FNU Quarterly Bulletin Summer 2023, Volume 98, Number 2

QUARTERLY BULLETIN

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

A Message from Dr. Stone Regarding the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Race and Admissions

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis in admissions. At FNU, we are entirely committed to building a diverse healthcare workforce. We understand and recognize the need to narrow the health disparity gap, which continues to increase year to year. For example, we know that maternal mortality has increased across our country every year for the last three years. In 2021, it was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births compared to 20.1 in 2019 and 23.8 in 2020. In 2021, the rate for black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 births, which is 2.6 times the rate for white women. We know that racially concordant care between healthcare providers and their patients improves trust and communication, resulting in improved healthcare outcomes. Creating a diverse healthcare workforce is an imperative step towards improved healthcare outcomes. At Frontier Nursing University, we are committed to the core concepts of equity, access, and social justice. We will adhere to the court’s ruling while continuing to strive to create a diverse student body and graduate healthcare providers who deliver culturally and racially competent care across the United States. We are committed to inclusive excellence for all of our students, faculty, and staff.

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Stone President, Frontier Nursing University

President’s Cabinet

Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, FACNM

President

Shelley Aldridge, BA

Chief Operations Officer

Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Emily Fangue, CPA, MBA, Chief Financial Officer

Bobbi Silver, Chief Advancement Officer

Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN

Dean of Nursing

Academic Administration

Jess Calohan, DNP, PMHNP-BC

FAAN

Department Chair of PsychiatricMental Health

Lisa Chappell, Ph.D., FNP-BC

Department Chair of Family Nursing

Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

DNP Director

Rachel Risner, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs

Eileen Thrower, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM

Department Chair for the Department of Midwifery and Women’s Health

Dear Friends,

For the past several years, we have made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) the central focus of our summer issue of the Quarterly Bulletin. It is an opportunity for us to share the latest news, data, and information about FNU’s DEI-focused initiatives and events, such as our Diversity Impact Conference held for the 13th consecutive year in June. While that is our signature DEI event, our Office of Diversity and Inclusion stays extremely busy year-round with a number of initiatives and programs that continue to build a strong culture of inclusiveness at Frontier.

The importance of our DEI work and its impact on healthcare in our country has been proven time and again by data demonstrating that culturally concordant care yields better health outcomes. It is clear that a diversified healthcare system is good for everyone. Despite the overwhelming data, hurdles, both old and new, remain in place, such as the Supreme Court’s recent decision on race and admission at colleges and universities.

In these pages, you will see the importance of our work and how it benefits all of our students and our communities. In addition to an update on FNU’s DEI programs, this issue of the Quarterly Bulletin includes our statement about the Supreme Court ruling and stories about students and alumni who are sure to impress you. We also have a complete list of our upcoming events for the fall, which is our busiest time of the year, highlighted, of course, by commencement.

Great things are happening at Frontier Nursing University, and I am honored to share all of this incredible information and these amazing stories with you. I hope they make you as proud as they do me. Thank you for taking the time to read the Quarterly Bulletin and staying informed and engaged in Frontier. It takes all of us working together to make Frontier great. Thank you for being a part of our mission and journey.

Sincerely,

Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM

Join Us for the President’s Celebration Gala on October 27

Join Frontier Nursing University for a President’s Celebration Gala on Friday, October 27, from 6:00-11:00 p.m. at the Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott. This special event will celebrate and honor the many accomplishments of FNU during the past 30 years under the leadership of Dr. Susan Stone. We are excited to honor Dr. Stone as she transitions from FNU president to her new role as the university’s appointed Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing. We recommend making hotel reservations soon, as other local events that weekend include Keeneland horse racing and a college football game. FNU has secured a block of rooms at the Marriott Griffin Gate and the Clarion Hotel Conference Center.

2023-24 Event Calendar

Commencement:

September 23, 11 a.m.

Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.

New Alumni & Family Open House:

September 23, 2-6 p.m.

FNU Campus, Versailles, Ky.

National Midwifery Week: October 1-7

Virtual Event

National Nurse Practitioner Week: November 12-18

Virtual Event

Homecoming: March 23, 2024

Versailles, Ky.

