• Wallace Community College
• Thomas University
• Frontier Nursing University
• Case Western Reserve

A native of Colquitt, GA, Maria received her Associate of Science in Nursing from Wallace Community College. After graduation, she began her nursing career in obstetrics at Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, GA, where she served as a staff nurse and nurse manager of the department. Following her passion for caring for mothers and babies, Maria began her career as a midwife after graduating from Frontier Nursing University and receiving her Master’s degree in nursing from Case Western Reserve University. She advanced her education by obtaining a Doctorate Degree in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University, where she currently serves as didactic and regional clinical faculty for midwifery and women's health students.

Maria has two adult daughters and five grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to the beach and is active in Morningside Baptist Church in Bainbridge.

She enjoys being able to balance her career as an educator and to be able to continue to practice clinically.