Aspire Medical Academy leadership
PENELOPE DEFREITAS, MSN, RN, OCN: PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Penelope Defreitas is a seasoned Nurse Educator and Oncology Specialist with over three decades of experience in clinical and academic environments across Guyana, Canada, and the United States.
She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Canyon University, and began her career with a Nursing Diploma from Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital in Georgetown, Guyana.
Her expertise spans medical-surgical, perioperative, and outpatient oncology nursing, with a deep commitment to mentoring, staff development, and delivering compassionate,
patient-centered care. A certified Oncology Nurse since 1997, Penelope has played a critical role in guiding nursing professionals in the safe delivery of chemotherapy and
immunotherapy, while promoting effective symptom management and improved patient outcomes.
As a Nurse Educator at Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute Penelope has held leadership roles at Beaumont Oncology and St. Elizabeth Hospital.
Penelope is also the founder of Aspire Medical Academy in Guyana, a healthcare training initiative dedicated to preparing the next generation of competent and compassionate nursing
assistants.
DIANE G. COPE, PHD, APRN, BC, AOCNP: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
Diane G. Cope, PhD, APRN, BC, AOCNP, earned her PhD in nursing from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, and completed her nurse practitioner certification at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. With over 30 years of experience in oncology nursing, she has served in a variety of roles, including clinical nurse, academic faculty for undergraduate and graduate programs, and nursing leadership.
Dr. Cope currently practices as an oncology nurse practitioner at Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute in Fort Myers, Florida. She was honored with the 2013 ONS Excellence in Care of the Older Adult with Cancer Award. A respected author and editor, she has co-edited the Oncology Nursing Society Core Curriculum, edited two books on geriatric oncology nursing, and contributed to numerous journal articles and book chapters.
Dr. Cope has also presented her work at national and international conferences. Her editorial contributions include serving as an associate editor for both the Oncology Nursing Forum and the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing; she continues to review for the Oncology Nursing Forum.
NANCY J. SOLAK, MSN, RN, OCN: CLINICAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Nancy J. Solak MSN, RN, OCN, graduated from Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital Medical Center (now Mercy Health) School of Nursing in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1978 with a Diploma RN license. In 1995, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Nancy began her career at Saint Elizabeth’s, working in the Medical-Surgical teaching unit and the Surgical Intensive Care Unit until 1984.
She subsequently relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where she worked at Lee Memorial Hospital and later at Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center until 1994. From 1994 to 1995, she served as a Clinical Research Nurse with Florida Cancer Specialists.
Her career included consulting for research organizations, contributing to the National Committee for Quality Assurance, and teaching courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Pharmacology, Medical Assistant Competencies, and nurse reentry programs at US colleges.
JENNY POONGAVANUM RN: CLINICAL NURSE EDUCATOR
Jenny Poongavanum holds a Nursing Diploma from Grant MacEwan Community College (1991) and a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Athabasca University (2012). She has further strengthened her leadership expertise through specialized training in Insights Leadership, Leading Change, Situational Leadership, and Constructive Conversation.
In addition, Jenny is a certified CPR Instructor and an accomplished Clinical Nurse Educator with over three decades of nursing experience spanning critical care, neurosurgical intensive care, and clinical education.
Since 2012, she has served as a Clinical Nurse Educator, where she plays a key role in developing orientation programs, instructional materials, and clinical protocols to support new hires and ensure high standards of patient-centered care.
Her nursing career began in the United States in 1992, where she worked in Neurosurgical ICU, Medical-Surgical, and CCU/ICU settings before continuing her work in Neurosurgical ICU at the University of Alberta Hospital from 1996 to 2012. Jenny’s extensive clinical background laid the foundation for her transition into education, where she has since influenced practice improvement through evidence-based teaching, staff development, and quality initiatives.
She has been instrumental in creating and delivering didactic courses for neuroscience nursing, developing guidelines and protocols for neurological patient care, and leading initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers through education, wound care rounds, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a Connect Care Superuser, Jenny also supports the integration of clinical technology into practice.
