Meet Our Team

Our administration, faculty, and staff at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing are dedicated to providing you with the personalized attention you need throughout your education to help you thrive in the nursing field. Through our programs, we are committed to improving the education of our students. We believe in approaching education in a collaborative and multidisciplinary way to help our students enter their careers.

Administration

The administration of the Phillips School of Nursing help lead, coordinate, and manage the School. We are here to make sure you are receiving the best education possible.

Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN
Dean of the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing (PSON) and Vice President for Nursing Academic Affairs of the Mount Sinai Health System
Dr. Glassman joined the Phillips School of Nursing in December, 2023.

Dr. Glassman has been an outstanding leader in higher education administration and health care throughout her career at the New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her roles there included clinical professor, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Associate Dean of Partnership Innovation, and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer of NYU Langone Medical Center.

Dr. Glassman received both her PhD in Theory and Research Development and her Master of Nursing Administration from NYU. She was honored as an inaugural Fellow of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, is a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson Wharton Fellows Program in Management for Nurse Executives at the University of Pennsylvania, and is an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Executive Fellow Program. She has been named a Fellow of both the New York Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Nursing, and is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Executives, Association of Leadership Science in Nursing, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.

Vivian Lien, DNP, RN, CNE
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs and Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Vivian Lien has experience working in telemetry, step-down, and medical-surgical units, as well as in community health with underserved patient populations. In 2021, she became a Certified Nurse Educator from the National League of Nursing.

She is actively involved with students throughout all points in the program and focuses on using a variety of evidence-based teaching-learning strategies to address the learning needs of a diverse student population. She teaches courses offered in the ABSN curriculum from the Pre-Immersion Program in the beginning to Adult Health Nursing and Mental Health Nursing to Transition to Practice at the end, which prepares the student nurse for his or her role as a practicing nurse. She constantly strives to enhance the student learning experience and encourages professional development through various initiatives including the development of a highly successful and individualized remediation program to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

She is the Co-Director of the Phillips Fellowship program, which guides students through the development of evidenced-based and quality improvement projects. She is also an active leader of the PSON Volunteer Task Force and PSON Social Justice Task Force, which focuses on addressing gaps within the healthcare system as well as changes that promote cultural humility and inclusivity. She is a lifelong learner that believes in leading and teaching with compassion and empathy, which she sees as the fundamental components of caring.

Natalie Cline, BA, Associate Dean for Administrative Services, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Natalie Cline oversees and provides leadership guidance in the areas of administration, instruction, assessment, and planning for Information Technology Enrollment Management as well as other stakeholders. She is responsible for the school’s annual operating budget, and oversees human resources, building security, facility management, independent contractors, accounts payable, payroll, and manages the administrative support staff. She assists in strengthening instructional programs through strategically planned, standard-based approaches with a focus on business management. Mrs. Cline began working for the school in 1992 as an administrative assistant. And was promoted to Office Manager in 2011 to Director for Business Operations in 2014, and most recently to Associate Dean. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Science, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health Administration.

Linda Fabrizio, BBA, Director, Donor Relations & Communications and Board Liaison
Program Director, PSON Center for Continuing Education, Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai
Linda Fabrizio joined the school in 2005 and has more than 25 years of experience working with foundation and government grants and donor stewardship. She began her grant-writing career in the Development Department at Mount Sinai. In her role as the PSON Board Liaison, she facilitates communication between the Board Members and the Standing Committees. Her interest in healthcare administration was sparked by her early work in the pharmaceutical advertising industry. She holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baruch College, CUNY.

Tuan Le, BS Assistant Director for Enrollment Management, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Tuan Le collaborates with the Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management to ensure optimal functioning of student services operation. He provides mentorship and support to the student services team in the areas of admissions, enrollment, career services, and student affairs. He also coordinates the RN-BSN Upward Mobility Program and the Medical Assistant Program offered by the PSON Center for Continuing Education. Tuan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Keuka College and is completing a Masters in Higher Education at Stony Brook University, SUNY

Lorraine McGrath MA, RN-BC
Senior Director of Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Lorraine McGrath collaborates with directors of nursing education and nurse managers throughout the Mount Sinai Health System and other health care systems to identify and coordinate optimal clinical placements for nursing students. She began her nursing career in 1978. She joined the School in 1982 as a nursing instructor and also served in the capacity of Assistant Dean of Academics. Her teaching career includes didactic and clinical in medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, transition to practice and community nursing.

Professor McGrath particularly enjoys working with students during their community clinical rotation, visiting patients in their homes and at Callen-Lorde, a LGBTQ community health center. At Callen-Lorde, students witness comprehensive, state-of-the-art services in a sensitive, non-judgmental environment where patients receive personalized attention and care. Professor McGrath graduated from Wagner College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education from New York University. She is certified in medical-surgical nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Pablo Obando, BFA, MFA, Assistant Director, Academic Technology and Media
Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Pablo Obando oversees the implementation and maintenance of new software and equipment. He also works closely with the marketing department to create campaigns and visual materials to promote the School. After attaining his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D computer animation, Pablo shifted his focus and worked for many years as a graphic designer in Miami. Being an ever evolving Illustrator and creative with a passion for technology, Pablo pursued a Masters of Fine Arts in Interactive Media at the University Of Miami School Of Communications. His master’s degree increased his skill set to include web design, UX, game design, data visualization, and project management.

