Frontier Nursing University 2017 President's Report

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President’s 2017 Annual Report

Answering the Call. 2017 President’s Report | 1


Our Vision Continually improve our status as a center of excellence for Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education.

Our Mission The Frontier Nursing University is a private, non-profit, non-residential graduate school of nursing offering community-based, distance education programs leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the Master of Science in Nursing Degree and/or post-master’s certificates in advanced practice nursing specialties. Our mission is to educate nurses to become competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate nursemidwives and nurse practitioners who are leaders in the primary care of women and families with an emphasis on underserved and rural populations.

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Contents Letter from the Chairman of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Letter from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 At a Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frontier Nursing University Finalizes Purchase of Versailles, Ky., Campus Graduation 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barbara and Donald Jonas Receive Honorary Doctorates . . . . . . . . FNU’s Dr. Susan Stone Inducted as President-Elect at ACNM Conference Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program . . . . . . . . . . Celebrating 10 Years of Bridging into the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maria Valentin-Welch Appointed Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer . Over 2,300 Attend FNU’s Virtual Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diversity Impact Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FNU Hits the Big Apple to Celebrate National Midwifery Week . . . . . Today Show Cameo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New York Case Presentation Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miles for Midwives 5K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Answering the Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faculty Innovation Award Winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PRIDE Student Ambassadors Attend ACNM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Book of the Year Award Winner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homecoming Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courier Unbridled Service Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Woods Named Living Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Student Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courier Program and Wendover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ways to Give . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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2017 President’s Report | 1


Letter from the Chairman of the Board Dear Friends, As you can see from this report, Frontier Nursing University continues the quest to improve the health and health care of people everywhere. The Board of Directors is excited about the many new opportunities we have before us and is committed to assuring that the resources will be available to exploit these. There are many problems in how and where people receive their health care. There are troubling issues with the costs and quality of care we receive as Americans. Yet, the Board believes that the vision of Mrs. Breckinridge continues to guide us. Our outstanding students, faculty and staff have risen to the call to care for the health care needs of people throughout the nation and beyond. We have come to expect no less of them. Thank you for your past support that has resulted in us being where we are today. Please continue your support as we strive to achieve the dream of Mrs. Breckinridge.

Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, FAAN, FNP/GNP-BC Chair, Board of Directors

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Letter from the President Dear Friends, The work we are doing in providing highly-educated healthcare professionals has never been more important. As our successes continue to mount, so too do the needs of the communities our graduates serve. Maternal mortality rates and the disparities in health outcomes are alarming. We are proud of our more than 6,000 graduates who are filling those healthcare gaps, many practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). Of FNU’s 639 graduates in 2017, 575 (90 percent) identify as residing in a rural area or HPSA. As a result, FNU graduates are having significant impacts in areas where access to healthcare is limited. For instance, over 180 graduates from FNU over the last decade are now practicing in the Appalachian counties of rural eastern Kentucky. Dating back to our founder Mary Breckinridge, FNU has a long and storied history of impacting healthcare in our country. As we look to the future of healthcare and our role as a leader in it, we are excited at the prospects our new campus in Versailles, Ky. will offer to our students, faculty and staff. We finalized the purchase of the property in 2017 and renovations and construction will proceed throughout 2018. We intend to move fully onto the new campus in 2019 and invite you to follow the progress of the move throughout the year on our website as well as our e-news and social media platforms. We will always value our roots in eastern Kentucky. We are proud to be collaborating with consultants from the highly successful Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast to help grow the exposure and popularity of the Wendover Bed and Breakfast Inn and Retreat Center. It has been an amazing year at FNU and we invite you to learn about our successes and growth this year and share in our excitement for what lies on the horizon. We thank you for joining us in our efforts to provide high-quality education and train highly-qualified healthcare professionals to improve the communities in which we all live. Sincerely,

Susan E. Stone, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, FACNM

Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc., FACNM, FAAN

President

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at a glance Total Served By Specialty Track and Calendar Year 2017 Nurse-midwifery

1,021

Family Nurse Practitioner

1,041

Women’s Health

101

MSN Completion

3

Women’s Health Completion

13

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

84

Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

152

Companion DNP

158

Total

Students enrolled in Bridge By Calendar Year 2017 Nurse-midwifery Family Nurse Practitioner

25

2,573

75

Graduates by Specialty Track and Calendar Year 2017 Nurse-midwifery

236

Family Nurse Practitioner

246

Women’s Health

28

MSN Completion

1

Women’s Health Completion

16

Psychiatric Mental Health NP

1

Post Master’s DNP

63

Companion DNP

48

Total Degrees

639

Setting the Standard 100 80

FNU Graduates

100

94%

90.2%

80

Minority Enrollment for Calendar Year 2017:

21.1

%

All Test Takers 100

97%

80

80%

97.9%

90%

60

60

60

40

40

40

20

20

20

0

0

0

2017 American Midwifery Certification Board Pass Rate

2017 American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Results

2017 National Certification Corporation (Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioners)

*Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner graduate information not yet available. 4 | 2017 President’s Report


Retention of Students in Year 1 of Enrollment: 2013-2017 Table 1: First Year Retention

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

newly enrolled students that were retained by the end of calendar year 2014

newly enrolled students that were retained by the end of calendar year 2015

newly enrolled students that were retained by the end of calendar year 2016

newly enrolled students that were retained by the end of calendar year 2017

newly enrolled students that were retained by the end of calendar year 2017

Overall 1st Year Retention

82%

85%

90%

91%

94%

White students

84%

85%

90%

92%

93%

Non-white students

78%

88%

89%

88%

95%

NurseMidwifery (MSN Only)

82%

86%

89%

92%

97%

Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner (MSN Only)

94%

87%

84%

96%

89%

Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN Only)

80%

86%

90%

93%

96%

Associate Degree Bridge Entry (ADN-MSN)

81%

76%

89%

91%

93%

Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

90%

85%

91%

92%

93%

Category

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PGC only)

92%

*Cohorts retained in their first year of enrollment by calendar year.

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2017 Year in Review level primary care and women’s health think tank for gathering leaders in the nursing and midwifery field for national and regional meetings. The move to the new campus will allow FNU to continue to expand enrollment -- currently over 2,000 students -- and also improve program offerings in order to meet the growing demand for access to quality healthcare nationwide, especially in rural and underserved areas. FNU will continue to recruit, educate, and graduate nurses to increase access to quality healthcare for rural and underserved communities.

