DECATUR

Karen Dozier – Lead Instructor

Karen G. Dozier is a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Registered Medical Assistant, Certified Instructor for CPR, and Phlebotomy, and has over 20 years of experience in the Healthcare Industry.

Mrs. Dozier began her medical career in 1991, after graduating from Horry Georgetown Technical School's Nursing Program. Subsequent to her training, she joined Meridian Medical Group as a Phlebotomist and Lab Coordinator. During her six years at Meridian Medical Group, Mrs. Dozier supervised departmental activities, and maintained lab quality standards.

In 1998, Mrs. Dozier joined the staff at Linwood Koger as a Nurse. There, she traveled with the doctor to satellite offices to assist with surgeries including inter-office surgeries. Eight years later, she transitioned as a Nurse at Kids and Teens Primary Health Care. As part of the staff, Mrs. Dozier assisted the doctors with pediatric medicine and conducted all required duties.

Mrs. Dozier accepted a position as Medical Assistant Program Manager at American Professional Institute in 2007. She was responsible for the participation and grade records, interviewing, evaluating and hiring process and maintaining adequate materials within budgetary and fiscal restraints.

Mrs. Dozier emphasizes great team building and leadership skills. She also demonstrates immense organization and time management proficiencies, while maintaining her career goals as a Medical Assistant Instructor. Mrs. Dozier is currently planning to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management.

April Hayes – Allied Health Instructor

April Hayes brings over 10 years of trainer and training material preparation experience. Ms. Hayes attended the University of Florida, where she majored in communications. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional.

Prior to joining Laurus, Ms. Hayes served as a Business Systems Analyst II/Trainer for CACI in Smyrna, Georgia. April provided technical training and help desk support for the Engineering and Base Operations Support System (ENBOSS) used by the Army Reserve to support all core facility management functions within the Army Reserve base operations.

Ramona Beaton – Allied Health Instructor

Ramona Beaton is a Registered Medical Assistant and has over three years experience in the healthcare industry. Mrs. Beaton graduated from Bryant & Stratton College in 2004, and achieved her Associate of Occupational Studies in Paralegal Studies. Succeeding her graduation, Mrs. Beaton, joined L3 Communications as a Data Surveyor/Interviewed in 2009. There, she composed and monitored employment and separation data. As a Data Surveyor, she developed and maintained collaborative relationships with local businesses.

In 2007, Mrs. Beaton accepted a career opportunity as a Legal Assistant at Baskin & Associates, LLC. In 2006, she joined the staff at Law Offices of A.J. Mitchell as a Real Estate Paralegal. There she assisted the attorneys with surveyors, verified public records, drafted and prepared legal documents while coordinating post closing follow-up procedures.

During the years 2003 to 2007, Mrs. Beaton accepted career opportunities at AppleOne, University of Rochester as an Administrative Assistant and Protection One as a Human Resources Administrator. Mrs. Beaton is a successful and experienced professional in Allied Health. She currently conducts a program called Circle of Hope for sickle cell anemia. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Human Resources Management at the University of Phoenix.

Quanda Wilson – Allied Health Instructor

Quanda Wilson is a certified Healthcare Recruiter. She brings over four (4) years of teaching experience and thirteen years of healthcare recruitment experience. Ms. Wilson holds a Master of Science in Adult Education with a concentration in Human Resource Development from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

Prior to joining Laurus, Ms. Wilson served as an Adjunct Facilitator/Instructor and Curriculum Developer (Introduction to Healthcare) for Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships include: National Association of Healthcare Recruiters, Society for Human Resource Management (Chair – Winston Salem Chapter), as well as an Advisory Committee Member for Goodwill Industries, Brookstone College, and Winston Salem Urban League.

Rene' Thornton – Medical Assistant Instructor

Rene' Thornton brings over 13 years experience as a Medical Assistant in the healthcare industry. She received her Diploma in Medical Assisting from National Education Center (Atlanta, GA). Ms. Thornton served as a Medical Assistant (Back and Front Office) for over 13 years.

Prior to joining Laurus, Ms. Thornton served as a Medical Instructor at American Professional Institute (API).

Barbara Owens – Medical Billing & Coding Instructor

Barbara Owens is a registered Medical Assistant. She is currently attending Georgia Perimeter College, major Pre-Nursing.

Prior to joining Laurus, Ms. Owens served as a Medical Instructor at American Professional Institute (API) and Office Manager for Children First Pediatrics. Other positions held: Administrative Coordinator, Front Desk Supervisor, and Medical Secretary.

Dr. Ademola Adeyemi – Allied Health Instructor

Dr. Ademola Adeyemi received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Prior to joining Laurus, Dr. Adeyemi served as a Medical Instructor at American Professional Institute (API).

Nakysha Perkins – Medical Billing & Coding Instructor

Nakysha Perkins has eleven (11) years of experience teaching administrative and clinical skills, in both healthcare and postsecondary institutions. Ms. Perkins holds a diploma in Medical Assisting from the American Center for Technical Arts & Science (Philadelphia, PA).

