About NCHSE Foundation
How We Got Here
and Where We're Going
NCHSE began with a simple idea: health science education needed standards as solid as the profession itself. Today, we represent 35+ state education agencies and have administered over 180,000 exams, proving that alignment between education and healthcare works.
- Started by educators and industry leaders
- Built on two decades of workforce alignment
- Trusted by states and healthcare organizations
Foundation
How We Serve
Three interconnected pathways supporting health science education.
Standards
Curriculum Framework
Industry-validated benchmarks defining quality health science education.
Community
Professional
Growth
Conferences, webinars, and peer connections keeping educators current and engaged.
Certificates
Certificate
Mastery
Stackable certificates validating student readiness for college and career pathways.
NCHSE Board & Executive Leadership
Our leadership teams meet regularly to guide the vision, direction, and strategic priorities of the National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE).
Have suggestions for content or areas of improvement? We want to hear from you.
Executive Council
The Executive Council manages the business operations and strategic priorities of the organization. Comprised of elected officers and category representatives from across the United States, the team meets virtually and in person throughout the year to ensure NCHSE fulfills its mission, vision, and values.
Angel Clark
Retired, former South Carolina
Department of Education
Melissa Leeds
North Carolina Department
of Public Instruction
Shelly Wehmeyer
Former Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
Dana Van Laeys
Healthcare Education and Credentialing Specialist
Nicholas Wells
DEPCO Enterprises, LLC
Category Representatives
Category Representatives manage the business operations and strategic priorities of the organization. Comprised of elected officers and category representatives from across the United States, the team meets virtually and in person throughout the year to ensure NCHSE fulfills its mission, vision, and values.
Erica Davis
Hawaii Pacific Basin Area
Health Education Center
Melissa Sparks
North Carolina
Zack Green
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) & Pharmacy Technician Education Council (PTEC)
Denise DuBois
RealityWorks
Kela Cowan-Gant
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
Ex-Officio Members
Dana Stringer
Robbie Rauzi
Mallory Walton
Health Science State Leaders
Lisa McGrady
Alabama Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Nathan Stamm
Alaska - Alaska Area Health Education Center(opens in new tab)
Wesley Wood
Arizona Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Cathy Gunter
Arkansas Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Tara Neilson
California Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Kyllie Freeman
Connecticut Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Rozie Townsend
Delaware Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Sandra Martin
Georgia Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Erica Davis
Hawaii Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center(opens in new tab)
Kevin Brinegar
Idaho Division of Career Technical Education(opens in new tab)
Shaista Saiyed
Illinois State Board of Education(opens in new tab)
Brian Swaim
Kansas State Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Joyce Parker
Kentucky Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Amy Gole
Michigan Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Jenny Neiss
Minnesota Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Deidra Walker
Mississippi Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Rachel Fisher
Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education(opens in new tab)
Tammie Ellington
Montana Office of Public Instruction(opens in new tab)
Jami Denny
Nebraska Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Victor Willert
Nevada Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Diane Thomas
New Mexico Public Education Department(opens in new tab)
Melissa Leeds
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction(opens in new tab)
Shila Leno
North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education(opens in new tab)
Lara Morris
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech Education(opens in new tab)(opens in new tab)
Liz Rain
Oregon Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Mindy S. Freidin-Mansfield
Pennsylvania Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Anna Snipes
South Carolina Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Abby Cunningham
Tennessee Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Jackie Uselton
Texas Health Occupations Association, Inc (THOA)(opens in new tab)
Maren Hansen
Utah State Board of Education(opens in new tab)
Courtney Peart
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction(opens in new tab)
Ashley Torres
West Virginia Department of Education(opens in new tab)
Christina Patrin
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction(opens in new tab)
Legacy
Honorary Lifetime Members
These visionary leaders played a critical role in shaping health science education, advancing national standards, and building the strong foundation that continues to guide NCHSE today. Their leadership, dedication, and advocacy helped position NCHSE as a national voice for health science education.
