Faculty - Surgical Technology Instructor
Richmond, VA
One of the Questions I am asked most often is "Why do you teach?" The answer is simple; it’s my way of paying back those who taught me, by sharing what I’ve learned. I have been blessed to be an active employee in different parts of the Healthcare field for 30 years, and passing that knowledge to the next generation is a privilege and a joy for me. I truly come in to work with a smile everyday and take my greatest satisfaction from seeing the growth in my students. Life behind the doors of Surgery is the "Great Unknown "for most, but it is truly an arena of miracles in the lives we touch here. To have a role in preparing the future staff members of the preoperative team is privilege and an honor.
Faculty - Instructor
Pensacola, FL
I was born in Columbus, Georgia and I spent my early childhood years in Hawaii. I have been in the Pensacola area for twenty-two years now. I am currently a Certified Pharmacy Technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, as well as, a National Certified Pharmacy Technician. I also hold my Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. I have ten years experience in retail pharmacy from employers such as Eckerd’s and Albertson’s/Sav-On Pharmacy. I started out as "extra help" in the pharmacy and ended up loving it, so I decided to make a career for myself. I turned to teaching because I had ten years of knowledge and experience in the field and wanted to share it with others. Who better to share it with than a bunch of excited students with the desire to succeed as a Pharmacy Technician? The most rewarding moment as an instructor is having a student return from externship with a job offer and genuinely thanking me for teaching them what they know. I love coming to work and seeing students get excited about something new they have learned. They are so proud of themselves and can’t wait to share their new knowledge with their friends and family!
Faculty - Instructor
Pensacola, FL
I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I received my Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and my Master’s of Education, with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction. I have been in the dental field, mainly as a dental hygienist, for more than twenty years. During this time, I have taught at several different community colleges in dental hygiene programs. I have also worked as a Coordinator for the American Red Cross in Korea, Spain, and Okinawa in their dental assisting program. I also worked as a Dental Hygienist for the American Red Cross. I originally went into the dental field because my dad suggested that I should look into dental hygiene. He felt this would be a good career for me and would allow me to be financially independent. Luckily, it turned out to be something I really love doing. I wanted to become an instructor because I really enjoy the dental field and felt my passion would show through as I shared the knowledge, concepts, and techniques of dentistry with students. Loving what you do promotes your field of study and hopefully makes you a good role model. I find it rewarding to see students succeed and become equally passionate about what they are learning. I enjoy being at Fortis everyday to see the excitement on students’ faces when they master new material and skills. It’s a pleasure working with other allied health care professionals who are equally passionate about the fields.
Faculty - Cosmetology Program Director
Pensacola, FL
I was born in North Carolina and have been a resident of Pace, Florida since I was six years old. I am currently the Cosmetology Program Director here at Fortis Institute and the owner of my own salon. My certifications include Cinderella Hair Extensions, Redken Master Color Specialist and Redken Color Specialist. I graduated from Cosmetology school in 1986 and have been a licensed stylist since 1987. I have owned my salon for thirteen years. I have always enjoyed doing hair and making other people feel good about themselves. I have had associates working under me as a stylist for many years. I chose to become an instructor because the satisfaction of teaching someone and watching them succeed, which is very gratifying. What I find most rewarding about being an instructor is helping a student get to that point when they really understand how to do something. I love seeing their excitement for learning! I look forward to being at Fortis everyday thanks to the team of professionals that I work with. Our entire staff is driven to do it better than anyone else!
Faculty - Instructor
Mobile, AL
Being a Cosmetology Instructor allows for so many opportunities to change lives. It is such a rewarding experience to watch students develop into confident professionals in such a short period of time. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Faculty - Instructor
Mobile, AL
I chose to become an instructor because I knew that I would be instrumental in the development of student cosmetologists. With over 16 years of experience in cosmetology, sincere enthusiasm and a great sense of humor, I believed that I could create an environment in which learning would be fun.
Every single day of teaching brings my students one step closer to a career that will provide them with a lifetime of security.
Faculty - Allied Health Program Director
Phoenix, AZ
Angela Jording is a Certified Medical Assistant and was born in Ayer Massachusetts January 30, 1966. Her calling to the healthcare field came when she lost her brother at the age of 17 due to a tragic accident. At the hospital she witnessed the trauma team work so hard to revive her brother. She kept telling herself that they are so dedicated to this man they never met. They had compassion to the family they never knew.