Scan to learn more about President's Celebration Gala

FNU Awards Scholarship to Local High School Student

She plans to attend Bluegrass Community and Technical College this fall.

“Frontier Nursing University became a member of the Woodford County community in 2019 and is proud to be a community partner in our new home,” said Chief Advancement Officer Bobbi Silver, who presented the scholarship to Samantha during the Woodford County High School awards celebration. “It is our honor to provide a $1,000 scholarship to graduating senior Samantha Padgett. We are thrilled that the recipient of the Frontier Nursing University Scholarship is going to further their education by going into the nursing profession.”

Frontier Nursing University has established the Frontier Nursing University Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior at Woodford County High School who intends to pursue a career in nursing. On May 23, 2023, Samantha Padgett became the first recipient of the Frontier Nursing University Scholarship.

FNU Staff Active in Local Community Leadership

The Frontier Nursing University Scholarship is just one of the many ways FNU has connected with its new community. For

example, during the pandemic, FNU worked in conjunction with the Woodford County Health Department to serve as a vaccination site. FNU also is a sponsor and frequent presenter in the monthly Woodford County Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Round Table. In May 2023, FNU staff members Te’sia Carter, Jelena Djuricic, and Quincy Fuehne completed the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce’s firstever Woodford Leadership Academy, and Brittney Kinison completed the Leadership Central Kentucky program.

“We are honored to call Versailles our home and are grateful for the opportunities we have had to give back to the community,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We hope that initiatives such as the Frontier Nursing University Scholarship help strengthen our bonds in the community and encourage more local students to consider a career in nursing.”

FNU staff members (L-R) Te’sia Carter, Jelena Djuricic, and Quincy Fuehne completed the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce’s Woodford Leadership Academy.

FNU Chief Advancement Officer Bobbi Silver (left) and Frontier Nursing University Scholarship recipient Samantha Padgett (right)

Director of Marketing and Communications Brittney Kinison (left) completed the Leadership Central Kentucky Program. Pictured with Chief Advancement Officer Bobbi Silver (right).

Frontier Nursing University Community Members Recognized at the 2023 ACNM Conference

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and preceptors of Frontier Nursing University (FNU) had the opportunity to attend the 68th Annual American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Meeting and Exhibition May 5-9 in Orlando, Florida. Among the many highlights, FNU faculty Tia Andrighetti, DNP, CNM, APRN, CHSE-A, CNE, Kim Flanders, DNP, CNM, and Noelle Jacobsen, DNP, CNM, APRN, were inducted as ACNM Fellows. An ACNM Fellow “is an honor bestowed upon those midwives whose demonstrated leadership within ACNM, clinical excellence, outstanding scholarship, and professional achievement have merited special recognition both within and outside of the midwifery profession.”

Several FNU students attended the conference via FNU’s Professional Organizational Mentoring Program (POMP). POMP allows underrepresented students to be mentored at a designated conference. Through this, students are able to expand their learning, educational, and professional opportunities. Students Miriam Fawaz, Zekeyra Guishard, Kaede Johnson, and Ebonique Shanks attended with faculty mentor Dr. Heidi Loomis this year.

FNU also had an exhibit booth at the conference and also hosted an FNU alumni and friends reception. More than 100 attended the reception, which included a celebration of FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, and her service to FNU.

FNU faculty were active throughout the conference and gave the following presentations and workshops:

• AMCB Boards Bootcamp Worskshop, presented by Dr. Kendra Faucett

• Suturing Workshop, presented by Drs. Tanya Baca, Julie Daniels, Noelle Jacobsen, and Eileen Thrower,

• Teaching Diagnostic Reasoning Online Using Simulation, presented by Drs. Tia Andrighetti, Tanya Baca, and Julie Daniels

• Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: Instructional Strategies to Support

Student Success, presented by Megan Arbour, Jane Houston (University of Central Florida and previous FNU faculty), and Kelly Walker (Georgetown University)

• Investigating the Relationship between Restrictive Regulation of Nurse-Midwives and Professional Burnout: A Seven-State Comparison of Autonomous and Restrictive Regulatory Environments, presented by Dr. Ann Schaeffer, Dr. Brie Thumm (University of Colorado), and Dr. Alex Michel (University of Hawaii)

• Graduate Midwifery Students’ Experiences of Bias in the Clinical Setting, presented by Dr. Heidi Loomis

• Global Warming and Threats to Maternal Child Health: Implications and Strategies for Leading the Future Midwifery Workforce, poster presentation by Dr. Katie Moriarty

FNU students with their POMP Mentor, Dr. Heidi Loomis, and FNU President Dr. Susan Stone (third from left)

FNU faculty were very active at the conference, leading workshops and giving presentations.

