Kim Akers

Kristen Albright

Hello. My name is Kristen Albright and I am a 22 year old graduate of Radford University. I received my BS last spring in INDS with concentrations in Chemistry and Sociology. I have spent the last year working and taking Biology and Psychology classes. I look forward to seeing all of you very soon.

Whitney Bartlett

Hello everyone! My name is Whitney Bartlett. I am 25 years old. My husband, John, and I recently moved to Roanoke upon my acceptance to the PA program. We are both from Elizabethton, TN. We do not have any children yet. I am currently employed at Lewis-Gale Hospital in the lab. Look forward to seeing everyone in August!

Jason Bailey

Hello. I’m Jason Bailey and I am looking forward to meeting everyone this coming semester. I graduated from Virginia Tech in 2000 with a BS in Finance and worked for a couple years in corporate America in Charlotte, NC before changing gears to seek out my passions. I am from the Roanoke area and currently live in Salem with my wife, Brandi, and our new little Springer Spaniel, Baxter. My other love is playing the guitar and other instruments and I enjoy all kinds of music. Most of all, I hope to have fun with all of you over the next couple years.

Steve Bowdel (The computer ate Steve's bio)

Tara Carper

Hi, my name is Tara and I am 22 years old. I am from Waynesboro, VA, however I grew up in the tiny town of Stuarts Draft most of my life. I love county music and spending time outdoors hiking, fishing, swimming, and most of all working on my tan!! This will actually be my fifth year at the college because I started out in the Biomed program. Working at UVA last summer as well as spending time shadowing a PA helped me decide that being a PA was perfect for me. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far and I can’t wait to meet you all in August!!

Alexis Daly

My name is Alexis Daly and I am 22 years old.  I grew up in South Jersey right near South Philly and  I just graduated from Virginia Tech in the Spring.  I have two sisters: one twin and one older.  My major at Tech was Animal and Poultry Science, and while this may seem like a strange major for a PA student, the hands-on experience I received at Tech was invaluable.  I was involved in several organizations while at Tech including the University Ambassadors, the college Ambassadors and the pre-vet club.  Although I am sad to leave Tech, I look forward to the education I will receive at JCHS and hope to work in an underserved community in the south.

Kristy Dean

Hello everyone. My name is Kristy Dean. I am 25 years old, I have been married for 6 years and I have 2 dogs (a Great Dane & a Doberman, I love them so much). My background is in veterinary medicine. I was a vet tech at a small animal veterinary clinic for 7 years. Last year, I graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Animal Science. After graduation I began employment with LifeNet working in Tissue Recovery. This job has taught me so much! I also spent 6 months volunteering at Planned Parenthood. I am very excited about starting the PA program & meeting you all in August. See you soon!

Dara Garces

Mike Grimes

My name is Mike Grimes and I am currently employed with Prison Health Services working at the Roanoke City Jail as a Paramedic. I spent 13 years in the United States Army and recently decided to get out and pursue a career in the medical field. I have been attending the Jefferson College of Health Sciences since 2001 and am currently working on the requirements for the Bio Med program. I am excited to be a part of the class off 2006 and I look forward to meeting each of you.

April Grisetti-Nail

Hello classmates and second-family-to-be! I'm April and I was raised in Boones Mill, VA, until I left for Santa Fe, NM, where I spent 6 years. Upon returning to southwest Virginia in 2002 I had a Bachelor's in Biology from the College of Santa Fe and a wonderful husband to boot! We have a year-old Husky/Shepherd mix named Sage and a tubby black cat named Junipurrr. I bake European style bread at a local bakery and volunteer at the Bradley Free Clinic, the clinic being a driving force in my decision to be a PA. I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan and love outdoor sports, especially hiking and kayaking. I hope some of you will want to join me on some study breaks on the trails! I know we'll have a challenging couple of years but together we'll make it great fun! See you in August!

