Our faculty and administrators have diverse backgrounds and interests, spanning from EMS to Nursing to Surgical Technology and many other health careers. Get to know our dedicated health sciences faculty and administrators.
Lynne Davis, EdD, RT(R)
Dean of Health Sciences
Lynne Davis, the Dean of Health Sciences, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma in Radiologic Technology, the former Central State University in Edmond, OK, with an M.Ed, and the University of Texas with an EdD in Allied Health Education. While in Oklahoma and Texas, she was on the University of Oklahoma and Houston Community College faculty team. Lynne moved to Massachusetts to join the faculty at Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences building the Radiologist Assistant program, before transitioning to Northern Essex Community College. Throughout her career, she has held various roles such as instructor, clinical coordinator, and department chair for health science programs. Her experience spans community colleges, private institutions, and public four-year institutions. She greatly values the mission and work of community colleges, where many individuals take their first step toward realizing their career aspirations. Lynne also appreciates the diversity among students and believes that community colleges often serve as places where the community can find representation, a sense of belonging, and that gentle encouragement to ‘start here…’
Dr. Sandra Martin
Assistant Dean of Nursing
Dr. Sandra Martin is the Assistant Dean of Nursing. She holds an Associate of Science in Nursing from Becker College, a Bachelor of Science from Worcester State University with dual specializations in education and psychology, a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in nursing education from Worcester State University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (2021) with a specialization in nursing education from Regis College.
After transitioning from teaching and administering programs for children and families to nursing in 2009, she worked in long-term and rehabilitation care before moving on to a school nurse position in an inner-city school with over 700 multicultural students who spoke 27 languages, and a large special population of medically fragile children who required nursing care daily.
As a nurse educator, Dr. Martin has been an instructor in lab, clinical, didactic, and simulation since 2015. She led the Fundamentals of Nursing team for four years at Quinsigamond Community College as an Associate Professor before being recruited by Worcester State University as an Interim Assistant Dean of Nursing. Dr. Martin’s nursing administrative expertise comes from thirty years of teaching, managing, supervising, and administering programs for children and families. She joined Mass Bay in June 2023 as the Assistant Dean of Nursing.
Kara A. Bandstra RN, MPH, MSN
Assistant Professor – Associate Degree Nursing
Kara A. Bandstra, RN, MPH, MSN, is a registered nurse licensed in Massachusetts. She graduated from MassBay Community College's ADN program in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Rhode Island College, a Master of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Worcester State University.
With twenty-two years of nursing experience, Kara has worked in acute nursing care, community/public health nursing, and as a nurse educator. Her experience includes working at Milford Regional Medical Center in medical, surgical, cardiac, and mother/baby nursing. She has also worked as a visiting nurse, providing care in patients' homes and as a public health nurse in disease surveillance and infectious disease prevention and management. Currently, she works as a substitute school nurse, serving the pediatric population in grades K-12.
Kara has been a nursing educator at Massachusetts Bay Community College for one year, collaborating with full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and the simulation lab director and staff.
She is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses
Richard Clark, CST, FAST, MA
Professor and Department Chair, Surgical Services
Professor Clark has more than 40 years of experience in surgical technology. He started his career in the Air Force, where he spent 20 years as a Surgical Technologist and later became an instructor for seven of those years. After retiring from the Air Force in 1996, he worked in Texas for two years before moving to Connecticut. In Connecticut, he worked as a Surgical Technologist at St. Vincent's Medical Center and as an instructor in Surgical Technology at Manchester Community College for 18 years. He has been a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) for over 30 years and was involved in developing the Associate Degree Surgical Technology Program at MassBay Community College.
Professor Clark and his wife, Debi, have three children and seven grandchildren. They also have a cat named George. He commutes 144 miles to and from work daily and values punctuality from his students, especially those who live nearby. Outside of work, he and his wife enjoy coaching a Trampoline and Tumbling team.
