealth with Behavioral Health patients. Dr. Middleton is an Assistant Professor of Nursing and the Coordinator of Dr. Frank Lee Nursing Building Skills Laboratory with Francis Marion University’s School of Health Science. She teaches in graduate and undergraduate-level courses, develops simulation modules for graduate and undergraduate interprofessional students, and participates in collaborative initiatives and research that involve students, community partners, healthcare professionals, and faculty. In addition to her public health and nurse educator duties, Dr. Middleton also provides respite care for families of children with special needs and/or disabilities. She also volunteers at the Dillion Free Clinic, the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Emergency Department, and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics throughout the Pee Dee Region.

Dr. Middleton has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences, as well as actively participates in several scholarly research projects. Dr. Middleton was the recipient of the Myrtle Irene Brown Fellowship Scholarship by the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program for academic excellence (2018, 2019), the SC Council of Deans & Directors of Nursing Education Scholarship (2019), the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship (2018, 2019), the South Carolina Nurses Foundation (SCNF) Nurses Care Scholarship (2019), and the Anna Gallagher American Nurses Foundation Scholarship (2019). Dr. Middleton is also published in the Journal of Nursing Education.

Dr. Middleton serves on several university, department, and community committees, advisory boards, and health panels. Within the Department of Nursing, she is the co-advisor for The Student Nurses Association. In the profession of Nursing, Dr. Middleton is the former President of the Chi Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, and currently serves as the Membership Ambassador. The South Carolina League for Nursing (SCLN), The Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE), The Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®), The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), and The SC Nursing Education Simulation Alliance (SCNESA) are also among her professional memberships.

Dr. Allison Munn began teaching the undergraduate Nursing Pediatrics course at Francis Marion University in 2015 as an Adjunct Instructor of Nursing. In January 2017, she joined the faculty in a full-time capacity as an Assistant Professor of Nursing and is currently an associate Professor. Dr. Munn received her BSN from Clemson University in 2001, and upon graduation began her nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at McLeod Regional Medical Center. After working in the clinical field of Pediatrics for 11 years, Dr. Munn left the bedside to pursue a career in academia. In November 2016, she received her PhD in Nursing Science from the Medical University of South Carolina with a focus on vulnerable populations. Dr. Munn’s research interests include breastfeeding and Baby-Friendly practices. She is published in an international peer-reviewed journal about the impact in the United States of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative on breastfeeding and early infant health outcomes. Dr. Munn has also presented nationally the results of a mixed-methods study on factors influencing African American mothers’ adoption of Baby-Friendly practices and associated breastfeeding decisions. Dr. Munn is a native of the Pee Dee Region and has a passion for serving the healthcare needs of the area and for educating future nursing leaders of the community.

Tiffany Phillips is an Associate Professor of Nursing. She practices part-time as a family nurse practitioner with McLeod Occupational Health in Florence, South Carolina. Tiffany received her BSN from The Medical University of South Carolina (summa cum laude) in 2004. She worked as an emergency department nurse for 7.5 years before completing her MSN/DNP in 2012, also from The Medical University of South Carolina. She has worked full-time for McLeod Inpatient Services since becoming a nurse practitioner. Tiffany teaches in both the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs. She looks forward to positively contributing to nursing education at Francis Marion University.

Tiffany R. Pressley received her DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practice at the University of South Alabama in July 2017. She currently practices as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and is a university faculty member. She evaluates and treats psychiatric patients at three different tribal medicine clinics via telemedicine.

Dr. Pressley began as a full-time assistant professor and PMHNP program coordinator at Francis Marion University (FMU) in August 2020. She teaches graduate and undergraduate students didactic and clinical skills in psychiatric mental health nursing as well as other courses in FMU's School of Health Sciences.

Professionally, Dr. Pressley has worked as a high school Spanish teacher, medical-surgical registered nurse, clinical staff leader, USAF officer, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She is a United States Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program graduate and previously served on Active Duty at Scott AFB as a PMHNP. When accepting the full-time PMHNP program coordinator position at FMU in 2020, she transitioned to the United States Air Force Reserves. She is currently a traditional reservist attached to and Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Robins AFB, GA.

She currently holds APRN licenses in Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, and South Carolina and RN licenses in Minnesota and South Carolina. She is a researcher in community-based and military research settings in a variety of areas including behavioral parent training, telepsychiatry, simulation in nursing education, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Pressley is a proud mom of three and wife of one. She enjoys time with family, listening to music, playing board/card games, and traveling. She is committed to improving access to education and mental health for rural and underserved populations within her community and the communities she serves.

