QUARTERLY BULLETIN
Presidential Investiture, Friday, September 26 !
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Glossary of Credential Abbreviations
In the Quarterly Bulletin, we often list the abbreviated credentials of the healthcare professionals featured in these stories. While space does not permit a comprehensive list of all these credentials, here are a few of the more common ones used in the Quarterly Bulletin and their meanings:
CNEP: Community Based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program
CNM: Certified Nurse-Midwife
DNP: Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Master of Science in Nursing
PMHNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
WHNP: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Frontier Nursing University Quarterly Bulletin, ISSN 0016-2116, Copyright © 2025 by Frontier Nursing University, is published quarterly by Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383. Business and Editorial Offices: 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 43083. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 43083. Periodicals postage is paid at Versailles, KY, and additional mailing offices (if applicable).
President’s Cabinet
Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM President
Shelley Aldridge, BA Chief Operations Officer
Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN Dean of Student Success
Kristin Ashford PhD, WHNP-BC, FAAN Dean of Nursing
Marc Blevins, MS, CISA Chief Information and Digital Officer
Bobbi Silver Chief Advancement Officer
Kylie Waters, CPA, MBA Chief Financial Officer
Jenkins Michelle Lawhorn, DNP, CNM, RNC-OB, Regional Clinical Faculty (faculty representative)
Chris Turley, MS, BS Director of Student Engagement (staff representative)
Academic Administration
Audra Cave, DNP, FNP-BC Department Chair of Family Nursing
Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C Doctor of Nursing Program Director
Rachel Risner, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Kevin Scalf, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl,
Department Chair of PsychiatricMental Health
Eileen Thrower, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM
Department Chair of Midwifery and Women’s Health
Dear Friends,
These are busy and exciting times at Frontier Nursing University. We are pleased to dedicate this issue of the Quarterly Bulletin to honoring several individuals who have been instrumental in shaping our history. We’ll be highlighting a few of the countless people who are making significant contributions to Frontier today. We’ll also be sharing details on ways you can engage with FNU at our events and through opportunities to give or give back.
There are a few upcoming occasions you won’t want to miss! On Thursday, September 25, we’ll be hosting our annual alumni service awards and the induction of our inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame honorees. On Friday, September 26, we are holding a presidential investiture, honoring our rich history, highlighting our most recent achievements, and setting the stage for our bright future. Saturday, September 27, brings commencement, our most joyful day of the year as we celebrate our newest alumni. We can’t wait to see all our graduates and their families in Lexington!
We offer our congratulations and best wishes in retirement to Dr. Diane John, who served most recently as our Interim Dean of Nursing. Her dedication to Frontier is unsurpassed, and we are grateful to her for her incredible spirit, leadership, and service in the discipline of nursing for the past four decades.
Finally, in this Quarterly Bulletin, we pay respect to Dr. Michael Carter, our Board Chair from 2009-2025, who recently passed away. We are forever indebted to Dr. Carter for his significant contributions to the university, and we will miss him dearly.
As we move into the second half of our 100-year anniversary, I invite you to take a moment to learn more about the remarkable individuals who make Frontier so special. Your connection to our legacy and our journey makes it all so much more meaningful.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brooke A. Flinders DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
2025 FNU Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Pat Caudle
As a Doctor of Nursing Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Certified NurseMidwife, Dr. Pat Caudle was educated and prepared for most anything during her career as a nurse practitioner, full scope nurse-midwife, and instructor. But she wasn’t prepared for the call she received informing her that she was selected to be inducted into the Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame.
“My first reaction was, ‘Golly, why pick me?’” Dr. Caudle said “Of all the graduates of Frontier... I mean, my gosh, look at the stars you have. Fabulous people. Why me?”
The answer to that question is woven through the fabric of Dr. Caudles' journey in nursing and as a faculty member at Frontier.
Dr. Caudle grew up in Ballinger, Texas. During her senior year of high school, she took a career test that suggested she should become a teacher or a nurse. She chose nursing and took a job as a nurse’s aide right after graduating and soon began training as a nurse at a diploma school.
“Pat was an incredible educator who supported and inspired us as students as we were beginning our journeys at Frontier.”
— FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
“It’s not like going to college,” she said. “It’s an apprentice-like program, on-the-job training.”
She graduated second in her class from Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital of Nursing in San Angelo, Texas, in 1968. She went on to attend Texas Christian University where she earned her BSN.
She served as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-71, beginning as a second lieutenant and finishing as first lieutenant. Shortly after she was honorably discharged from the Air Force, the first of her two sons was born in an Air Force hospital. After her second son was born, she earned her master’s degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and went on to teach at the University of Louisiana in Alexandria while her husband worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She also taught at Northwestern in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Her interest in women’s healthcare led her to become a family nurse practitioner focused on women’s health, and she became certified in 1981.
“We were blessed with a move to California in 1985, and I was able to go to the University of San Diego for my doctorate in nursing science,” Dr. Caudle said. “We were there for six years and then came back to Arkansas where we had property in Heber Springs. While in the doctoral program I took a history research course, and my focus was on midwifery because of a long-held interest in the profession. To become a nurse-midwife in California, I would have had to move or commute 300 or 400 miles because there was not a school in San Diego. When I got back to Arkansas, I discovered Frontier’s Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program (CNEP) through a colleague of mine, Joni Yarnell, who was in Class 1 of CNEP. She served as my preceptor. I was 48 years old and already had my doctorate when I started CNEP (Class 9) and I was 50 when I finished.”
But her time at Frontier had only just begun. Upon an invitation from former FNU Dean and President Dr. Susan Stone, Dr. Caudle joined the Frontier faculty in May 2000. She taught at Frontier for 18 years before retiring at the age of 71.
Dr. Caudle was beloved and respected as an instructor. She was a six-time recipient of a Student Choice Award (2002, 2004,
FNU President Dr. Brooke Flinders with Dr. Pat Caudle
2006, 2010, 2013, and 2015) recognizing the students’ favorite instructors. One of her many former students is current FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders.
"Pat was an incredible educator who supported and inspired us as students as we were beginning our journeys at Frontier,” Dr. Flinders said. “I'll never forget Pat's ability to translate pathophysiology content so that I felt capable and confident in learning it. I remember calling her before taking my proctored exams — not to review detailed course material, but
to hear her voice and her encouragement that I could do it. Pat washed my hands at Wendover as a symbolic welcome into the midwifery community. Pat encouraged me at an American College of Nurse -Midwives (ACNM) conference to come back to Frontier to complete my DNP. Pat welcomed me to Frontier when I came back to FNU to serve as President. She has been such an influence on me throughout my growth as a practitioner, educator, and nurse leader."
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” Dr. Caudle said of her time as an FNU instructor. “The first two years I was in Hyden and caught babies there in the hospital. When the hospital decided not to have midwifery anymore, we went to Manchester and caught babies there. The last birth I attended was in June 2002. I moved back to Arkansas in November 2002 because my husband had developed heart problems. From then on, I went back and forth to Hyden for the Bounds. Each time it was like coming home.”
Frontier Bound is an immersive on-campus experience for new FNU students. Students later return to campus for Clinical Bound, which is a hands-on learning experience that prepares them for their clinical practicum.
In 2024, Dr. Caudle came “home” again, visiting Frontier’s former campus in Hyden.
“I went to Hyden because it marked the 30th year since I rode that little yellow school bus up the hill to go to school,” Dr. Caudle said. She also visited the new home of FNU at the Versailles campus in May of 2025, marking the 25th anniversary of her
hire date as an FNU faculty member.
Dr. Caudle’s contributions to the professions of nursing, midwifery, and education are enduring. She has shared her extensive knowledge and passion for the nursing profession with countless students across the country and the globe, authoring chapters in medical-surgical, prenatalpostnatal, and pharmacology books. She also served on the American Midwifery Certification Board for seven years, including two years as secretary.
She continues to give back to the profession in general and to Frontier in particular as a donor and supporter.
“Frontier was very good to me,” she said. “I support Frontier because of their mission and what they are trying to do, in regards particularly to helping women of color and women of other languages and cultures to achieve midwifery. I think that’s a very important goal and I’m pleased to be able to help. And I support Frontier because I want to see more midwives and family nurse practitioners in this country.”
2025 FNU Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee Kitty Ernst
The history of Frontier Nursing University cannot be told without discussing the contributions, vision, and leadership of Kitty Ernst.
Eunice Katherine “Kitty” Macdonald Ernst was born on July 21, 1926, in Waltham, Massachusetts, and became a dynamic and committed pioneer in midwifery education and practice. She was passionate about ensuring that all families receive the best possible care during pregnancy and birth.
After graduating from the Waltham Hospital School of Nursing in Massachusetts, Kitty made the decision to embark on an adventure by working at Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) in Kentucky. During her time as a nurse at FNS, she was introduced to nursemidwifery and inspired by the nursemidwives who travelled on horseback in the rural mountains of Kentucky to deliver care to mothers and families. This led to her decision to attend the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery, a part of the FNS, in Hyden, Kentucky, in 1951.
“Kitty’s impact was significant and everlasting upon every person she met and every organization she served.”
— Dr. Susan Stone, FNU President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing
During her time as a student at FNS, Kitty realized the impact of midwifery on the health of women and families. Throughout her life, Kitty often told the story of how awestruck she was when she first witnessed the power of a woman birthing in her own mountain home. Those first births Kitty witnessed as a midwifery student set her on a lifelong course of promoting and supporting normal birth, in a safe and comfortable setting, and educating midwifery students in these principles. Kitty knew that educating new nursemidwives was essential to transforming health care not only for mothers but for their families as well.
Following her time at FNS, Kitty went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Hunter College in 1957 and a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University in 1959. From 1954-58, Kitty served as a nurse-midwife for the Maternity Center Association (MCA) in New York City. She started her own family, marrying Albert T. Ernst in 1961. Together, they had three children, Rosemary, Albert “Ted” Jr., and Kate.
During this time, Kitty worked as a parent educator, teaching some of the first childbirth education groups of the International Childbirth Education Association. As a field consultant for MCA, she developed family-centered maternity care provided by an obstetrician nurse-midwife team at the Salvation Army Booth Maternity Center in Philadelphia.
Kitty was passionately committed to birth centers as a key solution to challenges in maternity care. Generations of midwives learned from Kitty that birth centers are safe options to practice midwifery model of care and must be a part of the health care system. Kitty co-founded the National Association of Childbearing Centers (NACC) in 1983 now the American Association of Birth Centers. As Director of the NACC, she steered the development of the Commission for Accreditation of Freestanding Birth Centers in 1985.
In the 1980s, Kitty became particularly concerned about two issues: the small number of nurse-midwives being educated each year, and the fact that the majority of nurse-midwives being educated in large
tertiary care centers had a lack of out-ofhospital experience. To address these issues, she led the design and implementation of the first distance education program for nurse-midwives, which was adopted by the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, now known as Frontier Nursing University. Over many years, Kitty graciously shared her personal story, her passion, and her vision with every single class of incoming FNU students.