Frontier Nursing University Attends 2023 AANP Conference

Frontier Nursing University faculty, staff, students, alumni, and preceptors attended the 2023 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) national conference held June 20-25 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme of the conference, which is the largest nurse practitioner conference in the United States, was “Restoring, Recharging and Renewing the Nurse Practitioner Community.”

Frontier was well represented and significantly involved in the many conference events and activities. FNU faculty were active throughout the conference and gave the following presentations and workshops:

• Simplified Urine Drug Test Interpretation, presented by Dr. Estella Wetzel with Dr. Mary Hunt

• Intimate Partner Violence: The Impact on Women and the Community, a poster presentation by Dr. Diane John and Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale

FNU Students Named 2023 AANP Scholarship Recipients

Three FNU students were recently awarded scholarships from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). AANP awarded a total of $145,000 in professional funding to 51 members through eight grants and 43 scholarships. The three FNU scholarship recipients are Kristi Castellano, BSN, RN; Lola Rodden, RN; and Charlie Scheck, RN, BSN, CCRN.

• An Algorithmic Approach to Transgender Care in Primary Care, a poster presentation by Dr. Amber Littlefield, Dr. Tammy Whitehead, and Dr. Joshua Barnes

FNU had an exhibit booth at the conference, sharing information about precepting and FNU degree tracks. Frontier also hosted an FNU alumni and friends breakfast reception, welcoming all FNU

community members, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, and preceptors

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2024 AANP national conference, which will be held June 25-30 in Nashville, Tennessee.

(L-R): Three FNU Professional Organization Mentoring Program students attended the conference along with their faculty mentor. Pictured left to right are Edalyn Shaw (student), Kris Swanson (student), Dr. Debra Hunt (faculty mentor), and Demetria Woodruff (student).

The FNU exhibit booth and the breakfast reception offered great opportunities for all members of the FNU community to connect during the conference.

Dr. Diane John (left) and Dr. Vicky StoneGale

Dr. Estella Wetzel (left) and Dr. Mary Hunt

FNU Holds 13th Annual Diversity Impact Conference

On June 8-9, Frontier Nursing University held its 13th annual Diversity Impact Conference. The Diversity Impact Conference brings together renowned thought leaders and speakers to increase awareness of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the healthcare workforce, particularly for those working in underserved and rural communities. This year, for the first time, the conference was made available for attendees outside of FNU. Students attending any institution were allowed to register for the conference for free. A total

of 134 attended the conference, including 39 students.

“This event is all about collaboration, learning, and growing,” said FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. “I’m confident that this event benefits any university, department, or individual.”

The 2023 Diversity Impact Conference was conducted via Zoom with the overarching theme: “Better Together: Advancing a

Diversity Impact Conference Presenters and

Culture of Identity and Belonging in Healthcare.” The two-day event featured keynote presentations on both days from nationally recognized leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additional sessions included panel discussions, breakout sessions, and time for reflection.

The opening keynote address was given by Dr. Tia Brown McNair, Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American

Speakers

Dr. Kendra Barrier

Marisa Hamamoto

Dr. Tia Brown McNair

Dr. Michelle Hampton

Dr. Patricia K. Bradley

Dr. Vicki HinesMartin

Dr. Jean Edward

Rebekka Eshler Shea Rose

Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, D.C. Dr. McNair is the lead author of “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk.”

