Kathy J. Oliver

Kathy Oliver, dean of the SMC School of Nursing and Human Services, believes in the phrase “pass it on.” She has been with the college for 17 years and is a graduate of SMC’s nursing program.

“This is an opportunity to return the kindness that was shown to me by SMC faculty and administrators when I was a student here,” Oliver said. “They helped a very poor, single parent fulfill a big dream. The best words to describe what I get to do (here at SMC) is passing it on.”

Oliver received her Associate in Science degree in Nursing from SMC in 1983. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Indiana University at South Bend and a Master’s of Science in Nursing from Valparaiso University.

She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and also is a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau. Oliver is listed on the “Who’s Who in American Nursing.”

Oliver’s nursing experience includes orthopedic, intensive care and critical care units, as well as 22 years clinical experience in critical care and open heart recovery nursing. She also worked through a nursing service where she traveled to hospitals within a 60-mile radius, filling in for short periods of time when they were experiencing a staff shortage.

Before coming to SMC, Oliver taught part-time clinically at IUSB and at Saint Mary’s College.

“I love the atmosphere and the students here at SMC,” Oliver said. “Student success is not just a slogan, it is the reason we are here!”

Oliver said God is a big part of her life offering her a lot of comfort and stability.

“I love growing things, gardening and flowers,” Oliver said. “I also love to read books and listen to music, and when I have time I enjoy cooking.”

Patricia A. Frontczak

Patricia Frontczak has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty since 1994. She is the lead nursing instructor in the nursing department.

She received her Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) from Southwestern Michigan College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ferris State University and Master of Science (MSN) from Grand Valley State University.

Frontczak is a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and received the Faculty Award for Nursing Excellence from Ferris State University.

“I love helping our students achieve success,” Frontczak said. “Nursing is my passion, my grandchildren are my hobby.”

Pamela Montgomery

Pamela Montgomery has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty since 2003. She has a Bachelor of Science (BSN) from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) from Indiana University/South Bend, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Grand Valley State University.

Montgomery has clinical experience as a critical care nurse. She has taught health assessment as well as many levels of clinical instruction, including adult medical-surgical, pediatrics, advanced medical-surgical, and management at Saint Mary’s College and Indiana University/South Bend.

In addition, Montgomery was a cardiovascular research coordinator and provided nursing support and coordination for international research trials at several local sites. She was also an open heart surgery data manager; collected, entered, and reported on population specific data, and supported institutional and unit specific quality improvement.

Montgomery enjoys working with SMC staff and faculty and focusing on student learning. She loves the out-of-doors, especially in the warmer months when she can be near water and cool breezes!

Janie Stephenson

Janie Stephenson has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty since 1979. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from St. Xavier College.

She loves teaching at SMC because of the students. For enjoyment, Stephenson said she loves sending time in Italy and is deeply committed to ecology, the environment, and wildlife preservation.

Cindy Bieber

Cindy Bieber has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty since 2003.

She received her Registered Nurse (RN) degree from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Wayne, Ind. She also has a Bachelor of Science (BSN) in nursing from Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana.

Bieber says she loves teaching at SMC because of the team atmosphere which focuses on student success. “I am proud to be a part of the nursing department which has an outstanding record of 100 percent board pass rates of our students,” Bieber said.

Bieber’s certifications include:

• Critical Care RN
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support instructor
• Basic Life Support instructor
• Automatic External Defibrillator instructor
• American Heart Association Blood Pressure and First Aid instructor

In addition, Bieber was a research coordinator for the GUSTOII Research Study at Elkhart General Hospital. She designed the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Elkhart General Hospital and obtained program certification from the American Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). She also obtained program certification for the Echocardiography department at Elkhart General Hospital from the National Echocardiography Society (ICAEL).

Bieber has received numerous awards as an RN including the American Heart Association Indiana affiliate Service Recognition Award, the Thomas A. Elliott Award from the American Heart Association and a Career Advancement Scholarship award. She was the former board president of the American Heart Association as well as program chair of the organization.

For fun, Bieber plays the guitar and composes her own songs and is learning the violin as well. Her family has built a replica of a 1950s diner in their basement full of period-memorabilia including a juke box and soda bar, where they love entertaining.

Cindy L. Seel

Cindy L. Seel is a member of the Southwestern Michigan College School of Nursing and Human Services faculty since 2007 and is the director of Health Information Technology.

Seel has a Bachelor of Science in Medical Records Administration (MRA) from Ferris State University and a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) from the University of Notre Dame. She is a certified Registered Health Information Administrator.

Seel has had various roles in hospital administration including 14 years at St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Ind. and six years as the practice manager for Houser-Norberg-MacGregor Medical Corp. in South Bend, Indiana.