Frontier Nursing University Finalizes Purchase of Versailles, Ky., Campus In October 2017, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) finalized the purchase of the Versailles, Ky., campus of The United Methodist Children’s Home and adjacent property. The properties have been under contract since March 2016, but the actual purchase was postponed while The Methodist Home of Kentucky built their new facility in Nicholasville, Ky. FNU, which has maintained a campus in Hyden, Ky., since its founding in 1939, as well as administrative offices in Lexington, Ky., will be moving staff offices as well as all oncampus student activities to the newly purchased property in Versailles. The move will allow FNU to better serve students and continue its longstanding commitment to the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to provide healthcare to women and families with a focus on those in rural and underserved areas. FNU will maintain operation of the Wendover property including the Wendover Bed & Breakfast Inn and Retreat Center, a national historic landmark and the historic log cabin home of FNU founder Mary Breckinridge, in Wendover, Ky., near Hyden. The new campus is located in a beautiful rural setting but is also less than ten minutes from the Lexington Bluegrass Airport and accessible from major highways. The campus will allow for increased accessibility, more cutting-edge teaching and learning facilities and enhanced lodging for students and faculty. FNU’s vision is that the opening of the Versailles campus will permanently establish Frontier Nursing University as a leader and national model of excellence for distance learning for advanced nursing and midwifery education. In addition to hosting students, the new campus can be used as a national

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Renovation on the new campus began in early 2018 and will continue throughout the year. The tentative schedule is for staff offices to move to the new campus in the fall of 2018 and the campus to be completed by spring of 2019.

Graduation 2017 The 2017 graduation ceremony was held on Saturday, October 21 as FNU celebrated more than 600 graduates from the past year. The commencement ceremony was attended by more than 160 graduates and 1,200 of their family members and friends. FNU President Dr. Susan Stone presided over the commencement ceremony and degrees were conferred on graduates of Frontier’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs. Dr. Jennifer Hatcher, director of diversity and inclusivity and associate professor for the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, delivered the keynote address.


Barbara and Donald Jonas Receive Honorary Doctorates

L to R: Frontier Nursing University Board Chair Dr. Michael Carter, Donald and Barbara Jonas, and FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. Photo Credit: Carolyn Jones

In honor of their extensive support and contributions to the advancement of nursing, Frontier Nursing University awarded honorary doctorate degrees to philanthropists Barbara and Donald Jonas. The ceremony took place in July in Greenwich, Conn. In 2005, the Jonas’, who are noted art collectors, auctioned off 15 of their abstract expressionist artworks. That generated millions in seed money to create their own masterpiece: The Barbara and Donald Jonas Family Fund. As they sought the appropriate beneficiaries, Barbara, a psychiatric social worker, and Donald, a leader in retail, were drawn to the nursing shortage and its overall impact on the healthcare of individuals and communities. In early 2006, they established the Jonas Center for Nursing Excellence, a first-of-its-kind philanthropic program dedicated to advancing the nursing profession. The focus of the Center -- now known as Jonas Philanthropies -- is to improve healthcare through nursing leadership, scholarship and research. The impact of Jonas Philanthropies has grown exponentially. In 2016, the Jonas Center celebrated its 10th anniversary reaching a milestone of 1,000 Jonas Scholars supported by the organization. As the nation’s leading philanthropic funder of graduate nursing education, Jonas Philanthropies has grown from a New York City-focused funder to a national organization in partnership with leading schools of nursing in 50 states.

Front Row (L-R): Donald and Barbara Jonas. Back Row (L-R): FNU Director of Marketing and Communications Brittney Edwards, FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, FNU Board Chair Michael Carter, FNU Chief Advancement Officer Denise Barrett.

Frontier Nursing University has been fortunate to participate as a partner with Jonas Philanthropies since 2012. We have witnessed the positive, lasting contributions that our 10 Jonas Scholar graduates have made and continue to make in their communities across the nation and now into other countries. Frontier’s Jonas Scholars have made tremendous impact in their communities including policy work to advance their professions, recruitment of Native Americans into the profession, implementation of nitrous oxide for pain relief in Maine, design and implementation of programs to support pregnant spouses of deployed military personnel, and international work to improve communications and transport of emergency situations in Nepal. Each of their stories is inspiring and undoubtedly making a difference. Funding research and scholarships, the Jonas’ have displayed incredible generosity and forethought. Their contributions are immeasurable. In recognition of their accomplishments and contributions, we were proud to confer upon Donald and Barbara Jonas the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.

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2017 Year in Review (continued) FNU’s Dr. Susan Stone inducted as president-elect at ACNM Conference Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM,FAAN, president of Frontier Nursing University, was named president-elect of the American College of NurseMidwives (ACNM) at the 2017 ACNM Annual Meeting. With roots dating to 1929, ACNM is the oldest women’s health care organization in the United States. The organization’s elected leaders play an important role in guiding the midwifery profession. Stone will officially begin her term as president after the ACNM 63rd Annual Meeting in Savannah, Ga., in May 2018. Stone has been active in ACNM for nearly 25 years. She has also served for more than 10 years with the ACNM’s collaborative partner, the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and as chair of ACME’s Board of Commissioners for four years. As president, she will be responsible for establishing and carrying out the goals and objectives of ACNM. “Our goal is to educate health care providers and the public about the value of midwifery, and the positive outcomes that result from our evidence-based practice,” said Stone. “Midwives are increasingly important as a solution to the impending shortage of obstetrical providers. As president of ACNM, my focus will be on reducing legislative barriers for midwifery practice, continuing to establish effective collaborative relationships with other health care providers and developing strategies to dramatically increase and diversify the midwifery workforce.”

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Frontier Nursing University Awarded $1,998,000 Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant

In July 2017, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) was awarded the Nursing Workforce Diversity grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant totals $1,998,000 in funding in support of a four-year project that will be led by FNU with assistance from several key partner organizations. The goal of the Nursing Workforce Diversity program is to increase access to high quality, culturally-aligned advanced practice nurses and midwives that reflect the diversity of the communities in which they serve. The grant, which provides $499,500 per year, supports a proposed project in which FNU will implement a comprehensive systems approach to implementing five evidence-based strategies to support disadvantaged advanced practice nursing students from recruitment through graduation. The social determinants of education will be used as a framework to assess student needs and guide activities throughout the course of the project. The overall aim of the program is to increase the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through education and training in Frontier Nursing University’s advanced nursing and midwifery programs, these students will be prepared to provide advanced practice nursing and midwifery health care services across the U.S. Findings from an American Association of Colleges of Nursing policy brief (2016) found that racial and ethnic minority groups accounted for 37% of the country’s population, yet minority nurses represent only 19% of the total registered nurse workforce (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Survey, 2013). As minority population growth rises, so does the likelihood of these populations experiencing greater health disparities such as increased rates of maternal morbidity and


mortality related to childbirth, infant mortality, chronic diseases, and shorter life spans compared to the majority of Americans. There is growing evidence that greater racial diversity in the healthcare workforce is an important intervention to reduce racial health disparities. “We are extremely proud and excited to receive this grant and to be a part of such an important project,” said FNU president Dr. Susan Stone. “We are deeply committed to the goals of the NWD program and helping to overcome barriers that hinder the success of our underrepresented students, from recruitment through graduation.” The project’s primary objectives are: 1) to achieve minimum of 30 percent minority student enrollment by June 2021, the end of the project period; 2) to increase the racial and ethnic minority retention rate and 3) to graduate an average of 100 new nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners representing racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented in nursing each year of the project period. Grant funding supports personnel, consultants, and diversity training for faculty and staff. Retention activities, including mentor programs and writing support will also be funded. FNU students will also benefit from substantial scholarship support and professional development opportunities. To achieve the goals of the program, FNU will formally partner with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Midwives of Color Committee (ACNM-MOCC), the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) and Mona Wicks, a multicultural sensitivity and diversity training expert consultant.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program: Impacting Students, Patients and Communities For Amy Dendinger, “answering the call” has taken on a whole new meaning of late. “I get calls from recruiters and job offers constantly from all over the country and I am one year from graduating,” says Dendinger, a student in Frontier Nursing University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program.