William M. Cote, M.A., RT, (R)(CT)
Professor and Radiography Lab Instructor
Bill's teaching career at MassBay began in 2010 when he took on the responsibilities of the Radiologic Technology Laboratory and conducted clinical site visits for Boston-area hospitals. He also served as the Radiation Control Officer. Bill holds an MS degree from Anna Maria College, a BS degree from Northeastern University, and two separate AS degrees. He is also a graduate of the Radiologic Technology program at MassBay and holds ARRT certifications in both Radiologic Technology and Computed Tomography. Before teaching, Bill had a 16-year career in both radiography and computed tomography at Boston-area hospitals. In addition to his full-time teaching responsibilities, Bill has 10 years of experience teaching Computed Tomography with two different colleges. He also initiated the Computed Tomography program at MassBay, managing all phases of its development and teaching all the courses. Outside of the classroom, Bill enjoys the great outdoors on his motorcycle.
Dolores Goyette, CST, M.Ed., D.C.
Professor and Clinical Coordinator, Surgical Technology
Dr. Dolores Goyette is a Professor of Surgical Technology and clinical coordinator for the program. She is a longtime Instructor Trainer for the American Red Cross, and a committed volunteer member of the Medical Reserve Corps. Dr. Goyette is on the medical staff of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. She expresses her artistic side in many ways, one is as a trained musician.
Karen Hansen, M.Ed., R.T. (R) (ARRT)
Professor and Program Director – Radiologic Technology
Karen Hansen, M.Ed., R.T. (R) (ARRT) is a distinguished educator and radiologic technologist with extensive experience in academic and clinical settings. She has dedicated more than twenty years to advancing radiologic technology education and training future professionals.
Karen started her academic journey at Northeastern University, where she obtained an Associate’s degree in Radiologic Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. Committed to furthering her expertise, she completed a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Framingham State University. Her educational background is complemented by certifications from the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Fitness Trainer and Fitness Instructor, as well as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification from Northeastern University.
Since 2009, Karen has served as the Program Director and Professor at MassBay Community College. Prior to that she was the Clinical Coordinator. Before her tenure at MassBay, Karen gained extensive clinical experience working locally as a Radiologic Technologist while balancing family and career. Her professional experience advanced her into a management position overseeing the Radiology and Phlebotomy Lab at Natick Medical Office, where she played an integral role in designing and opening the new radiology department. Her early career also includes significant clinical experience at MetroWest Medical Center.
Alicia B. Layne, RN, MSN, BSN
Assistant Professor- Associate Degree Nursing
Alicia is a registered nurse licensed in both MA and Florida. She has been a registered nurse since 1972 in the Philippines and migrated to the United States in 1984.
She earned her BSN degree from St. Paul College, Manila, Philippines and her MSN degree from the University of Phoenix. She has been in Nursing Administration as Director of Nursing, Risk Manager and Staff Development Director in a hospital, and skilled nursing rehab facility in Florida. She has been a nursing educator at Florida Gateway College for 3 years before joining MassBay Community College in 2020.
Alicia is involved in the preparation of the ADN program for BORN and ACEN Accreditation processes. She speaks English and Filipino. She is involved with and has membership in the American Nurses’ Association and the National League of Nurses.
Adam Munroe, MSN, BSN, ADN, RN
Assistant Professor and Department Chair, Associate Degree Nursing
Adam Munroe is an accomplished nursing professional with extensive experience in education, clinical practice, and leadership. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing with an education focus at Walden University, Adam serves as the Associate Degree Nursing Department Chair and Assistant Professor. He has a robust academic background, including a Master of Science in Nursing from Framingham State University and various roles in simulation and emergency medical training. Adam's professional journey spans roles such as Clinical Nursing Supervisor, Emergency Department Registered Nurse, paramedic, and military service. He is actively involved in professional organizations and community service, contributing to initiatives like the Boston Marathon and Habitat for Humanity.
Heather Munroe, MSN, RN
Interim Director of Simulation
Heather Munroe has 38 years of experience spanning Medical-Surgical Nursing, Intensive Care Unit, IV Therapy, Nursing Leadership, and Simulation. This seasoned Registered Nurse exemplifies dedication and expertise in healthcare. A graduate of the New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and Framingham State University, where she earned a master’s degree in nursing leadership, Heather further specialized with post master's certificates in Nursing Education and Simulation. Currently, she serves as an adjunct clinical instructor in the Associate Degree Nursing department, focusing on Pediatrics and Medical-Surgical Nursing, and holds the position of Interim Director of Simulation.
In addition to her educational roles, she works as a nursing supervisor at Milford Regional Medical Center and Beth Israel Needham Hospital and instructs ACLS and PALS classes for their education department, continually contributing to the advancement of nursing practice and patient care. She is also a proud member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing, the Infusion Nurses Society (INS), the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), and the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL).