Bernice Pass-Stern, MS, MEd, Assistant Dean for Institutional Effectiveness
Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Bernice Pass-Stern administers and coordinates the School’s institutional effectiveness initiatives, designing and overseeing a program of assessment and feedback, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to develop reports for governmental entities, accreditation agencies as well as internal and external stakeholders that inform strategic planning and resource allocation for the School. She evaluates policies, procedures and best practices to facilitate continual improvements, thereby promoting academic excellence. Bernice works collaboratively to support a campus culture for data-informed decisions that foster student success and innovation. She has been with the School of Nursing since 1984 and possesses a Masters of Science degree in Training and Instructional Technology from the New York Institute of Technology as well as a Masters degree in Education from Brooklyn College. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Rho of New York chapter. Bernice Is very passionate about volunteerism and community service, teaching CPR and First Aid to other volunteers and community groups since 1980. In addition, she is a Basic Life Support instructor trainer for the American Heart Association, mentoring new instructors and offering guidance to training centers in New York City.

Faculty

The faculty of the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing hold advanced nursing degrees and are experienced in their field. Our dedicated faculty teach courses in our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and our RN-BSN program, while also offering our students help and support throughout their journey in nursing school.

Kathleen Begonia, PhD, NI-BC, CCRN
Clinical Associate Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Kathleen Begonia is a full-time Assistant Professor. She is board-certified in nursing informatics and critical care. Her clinical background and experience include adult neuro-surgical critical care and telemetry at Mount Sinai Hospital and camp nursing for children with disabilities. She started her nursing career with Mount Sinai Hospital as a student nurse intern and throughout the years she has held various positions in the health system as a clinical nurse, nursing informaticist, and associate director with the IT business relationship management group. She has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate programs as adjunct faculty for NYU and CUNY SPS. Dr. Begonia earned her PhD in Nursing Science from CUNY Graduate Center through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Future of Nursing Scholar program. Her dissertation, Evaluating Usability of Health-related Websites by Filipino-American Adults and Nursing Informatics Experts, was inspired by her work as a nursing informatics specialist and her interest in addressing the health needs of an underserved community. She is President of the Alexander Begonia Foundation, a nonprofit organization she co-founded that builds playgrounds, offers scholarships, and conducts medical missions for those in need. Founded in 1998, the foundation is named in honor of her brother, Alex, who was born with Down syndrome.

Pennie Sessler Branden, PhD, FACNM, CNM, CNE, RN, ENFLA Sigma Scholar
Associate Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Pennie Branden's love of maternal child health and the rights for healthcare by all women have always guided her decisions in nursing and midwifery, clinically and teaching. Her experience includes leadership, advocacy, and education nationally and globally, for which she has received numerous awards. Dr. Sessler Branden is a former Liaison to the United Nations for Sigma and is currently a mentor to both colleagues and students.

Marjorie Cooke, DNP, MSN, RN
Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Cooke’s nursing career spans over 30 years; with 14 of those years spent serving as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at the Phillips School of Nursing. She joined the faculty full-time in May 2023. Dr. Cooke is passionate about Hospice and Palliative Care and looks forward to creating an inclusive environment in the classroom. Her goal is to foster a welcoming platform for open discussions on such things as disparities in healthcare, which contribute to the under use of hospice and palliative care services, which focus on improving both patient care outcomes and quality-of-life for the terminally/chronically ill client.

Kevin Gao, MSN, RN-BC
Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Kevin Gao (he/him/his) has worked as an ANCC medical surgical board certified registered nurse for outpatient clinical, medical surgical, and neurosurgical stepdown units. He has also been a clinical instructor for NYU and Columbia University for traditional Bachelors and Accelerated Bachelors Nursing programs. He is a faculty advisor for PSON’s NSNA and SGO. He is a proud nurse and educator who is dedicated to the advancement of Nursing Sciences and the commitment to the development and growth of future nurses. His style of nursing is a focus on meeting the needs of the community and having a transcultural global outreach of nursing that meets the diverse needs of both today’s patients, and tomorrow’s patients.

Jay R. Horton, PhD, ACHPN, FNP-BC, MPH, CENP
Senior Director of Palliative Care Nursing at Mount Sinai
Assistant Professor, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Jay Horton is an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse whose teaching focuses on effective communication skills and pain management.