FNU launched the program in January of 2017 in response to a growing need in healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved portions of the country. “There are currently 4,627 Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas Amy Dendinger designated in the United States,” says FNU’s Dr. Heather Shlosser, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC. “At this very moment it would require an additional 3,397 psychiatric providers to meet the very basic mental health needs of the current shortage areas in the U.S. Twenty-three states fall below the Heather Shlosser already low average of an adequate number of psychiatric providers. Some of the hardest affected areas include Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Montana, Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, all of which have less than Rachel Houser 30 percent of needs met when looking at the number of psychiatric providers to serve the population of the area.” With such a sizable gap between the care needed and the care provided, it’s little surprise that students such as Dendinger are looking ahead toward many opportunities upon graduating from the program. The PMHNP program’s first class included 19 students and now accepts 40 students per quarterly term, with a waiting list to be accepted to the program. FNU has PMHNP students in 40 states, meaning that much-needed help is on the way in many of the country’s underserved areas. “There is a need for mental health providers everywhere,” says Rachel Houser, a student in FNU’s PMHNP program. “Often facilities are resorting to hiring FNPs with mental health experience because they cannot find certified PMHNPs due to global shortage of mental health care providers.” Houser, who currently provides primary care to homebound patients, plans to practice as both a psychiatric and family nurse practitioner upon graduating from the PMHNP program. “The PMHNP program is enabling me to take better and more comprehensive care of my patients,” says Houser, who 2017 President’s Report | 9


2017 Year in Review (continued) graduated from FNU’s Family Nurse Practitioner program in 2007. “I chose to go back to Frontier because I knew the quality of education and guidance Frontier programs offer to working students. You can continue to work and provide for your family while going to school.” Naturally, great care and research was put into creating the PMHNP curriculum. Shlosser notes that the program was developed using guidelines, blueprints and content requirements from organizations such as the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, American Psychiatric Association, American Nurse Credentialing Center, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Standards and Scope of Practice from APNA and the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses. “The program curriculum completion and the start of the development of a phenomenal PMHNP faculty have been incredible to watch unfold,” Shlosser says. “Our first graduates from the postgraduate cohort have been offered positions at their precepting sites and it has been exciting to hear about our students being offered positions even prior to completing the program. It has been awe-inspiring to hear about our students already planning with their organizations to bring mental health care to their communities, working towards integrated practices and meeting the needs of all of these underserved areas in such a comprehensive way.” While interest in the program is high, Shlosser says the focus remains on providing “high-quality education and recruiting top-notch doctoral prepared PMHNP faculty.” The program can continue to grow, but not at the expense of the high standards that have been implemented. Dendinger, who is employed full-time as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at the University of Florida Behavioral and Developmental Pediatric Clinic in Gainesville, Fla., says that the quality of the program is inspiring her to do even more. Upon completion of the PMHNP program, she intends to continue and complete her Doctor of Nurse Practice degree at FNU as well. “What we learn at Frontier we will take back to our local communities,” Dendinger says. “How we learn at Frontier will change the way we practice. I know now it is not just the history of the school or the academic excellence of the students and faculty. It is the dedication to community health and the commitment to observing a fluid learning environment that keeps the visionary spirit of Mary Breckinridge alive.” 10 | 2017 President’s Report

Celebrating 10 Years of Bridging into the Future In 2017, FNU celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Bridge Entry Option. Frontier’s Bridge Entry Option allows registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as their highest degree who have been in practice at least one year to bypass a bachelor’s degree. By completing a series of courses over 12 months, nurses become prepared for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a career as a nurse-midwife, family nurse practitioner or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. Beginning with only 16 students in 2007 (Class 53), FNU has now enrolled more than 1,100 students in the Bridge program.


Maria Valentin-Welch Appointed Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Maria Valentin-Welch

FNU hired Dr. Maria ValentinWelch, DNP, CNM, MPH, FACNM, as its first chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO) to lead the University on matters of equity, diversity and inclusion. Dr. ValentinWelch is a certified nursemidwife and has served as a course coordinator at FNU since 2013. She assumed the new role on Oct. 1, 2017.

Valentin-Welch is leading the development of a vision and strategy that champions the importance of a diverse and inclusive environment that values and supports all members of the University community. The addition of the CDIO position is the most recent of a number of diversity initiatives implemented as part of FNU’s strategic plan to heighten the focus on diversity and inclusion for all faculty, staff and students. The CDIO serves on the executive team along with the president, dean, chief operations officer, executive vice president for finance and facilities, and chief advancement officer. “Research tells us that in order to incorporate an effective culture of diversity and inclusion, you must have top administrators at the highest level in the organization leading the charge,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We have done so much to foster a culture that values diversity and inclusion; this was the natural next step for our University.” Dr. Valentin-Welch has worked on diversity and inclusion efforts throughout her career. One of her first assignments as the CDIO is leading the implementation of a four-year program to increase the recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, made possible by a HRSA Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant totaling $1,998,000 that was awarded to FNU in 2017.

“The birthplace of nurse-midwifery in the United States stems from the roots of Frontier Nursing University,” said Dr. Valentin-Welch. “Therefore, I am humbled and honored to become FNU’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer. Together, hand in hand, we will bring our FNU Community to higher heights.” Additionally, Dr. Valentin-Welch offers leadership support to FNU’s Diversity PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education) Program which has been in place since 2010 and was designed to promote diversity in nursing and midwifery by recruiting more underrepresented students. She will also focus on collaborative opportunities with other organizations to facilitate the goals of diversity and inclusion at FNU. “I believe our founding mother, Mary Breckinridge, is smiling down at Frontier as we open this new historical chapter… a chapter made up of many different pages creating a wonderfully diverse and inclusive book,” said Dr. Valentin-Welch.

Over 2,300 Attend FNU’s Virtual Event FNU’s third annual Virtual Event was a two-part event which took place during National Midwifery Week and National Nurse Practitioner Week. In 2017, these two events combined to draw over 2,300 visits and over 1,500 unique online visitors from across the country as well as nine foreign countries. Participants in the online event include students, alumni, clinical preceptors, faculty, and prospective students. During the two weeks, online sessions featured faculty and healthcare professionals from across the country discussing topics pertinent to primary care health providers with a focus on nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners. The FNU Virtual Event is offered free of charge to a wide audience, including current and prospective students, alumni, faculty and healthcare professionals.

