Felisha Wagner | Immediate Past Chair

Felisha is in her 3rd year teaching Healthcare Science at Newton College and Career Academy in Covington. She teaches Essentials of Healthcare and Sports Medicine. Felisha is serves as a HOSA co-advisor for the school’s chapter.

Felisha is originally from Michigan but has been living in Georgia since August 2014. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine from Central Michigan University. Before becoming a teacher, she worked for six years as a Certified Athletic Trainer in the secondary school setting. Felisha is currently working toward her Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Georgia and will be graduating in May 2023. In her free time, Felisha enjoys watching sports, playing board games, and cooking. Felisha currently lives in Covington with her husband Bradley. They are expecting their first child in February 2023.

Jessica Kirby | Chair

Jessica Kirby has been a Healthcare Science teacher and HOSA Advisor in Columbia County for 10 years, first at Grovetown High School and now at Lakeside High School!

Before she began her teaching career, Jessica worked as an Athletic Trainer for 9 years, first for Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN and then for Doctors Hospital in Augusta, GA providing outreach services to local high schools. 

Ms. Kirby received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and Master of Education in Administration & Supervision of Higher Education from Middle Tennessee State University.

Jessica’s favorite hobbies include running, reading, napping, and spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, and dog.

Ashleigh Turner | Chair-Elect & Region 2 Advisor

Ashleigh Turner is a Registered Nurse and Healthcare Science teacher at Johnson High School in Hall County, where she has served as a teacher and HOSA co-advisor since 2018. Prior to entering education, she worked as a medical-surgical nurse in both hospital and private surgery center settings.

Ashleigh earned her ASN in 2010 and her BSN from UNG in 2018. A participant in Lead CTAE during the 2023–24 school year, she enjoys using those experiences to inspire students to pursue healthcare careers and develop leadership skills.

She is passionate about helping students explore their postsecondary pathways and future careers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two sons.

Kristine Spivey | Secretary & Region 7 Advisor

Kristine Spivey has been an LPN for 18 years and teaching at Peach County High School for 9 years. She is your Region 7 representative. As a nurse she has experience in emergency medicine, pediatrics, urology and currently still works with orthotic and general surgery patients. Mrs Spivey enjoys spending time with her family especially her 3 grandchild and traveling.

Cindy Langford | Region 1 Advisor

Cindy Langford is beginning her 7th year as the Healthcare Science teacher at her alma mater, LaFayette High School in LaFayette, Georgia, where she teaches Introduction to Healthcare, Essentials of Healthcare, Allied Health & Medicine, and Clinical Medical Assisting. She serves as the advisor for the school's HOSA chapter and as the CTAE department chair.

Cindy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia College and began her career as a registered nurse, working in a variety of healthcare settings. She later transitioned into education, spending 15 years teaching 5th grade before returning to her healthcare roots as a Healthcare Science teacher. She is passionate about preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals through engaging, hands-on learning experiences and leadership development.

Outside of school, Cindy enjoys baking sourdough, gardening, serving in her church and community, and spending time with family. She and her husband, Tom, have three grown children and are excited to welcome their first grandchild.

Melinda Suber | region 3 Advisor

Melinda Suber is a dedicated healthcare educator and practicing paramedic with more than 22 years of experience serving others in emergency medical services. She continues to work as a paramedic while bringing her real-world healthcare experience into the classroom.

With 18 years in education, Melinda currently teaches Healthcare Science at Lambert High School in the Forsyth County School System, where she is committed to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. She also serves as a HOSA advisor, helping students discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and pursue opportunities within the healthcare field.

Melinda's passion for healthcare education is rooted in a simple belief: there is a place in healthcare for everyone. She believes that a person's background, circumstances, or personal struggles should never define their ability to succeed. Healthcare needs people with different experiences, personalities, talents, and perspectives, and everyone has the potential to find where they belong.

Through both her career as a paramedic and her years as an educator, Melinda strives to inspire others to recognize their own potential, find their purpose, and understand the difference they can make in the lives of others.

Her mission is simple: to help people find their place in healthcare and give them the confidence to lead, serve, and make a difference. 

Open | region 4 Advisor

Region 4 will represent Fulton County.

Georgia Thomasson | region 5 Advisor

Bio coming soon!

Dr. Gina Carpenter | region 6 Advisor

Dr. Gina Carpenter has been a Healthcare Science teacher and HOSA Advisor in Gwinnett County and then Walton County for the last 14 years. She has taught at Grayson High School, Gwinnett Technical School, Athens Technical School and now at Loganville High School!