Gagandeep Kaur PhD, RN
Associate Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Dr. Gagandeep Kaur started her professional Career in 2006 as a Clinical Instructor in Guru Nanak College of Nursing, India where she assisted students in the nursing process with a wide range of clinical settings namely Emergency Ward and Intensive Care unit. She lectured and supervised B.Sc.(N), Post-Basic B.Sc.(N) and GNM Students in their Community Health Nursing and Medical Surgical Nursing courses for two years before pursuing her Masters in 2008.After her Masters, she worked as an Associate Professor, in Guru Nanak College of Nursing, India for three years. She was dissertation chair of master’s students for various research projects. During her PhD, she worked as a Graduate Assistant and conducted literature review for numerous Research Projects. Her Research work is primarily focused on infant nutrition, child well-being, development and resilience.

She likes to build a learning environment which offers opportunities for creativity, discovery and integration that will enable students to prepare them for professional nursing practice within the context of our changing health care system. Her goal is to walk the journey with her students, to support them as a learner and work hard with them to pursue a career in this very rewarding profession of nursing.

She authored her first book titled as Examination Master in Child Health Nursing in 2016. She presented her paperwork at an International conference organized at Guru Nanak College of Nursing, India. She is a member of Trained Nurses association of India as well as member of Research association of Bharati Vidyapeeth University College of Nursing, India.

Lynn Shor Rubenstein, MA, RN
Professor Emeritus, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Lynn Rubenstein is an alumna of PSON and enjoyed an illustrious career at Beth Israel that spanned nearly fifty years and included positions in bedside nursing, nursing education, and leadership. She returned to school twice, first to obtain her bachelor’s degree from CW Post Center of Long Island University, and shortly after that, to receive her Master’s in Nursing Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. As a nurse, she initially worked for Beth Israel Hospital, then became a supervisor in the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program. She began her career at the school as nursing professor and went on to serve as Coordinator, Division Chair, Program Chair, Associate Dean and ended her career as Acting Dean for PSON. During her tenure at the school, she played an integral role in the design and implementation of the ATOP Program (Alternative, Two-day Option Program), which was designed for working adults and offered the associate degree nursing classes on evenings and weekends. In her leadership role, she made exceptional contributions to the growth of the school, its faculty, and students. Upon her retirement she was awarded the designation of Professor Emeritus in honor of her significant contributions to the school. Ms. Rubenstein remains actively involved with the school and the PSON Alumni Association.

Sarla Santos MS, NPD-BC, NC-BC, CCRN
Assistant Professor, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Sarla Santos’ experience spans over 25 years of nursing, and includes practicing as a nurse coordinator for a pediatric oncology outpatient clinic, a pediatric professional development specialist, and an assistant director of operations at a large simulation center in New York City. She is deeply committed to the care of children and their families, from birth to adolescence, and the education of future and current nurses. She is known for instilling calmness and wellness in staff, colleagues, and friends with mediation. Professor Santos earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Pace University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Mercy College. She is board certified in nursing professional development, integrative nurse coaching, and pediatric critical care.

Staff

Our staff members are an important part of our team. They are the day-to-day contacts with our students and help them to navigate nursing school, both inside and outside of the classroom.

PSON Team Members

Guerdie Lucien, BBA, MSED, Coordinator, Student Services-Admissions
Guerdie Lucien works closely with new applicants. She analyzes the individual needs of each student and provides appropriate follow-up. On an ongoing basis, she makes presentations to groups of prospective students to inform and educate them about the educational opportunities available at Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing.

Toni Marmol, BFA, Coordinator, Student Services
Toni Marmol works closely with accepted applicants to prepare for enrollment in the Accelerated Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program. He helps students to navigate the program from entry through graduation by answering questions, concerns, and helping students to manage registration.

Phillip Parke, BS, Bursar
Phillip Parke manages students’ accounts payable and receivable and helps them to set up payment plans. He also assists in the preparation of annual budgets and reports.

Marta Pineda, AAS, BS, Desktop Specialist/IT Simulation Lab Assistant
Marta Pineda helps to oversee IT issues, works with the professors to help apply new technologies in the classroom and lab. She works closely with students to support their technology needs.

Luis Rodriguez Sabala, AAS Desktop Specialist/IT Simulation Lab Assistant
Luis Rodriquez Sabala helps to oversee IT operations for professors, students, and staff; specifically by applying new technologies and IT best practices in both the classroom and Skills Lab. Luis also manages and maintains the school’s internal cloud system.

Omar Tunnell, Lab Instructor Assistant
Omar Tunnell works closely with faculty and students. He prepares the nursing skills lab for classes, simulations, and course competencies. He ensures the lab is clean, safe, and organized in accordance with OSHA guidelines and assesses the functioning of laboratory equipment on an ongoing basis, and arranges for repairs/maintenance, as needed.

Kurt Villcheck, IT Specialist/Simulation Assistant, Program Manager, PSON Center for Continuing Education
Kurt Villcheck oversees IT issues. He works with professors to help apply new technologies in the classroom and lab, and works closely with students to support their technology needs. Kurt also manages the Center for Continuing Education where he is responsible for CME applications, and handles registration and IT needs for onsite and online courses. Before joining the school, he built and repaired custom computers, and worked as a freelance 3D graphic designer. Kurt’s custom-built computers have been featured in college textbooks and PC magazines.