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2017 Year in Review (continued) Outstanding speakers highlight FNU’s Diversity Impact Conference Our 2017 Diversity Impact Student Conference, hosted by the FNU Diversity PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education) Program student organization, was held June 1-4 at our campus in Hyden, Ky. Keynote speaker Dr. Eric Williams, DNP, RN, CNE, President of the National Black Nurses Association, headlined our distinguished roster of speakers. Other speakers included Capt. James Dickens, DNP, NP, FAANP, US Dept. Health & Human Services; Shane Barton, Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK), University of Kentucky; Dr. Vernellia Randall, JD, MSN, author of Dying While Black; Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, FACNM, President of FNU, Dr. Trish McQuillin Voss, ND/DNP, MSN, CNM, FNU Faculty; Essence Williams, RN, BSN, CBC, CCE, CNEP Class 140; and Heidi Carter, RN ADN, CNEP/Bridge Class 129. Diversity Impact 2017 welcomed participants who have a desire to join FNU’s legacy of providing culturally competent care to rural and underserved communities. Students engaged in cross-cultural and intercultural workshop activities, along with leadership strategies on current diversity healthcare trends as it relates to patient-provider care.

12 | 2017 President’s Report


FNU Hits the Big Apple to Celebrate National Midwifery Week A group from Frontier Nursing University participated in several events in New York City honor of National Midwifery Week in October 2017. FNU’s presence was aimed at bringing attention to our country’s high rates of maternal death and injury and the vital role that nurse-midwives play in filling this healthcare gap.

Today Show Cameo On Friday, October 6, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) staff, students and faculty joined the outside audience at the “Today Show” in New York City to promote awareness of the rising U.S. maternal mortality rates and National Midwifery week. Faculty member and alumnus Dwynn Golden dressed in traditional FNS uniform while other attendees carried “babies” to draw attention to the issues.

New York Case Presentation Day Also on October 6, 10 participants, including both nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner students, three alumni and one preceptor from Mt. Sinai/Beth Israel, took part in our New York Case Presentation Day. Case Management Days are seminars organized by the Regional Clinical Faculty (RCF). They provide opportunities for group learning and networking within the region. Students completing their clinical practicum present cases to facilitate group discussion of management options and to promote the pathways of critical thinking.

Miles for Midwives 5K FNU Regional Clinical Faculty Dwynn Golden and Mary Jones, along with staff member Angela Bailey, attended the 2017 Miles for Midwives in Brooklyn, NY on October 7. The annual 5K Fun-Run and Birth Fair brings together midwives, families and the greater birth community for a day devoted to celebrating midwives and community wellness. In 2017, more than 200 attendees also raised money for those suffering in Puerto Rico. Several FNU students and alumni attended the event, including: Jocelyn Baker, Katie Sigler and Rebecca Feldman (Nurse-Midwifery Graduates). Current students Alexandra Moskaluk and Jessica Couper also attended, along with Jessica’s mother.

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Answering the Call. Faculty Innovation Award Winners Thanks to generous support from Dr. Alan Howard and family and the Denver Foundation, Frontier hosts the annual Faculty Innovation Awards to spotlight innovation in advanced practice nursing and midwifery education. The purpose of the Faculty Innovation Awards is to recognize faculty members who promote critical thinking and application of knowledge in innovative online learning experiences. Each application is evaluated with respect to: •

Innovative use of evolving technology

Promotion of critical thinking and application of knowledge

Sound evaluation plan and strong, positive evaluation data

Extent of potential effect on student learning effectiveness, future curriculum development, furthering the mission of FNU, or professional practice

The winner in each category received $2,250 per course.

Vicky Stone-Gale

DeLana Gardner

Jana Esden

Debra Hunt

2017 Winner in Category 1

2017 Winner in Category 2

(Courses that have completed Innovation 101):

(Courses that have not completed Innovation 101):

NP702 Primary Care I

NP706 Primary Care III

Course Coordinator: Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, FNP-C, ARNP, FAANP

Course Coordinator: Jana Esden, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC

Course Faculty: DeLana Gardner, DNP, FNP, ARNP

Title and brief description of innovative learning activity: Proctored Case Study Assignments

Title and brief description of innovative learning activity: Breaking Bad News Simulation Activity

14 | 2017 President’s Report

Course Faculty: Debra Hunt, PhD, FNP-BC, GNP-BC


FNU Honors at ACNM Conference Frontier Nursing University (FNU) attended the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) annual conference May 20-24 in Chicago. Student Awards •

Heidi Carter - Varney Award Recipient, PAC student representative, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Scholarship

Paris Maloof-Bury - Varney Award Recipient

Essence Williams - Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) Student Appreciation Award

Jeanine Valrie-Logan - Midwives of Color Watson Scholarship recipient

Karen Ojeda - Midwives of Color Watson Scholarship recipient

Andrea Phillips-Hall - PAC student representative

Nancy Reinhart- Student/New Midwives Section representative

Andrew Youmans- ACNM Board of Directors

Faculty Awards •

Niessa Meier - Immunization Champion Award

Becky Faye - ACNM Exemplary Affiliate Award for Region 4 - Arkansas

Kim Baraona - Teaching Excellence Award

Kathryn Schrag - Distinguished Service Award

Eileen Thrower- Program Committee for 2018 ACNM Annual Meeting

Tonya Nicholson- Chair, ACNM Nominating Committee

Katie Moriarty- ACNM, Board of Directors

Joani Slager, ACNM, Board of Directors

Susan Stone, ACNM- President- Elect

Alumni Awards •

Nadene Brunk - Distinguished Service Award, founder of Midwives for Haiti

Mary Bradish - Distinguished Service Award, author of a beautiful book of memoirs. She practiced full scope until she was 78.

Melody Shambley - Outstanding Preceptor Award.

Jessica Brumley - FNU Outstanding Preceptor Award

PRIDE Student Ambassadors Attend ACNM FNU’s Diversity PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education) Program awarded two students with an expense paid trip to the ACNM annual meeting. The two PRIDE student ambassadors were Essence Williams and Shoba Monteserin Narayana. The ambassadors attended many sessions and the Midwives of Color Committee (MOCC) reception where Essence Williams was awarded the first ever Midwives of Color Committee Student Appreciation Award. FNU PRIDE students Heidi Carter and Paris Maloof-Bury both received a stipend to attend the conference to participate in the Varney Participant Award and mentorship program. It is a tremendous honor to have both recipients of this prestigious award be FNU students.