Prior to joining Laurus, Ms. Perkins served as an Allied Health Instructor at Harris School of Business. She also worked for Sanford Brown Institute as an Allied Health Instructor. Other positions held: Phlebotomist and Director of Student/Career Services.

Ms. Perkins enjoys teaching and is committed to raising the bar.

Krystal Harris – Allied Health Instructor

Krystal Harris is a Registered Medical Assistant and has over two years of experience in the healthcare industry. She began her Allied Health medical career in at Woodruff as a Medical Assistant assisting with patient care and routine tasks and procedures measuring the patients' vitals and recording information.

In 2008, Ms. Harris accepted a position at a Neurologist office. There she was responsible for the examination of patients who were referred by other physicians. Some of her daily duties involved assisting the Neurologist by reviewing the patient's health history with special attention to their current condition and performing many tests to diagnose a patient's illness. In 2010, Ms. Harris took an instruction opportunity and joined American Professional Institute (API) which enabled her to assist students reach their goals. While at API, she received training to help prepare students for career enhancement.

Ms. Harris has volunteered at different nursing homes and community outreach programs. She is also a very active leader of the prayer group in her church. Ms. Harris strives to build confidence, courtesy, poise, and proper conduct with each of student through instruction. Currently, she is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Ashford University and plans on furthering her studies as a Physician Assistant.

Arnia Howard – Allied Health Instructor

Arnia A. Howard is Registered Nurse and Medical Billing and Coding Instructor and demonstrates over 34 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Over the past 13 years, she provided utilization review and inpatient case management services.

Mrs. Howard began her medical career in 1976, after she graduated from Chapel Hill with her BSN in Nursing. During her 34 years in the medical industry, she created an environment conducive for learning and dedicated her resources to assist students in achieving their goals.

In 1998 and presently, Mrs. Howard accepted a position as an Inpatient Case Manager at CIGNA/CareAllies. There she follows the approval criteria by determining if services provided meet the company's medical necessity. Her daily tasks involved reviewing clinical information, updating their ICD-9-CM, CPT system codes which display the need for continued acute care.

In 2006, Mrs. Howard also graduated with Honors with her Medical Billing and Coding Certificate from Sanford-Brown Institute. Hence, three years after, she became part of the staff at American Professional Institute as a Medical Billing and Coding Instructor. There, she communicated the need for detail, reading and continued education with her students.

Mrs. Howard accentuates great communication and leadership skills. She performed voluntary services with Daughters Endowed with Wisdom and the Children's Ministry for the newborn to toddler group. She is currently pursuing a Federal Certificate in Health Information Management and plans of achieving her Master's in Public Health Administration.

JONESBORO

Rodney White – Associate Director of Education

Rodney White is a Universal Certified HVAC Technician, a journeyman with Local 72 in Atlanta and has over twenty years of residential, industrial, and commercial experience in the HVACR industry.

Mr. White began his HVACR career in 1986 as an apprentice with Bryson Heating & Air, a residential HVAC company in Augusta, GA. While working at Bryson, he attended Augusta Tech's HVACR program. After graduating, Mr. White joined Castleberry Food Company as an HVACR technician. Within a year, he became the lead HVACR technician and worked on the corporate plant, which contained approximately five acres of refrigerated/cooled space and included equipment such as: walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, and blast freezers.

Five years later, Mr. White moved to Atlanta and joined TAFCO refrigeration as a refrigeration technician. While at TAFCO, he worked on various supermarket projects on several notables clients including Kroger, Publix, Bruno's, A&P, Sam's Club, and Costco.

After two years with TAFCO, Mr. White joined Carrier Corporation as an HVACR technician and worked on various high-rise building commercial projects and approximately 20 public school projects.

In 1998, after three years with Carrier, Mr. White transitioned to McKenney's Mechanical as an HVACR technician. After three years, he became the Field Service Supervisor for the East side region and oversaw a number of projects including: high-rise buildings, manufacturing plants, jail facilities, school campuses, and industrial sites.

In 2001, Mr. White along with two partners formed ARS Mechanical, a private HVACR company providing commercial and industrial HVACR services in the Atlanta area. In 2004, Mr. White sold his position in ARS Mechanical and joined Pagdett Services, LLC as an commercial HVACR technician.

Allen Burke – HVAC & Refrigeration Instructor

Allen Burke has over 22 years of experience in the telecommunications and electronics fields. He is a Certified Fiber Optic Technician, Certified Computer Repair Technician, Certified Computer Service Technician, Universal EPA certification, and has an Associates of Applied Science degree.

Mr. Burke began his career with the U.S. Army in 1980 after completing training as an Electronic Devices Repairman in Fort Bellvoir, VA. Three years later, after completing his first assignment in Fort Loius, WA, Mr. Burke completed his training as an Electronic Warfare Signal Intelligence Analyst (EWSIA) at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX.