Carrie Inman

Hello everyone! My name is Carrie Inman and I am 24 years old.  My husband Jason and I have lived in Roanoke now for about three years, but we are originally from Danville , VA.   We do not have any children right now, not unless you count our two year old Jack Russell Terrier named Rosco!  I am currently employed by Lewis Gale Clinic where I have worked in the Urgent Care Clinic for over two years. I spent five years serving in the Virginia Army National Guard as a light wheel vehicle mechanic; weird, I know.  I really look forward to meeting everyone in August and hope everyone has a great summer! 

Brandon Jones

Hello, everyone. My name is Brandon Jones. I am from Johnson City, Tennessee. I graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Health Care Administration. I have been in Roanoke for about a year and a half and have thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the people who make it up. I am excited about the upcoming years at JCHS it will be a great challenge! In my free time I play golf, watch football (VOLS and TITANS) and try to keep in shape. I am eager to meet all of you and look forward to this new adventure.

Karen Kielbasa

Hi, my name is Karen Kielbasa and I am 21 years old.  And yes, that’s Kielbasa like the sausage! I grew up in Virginia Beach before attending Virginia Tech in Blacksburg where this spring I graduated with a BS in Animal Science. I am an avid sports fan and despite our workload I hope to make it out to some Hokie football games this fall as they enter the ACC. I am excited about the PA program and entering the medical field and I am looking forward to meeting everyone in the fall.

David Lichtman

Wow! What an incredible adventure we are all about to begin. As for some information about myself; I was born in Brooklyn, NY and I have 3 sisters. Besides NY, I have lived in Miami, Houston, Austin (where I spent the bulk of my life) and Roanoke. I have received degrees in Emergency Health Sciences and Nursing, both from JCHS. I have worked as a paramedic and as a nurse. I love dogs, scuba diving, travel, new adventures and experiences, and even skydiving. I know that the next couple of years will be fantastic, and I look forward to sharing the experience with all of you. Until then, have fun and be safe.

Amy Madderra-Hovis

Hello to all!  My name is Amy Madderra-Hovis and I look forward to our next few years together as PA students. My husband Mike and I were married in September of last year and my stepson Hayden keeps us busy with tee-ball and boy scouts.  We enjoy riding our motorcycle with friends and boating on Smith Mountain Lake.  I am a 2003 graduate of Virginia Tech where I received a BS in Biology.  GO HOKIES!  I am excited to be part of the Physician Assistant Class of 2006 and wish everyone the best of luck.  See you all in August!

Mark McGuire

Hello all, My name is Mark McGuire and I look forward to meeting each of you! I am 30 years old and married to a wonderful Virginia woman. I am from Covington, Va., but have spent the past 8 years living in the Washington, DC,  area serving in the United States Air Force.  Stationed at Andrews Air Force Base (home of Air Force 1), I worked as a medical technician where I gained vast experience. As for things I like, sports would have to be near the top. I love watching and playing sports (especially football.). I also love hunting, fishing, and working out. I hope your summer is going well and I can't wait to get started in August! nygiant90@adelphia.net .

Kimberly Mizack

Hi there! My name is Kimberly Mizack and I am 22 years old. I was born in East Strousburg PA and raised in the very exciting town of Roanoke VA. Before attending the Jefferson College I first attended George Mason University in Fairfax VA to pursue a nursing degree. After working in clinical setting I decided that the PA profession was more suitable for me. I have a 2 year old daughter named Maliah who is my absolute pride and joy. I truly look forward to meeting and becoming friends with all of you. See you soon.

Timothy Trung Nguyen

I don't really know where or which part of my life to begin. However, let's start from my journey to America up to the preparation for JCHS's PA. I escaped from Vietnam to America to reunite with my family in 1987. I had resided in Florida all these years, attending high schools and going to college at USF. I am interested in the art of medicine, becoming a medical technologist. I currently work for Winter Haven Hospital and take sociology class to prepare for the PA program; moreover, I am excited about what will take place in the near future at Roanoke.  I anticipate a lot of things will happen, and for that reason I like to stay focus and healthy, and be active in the community.  I like snow even though it could be a problem sometimes for transportation and works.  I am looking forward to a new friendship and a challenging educational career in PA medicine in a new community.  Hopefully things won't be that bad, and pray that God will be with each student in the class of 2006. 