Dr. Russell is an associate professor and coordinator of the RN to BSN track in the Francis Marion University Department of Nursing.  She began her nursing career in the cardiac step-down unit at McLeod Regional Medical Center in 2000. 

Dr. Russell received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina in 2009, and a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in nursing education from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2011.  After completing her graduate degree, Dr. Russell worked as a nursing instructor and simulation coordinator for Florence-Darlington Technical College for more than two years.  In 2014, Dr. Russell graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina with a second Master of Science in Nursing as a family nurse practitioner.  She completed her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016. 

As an advocate for nursing excellence, Dr. Russell is passionate about preparing future nurses to provide quality patient care.

Gabrielle Scott received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2008) and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on Nursing Education (2018) from Francis Marion University. In 2023, Scott received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a focus in Executive Healthcare Leadership from the University of South Carolina.

Scott has been a Registered Nurse since 2008 and her areas of expertise include Medical-Surgical, Special Procedures, and Nephrology. In 2018, Scott decided to transition into academia working part-time as a clinical instructor for Francis Marion University. Since then, she has experience teaching in an undergraduate BSN program, online RN-BSN program, and Practical Nursing program.

Scott is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and feels she can best serve by teaching and mentoring students to care for patients holistically. She is proud to join the faculty at Francis Marion University and give back to the campus and community that started her career.

Christina Springs received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2016) and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis on Nursing Education (2023) from Francis Marion University. She will be pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the Fall of 2025.

Springs has been a Registered Nurse since 2016 and her areas of expertise include medical-surgical and cardiovascular surgery. In 2021, Springs decided to transition into academia working part-time as a clinical instructor for Francis Marion University. Now teaching in the undergraduate BSN program.

Springs is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International and feels she can best serve by teaching and mentoring students to care for patients holistically. She is proud to be a member of the faculty at Francis Marion University and give back to the campus and community that started her career.

Megan Wayne received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clemson University in December of 2013 and became a Registered Nurse in 2014. She began her career as a bedside nurse in medical-surgical and critical care settings before realizing her true passion was educating patients, new nurses, and the students that rotated through her hospital unit. This led Wayne to transition to a primary care role while pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education which she received from Benedictine University in 2018.

Wayne began her academic career as a part-time clinical adjunct for Francis Marion University before transitioning to a full-time faculty roll in 2018. Since then, she has taught across various programs in the School of Health Sciences including the undergraduate BSN program, RN-BSN program, Healthcare Administration program, and the MSN Nurse Educator track. She is currently completing her dissertation research on mental fatigue and self-care engagement in family caregivers through the Medical University of South Carolina with plans to complete her PhD this academic year.

Dr. Dorie Weaver is a full-time Assistant Professor of Nursing at Francis Marion University (FMU). Dorie is originally from northeast Pennsylvania and has recently joined the FMU faculty in August, 2015. Dorie received her BSN from Allentown College in 1996. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2000 from DeSales University located in Center Valley, Pa. She has also earned a post-master’s certificate in nursing education from Villanova University in 2004. In December of 2017, Dorie completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her area of focus is incorporating interprofessional education through the use of simulation to enhance collaboration and promote positive patient outcomes. Dr. Weaver obtained a post-master’s certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Frontier Nursing University in December 2021. She actively practices as a PMHNP in North Myrtle Beach providing in-person and telehealth medication management. She also continues to practice as a FNP in Florence. In 2023, she was senior author of three chapters and senior consultant for numerous chapters for an open-resource Pharmacology textbook designed for undergraduate nursing students.

Her nursing experience consists of working within the following specialties: Medical-Surgical, Emergency Department, Neuro/Trauma ICU and Pediatrics in long-term care. Dorie has worked mainly in the field of cardiology as a nurse practitioner. Dr. Weaver has been teaching since 2000 and has taught at varied levels (diploma, associates, baccalaureate, and graduate). She had also taught Kaplan Test Prep NCLEX-RN review courses throughout Pennsylvania for 8 years. Dr. Weaver had the opportunity to take a group of students to Mexico on a week-long service learning trip as part of her educational experience.

Dr. Weaver is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau. She is a co-advisor for the Student Nurse Association. She is a member of the Curriculum Committee, as well as, Admission, Progressions and Graduation Committee. She has completed a certification in online instruction at FMU in 2016. Dr. Weaver teaches across the curriculum in pre-licensure courses such as Adult Health, Pharmacology, and Nutrition; Health Assessment/Pathophysiology for RN-BSN online students and Advanced Pathophysiology for graduate students. In addition, she provides clinical oversight for several nurse practitioner courses. She has recently edited a chapter on simulation in a CNE review book.