Nursing

Tonia Benham

Staff

Tonia began working at LBCC in 2008 and joined the Nursing Department in September 2010. Tonia worked in the LBCC Human Resources office prior to becoming part of the Nursing Department team, and has a background working in varied administrative positions for the federal government and in the nonprofit industry prior to coming to work at LBCC.  Tonia considers her position here at LBCC an absolute blessing, and is honored to be able to assist LBCC nursing students in reaching their goals however she can.

 

Bonnie Lassen

Nursing Administrator

Bonnie Lassen MSN-Ed., RN earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Portland and her MSN-Ed. From the University of Phoenix. She has 41 years of nursing experience with 15 years as nurse educator.  Her other experience includes critical care, emergency department and post anesthesia recovery. She has served on various OSBN  committees and is involved with several state-wide nursing organizations and is currently the LBCC Assoc. Dean of Healthcare and Nursing Program Administrator.

Danielle Clayton

Danielle Clayton, BSN, RN earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California Baptist University. Currently practices as an Emergency Department nurse at Salem Health. She joined LBCC in Fall 2022. Currently attending Maryville University in pursuit of a DNP.

Briget Ferguson

Briget Ferguson MSN, RN, CEN earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Oregon Health and Science University in 2007 and her Masters of Science in Nursing Education through Western Governors University in 2022.  She worked in the emergency department for 12 years and also worked in a hospital based education department.  Briget joined LBCC in 2020.

Emily Fisk

Emily Fisk MSN, RN earned her Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate in 2005 and then her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2006, both from Chemeketa Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree in 2020 and her Master of Science in Nursing Education Degree in 2021, both from Western Governors University. She has 17 years of nursing experience in a variety of settings, and specializes in oncology and hospice/palliative care. Emily joined LBCC in 2020.

Heather Peacock

Heather Peacock MSN, RN, RNC-OB is an alumni of the LBCC Nursing Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University and her Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from Western Governors University. She is currently engaged in a Doctoral of Nursing Practice program through Capella University. She has nine years experience in obstetrics, neonates and pediatrics. She currently practices in Labor & Delivery at Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. Heather joined LBCC in 2020.

Marcy Shanks

Marcy Shanks, MSEd, MSN, RN entered into nursing practice after earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon Institute of Technology in 1987.  Established her nursing experience in ICU, Med-Surg, and clinic settings. Began part-time at LBCC as a clinical faculty and skills lab instructor in 1996 while continuing to work in acute care. Joined LBCC full-time faculty in 2002 after earning a MS in Health Education from Western Oregon University. In 2013 completed a MS in Nursing from Western Governors University. 

Caitlyn Terrell

Caitlyn Terrell, BS, MSN, RN is an alumni of the LBCC Nursing program, class of 2009. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science with a minor in Chemistry from Oregon State University, and her master of science in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University. Her specialty areas include High Risk Obstetrics, Ambulatory Surgery, Endoscopy and Nursing Informatics. She joined LBCC in 2016.

Kristina Thompson

Kristina Thompson, MS, RN, CNE  holds a BS in Family Resources and Human Development/Clinical Nutrition from Arizona State University (1990) and a BSN from the University of Texas at El Paso (1994).  Years as a military spouse allowed for many opportunities to serve as an RN and after 17 years of practice in a variety of acute care and clinical settings, she returned to grad school and earned her MS in Nursing Education from New York University (2012). Upon graduation, Kristina took a faculty position at the State University of New York/Orange County. She joined the amazing nursing faculty team at LBCC in 2017.

Katie Tokarczyk

Katie Tokarczyk, MSN, RN has been a nurse for 24 years and graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and earned a Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University. Katie’s focus has been pediatrics and neonatal/postpartum.  Katie spent a few years at Seattle Children’s Hospital on a step down unit caring for kids of all ages with various cardiac conditions, neuro-surgical procedures, and organ transplant patients. She then spent 15 years in the neonatal/postpartum setting, specializing in newborn care and stabilization. For 3 years following the hospital setting, she was a school district nurse before pursuing her long term goal of nursing education. She joined LBCC in 2017. 

 

Miranda Arms

Miranda L. ARMS, RN,BSN,CMSRN has 17 years in health care experience ranging from caregiving at a group home, to practicing as a CNA at various levels in both hospitals and nursing homes, and now as an RN for the past 6 years; specializing in the care of the hospitalized patient on the Medical Surgical unit.

Former ADN-RN graduate from LBCCs class of 2016/BSN from Western Governors University 2018/CMSRN (certified medical surgical RN certification in 2019).  Specializes in medical surgical nursing and works part time as a bedside clinical nurse at Salem.

 

Telena Bence

Telena Bence, MSN, RN, CNOR initially earned her associate degree in nursing from San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas in 1999.  After working fourteen years as a registered nurse, she decided to go back to school for her Bachelors in Nursing.  She graduated with her BSN from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2014.  In 2017, Telena graduated with her Master's in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University.  Telena's nursing background includes being a clinical nurse expert in the perioperative area (short stay, day surgery, and operating room and recovery room areas).  Telena joined LBCC in 2019, and enjoys crocheting and walks with her mini schnauzers.

Desi Dennull

5 years in the Army (2005-2010) as a medic and OR technician. 1 tour in Iraq (15 months), awarded the Combat Action Badge. 

Nursing School: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Belton, Tx. Class of 2013: BSN.  University of Portland. Portland, Or. class of 2022: DNP-FNP

Background in ICU, ER and Transplant (living kidney donor coordinator). Currently PT with LBCC, started Fall of 2020. Will be starting with Peace Health in December as a PCP. 

 

Nicole Kinkade

Nicole Kinkade, MSN, RN, PCCN is a Linn County native. She graduated from Linfield College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016. In 2022 she completed her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University. She actively works as a charge nurse on an intermediate critical care floor. Nicole began teaching for LBCC in 2019.   

Jenny Larkin

Sandra Shore

Sandra Shore MSN, RN, MBA, NE-BC earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from University of Portland and completed her MSN and MBA through Western Governors University; she has 35 years of nursing experience. Specialties include Critical Care, Neurosurgical nursing, Education Services, Adult Medical Surgical nursing, Information Technology and Management. Sandra joined LBCC in 2021.

Susan Sligh

Susan Sligh, MSN, RN, FNP-C earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2007 from Francis Marion University, located in South Carolina. After earning her bachelor's degree she practiced in a variety of settings including: post-surgery units, medical units, acute care of the elderly, and home health. In 2013, she went on to complete a Master of Science in nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program from Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California. She currently holds national certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and for the last 6 years has been practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in an immediate care setting. 

Caity Wells

Caity Wells MSN, RN, CCRN earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Fox University and her Masters of Science in Nursing Education from University of Saint Mary. She has five years of nursing experience specifically in critical care. She currently practices as a critical care travel nurse around the Pacific Northwest.   Caity joined LBCC in 2019.