Sara Petrowicz

Sherry Powell

Ron Rodriguez

Hello everyone, my name is Ron Rodriguez and I am from Honduras. However, I have spent the last six years of my life in Charlotte, NC. I have been in Roanoke for almost one year now attending the JCHS and before that I was a part-time employee for Bank of America and a volunteer interpreter/EMT in Charlotte, NC. During my free time I enjoy playing soccer and I am an official Manchester United fan! I am excited about t the PA program and I am looking forward to meeting you all this fall!

Sima Salahie

Hello everyone, my name is Sima Salahie. I'm really excited to be a PA student at JCHS.

I'm 27 years old, married, with a precious terrible-two son who is successfully keeping my days busy. I was a medical student in Syria, from where I'm originated; however, after moving to the US, I decided to continue in the medical field as a PA. I'm eagerly looking forward to meeting all of you soon. Take care.

Shar Sharifan

Hi everyone. My name is Shahrzad, I'm 27 and just got married about a month ago. My husband, Matt, and I just moved to Roanoke couple of days ago from Salt Lake City. I received my Bachelor degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and for the past 5 years I have been working for ARUP Laboratories as a Medical Technologist. I love traveling, camping, dancing and fishing (I had to learn how to fish when I met Matt). We're excited to be living in Roanoke, and I'm very excited for the upcoming couple of years and meeting all of you.

Tanya Sigmon

Hello! My name is Tanya Sigmon. I am originally from Charlotte, NC.  I just moved to Roanoke well over a year now. I currently work as a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with Carilion Health System. I received a B.S. in Nutrition/Dietetics from East Carolina University, class of 1995. I love living in Roanoke, the mountains are soothing to my soul. I enjoy the medical profession and look forward to the challenges we are about to endure. I look forward to meeting you all, as we open a new chapter in our lives.  See you soon.....

Nick Sluss

Hello everyone my name is Nicholas, but my friends call me Nick. I am 22 years old and was born and raised deep in the heart of the coalfields of Southwest Virginia in a small town called Clintwood. My mother is an environmental health specialist and my father is a retired coal miner and a full time minister. I spent most of my childhood summers on South Holston Lake enjoying my favorite past times including fishing, swimming, and jet skiing. I have been a student at JCHS for two years and have finished a total of four years of college. I began my college career at Emory and Henry College near Abingdon, VA as an athletic training major. I decided after two years time that I wanted a more involved role in the health care community and that is when I decided to pursue the career of a physician assistant. I look forward to getting to know everyone this August as we embark on one of the most exciting adventures of our lives.

Have a good summer and God Bless! I can be reached by e-mail at: nicholassluss@yahoo.com or nsluss@jchs.edu

Lisa Smith

Hi, I am Lisa Smith.  I am 29 years old and married with 2 sons, ages 7 and 3. My 7 year old is a great kid, incredibly healthy.  My 3 year old is also great.  He has Down Syndrome, has had many health issues and is the inspiration for my desire to become a PA. He is a real blessing. I like to read, watch movies, listen to music and talk with friends.  I look forward to meeting everyone this fall and am very excited about our adventure together into this exciting career!

Christie Washburn

Judy Zerfoss

Greetings to all fellow students!  My name is Judy Zerfoss, and I’m glad to be a PA student at JCHS. I have been married six exciting years to Lloyd and have three wonderful (mostly) girls, ages 19, 15, and 10.  Believe me, they keep me very busy.  Plus having two of us in college will certainly be a financial challenge.  I have a BA in accounting, a MA in personnel management, and am a CPA.  I tried the accounting profession for 20 years before I finally wised up and realized I belonged in the medical profession. 

I have worked for the past 18 months for a quadriplegic gentleman who had an unfortunate accident and injured his spinal cord (C4/C5) leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.  Working for him has been a blessing from God.  He is my inspiration. 

I’m excited about meeting everyone in August.  Here’s to the best year of our lives.