On the second day of the conference, the keynote speaker was Rebekka Eshler, National President of the Transgender American Veterans Association in Washington, D.C. She spoke about pronouns and why they matter, and the

2023 Diversity Impact Survey Response

Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence at the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) at Villanova University, presented on “Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging in Nursing Education.” FNU Regional Clinical Faculty Dr. Heidi Loomis, DM, CRNP, CNM, presented “Graduate Midwifery Students’ Experiences of Bias in the Clinical Setting.”

On day two of the event, FNU President Dr. Susan Stone gave a presentation, “FNU Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts: Past, Present, Future.” In her presentation, Dr. Stone shared FNU’s history and acknowledgment statement, how and why FNU chose to make DEI a priority focus, and the results of those efforts to date. In addition to steadily improving diversity enrollment since the DEI efforts began, Dr. Stone shared the importance of the entire FNU community supporting these initiatives and gave the example of the FNU Board of Directors, who created their own DEI Committee and established a $2 million dollar endowed fund for scholarships for underrepresented students.

is ‘impact’,” Frontier Nursing University President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, said. “Diversity is more than a concept or a pie chart. Whether in an organization, a neighborhood, a business, or a school, diversity has an impact. That impact comes in many forms. In Frontier’s particular area of preparing advanced practice nurses and nurse-midwives, the impact of a diverse student body, diverse faculty, and diverse staff results in diverse graduates who are equipped to answer the call to serve in the communities in which they live all over the country.”

FNU has already begun making plans for the 14th annual Diversity Impact Conference to be held in 2024. With the addition of external attendees, this signature event continues to grow and widen its important message and reach.

“Advancing a culture of identity and belonging is a hallmark of FNU,” said FNU Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Chris Turley. “We aim to continue breaking down barriers by engaging stakeholders and impacting every community we touch.

importance of using a person’s correct name rather than their “dead” name. She shared data demonstrating that utilizing the correct pronouns reduces suicide rates by two-thirds among transgender individuals.

Among the other presentations throughout the conference was a panel discussion with DEI officers from other universities and organizations, discussing the challenges and successes of offices of DEI throughout the country. Marisa Hamamoto, the founder of Infinite Flow, an award-winning nonprofit dance company that employs disabled and nondisabled artists with diverse, intersectional identities with a mission to use dance as a catalyst to dismantle biases and promote inclusion., spoke on the importance of accessibility and inclusivity.

Dr. Patricia Bradley, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Associate Professor and the Inaugural

2023 Diversity Impact Survey Response

2023 Diversity Impact Conference Sponsors:

• Assured Partners

• FNU Board of Directors

• Education Dynamics

• The Virtual Care Group

• University of Kentucky College of Nursing

“When Frontier Nursing University first held the ‘Diversity Impact Conference’ over a decade ago, we chose the name carefully. ‘Diversity’ and ‘conference’ were obvious choices, but the word that truly describes what this conference is all about

• Heartland Communications Consultants

“This conference helped broaden my perspective on the importance of inclusion and belonging in the nursing profession and how to ensure we focus on both of these aspects as we teach future nurses and in our clinical practice areas.”

“It was a wonderful conference that provided great information regarding DEI. I gained new information that will help me care for patients better. The information was both informative and practical.”

FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Dr. Paula AlexanderDelpech

Named

Chair-Elect

of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN) has named Frontier Nursing University Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, as the network’s Chair-Elect.

DEILN serves as a convening body to unite expertise, experience, and guidance for academic nursing in Leading Across Differences. This network collectively explores innovative approaches to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic nursing and the nursing workforce.

DEILN supports the efforts of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and its more than 865 schools of nursing, as well as academic nursing at the local, regional, and national levels, to advance diversity and inclusion. These efforts include, but are not limited to:

• Sharing evidence-based promising practices

• Engaging with the membership

• Providing consultative services

• Convening networking forums

“I am honored to have been chosen as the Chair-Elect of DEILN,” Dr. AlexanderDelpech said. “This presents a wonderful collaborative opportunity for all members of DEILN and the institutions we represent to share our knowledge and experience to improve the effectiveness of our collective DEI efforts across the country.”

