Nursing Programs Faculty & Staff Directory

  (360) 442-2851
  mbond@lowercolumbia.edu

Dean of Instructional Programs in Healthcare & Wellness | Nursing Program Director

Merry Bond, MSN Ed, RN, CNE first joined LCC as part-time faculty in 2010 and subsequently served as nursing faculty for approximately 11 years before her appointment as dean. She has over twenty years of healthcare experience, with 15+ years as a registered nurse. Her clinical background includes medical-surgical nursing, skilled rehabilitation, and long-term care. She is a proud graduate of the LCC Nursing Program (2007). Her previous undergraduate education was completed at Washington State University (1998), and she holds a Master’s in Nursing Science degree with a nurse educator specialization from Capella University (2013). Merry is also a certified academic nurse educator through the National League for Nursing (2015). She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education (EdD) through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Contact Merry for nursing program or other health and wellness program concerns.

For general nursing program inquiries, please contact Bev Ylen, Health Programs Coordinator. For pre-nursing advising, please contact prenursing@lowercolumbia.edu.

  (360) 442-2868
  kbrandt@lowercolumbia.edu

Healthcare & Wellness Programs Department Chair | Assistant AN-DTA/MRP Program Director | Nursing eLearning Coordinator

Kali Brand, MSN, RN, is the department chair for Nursing, Allied Health and Wellness. She instructs students in the traditional program as well as the LPN2RN eLearning distance education program.

Kali is a proud graduate of LCC and has been employed in the LCC Nursing Department since 2014.

When she’s not working at LCC, Kali typically spends her time riding horses with her daughters or camping with her family.

  (360) 442-2861
   kdrumm@lowercolumbia.edu

Assistant RN to BSN Program Director

Kailie Drumm, PHD, RN, has the joy of teaching many different levels in the nursing programs. She loves teaching in the classroom, in the skills and simulation labs, and at the clinical sites.

Kailie is a proud LCC nurse-graduate. She has attended numerous colleges, most recently attaining her PhD at Washington State University. She is happy serve her community by returning to instruct at LCC. Her interests include fostering a passion for scholarly inquiry and nursing research along with educating nursing students on environmental considerations as they effect patients ang global health.

When she's not working at LCC, Kailie spends all of her free time reading for leisure or outdoors mountain biking, hiking, or backpacking with her husband and son.

  (360) 442-2862
  amaclaren@lowercolumbia.edu

Simulation Coordinator

With more than 15 years of experience as an educator, Amber is deeply committed to fostering a learning environment where students thrive and succeed. She is a proud mother of one, which continuously shapes her approach to teaching with empathy, understanding, and patience. As a graduate of Lower Columbia College's nursing program, she has a personal and professional connection to the value of high-quality nursing education, and she brings that passion to her work as an instructor.

Throughout her career at Lower Columbia College, Amber has proudly taught at many different levels of the nursing program including CNA, skills lab RN, clinical instructor, and lead of the 3rd quarter. Amber's newest role is in simulation. As Simulation Coordinator, she guides students through hands-on, real-world clinical scenarios that build their critical thinking and clinical skills. She believes in the power of simulation to bridge theory and practice, ensuring that students are well-prepared to face the challenges of the healthcare field.

Amber shares, "It has been an incredibly rewarding journey to teach and mentor the next generation of nurses, and I look forward to continuing to shape their educational experiences and career paths."

  (360) 442-2873
  tnorton@lowercolumbia.edu

Tamara Norton MN, RN, instructs various courses. Her major focus is Psychosocial Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing and Global Health Care.

Tamara is also a proud LCC graduate and has been employed in the LCC Nursing Department since 1999.

When she's not working at LCC, Tamara is usually overseas working for Global Health Outreach in some of her favorite locations, such as Kenya.

    (360) 442-2864
    cramos@lowercolumbia.edu

Connie Ramos, MS, RNC, EdD(c), teaches maternal/newborn/peds in the 4th quarter, as well as humanities in the 2nd quarter. She has taught at LCC since 2005.

Connie graduated from Portland Community College in 1989 and took many of her BSN prerequisites at LCC. Graduating from Regis University in Denver with her BSN in 2005, and her M.S. in 2007, Connie is currently working on a doctoral degree in Education through City University of Seattle.

In her free time, Connie enjoys reading, cross-stitch, and spending time with her loved ones (remembering the 5 minutes a day of undivided attention for immediate family rule so they don't remember how much time she spends studying). She also loves being at the ocean and walking in the waves.

Connie sends the following message to her students, "I look forward to meeting you in your educational journey. Good luck and happy studying."