Lesley K. Sacher, MHA, FACHE, FACHA, Director,
Thagard Student Health Center

Lesley Sacher joined Florida State University in 1999 as director of Thagard Student Health Center. She is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience in managing complex ambulatory and inpatient facilities. Ms. Sacher holds her master's degree in health care administration from Ohio University. She completed a year-long training in Health Care Executive Leadership training at Case Western Reserve University. She is a Certified Healthcare Executive, Fellow with the American College Health Association, and a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. She has served as president of the Southern College Health Association and is the Immediate Past President of the American College Health Association for the 2008/2009 academic year. Her specialty areas are the use of technology in medical settings, accreditation and quality improvement programs within a customer service perspective. Ms. Sacher is an experienced addictions treatment professional who has been involved in prevention, education and treatment services on a local, regional and statewide basis both in Florida and Ohio. Currently she serves as the Principal Investigator of the FSU Matter of Degree program with the RWJ Foundation. In 2002, Ms. Sacher was selected as the Florida State University Advisor of the Year. She was also chosen by the American College Health Association for the Outstanding New Health Professional Affiliate award for 2002. Under her leadership, Thagard has set a vision for itself that includes being a recognized leader and pioneer in the field of college health, committed to meeting the changing needs of the campus community.

Michael A. Peterson, BS, Assistant Director,
Thagard Student Health Center

Michael “Pete” Peterson joined Florida State University in 2000 as Thagard Student Health Center's technology coordinator. Prior to coming to Florida State University, Mr. Peterson served in the United States Air Force for eight years. He is an experienced healthcare executive with more than 13 years of experience in healthcare and accounting. Mr. Peterson holds his bachelor's degree in accounting from Park University and an associate degree in health care management from the Community College of the Air Force. His specialty areas include the streamlining of business processes, cost analysis, and the planning of new generation healthcare services utilizing technology. In 2005, Mr. Peterson was promoted to Assistant Director responsible for the fiscal and technological functions of theHealth Center. In 2002, he received the Division of Student Affairs' “Bright Idea” award for his development and implementation of the Health Center’s Intranet site. In 1997, he won the Air Force Medical Resources Airman of the year award for his development of a process to track unpaid third party insurance claims. As assistant director of the Health Center, Mr. Peterson continues to strive toward the health center being a recognized leader and pioneer in the field of college health, committed to meeting the changing needs of the campus community.

Celeste Paquette, MD, Medical Director,
Thagard Student Health Center

Dr. Paquette, Medical Director, has been with TSHC since March, 1987. Before joining Thagard, she spent five years in private practice. Specializing in pediatrics, Dr. Paquette is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics. She received her bachelor's from Florida State University and her medical degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Paquette completed her internship and residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Children's Hospital. She is an active member of the Florida Medical Association and the Capital Medical Society.

Judy Russell, Human Resource Director,
Thagard Student Health Center

Judy Russell has been Human Resource Director at Thagard Student Health Center since 1994. In 2003 she assumed the additional responsibility as assistant to the director working on special projects and assisting with the day to day administrative operations for the psychiatry clinic. Prior to coming to TSHC, she worked for the University Human Resources Department for nearly 20 years. Judy has also received several STAR awards and other awards of recognition and special achievement from the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Finance and Administration for special projects and university-wide committee work.

Glen Yaege, Assistant Director, Environment of Care
Thagard Student Health Center

Glen Yaege has been with Thagard Student Health Center since 2000 as the Assistant Director, Environment of Care. He is retired from the USAF and has more than 30 years of management experience in healthcare administration at a variety of medical facilities ranging from ambulatory clinics, regional hospitals, aeromedical staging facility, research laboratory and a large medical center. His emphasis has been in facility management, medical design and construction, medical supply, personnel and medical readiness. He received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and master's from Pepperdine University.

Joni Jones, BS, RT (R)(CT)(MR), Radiology Manager / QI and Accrediation Coordinator

Joni Jones, BS, RT (R)(CT)(MR), joined the TSHC team in 1999 after spending nine years as the director of a large CT, MRI, DEXA imaging facility.  Prior to that she was the senior MRI technologist at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center and a CT and MRI technologist for seven years.  Ms. Jones received her degrees from Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University and her Certificate in Radiologic Technology from Baptist Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology in Jacksonville, Florida. She is a registered Radiologic Technologist and received her Computerized Tomography Advanced Certification and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Advanced Certification in 1999.  Ms. Jones is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Society of Radiology Technologists (ASRT).