The goal of DEILN is to align its efforts with the strategic diversity goals and objectives of AACN and the larger nursing community. Membership in DEILN is open to all faculty, deans, and staff with an interest in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

FNU Launches DEI Staff Ambassador Program

This summer, FNU launched the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Staff Ambassador program. This program mirrors the Nurse Educator DEI Fellowship program initiated by FNU in January. Ten faculty members participated in the 12-week initiative, which was fully funded by Frontier. FNU has since been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Mars Foundation to expand the DEI Fellowship to include four additional faculty.

Like the Nurse Educator Fellowship program, the Staff Ambassador program

rejects the traditional DEI approach and uses an individualized peer education model to facilitate the development of knowledge and skills to engage in anti-racism education.

The DEI Staff Ambassador program aims to promote the acquisition of DEIrelated skills, build DEI capacity within the University, and evaluate a peer-topeer education model to improve staff knowledge and engagement in anti-racism work. The program will include weekly 2-3 hour sessions.

“These initiatives came out of the President’s DEI Task Force,” said FNU Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. “I am so proud that the university has invested in this important development and training.”

A national as well as university leader, Dr. Alexander-Delpech, presented “The Development of A Faculty DEI Fellows Program” at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Diversity Leadership Institute last June.

Frontier Nursing University Student Veterans of America Group Gains National Chapter Status

Association FNU Chapter Faculty Advisor Dr. Sybilla Myers, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, speaking on behalf of the SVA student board of directors. “FNU achieving recognition as an SVA chapter is important because it provides a platform of readily accessible resources for members at FNU to use for personal and professional advancement. The FNU SVA chapter also provides a military presence at the University. While our charter is just starting out, we aim to improve awareness and provide mentorship on how to better support the needs of veterans, veteran family members

FNU’s Student Interest Groups are sponsored by the university’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In addition to the SVA, Frontier has established the following Student Interest Groups:

• International Students in Nursing

• LGBTQIA+ Students in Nursing

• Men in Nursing

• Neurodivergent Students in Nursing

• Students of Color in Nursing

Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) Student Veterans of America, one of six Student Interest Groups at FNU, has been accepted into the Student Veterans of America (SVA) national network.

With a focused mission on empowering student veterans, SVA is committed to providing an educational experience that goes beyond the classroom. Through a dedicated network of more than 1,500 oncampus chapters in all 50 states and four countries representing more than 750,000 student veterans, SVA aims to inspire yesterday’s warriors by connecting student veterans with a community of like-minded chapter leaders. Every day these passionate leaders work to provide the necessary resources, network support, and advocacy to ensure student veterans can effectively connect, expand their skills, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential.

“SVA membership provides military-specific scholarship and networking within the military and veteran community across the United States,” said Student Veterans

and support persons, and provide future practitioners with resources to pass on. The Chapter’s goals are to connect members with resources needed for personal and academic success, raise the visibility of student veterans and family members at Frontier Nursing University and create camaraderie among student veterans and student family members of veterans.”

Recognition as an SVA chapter gives the FNU student group access to the organization’s programs, support for events, and other resources.

“At Frontier Nursing University, the voices of our students are paramount. After several town hall meetings with students, what I heard from the students was the need to have groups of likeness — affinity groups,” said FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula AlexanderDelpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. “The SIGs are student-driven, and students drive all initiatives, Each SIG has different goals they want to achieve and go about achieving those goals in collaboration with their faculty advisors. Inclusion in the national Student Veterans of America network provides expanded resources and opportunities for FNU’s student veterans and military-connected students.”

Dr. Sybilla Myers, Student Veterans Association FNU Chapter Faculty Advisor

Recognition as an SVA chapter gives the FNU student group access to the organization’s programs, support for events, and other resources.

Spotlight on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The commitment of a university or any other organization to a cause or goal requires contributions and commitment from many people. In 2006, Frontier Nursing University made the collective decision to increase the student population’s diversity intentionally. Among the many reasons for this and the subsequent initiatives and programs was the undeniable data demonstrating that healthcare disparities could be dramatically reduced via culturally concordant care.

FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, drove this commitment. With the full support of the FNU Board of Directors and Frontier faculty and staff, much progress has been made over the ensuing years. From the

A Timeline of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Frontier

2006: Objectives included in the strategic plan to increase the diversity of the student body

2010: Established goal to increase minority enrollment to 15% by 2010.

