Join Our Team!
NIMAA is currently hiring for the following positions:
Medical Assisting Instructor (Remote)
John Ephraim Butt, MEd, MHRM
Executive Director
As the Executive Director of the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA), John is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational excellence in support of NIMAA’s mission of providing educational opportunities that address critical workplace shortages in primary care.
John brings to NIMAA 18 years of higher education experience, most recently as the Director of Digital Learning for the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus. Previously, he served as Associate Director of Recruitment in the Office of Digital Education at the University of Colorado and was Associate Director of Graduate Student Services at UNC Charlotte. John has also taught numerous courses for Southern New Hampshire University and UNC Charlotte, including Success Strategies for Online Learning, Human Relations in Administration, and Management and Organizational Behavior. John has a strong background in student recruitment and engagement, technology, online and hybrid program development, non-traditional students, and student support.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of South Alabama and multiple advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from the College of William & Mary and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Richmond. John is currently completing a PhD in Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver.
Mary Blankson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAAN
Clinical Director
Blankson is the chief nursing officer for Community Health Center, Inc., overseeing diverse nursing services across the CHC network, including primary care, healthcare for the homeless, and school-based health services. AS CNO, she oversees the quality and expansion of nursing services, the development of nursing policy, and continuing nurse education. Blankson also works collaboratively to ensure Joint Commission and Patient Centered Medical Home compliance throughout CHC. Blankson earned her MSN at Yale University and joined CHC as a family nurse practitioner shortly after graduation. She has served as the on-site medical director of the New London county sites, the vice president of the medical staff, the chair of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and as a preceptor for CHC’s Nurse Practitioner Residency Program. She completed her DNP education at Johns Hopkins University. Blankson is certified and holds professional membership in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Alexandra (Ali) Murray is Business Manager for NIMAA, overseeing the daily operations of the program as well as management of NIMAA's partner health centers. She brings years of experience in project coordination, strategic development, and stakeholder relationship management. Ali was previously the Director of Scheduling and Operations for former Colorado Governor, John Hickenlooper. Prior to becoming Director of Scheduling and Operations for Governor Hickenlooper, she was Program Assistant for the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, working closely with the two federally-recognized Tribes in Colorado and various state agencies. She holds a BA from Whitman College.
Dawn Sexton
Director of Education
Dawn Sexton is the Director of Education for the National Institute of Medical Assistant Advancement and is responsible for oversight of the instructional team, curriculum design and implementation, policy development, and other duties to ensure that students are receiving the best possible educational experience. With experience working in internal medicine and radiation oncology in a rural community, she recognizes the important role medical assistants have on the healthcare team.
Prior to joining NIMAA, Dawn was the Director of Clinical Education at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Great Falls, Montana, and also taught at Western Governors University. She has taught numerous classes including: Learning Strategies in Higher Education, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Compliance in Healthcare Environments, Medical Law and Ethics, Cardiac Care, Pharmacology, Professional Success Strategies, and more.
Dawn started her career as a medical assistant and is a certified through the American Association of Medical Assistants. Dawn began teaching medical assisting while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration. She also obtained a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.
Outside of her work in higher education, Dawn serves as the District Activist Leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, representing both districts in Montana. In this role, she travels to Washington DC to speak with Congressional members regarding priorities that impact individuals living with MS.
Academic Staff
Debra Beaver
Instructor
Jennifer Cole
Instructor
Ryan Collins
Instructor
Jorie Davis
Instructor
Jennifer Forstner
Instructor
Itzel Gutierrez
Instructor
Lucia Gutierrez
Instructor
Tiffany Heath
Instructor
Susan Klos
Curriculum Director & Instructor
Sabrina Sanks
Instructor
Clair Valenti
Instructor
Administration
Megan Almanza
Student Services Specialist
Sam Bartolome
Student Services Specialist
Tatianna dePaz
Program Specialist
Tiara Edwards
Student Information Systems Program Manager
Maddie Snyder
Student Services Manager