She joined the Army 7 days after her brother’s death because she knew the medical field was what she wanted in life. Her career included the Panama crisis transporting wounded to one M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Support Hospital) unit to a C.A.S.H. (Combat Support Army Hospital) Unit. In addition to her reserve military career she had opened her own billing company, starting with 4 clients and grew to 60 clients in 9 years. She then went back to work for a 5- doctor gastroenterology office and became the lead Medical Assistant. She then started her experience as an MA instructor and was offered a Trainers position at McKesson Specialty, teaching the new CSR reps the program and all about new drugs coming onto the market.
After being offered a full time position at Fortis as the Medical Assisting Instructor, she quit all her other jobs and put all energy and efforts to build a program from scratch. The classes started off small and are slowly growing in numbers and it has been a great experience being a part of a ground up school. She is continuing her education in the associates degree program with US Careers, and is enrolled in the Bachelors in Science Degree program at Penn Foster. She was then offered the position of Allied Health Program Director and accepted it with great enthusiasm. Her future goal is to continue to go to school to become a Nurse Practitioner through Arizona State University.
Faculty - Dental Assistant Instructor
Phoenix, AZ
Robin Sorrell is a Certified Dental Assistant and currently serves as an instructor and extern coordinator for Fortis College. Since graduating with her Associates of Applied Science degree in Dental Assisting from Phoenix College in 2000, Ms. Sorrell has worked for private dentists Dr. Terry Belden, DDS, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Tyler Robinson, DMD, Orthordontics, Southwest Dental Group, and the Bryman School where her experience has included certification in exposing radiographs in the State of Arizona, general dentistry, orthodontics technician, instruction, and extern coordinating. In her current role, Ms. Sorrell serves as a Dental Assistant Instructor responsible for teaching radiography, CPR, infection control, four-handed dentistry, and dental assistant expanded functions as well as serves as the Fortis College's Extern Coordinator locating sites for dental assisting student externs, serving as the Chief Liaison between extern sites and Fortis College, and conducting on-site student evaluations. These responsibilities combine with her interest in returning to dental school in the future. Ms. Sorrell is a Native American of the Navajo and Mississippi Choctaw tribes and currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When she is not working she is out to dinner with friends, spending time with family, or roaming the malls and boutiques in the Valley of the Sun.
Faculty - Program Director
Montgomery, AL
Ms. Daphne Watkins has been a Program Director at Fortis College (Formally Capps College) since June 2, 2005. She gained her pharmacy technician experience after working in the field for over 12 years in both retail and industrial settings. She also received training from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University in Birmingham, and also possesses a degree in Psychology from Troy University. When asked why she decided to become an instructor at Fortis, she replied that she has always possessed " a passion for interacting with people," and when the opportunity to teach people eager to learn her trade arose, she simply couldn’t let it pass. Ms. Watkins also serves as a testing coordinator for the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT), and a National Certified Pharmacy Technician with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Faculty - Dental Assisting Program Director
Montgomery, AL
My name is Kimberly Lige RDH, CDA, CDLT and I am the Dental Assisting Program Director.
I started my dental career as a Dental Laboratory Technician. In May 1998 I received my certification in Dental Laboratory Technology, which I practiced for six years. I then moved from working in the lab setting to the dental office where I trained to be a dental assistant. I was fortunate enough to work for a dentist that had enough faith in me to send me to school to become a dental hygienist. I completed and received my certification and license in Dental Hygiene through the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners in June 2007. When I heard, Fortis was starting a Dental Assisting Program, I jumped at the chance to share my knowledge and experience in the dental field with individuals who were interested in starting a career in dentistry. I went on to take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam to ready myself for my new position with Fortis College. I am having so much fun working with each student in the program and it gives me great joy to see each of them make such huge accomplishments and to know I had a hand in it.
Faculty - HVACR Program Director
Montgomery, AL
Bruce Fleming has been the HVACR Program Director at the Montgomery Fortis College since November 2008. He has worked with the school in developing this new program, which has approximately 50 students and two additional instructors.