Kitty, who often quoted one of the key beliefs of FNS that “all health care begins with the care and education of the mother,” maintained strong ties with FNU throughout her life. She served on FNU’s Board of Directors from 1975-2021, was awarded an honorary doctorate from FNU in 2011, and occupied the Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery.
“Kitty’s impact was significant and everlasting upon every person she met and every organization she served,” said Dr. Susan Stone, FNU President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing. “For me, she was a dear friend, mentor, and mother figure. For Frontier, she was the innovator who led the creation of our distance learning model, our loyal supporter, inspirational leader, and was kind and gracious to all. We are thankful for her countless contributions to FNU and to midwifery. She will forever be part of the Frontier Nursing University community and will live on in our hearts and many traditions.”
Kitty served as the president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) from 1961-63 and again from 2007-2008. Since 1998, ACNM has annually presented the Kitty Ernst Award to “an exceptional, relatively new CNM/ CM who is an ACNM member, has been certified for less than ten years and has demonstrated innovative, creative endeavors in midwifery and/or women's health clinical practice, education, administration, or research.”
The criteria for the ACNM Kitty Ernst Award are befitting of Kitty’s contributions to the profession. She was a leader in education and administration, conducting the first wave of accreditation for nursemidwifery education programs and developing the first “What is a NurseMidwife” brochure. Over the course of her career, she published valuable information defining the role of a nursemidwife and played a crucial role in the first accreditation of nurse-midwifery programs in the U.S. As the Director of the pilot Community-based NurseMidwifery Education Program (CNEP), she developed a model for meeting the overwhelming need for experienced birth center nurse-midwives committed to innovative family-centered maternity.
Kitty’s impact spread far and wide. She traveled across the U.S. and abroad to Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Belgium, Russia, and Haiti to provide consultation and workshops on the midwifery model of care in birth centers.
“Kitty Ernst led with passion, perseverance and commitment, and perhaps most importantly, by her presence,” said Dr. Joan Slager, former FNU Dean of Nursing (2018-2025). “She always made herself available and tirelessly shared her wisdom and advice with students, alumni and friends. As we celebrate her legacy, it is important that we continue to learn from her example and adopt the same vision for the future that she had.”
Kitty’s many accolades included the Martha Mae Elliot Award for Exceptional Health Service to Mothers and Children from the American Public Health Association. ACNM presented Kitty with the Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, which honors an exceptional certified nurse-midwife or certified midwife who is an ACNM member who has provided continuous outstanding contributions or distinguished service to midwifery. She received the Childbirth Connection Medal for Distinguished Service and was awarded the Maternity Center Association's Carola Warburg Rothschild Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of women and their families.
Kitty’s impact was significant and everlasting upon every person she met and every organization she served. She was a dear friend, loyal supporter, inspirational leader, and was kind and gracious to all. She will forever be part of the Frontier Nursing University community.
Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
Dr. Kerri Schuiling
Dr. Kerri Schuiling, PhD, NP emeritus, CNM (ret), FACNM, FAAN was introduced to nursing at an early age. She was close to her maternal grandmother, who was a nurse and a social worker. Dr. Schuiling recalls her grandmother talking about caring for area families, particularly those living in poverty. She always spoke about the importance of supporting families and how by doing so it made the world a better place.
“As long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a nurse,” Dr. Schuiling said. “Of course, I also devoured the Cherry Ames series which helped fuel my desire to go into nursing. However, it was Life Magazine’s April 1965 issue: Drama of Life Before Birth that sparked my fascination with reproductive physiology which later evolved into a passion for caring for families during birth.”
Dr. Schuiling earned a baccalaureate degree from Northern Michigan University and began working in labor and delivery in a small hospital in Petoskey, Michigan. She continued to advance her education, becoming a family planning nurse
practitioner in the 1970s, followed by a master’s degree in maternity nursing from Wayne State University in 1980 and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Michigan in 2003.
The occupation of nurse practitioner was still relatively new in the1 970s, in fact, at the time there wasn’t even a certification process for the role. Dr. Schuiling was just the third nurse practitioner to work in western Michigan. When the certification process was developed, Dr. Schuiling became one of the very early practitioners to take the examination and become a certified NP. Interestingly, although Dr. Schuiling enjoyed her role as a nurse practitioner, her ultimate goal was to become a nurse-midwife. While she had never had the opportunity of working with a nurse-midwife, she had read Wide Neighborhoods and knew this was her true professional calling. Unfortunately, many midwifery education programs were closing at the time due to the malpractice crisis and Dr. Schuiling was forced to wait to continue her education.
In 1989 while browsing the Childbirth Graphics catalogue, she came across an ad for an at-distance midwifery education program. Dr. Schuiling says she immediately called the number provided in the ad. Fellow Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Kitty Ernest was launching Frontier’s Community-based Nursemidwifery Education Program (CNEP). When Dr. Schuiling called the number, Kitty herself picked up the phone.
“I had no idea who Kitty Ernst was at the time, if you can believe that!” Dr. Schuiling said. “Kitty said I could get into the program if I could find a place to do the clinical portion of the program where I would be mentored by midwives. I was in an OB-
GYN practice with physicians at the time who were fully supportive of my becoming a nurse-midwife and continuing to work in the practice and they recommended a women’s center in Battle Creek, Michigan, that employed midwives as a possibility for clinical education. When I contacted the Battle Creek clinic, the midwives, without hesitation, agreed to take me as a student during my clinical rotation. Frankly, they were absolutely floored when I told them Kitty Ernst was running the program. They kept asking me if I was sure it was really THE Kitty Ernst! I was admitted to the first class of CNEP and the rest is history.”
After graduating in the first CNEP class in 1991, Dr. Schuiling continued to work in the same OB-GYN practice and at the same time, began teaching women’s gynecologic health for CNEP. “I had been asked to teach the gynecology content because of my expertise in practice and experience teaching the content for other universities. At the time, GYN was a relatively new core competency in midwifery education, therefore my background and experience helped in revising the course and assuring GYN standards were met.”
When Dr. Schuiling graduated from CNEP, Grand Rapids had no certified nursemidwives credentialed in the area hospitals, so she had to work with the hospital to not only become credentialed, but to assist in the development of credentialing criteria for midwives. She became the first credentialed nurse-midwife at was then known as Butterworth Hospital (now known as Corewell Health West Michigan) in Grand Rapids.
“A couple of years later I moved to Boulder, Colorado. I began practicing with a group of physicians who desired to offer midwifery
services as part of their practice. However, Boulder Community Hospital, at that time, had no credentialed private practice midwives,” Dr. Schuiling said. “Once again, I worked with the hospital to develop guidelines to credential nurse-midwives. I am proud to say I did not become their first credentialed private practice midwife because they required me to cut and repair 12 episiotomies. After almost two years in practice I had yet to achieve that criterion. I made it clear I would not perform an episiotomy unless it was needed, and the majority of my patients did not need one.”
When Dr. Schuiling returned to Grand Rapids, she began practicing with Bronson Women's Service in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There she joined fellow FNU Alumni Hall of Fame inductee and CNEP Class 1 graduate Dr. Joan Slager. While practicing at Bronson, Dr. Schuiling began a dedicated interest in research. The Bronson practice was unique in that the midwives partnered with perinatology, versus generalist OB/ GYNs. A study was developed to look at this type of partnership, data were collected and the outcomes demonstrated that a high level of care was received by women who were pregnant and considered ‘at risk’, and that the care was cost effective. Following this study, Dr. Schuiling entered the University of Michigan’s PhD in Nursing program, focusing on women’s health. Adding to her trailblazing legacy, she was in the first Women’s Health cohort offered by the university and completed her PhD in 2003.
Throughout her postgraduate years, Dr. Schuiling maintained her connection to Frontier, teaching physiology courses and eventually becoming the curriculum coordinator alongside another Class 1 graduate and fellow FNU Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Susan Stone. Dr. Schuiling first met Dr. Stone when they took their comprehensive exams together at Kitty Ernst’s farm in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, and later took their boards together at Frontier Nursing Service in Hyden, Kentucky. Not long after, Dr. Stone and Dr. Schuiling were both teaching for Frontier when Kitty urged them to take on administrative leadership of the school. Dr. Stone, with her expertise and experience
in administration, became the President and Dr. Schuiling, due to her experience in academics became the Curriculum Coordinator. One of the initiatives that Dr. Stone and Dr. Schuiling helped spearhead was the advancement of Kitty’s distanceeducation, community-based model.
“Kitty always had the idea of being truly at a distance,” Dr. Schuiling said. “The computer became more and more prevalent, and we began using it for more than just turning in assignments. We were working in Hyden, Kentucky, and had brilliant people that were working with us who knew the technology and were pushing boundaries that I will tell you large universities in big cities weren’t pushing. One of the really unique things about Frontier was that they wanted everyone to be creative, they wanted us to take a risk, to try something different.”
Outside of her work with Frontier, Dr. Schuiling was active in the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), serving on numerous committees, chairing many of them. She also was the first ACNM Sr. Staff researcher assisting in developing an annual workforce survey, administering it online to all ACNM members and then analyzing data and reporting the outcomes. This work was aided by Dr. Judith Fullerton, CNM(ret) and Dr. Theresa Sipe, CNM who shared in co-authoring the many publications that resulted from this work.
“I’m very proud of the research we did for ACNM because it provided important information that the organization could use in obtaining funding, as well as for members to use in various ways, perhaps most importantly in negotiating salaries and developing practice guidelines,”
“One of the things that I’m most proud of is the publication of the book, Women’s Gynecological Health, now titled Gynecologic Healthcare,” Dr. Schuiling added. “I was co-teaching for Frontier with Dr. Francie Likis (FNU Class 20). The book came about because of our frustration with other books pathologizing women’s normal physiology. The more she and I talked, the more frustrated we became. We finally decided we were just going to write our own book.”
Dr. Schuiling and Dr. Likis collaborated on four editions of the book, which has twice received the ACNM Book of the Year Award and also received an American Journal of Nursing Award. It is often referred to by clinicians as the ‘Gold Standard’ for GYN care.
Today, Dr. Schuiling is an Emeritus Distinguished Professor at Northern Michigan University, most recently completing a term as President of the University following seven years as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Dr. Schuiling has received several awards for her work in academe and practice including the Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Distinguished Professor, ACNM’s Kitty Ernst award for innovative, creative endeavors in midwifery and women’s health, and the Dorthea Lang Pioneer Award from the ACNM Foundation. In 2013, she was named one of the Esteemed Women of Michigan for making extraordinary contributions through personal, volunteer and professional avenues to improve the community and inspire others in the state of Michigan. In 2019 she was a Michigan State Crain’s Notable Women in Education Leadership Awardee, and in 2023 she was honored by Marquette’s local Zonta International chapter for her dedication and work to supporting women’s rights, advocating for equality, education and support of children and families. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, considered one of nursing’s highest honors.
Despite all of her accomplishments as a practitioner, educator, author, and current Vice Chair of the FNU Board, Dr. Schuiling was surprised when she received the news of her Alumni Hall of Fame induction.
“I was gob smacked,” she said. “I was totally taken by surprise. I am absolutely thrilled. It’s one of the most significant honors I have received. There are no words to express how absolutely flattered and humbled and excited I am. It’s the perfect culmination of an absolutely wonderful career.”
Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. Joan Slager
Dr. Joan Slager has lived the full Frontier Nursing University experience. As a student, she was part of Frontier’s first Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP) graduating class in 1991, led by fellow Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Kitty Ernst. As a practitioner, she precepted over 100 FNU students. As an instructor and administrator, she returned to Frontier, serving first as a faculty member and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Program, and then as the Dean of Nursing before retiring in February 2025.
“I am so thankful for the support and friendship I have received from the FNU community,” Dr. Slager said in announcing her retirement. “My journey as a nursemidwife began with Frontier and it has been so rewarding to have had the opportunity to come full circle back to FNU at the end of a satisfying and fulfilling career.”
Strangely enough, that career started in a barn. Growing up on a farm in Lake Odessa, Michigan, Dr. Slager was drawn to the wonders of the birthing process. She
“Dr. Slager’s expertise and leadership were essential in helping guide Frontier during a difficult time in our history.”
— Dr. Susan Stone, FNU President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing
would frequently help care for the cows during the calving season and grew to love the experience.
“It was fascinating to me, and I just loved being there and watching. I think that’s what drew me to midwifery,” she said.
She earned her Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN) in 1980 from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She enjoyed the maternal/child rotations and worked in the neonatal intensive care unit after graduation. She subsequently worked three years (1981-83) with the Kalamazoo County Health Department clinics and later took a position as a staff nurse at the Borgess Medical Center Family Birthing Center (1984-91).
While at the birth center, she worked with Kalamazoo’s first midwife and was inspired to become a midwife herself. Having heard about Frontier’s new Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP) from fellow Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Kerri Schuiling, she applied and became part of Class 1.
“I was intrigued that I didn’t have to travel 150-plus miles to go to school, and I could complete my education in my home community. It sounded too good to be true,” she said.
Dr. Slager was part of Frontier’s first CNEP graduating class in 1991. She began working as a nurse-midwife in Battle Creek, Michigan, eventually becoming the Director of Nurse-Midwifery at the Family Health Center of Battle Creek. She assisted Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo in developing a midwifery-led service in 1993, where she served as the Director of Nurse-Midwifery at the Bronson Women’s Service for 27 years, helping build it into one of the largest midwifery practices in the country.
Bronson also became a frequent location for Frontier students to find a preceptor, a role which Dr. Slager was happy to play.
“Each of us has our own reasons for why we chose a career in healthcare, but common amongst us is a shared desire to serve others,” she said of precepting. “We
are heartened by the mission of Frontier Nursing University to care for underserved people and provide care to all those in need. We all chose to answer the call to serve. It is not an easy road to travel, and all of us relied on the support of others – friends, family, classmates, instructors, and preceptors – to achieve our goal of becoming nurse practitioners and nursemidwives. How can we thank all the people who helped us achieve our goals? We can thank them by being devoted and skilled professionals, yes, but also by paying it forward to those who come after us.”
For Dr. Slager, paying it forward also meant helping other midwifery practices. She learned how to run a business, including the complicated world of knowing how to use billing codes accurately, and shared her knowledge via the Slager Consulting Business, which she established in 2000 while maintaining her everyday role as a nurse-midwife.
After 28 years as a practicing nursemidwife, Dr. Slager contacted CNEP Class 1 classmate and fellow Alumni Hall of Fame inducted Dr. Susan Stone about a faculty position at Frontier. She was hired as the Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, then became the Interim Dean of Nursing and finally the Dean of Nursing in August 2018.
“Dr. Slager’s expertise and leadership were essential in helping guide Frontier during a difficult time in our history,” said. Dr. Stone. “We were in the process of moving to the Versailles campus and dealing with the COVID pandemic. Dr. Slager’s calm professionalism and extensive experience were invaluable to the university.”
“It was very emotional for me to have that first group come to the new campus,” Dr. Slager said. “After all the planning and the waiting through the pandemic, we finally
had students on campus. That was probably one of the most notable accomplishments at Frontier that I was able to be a part of.”
Dr. Slager’s long list of accomplishments include being honored as the Dorothea Lang Pioneer Award recipient from the American College of Nurse-Midwives Foundation in 2008 and the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater award recipient from Frontier Nursing University in 2015.
She served two terms as Chair of the Business Section of the Division of Standards and Practice for the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and four years as the Division Chair. She was a member of the ACNM’s Finance and Audit committee for 12 years including six years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of the ACNM as well as the American Academy of
Nursing. In 2007, she was presented with the Best Book of the Year Award for her Administrative Manual for Midwifery Practices by ACNM.
Now, she is a proud and deserving member of Frontier Nursing University’s Alumni Hall of Fame.
“First, it’s an honor to be included in such an auspicious group,” Dr. Slager said. “Second, I think we all share a nearly lifelong commitment to and love for midwifery and Frontier — and for Sue (Stone), Kerri (Schuiling), and me the inability to say ‘no’ to Kitty (Ernst)! Third, attaining ‘fame’ or becoming ‘famous’ was never a goal for any of us. The career pathways we chose don’t typically lead to notoriety, except for whenever or wherever we could make a difference for the families or students that we touched along the way.”
(from left) Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Dr. Susan Stone, Dr. Eileen Thrower, Dr. Joan Slager
2025 FNU Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee
Dr. Susan Stone
Just one glance at Dr. Susan Stone’s history at Frontier Nursing University is all it takes to understand why she is a member of FNU’s first Alumni Hall of Fame inductees. Her more than three-decade journey at Frontier started in 1991 when she graduated as a nurse-midwife from FNU’s first distance learning class.
She served as Dean from 2000-2014 and as President from 2001-2024, holding both positions simultaneously from 2001-2014. Today, as FNU President Emerita and FNU's Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing, she promotes midwifery and nursing both nationally and internationally.
“Dr. Stone is a dedicated advocate for access; access to education for nurses who want to become advanced practice nurses, and access to quality healthcare for all,” said FNU graduate, Board member, and fellow FNU Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Kerri Schuiling. “Over her tenure these last two decades, she has been nationally recognized for exponentially increasing the number of
“Dr. Stone is the epitome of a leader. Her vision for the purpose and growth of the university is exceeded only by the passion and expertise with which she brought that vision to life. We are forever indebted to Dr. Stone for her service and relentless commitment to the mission and values of Frontier Nursing University.”
— FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
nurse-midwives and other advanced practice professionals practicing in areas of highest need.”
Dr. Stone came to Frontier in 1991 after 10 years of working as a maternity nurse in a small rural hospital in Upstate New York. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as a Master’s in Nursing Administration from SUNY College of Technology. She served as an obstetrical supervisor at Little Falls Hospital in Little Falls, N.Y., and as the program director of the Prenatal Care Assistance Program at Bassett Health Care in Cooperstown, N.Y. After completing her Post-Master’s Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery at Frontier, she practiced as a full-scope nurse-midwife at Bassett Healthcare for nearly a decade. She later earned a Doctor of Nursing Science from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
While practicing as a certified nursemidwife at Bassett HealthCare, Dr. Stone continued her affiliation with Frontier, serving as course faculty; regional clinical
coordinator; assistant clinical director; and program director of the Community-Based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program. She was appointed as the Nurse-Midwifery Program Director in 1996. She relocated to Kentucky in 1998 to devote her full effort to the education of advanced practice nurses and midwives at Frontier. In 2001, Dr. Stone became president of Frontier, serving as both the president and dean before relinquishing the dean duties in 2014 to focus solely on her role as president.
During Dr. Stone’s tenure as President, Frontier Nursing University transformed from a small school offering one certificate program in nurse-midwifery to one of the largest and most successful graduate schools of nursing in the United States. Under her leadership, five new advanced practice nursing programs were added, the certificate granting programs transitioned to degree granting, and the curriculum transitioned to an award-winning community-based distance-education model. This innovation allowed students to pursue their advanced degrees at Frontier while remaining in the
communities where they lived and worked. With students from all over the country able to attend, enrollment rose rapidly from 200 students to more than 2,700 today.
“Susan Stone has left a legacy of growth and transformation at Frontier,” said former FNU Dean of Nursing and fellow Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Joan Slager. “She has demonstrated vision and leadership that have resulted in the exponential expansion of our programs while remaining staunchly true to our mission.”
Dr. Stone’s influence extends far beyond Frontier. She is a past president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) from 2019-2020, where her agenda included increasing the midwifery workforce through educational quality and capacity strategies, midwifery advocacy focusing on the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, and growing diversity in the healthcare workforce. She was inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Medicine Class of 2018 as one of only two nurses in her class. She is a Fellow at both ACNM and the American Academy of Nursing. She was the recipient of ACNM’s Kitty Ernst Award in 1999, which recognizes “innovative, creative endeavors in midwifery practice and women’s health care.” Other honors include the 2011 American Public Health Association’s prestigious Felicia Stewart Advocacy Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy on behalf of reproductive health and rights.
Dr. Stone’s accomplishments and reputation as a leader and advocate have made her a frequently invited speaker at national conferences. Among her many engagements, she has presented at such prestigious events as Beyond Flexner (2018, Atlanta); the American College of Nurse-Midwives
annual meeting (2017, Chicago, Ill.); the International Midwifery Conference in Education in Research (2012, Nottingham, England); and the International Confederation of Midwives 28th Triennial Congress (2008, Glasgow, Scotland).
“Dr. Stone is the epitome of a leader,” said FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders. “Her vision for the purpose and growth of the university is exceeded only by the passion and expertise with which she brought that vision to life. We are forever indebted to Dr. Stone for her service and to relentless commitment to the mission and values of Frontier Nursing University.”
There is little doubt of the importance of Dr. Stone’s legacy at Frontier, but none of her accomplishments matter to her more than the Stone Family Scholarship. This fund was established to commemorate the enduring love and support of her late husband, Larry
Stone. Dr. Stone’s ongoing donations to the fund are a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, her children, grandchildren, and extended family.
“Being a member of the first class of inductees into the Frontier Nursing University Alumni Hall of Fame is an incredible honor,” Dr. Stone said. “Graduating as part of the first class in Frontier’s distance learning program was a life-changing opportunity. It not only allowed me to achieve my dream of practicing as a nurse-midwife but also opened the door to a deeply fulfilling career—one focused on educating Frontier students and helping expand access to highquality health care across communities near and far. To be recognized for that work is truly humbling and profoundly meaningful."
(from left) Dr. Susan Stone, Kitty Ernst, Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Dr. Joan Slager
2025 Annual Service Awards
In addition to honoring our Alumni Hall of Fame inductees on September 25, we will also recognize the following Annual Service Award honorees.
THE 2025 HONOREES:
Lifetime Service Award
This award honors an individual or organization providing long-standing support and commitment to the mission and work of Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University.
2025 Recipients
Victoria Burslem
Michael Carter
Service to Alma Mater
This award honors a graduate who has supported Frontier through volunteer efforts and/or donor support.
2025 Recipient
Jenkins Michelle Lawhorn
The Distinguished Service to Society Award
This award recognizes a graduate who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service in their communities.
