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Florida Association of Health Science Educators

Welcome to FAHSE!

As a dedicated division of the Florida Association for Career and Technical Education (FACTE), FAHSE is committed to strengthening and advancing health science education across Florida. We provide educators, students, and industry professionals with essential resources, dynamic professional development opportunities, and a thriving network of support.

As a vital part of FACTE, FAHSE ensures that health science education remains aligned with industry standards and evolving healthcare trends. Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for successful and impactful careers in healthcare. We are passionate about empowering educators with the tools and strategies to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Join FAHSE today and be part of a movement that is shaping the future of health science education in Florida!

Meet the FAHSE Board of Directors

President: Jennifer Stockton, M.Ed., MBA, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT) 


Jennifer Stockton is a dedicated leader in health science education and serves as President of the Florida Association of Health Science Educators (FAHSE). She is the Radiologic Technology Instructor and Clinical Coordinator at Marion Technical College and a dual-certified practitioner in Radiography and Computed Tomography at HCA Florida Hospital. With a passion for training future healthcare professionals, Jennifer blends her expertise in curriculum development, workforce training, and patient care to enhance technical education.

Her career began after a personal experience with trauma, leading to a deep commitment to healthcare education. Holding an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and an MBA in Strategic Management, she leverages her corporate background as a Fortune 500 General Manager to drive industry-aligned training. As FAHSE President, she advocates for collaboration among educators, strengthens health science programs, and promotes excellence in career and technical education across Florida.

Jennifer.Stockton@marion.k12.fl.us

President-Elect: Lissa Bartle, RN

Lissa Bartle, RN has been an HSE instructor and HOSA Advisor for 24 years.  She is currently teaching at Palm Harbor University High School, in Palm Harbor, Florida.  Lissa’s passion is curriculum development and helping teachers to be successful.  Besides being a FAHSE Board member, she is the 2024-25 President of the Health Science Educators Association which is affiliated with the National Consortium for Health Science Education.

bartlel@pcsb.org

Secretary: Heather Dray


Heather Dray has been an RN since 2007 and holds a BA in political science from Susquehanna University and a BSN from Kent State University.  Her career has spanned many diverse nursing disciplines throughout the U.S in Ohio, California, Virgina and Florida, as well as overseas in Egypt and India.  Over the years, she has worked in hospitals and medical clinics in trauma and emergency units, intensive care units, travel nursing, family medicine clinics, immunization clinics and pediatric well care facilities.  Additionally, she worked in pediatric oncology research at NIH in 2015 and was a Captain the U.S. Army Reserves Nurse Corps from 2009-2016.

 In 2022, she returned from overseas and relocated permanently to Florida.  She now teaches full-time at the Medical Academy at Ridge Community High School in Polk County, currently managing the anatomy and physiology classes full of 9th and 10th graders.  She is also a part-time adjunct faculty member for Valencia College's School of Nursing, teaching clinicals in reproductive health and pediatrics.  Heather is passionate about educating our future medical professionals at the secondary and post-secondary levels and is involved as a HOSA/Medical Club advisor at RCHS.  

heather.dray@polk-fl.net

Post Secondary Representative: Kozette Hubbard


Kozette (Kozy) Hubbard is a Paramedic and worked in the field for Polk EMS for 20 years before moving to the Polk County Schools at Bartow High School Medical and Fire Academy for 18 years. She also was an Adjunct instructor for 20 years at Polk State College. She is now a Lead Instructor at South Florida State College in the EMS / Fire Sciences and Health Sciences departments. 

kozette.hubbard@southflorida.edu

Secondary Representative: Sonja Christmas


Sonja Christmas has 20 years of experience teaching Health Science education in Florida, specializing in Allied Health III (CNA & BLS certification), Health Foundations (CMAA certification), and Health Science I Anatomy & Physiology. She is a dedicated mentor and leader, actively advising student organizations such as HOSA, SADD, and the Senior Class while coordinating student engagement initiatives and professional development training. Her expertise includes curriculum development, student career guidance, and preparing learners for healthcare certifications through dynamic, hands-on instruction. Committed to student success and career readiness, she emphasizes clinical skill development, industry partnerships, and pathways for college and professional growth.

Sonja.Christmas@marion.k12.fl.us

Treasurer: Tami Bradley, BA, RN, NCSN


Tami Bradley is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience which includes Oncology, Cardiology, Behavioral Health, and Home Health. Bradley is the Department Chair for the Academy of Health Careers at Seminole High School in Sandford, FL.  She attended Northampton State College and St. Leo University. 

