Pamela Hernalsteen, msn, rn amy Howard, rn, bsn, ncsn

Pamela Hernalsteen currently serves as Health Services Coordinator for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. She received her BSN from Marquette University, Milwaukee Wisconsin and her MSN from Wayne State University, Detroit Michigan. Ms. Hernalsteen began her School Nurse career after relocating to Texas in 1991. In working with diverse students and families, she has realized that effective communication requires mutual understanding.

Amy Howard currently serves as Director of Health Services for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. She graduated from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1995 and received her BSN from UT Austin, 1999.

Ms. Howard’s initial adventure in School Nursing began in Birdville ISD where she served as the high school nurse and subsequent promotion to Coordinator of Health Services.

Texas School Nurses have benefited from Ms. Howard’s humorous presentations on Collaborative Communication. A constant theme throughout is how to take emotion out of conversation.



Anil Mangla, MS, PhD, MPH, FRIPH

Dr. Mangla joined San Antonio Metropolitan Health District in 2012 as Chief Epidemiologist. His prior services include State Epidemiologist for Georgia where he led the largest school-based flu immunization program in the country. Dr. Mangla’s areas of expertise include infectious diseases, heavy metal toxicology, epidemiology and community advocacy.

Dr. Mangla received his Master of Science in Chemistry (1991) from The University of Texas at El Paso; his PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Texas Tech University (1998) and his Master of Public Health (2004) from University of Minnesota.



Bryan Dahlberg, Attorney

Mr. Dahlberg was admitted to the bar in 2008. He attended UT Austin pre-law and University of Houston Law Center attaining his J. D., 2008. He is currently employed as a Senior Associate with Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein Attorneys & Counselors at Law, San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Dahlberg’s practice includes representation of school districts, charter schools and other public entities of varied professions/vocations.



Natalie Garry, RN, BSN, MSN, GNP, BC

Ms. Garry is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Geriatrics. She received her ADN (1975) and BSN (1983) from Cameron University in Lawton OK. Ms. Garry attained her MSN from Webster University in St. Louis MO and her APNC (1998) from Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis MO.

Ms. Garry’s nursing career has provided opportunity for varied professional experience including serving as Geriatric Nurse Practitioner for UT Southwestern Medical Center in the General Internal Medicine Division, Geriatrics section on the Dallas TX campus. Most recently, she is retired and continuing to share her knowledge and expertise as a professional speaker.



Laurie G. Combe, MN, RN, NCSN

NASN Board of Directors – Texas

Laurie G. Combe, a Nationally Certified School Nurse, earned both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1976) and Master of Nursing (1980) degrees from Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans. Her nursing experience includes adolescent psychiatry, nursing education and hospice care.

Ms. Schwind is a graduate of the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing, Toledo, Ohio and Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. Her work experience includes cardiac care, occupational health and school nursing. She began school nursing as an elementary school nurse with New Braunfels ISD from 1996-2004. Currently she is employed with New Braunfels ISD as the Health Services Coordinator, 2004-present.

Ms. Schwind completed the Nationally Certified School Nurse Program in 2010. She was selected by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) as an Epinephrine Resource School Nurse in 2012. She became a fellow with the Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Program at Rutgers University in July, 2013 and returned as a mentor, July 2015.

Ms. Schwind’s professional memberships include NASN, Texas School Nurses Organization (TSNO), Texas School Nurse Administrator Association (TSNAA) and National Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau. Her service in leadership includes TSNO Region 13 Treasurer, TSNAA Secretary and TSNO School Health Issues Chair.

Ms. Schwind’s mission is to serve as a health resource for her nurses and staff, providing tools and evaluating research in educating them to best serve the health needs of their students. Her vision is to provide opportunities within the community to improve health and wellness and to educate the Child to protect and care for themselves and their environment.