Seel loves teaching at SMC because she is “able to teach courses to each of my students and having the ability to shape the program according to rapidly changing industry needs.”

Her hobbies include reading historical novels, especially those pertaining to the American Civil War, and various forms of needlework.

Debra Green

Debra Green has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College nursing faculty since 2005. She teaches nursing, maternal nursing, including theory and clinical, and nutrition.

Green has her Associate degree in nursing (ADN) from Southwestern Michigan College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ferris State University, and she is currently working on a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) at Ferris State University.

Green, who is certified in Inpatient Obstetrics and Advanced Fetal Monitoring, is the recipient of the Southwestern Michigan Perinatal Excellence Award.

She is a staff nurse/charge nurse/preceptor since l993 at Lakeland Regional Healthcare Systems. Green also worked as a clinical charge nurse and unit coordinator at Three Rivers Health.

“I enjoy the students very much and for the most part they are very anxious to learn,” Green said. “I feel good giving them the tools they need to succeed in their quest to earn a degree that will, hopefully, lead them to a rewarding career.”

Green said she loves the SMC staff and administration because they are very supportive towards the students and towards each other.

“It offers a welcoming environment for new instructors and students,” Green said. Green has been married for 26 years and the couple has four children – all who are in college.

“We live on a “hobby” farm, which I enjoy very much, and raise show pigs,” Green said. “I am an avid fan of “I Love Lucy.” I have all of the seasons available on DVD, and I also collect anything with the “I Love Lucy” theme. Green also collects anything with cows on it.

Tina Wake

Tina Wake has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College School of Nursing and Human Services since 2001. She is the instructor in the Early Childhood education program.

Wake has a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Teaching and a Master of Arts in Classroom Teaching/Elementary Education both from Michigan State University.

She is certified under the American Montessori Society Preprimary Credential and has worked as a preschool and elementary teacher, teacher consultant, preschool program director – all in the Benton Harbor Area Schools – from 1976-2001.

“I love the crazy people in my department and my early childhood students,” Wake said of her experience at SMC. For enjoyment, Wake loves to decorate and cook.

Peggylee Myers

Peggylee Myers has been a member of the Southwestern Michigan College School of Nursing and Human Services since 1999, though her involvement with the college goes back to when she was an SMC work study in 1993.

During those years when Myers was an SMC nursing students she also tutored other nursing students. Today, she continues as an SMC tutor where she tutors first and second semester nursing students. Myers received the Exemplary Service to Students award in 2007 for dedication to tutoring.

“I love the students! I love the look on their face when the light bulb turns on,” said Myers, who is a clinical instructor as well as a lab coordinator for the SMC School of Nursing and Human Services. “It is almost as great as bedside care as a nurse. Being able to encourage a student who is struggling and then to see them over come that struggle is very rewarding.”

Myers earned her Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) from SMC and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Bethel College. While at Bethel, Myers was honored with the Altruism Award in 2006.

She is a member of the International Honor Society of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau and Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. Myers received national recognition from Phi Theta Kappa for her community service in 1997.

While at SMC, Myers has been the nursing instructor for maternal newborn clinicals, lead instructor for Health Career Exploration program which introduces area high school students to careers in the health care field, and has taught Math for Meds and Pharmacology, as well as nutrition, introduction to Healthcare Nursing and clinical educator of Foundations of Nursing and Geriatrics.

“I love the nursing profession and I feel very honored to be able to a small part of the nursing education team here at SMC and to produce such knowledgeable, skillful, and clinically prepared nurses,” Myers said. “I have been blessed to have been mentored by Elaine Foster who was not only my instructor here at SMC but also become my boss as the Dean of Nursing and Kathy Oliver who also was one of my instructors and now is the Dean of Nursing.”

Myers enjoys her husband of 42 years, their four children, and their wonderful fun loving four grandchildren.

“We have a 5th wheel trailer and love to travel all around the wonderful state of Michigan!” Myers said. “Anywhere in Michigan that we can be in our boat, especially Lake Michigan, is where I am the most relaxed and complete. I enjoy sitting on the beach in the early morning reading a book and having a cup of coffee. I love reading, studying the history of Michigan lighthouses and then visiting them while on camping trips. I also enjoy knitting, crocheting, sewing, playing cards and games with family and friends, walking, and old movies that are in black and white.”

Yolanda Roche

Yolanda Roche teaches pediatrics in the Southwestern Michigan College School of Nursing and Human Services department. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and is working on her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus in community health nursing and nursing education.

Roche is certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the professional rescuer (CPR/PR) and the National Ski Patrol system as an alpine ski patroller. She is also a Hepatits C educator.

Cathy McNeil