Bradley joined the staff of Seminole County Public Schools as a School Board Nurse and earned her National Certification in School Nursing.

She is very happy to have made the transition to the classroom where she is currently teaching Nursing Assisting.

bradletl@scps.k12.fl.us

President Emeritus: Leah Myrick, BSN


Leah Myrick, BSN is the Health Academy Instructor at Chiefland Middle High School in Levy County. She began teaching in 2019, but has been an RN in various fields for the past 20 years. Leah is passionate about encouraging and building future healthcare professionals to care for others with compassion and integrity. 

leah.myrick@levyk12.org


Health Science Blog

  • Friday, February 07, 2025 11:25 AM | Jennifer Stockton (Administrator)

    Florida's technical colleges are expanding LPN-to-RN bridge programs to meet the rising demand for registered nurses and provide career advancement opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). In April 2024, Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) became the first technical college in Florida to launch an innovative LPN-to-RN pathway, allowing students to transition to RN roles in just two years at a significantly lower cost than traditional programs. Developed by Dr. Mary Anne Enns as part of her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership, the program is a game changer in addressing local healthcare workforce needs. Following FMTC’s lead, several other career and technical schools across Florida have begun implementing their own LPN-to-RN bridge programs to expand access to nursing education. Learn more here: FMTC LPN-to-RN Pathway

  • Tuesday, December 05, 2023 1:57 PM | Lesley Blanton (Administrator)

    From the Alachua County CTE Director, Shannon Ritter:

    "We are very proud of this partnership with UF Health Shands. They have been at the table from day one of planning and have been wonderful partners. They give the students tours of the various departments in 11th grade. In 12th grade students get to do three rotations in different departments. In April, UF Health Shands personnel comes to the school and help students with the application process. Out of 26 seniors in May, 13 are already working for UF Health Shands. This story highlights one student. (We offer the Allied Health Assisting program at Eastside High School.)"

    Graduates of EHS Medical Skills program making a difference in patient care (msn.com)

  • Tuesday, November 21, 2023 1:07 PM | Lesley Blanton (Administrator)

    The recording of the FLDOE webinar on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund is available at https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/mMxTD2ZvA7ESothcpNVcoh54m9UEMTXs_c_u5B0AOHz5WjjDehqQ2H_paHkJY24x.d33Kwb5XYq93EcPK?startTime=1700234868000.

    All of the proposal documents are located on the LINE Fund website: https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/funding-opportunities/linefund/  You can download all of the required proposal documents under the section titled “2023-2024 Request for Proposal”.

    Please send any questions you may have to LINE_Fund@fldoe.org. Because this is a competitive grant program, we are unable to meet individually or speak on the phone with potential applicants about this grant program. We ask that all questions are sent in writing to LINE_Fund@fldoe.org.


  • Friday, November 17, 2023 2:02 PM | Lesley Blanton (Administrator)

    Check out this great article on Manatee Technical College's nursing program: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/nov/16/local-colleges-combat-nursing-shortage/


  • Friday, November 10, 2023 9:48 AM | Lesley Blanton (Administrator)

    For those of you looking at starting or expanding LPN programs or looking to offer an AS in Nursing you may want to read this memo and tune in to the meeting on Tuesday via https://thefloridachannel.org/.


Upcoming events

Join FAHSE – Together, We Shape the Future of Healthcare Education!

As educators, we know that healthcare is a demanding yet deeply rewarding profession. In recent years, the need for skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals has never been greater. Our students are answering that call, and it’s up to us to empower, guide, and advocate for them.

This is where YOU come in!

By joining FAHSE, you become part of a community of passionate educators committed to making a difference. We have the opportunity to elevate health science education, ensure our programs receive the support they deserve, and strengthen the future of healthcare in Florida. But we can’t do it alone—we need your voice, your ideas, and your dedication to drive meaningful change.

As Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Each of us has the power to impact students' lives, but when we come together, we create a movement—one that influences policies, secures resources, and paves the way for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

How to Join?

It’s simple! Visit https://facte.wildapricot.org/join-us, sign up with FAHSE under FACTE, and pay your dues. From there, you’ll receive updates and invitations to virtual meetings where we collaborate, strategize, and take action.

We have an incredible team working tirelessly to advocate for Florida’s Health Science programs. If you have any questions or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of our board members.

Let’s unite, inspire, and make a lasting impact—Join FAHSE today!



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