Deborah O'Dowd, MSN, RN, CCRN
Assistant Professor-Practical Nursing
Deb earned her initial B.A. in English Literature from McGill University before deciding to embark on a nursing career. She then earned her ADN. from Cape Cod Community College in 1998 followed by an M.S.N. in Nursing Education from Worcester State University in 2018. She is currently enrolled in a DNP. Public Health Nurse Leader program at U Mass Amherst with an anticipated completion date of May 2026. Deb holds her certificate in Critical Care-Neonatal Nursing (CCRN). She has been a full-time faculty member at MassBay Community College in the Practical Nursing program since 2020. Prior to that, she taught as an adjunct faculty for 2 years at Quinsigamond Community College. Deb also works as a staff nurse in the NICU at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Additionally, she currently holds the Maggie Ryan Endowed Fellowship in Global Health Nursing through Boston Children’s Hospital and in that capacity works in a variety of global settings supporting Maternal/Child health, with a focus on neonatal care.
Charles Jenness, A.S., NRP, I/C, CCP-C, FP-C, C-NPT
EMS Program Director/Department Chair
Charles Jenness has worked in emergency medical services since 2012. He spent 4 years as an EMT before obtaining his paramedic certification in 2016. Charles has worked in a variety of settings as an EMT and paramedic including private and municipal ambulance services doing both interfacility transfers and 911. Currently, Charles is employed by the Town of Billerica as a paramedic.
Charles also has extensive experience in EMS education. He started out as a CPR instructor in 2012 and progressed to get his instructor coordinator in 2017. After receiving his I/C, Charles taught the EMT program in the Town of Harvard for 4 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic Charles worked for a paramedic program in Rhode Island before joining the MassBay faculty in 2022. Charles started out as a learning specialist/teaching assistant before progressing to adjunct faculty, full time faculty and clinical coordinator and finally program director in October of 2024.
Dr. Denise Pruitt, EdD
Professor and Program Chair for Health Studies
Dr. Denise Pruitt holds a doctorate in Healthcare Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College, and undergraduate degrees from Boston State Colleges. She is the department chair for Health Studies which includes Medical Assistant, Medical Coding, Medical Office Administrative Assistant, and
Phlebotomy. Dr. Pruitt is also known as Chief Ladybug (Croatan tribe) of Native Heritage New England an educational platform that educates on land acknowledgement and indigenous traditions.
Karen Steinhoff, BS Education, RT(R)
Associate Professor and Clinical Coordinator
Karen Steinhoff has been faculty and working as Clinical Coordinator in the Radiologic Technology Program since 2009. As a graduate of MassBay’s first Flexible Option Radiologic Technology class, she brings insight of the challenges facing the working parent who is also seeking career change through education. Her mission is to help her students navigate the pathway to becoming highly skilled radiologic technologists. Karen designs courses that encourage curiosity and critical thinking to prepare her students for the profession. She manages the Clinical component of the curriculum with the goal of providing students with high quality and diverse experiences which will provide a solid foundation for entry into the medical imaging profession. Karen earned her AS in Radiologic Technology from MassBay and her BS in Education from Fitchburg State University. She was a graduate of the Framingham Public School system and is a firm believer that lower cost, high-quality education can be found through public education systems here in Massachusetts.
Venusa Toomey, M.D., M.Ed.
Assistant Dean of Health Sciences
Dr. Toomey currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Health Sciences and Campus Administrator at MassBay Community College, Framingham campus.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctor of Medicine from Saint Louis University and completed a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. She had post-graduate medical training at Harvard Medical School and completed a certificate in Leadership from Harvard Business School. She spent clinical years with the WHO as a physician, focusing on global health and as an educator concurrently.
Dr. Toomey has been working in Higher Education in various roles for almost 20 years, serving as a professor, program director, department chair, and curriculum chair. She has worked for for-profit, private, and public institutions including community colleges, with responsibilities in institutional and programmatic accreditation, curriculum design, development, revision and implementation, institutional compliance, and faculty and student support. Dr. Toomey served as chair on several advisory boards for various Allied Health programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts, joined the Massachusetts Community College Equity Consortium as a Faculty Fellow, and participated in projects that promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion.