Our Leadership

Rosario Medina, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ACNP, CNS, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Clinician Educator, Professor
RoMedina@salud.unm.edu

Vacant
Associate Dean for Research & Scholarship 

Gina Rowe, PhD, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, PHCNS-BC, BC-ADM, FNAP
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Clinician Educator, Associate Professor
GCRowe@salud.unm.edu

Sasha Poole, PhD, RN
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
SNPoole@salud.unm.edu

Felina Ortiz, DNP, RN, CNM, FACNM
Interim Assistant Dean for Professional Graduate Programs
Clinician Educator, Associate Professor
FeOrtiz@salud.unm.edu 

Van Roper, PhD, RN, FNP-C, FAANP
Assistant Dean of Clinical Affairs
Clinician Educator, Associate Professor
svroper@salud.unm.edu

José M. González, M.Acct.
Executive Director of Finance & Administration/Chief of Staff
jmgonzalez@salud.unm.edu

Jeffery Dubinski-Neessen, EdM
Director of Strategic & Enrollment Services
JDubinskiNeessen@salud.unm.edu

Sara Daykin, DNP, RN, CPEN, TCRN
Pre-RN-Licensure-BSN Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
SDaykin@salud.unm.edu

Mitchell Irvin, MSN, RN
Direct Admission BSN Program Director
Lecturer II
mirvin@salud.unm.edu

Karin Ludi, DNP, RN
Director of Health Sciences Rio Rancho Nursing
Principal Lecturer I
kaludi@salud.unm.edu

Cassandra Figgs, MSN, RN, CEN
Interim Accelerated BSN Program Director
Lecturer I
CFiggs@salud.unm.edu

Victoria Yu, DNP, JD, RN 
RN to BSN Program Director
Clinical Educator, Assistant Professor
vyu@salud.unm.edu

Tamara Shannon, DNP, RN, CPNP  
DNP Program Director, Nursing Education Program Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
tamarahall@salud.unm.edu

Christy Cogil, DNP, MPS, RN, FNP-BC
FNP Program Director
Clinician Educator, Associate Professor
CCogil@salud.unm.edu

Connie Smith-Fassler, DNP, MHA, RN, CNML
Nursing Administrative Leadership Program Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
CFassler@salud.unm.edu

Abigail Reese, PhD, RN, CNM
Nurse-Midwifery Program Director
Assistant Professor
areese@salud.unm.edu

Michele Lynne Head, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP
AG-ACNP Program Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor 
mihead@salud.unm.edu

Jennifer Schneider, PhD, MA, RN, PMHNP-BC
PMHNP Program Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
jsschneider@salud.unm.edu

Melody Avila, DNP, RN, FNP-BC
Interim Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care Program Director
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
melody@salud.unm.edu

Sharon L. Ruyak, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM
PhD Program Director
Associate Professor
SLRuyak@salud.unm.edu