Before beginning her teaching career, Gina owned and operated her private Chiropractic practice in Snellville, Georgia. She attended The University of Georgia to complete her undergraduate work, and then attended Life College and University for her graduate studies earning her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree.

In her free time Gina enjoys camping, hiking, reading and spending time with her husband and three children.

Shellie Cleghorn | Region 8 Advisor

Shellie serves as the HOSA Advisor and Healthcare Science Teacher at Vidalia High School, where she is currently in her eighth year of teaching at the high school level. Before transitioning into education, she spent 12 years as a registered nurse, specializing in Labor and Delivery and Pediatrics, as well as working at the local health department. She has also served as an adjunct instructor for the CNA, LPN, and RN programs at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia, GA.

Her academic background includes an Associate’s degree in Nursing from ABAC, a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Albany State University, a Master’s degree from South University, and an Education Specialist degree in Workforce Education from the University of Georgia. Shellie’s passion for healthcare and dedication to her students drive her to help them excel and prepare for successful careers in the medical field.

She lives in Lyons, GA, with her husband of 21 years and their four children.

Shannon Jones | Region 9

Bio coming soon!

Ashley Kelly | Middle School Representative

Ashley Kelly is a Healthcare Science and Media Arts teacher at Veterans Memorial Middle School in Columbus, Georgia, where she is entering her fifth year as a teacher. She serves as the HOSA and Yearbook Advisor and is passionate about introducing middle school students to healthcare careers while developing leadership, professionalism, and technical skills. 

Before entering education, Ashley spent 10 years working in healthcare across numerous specialties as a Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) and practice coordinator. She brings real-world experience into her classroom, helping students connect academic learning with future healthcare careers. 

Ashley is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for students to discover their potential, develop leadership skills, and pursue careers in healthcare. She enjoys collaborating with educators across Georgia to strengthen middle school healthcare education and HOSA programs. Outside of school, Ashley enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and three children, and cheering on her students in all of their accomplishments.

Tristan Nguyen | Alumni

Tristan is in his senior year at Georgia State University, majoring in Exercise Science. He is expected to graduate in May 2026 and plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise Science by 2027. This is his first year serving on the Georgia HOSA Board Committee as the Alumni Representative, where he looks forward to mentoring students and contributing to statewide initiatives.

Tristan is originally from Gainesville, Georgia, and has been actively involved in both academic and community leadership. He previously served as a Worship Leader at his church, where he helped organize services, oversee music and sound, and create a welcoming environment for the congregation. Looking ahead, Tristan plans to earn certifications as a personal trainer and exercise physiologist, and he aspires to attend physical therapy school in the near future.

In his free time, Tristan enjoys playing instruments such as the piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar. He is also passionate about fitness and spends much of his time training, with a particular focus on bodybuilding

Lucas Hernandez | Business and Industry

Lucas Hernandez’s involvement with Georgia HOSA spans more than a decade, beginning as a member of West Hall High School’s HOSA chapter in 2010. During high school, he competed in CPR and First Aid at both the State and International Leadership Conferences.

After graduation, Lucas attended the University of North Georgia, where he remained active in Postsecondary HOSA while earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He began his nursing career in the Intensive Care Unit at Northside Hospital Forsyth, serving as a bedside nurse for five years before becoming an ICU Clinical Supervisor in 2022.

Passionate about healthcare and leadership, Lucas is dedicated to mentoring future healthcare professionals and helping students explore careers in the field. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and taking advantage of opportunities to be outdoors.

Sandra Martin- department of education: program specialist

Sandra has over 24 years of experience in the classroom in which the last 10 years were at Locust Grove High School teaching the Allied Health & Medicine Pathway. Prior to receiving her teaching degree from Mercer University, Sandra practiced dental hygiene for 7 years.  Sandra completed her Educational Specialist Degree at Nova Southeastern University in the area of Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration. As a HOSA Advisor for 10 years, Sandra had the privilege of mentoring 3 state HOSA officers, years of State/National/International HOSA attendees and hundreds of HOSA members through leadership, teamwork and industry opportunities. She was awarded the HSTEA Teacher of the Year in 2015 and served as the HSTEA President in 2017-2019. She is very passionate about ministering to teachers and students with relevant and authentic learning opportunities.