Barbara has many years experience at MAHEC with Nursing Continuing Education. Even though she is not a nurse, she takes great pride in serving the nurses of the Western Region of North Carolina. Barbara's background in accounting and the details involved serves nursing well since Barbara juggles multiple details of each nursing program including all the numbers associated with all our speakers needs including: travel, reimbursements, hotel reservations, handouts, objectives, and multiple other tasks that make the nursing programs the best in the State.

Barbara is a true native of Asheville and has lived in this area her entire life. She is proud of her family and strong community and church connections. Barbara is the 'go to' person for the nursing education department and can answer most any question you may have and when she can't, she can guide you to the right person! Contact Barbara at barbara.bennett@mahec.net or 828-257-4430.

My focus at MAHEC is coaching and counseling nurses returning to practice through the RN Refresher program in collaboration with the NC Board of Nursing, UNC-CH School of Nursing and regional hospitals. My history with the program includes an initial involvement with use of technology in continuing education for refresher nurses which resulted in a presentation to nurse educators at a national Rural Health conference.

My experience in nursing education includes teaching in two and four year programs in North Carolina and Tennessee, coordinating and organizing orientation programs, developing preceptor programs and filming educational events. My certification in Continuing Education and Staff Development through ANCC is a result of my experience and encourages me to be challenged and creative with educational initiatives through my work with MAHEC and the community.

Future endeavors include expanding the capabilities of clinical experience for the nurse refresher candidates and publishing an article about the successful reentry of many talented nurses back into our profession. I look forward to visiting with you and talking about refresher training or keeping up with your competencies as outlined by the NC State Board of Nursing.

Joyce Jolly, MSN, RN is Associate Director of Nursing Education. Joyce moved to Hendersonville to return to her mountain roots after 30+ years of exemplary military service in the U.S. Army where she retired with the rank of Colonel. She received her Master’s in Nursing and Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. In addition, she completed numerous Post Graduate courses in Adult Education at North Carolina State University. With her diverse clinical background in medical surgical, oncology and obstetrics as well as leadership experiences in nursing Administration and education, Joyce develops extraordinary programs for the western region. Always looking for adventures, her love of travel takes her to exotic national and international locations as well as to our Nation’s Capital where she was a recent participant in the Annual Rolling Thunder ride attracting thousands to ride in honor of POWs/MIAs.

She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Her community activities include the American Legion, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Lion’s Club, and volunteer work in support of the Moldova World Children’s Fund.

I’ve held multiple executive level positions throughout my career as a Navy Nurse, in certification and subsequently Magnet at the American Nurses Credentialing Center and now, as the Director for Nursing Education here at MAHEC. My clinical background includes medical surgical, cardiothoracic surgery, recovery room & nursing education, but my expertise and passion is in the field of leadership, particularly transformational leadership. I resigned my position as the Director for the Magnet Recognition Program® in 2007 leaving the busy lifestyle of the Washington DC area to fulfill my dream of living in the mountains near Asheville. Working for MAHEC affords me the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, but also to share my passion for nursing excellence and leadership with nurses and other members of the health care team throughout the region.

I have co-authored several journal articles and a book chapter in Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care (2006) edited by Kathy Malloch and Tim Porter-O’Grady.