Inducted as Fellows •

Jill Alliman, DNP, Alumnus and Faculty

Mayri Leslie, Alumnus

Leslie Rathbun, Preceptor

Kate Fouquier, Alumnus

Sherilyn Gibbs, CNM, DNP, RNC-OB, Alumnus

Essence Williams and Shoba Monteserin Narayana

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Answering the Call. (continued) FNU Alumni and Faculty Contribute to AJN Book of the Year Award Winner Frontier Nursing University (FNU) congratulates the editors and authors of the book Freestanding Birth Centers: Innovation, Evidence, Optimal Outcomes, which was awarded first place in the 2017 American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Awards in Maternal-Child Health. The book was co-authored by Linda Cole, DNP, RN, CNM, Assistant Professor, Course Coordinator, Course Faculty at Frontier Nursing University and Melissa Avery, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Professor and Chair of the Child and Family Health Cooperative at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Since 1969, AJN has published an annual list of the best in nursing publishing. The AJN Book of the Year program is a prestigious competition that garners the attention of the medical world, as well as librarians and universities. Freestanding Birth Centers: Innovation, Evidence, Optimal Outcomes, is written for graduate students and professionals and explores freestanding birth center models in the U.S. from the 1970’s to present. It provides a thorough history of the birth center movement and serves as a resource for up-to-date evidence on clinical and cost outcomes while also covering all issues involved in implementing and operating a U.S. birth center.

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The textbook is published by Springer Publishing and is the first of its kind. A number of Frontier alumni including Alisha Wilkes, DNP, CNM, ARNP and Autumn Versace Vergo, MSN, CNM, CPM, as well as alumna and current Frontier Course Faculty Jill Alliman, CNM, DNP, contributed to chapters pertaining to their medical and professional specialties. FNU Senior Instructor Kathryn Schrag, MSN, CNM, FNP, coauthored the book’s first chapter, Organizing for Change: History, Pioneers, and the Formation of a National Organization. Diana Jolles, CNM, MSN, FACNM, PhD(c), a Frontier instructor and Course Coordinator, also made contributions to the new book. The foreword was co-written by Ruth Watson Lubic, CNM, Ed.D, FACNM, FAAN and FNU Trustee and Kitty Ernst, RN, CNM, MPH, DSc (hon), FNU board member and Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery at Frontier.

The AJN Book of the Year program is a prestigious competition that garners the attention of the medical world, as well as librarians and universities.


Homecoming Awards

Distinguished Service to Society: Jill Alliman

Distinguished Service to Alma Mater: Patty Kandiko

The Distinguished Service to Society Award recognizes an alumnus who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional service in his or her community. We were extremely proud to present the award to Jill Alliman.

The Distinguished Service to Alma Mater honors an alumnus who has continued to provide support to Frontier through volunteer efforts and/or donor support. We were proud to honor Patty Kandiko with this award. Kandiko is a graduate of Midwifery Class 70 in 2012. She began her nursing career after graduating from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria, Illinois, in 1974. She later earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Marian University in Wisconsin 1993.

Dr. Alliman earned a Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery from the Medical University of South Carolina; a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Tennessee; a master of science in nursing degree from Case Western Reserve; and her doctor of nursing practice from Frontier Nursing University. Dr. Alliman currently serves as course faculty at Frontier Nursing University in the Nurse-Midwifery education program. She is also the project director for the American Association of Birth Centers Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Initiative. The Strong Start initiative is collecting data from 45 birth centers to measure the impact of birth center care on the reduction of preterm birth rates. For 26 years, Dr. Alliman led the Women’s Wellness and Maternity Center in Madisonville, Tennessee. For 14 of those years, she also served as clinical faculty at Vanderbilt School of Nurse-Midwifery.

Today, Kandiko owns the Bloomin’ Babies Birth Center with her husband Dick in Grand Junction, Colorado. They opened the center in October 2013. In 2014, they helped 16 mothers give birth. That number doubled in 2015 and continues to grow every year. The Bloomin’ Babies Birth Center is the only such center in the state outside the metropolitan area of Denver. In addition to supplying a valuable service to the community and state, Kandiko also continues to support Frontier Nursing University as a preceptor, working with three FNU students since 2015.

Today, Dr. Alliman uses her three decades of experience to make contributions to extending the birth center model of care to a wider group of women. She has worked diligently to improve access to care for some of the most underserved women in the United States. Her work with the American Association of Birth Centers has demonstrated that even a small group of innovative, dedicated individuals can make a significant impact on health care for women and newborns. She also previously served on the Tennessee Scope of Practice Task Force, commissioned by the state legislature to explore healthcare access and nursing scope of practice issues. Jill Alliman and Patty Kandiko

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Answering the Call. (continued) Courier Unbridled Service Award:

Cherry Forbes Wunderlich The Courier Unbridled Service Award is given annually to a former Courier who has carried the torch of Mary Breckinridge beyond the mountains, perpetuating the mission and spirit of Frontier in their own lives. The criteria for this award includes dedication to serving others; ongoing, longstanding stewardship of Frontier; and demonstration of personal conviction, courage and a zest for adventure. We were honored to present the Courier Unbridled Service Award to Cherry Forbes Wunderlich during FNU’s 2017 homecoming celebration. Cherry served as a Courier for the Frontier Nursing Service in winter and spring 1965, during her semester away from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where she was a junior. Raised on a Wyoming ranch, Cherry was familiar with rural life and took to her Courier role quickly. At Wendover, she helped Cherry Forbes Wunderlich care each day for the 3 horses, did varied projects in the Big House and outdoors, and drove a jeep for errands into Hyden and to the outpost nursing centers. Cherry’s time with FNS has strongly influenced her life since then. She taught classes for expectant parents for several years. Her professional career and volunteer life have centered around writing and editing, including health education materials. She co-authored and edited 4 handbooks for expectant and new parents; training manuals for youth educators; and, most recently, 4 handbooks for patients being tested or treated for all types of thyroid cancer. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s in Economics at George Washington University. For the past 17 years she has served on the board of the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband John, a cancer researcher. Their two grown sons and families live in California and New York.

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She has also remained involved in the work of FNU through her work with the Washington, D.C. Committee and her annual donations to support the mission. Ms. Wunderlich was presented a Mary Breckinridge Society “Continuing the Vision” pin at the 2014 Washington, D.C. Luncheon in recognition for her commitment to building the FNU Endowment.

Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award:

Thompson Charitable Foundation The Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award recognizes an individual or organization providing longstanding support and commitment to the mission and work of Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University. We were exceptionally proud to present the award to the Thompson Charitable Foundation during FNU’s 2017 homecoming celebration. Founded in 1987, the Foundation was established with the primary focus of funding projects related to education, health, and human services. This includes funding for capital and building improvements for human service organizations and educational institutions along, with funding for youth and Christian organizations. The Thompson Charitable Foundation has supported capital improvement needs for the Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University totaling more than $600,000 and spanning more than 20 years. This loyal support sustains and improves our facilities and has allowed Frontier to continue to invest in innovation, programs, and students. We appreciate the Thompson Charitable Foundation’s understanding of the importance of support for capital projects to ensure these expenses do not deter from our mission to educate nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to provide primary care. We look forward to continuing our partnership into the future.