Barbara Childers, RN, Director of Nursing

Barbara has more than 30 years of nursing experience in areas ranging from internal medicine and cardiology to pediatrics and home health care. She also has experience in allergy, occupational and college health care. In addition, she has experience as a director of nursing, teaching medical assisting students, and sales and marketing for rehabilitation and long term care programs. She is a licensed registered nurse and basic x-ray technician. Ms. Childers worked at TSHC from 1974 to 1976 then returned in 2000 and has been a part of the team ever since.

Patricia Unger, RN, Supervisor of Psychiatry

Before coming to Thagard Student Health Center, Patricia Unger, RN, gained experience in areas ranging from healthcare administration, nursing instructor, school nursing, and medical surgical nursing. She has worked at TSHC for more than three years, first in the Garnet Clinic before taking on the position as the supervisor of psychiatry.  Ms. Unger received her nursing degree from Medical College of Georgia and is a member of the National Association of School Nurses.

Linda Palmer, RN, Supervisor of Triage, CAU Center, Employee Health, Allergy Clinic

Linda Palmer, RN, BSN, received her bachelor's degree in nursing from University of Southern Mississippi.  After spending 13 years in student health at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS and nine years at Stetson University in Deland, FL, Ms. Palmer joined TSHC. She is a member of ACHA, SCHA, FCHA Member of FNA/ ANA and has been certified in College Health Nursing from 1991-2001.

Melvena N. Wilson, MPH, CHES, HIV Counselor & Health Educator/ Coordinator of Education and Training Programs

Melvena Wilson is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Before coming to Thagard, Melvena was the health educator for the Wakulla County Health Department. She received her degrees (BS in health science education and Master of Public Health) from the University of Florida, and is currently working towards her doctoral degree at Florida A&M University. She is a member of SOPHE and is certified by the Florida Department of Health to administer HIV counseling and testing. In addition to coordinating the HIV/AIDS Clinic, Ms. Wilson is the advisor for THE LOC (Total Health Enhancement for Ladies of Color) and FSU Today.

Lane Curington, ARNP-C, Garnet Clinic

In addition to being a certified family nurse practitioner, Lane Curington, ARNP-C, is certified in emergency nursing and is a certified instructor of trauma and pediatric nursing as well as advanced cardiac life support.  She specializes in emergency medicine and has been with TSHC since 2000.  Ms. Curington received her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from Florida State University.

Adriana Gioia, MD, Garnet Clinic Physician

Dr. Gioia, a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine, specializes in family medicine.  She completed her residency at Shands University Hospital and internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital.  Before joining the TSHC team in 2003, Dr. Gioia worked in urgent care for several years.  She is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice.

Dwight Polivka, ARNP-C, Garnet Clinic

Dwight Polivka, ARNP-C, received his bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Florida State University, respectively.  A certified family nurse practitioner, he is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the Council of Advanced Practice Nurses (CAPN) for which he served as vice president.  Mr. Polivka joined the TSHC team in 2004.

S. Lucky Green, PA-C, Garnet Clinic

Lucky Green, PA-C, has two bachelor's degrees from Valdosta State University in Georgia and from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta. She received her master's degree in Physician Assistant Sciences (MPAS) emphasizing Family Practice from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. A certified physician assistant, she is a member of the NCCPA.

Mai Kung, ARNP-C, Gold Clinic

Mai Kung, ARNP-C, joined TSHC in 1993. She received her BSN from University of Texas at Austin and her MN from Emory University in Georgia. A certified family nurse practitioner (ANCC), Ms. Kung specializes in family practice medicine and is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the Tallahassee Chapter of Council for Advance Practice Nurses.

Meena Shahane, MD, Gold Clinic Physician

Dr. Shahane has been a member of TSHC team since 1991. Specializing in pediatrics, she received her medical degree from B.J. College in India. Dr. Shahane completed her internship at Civil Hospital in India and her residency at Miami Children’s Hospital. She is a member of Capital Medical Society.

Nina Sumlar, MD, Gold Clinic Physician

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Sumlar has been with TSHC since 1998. She received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. and completed her internship at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. Dr. Sumlar also completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic where she was the Chief Resident in Internal Medicine.

Virginia Cardenas, ARNP-C, Gold Clinic

Before coming to TSHC in 2003, Ms. Cardenas worked as a Family Pracitioner at Florida A&M University. She is a certified nurse practitioner and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Ms. Cardenas received her BSN from Arellano University in Manila, Philippines and her Master’s degree in nursing and advance registered nurse practitioner training at Florida State University.