Beginning in 1983, as an EWSIA Mr. Burke was stationed in numerous locations, including Misawa, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Meade, MD; Wahiawa, HI, Fort McPherson, GA, and Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. In 2001, Mr. Burke retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service.

In 2002, Mr. Burke graduated from ETI Career Institute's (currently Laurus Technical Institute) HVACR program with a Universal EPA certification. Afterward, Mr. Burke joined Howard Renovation Company (HRC) as a Supervisor HVAC Technician. While at HRC, Mr. Burke supervised HVACR production and repair for the company's commercial hospitality services. In addition, he provided network administration, voice and data support, and computer repair.

While working at HRC, Mr. Burke also attended Lincoln College of Technology's Electronic Systems Technician program in Marietta, GA. He graduated in 2007 with an Associate of Applied Science. Shortly afterwards, Mr. Burke joined Laurus Technical Institute to develop and implement the Electronic Systems Technician program.

Mr. Burke is an active member of Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI), National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA), Refrigeration Service Engineering Society (RSES), and Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG).

Garfield Brewer – HVAC Instructor

In 1984, Mr. Brewer joined the U.S. Army stationed in Fort Benning and trained to become a combat signaler. As a combat signaler, Mr. Brewer was involved with the operation, installation, and maintenance of communication equipment. In 1988, after a three year tour with the U.S. Army, Mr. Brewer joined a family owned autobody shop in Fort Wayne, IN. While there, Mr. Brewer provided autobody mechanical repair and restoration services. In 1990, he rejoined the U.S. Army as a combat signaler stationed in Fort Louis, WA. During his final three year tour, he served in the Gulf War and was honorably discharged in 1993. After his second tour with the Army, Mr. Brewer relocated to Fort Wayne, IN, and joined Tokheim Corporation as an equipment manufacturing assembler of petroleum products.

In 1996, after approximately three years with Tokheim, Mr. Brewer joined KT Industries in Fort Wayne, IN, which provided custom conversion of materials including: plastics, synthetics, and petroleum products. While at KT Industries, Mr. Brewer was a machine operator and provided maintenance and machine rebuilds. While at KT Industries, Mr. Brewer obtained his Associate of Applied Sciences in Electronics Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute.

In 2002, after graduating, Mr. Brewer joined Delphi Electronics in Kokomo, IN. As an engineering support technician he worked with surface mount technology equipment and automotive circuit boards. While working at Delphi, Mr. Brewer obtained his Bachelor's degree in Automotive Manufacturing and Robotics from ITT Tech. After receiving his degree, Mr. Brewer was promoted to working on a number of robotic applications, automated equipment and software.

In 2003, Mr. Brewer relocated to Atlanta and attended ETI Career Institute's HVAC program while simultaneously working for M&M Services as a residential and light commercial HVACR Technician.

Dawud Al-Jihad – HVAC Instructor

Dawud Al-Jihad is an ASE certified and Universal Certified HVACR instructor with over 22 years experience in the HVACR industry. He holds certifications in air conditioning technology and advanced commercial refrigeration and air conditioning.

Mr. Al-Jihad began training at Atlanta Technical College's Industrial Drafting Technology program and then continued in Computer Science at Atlanta Metropolitan College. In 1985, Mr. Al-Jihad joined Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, an art museum, as an industrial maintenance mechanic. After two years at Woodruff Arts Center, Mr. Al-Jihad continued his training in Electrical Engineering Technology at Penn Foster College. After his training, he began maintaining the electrical and mechanical operations of six building systems which included working with centrifugal chillers, seasonal system changeover from cooling to low pressure gas and electric boiler, and regularly scheduled chemical water treatment analysis. In 1992, he entered into Atlanta Technical College's Advanced Refrigeration/HVAC Technology program. After completing this training, he was involved redesigning various components of a modified ventilation system and spray pumps for controlling psychometric conditions of the museum. In addition, he worked on the building's energy analysis of mechanical systems and biannual energy audits.

After nine years, Mr. Al-Jihad joined the Holiday Inn Airport as an HVACR refrigeration mechanic in East Point, GA. While at the Holiday Inn, he serviced and operated all air conditioning and refrigeration equipment including pneumatic and hydraulic equipment as well as electrical and motor control centers. Shortly afterward, Mr. Al-Jihad joined the Atlanta Housing Authority and performed all phases of their general maintenance programs to their electrical and mechanical systems.

In 1994, Mr. Al-Jihad joined Atlanta Public Schools as an industrial HVAC mechanic where he performed institutional building mechanical inspections, serviced electromechanical systems and performed preventative maintenance functions.

In 1996, after getting his contractor license, he started his own HVACR business. He provided a number of services, including start-up planning, selling, and design and redesign for commercial and industrial HVACR systems. Additional services offered included conducting test and balancing controls, project cost estimating, retrofitting, and energy analysis. During this time, Mr. Al-Jihad began his teaching career as a technical HVACR instructor at Atlanta Technical College.

Mr. Al-Jihad is certified in electrical and air conditioning by HVAC excellence board of regents for technical excellence.