Nancy Woods, FNU Board Member, Named Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing FNU Board Member Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, was inducted as a Living Legend of the American Academy of Nursing at the Academy’s Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference in October of 2017 in Washington, D.C. Dr. Woods received the Academy’s highest honor at a special ceremony during its policy conference in Washington, D.C. The Academy recognizes a small number of Fellows as Living Legends each year. To be eligible, the Living Legend must have been an Academy Fellow for Nancy Woods at least 15 years and have demonstrated extraordinary, sustained contributions to nursing and health care. Recently retired, Dr. Woods served as Dean of the University of Washington School of Nursing (1998 – 2008). She is an internationally recognized women’s health expert and a strong voice for diversity in nursing. Her pioneering research exploring the many dimensions of the menstrual cycle, menopause, and post-menopause, has resulted in an improved understanding of factors influencing symptoms. As Dean of the UW School of Nursing, she issued a public apology for institutional racism that served as a catalyst toward improvements at her institution, and within the profession.

She was instrumental in the creation of a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan that became a template for efforts throughout the university and at other nursing schools. Dr. Woods was elected to the Institute of Medicine and American Academy of Nursing for her groundbreaking work in women’s health. She has also received numerous national awards including the Distinguished Contribution to Nursing Research Award from the American Nurses Foundation, the Distinguished Contribution to Women’s Health Award from the American Psychological Association, the Trailblazer Award from the U.S. Public Health Service’s Office of Women’s Health, and the Pathfinder Award from the Friends of the National Institute for Nursing Research. Dr. Woods has served as president of the American Academy of Nursing, the North American Menopause Society, and the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research. Her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has been complemented by honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Haifa, Israel, and Chiang Mai University, Thailand.

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Student Scholarships Answering the Call: Generous gifts support student scholarships, technology, and expansion to the Versailles campus

$250,000 Through generous donor support and grant funding, Frontier awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarship support and assistance to students in 2017.

Jonas Scholars In partnership with schools of nursing across the country, Jonas Philanthropies identifies and invests in high-potential doctoral nursing scholars. Jonas Scholarships aim to:

Support nurses who will address our nation’s most pressing healthcare needs.

Increase the number of nurses with advanced training filling leadership roles as faculty, clinical leaders and researchers.

Improve the health of veterans by supporting doctoral-level nursing candidates committed to advancing veterans healthcare.

The Jonas Scholars program has had a significant impact on students of Frontier Nursing University. The 2016-18 cohort are receiving $70,000 in scholarship awards: Cassie Belzer, DNP Montana Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar

Marguerite B. Howard Scholar: Haley Meade, RN

Ana Verzone, DNP, FNP-BC, CNM Alaska Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar

Frontier partnered with the Health Wagon, located in Wise, Va., and awarded this scholarship to Haley Meade, a current nurse at Health Wagon. Haley was accepted into Frontier’s family nurse practitioner program and plans to continue her work with the Health Wagon and provide primary care to patients in southwest Virginia.

Erica Burkhart, DNP, APRN-FNP Maine Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar

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Lana Bertan, DNP, CNM, CPHQ Hawaii Jonas Veterans Scholar


“The Jonas Scholarship was an opportunity that came up during our move to Hawaii,” Bernat says. “When I first moved here, I was unable to work right away due to being in the transition between RN and APRN. The scholarship provided funding for tuition and childcare, and I was able to start working as a volunteer nurse-midwife. My volunteer work turned into my work site for my doctoral project. Without the Jonas Scholarship, I may not have been able to complete my DNP. I also met some amazing scholars at the Jonas Leaders Conference. I know that I have not even tasted the full impact yet. There are projects and needs that are sure to arise in my journey and it will be possible because I had the opportunity to be a Jonas Scholar.”

Breckinridge Capital Advisors Scholarship FNU is proud to partner with Breckinridge Capital Advisors. This Boston-based fixed income investment management firm was founded by Peter Breckinridge Coffin, current Chairman of the Frontier Foundation board and a member of the Leadership Council. Their generous annual support builds the endowed scholarship to benefit additional students.

Susanne P.W. Grandin Scholarship John and Anne Grandin, pictured with Lees Breckinridge Yunits, Chair of the FNU Boston Committee, and Susan Stone, FNU President, provided personal support and facilitated a generous gift from the Grandin Family Foundation to significantly increase the endowment of the Susanne P. W. Grandin Scholarship. Several new scholarships were established and others continued to grow with annual support. The E.O. Robinson Mountain Fund supported (L-R) Lees Breckinridge Yunits, Chair of the Boston scholarships for four Frontier students with a focus on Eastern Kentucky. Committee, John Grandin, Anne Grandin, Margaret Voorhies Haggin Scholarship was established as an endowed Dr. Susan Stone. fund with a gift from the Margaret Voorhies Haggin Trust. The Van Sloun Foundation, longtime supporters of Frontier and 2016 recipients of the Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award, provided generous annual support to increase the Van Sloun Endowed Scholarship.

Giving Tuesday Thank you to everyone who donated to the #GivingTuesday scholarship campaign. We raised nearly $7,000 for this new scholarship! FNU Leadership Council member Dr. Susan Graham (pictured) generously pledged to match each dollar raised up to $25,000 and we are happy to report she designated the full amount to this new scholarship fund. “Thank you, Susan!” 2017 President’s Report | 21


Student Scholarships (continued) Dean’s Emergency Fund Thanks to generous support from the FNU Board of Directors, the Denver Foundation, the Skelly Foundation, and individual donors, Frontier continued to award funds from the Dean’s Emergency Fund. This scholarship assistance is available throughout the year to support students facing temporary financial emergencies and ease the burden so they may focus on their education.

Dean’s Emergency Funds 2017:

Students impacted by hurricanes: $21,000 awarded to 13 students Students facing other emergencies: $71,850 awarded to 73 students Total awarded: $92,850 to 86 students

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Students say thank you “I don’t know how to say thank you for this. The amount of stress I have felt. The amount of turmoil and discussion and prayer that has gone into decisions on what to do. You have changed my journey and let me dream. I am forever grateful for removing this burden from me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I promise to give it everything I have and to continue to work for this community. I am humbly grateful.” “Thank you so much for your help. I was blessed to receive a hardship scholarship last month. Your efforts helped me stay in my apartment, pay bills, put some food on the table, and gas in the car after an unfortunate cascade of uncontrollable events. I am eternally grateful. If I am able, I hope to be able to return the funds to a student in need. I pray you are rewarded for your effort and kindness.” “Thank you so much for your donation for this fund. I have never had to ask for help, but this cancer decided it for me. Thanks again for your help. I greatly appreciate it.” “I am humbled and deeply grateful for the support received through the Dean’s Emergency/Hardship Scholarship Fund. Due to personal health problems I have been unable to work and attend school at the same time. Each term I wonder if I am a little crazy to continue; still, I remain dedicated to my goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. This scholarship has helped to confirm in my own mind that I am where I need to be, and that I can make it all the way through to the end. Thank you for helping me toward my goal of empowering underserved populations to care for their own health. Your support means the world to me!”