Veta Mobley-Johnson, MD, Garnet Clinic Physician

Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Dr. Mobley-Johnson has been with TSHC since 2002. She received her BS from Florida A&M University and her medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine in Georgia. Dr. Mobley-Johnson completed her internship and residency at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. A member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, she specializes in family medicine.

Anna Klassen, ARNP-C, Gold Clinic

Ms. Klassen has been a member of TSHC team since 1991. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Widener University in Pennsylvania and her master’s nursing degree from University of California, Los Angeles. Ms. Klassen is a certified family nurse practitioner (ANCC) and is a member of the Florida Nurses Academy.

Mimi West, ARNP, Gold Clinic

Mimi has been with TSHC since 1988. She received her BSN from Creighton Memorial Hospital in Nebraska and her advanced registered nurse practitioner training from the University of California, San Diego. Ms. West is a member of the Florida Nurses Academy.

John Woods, MD, Garnet Clinic Physician

Board Certified by the American Board of Family Practice, Dr.John Woods joined TSHC in the Fall of 2006. He received his BA from Georgetown University. his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean, and completed his internship / residency at St. Joesph Medical Center, Southern Illinois University, and the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Dr. John Woods is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Amy Magnuson, MS, RD, LD/N, Health Promotion Director & Nutritionist

Before joining TSHC in 2003, Amy Magnuson, MS, RD, LD/N, was a Sports Nutritionist at FSU Athletics for five years after working as an Exercise Physiologist at Tallahassee Regional Medical Center for five years.  She is a registered and licensed dietician and a member of the American College Health Association, American Dietetic Association and Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN). Ms. Magnuson received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida State University.

Chris Franzetti, MED, Assistant Director of Health Promotion & Director of Partnership for Alcohol Responsibility (PAR)

Chris Franzetti, MED, has more than 20 years administrative and direct service experience in substance abuse and community based programs, in both the private and public sectors.  Before joining TSHC in 2003, she was responsible for the implementation of Healthy Families Florida, a statewide initiative developed to promote positive parenting and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, and worked in the Florida Supreme Court and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administering community-based education and assessment programs for those convicted of Driving Under the Influence.  Ms. Franzetti received her BS from College Misericordia in Dallas, Pennsylvania and her Master's in Education from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Heather Fisher, MS, RD, LD/N, Nutritionist & Coordinator of Clinical Programs

Heather Fisher is a Florida Licensed and Registered Dietician. She has experience providing nutrition education and counseling in the areas of eating disorders, weight management, clinical nutrition, and women, infant and child nutrition.  Additional experience includes the nutrition management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and kidney disease.  Ms. Fisher received her degrees from Florida State University and joined TSHC in 2004.  She is a member of the American Dietetic Associations (national, state, and local affiliations) and the National Eating Disorders Association and serves as the advisor for SUNN (Students for Understanding Nutrition Now).

Kevin T. Frentz, PhD, Health Educator/ Coordinator of Education and Training Programs

Kevin T. Frentz, PhD, who directs the FSU smoking cessation program, has been with TSHC since 1999.  His main focus is tobacco use prevention programs.  He is the advisor for STRIKE (Student Tobacco Reform Initiative Knowledge for Eternity) and is the principal advisor for the STRIKE grant.  Additionally, Dr. Frentz coordinates the SMART Choices courses.  He received his doctoral degree in higher education from Florida State University.

Dan Moore, BA, Health Educator/Coordinator of Education and Training Programs

Dan Moore, BA, joined the TSHC team in 2003 after working in several areas of substance abuse treatment.  His main focus is alcohol and drug education.  In addition to advising KARMA (Knowing About Responsible Management of Alcohol), Mr. Moore teaches SMART Choices courses and is active in the community through volunteer efforts.  He received his B.A. in psychology from FSU in 1999.

Melvena N. Wilson, MPH, CHES, HIV Counselor & Health Educator/ Coordinator of Education and Training Programs

Melvena Wilson is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). Before coming to Thagard, Melvena was the Health Educator for Wakulla County Health Department. She received her degrees ( BS in Health Science Education and Master of Public Health) from the University of Florida, and is currently working towards her doctoral degree (DrPH) at Florida A&M University. She is a member of SOPHE and is certified by the Florida Department of Health to administer HIV Counseling and Testing. In addition to coordinating the Anonymous HIV/AIDS Clinic, Ms. Wilson is the advisor for THE LOC (Total Health Enhancement for Ladies of Color) and FSU Today.