Pamela Sanford, MSN, RN, BC, CNS

Ms. Sanford attained her BSN from the University of Maryland (1976) and her MSN from UT Austin (1984). Her career includes 20 years in the Army Nurse Corps. During her military tenure, she worked in Critical Care including 3 years as faculty in their Critical Care Course.

After military retirement (1992), Ms. Sanford began employment at Scott & white Healthcare as a Clinical Educator for a variety of Medical/Surgical inpatients units. She transferred from inpatient education to Ambulatory Care education (2008). In this role she is responsible for developing and presenting education programs to a variety of licensed and non-licensed staff in a large multi-specialty and primary care clinic system. Additionally, Ms. Sanford is adjunct faculty for Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi for the BSN and MSN programs.



Felix R. Shardonofsky, MD

Dr. Shardonofsky currently serves as Chief, Pediatric Pulmonology, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Baylor College of Medicine, where he leads the Cystic Fibrosis Center and the academic pulmonary medicine program. Prior hospital appointments include McLane Children’s Hospital, Scott & White, Temple, Texas; Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Shardonofsky received his medical degree (1971) at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. He fulfilled his Postgraduate training, (residency and fellowship) in Argentina, Canada and the USA. Dr. Shardonofsky has contributed to the field of pediatric pulmonology through teaching, research, and lectures and he has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.



Jocelyn Szeto, MD

Dr. Szeto is a Primary Care Sports Medicine physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas. She earned her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

Dr. Szeto focuses on the full spectrum of care for the active person ranging from the common cold and preventative medicine to non-operative management of musculoskeletal injuries and injury prevention.



Peter Guarnero, RN, PhD, MSc

Dr. Guarnero is an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Systems, UT Health Science Center School of Nursing, San Antonio, Texas. Prior to his current position, Dr. Guarnero taught in both BSN and PhD programs at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Dr. Guarnero received his BSN from Marcella Neihoff School of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois; his MSN from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his PhD from the University of California, San Francisco. He completed postdoctoral training in vulnerable populations research at the Center for Vulnerable Populations Research, UCLA School of Nursing. Dr. Guarnero has extensive experience in qualitative methods and community based participatory research with focused interests on health promotion behaviors among gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQI).



Gerardo Quezada, MD

Dr. Quezada is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist with Pediatric Specialists of Texas, an affiliate of Methodist Hospital. He attained his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas and his fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Dr. Quezada is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Ms. Tracy currently serves as Program Coordinator, Dyslexia & Section 504, for the North East Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas. She attained her BA in Elementary Education (1989) at UT San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, Master of Education Curriculum & Instruction (2002), Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas and Master of Education Administration (2011), Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. Ms. Tracy has greater than 10 years’ experience as the North East ISD section 504 and dyslexia coordinator.

Dr. Edmond currently serves as Professor of Ophthalmology & Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas. Her interests and specialties include pediatric neuro-ophthalmology craniofacial disorders and their ocular impact to the visual system and childhood and adult strabismus.

Dr. Edmond received her medical degree from Balor College of Medicine (1985). She completed her internship in Internal Medicine (1986) and residency in Ophthalmology (1989), at Baylor College of Medicine. Her fellowship was fulfilled in Pediatric ophthalmology (1991) at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Dr. Edmond frequently participates as speaker at conferences and national and international professional society meetings. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters; and is the recipient of many honors, awards and accolades.

Dr. Plager currently serves as Professor of Ophthalmology and the Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Services at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He earned his medical degree (1983) from Indiana University, Indianapolis, where he completed his residency training in Ophthalmology. After fulfilling his fellowship training in Pediatric ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., he returned to Indianapolis (1988) to join the faculty at Indiana University.

Dr. Plager’s specialty areas include eye muscle disorders in children and adults, pediatric cataracts pediatric glaucoma, and pediatric eye tumors/retinoblastoma. He is the recipient of numerous honors and has author/co-authored many peer-reviewed journal articles.