Building the Vision: Patricia and Robert Lawrence and Barbara and Donald Jonas lead the way with gifts towards the Versailles campus With the close on the Versailles property official in October 2017, Frontier supporters begin to offer their financial support to see the campus renovations and designs completed. Ahead of the launch of a capital campaign, Frontier’s board members, volunteers, and closest supporters will lead the way in providing the support needed for the campus. “My husband and I made a contribution to the new campus for Frontier Nursing University with the greatest of pleasure. We have been most impressed with the way the University has adapted to today’s technology and set in motion plans to insure the educational goals of students across the country. We are impressed and proud of the many accomplishments of Frontier Nursing University and believe Mary Breckinridge would be equally proud and impressed!” – Patricia (Courier 1946) and Robert Lawrence – Donors to the Labor and Delivery Room (LDR) Birthing Simulation Room in the Academic Center

Barbara and Donald Jonas

Patricia and Robert Lawrence

“When Barbara and I learned that Frontier Nursing University was expanding its campus to Versailles, we wanted to continue our support for their incredible work in nursing and midwifery education and leadership,” said Donald Jonas, Co-founder and President of Jonas Philanthropies. “To date, 10 of our Jonas Scholars who work to improve healthcare for the most vulnerable have graduated from Frontier. We’re inspired by their work and hope the new birthing simulation facility will provide a meaningful, engaging learning experience for students and staff for years to come.”

2017 President’s Report | 23


Courier Program and Wendover 2017 Couriers Leave a Lasting Impact in the Communities They Served While they were only here for a mere eight weeks, the 2017 Couriers were able to accomplish and experience many things this summer. Couriers spent an average of 35-40 hours a week at their clinical sites and with community partners. Their work spanned across Leslie, Perry, and Clay Counties in Kentucky as well as Wise, Virginia. Prior to starting their experiences, seven Couriers had the opportunity to attend FNU’s annual Diversity Impact Weekend. They learned about diversity in healthcare and also attended a session about the history of Appalachia. In July, seven Couriers assisted with Red Bird Mission’s annual health fair. They also spent a weekend at the largest Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in the country. In addition to all of this service, Couriers assisted with six student dinners at the Big House. As part of their clinical work, each Courier led a special project created for their site. Ronnie Sloan and Brigid Horan assisted with the organization of the Red Bird Health Fair. Calla Michalak helped acquire pedometers for patients at Hometown Clinic. Brie Belz worked on informative literature dispelling myths about needle exchange programs, and Matt Hodges assisted with the introduction of Narcan® into local clinics. Claire Gasparovich served with Health Wagon and Camp Bethel in Wise, Va. She created systems to provide more efficient development for next year’s interns working on Health Wagon’s Remote Area Medical (RAM) event. Brittany Imel served with Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital, the Leslie

County Public Library, and the Stinnett Community Center. She worked with Dr. Haas, the hospital’s new pediatrician, to create and present health programming for youth attending Big Creek Missions’ summer camp. Zandy Stovicek served with Kentucky River District Health Department, Stinnett Community Center, and Bluegrass Care Navigators. She worked with the health department to revamp prenatal care within Leslie County.

Couriers Attend Remote Area Medical (RAM) Event in Partnership with Health Wagon

The Couriers attended the Remote Area Medical (RAM) event in Wise, Va. The Remote Area Medical’s mission to prevent pain and alleviate suffering is fueled by donors and volunteers who support the operation of mobile medical clinics that deliver free, high-quality vision, dental, and medical services to children, individuals, and families who do not have access or cannot afford a visit to a doctor. Since 1985, RAM’s Corps of more than 100,000 Humanitarian Volunteers, comprised of licensed dental, vision, veterinary, and medical professionals, have treated more than 700,000 individuals and 67,000 animals, delivering $112 million worth of free health care services. Thank you to Breckinridge Capital Advisors for their sponsorship of the 2017 Courier Program. Couriers who did not have access to funds from their respective schools received sponsorship funding to cover their Courier Program fee. All Couriers also received a gas allowance from our generous sponsor.

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Wendover Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center Enters Partnership with Snug Hollow Hand in Hand Consulting The notable Wendover Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center is adding a new chapter to its illustrious history. Seeking to revitalize its services, amenities and operations, Wendover partnered with Barbara Napier and Rhonda Childers of Snug Hollow Hand in Hand Consulting. The Wendover Bed & Breakfast history dates back to 1925 when pioneer nurse-midwife Mary Breckinridge, founder of Frontier Nursing Service (FNS), built the original log home known as the Big House. The historic headquarters of FNS, the Big House became a National Historic Landmark in 1991. With its serene mountain surroundings, Wendover offers comfortable accommodations and home-cooked meals. In addition to the Big House, Wendover offers housing in the Wendover Barn, the Garden House and the Cottage. The Livery is now a separate conference center well-equipped to host group meetings, retreats, and group celebrations. The total number of bedrooms at Wendover Bed and Breakfast Inn is 19, with 29 total beds and a total capacity of 35.

Barbara Napier and Rhonda Childers own and operate Snug Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast in Irvine, Ky. Snug Hollow, offering a 300-acre mountain retreat with gourmet dining in the heart of Kentucky, has operated as a highly successful B&B for the past seventeen years. Barbara and Rhonda bring their extensive expertise to Wendover, enhancing the overall operation in a variety of ways to deliver a complete guest experience honoring the Mary Breckinridge legacy. “We know what a treasure we have at Wendover and are very proud of its history,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “It is important to us that we continue to cherish that history and share it with others. We need to let people know it’s here and invite them to enjoy a first-class, unforgettable experience at Wendover Bed & Breakfast Inn and Retreat Center.”

2017 President’s Report | 25


Leadership Leadership Council Thank you to our volunteer Leadership Council for their service in 2017. These individuals meet twice annually, and work throughout the year to advise and participate in fundraising efforts for FNU. Betty Brown

Nancy Hines

Sandra Schreiber

Jane Campbell

Frank Hower, III

Mary Clay Stites

Michael Carter

Lindy Karns

Fra Vaughan

Peter Coffin

Fred Keller

Lees Breckinridge Yunits

Martha Copeland

Elizabeth Kramer

Julia Breckinridge Davis

Phyllis Leppert

John Foley

Helen Rentch

Susan Graham

Linda Roach

Frontier Trustees The Frontier Trustees are a group of individuals organized to support the mission of Frontier Nursing University through active engagement in University activities, playing an advisory role in strategic planning, providing thoughtful feedback to the organization, and acting as ambassadors of Frontier Nursing University in their own communities and fields. Mrs. Tia Andrew, Hamilton Parish

