About Our School
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Board Members
Faculty
Tally Breitstein RN, BSN, MSN
Faculty (PT)
Tally Breitstein RN, BSN, MSN
Faculty (PT)Education:
Schuenbrun Academic School of Nursing (1988): BSN/RN
Colorado Technical Institute (2019): MSN
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.
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Mir Alikhan
A and P, Medical Terminology,
CPR/Medical Administrative Assistant (PT)
Mir Alikhan
A and P/ Medical TerminologyCPR/Medical Administrative Assistant (PT)
Education:
University of Texas, Masters of Public Health 2013
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.
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Shady Mansy, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP
Adjunct Instructor Medication Aide Program (PT)
Shady Mansy, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCGP
Adjunct Instructor Medication Aide Program (PT)Education:
Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy (2013): BCPS/BCGP
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.
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Zahiyah Franks MSN BSN ADN
RN Adjunct Faculty Evening Program (PT)
Zahiyah Franks MSN BSN ADN
RN Adjunct Faculty Evening ProgramEducation:
Houston Community College, ADN 2008
Grand Canyon University (2015): BSN
Houston Baptist University (2021): MSN
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.
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Amalia (Amy) Keen MSN BSN RN
PRN Faculty Program Coordinator (PT)
Amalia (Amy) Keen MSN BSN RN
PRN Faculty Program Coordinator (PT)Education:
Hillsborough Community College (2004): RN
University of Phoenix (2010): BSN
Aspen University (2019): MSN
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.
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Ashley Geissler MSN BSN RN
Clinical Instructor (PT)
Ashley Geissler MSN BSN RN
Clinical Instructor (PT)Education:
Chamberlain College of Nursing (2016): BSN/RN
Professor Geissler works full time as a school nurse and is expanding her nursing role to give back to our students and impart her knowledge to help them grow in the clinical setting. She enjoys time outside of work with her family.
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Rhena Anderson MBA BSN ADN
Faculty Member (Clinical & Didactic) (PT)
Rhena Anderson MBA BSN ADN
Faculty Member (Clinical & Didactic) (PT)Education:
Cardinal Stritch University: ADN 1998, BSN 2009, MBA 2005
Professor Anderson has spent many years working in the hospital and clinic settings. She has a certifications in leadership and is working on a coaching and mentoring certification. Professor Anderson looks forward to working with our students in clinical and also teaching didactic classes in the evening program.
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Opeyemi Ogunniyi (Ajibola) BSN RN
Clinical Instructor (PT)
Opeyemi Ogunniyi (Ajibola) BSN RN
Clinical Instructor (PT)Education:
University of Texas Arlington (2016): BSN/RN
University of Alabama (present)
Professor Ajibola has experience in the hospital setting and is eager to assist our students in the clinical setting. She loves spending time with her children and husband outside of work and is excited to help mentor our students practice and learn their skills.
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Florence Bablola BSN
VN Day Coordinator (FT)
Florence Babalola BSN
VN Day Coordinator (FT)Education:
Chamberlain College of Nursing, Nigeria: BSN 2013
Florence Babalola has been a registered nurse for over 34 years. She completed her basic Nursing overseas & obtained her BSN from Chamberlain University in 2013. She has worked in medical/surgical, labor and delivery, Nursery, post-partum, mental health, and a variety of nurse management roles. She enjoys walking, singing, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.
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Sierra Taylor ADN BSN
Clinical Instructor (PT)
Sierra Taylor ADN BSN
Clinical Instructor (PT)Education:
John A. Logan College (2019): ADN
Chamberlain College of Nursing (2023): BSN
Professor Taylor is currently enrolled in her Master's program furthering her education as a practitioner. She has extensive experience in the hospital setting and is excited to be a clinical instructor for the students here at The Vocational Nursing Institute Inc.
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Dr. Cynthia Jones
Adjunct Instructor (PT)
Dr. Cynthia Jones
Adjunct Instructor (PT)Education:
BSN (2017) and DNP (2022) from the University of St. Thomas
MBA-Healthcare Management degree (2019) from WGU
Complementary and Integrative Health certification from Texas A&M in 2021
My name is Dr. Cynthia Jones and I am honored to embark on this journey of inquiry and discovery with you all. Although I was not born in Houston, I have lived and schooled here for some time. I received my BSN (2017) and DNP (2022) from the University of St. Thomas. In addition, I also completed my MBA-Healthcare Management degree (2019) from WGU. I obtained a Complementary and Integrative Health certification from Texas A&M in 2021. I have four years of experience as a Nurse Client Advocate (NCA) for adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and their families, along with overseeing the care of pediatric patients with health complications derived from TBI. Although this is my first year with the Vocational Nursing Institute, I have three years of experience as a nurse educator, academic peer tutor, and academic peer mentor. While I have taught and tutored multivariate courses in a few educational institutions, including Foundations of Nursing, Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Clinical Inquiry, Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Informatics, Behavioral Health, and Epidemiology, I remain passionate about improving health outcomes for members of the TBI population. This is evidenced by my engagement in academic and clinical scholarship activities that have assisted in expanding awareness of the current trends and emerging issues in TBI care delivery, availability, and accessibility. While I do not have children, I do have three beautiful nephews and a niece, and I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy singing, playing the piano, and traveling. Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of imparting the necessary knowledge and skill sets needed for you to safely, prudently, and ethically serve your community.
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Senior Management Administration
Dr. Kimberley Kelly DNP MSN BSN RN
Chief Administrator / President (FT)
kkelly@vni.edu
832-237-2525 x 1003
Dr. Kimberley Kelly DNP MSN BSN RN
Chief Administrator / President (FT)kkelly@vni.edu
832-237-2525 x 1003
Education:
Walden University: MSN 2015, DNP 2018
Ohio State University: BSN/RN 1986
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.
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Robin Ferruggia
Accreditation Liaison / School Director / Financial Aid Director(FT)
robin@vocationalnursinginstitute.com
832-237-2525 x1004
Robin Ferruggia
Accreditation Liaison / School Director / Financial Aid Director (FT)robin@vocationalnursinginstitute.com
832-237-2525 x1004
Education:
University of Phoenix: Associate of Arts with a concentration in business fundamentals. 2023
Robin's 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.
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Administrative Staff
Kaitlyn Kelly
Administrative Assistant (PT)
Kaitlyn Kelly
Administrative Assistant (PT) Education:
Sam Houston: Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice 2023
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.
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Bonnie Ensworth
Administrative Assistant (FT)
Bonnie Ensworth
Administrative Assistant (FT) Education:
Lone Star College System: AAS of Computer Programming (in progress)
Bonnie Ensworth has extensive experience in customer support roles and IT work. She is currently enrolled at Lone Star College for an AAS in computer programming. Previously, Bonnie was a licensed CNA, so she feels right at home at VNI! In her free time, Bonnie likes to program gaming software, design indie games, and spend time with her friends! Her favorite game to play with friends is Apples to Apples, the card game.
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Hope Weckle
Admissions and Enrollment Administrative Assistant (FT)
Hope Weckle
Admissions and Enrollment Administrative Assistant (FT) Education:
Southeast Community College
AAS in Agriculture Business and Technology (2016)
Hope Weckle has a background in working in customer service and as a florist. Her degree is in agribusiness Management and technology. Her interests include classic films, musicals, reading, and video games. She looks forward to being part of the VNI team.
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In Memory
We will miss you Joyce May, may you rest in peace.
We will miss you Kerri Robinson, may you rest in peace.
