Lisa G. Smith, PhD, RN, CNE
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Lisa Smith, PhD, has been a registered nurse for over 30 years and quickly became a cardiovascular nurse right out of school. She realized in those early years something significant – if she wanted her patients to believe that a healthy lifestyle was important for their own overall health and well-being, then she also had to believe it. She needed to incorporate those same principles into her own life. How could she expect her patients to listen to instructions, if she was not practicing them herself? This has led to a journey of practicing a healthy lifestyle both physically and spiritually.
A. Veronica Perez, MPH
Faculty, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Veronica is a knowledgeable public health professional with 18 years of experience in the nonprofit, government and academic sectors. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to issues of health promotion, disease prevention and health equity. Her professional and volunteer experiences have addressed tobacco education and prevention; chronic disease prevention and management; program implementation and evaluation; grant writing and grant management; strategic planning; community mobilization; and community-based participatory research.
Read more about Veronica Perez
Brandon J. Warner, MEd, AT, ATC
Faculty, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Brandon Warner is the director of athletic training at Grand Canyon University. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and his master’s degree from the University of Virginia. After his studies at Virginia, he was employed by GCU as the associate head athletic trainer. In this position, he oversaw numerous collegiate athletes and was a preceptor in the athletic training program. He was also an adjunct professor in both the athletic training and exercise science departments. Currently, Brandon has a passion for academic research with interests in therapeutic modalities, arthrogenic muscle inhibition and environmental studies. He is a published author in the “Journal of Sports Rehabilitation” and is working on many more articles. His hobbies include hiking, anthropology, treasure hunting, biking and basketball.
Read more about Brandon Warner
Michael McKenney, MS, AT, CSCS
Faculty, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Michael McKenney has a master’s degree in sports health care from A.T. Still University. He has worked as a licensed athletic trainer since 1997 and a strength and conditioning specialist since 2000. During this tenure, he has presented at multiple continuing education symposiums on topics such as “the evaluation of the overhead throwing shoulder” and “lower extremity injuries and treatment options.” In addition, he currently serves as the professional education committee chair for the Arizona Athletic Trainer’s Association and has recently authored a chapter in a clinical textbook on the shoulder.
Read more about Michael McKenney
Pascale Lee, MHA
Faculty, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Pascale Lee has worked for Grand Canyon University since 2009 in many different capacities and joined the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions in 2013. Pascale is the lead faculty for the undergraduate health care administration program, bringing to the table health care experience along with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and a master’s degree in health care administration. She is currently completing her PhD in health care administration.
Steve Peterson, MEd, MAIS
Faculty Training and Development Specialist, College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
Steve Peterson’s belief is that whole person health includes mindfulness, diet, exercise, stress-management and an understanding of the mental and physiological processes that can inspire or drain wellness. Steve has taught in nursing, pharmacy and integrative health care programs for more than a few years. Additionally, he has served as the dean of education for two proprietary schools during his career. His passion for health care spread into being a contributing author and co-author to two textbooks being utilized at the university-level in the Integrated Nursing & Health Studies Initiative. When not focusing on helping others discover their path to wellness, Steve is challenging his own by nurturing his love of riding motorcycles.
Read more about Steve Peterson
