Lara Climer, EdD, MSN, RN specializes in public health, nursing education, and secondary health science education. She is a registered nurse and Texas-certified educator in multiple disciplines with over 25 years in public health nursing, CTE, and nursing education leadership. She is also Owner of Nursing & Health Science Central. 

Dr. Lacy Freeman has served in education for over two decades in multiple roles as a teacher and interventionist, Coordinator of Federal Programs, Director of Postsecondary Readiness, and currently as the Statewide CTE Coordinator for the Texas Education Agency. In this role, she assists in the development of programs of study using labor market information and aligns those programs to industry-based certifications (IBCs). Dr. Freeman facilitates the development/revision of CTE courses, with a specific focus on assisting the TEKS committees with embedding the essential skills of directly aligned occupations into the appropriate CTE courses. Additionally, she oversees Health Science and the Arts, Audio Visual Technology, and Communications career clusters, leads the IBC evaluation process, autocoding of CTE indicators, analyzes statewide data, facilitates advisory committees, and works with regional specialists to develop and deliver programs and resources to improve the educational quality, access, and opportunity for all students. 

Kendra Windisch, M.A., is a Program Manager at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She coordinates charitable sponsorships that support the local community, and collaborates with non-profit, civic and business organizations to educate the public about cancer prevention. Kendra received her undergraduate degrees in community health and psychology, and a master’s degree in community health, at Sam Houston State University. 

History of financial services management for more than 13 years including project development, coaching, mentoring, training, leadership and employee engagement and development. Registered Nurse for the last 6 years, BSN obtained 13 months after licensure, MSN completed March 2020, DNP attained October 2024. Currently serving as Senior Director of Nursing Services for University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX. 

Dr. Smith has taught health science at Nimitz Senior High School for 12 years. She has taught various subjects including Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory/ Clinical Rotations, and Medical Terminology. She is also a proud HOSA sponsor. She has been teaching CERT for the past 10 years and works closely with Teen CERT Rodeo in Houston. 

Mr. Anderson taught health science at Nimitz Senior High School for 4 years. He currently teaches Microbiology and Medical terminology. He currently teaches CERT to 3rd year health science students. 

Ms. Wells is an educator will 18 years experience combined secondary and post secondary experience. As a NREMT B she has experience with emergency response as well as holding credentials in Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, NBCC certification for Mental Health Counselors and the Texas Radiologic Technology License. Ms. Wells has earned her Master of Public Health and later her Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. 

Lara Climer, EdD, MSN, RN specializes in public health, nursing, and secondary health science education. She is a registered nurse and Texas-certified educator in multiple disciplines with over 25 years in public health nursing, CTE, and nursing education leadership. She is also Owner of Nursing and Health Science Central. 

I have a bachelor’s in Business Management and an MBA in Healthcare Management. I am a Certified Medical Assistant and a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist. I bring to you more than 38 years of healthcare experience. Realizing I love training and development, I made the decision to become a high school educator. I believe teaching should be inspired. I sponsor our campus National Technical Honor Society and HOSA chapter. I am one of your Area 2 HOSA Board of Directors Member. 

I have been in education for 23 years and at Robert Turner College and Career High School for the last 9 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. I enjoy helping students find what they are passionate about. I coordinate and manage student clinical rotations in a hospital setting. I am the advisor for our HOSA chapter. I am your HOSA Area 2 Board of Directors Member. 

Dana Samways, MSN, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC Dana is a Director of Clinical Education and Support Services at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. Dana received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Texas in Houston. In her over 30 years of service with the Houston Methodist System, Dana has been committed to opportunities for learners to grow in both their current and future healthcare roles. 

AHA CPR Instructor for 22 years, Jackie Uselton is a current EMT and EMS instructor. BLS training is a necessary skill for Health Science teachers. $25 fee for CPR card. 

Glenda Goh Denison, a former Texas science educator, instructional coach, and curriculum specialist, is dedicated to making health science education more accessible and enjoyable. Now part of the MiniOne Systems team, she focuses on delivering engaging, easy-to-use labs that empower teachers and inspire students to rediscover the excitement of healthcare science. 

I am a wife and mother of 4 sons. I have two grandsons and one granddaughter. I have a bachelor’s in business management and an MBA in Healthcare Management. I am a Certified Medical Assistant and a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist. I bring to you more than 38 years of healthcare experience. I have been a Program Director of Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Higher Education. I am also an adjunct college professor. I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve as a Director of Operations for a Federally Qualifying Health Care Center, which provides healthcare to communities that face healthcare disparities. Realizing I love training and development, I became a high school educator. I believe teaching should be inspired. Inspired teaching does not come from a particular philosophy, theory, or set of materials. Inspired teaching comes from teachers who analyze their students and their situations and create an environment that meets their needs. My goal is to create an environment to meet every child’s needs. I proudly serve as the Area 2 Board Member for Texas HOSA. I am also the Area 2 Director for the Texas Health Occupations Association. 

Aileen is a healthcare professional with a diverse background in emergency care and education with over 30 years of experience. She served as a flight medic in the Air Force for 22 years before transitioning to civilian roles in emergency medicine. Aileen is a Registered Nurse and holds a Master's degree in Nursing Education and has taught in both university nursing programs and high school Health Science courses. 

Barbara is a Medical Technologist who worked in transplant labs for 20 years before teaching. She taught Health Science at Churchill HS in San Antonio for 16 years. While teaching she earned certifications as a Pharmacy Technician and an EMT. She then transitioned into the role of Instructional Support at the district level over the Health Science programs at Northside ISD where she worked for 6 years and is now retired. 

Nestelynn Friday is a passionate Health Science educator with over 18 years of experience. After graduating from Killeen High School, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University, an A.A.S. in Medical Assisting from Blair College (now Everest College), and a Master of Science in Health Care Management and Administration from the University of Phoenix. Starting her teaching career at Nimitz High School in 2006, Nestelynn later moved to Klein Oak High School in 2019 and currently teaches at West Fork High School in Kingwood, TX. She holds certifications as a Pharmacy Technician, Medical Assistant, and EKG Technician, allowing her to teach a variety of healthcare courses. Nestelynn has served on the Texas HOSA Board of Directors for 13 years and the THOA Board of Directors for the past 6 years, and is a member of the HOSA Competitive Events Team. Her mission is to help others while continuously learning, inspired by her belief that "My mission in 

Mrs. Trazie Durden is a highly experienced and knowledgeable instructor for the Health Science and Pharmacy Technician program. With over 24 years of experience as a licensed pharmacy technician, she has gained extensive expertise in the field, which she is eager to impart to future technicians and students. 

Wanda is a retired teacher who has been the Junior Volunteer Coordinator for Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center for the past several years. In her current role, she oversees our high school student volunteers during their two-year 4-hour weekly commitments that occur Monday through Friday throughout the year. This includes assigning senior officers to help lead and orient incoming Junior Volunteers, orchestrating orientation and graduation, plus coordinating larger projects like the Children's Memorial Hermann IRONKIDS Fun Run and assisting with the NICU Reunion, South County July 4th Parade and Children's Festival as needed. Wanda's daughter is an RN at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.