College of Science, Technology, and Health
Meet Our Faculty
Nursing Faculty
Dr. Darrell DeMartino
Dr. Darrell DeMartino is a dual board-certified nurse practitioner (family, acute care), registered nurse, and paramedic. He has been practicing in healthcare for nearly 30 years. He started his career in emergency medical services, then became a nurse, then advanced to nurse practitioner. Dr. DeMartino has practiced paramedicine/nursing in urban and suburban areas of New York, Texas, Michigan, and Missouri. His most recent clinical experiences have been in the emergency department (RN) and as a critical care nurse practitioner in the ICU.
Dr. DeMartino has significant experience in curriculum development and instructional design. He has taught Paramedicine and Nursing in the community college and university settings. He routinely educates aspirating healthcare students in the clinical settings; and served as a clinical nurse educator for a large hospital system.
His areas of interest are using technology to teach in healthcare (e.g., VR), psychometrics, informatics, and interprofessional education. Professionally, Dr. DeMartino has served an item writer for a national licensing examination, serves as accreditation reviewer, and has been in leadership roles in several national organizations.
He joined 丝瓜APP University in 2017.
James Haran
Jim Haran has been a registered nurse for over 15 years. He graduated from UMSL in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Jim received Magna Cum Laude at graduation and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honors society. Jim is still a member to this day. After graduating from UMSL, Jim pursued a career path in critical care nursing. He received an offer upon graduation to work in a fast-paced stepdown unit at Mercy Hospital. At Mercy, Jim was a preceptor and charge nurse. This is where Jim’s passion for education began. While at Mercy, Jim obtained Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. After spending 5 years at Mercy, Jim moved to the BJC system at Barnes Jewish Hospital, where he worked on the Medical Intensive Care Unit as a registered nurse, preceptor, and charge nurse. During Jim’s time on the Medical Intensive Care Unit, he began to work as needed (PRN) on the inpatient psychiatric unit at Barnes Jewish Hospital. He wanted to switch gears and explore mental health nursing. Mental health has always been a passion of Jim’s. He feels this is a very underserved community of patients which deserve the upmost dignity and respect. The manager of inpatient psychiatry liked Jim’s work ethic, drive, and passion for mental health, so she hired Jim to be the Assistant Nurse Manager of inpatient psychiatry. Where Jim was responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Adult, Acute, Geriatric, and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).
After working on inpatient psychiatry, Jim was hired as an Assistant Nurse Manager on the Oncology Intensive Care Unit/Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Siteman Cancer Center. During his time there, Jim taught Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) on the unit and at the Center for Lifelong Learning. Jim also educated new physicians on ACLS during their orientation to BJC. Through teaching ACLS and Jim’s history of precepting, Jim naturally pursed education as a career pathway. Jim decided teaching was something he was passionate about and good at. While working at Siteman, Jim pursued a Master of Science in Nursing Education at Webster University, where he graduated in 2021. After graduation, Jim accepted a job as a nursing instructor at Saint Charles Community College, where he mainly taught mental health nursing, health assessment, and pharmacology. While at SCC, Jim obtained Certified Nurse Educator in 2022. After spending two years at SCC, Jim transitioned to Goldfarb School of Nursing, where he was the course lead for Upper Division mental health nursing and promoted to simulation coordinator. During his time as simulation coordinator, Jim developed a true passion for nursing simulation and curriculum development. Jim believes a well-built simulation can absolutely bridge theory to practice. Simulation can also teach valuable critical thinking skills which are applicable to practice. Jim joined 丝瓜APP Nursing in 2024, where he has been writing curriculum for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at 丝瓜APP University to debut Fall, 2025.
Elisabeth Ryan
Elisabeth Ryan, MSN, RN, joined 丝瓜APP University in August 2024 with a deep passion for establishing and growing the Nursing Program. A master鈥檚-prepared nursing instructor originally from Illinois, Elisabeth began her academic journey at Illinois State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis on Human Development and Family Relations across the Lifespan. Initially aspiring to become a Child Life Specialist, she completed an internship at the Mercy Pediatric Emergency Department鈥攁n experience that ignited her desire to pursue a career in nursing. This hands-on experience, combined with her undergraduate studies, solidified her love for healthcare, pediatrics, and holistic patient care, ultimately leading her to a fulfilling career in nursing and nursing education.