2010: PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity) Program was established.

2010: Annual Diversity Impact Conference established

2018: Established goal to increase student of color enrollment to 30%

2018: Established goal to increase student of color retention rate from an average of 66% to an average of 80% by June 2021

2018: Established the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and made the person in that position a member of the President’s Cabinet

2021: Created the President’s DEI Task Force with the purpose of identifying, implementing, and evaluating initiatives to address diversity, equity, and inclusion within the FNU community

2021: Created 7 subcommittees of the President’s DEI Task Force:

• Subcommittee on Faculty, Staff, and Preceptor Development and Retention

• Subcommittee on Curriculum and Learning

• Subcommittee on Climate and Belonging

• Subcommittee on Retention of Underrepresented Students

• Subcommittee on Policies, Statements, Reports, Reviews, Planning and Evaluation

• Subcommittee on Infrastructure, System Strengthening, and Capacity Building

• Subcommittee on Recruitment Across the Entire University

2021: Created the Anti-Racism and Bias Advisory Council

2021: Board of Directors Created their own DEI Committee

2021: Board of Directors established a $2 million endowed fund for scholarships for underrepresented students

2022: Bias Incident Report Advisory Council formed

2022: Land Acknowledgment Ceremony and sign to acknowledge that Versailles, Kentucky is the traditional territory of the Shawnee and Cherokee people.

establishment of the PRIDE (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity) Program in 2010 to the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer position and 13 years of the Diversity Impact Conference, Dr. Stone has championed the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, creating a culture that promises to live on long beyond her impending transition to the Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing.

2023: Launched DEI Faculty Fellows program

2023: Launched DEI Staff Ambassador program

2023: Established Safe Space for Students Initiative

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards

2018-22: Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award (5 consecutive years)

2021: Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Leadership Award presented by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Dr. Stone has championed the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, creating a culture that promises to live on long beyond her impending transition to the Distinguished Chair of Midwifery.

“Dr. Stone’s commitment to FNU’s DEI agenda began over a decade ago with the initiation of the PRIDE Program and the Diversity Impact Conference,” said FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN. More recently, she bravely and transparently formed a task force to examine FNU’s past and how that knowledge impacts our current culture and informs our future DEI position, policies, and initiatives.“

By establishing goals, developing an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and creating several committees garnering input from all corners of the university, Dr. Stone has helped make DEI part of the fabric of the university.

“Dr. Stone’s understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion led her to make DEI an integral part of the university’s strategic plan and the implementation of the President DEI taskforce," said FNU Chief Diversity and

Inclusion Officer Dr. Paula AlexanderDelpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN. “Her devotion to DEI is admirable and empowers everyone at FNU to succeed more as we achieve our goals as a university.”

“Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it takes more than one university to make it happen,” said Dr. Stone. “Nonetheless, Frontier has long been committed to being a leader for change. We have prioritized increasing the diversity of our student population. Our enrollment of students of color has grown from 9 percent in 2010 to over 27 percent today. We have a threeperson Diversity and Inclusion Office, a Board of Directors Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, a Faculty DEI Fellowship program, student interest groups, and many other DEI-focused initiatives. All of these are ongoing – we have not reached the finish line. Like the rest of the world, we are a work in progress, and progress is indeed being made at Frontier Nursing University.”

FNU’s AntiRacism Statement:

At Frontier Nursing University, we oppose injustice and cruelty and condemn racism in all its forms. We support peaceful protests and demonstrations and join all those working to end systemic racism, racial violence, and police brutality. We are committed to building a culture that is inclusive and caring for all.

Percentage of Students Identifying as Students of Color

Triana Boggs: Serving the Underserved

2014. For the next five years, she worked as a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit, then enrolled at Frontier Nursing University to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing and to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife. She graduated in December 2021 and obtained the license and certifications needed to practice in Florida. She began working part-time in a community-based midwifery practice in Lakeland.

Motherland Birthing and Wellness join the Tampa Bay Birth Network. She was recently elected as a board member of the American Association of Birth Centers, where she is co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is also a regular attendee of the American College of Nurse-Midwives Florida chapter meetings.