2025 Recipients
Torica Fuller
Samantha Paradis
The Distinguished Preceptor Award
The Distinguished Preceptor Award recognizes an alumnus providing longstanding support and commitment to the mission and work of Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University through precepting students.
2025 Recipient
Cathy Cook
Unbridled Service Award
This award honors a former Courier who is dedicated to serving others; has ongoing, longstanding stewardship of Frontier; and has demonstrated conviction, courage, and a zest for adventure.
2025 Recipients
Dorothy (Dede) Trefts
Erik Lakomek
Commencement 2025
Frontier Nursing University’s annual commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
The annual commencement ceremony is a celebration of our nursemidwife and nurse practitioner graduates from the past year who have completed their Master of Science in Nursing degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, or Post-Graduate Certificate.
FNU graduates and their guests are invited to join us for an open house on the FNU campus following the commencement ceremony, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST.
Investiture of Dr. Brooke A. Flinders
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) will hold the investiture of Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM, on September 26, 2025, as the university’s president. The event will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Frontier’s campus in Versailles, Kentucky.
“The investiture of Dr. Flinders will be a monumental day for Frontier Nursing University,” said Marcus Osborne, Chair of the FNU Board of Directors. “In her first year as FNU’s president, she has consistently demonstrated the vision and expertise that led to her selection for this role. Behind Dr. Flinders’ leadership, we are extremely excited and optimistic about the current and future success of Frontier.”
Dr. Flinders officially began her tenure as FNU’s president on August 1, 2024. Dr. Flinders holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Frontier. She succeeded President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FACNM, FAAN, who served as FNU’s President for 23 years (2001-2024).
“I am proud and honored to hold position of President of Frontier Nursing University,” Dr. Flinders said. “My connection to Frontier extends nearly two full decades, and I am so proud to be one of its more than 10,000 graduates. I loved my time as a student and have been thoroughly impressed by the university’s lived mission
and how it has been embraced by the faculty, staff, administration, and students through their Culture of Caring. I believe wholeheartedly in Frontier’s mission and am excited to carry it forward.”
Dr. Flinders obtained her Associate Degree of Science in Nursing (1994) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2003) degrees from Miami University in Ohio. She has significant clinical and academic experience, including community-based nursing care, labor and delivery nursing, full-scope practice as a Certified NurseMidwife, and 19 years of experience as a college educator and administrator.
“Healthcare provider shortages and the maternal mortality crisis plague our country,” Dr. Flinders said. “Frontier has a long history of finding unique solutions to complex problems, and we will continue to be a leader in identifying and implementing solutions by producing highly prepared nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who have answered the call to serve.”
During her academic career, Dr. Flinders served as chair of the department of nursing, associate dean of academic affairs, and associate provost of faculty affairs at Miami University. In 2021, she received the University's Distinguished Alumni Award from their department of nursing and was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
The presidential investiture ceremony is a formal event that is typically held during a new president’s first year. The ceremony signifies the beginning of a new chapter of leadership for the university, and it provides an opportunity for the university, guests, and community to witness the formal installation of the new leader.
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Support the Faculty Learning Communities Fund
To honor our new president, we have established an opportunity to donate to our new Faculty Learning Communities Fund (FLC). Dr. Flinders is firmly committed to creating sustainable structures to foster faculty development. She believes that teaching and learning are interdependent and that student outcomes are directly impacted by their educators’ effectiveness. Our goal is to raise $100,000.
Faculty Learning Communities offer structured, collaborative spaces where faculty engage in meaningful dialogue and professional growth, exploring best practices, addressing complex challenges, and supporting one another’s development.
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FNU Mourns Passing of Longtime Board Chair Dr. Michael Carter
It was with great sorrow that FNU shared the news of the passing of Dr. Michael Carter on June 17. Dr. Carter served as Chair of the Frontier Nursing University Board of Directors from 2009 to April 2025. Dr. Carter’s long history with Frontier Nursing University dates to 2003 when he joined what was then the Frontier Nursing Service Board of Governors. For more than fifteen years, Dr. Carter’s leadership was marked by his determination, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his extraordinary passion.
“All of us at Frontier Nursing University are heartbroken by the passing of Michael Carter,” said FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders. “Michael was respected for his excellence as a practitioner, educator, and leader. He was loved for his kindness, generosity, grace, and beloved storytelling ability. Dr. Carter will be terribly missed, but always fondly remembered. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Sarah, daughter Elizabeth, and their entire family.”
Dr. Carter grew up on a farm in Missouri and went on to attend the University of Arkansas College of Nursing, earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1969 and his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 1973. He served in the United States Army Nurse Corp from 1968-71 during the Vietnam War. He earned his doctorate
in 1979 from the Boston University School of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Tennessee in 2009. He completed a Fellowship in Primary Care Health Policy with the United States Public Health Service.
Dr. Carter practiced as a family and geriatric nurse practitioner and served as the Dean of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing from 1982-2000. He held many teaching positions including serving as an adjunct professor at the Curtin University School of Nursing and Midwifery in Perth, Australia. He also worked to develop nurse practitioner education in Australia. In recognition of his expertise and dedication to nursing in Australia, he was made a Fellow of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners.
Dr. Carter’s extensive list of awards and honors include but are not limited to: Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1982; Outstanding Alumnus from the University of Tennessee College of Nursing in 2000; Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Student Government Association in 2005; Lifetime Achievement Award, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties in 2015; the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. Shortly before his passing, Frontier Nursing University selected Dr. Carter as the 2025 recipient of its Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his unyielding support over many years.
During his more than 20 years at Frontier, Dr. Carter was instrumental in many milestone moments for the university. He was on the Board of Governors when what was then known as the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing launched
the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2008. Notably, he was the Board Chair when the university officially changed its name to Frontier Nursing University in 2011.
In 2017, under Dr. Carter’s visionary leadership, Frontier Nursing University made the pivotal decision to purchase property in Versailles, Kentucky, an investment aimed at expanding student access and supporting the university’s growth. That same year, FNU began taking applications for the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN degree. Then, in 2022, after the completion of renovations and construction, Frontier held the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the Versailles campus. Most recently, Dr. Carter initiated the successful search for and transition to FNU’s second president, Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, in 2024.
Dr. Carter was a staunch supporter of FNU over the years and provided many financial contributions to support students and FNU’s campus. In 2021, Dr. Carter, his wife Dr. Sarah Carter, and their daughter Elizabeth Carter, JD, announced a $500,000 donation to further the mission of FNU. The gift furthered Dr. Carter’s commitment and lifelong work to enrich the nursing profession across the globe.
“We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Carter,” said FNU Board of Directors Chair Marcus Osborne. “His extraordinary leadership was exceeded only by his wisdom, kindness, and dedication to the care of others. The debt of gratitude that is owed to him is immense.”
It is through Dr. Carter’s vision and support that Frontier Nursing University has evolved into the remarkable institution it is today. All of us at FNU will dearly miss his wit, generous spirit, and unyielding devotion to our students and the nursing profession.
Everything You Need to Know About the DNP
Dr. Khara’ Jefferson DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC DNP Program Director
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice. The DNP at Frontier Nursing University is designed for registered nurses
interested in taking their nursing career to the next level. Our DNP program provides an education based on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership that provides nurses with the leadership skills and clinical expertise they need to serve at the highest clinical levels and impact health care in their communities and the world.
Why Should You Pursue a DNP at FNU?
The DNP program is designed for nursemidwives and nurse practitioners. You should consider pursuing a DNP at FNU if you want to go beyond serving your community to be a leader for positive change and improved standards of care.
DNP Spotlight: Dr. Janice Macopson
Dr. Janice Macopson, FNP-C, DNP, has devoted her entire adult life to nursing. She retired in June 2024, ending her 49year career. But when she was contacted recently to fill in part time at her previous employer, University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Blue Ridge, she answered the call to serve once again.
“They just lost one of their providers and asked if I could help out a couple days a week for a few weeks until they get a fulltime replacement,” said Macopson.
Dr. Macopson grew up in Marion, near Spear Mountain in rural western North Carolina. Her great grandmother Eller Cutler was a midwife and worked with a local physician on Spear Mountain. The nearby Cutler Falls are named after her family.
“My family was the only African American family living on Spear Mountain in the
1900s,” Macopson said. “They were not slaves. They were landowners. Eller had a rough time in that town after her husband Jacob died. But she stayed. She was accused of things that were not true, and she was arrested because her white neighbors did not want her there. But she was resilient and savvy living on her land.”
Though Janice did not follow in her great grandmother’s midwifery footsteps, she credits her ancestry as the root of her desire to pursue a career in healthcare.
“I feel like there was a calling for me to go into healthcare,” Macopson said. “My cousin called it ‘blood memories’ or the ‘pulse of your ancestors.’ I think it is your DNA, plus the pulse and spirit of your ancestors. It’s amazing how certain things live on from generation to generation.”
Macopson followed her instincts and became a nurse. She became a nurse practitioner in 2001 and later began working with Blue Ridge Cardiology in Morganton, N.C., in 2011.
She worked in various positions in Carolinas Healthcare System and in rural areas such as Burke, McDowell and Buncombe
With a DNP from FNU, you’ll be ready to take on the leadership positions that allow you to enact political change, mold the next generation of nurses, and ensure patients are receiving optimal health care. As part of FNU’s DNP curriculum, you’ll complete a Quality Improvement Project that allows you to tailor your project to the practice and community you serve.
“The DNP gives nurses more credibility because you’ve reached the top of your educational journey.”
— Dr. Janice Macopson
counties. She was the Director of Nursing over critical care services at Grace Hospital in Morganton for nearly 25 years before becoming a nurse practitioner in 2001, caring primarily for cardiac patients.
“The more rural hospitals are where my heart was,” she said. “I felt that group of patients and families needed me most.” Her heart was also committed to being a lifelong learner, which led her to obtain her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Frontier in 2019.
“I’ve always been in school until now,” Macopson laughed. “I was probably one of the oldest students at Frontier, but I hung in and made it through, with great support from Dr. Khara’ Jefferson.”
Macopson said earning the DNP was important to her role as a healthcare provider in a rural and underserved area.
“As we see the shortages in healthcare, nurses are the best group to bridge that gap. We know that nurses are the most trusted group of people in healthcare. So, I thought, I already have a master's degree and if you can use that wealth of knowledge, you can be helpful to your community. The DNP gives nurses more credibility because you’ve reached the top of your educational journey.”
Dr. Janice Macopson
HONORING A LEGACY OF CARE: Dr. Diane John Retires After More Than 40 Years in Nursing
After more than four decades of dedication to nursing and over 20 years in academia, Frontier Nursing University’s Interim Dean of Nursing Dr. Diane John, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, is set to retire in September.
Dr. John is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Associate Professor whose career reflects her unwavering commitment to service. She earned her master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University, followed by a PhD from Barry University. Since joining the nursing profession over 40 years ago, she has served in a variety of roles, from clinical care to faculty mentorship to curriculum development.
Dr. John’s journey in healthcare began early. Inspired by her mother, a home health aide, and shaped by experiences working in a pharmacy and nursing home as a teenager, Dr. John found a calling in nursing. Though she once dreamed of becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, she ultimately found a passion in helping underserved patients. That decision would go on to shape not just her life, but the lives of countless students, patients, and community members.