Driven by her evolving aspirations, Elisabeth pursued an Accelerated master鈥檚 in nursing from Saint Louis University, specializing in Clinical Nursing Leadership and Education. Since then, she has gained extensive and diverse nursing experience, working as a Pediatric Nurse, Pediatric Hospice/Palliative Care Nurse, Women鈥檚 Health Nurse specializing in fertility and surgery, and a Nurse Educator. In addition to her continued clinical roles, she has served as an adjunct instructor at multiple universities, teaching clinical courses, skills labs, and simulation training. Elisabeth is deeply committed to mentoring students, developing course curricula, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. She is particularly passionate about enhancing critical thinking, bridging theory to practice, and advocating for student success both inside and outside of the classroom.
Elisabeth remains dedicated to maintaining her clinical skills by actively working at the bedside while balancing her full-time faculty role. She is committed to engaging with patients and families, preserving the joy and passion of hands-on nursing, and fostering her love for nursing education.
Outside of her professional life, Elisabeth enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active, and cherishing moments with her husband and family. She finds joy in working out, relaxing with her two pugs, Louie and Jovee, and being actively involved in her church community, where her faith and relationships bring her deep fulfillment.
Meridith Vogeler
Meridith Vogeler joined the Department of Health Sciences in the College of Science, Technology and Health at 丝瓜APP University in August 2023. Meridith (Mer) is passionate about human sciences and nursing education and loves to create a dynamic, fun, and educational teaching environment with her students. Mer is an accomplished nurse educator and registered nurse with noted experience in the classroom, laboratory and delivering quality patient care. Mer has spent her time focusing on emergency and critical care medicine. In addition, she also practices as an NCLEX expert by facilitating review sessions for new graduate nursing students preparing to take their national licensure exam. By joining the educational staff at 丝瓜APP University Mer brings with her leadership attributes, mentoring skills and enthusiasm for educating students. Meridith and her husband Brian have a total of 7 kids and are constantly managing their ever-evolving household. 鈥淒uring the first part of my career years I was the manager of our household. My job duties consisted of raising kids, attending sporting events, and being a chauffeur. I got my start late in the field of nursing and over the past 8 years I have built a career of developing and molding new nurses.鈥� Mer received her degree in 2018 from Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College and completed my Master of Nursing in 2022 at Northwest Missouri State University. Mer is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah and have called St. Louis home since 1992. In her spare time, Mer enjoys playing pickleball, crafting and spending time with my family and friends.
Paramedicine Faculty
Janet Schulte
Janet Schulte is a published author and recognized expert in EMS education. She has over 40 years of teaching experience in the community college and EMS Academy settings. She has provided subject matter expertise and item writing to various EMS publishers and national organizations. Janet has volunteered her time to the American Heart Association since 1976 by serving on various committees and leadership roles as ACLS, BLS, and PALS Training Center Coordinator / Faculty, Regional Faculty, and National/International Training Faculty. Janet coordinates the paramedicine skill/scenario labs, American Heart Association classes, and other programs for the University and the community.
Public Health Faculty
Dr. Amy Estlund
Amy Estlund earned a B.S. in biomedical sciences from Marquette University and an M.P.H. in behavioral science from Emory University. She worked in health education, youth development, and program management in the nonprofit sector for eight years in Atlanta and rural Georgia. She then transitioned to community-based participatory research at Saint Louis University, followed by clinical research at Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine. She completed her Ph.D. in public health from Saint Louis University. Her research interests focus on sexual and reproductive health, school health and culture, health policy, and dissemination and implementation. Estlund looks forward to engaging students in research and bringing relevant experiences from her nonprofit work to the classroom to enhance student learning.
Dr. Amanda Harrod
Amanda Harrod earned her undergraduate biology degree from Washington University. She completed her master鈥檚 degree in public health and doctorate in public health studies at Saint Louis University. Her research interests include social determinants of health and maternal and child health. Harrod has worked with various public health programs across the country. Her previous experience includes working with the Congressional Hunger Center, Fremont Public Association, National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, Obesity Prevention Center, and March of Dimes. She was also the project director for the National Children鈥檚 Study Gateway Study Center based at Saint Louis University. She provided fiscal and administrative oversight for multiple subcontracts and four Study locations in both Missouri and Illinois. Harrod is a member of Generate Health, a coalition that mobilizes and inspires the St. Louis region to advance racial equity in pregnancy outcomes, family well-being, and community health. She enjoys sharing her passion for public health with students at 丝瓜APP University.
Dr. Catherine Shoff
Catherine Shoff earned her Ph.D. in public health studies and M.P.H. in behavioral science/epidemiology from Saint Louis University. Prior to that, she completed a B.S. in combined sciences from Santa Clara University. Catherine鈥檚 work aims to reduce health inequalities in the Saint Louis region through community-academic partnerships. Specifically, her research explores food insecurity, social determinants of health, child health, and community engagement. She enjoys creating an active learning environment for students through community projects and engaging students in research.