NIFLA’s Course Instructors

Thomas Glessner, JD
Founder and President

Thomas Glessner founded the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates nearly 30 years ago. NIFLA is a national nonprofit providing legal counsel, education and training for pro-life pregnancy centers and medical clinics. Representing a network of more than 1,800 pregnancy centers and medical clinics across the nation, NIFLA has challenged laws targeting its members in several states.

Mr. Glessner graduated from the University School of Law in Seattle, Washington in 1977 and is currently a member of the bar associations for the states of Washington, Virginia, and the Supreme Court of the United States. As the CEO of NIFLA, he has also developed and implemented legal guidelines for pregnancy centers to enable them to convert their operations into licensed medical clinics and provide for abortion-vulnerable clients’ medical services such as ultrasound.

Thomas Glessner and NIFLA both featured prominently in NIFLA v. Becerra — a Supreme Court case that successfully challenged a law that attempted to force pro-life pregnancy centers to promote abortion. The NIFLA ruling in favor of the free speech rights of pro-life pregnancy centers was released on June 26, 2018.

Mr. Glessner has also authored several books and appeared on or been published by media outlets such as USA TODAY, Tucker Carlson, CBN News, EWTN, 700 Club, Fox News, Washington Examiner, Washington Post, Washington Times, TownHall, National Review, The Federalist and many more.

Teresa Cooper Ward, JD
Vice President and General Counsel

Teresa Cooper Ward is Vice President and General Counsel of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA). Before she became a part of NIFLA, Teresa spent more than four decades practicing law both inside and outside the courtroom. As a solo practitioner, she developed the first Medicaid Estate Recovery Program for the State of Florida, later serving as Deputy General Counsel to the Speaker and then as Senior Attorney for the Florida House of Representatives. Teresa has over a dozen successful appeals to her credit, is admitted to practice in Florida, Indiana, the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and federal courts in Florida. Teresa served as Chairman of the Board for the Florida Pregnancy Care Network, a statutory entity which supports pregnancy centers. Teresa is a mother of four, and a graduate of Stetson University College of Law and the University of South Florida.

Sandy Christiansen, MD
Associate Medical Director and Practicum Director
Dr. Sandy Christiansen, MD, FACOG is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with over 35 years of experience as a clinician, educator, speaker, and writer and is a passionate advocate for the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. After serving Care Net for 20 years, Dr. Sandy continues her calling to pro-life work serving NIFLA’s 1800 affiliates as the Associate Medical Director and Ultrasound Practicum Director. Dr. Sandy is laser-focused on equipping pregnancy medical clinics (PMCs) to serve their patients with the highest standard of life-affirming Christ-centered care and clinical excellence. She enjoys serving patients directly in her role as the medical director and staff physician for a PMC in Maryland providing hands-on clinical services and oversight. Dr. Christiansen is a Charlotte Lozier Associate Scholar and the co-chair of the American Association of Pro-life Ob/Gyn’s Special Interest Group for Medical Directors. In addition, she educates international healthcare professionals on pro-life issues through the ministry of Choose Life Global.

Stacy Grimmett, RDMS
Practicum Instructor
Stacy has been working as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and Registered Vascular Technologist for over 12 years. Her years of experience have led her to become an Education Program Coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Emergency Medicine. Stacy is eager to help her students grow in their understanding of ultrasound medicine and contribute to the pro-life movement’s work.

Kay Hanson, RDMS
Practicum Instructor
Kay has over 37 years of experience in Abdominal, OB/GYN Sonography. She has previously served as an instructor and clinical coordinator in hospitals, local colleges, and Pregnancy Medical Centers. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve God in the wonderful ministry of Pregnancy Medical Centers, where she helps mothers choose life for their precious unborn babies.

Eva Ortiz, RDMS
Practicum Instructor
Eva Ortiz is a U.S. Army veteran and experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years of expertise in diagnostic medical ultrasound, clinical operations, and patient education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2024). Eva has extensive experience in obstetric and diagnostic imaging, staff training, and mentorship, and is committed to developing hands-on, competency-based learning environments that combine technical excellence with patient-centered care. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge, leadership, and faith-based service to her role at Choices Women’s Center, supporting clients and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Malena Wilson, RDMS
Practicum Instructor
With over 14 years of experience in diagnostic imaging, Malena is a multidisciplinary ARDMS-registered sonographer and ARRT-registered radiologic technologist specializing in abdominal, OB/GYN, pediatric, and vascular imaging. Her career spans a wide range of healthcare environments, from major hospital systems to academic instruction and mobile imaging services. Currently, she works as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Sonography Program, where she teaches Sonographic Physics, OB/GYN, and Abdominal Sonography, while mentoring students in lab and clinical settings. She also provides limited obstetric ultrasound services and staff training at the Pregnancy Help Center of Chesterfield, combining clinical care with community education. Malena is excited to work with Pregnancy Centers because she is passionate about using her clinical skills in a purpose-driven environment that allows her to combine faith, compassion, and medical care. She is also excited to be able to train nurses in limited obstetric ultrasound and equip them with both technical skills and confidence to serve women in a life-changing way.