Dr. John said she became a nurse practitioner for one simple reason: to care for others. Over the years, she has cared for a variety of underserved populations, including patients with HIV/AIDS, lowincome individuals, unhoused individuals, and the elderly.
“The most rewarding part of my career as a practitioner has been caring for the most vulnerable,” she said.
During her professional trajectory from LPN to FNP, Dr. John realized there was so much more she could do to help others with an advanced degree.
Dr. John said her interest in pursuing academia became apparent when she was earning her master’s degree, during which she observed faculty with a passion for teaching who believed that everyone can be successful.
“I completed my studies during a time when students were told that not everyone would graduate,” she said. “The message was, ‘look to the left, look to the right, you may not see these people at graduation.’ Like many people before me, I believe that we can all succeed.”
“I’ve encountered patients with many unanswered questions about their illnesses and their treatments. There never seems to be enough time for healthcare providers to get to know their patients, families, and communities, and during a provider-patient encounter there is not much time to engage in conversation about prevention, illness, and disease management,” she said. “Nurse practitioners provide these services. My education as a family nurse practitioner taught me humility, nursing as caring, compassion, nurturing relationships, and authentic presence.”
Joining FNU in 2012, Dr. John has served in numerous capacities, including curriculum and course design coach, faculty mentor, and committee leader. In March, she was named Interim Dean of Nursing. Throughout her time at FNU, Dr. John has been incredibly active in engaging students, from serving as the faculty liaison for the Students of Color in Nursing Student Interest Group (SIG) to facilitating important panel discussions.
For Dr. John, her philosophy for teaching centers on professional identity, studentcentered learning, and lifelong learning. She said her professional identity reflects a
Dr. Diane John
Dr. Diane John with Dr. Dorcas Adeniyi
meaningful life shaped by education and experience, inspiring her to help others achieve their goals. She promotes studentcentered learning by engaging students as active, critical thinkers who apply ethical, reliable knowledge for the greater good. Lifelong learning, to her, is a continuous journey of growth through both formal education and personal development.
“As healthcare professionals, we must remain current with healthcare practices and treatments that lead to better outcomes for those we care for,” she said.
Beyond her work in the classroom, Dr. John has contributed to the profession through scholarly presentations, academic publications, and service as a federal grant reviewer for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Her research and practice interests have spanned cardiovascular health, intimate partner violence, epidemiology, and health promotion.
She also founded Independent Nurse Providers (INP), a for-profit organization focused on providing healthcare and health education in partnership with advanced practice nurses. Through INP, she has obtained grant funding to implement community education and engagement programs, always with the aim of increasing health access and improving outcomes for underserved populations.
In her home community of Parkland, Florida, Dr. John has remained active as a health advocate and organizer. She’s led public talks on chronic disease, the obesity
Dr. Diane John with Dr. James Dickens and Dr. Tamara Vasquez
epidemic, and lifestyle-related health issues. As a board member of the local YMCA and South Florida Council for Advanced Practice Nurses, she’s helped shape public health programming and access initiatives.
Dr. John has also led initiatives in coordination with health care professionals to offer affordable dental, vision, and medical services to those in need. These events often included education around social determinants of health (SDOH), factors such as access to care, housing, education, and employment that profoundly affect health outcomes. Through partnerships with churches, schools, and other community organizations, she has provided holistic, culturally sensitive care rooted in compassion and understanding.
Looking back on her career at FNU, Dr. John said her primary motivation has been a desire for others to succeed.
“My approach is to remind students that they bring so much with them to the classroom; they possess foundational knowledge, skills, and experiences to build upon, which will lead to success,” she said.
She is hopeful that others can look at her and know that all things are possible.
“My mother was a nurse’s aide, and my father was a chauffeur; and I am a dreamer,” she said. “I am the first to earn a college degree and the only immediate family member with a doctoral degree. I am proud of this and want this for others — something I’m always thinking of.”
Over the years, Dr. John has inspired many students, including Frontier Nursing University President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders. Their paths first crossed when Dr. Flinders was pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at FNU. During that period, she had the privilege of working closely with Dr. John, both as a faculty member and as a mentor.
“Diane is an exceptional communicator, known for her kindness and measured approach,” Dr. Flinders said. “I consider myself fortunate to have had her as an educator and role model during my time in the DNP program, particularly as it coincided with my transition from a faculty role to an administrative position. Regardless of the circumstances, Diane remains composed, rational, and fair in her interactions and decision-making. She has been such a positive influence.”
Dr. Flinders said Dr. John consistently exemplifies integrity in all aspects of her professional conduct, making her a perfect fit for the role of Interim Dean of Nursing.
“From the outset, working closely with Dr. John in this capacity has exceeded all expectations,” she said. “She brings a fresh and insightful perspective to our discussions and is known for thoughtfully challenging the status quo—always in a constructive and appreciated manner. Diane demonstrates both openness and flexibility in her thinking, while consistently upholding policies with fairness and integrity. She has been precisely the leader we needed during this transitional period.”
As someone who has been working since she was 16, Dr. John is looking forward to some much-needed relaxation when she retires.
“For now, I’ll be happy to do nothing for a while and then look for opportunities to engage in community initiatives that focus on social determinants of health,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot at FNU and will miss the employees and the students. It will be a huge change for me, and I’m looking forward to what retirement has to offer.”
FNU Introduces President’s Academic Fellowship Program
The President’s Academic Fellowship Program at Frontier Nursing University is a prestigious initiative established to recognize and support outstanding faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their field and made meaningful contributions to our academic community.
This selective program offers fellows the opportunity to engage in focused leadership development alongside a small cohort of esteemed colleagues. This year's participants will play an active role in advancing the university’s mission through their participation in our strategic planning processes, helping to shape the future direction of Frontier Nursing University.
Megan Arbour PhD, CNM, CNE, FACNM
Dr. Megan Arbour joined the faculty at Frontier in 2018 and is currently a Professor of Nursing and Course Coordinator in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She previously held the position of Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Cincinnati. After graduating from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Dr. Arbour earned her degrees in midwifery and nursing at Ohio State University. She went on to practice clinically in and around the Columbus, Ohio, area as a staff nurse (2004-2007) and as a certified nurse-midwife (2007-2009).
Dr. Arbour is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and received the ACNM Excellence in Teaching Award while at the University of Cincinnati in 2017. In 2024, she was presented with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators as a faculty member at Frontier. Her organizational and volunteer experiences include serving as the former Chair of ACNM’s Committee for the Advancement of Midwifery Education. Dr. Arbour holds memberships in the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties as well as the Association for Higher Education and Disability.
Anne Z. Cockerham PhD, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM
Dr. Anne Z. Cockerham has served on the faculty at FNU since May 2009. She is currently Course Coordinator of NM702 Care During Normal Pregnancy. Previously she was the Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
(2016-2018), Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (2015-2018), and Associate Dean of Midwifery and Women’s Health (2014-2015).
Dr. Cockerham is the author of two awardwinning books that celebrate the history of the Frontier Nursing Service: Rooted in the Mountains, Reaching to the World: Stories of Nursing and Midwifery at Kentucky’s Frontier School, 1939-1989, published in 2012, and Unbridled Service: Growing Up and Giving Back as a Frontier Nursing Service Courier, 1928-2010, published in 2014.
Her clinical midwifery experience includes full-scope care in a private, midwifery-owned practice and a military setting; outpatientonly care in a number of collaborative practices; and care of underserved women in a community free clinic.
Dr. Cockerham earned a BSN from the University of Virginia, MSN from Case Western Reserve University, and certificates in nurse-midwifery and women’s health nurse practitioner from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She earned a PhD in Nursing from the University of Virginia.
She is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and received ACNM’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2021). She is a three-time recipient of the FNU Student Choice Award for Teaching Excellence.
Bonni Cohen
PhD, DNP, ANP-C, FNP-C, CNE, FAANP
Dr. Bonni S. Cohen joined the faculty at Frontier Nursing University in 2018 and is currently an Associate Professor in the FNP program. Before coming to Frontier, she was an Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Valdosta State University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr. Cohen earned her BSN from the University of Akron and her MSN from the Medical College of Ohio. She went on to get her DNP at the University of Massachusetts –Boston. Most recently, in 2023 she earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In addition to her work as a professor, Dr. Cohen has served as a nurse since 1983 when she first worked as an RN at the Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. She currently practices at Cohen Cardiology in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Cohen is a member of Sigma Theta Tau honor society, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty, the Heart Failure Society of America, the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
In 2013, Dr. Cohen received the Regional Nurse Recognition Award while working in Georgia. In 2016, she was accepted as a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Jeffrey Dobbins
DNP, APRN, PHMNP-BC
Dr. Jeffrey Dobbins is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 15 years of experience in the field. He became a full-time faculty member at Frontier Nursing University in 2021. Dr. Dobbins earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from FNU (2019). Prior to that, he obtained an MSN from Midwestern State University, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma, and an Associates of Applied Science in Nursing from Western Oklahoma State College. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Since 2014, Dr. Dobbins has been an integral part of the medical staff at North Texas State Hospital – Maximum Security Unit, where he specializes in Forensic Psychiatry. His work focuses on the intersection of mental health and the legal system, providing crucial care and expertise in this challenging area of underserved individuals.
Dr. Dobbins was the first Advanced Practice Registered Nurse appointed as Assistant Medical Director of North Texas State Hospital. In this role, he works to advance the role of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and eliminate unnecessary restrictions and barriers to APRN practice. Dr. Dobbins has also provided outpatient mental health care at Helen Farabee Centers, serving nineteen rural Texas counties to ensure that communities with limited access to mental health services receive care.
Torica Fuller DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME
Dr. Torica T. Fuller is Clinical Transition Coordinator and Assistant Professor at Frontier Nursing University. She is a dualcertified Advanced Practice Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is also certified as a Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner by the National Certification Corporation.
Dr. Fuller earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from East Carolina University (ECU), her Master’s and FNP Post-Masters certification from Indiana Wesleyan University, and her DNP from ECU. She completed her Post-Graduate Women’s Health Care Certificate at Frontier Nursing University in 2023.
Dr. Fuller joined FNU in April 2023 as the FNP Clinical Transition Coordinator (CBTC)/Course Coordinator/Lead Course Faculty and the Course Coordinator of the FNP712 virtual course.
As a public health provider, Dr. Fuller serves uninsured and underinsured pediatric and adult patients in clinics such as Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Adult Health (Communicable Disease), and Epidemiology. In 2025, Dr. Fuller was one of three FNU faculty members selected by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to participate in the organization’s 2025 Diversity Leadership Institute.
Joanne Keefe
DNP, MPH, FNP-C, CNE
Dr. Joanne Keefe is a twotime graduate of Frontier Nursing University, earning her FNP and DNP in 2013 and 2014, respectively. She obtained her BSN from the University of Phoenix (1999) and Master’s in Public Health from the University of New Mexico (2005).
Dr. Keefe has been a faculty member at Frontier since 2015 and is currently an Assistant Professor in the DNP program. She is a recipient of the Frontier Student Choice Award for Teaching Excellence (2018) and was presented with a DAISY Award in 2020.
