Administration Team

Leadership

Director, Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr. Kathy Watkins, B.N., M.N., Ph.D., R.N.
Tel: 709-777-8161, Fax: 709-777-7324

Dr. Watkins has been a long-time faculty member at the Centre for Nursing Studies (CNS). Her experience in nursing education spans more than 28 years having taught at the diploma, baccalaureate and masters levels. Her teaching in nursing has focused on medical-surgical concepts, women’s health and professional development.

In addition to teaching in the Bachelor of Nursing (Collaborative) and Practical Nursing programs, Dr. Watkins has been actively involved in the Continuing Nursing studies programs offered at the CNS. Prior to assuming the role of director, she was the associate director of the Non-Degree Programs at the CNS. She is also a professional associate in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University where her primary responsibility is research on hereditary colorectal cancer. She continues to teach in graduate level programs.

During her career, Dr. Watkins has been an active volunteer in numerous professional and community organizations. In addition to being a member of multiple academic, provincial and national committees, she is an accreditation reviewer for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. She is a member of the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination Committee and is actively involved in program approval of practical nursing programs outside of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Associate Director, Non-Degree Programs
Natasha Fulford, B.N., M.N., R.N.
Tel: 709-777-8173, Fax: 709-777-7324

Ms. Fulford has been a faculty member at the Centre for Nursing Studies since 2015, teaching in the areas of medical/surgical nursing, perioperative nursing, in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Collaborative), Practical Nursing and Continuing Nursing Studies programs, which includes Internationally Educated Nursing program.

Prior to entering the field of nursing education, Ms. Fulford practiced in the areas of acute medical/surgical, perioperative and pain management. Ms. Fulford is an active member of the Education Advisory Committee with the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is an active member of volunteer community organizations and committees. Ms. Fulford is a former graduate of the Centre for Nursing Studies.

Operations Manager, Centre for Nursing Studies
Jeff Birmingham, B.A.
Tel: 709-777-8139, Fax: 709 –777 -7324

Mr. Birmingham was recently appointed to the role of Operations Manager with the Centre for Nursing Studies in July of 2022.

He has been employed both with Eastern Health and the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for more than 15 years, primarily in human resources roles. Mr. Birmingham has held human resources consultant positions as a generalist, recruiter and in labour relations, as well as staffing manager in Long Term Care.

Prior to assuming his present role, Mr. Birmingham was Manager of Strategic Health Workforce Planning with the Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, which focused largely on present and future staffing needs of health professionals within our province. Mr. Birmingham is a former graduate of Memorial University.