The first step in solving a problem is understanding what the problem is. As Triana Boggs, APRN, CNM (Class 186), opens Motherland Birthing and Wellness LLC this summer, she does so with firsthand knowledge of how it can help address the community’s needs.

“I became a teen mother at the age of 16 and experienced the worst of what the United States maternity care system is often known for,” said Boggs, who grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. “Without knowing or ever having heard of the term midwife, after my traumatic birth experience, midwifery became my calling.”

The middle of three children, Boggs was raised by a single mother. With limited resources available, the family relied on government assistance for everything from housing to food to healthcare.

“My passion for community service and engagement stems from my childhood experiences of being a child in need,” Boggs said.

Boggs’ determination to one day help others meant she had to begin by helping herself. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisville in

“In the state of Florida, CNMs are licensed as APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses),” Boggs said. “Nurse practitioners are required to meet certain requirements and physician supervision before being fully autonomous providers. As of April of 2023, I have met all of the requirements set by the Florida Board of Nursing and am now practicing as an autonomous licensed APRN. I am able to perform all women’s health services, including wellness exams, gynecological care, contraceptive counseling, inserting and removing contraceptive implants and devices, as well as obstetric care and newborn care up to 28 days of life.”

At the time of this interview, Boggs’ was expected to open Motherland Birthing and Wellness LLC on August 14. In the midst of all the planning and fundraising leading up to the grand opening, she has continued to work as a part-time homebirth midwife. In doing so, she has grown her network with other healthcare providers and entities in the community.

“Working alongside great licensed midwives this past year has helped me to establish a trusting relationship with local hospitals and obstetricians,” she said. “There are also several FNU alumni midwives who I stay connected with that have hospital privileges and work in supportive facilities.”

Looking to network and collaborate with other midwifery practices, birth workers, and hospitals, Boggs intends to have

In growing her network, Boggs also hopes to grow her business to help as many people in her community as possible.

“My practice will be supporting one to three home birth clients per month and servicing a large number of clients who wish to have prenatal and postpartum care only while planning to give birth at a hospital,” Boggs said. “Currently, I am the sole owner and practitioner in my practice and have hired two trained birthing assistants to support myself and clients during births. As my practice and needs in the community grow, I hope to hire a second midwife as well as accept students to precept for community birth experience. Any FNU student looking to gain more

Triana Boggs, APRN, CNM

experience in community care is welcome at Motherland Birthing and Wellness.”

The process of opening her own practice has been an arduous and time-consuming task, but Boggs has jumped in with both feet, accepting the various challenges as she goes. Along the way, she has continued to learn about running a business and how hers can become a central part of the community.

“As a solo owner and practitioner, time has been my biggest challenge,” Boggs said. “I have spent a great deal of time strategizing for funding, marketing, and learning the details of billing and how to run a business while still seeing clients in the office and being on call. My community has a great midwifery support system that answers questions and helps connect me with the right resources, so I am beyond thankful for them. To help overcome the challenge of funding for start-up costs and office space, I have also created a Kickstarter campaign where friends, family, and anyone in the community can donate.”

Boggs describes Motherland Birthing and Wellness as “a comprehensive communitybased women’s health and maternity care service.” Services offered include home birth, prenatal and postpartum care, hospital birth support, annual wellness care, contraceptive counseling, as well as in-person and online childbirth education courses. Motherland Birthing and Wellness will cover a large portion of the Tampa and Lakeland area, servicing both Hillsborough and Polk Counties.

Boggs chose Frontier because the online format worked well with her busy schedule, which included raising two small children while working full-time as a NICU nurse. She credits Frontier with helping her to begin to turn her dreams of opening her own practice into a reality.

“FNU offered an online and manageable curriculum that made life outside of being a student actually attainable,” Boggs said. “The support from FNU alumni and the

positive reputation that FNU had, made the choice very simple. FNU prepared me to be resourceful and open to change. During the COVID pandemic, FNU showed me how to pivot and continue to learn in a non-traditional sense. In my current role, I am constantly finding new solutions and pivoting to what is necessary at the moment. I reference notes and resources from my studies at FNU to this day. The vision and goal of establishing Motherland Birthing and Wellness began as a FNU student. Being able to do a community assessment and research the needs of the community in NM700 really opened my eyes to the services that were in short supply, and I began to make a plan to be able to fill those needs. I felt very prepared after graduating and am proud to be an FNU alum.”