Kimberly Smith, Program Assistant

Kimberly Smith has been at Thagard Student Health Center for the past 4 years, but joined the Health Promotion office in December of 2005. With her many years of office management skills, she is very excited to join the Health Promotion Team at Thagard.

Michon Ashmore, Media Coordinator
Thagard Student Health Center

Michon Ashmore has been at Thagard since September 2006. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History at Florida State University and then continued on to her Masters of Art degree in Classics also from Florida State University. Prior to coming to Thagard, Michon worked as a news assistant at the Tallahassee bureau of The Tampa Tribune for six years, during which time she covered breaking news and researched and wrote articles on many diverse topics, including arts and culture, travel, and political issues.

Alvin H. Farrar, Laboratory Supervisor

Alvin H. Farrar, MT (ASCP), Supervisor of FSU Quest Diagnostics Laboratory, has been part of the TSHC team for more than 10 years.  Mr. Farrar received his degrees from Auburn University and the University of Alabama, Birmingham.  He is a member of the American Society of Medical Technologists.

Amy Magnuson, MS, RD, LD/N, Health Promotion Director & Nutritionist

Before joining TSHC in 2003, Amy Magnuson, MS, RD, LD/N, was a Sports Nutritionist at FSU Athletics for five years after working as an Exercise Physiologist at Tallahassee Regional Medical Center for five years.  She is a registered and licensed dietician and a member of the American College Health Association, American Dietetic Association and Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN). Ms. Magnuson received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida State University.

Heather Fisher, MS, RD, LD/N, Nutritionist & Coordinator of Clinical Programs

Heather Fisher is a Florida Licensed and Registered Dietician. She has experience providing nutrition education and counseling in the areas of eating disorders, weight management, clinical nutrition, and women, infant and child nutrition.  Additional experience includes the nutrition management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and kidney disease.  Ms. Fisher received her degrees from Florida State University and joined TSHC in 2004.  She is a member of the American Dietetic Associations (national, state, and local affiliations) and the National Eating Disorders Association and serves as the advisor for SUNN (Students for Understanding Nutrition Now).

Kevin T. Frentz, PhD, Health Educator/ Coordinator of Education and Training Programs

Kevin T. Frentz, PhD, who directs the FSU smoking cessation program, has been with TSHC since 1999.  His main focus is tobacco use prevention programs.  He is the advisor for STRIKE (Student Tobacco Reform Initiative Knowledge for Eternity) and is the principal advisor for the STRIKE grant.  Additionally, Dr. Frentz coordinates the SMART Choices courses.  He received his doctoral degree in higher education from Florida State University.

Tyressa Judge, PT, Physical Therapy Manager

Tyressa Judge, PT, manages the Tallahassee Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy center located in Thagard Student Health Center.  Ms. Judge initiated the FSU physical therapy program in 1997 for students, faculty, and staff.  She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is a certified Sportsmetrics trainer.  Ms. Judge received her degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama-Birmingham and was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Alabama-Birmingham from 1983 to 1984 and Florida A&M University from 1997 to 1999. 

Joni Jones, BS, RT (R)(CT)(MR), Radiology Manager/QI Coordinator

Joni Jones, BS, RT (R)(CT)(MR), joined the TSHC team in 1999 after spending nine years as the director of a large CT, MRI, DEXA Imaging Facility.  Before that she was the Senior MRI Technologist at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center and a CT and MRI Technologist for seven years.  Ms. Jones received her degrees from Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University and her Certificate in Radiologic Technology from Baptist Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology, Jacksonville, Florida.  Additionally, she is a registered Radiologic Technologists and received her Computerized Tomography Advanced Certification and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Advanced Certification in 1999.  Ms. Jones is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Society of Radiology Technologists (ASRT).

Elise Averett, RT (R), Radiology Technologist

Elise Averett, RT (R), has worked as a Radiology Technologist for nearly 30 years.  She received her Radiology Technology degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  Ms. Averett is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and is certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.  She has been a member of the TSHC team since 2005.

Andrea Young, RT (R), Radiology Technologist

Andrea Young, RT(R), received her Radiology Technology degree from Thomas Technical Institute in Thomasville, Georgia.  Before joining TSHC in 2004, she worked for sixteen years as a Radiologic Technologist at an area walk-in clinic.  Ms. Young is certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and is a member of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Society of Radiology Technologists (ASRT).

