Carolyn L. Kreamer, PhD, RN, CNE

Professor of Nursing, and
Chairperson, Department of Nursing                   

Dr. Kreamer serves as a Professor of Nursing and the Chairperson of the Department of Nursing. She earned a Diploma in Nursing from York Hospital School of Nursing, a BSN from Pennsylvania State University, a MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Kreamer’s areas of interest and expertise include critical care nursing, medical-surgical nursing, nursing leadership and management, nursing research, professional issues and development, and simulation technology. Dr. Kreamer has been at Messiah College since 1986.

Louann B. Zinsmeister, PhD, RN, CNE

Associate Professor of Nursing

Dr. Zinsmeister serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing. She earned a Diploma from Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing, a BSN from Millersville University, a MS in Nursing from University of Delaware, and a PhD from Widener University. Dr. Zinsmeister also is a certified nurse educator. Dr. Zinsmeister's areas of interest and expertise include adult critical care nursing, adult medical-surgical nursing, gerontological nursing, nursing research, simulation technology, nursing informatics, and curriculum development. Dr. Zinsmeister has been at Messiah College since 1994.

Anne B. (Nancy) Woods, PhD, MPH, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Dr. Woods serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing. She earned a Diploma in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, a BSN from the University of Hawaii, and MSN from the University of Pennsylvania, and MPH from the University of Hawaii, a post-MSN from Ursuline College, and a PhD from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Woods areas of interest and expertise include maternal-child nursing, nurse midwifery, nursing research, and public health nursing. Dr. Woods has been at Messiah College since 2008.

Wanda Thuma-McDermond, PhD, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Dr. Thuma-McDermond serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing. She earned a BA and BSN from Goshen College, a MSN from Indiana-Wesleyan University, and a PhD from Widener University. Dr. Thuma-McDermond’s areas of interest and expertise include community health nursing, medical-surgical nursing, emergency nursing, and transcultural nursing. Dr. Thuma-McDermond has been at Messiah College since 2003.

Heidi R. Lutz, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Dr. Lutz serves as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. She earned a Diploma in Nursing from Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing, a BSN from Penn State University, a MSN from Widener University, and a Ph.D. Widener University.  Dr. Lutz's areas of interest and expertise include medical-surgical nursing, critical care nursing, pathophysiology-pharmacology, and geriatric and long term care nursing.  Dr. Lutz has been at Messiah College since 2007.

Tara S. Jankouskas, PhD, RN, BC

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Dr. Jankouskas serves as an Assistant Professor of Nursing. She earned a BSN from Bloomsburg University, a MSN from the University of Texas at Austin, and a PhD from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Jankouskas also is board certified in pediatric nursing. Dr. Jankouskas’ areas of interest and expertise include pediatric nursing, adult education, and simulation technology. Dr. Jankouskas has been at Messiah College since 2009.

Debra L. Loop, MSN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Clinical Track

Debra Loop serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing – Clinical Track. She earned a Diploma in Nursing from Reading Hospital School of Nursing, a BSN from Liberty University, and a MSN from the University of Virginia. Ms. Loop’s areas of interest and expertise include emergency/trauma nursing, critical care nursing, physical assessment, transcultural nursing, information technology, and simulation technology. Ms. Loop has been at Messiah since 1995.

Marti G. Derr, MSFS, MScCouns, MSN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Clinical Track

Marti Derr serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing – Clinical Track. She earned BSN from Eastern Mennonite University, a MSFS from the University of Kentucky, a MScCouns from Goldsmiths' College, University of London, and a MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland. Ms. Derr’s areas of interest and expertise include psychiatric-mental health nursing, therapeutic communication interventions, Christian and nursing ethics, and leadership and management nursing. Ms. Derr has been at Messiah College since 1996.

Pamela J. Linstedt, MSN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing

Clinical Track

Pamela Linstedt serves as an Associate Professor of Nursing – Clinical Track. She earned a BSN from Alderson-Broaddus College, and a MSN from Indiana University. Ms. Linstedt’s areas of interest and expertise include medical-surgical nursing, gerontological nursing, and physical assessment. Ms. Linstedt has been at Messiah College since 1997.

Kristen Slabaugh, MSN, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Clinical Track

Ms. Slabaugh serves as an Assistant Professor of Nurisng - Clinical Track. She earned a BSN from Messiah College and a MSN for Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Slabaugh's areas of interest and expertise include maternal child nursing and pediatric nursing. Ms. Slabaugh has been at Messiah College since 2011.

Eileen K. Gardner, BSN, RN

Learning Lab Coordinator

Eileen Gardner serves as the Learning Laboratory Coordinator for the Nursing Department. She earned a BSN from Eastern Mennonite College. Her areas of interest and expertise include nursing skills, simulation technology, and pediatric nursing. Ms. Gardner has been at Messiah College since 1985.

Beth Aumen

Adminstrative Assistant

Beth Aumen serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Department of Nursing. She manages the day-to-day details and operations of the Department of Nursing. Ms. Aumen has has been with the Department of Nursing since 2011.

You may contact the Department of Nursing office at (717) 691-6029 or nursing@messiah.edu.

Our Adjunct Faculty

Diane Kanode, MSN, RN

Adjunct Professor of Nursing

M'Liss Halsey, MSN, RN

Adjunct Professor of Nursing