Dr. Keefe holds memberships in numerous nursing and health associations, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council, the American Nurses Association, the National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculty, and the American Rural Health Association. She has also been an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing peer evaluator since September 2024.
Active in her community, Dr. Keefe is the director of Catron County Cares, a nonprofit organization intent on obtaining grant funding to improve healthcare in Catron County in New Mexico.
Laura Manns-James PhD, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNME
Dr. Laura Manns-James is a two-time Frontier graduate. She first earned her certified nurse-midwifery (CNM) degree, then completed the post-master's women’s health nurse practitioner program. She has been a faculty member at Frontier since 2004.
Dr. Manns-James holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in women's studies and cultural anthropology, and a Bachelor of Nursing from St Louis University's accelerated option. In 2014, Dr. Manns-James was awarded the American College of Nurse-Midwives' Foundation's Fellowship for Graduate Education to support her doctoral work. In 2015, she received the March of Dimes graduate scholarship. She completed a PhD in nursing research in 2017. Before becoming a nurse-midwife, Dr. Manns-James worked in maternity nursing and in child/adolescent mental health. Upon
graduating from FNU, she worked as a CNM in a full-scope role in southwestern New Mexico.
Dr. Manns-James is an Associate Editor for the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery and Women's Health (6th edition) text, published in January 2021, and a managing editor for the 7th edition, published in 2024. She is a Fellow of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and was awarded Frontier’s Dr. Susan Stone Faculty Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She won an APEX Award for Publication Excellence. She is a two-time recipient of the Frontier Student Choice Award for Teaching Excellence (2015 and 2022).
Angela Mitchell DNP, MSN, FNP-BC
An instructor at Frontier Nursing University since 2018, Dr. Angela Mitchell is currently the Course Coordinator of PC716: Advanced Physical Assessment. She has also served as Course Faculty and as the FNP Clinical Bound Team Lead.
Dr. Mitchell earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Denison University in 1998. She then attended Case Western Reserve University, earning a Certificate in Nursing in 2000. She started her nursing career at University Hospitals of Cleveland, working on a medical-surgical unit with an emphasis on infectious diseases. She continued her education at Case Western, completing her Master of Science in Nursing with a certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2002.
She started her advanced practice career at Frontier Nursing Service in 2002. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2004. During her six years at Frontier, she assisted in opening a new rural health clinic, Kate Ireland Healthcare Center, developing school-based health clinics in Leslie and Clay counties and developing outpatient substance abuse treatment clinics. She also served as the Family Nurse Practitioner Faculty Practice Director from 2005 to 2008.
Dr. Mitchell joined Mecklenburg Medical Group: Gastroenterology from 2008 until 2012, where she provided outpatient care. She returned to Kentucky in 2012 and joined the Department of Veterans Affairs in Lexington. Throughout her career, Dr. Mitchell has been involved in conducting research, quality improvement with evidence-based practice, serving as a preceptor, and teaching.
Frontier Nursing University Hosts Community Meet and Mingle in Portland
Presidential TOUR
Frontier Nursing University was proud to host an FNU Community Meet and Mingle in the heart of Portland’s vibrant Pearl District on a beautiful summer evening, during our Pacific Northwest Presidential Tour stop. Held at the locally loved ClarkLewis restaurant, the event brought together over 80 attendees—including alumni, preceptors, faculty, staff, and friends of the university—for a night of connection, conversation, and community.
Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks in a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflected FNU’s deep commitment to fostering relationships across the university family. The evening provided a valuable opportunity for longtime friends and new faces alike to network, reminisce, and hear exciting updates about the future of FNU.
(from left) FNU Director of Alumni Engagement Caitlin Rivard, FNU PMHNP Clinical Director Dr. Susan Piper, FNU Chief Advancement Officer Bobbi Silver, FNU Senior Philanthropy Officer Sarah Harlan, FNU President Dr. Brooke Flinders
Our team had such a wonderful time visiting with Lexi Reiger, WHNP graduate, at the beautiful Golden Gate OBGYN. Lexi is not only doing incredible work in women’s health but also giving back by precepting FNU students. We’re so proud to see our graduates thriving and supporting the next generation of nurse practitioners.
We had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Marli Parobek, DNP, at her practice, Precision Psychiatry, on beautiful Vashon Island. Dr. Parobek provides compassionate psychotherapy and medication management for her community and is a shining example of the impact our graduates make in unique and needed spaces.
The event featured remarks from Dr. Brooke Flinders, FNU’s new President, who shared her vision for the university’s continued growth and the pivotal role our community plays in advancing that mission. Caitlin Rivard, Director of Alumni Engagement, also connected with attendees about various ways to stay involved with FNU, including the growing alumni mentorship program and a calendar of upcoming events and initiatives designed to strengthen alumni engagement.
We had a meaningful visit with Cedar “Ce” Durfee, CNM, at Swedish Maternal and Fetal Specialty Center. Ce is a powerful example of the broad scope in which our midwives can practice. Since 2009, they’ve been supporting birthing families with compassionate, patient-centered, evidencebased care. Working within a collaborative physician-NP team in a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialty setting, Ce brings the midwifery model to families who may risk out of traditional care—ensuring they still feel seen, heard, and deeply supported throughout their journey.
We had a wonderful time connecting with our graduates and preceptors at the Citizen Collective Campfire in Seattle, WA. It was a beautiful evening filled with great conversation, laughter, and community as we came together to celebrate and reconnect with our incredible FNU family.
“The Portland Community Meet and Mingle was absolutely amazing,” said Rivard. “There’s something so special about being in a room full of people who share the same passion for our mission. Connecting with six
decades of graduates in particular—hearing their stories, their continued impact, and their deep love for Frontier—was incredibly meaningful. It reminded me just how strong and inspiring our FNU community truly is.”
The Portland Meet and Mingle was a true reflection of the spirit of Frontier— community-driven, mission-focused, and full of heart. We are grateful to all who joined us and look forward to many more opportunities to gather with our extended FNU family in the months to come.
(from left) Sarah Harlan, Caitlin Rivard, Dr. Brooke Flinders, Lexi Reiger, Bobbi Silver
(from left) Sarah Harlan, Caitlin Rivard, Dr. Brooke Flinders, Cedar Durfee, Bobbi Silver.
Dr. Brooke Flinders (left) with Dr. Marli Parobek
Dr. Brooke Flinders (left) and Frontier graduate Yvonne de Turenne
The meet and greet was a fun-filled event, ideal for connecting with old friends and making new ones.
Mary Bristow Willeford
MARY BRISTOW WILLEFORD: Frontier Nurse-Midwife, Educator, and
Researcher
By Professor Janet L. Engstrom, PhD, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE and Professor Anne Z. Cockerham, PhD, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC,
CNE
In this year of centennial celebration of the founding of the Frontier Nursing Service, it is fitting to honor the pioneers who helped build the nursing service and lay the foundation for Frontier Nursing University. Mary Bristow Willeford (1900-1941) was one of the first nurse-midwives to join the Frontier Nursing Service in August of 1926 and became one of the first Assistant Directors of the organization, playing a key role in the development of the clinical nursing service and the university.
Born in 1900, Willeford had unique educational opportunities for a woman at that time in rural Texas. She earned a teaching certificate from The San Marcos Normal School in 1918 and a baccalaureate degree from the University of Texas in 1920, graduating near the top of her class. Willeford had planned a career in medicine and began preparatory work at Johns Hopkins University but switched to nursing and graduated from the prestigious Army School of Nursing in 1925. The Army School provided the opportunity for students to learn military health care, protocol, and etiquette, and provided a variety of clinical experiences in civilian settings, including preparation as a public health nurse. Willeford took advantage of the opportunity to study public health nursing which included clinical experiences with Henry Street Visiting Nurses in New
York City and taking courses in public health at Columbia University.
After graduating from the Army school in 1925 and passing the nursing licensure exam, Willeford traveled to England with a classmate, Gladys Peacock, to complete midwifery education at the York Lying In Maternity Hospital. Both nurses returned to the United States to join Mary Breckinridge in southeastern Kentucky at the new rural nursing and midwifery service that would become the Frontier Nursing Service.
Willeford and Peacock worked with the FNS during its early development and expansion phase. Although the FNS was primarily focused on reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving child health, accomplishing those goals required that the nurses provide a broad program of public health services including preventative care such as vaccines, sanitation, home safety, and health education. Since there were almost no other professionally trained and licensed healthcare providers in the area, the nurses also provided care for illnesses and injuries. Thus, the nurses were called upon day and night to attend births, illnesses, injuries, and deaths. The nurses also cared for the families’ pets and livestock, vaccinating the dogs for rabies and treating illness and
injuries in the livestock that were needed by the families.
The nurses’ work was made more challenging by the rugged mountain terrain where the families lived. There were almost no roads, so the nurses traveled by horseback on mountain trails, carrying all their supplies in their saddlebags, which weighed about 40 pounds. Sometimes the nurses had to travel part of the journey on foot and carry their saddlebags across a wood and rope bridge above a river or ascend a hillside too steep for their horse. Beyond the physical demands of their work, the nurses also had to respectfully and creatively work around the families’ limited access to food, clean drinking water, and other resources. The FNS service area was one of the most impoverished areas of the United States and the nurses had to be tremendously resourceful to help their patients stay healthy and nourished.
Although Willeford and Peacock were instrumental in building the clinical nursing practice, they also played important roles in the administration of the new nursing service. Shortly after their arrival in 1926, they were assigned to oversee the building of the first district nursing center at Beech Fork and would go on to build four more nursing centers at Red Bird, Flat Creek, Brutus, and Bowlingtown. When building a nursing center, the nurses were responsible for overseeing all phases of the construction and, at the same time, begin caring for patients and developing the patient caseload for the new center. The nurses also had to build community relationships and identify people who would serve as the governing committee for the center.
Dr. Anne Cockerham
Dr. Janet Engstrom
In addition to Willeford’s clinical and administrative skills, the FNS also recognized her potential as an educator. From its inception, the FNS had planned to train health care professionals to provide maternal-child health services, including midwifery, in rural and underserved areas. Willeford was the ideal candidate to lead the educational initiative since she already had a teaching certificate and a baccalaureate degree. In 1927, Willeford was sent to Teachers College, Columbia University to complete a master’s degree in public health. The following year, she was sent to England to undergo training as a midwifery educator and earned a certificate as a midwifery tutor. In 1930, Willeford returned to Columbia University where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational research in 1932. Her advanced educational opportunities were unusual at that time, when the average American had only 8 years of education, almost all nursing education took place in hospitalbased nursing schools, and master’s and doctoral degrees were a rarity.
Willeford was appointed as one of the first Assistant Directors of the Frontier Nursing Service and oversaw much of its records systems documenting the processes, outcomes, and cost of care. She was also sent outside of the Frontier Nursing Service to assess maternal-child health resources in other remotely rural areas including the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas, and several American Indian Reservations in the Southwestern United States. Based on her findings at the Indian
programs. She also served as the Children’s Bureau representative responsible for the establishment of the Tuskegee nursemidwifery educational program which was established to educate African American nurses to work in rural, underserved areas with high maternal-infant mortality. At the Children’s Bureau, Willeford also conducted research, worked with the state health department to improve the quality of midwifery care, and evaluated maternalchild health services in Puerto Rico.