Mr. & Mrs. John Hodge, Berwyn, PA

Mrs. Austin Smithers, Lyme, NH

Ms. Sarah Bacon, Brooklyn, NY

Mrs. Robin Frentz Isaacs, Lincoln, MA

Mrs. Robert Steck, Arlington, MA

Mrs. Andrea Begley, Hyden, KY

Mrs. Mary Carol Joseph, Mayor, City of Hyden

Mrs. Mary Clay Stites, Louisville, KY

Mrs. Heather Bernard, Hamilton, NY

Ms. Deborah M. King, Westport, MA

Mr. Richard Sturgill, Paris, KY

Gov. Steven Beshear, Lexington, KY

Mrs. Patricia Lawrence, Westwood, MA

Ms. Mary Frazier Vaughan, Lexington, KY

Mrs. Betty Brown, Louisville, KY

Mrs. Henry Ledford, Big Creek, KY

Mrs. LouAnne Roberts Verrier, Austin, TX

Dr. Timothy Bukowski, Chapel Hill, NC

Mrs. Marian Leibold, Cincinnati, OH

Dr. Patience White, Bethesda, MD

Dr. Wallace Campbell, Berea, KY

Dr. Ruth Lubic, Washington, DC

Mr. Harvie Wilkinson, Lexington, KY

Miss Anna Carey, Hyden, KY

Mr. William Lubic, Washington DC

Ms. Carlyle Carter, Evanston, IL

Mr. Wade Mountz, Louisville, KY

Mrs. Jean Chapin, Oldwick, NJ

Mr. Robert Montague, Urbanna, VA

Dr. Holly Cheever, Voorheesville, NY

Dr. Judy Myers, Lexington, KY

Mrs. Lois Cheston, Topsfield, MA

Mrs. Barbara Napier, Hyden, KY

Mrs. Julia Breckinridge Davis, Winston-Salem, NC

Dr. Spencer Noe, Lexington, KY

Mrs. John Dete, West Liberty, OH

Mrs. Frank O’Brien, Boston, MA

Mrs. Selby Ehrlich, Bedford, NY

Mr. Dean Osborne, Hyden, KY

Mrs. Robert Estill, Raleigh, NC

Mrs. Helen Rentch, Midway, KY

Mrs. Angela Feltner, Hyden, KY

Mrs. John Richardson, Washington, DC

Mrs. Noel Smith Fernandez, Pomona, NY

Mrs. Linda Roach, Lexington, KY

Mr. John Grandin, Chestnut Hill, MA

Mrs. Georgia Rodes, Lexington, KY

Dr. Joyce Fortney Hamberg, Southgate, KY

Mrs. Sandra Schreiber, Louisville, KY

Dr. Horace Henriques, Lyme, NH

Mrs. Sherrie Rice Smith, Franklin, WI

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Ruth and Bill Lubic Join Frontier Trustees We are honored that Ruth and Bill Lubic joined the Frontier Trustees in 2017. Ruth and Bill Lubic have been instrumental in the strategic direction, vision, and growth of Frontier.


Board of Directors Chair Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, FAAN, FNP/GNP-BC Tumbling Shoals, AR Vice Chair Michael T. Rust, Louisville, KY Secretary Wallace Campbell, PhD, Berea, KY Treasurer Della Deerfield, CPA, Richmond, KY Board Members Peter Coffin, Chair, Frontier Nursing Service, Inc. Foundation Chestnut Hill, MA Eunice (Kitty) Ernst, CNM, MPH, Perkiomenville, PA Nancy Hines, Shepherdsville, KY Jean Johnson, PhD, RN, FAAN, Cabin John, MD Phyllis Leppert, RN, CNM, MD, PhD, FACNM, Salt Lake City, UT

Front row (l-r): May Wykle, Kitty Ernst, Susan Stone, Phyllis Leppert, Wallace Campbell. Back Row (l-r): Peter Schwartz, Kerri Schuiling, Michael Carter, Jean Johnson, Robert Montague. Not pictured: Della Deerfield, Nancy Hines, Marcus Osborne, Mike Rust, Nancy Fugate Woods.

Emma Metcalf, RN, MSN, CPHQ, Louisville, KY Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR Kerri Schuiling, PhD, CNM, FAAN, FACNM, Marquette, MI Peter A. Schwartz, MD, Wyomissing, PA Nancy Fugate Woods, PhD, RN, FAAN, Seattle, WA May Wykle, PhD, Cleveland, OH Board Members Emeritus John Foley, Lexington, KY Marion McCartney, CNM, FACNM, Washington, D.C. Kenneth J. Tuggle, JD, Louisville, KY

Marcus Osborne Joins FNU Board of Directors The FNU Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Marcus Osborne to the board in September 2017. Marcus serves as Vice President, Health & Wellness Transformation for Walmart. In that role, he is focused on furthering Walmart’s stated goal of improving the healthcare industry in the U.S. by increasing access, quality and affordability in the system for consumers. Prior to joining Walmart, Marcus was a Senior Management Consultant with Alliance Consulting Group in Boston, Massachusetts. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative. Marcus attended the Harvard Business School and received his Master’s in Business Administration, graduating with honors. 2017 President’s Report | 27


Ways to Give: A Lasting Investment Your investment in Frontier Nursing University is an investment in quality healthcare for all. There are many ways you can support FNU. Gifts ranging from donations for operations to trust instruments to testamentary gifts each provide much-needed support for our work. Some of the more common methods are:

Annual Fund Donation: Gifts may be made by check or credit card and can support the general operations of FNU, or be restricted to particular programs. You can use the enclosed remittance envelope or make a gift online at www.frontier.edu/online-giving. Stock Gifts: You can donate your appreciated stock directly to FNU. Please call the Office of Development for instructions. Charitable Remainder Trusts: These gift instruments allow you and/or your loved ones to benefit from monies placed in the trust during your/their lifetime. Upon the death of the named beneficiary, the remaining balance in the trust is transferred to FNU. Perpetual Income Trusts: These gift instruments allow the income from monies you place in trust to benefit FNU in perpetuity. The principal of your gift remains intact for the life of the trust, and the income it generates is transferred periodically to FNU. Life Insurance: You can name FNU as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, or transfer ownership of the policy directly to FNU. Charitable Gift Annuity: You can give a one-time gift to FNU in exchange for fixed, recurring payments over the balance of your life. Upon your death, the balance of your original gift is maintained by FNU for its general use. Testamentary Gifts: You may make provision in your will to provide a specific bequest to FNU, or provide for some or all of your remaining estate to be given to FNU upon your death. Each of these gifts has specific tax implications. Please contact your attorney or financial advisor for further information. For additional information on making a gift to FNU, please call 859-899-2828 or email Denise Barrett, Chief Advancement Officer, at denise.barrett@frontier.edu.

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Answering the Call.

2017 President’s Report | 29


Campus: 195 School Street P.O. Box 528 Hyden, KY 41749 FNU@frontier.edu 606.672.2312 Frontier.edu Wendover: 132 FNS Drive Wendover, KY 41775 30 | 2017 President’s Report


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