Pamela Moye Black, RT (R), Radiology Technologist

Pamela Moye Black, RT(R), received her Radiology Technology degree from Tallahassee Community College in 2005.  Before joining TSHC in 2007, Pamela Moye Black worked as a certified nursing assistant in several local nursing homes and hospitals in Tallahassee for the past 9 years.

Celeste Paquette, MD, Medical Director, Thagard Student Health Center

Dr. Paquette, Medical Director, has been with TSHC since March, 1987.  Before joining TSHC, she spent five years in private practice.  Specializing in pediatrics, Dr. Paquette is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics.  She received her bachelor's from Florida State University and her medical degree from the University of Florida.  Dr. Paquette completed her internship and residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Children's Hospital. She is an active member of the Florida Medical Association and the Capital Medical Society.

Candace Wells, ARNP Assistant Director of Nursing

Candace Wells, ARNP, Women's Clinic Manager, specializes in women’s health with a sub-specialty in adolescent health.  Prior to joining TSHC in 2000, Ms. Wells worked in private practice for 20 years, public health for six years, and hospital nursing for three years.  She is a certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, colposcopy trained, and a member of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, Florida Nurses Association, the local chapter of the Council of Advance Practice Nurses, Sigma Theta International, and the Honor Society of Nursing.  Ms. Wells received her degrees from Tallahassee Community College and Florida State University and her ARNP training at University Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.

Jo Davis, ARNP-C, Women's Clinic

Jo Davis, ARNP-C, a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Medical Technician, was colposcopy trained at Harvard Medical School after receiving her degrees at Florida State University.  She worked at TSHC for 18 years before going into private practice in women’s health for 10 years.  She returned to TSHC in December of 1999.  Ms. Davis is also an adjunct instructor and faculty member at the Florida State University School of Nursing.  She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Council of Advanced Practice Nurses, Florida Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Association

Evan Dussia, II, MD, Women's Clinic Physician Consultant

Dr. Dussia received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine.  He completed his internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Georgia and was the Administrative Chief Resident at Jacksonville Health Education Program, Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Dr. Dussia is Board Certifed by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Kelly Dykes, RN, Nurse Supervisor, Women's Clinic

Kelly Dykes, RN, joined the TSHC team in 2002. After receiving her nursing degrees from Lively Technical Center and Excelsior College, she gained experience at the medical surgical units at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and Tallahassee Community Hospital.  Before coming to the TSHC Women’s Clinic, Ms. Dykes also worked for a gynecology private practice.  She is a member of the Florida Nurses Association.

Sandy Kuhn, ARNP-C, Women's Clinic

Sandy Kuhn, ARNP-C, is certified in Women's Health Care and is colposcopy-trained from the University of Texas Health Center.  She received her nursing degree from Santa Barbara City College in California and her ARNP training at the University of Texas Science Center.  Ms. Kuhn has been with TSHC since 1998 and is a member of the Florida Nursing Network.

Alice Laxton, ARNP, Women's Clinic

Alice Laxton, ARNP, has been with the TSHC family since 1993.  After earning her nursing degrees from the University of Florida, she worked as an ARNP and RN in Ocala, Florida.  Ms. Laxton is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the Tallahassee Council of Advance Practice Nurses.

Dorothy McMurry, ARNP-C, Women's Clinic

Dorothy McMurry, ARNP-C, received her nursing degrees from George Brown College in Toronto, Canada and Florida State University.  She is a certified Family Nurse Practioner, colpscopy trained, and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.  Ms. McMurry has been with TSHC since 2002 and is a member of the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

Patricia Prince, ARNP-C, Women's Clinic

Patricia Prince, ARNP-C, has been with TSHC since 2001.  A certified Family Nurse Practitioner, she received colposcopy training at Harvard Medical School and her nursing degrees from Georgia Southwestern University, the University of North Florida and Georgia Southern University.  Ms. Prince is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association.

Poon Lanh Rollison, ARNP-C, Women's Clinic

Before coming to TSHC in 2003 Poon Lanh Rollison, ARNP-C, gained college health experience at Florida A&M University Health Services.  She is a certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and is a member of the Florida Nurses Association and the Tallahassee Council of Advanced Practice Nurses.  Ms. Rollison received her nursing degrees from Florida State University and Florida A&M University.