This historic Frontier Nursing Service postcard featured Mary Bristow Willeford making a night visit to a local family.
Willeford became one of the first nurses in the United States to earn a doctoral degree, when few doctorates were awarded nationwide and only a small percentage of the recipients were women. Her dissertation examined the income of 400 families in Leslie County, where the FNS was based, and determined that most families could not afford basic healthcare and that nursing services such as the Frontier Nursing Service were an effective solution. The dissertation was recognized for its contributions to public health, healthcare economics, and Appalachian history. The dissertation also included a curriculum plan for a model nurse-midwifery educational program in the United States, and that curriculum plan was implemented at Frontier when it opened its nurse-midwifery educational program in 1939 and at the other early nurse-midwifery programs such as the Maternity Center Association and the Tuskegee Institute.
reservations, the Frontier Nursing Service was asked to prepare two American Indian nurses as nurse-midwives. The nurses spent a year at Frontier learning their new role and learning nurse-midwifery using the curriculum designed by Willeford.
In 1938, after 12 years with the FNS, Willeford left the FNS to gain experience working at the state and national level to improve maternal-child health. Willeford accepted a position as a maternal-child health nursing consultant to the California Department of Public Health, and she traveled throughout the state educating nurses about maternal, infant, and child health.
Willeford completed her work in California in 1940 and then joined the United States Children’s Bureau as a public health nursing consultant. In her new role, Willeford oversaw the funding of new and established nurse-midwifery educational
Despite the demands of her work, Willeford remained in close contact with and visited her friends at the Frontier Nursing Service and served on its Nursing Advisory Board. The plan had always been that Willeford would gain experience at the larger system level and then return to Frontier, likely to be Mary Breckinridge’s successor. However, Willeford became seriously ill and died on December 24, 1941. In the final days of her life, nurse-midwifery pioneer, Rose McNaught, was at her bedside, reading aloud from the latest Quarterly Bulletin of the Frontier Nursing Service and talking about their time working in the mountains. Willeford told McNaught that her happiest time had been spent in the ‘hills’. Although Willeford and the other pioneering Frontier nurses are gone, and the clinical work of the Frontier Nursing Service has been replaced by larger health systems, the heart of the Frontier Nursing Service lives on in the Frontier Nursing University and its alumni, who are no less brave than the original pioneers. The innovation of the ‘nurses on horseback’ is imprinted on the educational program and its alumni who have gone on to provide innovative health care all over the world. The saddlebags have been replaced by book bags and computer bags, the nurses on horseback have changed to nurses online and on campus, and the work of the organization has shifted from providing direct nursing care to people in rural and remote areas to preparing advanced practice nurses to provide care in rural and underserved areas everywhere. The work goes on.
Upcoming Events
FNU Holds Annual Preceptor Celebration Week
Preceptors play a key role in advanced practice nursing education. Each year, during the second week of August, Frontier Nursing University recognizes the important role of preceptors with a virtual celebration, showcasing their work and their influence on future advanced practice nurses.
We are seeking preceptors from the following specialties:
• Nurse-Midwife
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Why Become A Preceptor
• Help expand access to quality, compassionate care to diverse, rural, and underserved populations.
• Earn an honorarium based on the percentage of time spent precepting students.
• Gain access to FREE CEUs, including sessions on pharmacology and other current topics.
• Promote your profession through the education and guidance of your future peers.
• Gain access to the latest clinical guidelines to stay current in practice.
• Earn a 10% discount on all non-matriculating courses at FNU.
Precepting Facts and Figures
• In 2024, a total of 1,442 FNU students worked with 4,312 preceptors.
• The average FNU student needs three clinical sites to complete all required experiences.
• The need is great, and the competition for clinical sites is heavy.
• The demand for preceptors is constant.
Save the Date for the 4th Annual Day of Giving
Mark your calendars for an exciting 24-hour event starting at noon on October 28 and ending at noon on October 29! This year to coincide with the 100th anniversary celebration, we are making it the biggest fundraising day for Frontier Nursing University, with our goal of $100,000 from 175 donors! Join us in celebrating and make a significant impact by supporting scholarships, clinical supplies, and program support for our dedicated students.
OCT 28–29
Introducing the $100 from 100 Challenge
We’re inviting 100 of our dedicated supporters to contribute $100 in honor of Frontier Nursing University’s century of impact.
Your gift will not only help us celebrate this monumental anniversary, but it will also support Frontier’s continued growth and its mission to empower future healthcare professionals. Together, we can ensure that Frontier Nursing University remains a leader in nursing and midwifery education for the next 100 years.
Frontier has provided transformative healthcare service and education for generations of nurses, midwives, and healthcare leaders. Now, we are calling on YOU to help us mark this significant moment in our history.
How You Can Participate:
Give $100 – Any gift of $100 or more will make a meaningful impact for our students immediately. Give the gift of nursing and midwifery education TODAY!
Join Us Today!
Click the button below to be a part of this exciting challenge by making your $100 gift (or more!). Let’s come together as a community to honor FNU’s incredible history and ensure its continued success.
Thank you for your unwavering support. Here’s to 100 more years of excellence!
Alumni News and Notes
AdventHealth Medical Group Welcomes
Zachary Cochran
Zachary Cochran, FNP-C (Bridge 156) recently joined AdventHealth Medical Group Urgent Care Calhoun City Schools in Calhoun, Georgia. He previously worked with AdventHealth Medical Group Urgent Care.
Kassandra Cordeiro Joins
Southcoast Health
Southcoast Health, which has several locations in Massachusetts, recently welcomed Kassandra Cordeiro, MSN, CNM (Class 206) to Southcoast Health Obstetrics & Gynecology. Her clinical care includes maternal mental health and wellbeing, PMS/PMDD and hormonal imbalances, sexual health, preventative care, preconceptual counseling, and vaginal birth after cesarean.
MyQueen Dickens Featured in Essence Interview
In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, Essence featured MyQueen Dickens, MSN, CNM, DNP (Class 53). Dickens is a midwife based in the DMV (Washington, D.C, Maryland, Virginia).
Gaelle Duvivier Receives Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Gaelle Duvivier, CNM, WHNP, DNP (Class 38), was recently presented with a Distinguished Service Award by the Rockland County (New York) Legislature. She provides women’s healthcare at New York Presbyterian Hospital and is an assistant professor at Rockland Community College.
Bethany Grimes Joins Capital Region
Midwifery
Capital Region Midwifery in Troy, New York, recently welcomed Bethany Grimes, MSN, CNM (Class 183), who provides comprehensive midwifery and OB/GYN care. She was previously a nurse-midwife at Health Alliance Hospital in Kingston, New York.
Yolanda Janshen Joins Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital
Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana, recently added nurse-midwifery care to their obstetrics and gynecology practice. In doing so, they welcomed Yolanda Janshen, CNM (Class 206) as their first nursemidwife at the Holy Rosary Women’s Health Clinic.
Intermountain Health Welcomes Jacy Jeffrey-Howe
Jacy Jeffrey-Howe, MSN, CNM (Class 197), recently joined Intermountain Health in Boulder County, Colorado. She sees patients at Lafayette Women’s Clinic and deliveries babies at Intermountain Health Good Samaritan Hospital.
Mercy Health Welcomes Nicole Justice
Nicole Justice, MSN, CNM (Class 203), recently joined Mercy Health in Lorain, Ohio. Her scope of work includes guiding patients through their pregnancies and performing well-woman exams.
Julie Knutson Publishes New Book
Julie Knutson, MSN, DNP (Class 37), recently published her new book Tales of Sex and Death: A Midwife Memoir. The book is published under her pen name Parvan Kaur. Dr. Knutson is Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Brown University.
The Frontier Nursing University Office of Alumni Relations is here to support YOU! Our purpose is to offer helpful programs and services that support our graduates. Alumni are an integral part of FNU’s development because you demonstrate the excellence of FNU in everyday practice. You are also our primary recruiters and most loyal donors. We deeply appreciate your commitment to FNU.
The Alumni Association is open to all graduates of FNU. We currently have more than 8,000 alumni in all 50 states and many countries around the world. We encourage you to explore the services, programs, and activities offered and become involved. There are several ways to stay in touch with friends and connect to FNU, including conference receptions, case days, e-newsletters, and the FNU Alumni Facebook Group. Please ensure we have your most recent contact information to take advantage of all member services. Email us at alumniservices@frontier.edu.
ATTENTION ALUMNI
Important Update Regarding Frontier.edu Email Addresses
This is an important update regarding the frontier.edu email addresses for all Frontier Nursing University alumni.
We know this is an incredibly busy time, and we’ve heard from many of you that more time is needed before FNU alumni email addresses are discontinued.
As a result of your feedback, the Alumni Association is extending the date to remove alumni frontier.edu email address to December 31, 2025. On this date, everyone who graduated December 31, 2024, or prior will lose access to their FNU email address. Please plan to move your personal content from your frontier.edu email address prior to this date.
This update does not apply to FNU faculty email accounts, and faculty will continue to have full access to their FNU email accounts.
Looking ahead, we want to reassure our upcoming graduates that you will continue to have access to your FNU email account for at least one full calendar year following your graduation date.
We truly appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to responsibly manage our resources and protect our virtual community.
Report your updated email address by scanning the QR code.
We are looking to spotlight FNU community members in our blog! Tell us your story by scanning the QR code and filling out the form or email stories@frontier.edu. Then, someone will contact you soon. These spotlight stories help us shine a light on all of the amazing accomplishments and the impact our community members have on their home communities and the University community.
Courier Corner
Meet the 2025 Couriers
The 2025 Frontier Courier Program Public Health Internship welcomed seven college students with an interest in public health. This year’s program began with a three-day orientation on the FNU campus, followed by a three-week virtual learning session. During the final four weeks of the program, the Couriers shadowed clinicians to learn more about public health. The Couriers completed their programs by giving final presentations about their summer experiences.
“We believe that with these three components, students will gain knowledge and understanding of the definition of public health and what it means to provide healthcare services across the United States,” said Lisa Colletti-Jones, FNU’s Director of Annual Giving and Courier Programs.
The Courier Program has a “Hearts On, Hands Off” approach to learning. Students learn by observing their clinic site mentors, speaking with patients, and assisting with special projects, such as working at health
booths, creating brochures on health-related topics, leading events, and other meaningful activities. Couriers may participate in any activity that does not require formal medical or healthcare training. Couriers leave with a profound understanding and deep respect for the communities they serve during their time as a Courier.
More than 300 college students from across the country expressed formal interest in the Courier program this year. From those, 24 were selected to participate in interviews before the final eight were selected.
The Courier Program was created in 1928 primarily to provide assistant to the nurses in the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS). In the early years, Couriers transported supplies across rugged mountain terrain, cared for the FNS horses and other animals, carried vital messages in an area without telephones or reliable mail service, and transported sick patients. Today, the Courier program is designed for college undergraduate students with an interest in public health, healthcare,
or related fields. The Courier Program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain insight into the challenges and opportunities of providing healthcare in rural and underserved areas.
