Faculty/Staff | Fortis College

Nikita Sanders

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.

Jackie Pickett

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.

Marques Ramsey Coleman

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.

Lisa Carmel Doolittle

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!

LaKesha Moni Walker

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.

Sarah Calvin

Faculty - Cosmetology/Barber Styling Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

Teaching is an amazing art of love, with a passion beyond measure. After 26 years sharing my knowledge with others as a barber instructor, I feel so much joy when I see a student become successful: as they walk across that stage to receive their diploma and take the next steps to become business owners. My blood runs warm with an overwhelming sensation of joy. Being an educator for me is life itself!

Bernard Brown

Faculty - Barber Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

Helping people is my passion, especially in the field of education. It really disturbs me when I see people—of any race or creed—miss out on an opportunity because they have a lack of knowledge. It gives me a lot of joy when I can assist students or others through my experience. I also like to give practical advice. Knowledge from the available resources can help students achieve success with fewer setbacks, and I love doing research. Hence I have made a personal commitment to be student oriented. I believe that people should set goals, put their goals in writing, and carry them out diligently. It is my sincere hope that all students become successful in their endeavors.

Rhonda Ryan

Faculty - Medical Assistant Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

I have been a Florida resident since I was 15. I graduated from Florida Junior College with an ASN degree and from University of North Florida with a BSN degree. I have worked in many various medical settings including: Psychiatry, Family Practice, Medical Surgical Nursing and Medical Review Analyst for a major insurance company. I retired in 2009 and spent a year taking care of family obligations. I decided to return to work, but knew that it must be something I wanted to do. I chose to return to teaching as I had done this early in my career and had found it not only a challenge but a reward. I hope that I can share my various experiences in the medical field and prepare our Medical Assistant students to be successful members of the healthcare community.

Cynthia Roman

Faculty - Medical Insurance Billing & Coding Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

I am a lifelong resident of Jacksonville, Florida. I have been a Certified Medical Coder since 2005 which I obtained through the AMA. I am currently pursuing a Degree in Medical Office Administration. I am also a Certified Medical Transcriptionist. I have fifteen years of experience in the medical billing and coding field. I enjoy teaching students who are eager to learn the medical billing and coding processes. My goal would be to offer them the opportunity to pursue a career in the billing and coding field.

Janet Price

Faculty - Aesthetics Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

My love for skincare led me to teach at Fortis Institute-Jacksonville campus. I love making faces look their best. When clearing up acne, it is a great feeling to see beautiful skin. Students learn methods for improving the condition of skin: microderm-abrasion, glycolic peels, electricity just to name a few. And of course, they learn proper makeup application and color choice with a color theory wheel, as well as techniques in waxing the whole body.

Chanda Wronkowski

Faculty - Senior Cosmetology Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

As a Senior Cosmetology Instructor my days are exciting and challenging, most starting with a morning lecture and a discussion of the principles of hair care in preparation for the State Board Exam. My day continues to the senior clinic floor

Tenley McPhail

Faculty - Nail Technology Instructor
Jacksonville, FL

I believe there’s a saying “God has a place for everyone.” Mine is teaching. The joy I receive from my students when they are able to conquer their first service, whether it be a beautiful nail or a simple, completed manicure. To be able to praise them and visually see the joy in their eyes and their smile is indescribable. Teaching for me has and is a heart warming experience. I realized how heart warming it really is when I attended my first graduation. I was pulled between smiling and crying, so I did both…”

Deborah D. Adams

Faculty - Dental Assistant Instructor/Externship Coordinator
Richmond, VA

Becoming a dental assistant instructor has been rewarding to me for several reasons: because not only do I get to teach the profession that I have a great passion for- I now get to impart the knowledge and skills that I have onto other dental assistants who will then help fulfill the need of administering quality dental healthcare with a smile!