Faculty Department of Nursing

Dr. Jackie Harris graduated from Benedictine College in 1998, where she completed an undergraduate degree in biology. She then graduated from Marquette University with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 2002. Dr. Harris completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Wichita State University in 2020.

Dr. Harris founded the nursing program at Benedictine College with Dr. Lynne Connelly. Dr. Harris has taught NURS 3120 Clinical Nursing Assessment, NURS 3300 Pharmacology I, NURS 3640 Pharmacology II, NURS 4300 Mental Health Nursing, NURS 4200 Population-Based Health Care, and NURS 4930 Synthesis/Capstone. Dr. Harris has over twenty years of experience as a Registered Nurse and most recently worked as a Nurse Practitioner at the Atchison Community Health Clinic.

Jackie has worked at St. Ben’s Clinic for the Homeless in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Acute Care for the Elderly Unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Milwaukee, and the Community Care for the Elderly in Milwaukee. She has also worked at the Social Welfare Board in St. Joseph, Missouri, the Atchison Hospital in Atchison, Kansas, and Medicalodge Atchison.

Jackie has participated in many volunteer and service activities. She was a full-time volunteer in Milwaukee, where she worked with St. Ben’s Community Meal and St. Ben’s Clinic for the Homeless.  Jackie has volunteered with St. Benedict’s Parish in Atchison, coordinated a Little Flowers Girls Club, and is currently serving on the St. Benedict’s Abbey Advisory Board.  She went on a medical mission trip with Benedictine College to the Philippines in 2014.

Jackie is married to Dr. David Harris (Benedictine College graduate 1997), Professor in the Economics Department at Benedictine College. They have four children. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, running, and spending time with family and friends.

Mrs. Sarah Gillies graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2017, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education in December 2022, both from Missouri Western State University. Mrs. Gillies is a Certified Progressive Care Nurse and has experience with advanced cardiac care and outpatient surgery. She also has a passion for palliative and hospice nursing care. Before joining the faculty full time in the School of Nursing in 2021, Mrs. Gillies was an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for several years at Benedictine College and Missouri Western State University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Nursing Education (DNE) at The Ohio State University.

Mrs. Angela Voga is a second career RN, after working for 19 years in social services. After receiving her initial Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology in 1997 from Culver-Stockton College, Mrs. Voga worked as a children’s service coordinator for a domestic violence shelter and a residential placement for foster children. In addition, she worked as a case manager, for individuals with mental and intellectual disabilities for the state of Missouri, as well as a parent educator with the Parents As Teachers program.

Mrs. Voga realized her childhood dream by becoming a registered nurse after graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Western State University in 2017. Mrs. Voga then worked as an inpatient psychiatric mental health nurse in addition to clinical adjunct teaching with Missouri Western State University and Benedictine College. Mrs. Voga obtained her psychiatric mental health nurse certification from the state board of nursing in 2019 and her Master of Science in nursing education in 2020.

Mrs. Kristy Callahan joined Benedictine College’s School of Nursing program as a full-time faculty member Fall of 2022. Kristy Callahan is a native of Atchison, KS, and is deeply devoted to her community and family. In 2014, Kristy obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Highland Community College. She then furthered her education by receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University in 2020 and 2022.

Most of Kristy’s professional background is in Home Health and Hospice, with hospice being a passion of hers. Kristy believes that the work of caring for the patients is a privilege and that teaching future nurse leaders the importance of patient-centered holistic care is a blessing.

Dr. Violet Gomes graduated from Wichita State University in May of 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She went on to graduate from Fort Hays State University with her doctorate of Nursing Practice in May 2020. Dr. Gomes has vast nursing experience over the past 14 years she has had experience in Pediatrics, Maternal Infant & Child, Medical/ Surgical Units and Public Health. Dr. Gomes has over 14 years of nursing experience with her recently working as a Nurse Practitioner in public Health at Leavenworth County Health Department. Dr. Gomes teaches NURS 4200 and Foundations Lab and other classes as assigned.

Matt Davis, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Saint Mary in 2015. He started his nursing career on an Ortho/Neuro/Trauma unit before transitioning to a Cardiac Stepdown Unit at a different area hospital. He has also held administrative positions such as, Performance Improvement Coordinator, Trauma Coordinator, and Stroke Coordinator. He spent a year as the Simulation Coordinator at Highland Community College before joining Benedictine College’s School of Nursing as their Simulation Coordinator in the fall of 2022. He is currently working on his Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management at Western Governors University.

Mrs. Cassie Madden is a second career nurse. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech Communication from Emporia State University and worked in sales until deciding to stay home with her children and operate a home daycare. In 2014 Mrs. Madden began her nursing career, combining her new career with her love of children working in postpartum, pediatrics and NICU. She has continued her education working toward her Master of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University.

In her spare time, Mrs. Madden enjoys spending time outside with her family.

Mrs. Katharine WeissFairchild joined the School of Nursing in January 2022. She received a Bachelor of Science in Speech & Hearing Sciences from The University of Washington, Seattle in 1993 and a Master of Arts in Audiology from The University of Kansas in 1995. For over 10 years, Mrs. Fairchild worked as an audiologist in private practice clinics and with physicians providing hearing evaluations and fitting hearing aids.

Mrs. Fairchild transitioned to Administrative Professional positions after her family grew and is now glad that she can resume work in the healthcare field at Benedictine College.