Dedicated to advancing patient outcomes and empowering nursing teams, Jenny continues to contribute her expertise through mentorship, curriculum development, and quality improvement initiatives.
RENEE PEARL, MSN- INFORMATICS, OCN: E-LEARNING SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
L. Renee Pearl earned her Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from American Sentinel University in 2023, graduating with a 4.0 GPA and induction into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, with a concentration in advanced clinical systems design and healthcare informatics.
She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida Southwestern State College (2017), where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA and Sigma Theta Tau honors.
Renee is a forward-thinking nurse executive dedicated to improving efficiencies and workflows in clinical applications for community oncology. With extensive experience in oncology, clinical systems, and informatics data, she leads teams that provide direct support to physicians and clinical care teams.
Recognized as an innovative collaborator, she excels at building high-performing teams with diverse strengths, ensuring that clinical operations are supported with precision and care.
Her professional focus lies in leveraging technology to streamline processes, deliver timely education, and promote accurate, patient-centered care.
LINDA GIDDING-HENRY, RN, BSC ACCOUNTING: FINANCE & ACCOUNTING OFFICER
Linda Giddings Henry is a dynamic professional with a rare fusion of expertise in financial management, healthcare, and data-driven research.
A former Principal/ Economist at the Bank of Guyana, she spearheaded monetary policy analysis, IMF reporting, and financial system oversight—skills she later applied to healthcare and social impact initiatives.
After becoming a Registered Nurse, she transitioned into home healthcare nursing, where she combined clinical precision with a deep understanding of systemic health challenges.
As a Data Analyst and Research Consultant, she has contributed to high-stakes projects, including:
- Public health evaluations (COVID-19 response, maternal/child health),
- Gender equity programs (Spotlight Initiative on violence prevention),
- Statistical modeling (SPSS, surveys, and impact assessments).
Linda’s career reflects her ability to bridge finance, healthcare, and analytics—transforming data into actionable insights for policy, business, and community well-being.range of disciplines, from basic science to clinical research.
LORI MCCORMICK, BSN, RN, OCN: CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
Lori McCormick earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies with a Certificate in Gerontology from Colorado State University.
Lori McCormick is a highly experienced nursing professional with more than 20 years in oncology nursing, clinical research, case management, and patient education. She currently serves as an Ambulatory Care Nurse at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, where she provides oncology care coordination, delivers patient education, and contributes to quality improvement initiatives.
Previously, Lori worked as a Clinical Research Nurse at Moffitt, coordinating clinical trials, ensuring compliance with research protocols, and mentoring new team members. Her background also includes roles as a Clinical Research Coordinator, Home Health Case Manager, and Oncology Staff Nurse, giving her a strong foundation in both direct patient care and clinical operations.
As a Clinical Instructor, Lori is passionate about mentoring future healthcare professionals and fostering excellence in patient-centered care.
PHILIP ROSS: IT CONSULTANT
Philip Ross holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Guyana. He is an accomplished IT Consultant and Network Administrator with nearly two decades of experience in managing and securing complex IT infrastructures.
His expertise spans server virtualization with Hyper-V, network security leveraging Fortinet and Cisco Umbrella, and Active Directory, Microsoft Server environments , and Office 365 administration. In addition to his technical proficiency, he brings extensive experience in network cabling, helpdesk support, and A/V technologies.
As the owner of Open Source Technology Solutions, Philip delivers comprehensive IT services and solutions tailored to diverse organizational needs. His breadth of knowledge and commitment to reliable, secure systems makes him a trusted leader in the field of information technology.
SHARON BRUSCH: ADMISSIONS OFFICER & REGISTRAR
Sharon Brusch earned her FIA Certification from AACA, Diploma in Project Management from Manipal Academy of Higher Learning and her Public Relations Certification from Penn Foster Career College.
With over 15 years of experience in health education administration, Sharon has expertise in admissions, enrollment, and records management protocols to ensure a seamless student experience from application to graduation.
Dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare training, Sharon plays a vital role in preparing compassionate, job-ready nursing assistants to meet the growing demands of the healthcare industry.