Olivia Bosley
I am originally from Westminster, Maryland, but I am currently a junior at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I am a kinesiology major with a career path in occupational therapy. A fun fact about me is that my family and I were on Family Feud. I love to read, be with my friends, and ride horses in my free time.
Monica Brody-D'Urso
I'm a junior at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, and I'm from Phoenix, AZ. I'm studying Medicine and minoring in EMS, Biochemistry, and Spanish. I'm a transfer student, and I originally went to the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, where I met my husband. I currently am an EMT at my university, where we respond to Tucson Fire 911 calls on and around campus. I enjoy gardening, mushroom foraging, and swimming.
Olivia Fleming
My name is Olivia, and I am a rising junior at Augustana College with majors in Psychology, Creative Writing, and English. I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and I love traveling, writing, volunteering, and anything pink. A fun fact about me is that I also have a dog named Jax!
Zeta Phillips
I'm a rising senior at Lincoln University majoring in Health Science with a focus on Sports Medicine. I’m originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and began my college journey at Virginia State University before transferring to Lincoln after three years. Currently, I serve as an athletic training intern at Lincoln, where I’ve gained hands-on experience supporting student-athletes. My interests go beyond sports medicine—I’m passionate about all aspects of health and public health. A fun fact about me is that I’m also an urban model. I’ve been modeling for a little over three years, balancing my academic and professional goals with creative expression in the modeling world.
MacKenzie Schmeltz
I just finished my junior year at Washington & Jefferson College which is located about 35 minutes south of Pittsburgh. I'm Pre-Med and a Bio major with minors in Chemistry and Gender and Women's Studies. I'm involved in lots of things on campus, most notably in working as a Resident Assistant and competing on the golf team. My hometown is Edwardsburg, Michigan, which is right on the Michigan-Indiana border, and I'm excited to return home for the summer to be with my younger sister and my black lab Rooney. One fun fact
about me is that I am a self-proclaimed bread enthusiast and have been perfecting my bread making skills for the past six months.
Kennedie Smith
My name is Kennedie, and I am from New Orleans, Louisiana. I am a junior studying Public Health and African American Studies at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO. I come from a large family, so one of my main hobbies is cooking. Some of my favorite memories are of cooking with my mom and grandmother before a big holiday gathering. I also enjoy sewing, watching/ talking about movies, and reading.
Peniel Tesfamicheal
I am from Woodbridge, Virginia. I am currently attending Virginia Tech located in Blacksburg, VA. I am a junior majoring in Public Health planning to get my masters in Dietetics. For my career, I plan to become a registered dietitian and help create culturally sensitive programs for creating a healthy lifestyle whether it's for students, families, or athletes. Additionally, I have a passion for helping minorities who are suffering from food insecurity. Some fun facts: I used to be a competitive jump roper and had the opportunity to compete at the ESPN complex in Florida. I also love cooking and doing fun physical activities.
Faculty and Staff News and Notes
(from left) Dr. April Phillips, Dr. Torica
and
Faculty Members Complete AACN Access, Connection, and Engagement Leadership Institute
Three FNU faculty members – Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Tanya Belcheff, Assistant Professor Dr. Torica Fuller, and PMHNP Program Clinical Director Dr. April Phillips – recently completed the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Access, Connection, and Engagement (ACE) Leadership Institute. The ACE Leadership Institute “provides a transformative enrichment experience for those committed to championing excellence in academic nursing and redefining the roles that faculty, students, and staff have on advancing nursing education and practice.”
Jodi Dickey to Present at National Conference
FNU Director of Clinical Credentialing Jodi Dickey, MAHEA, CPCS, has accepted an invitation to present at the National Association of Medical Staff Services’ 49th Educational Conference and Exhibition September 28-October 1 in Portland, Oregon. Her presentation, entitled “Check Your Ego at the Door: Leading Effective Teams with Humanity”, will educate attendees on leading
authentically, fostering psychological safety, and building stronger relationships to create a more connected team.
Dickey joined FNU in 2010 as Clinical Credentialing Coordinator before being promoted to her current role in 2015.
Dr. Torica Fuller’s Abstract Accepted National Conference
FNU Assistant Professor Dr. Torica Fuller, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNPBC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME, recently had her abstract – Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Large Healthcare Organization — accepted for a poster at the Premier Women’s Healthcare Conference. The conference, which is organized by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, will be held October 1-3 in Las Vegas.
Dr. Diana Jolles Published in Birth Issues in Perinatal Care
FNU Regional Clinical Faculty Dr. Diana Jolles, PhD, CNM, FACNM, recently joined four others in publishing Goh, A.H., Kapoor, D.A., Nguyen, A., Soman, D. and Jolles, D.R. (2025), Characteristics and Outcomes Among Asian Birthing People in the American Association of Birth Centers Perinatal Data Registry. Dr. Jolles served as the director of the project as part of her role as the American Association of Birth Centers Research Chair.
Dr. Audrey Perry Receives Multiple Honors for Her Leadership in the Care of Older Adults
FNU Associate Professor Dr. Audrey Perry, M.Ed(c), CNM, APRN, AGNP-C, CNE, FACNM, has been selected as a Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) Leadership Institute fellows’ cohort. Founded in 2019, the GAPNA Leadership Institute is a leadership development program designed exclusively for GAPNA members who aspire to lead excellence in the care of older adults.
The Leadership Institute is an 18-month mentoring program beginning in October for selected advanced practice nurse emerging leaders. Fellows will advance leadership skills, gain a deeper understanding of GAPNA’s organizational infrastructure, and learn how professional organizations function to advance APRN practice and excellence in the care of older adults.
Additionally, Dr. Perry’s abstract “Global Paths to Age Friendly University Designation: Examples from the Asian and North American Regions”, has been accepted for presentation at the Gerontological Society of America’s 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, November 12-15. Her presentation details FNU’s journey to earn Age-Friendly University designation in 2024.
Fuller,
Dr. Tanya Belcheff
SHARE YOUR STORY
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the inception of the Frontier Nursing Service. We are celebrating by capturing and sharing many of the countless stories that make up our history.
Whatever your connection to FNU, we want to hear your FNU story.
Please scan the QR code to share your story and help us celebrate all FNU has accomplished.
ADVANCE YOUR IMPACT
Earn Your DNP Where Your Journey Began
Have you considered returning to Frontier for a Doctor of Nursing Practice? Now is the time to take the next step in your journey. As a trusted leader in your community, you're already making an impact – why not elevate that impact even further? The DNP will help prepare you to lead change, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of healthcare. Connect with FNUadmissions@frontier.edu to speak with an admissions counselor, get your DNP questions answered, and find out if you are eligible for the companion DNP program.
Board of Directors Trustees
CHAIR
Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR
VICE CHAIR
Kerri Schuiling, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Marquette, MI
SECRETARY
Nancy Hines, Shepherdsville, KY
TREASURER
Emma Metcalf, RN, MSN, CPHQ, Louisville, KY
Board Members
Elaine Bolle, BA, MBA, Chapel Hill, NC
William (Bill) Corley, MHA, Carmel, IN
Vernell DeWitty, Ph.D., MBA, RN, FAAN, Silver Spring, MD
Jean Johnson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Cabin John, MD
Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR
Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN, Columbus, OH
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC
Michael Steinmetz, CPA, CMA, CSCA, Bellevue, WA
Foundation Board Members
Peter Coffin, Chair, BA, Chestnut Hill, MA
Derek Bonifer, MBA, BA, Louisville, KY
Constance Brotherton, MA, BA, Lexington, KY
Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM, Lexington, KY
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
President Emerita
Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM
Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing
Board Members Emeritus
Wallace Campbell, Ph.D., Berea, KY
John Foley, BBA, Lexington, KY
Marion McCartney, CNM, FACNM, Washington, DC
Michael T. Rust, MPH, Louisville, KY
Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Seattle, WA
May Wykle, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FGSA, Cleveland, OH
Mrs. Tia Andrew, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda
Ms. Sarah Bacon, Brooklyn, NY
Mrs. Andrea Begley, Hyden, KY
Dr. Heather Bernard, Hamilton, NY
Gov. Steven Beshear, Lexington, KY
Mrs. Betty Brown, Louisville, KY
Mrs. Amy Pennington Brudnicki, Richmond, KY
Dr. Timothy Bukowski, Chapel Hill, NC
Dr. Wallace Campbell, Berea, KY
Miss Anna Carey, Hyden, KY
Mrs. Jean Chapin, Oldwick, NJ
Mrs. Lois Cheston, Topsfield, MA
Mr. Bill Corley, Indianapolis, IN
Mrs. Julia Breckinridge Davis, Winston-Salem, NC
Mrs. Selby Ehrlich, Bedford, NY
Mrs. Robert Estill, Raleigh, NC
Mrs. Noel Smith Fernandez, Pomona, NY
Ms. Mary Ann Gill, Versailles, KY
Mr. John Grandin, Chestnut Hill, MA
Dr. Joyce Fortney Hamberg, Southgate, KY
Dr. Horace Henriques, Lyme, NH
Mr. & Mrs. John Hodge, Berwyn, PA
Mrs. Robin Frentz Isaacs, Lincoln, MA
Mrs. Rosemary Johnson, Versailles, KY
Mrs. Mary Carol Joseph, Hyden, KY
Ms. Deborah M. King, Westport, MA
Mrs. Patricia Lawrence, Westwood, MA
Mrs. Marian Leibold, Cincinnati, OH
Dr. Ruth Lubic, Washington, DC
Mr. Robert Montague, JD, Urbanna, VA
Dr. Judy Myers, Ph.D., RN, New Albany, IN
Ms. Barbara Napier, Irvine, KY
Ms. Sandra Napier, Stinnett, KY
Mr. Dean Osborne, Hyden, KY
Mrs. Helen Rentch, Midway, KY
Mrs. John Richardson, Washington, DC
Mrs. Linda Roach, Lexington, KY
Mrs. Georgia Rodes, Lexington, KY
Mrs. Sandra Schreiber, Louisville, KY
Dr. Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC
Mrs. Sherrie Rice Smith, Franklin, WI
Mrs. Austin Smithers, Lyme, NH
Mrs. Robert Steck, Arlington, MA
Mrs. Mary Clay Stites, Louisville, KY
Mr. Richard Sturgill, Paris, KY
Ms. Mary Frazier Vaughan, Lexington, KY
Mrs. LouAnne Roberts Verrier, Austin, TX
Dr. Patience White, Bethesda, MD
Ms. Vaughda Wooten, Hyden, KY
Do you have a new mailing or email address?
Please let us know. Simply email us at FNUnews@frontier.edu.
2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383
FNU@frontier.edu • 859.251.4700 frontier.edu
Our mission is to provide a high-quality education that prepares nurses to become competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to work with all people, with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities.
Our vision is to transform the health and well-being of individuals, families, and populations, and to promote healthcare equity by increasing access to highly skilled nursemidwives and advanced practice nurses.