Dennis A. Conrad, MD

Dr. Conrad currently serves as Professor of Pediatrics (Pediatric Infectious Diseases), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He received his medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine. He fulfilled his residency at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas and his fellowship at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and Oklahoma Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Conrad’s specialty is Pediatric Infectious Disease. He has authored articles and book chapters on immunizations. Additionally, Dr. Conrad serves as a volunteer member of the Medical Advisory Committee for North East ISD.




Jane Chevako, MD

Dr. Chevako is a board certified self-employed pediatrician and lecturer. She currently provides pediatric services at a Milwaukee Wisconsin inner city clinic affiliated with Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. Dr. Chevako received her medical degree from Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine (1984) and fulfilled her residency at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Her specialty is emergency pediatric medicine. Dr. Chevako enjoys conducting presentations for School Nurses that provide inspiration, rejuvenation and self-reflection with humor.

Dr. Rettig currently serves as Medical Director, Sports Medicine, Children’s Hospital of San Antonio; Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine. He also serves as Medical Consultant for Edgewood ISD, South San Antonio ISD and Pre-K 4 SA in San Antonio. Additionally, Dr. Rettig serves on the North East ISD Medical Advisory Committee.

Dr. Rettig earned his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas. He fulfilled his Pediatric Residency at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Brody School of Medicine, E. Carolina University, Greenville North Carolina. He attained his MBA from E. Carolina University School of Business and he completed his fellowship in Pediatric Sports Medicine at UT Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Maggie Willis, MSN, APRN, FNP

Ms. Willis has a diversified background in nursing and advanced practice nursing that spans over 40 years. Her experience includes direct delivery of health care in acute, community and school settings as well as nursing administration.

As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she embraces a holistic philosophy of health and health promotion. Currently, she is serving as the Health Services Director for Garland ISD which includes 58,000 students, 71 campuses, and 90 RNs. As director, she has been involved in collaborative projects with school and community agencies that provide health care and education to Garland ISD families and children. Ms. Willis also works closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services on best school nursing practice guidelines and is active politically on issues that impact school health programs.

Ms. Willis is past president of Texas School Nurse Administrators Association and past chair of the Texas School Alliance School Health Advisory Council.

Gwendolyn (Gwen) A. Johnson, BSN, RN, M. Ed.

Ms. Johnson currently serves as Manager, Health and Medical Services, Houston ISD (largest school district in Texas). She has held this position January, 2004 – present. Immediately prior to her service in HISD, Ms. Johnson worked as a School Nurse, Aldine ISD, Houston, Texas and subsequently served as Program Director for Health Services for Aldine ISD.

Ms. Johnson earned her BSN (1976) from Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Cleveland, Ohio and her M. Ed. (1983) From University of Houston, Houston, Texas. Doctoral level studies (2013), Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, (Department of Health Studies).

Ms. Johnson has conducted numerous presentations pertaining to School Nursing and School Health Services relative to the health and welfare of children. Additionally, she has authored and co-authored publications pertinent to School Health Services and the professional School Nurse. Ms. Johnson has collaborated/partnered with Houston area stakeholders in children’s health initiatives (e.g., dental/sealant programs, asthma education/outreach, Children’s Health Insurance outreach).

Ms. Johnson is a member of National Association of School Nurses, Texas School Nurses Organization, Texas School Nurses Administrators Association and has served in varied professional leadership positions/roles at the local and state level. Ms. Johnson was nominated and selected as Texas School Nurse Administrator of the Year, 2014,

Linda Howard, BSN, RN, NCSN

Ms. Howard currently serves as the Coordinator of School Health Services, Atlanta ISD, Atlanta, Texas. She has held this position since 2006 with co-responsibility as high school campus nurse.

Ms. Howard earned her ADN (1976) from Texarkana College, Texarkana, Texas; her BSN (2008) from Texas A & M-Texarkana, Texas. Most recently, Ms. Howard has attained nationally certified school nurse (NCSN) status.