Our Staff
Patricia Aponte, MSN, ANP-C, Director of Clinical Services
Patricia Aponte joined Kean University as the Clinical Director of Student Health Services. She is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner licensed in the state of New Jersey through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Thomas Edison State University and went on to pursue her Masters of Science in Nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. With over 15 years of experience working in healthcare she specializes in acute care, emergency medicine, urgent care, and neurology with a focus on headaches. Due to her extensive and diverse background Patricia is also certified as a Medical Examiner through the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. She expanded her knowledge and was granted authorization to provide medical examinations for CDL drivers. She is a member of multiple professional organizations including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Neurology. In her role as Clinical Director of Student Health Services, Patricia prioritizes the care of all Kean students through outreach, development of services, and health promotion.
Kristine Sparks, DNP, APN - Nurse Practitioner
Kristine Sparks is a family nurse practitioner, who has been at Kean University Student Health Services since 2012. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA. She was also the president of her nursing class and received the Mable Morris Leadership Award. After graduating Kristine served Active Duty in the United States Air Force as a Registered Nurse and later became a Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Masters Degree at Uniformed Services University of Health and Sciences in Bethesda, MD. She is board certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Kristine's last assignment before joining the Kean staff was as a primary care provider at the joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, she held this position for four years. She served a total of 11 years as an officer. After serving in the military, she received her doctorate from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ. At graduation she received the Catherine Denning leadership Award. Kristine is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Sigma Theta Tau-The International Honors Society of Nursing, Strathmore's Who's Who for Outstanding Professionals, and she was inducted into Golden Key International Society.
Carolyn Smith, DNP, FNP - Nurse Practitioner
Carolyn Smith is a board certified family nurse practitioner licensed in the state of New Jersey.
She achieved a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kean University. She holds a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry/Rutgers University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Gannon University.
Prior to working at Kean University Student Health Services she worked as a Nurse Practitioner in the areas of public health, infectious disease, post acute/transitional hospital medicine and primary medical care. Her approach to medicine is client centered, individualized care with emphasis on education, prevention and health maintenance.
Marci Blaszka, MSN, APN - Nurse Practitioner
Marci Blaszka is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner licensed in the State of New Jersey. She received her Master's Degree in Nursing at Seton Hall University. She works part-time at Kean University Student Health Services since 2015, and provides primary care and women's health services to the student population. Professionally Marci has worked as a mental health counselor, oncology Registered Nurse and serves as an alumni mentor for her alma mater.
Mary Dennis, RN, Charge Nurse
Mary Dennis is a Registered Nurse and is licensed in the State of New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology degree from Montclair State University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Medicine and Dentistry. She began working at the Kean Wellness Center at Student Health Services in 2022. Prior to working at Kean University Mary worked in many specialty areas of nursing such as psychiatric nursing, detox and substance abuse, labor and delivery, and maternal child health.
Taylor Williams, DPT - Medical Records Coordinator
Dr. Taylor A. Williams serves as the Medical Records Coordinator for the Kean Wellness Center - Student Health Services. Dr. Williams is a two time Kean Alumna, earning her Bachelors of Arts in Biology and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She has worked at Student Health Services since 2017 and is well versed in New Jersey immunization laws. Dr. Williams is dedicated to serving the Kean community and promoting health and wellness to Kean students. Outside of the office, Dr. Williams enjoys traveling, cooking and eating delicious food, and crafting.
Chimaobi Odumuko, PharmD, MBS, Rph - Vaccine Coordinator
Chimaobi Odumuko is originally from Nigeria. He received his Bachelor's degree from Kean University, a Masters degree in Biomedical Science from University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ (Now Rutgers University) and a Doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD) from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Science. Upon graduation he started working in retail pharmacy and is currently practicing as a registered pharmacist here in New Jersey.
He also served as a hospital inpatient pharmacist. His responsibilities included providing drug information to the hospital’s clinical team, drug utilization review, and medication therapy management amongst many other clinical initiatives.
Chimaobi Odumuko has always had a strong sense of devotion for developing student leaders. Over the years he has been invited as a guest speaker for Kean University’s Division of Student Affairs and various student clubs to discuss numerous topics in leadership. He is also a mentor for Kean University’s Student Government Association.