He holds a state license in HVAC and has owned his own company for many years. Mr. Fleming is any Army retiree. During his time in the service he taught 10 years at the US Army Engineer School.
Faculty - Medical Assistant/Medical Office Program Director/lnstructor
Montgomery, AL
My name is Nikita Sanders and I have been employed with Fortis College in Montgomery for two years. I am the Medical Assistant/Medical Office Program Director/lnstructor. Doing my time here I have taught several Anatomy, Lab and Medical Insurance classes. I have always enjoyed being able to help those in need. That's why I decided to pursue a career in the Healthcare field. One of my goals was to become a teacher. When the college was advertising for an Instructor I decided to apply because I saw this as my chance to share my healthcare experience with some individuals who would become future Healthcare workers. This has been a very rewarding experience for me. I have to stay current on Medical Practices and Procedures as they develop. I feel that as an Instructor it is my duty to make sure that the students have the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective Healthcare worker. My goal is that once a student has completed the program I want them to be confident in their skills and ability and be a successfully Healthcare work.
Faculty - Career Services Director & Program Director
Mobile, AL
There are rewards and then there are rewards. In the past two years I have been given the honor of instructing and managing, as well as securing positions for most of the students here at Fortis. This has proven to be the icing on the cake after 27 years as a stylist in a salon.
As a stylist, the more you work the more income you receive. In this position, I am afforded the awesome privilege of changing a life style by changing a way of thinking, by preparing the students with knowledge to include skills that will allow them to become self sustaining after successfully completing their course and acquiring licenses.
The icing comes when there is a student that has been told they cannot succeed. And then they receive their license to announce to all "I DID IT". That is my reward, to see them succeed in a profession that can last as long as they have the desire.
Faculty - Instructor
Pensacola, FL
I am from Ackerman, Mississippi and hold a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, as well as, a Certified Dental Assistant. I have over ten years experience working as a Dental Assistant and as a Medical Assistant. I have always had an interest in the dental and medical fields. Even as a young child I enjoyed helping others in need. So when I enlisted in the military and the option was presented to me, I knew it was the field I wanted to be in. I later decided to take the opportunity to teach. It allows me to take the knowledge I have learned over the years and pass it on to others. Seeing my students progress through their programs and ultimately graduate is a rewarding experience for me because I know I played a part in changing someone’s life for the better. I look forward to teaching my students something new every day and witnessing their reactions. The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping someone expand their knowledge.
Faculty - Instructor
Pensacola, FL
I am a native of Pensacola, Florida. Currently, I am a Registered Medical Assistant and a National Certified Medical Assistant. I am also a Licensed Cosmetologist. I have been in the medical field for about ten years. I have worked as a tech in trauma, a surgical floater, and as a veterinary technician. I chose to be a Medical Assistant to have a career, I love working with people and being in the medical field. I became an instructor because a job opportunity presented itself and I was encouraged by others to take it, now I love it! I enjoy teaching what I love and feel passionate about. I have an opportunity to make a positive and lasting impression to positively change the medical field. I love when students feel, or fear, they cannot do a task and then seeing their faces when they find out they can do it! The pride on their faces at graduation is one of the most rewarding moments for me as an instructor. My job is a challenge and I look forward to it every day!
Faculty - Cosmetology Instructor
Pensacola, FL
I am a native of Pensacola, Florida and currently hold a Cosmetology License and a Real-Estate License. I am also a Certified Dental Assistant. I attended Cosmetology School in 1990 and when I received my license, I began my first job at Fantastic Sam’s. Over the years, I worked for several salons specializing in a wide variety of services. I was eventually introduced to the education arena and I have been a Cosmetology instructor for five and a half years. I love the art of hair and how the industry has grown. This is a very rewarding career and I love having the ability to change someone’s outlook on life. I chose to become an instructor because I enjoy sharing what I have learned, especially the knowledge I gained from working in a real salon environment. The most rewarding experience is having a student reach their goal in becoming a professional licensed cosmetologist by passing their state board exam and having their license placed in their hands… it’s priceless! I work with such a wonderful and supportive staff here at Fortis. The dedication and hard work along with the commitment from our staff to make this school and each student a success, is what brings me here every day.