Since graduation, Boggs has continued her preparation. Her work in the community has helped her develop trust from other providers and her potential clients. Those connections have made her even more sure that having her own practice is what she wants to do and what the community needs her to do.

“There is a significant need in my community for midwifery care amongst low socioeconomic status populations, and my practice will help support and fill that need,” Boggs said. “As a black midwife, I am proud to market and encourage black and

brown clients to seek care with Motherland Birthing and Wellness. I have noticed a large number of minority families looking for care from a provider with whom they can culturally identify. A large percentage of the clients that I anticipate seeing will be from marginalized ethnicities. We will also be one of only a small number of practices in the area that accept Medicaid insurance.”

While the short-term needs are apparent, Boggs stresses that she is interested in longterm solutions. She plans for Motherland Birthing and Wellness to bring about long-lasting change. Long-term goals would include hiring a family nurse practitioner, a licensed mental health counselor, and a second midwife.

“The goal is to create a safe space for the entire family to be cared for,” she said. “I would love for Motherland Birthing and Wellness to be a multi-disciplinary practice specializing in family health, mental wellness, and maternity care. The goal will be to coordinate care under one roof instead of having clients make multiple appointments and travel to multiple locations.”

Achieving that goal would mean a new perspective on healthcare within the community, creating greater access and more trust between provider and patient.

“Midwifery as a profession positively impacts maternal and child health outcomes as well as patient experience,” Boggs said. “Being a midwife is so rewarding in many ways. The joy that I feel being a part of someone’s birthing experience is indescribable. I love educating and empowering my clients to be experts in their own bodies and to feel comfortable and confident with collaborative decision-making. I also enjoy working with students and providing them with education to continue this much-needed work.”

Nurse and Educator Dr. Tarnia Newton Teaches Nurses to be Advocates for All Patients

an overview of LGBTQ+ terminology, health disparities, and issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. It is truly believing, as a practitioner, the importance of offering affirmative care for all.”

Originally from the Bahamas, Dr. Newton had numerous aunts who were nurses, and her great-grandmother was an informal midwife for the rural island community of Andros in the Bahamas.

“It (nursing) may be in my genes,” Dr. Newton said. “I always liked to help people.”

Dr. Tarnia Newton, DNP, FNP-C

A self-proclaimed “disruptive innovator” and an educator of students she calls “JEDI nurses,” Tarnia Newton, DNP (Class 28), FNP-C, understands that change does not occur without action. It is a lesson she is instilling in her students at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, where she is an Assistant Clinical Professor and a member of the Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee.

In her role at Arizona, Dr. Newton has seen a shift in nursing and the understanding of the importance of culturally concordant care in healthcare outcomes.

“I think nursing as a whole had to really pause and honestly think about systemic and structural racism and the role it plays in health outcomes and what nursing institutions are doing about it,” Dr. Newton said. “I have successfully integrated Safe Zone Training into the DNP program. This introductory workshop provides

Dr. Newton embraced her nurturing manner and healthcare ancestry and pursued a career in nursing. She started as a Licensed Practical Nurse, working in pediatric home care. After obtaining her RN, she went into critical care. For 16 years as a critical care nurse, she worked in several specialties, including open heart, neurology, trauma, pediatric medical, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation perfusionist. She then went on to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.

When Dr. Newton decided to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), she picked Frontier Nursing University.

“I chose Frontier because it was an online program that genuinely focused on the DNP essentials and gave me the skills I would use in the clinical environment,” Dr. Newton said. “I always say it was the best money I spent on education. I would not be where I am today if it was not for Frontier. They have a great way of creating community and fantastic faculty. I have recommended many of my colleagues to attend Frontier to get their DNP, and just like me, they drank the Kool-Aid. Frontier gave me the tools to be a

disruptive innovator. It inspired me to be at the steering wheel of change, therefore truly preparing me for my current role.”

Though Dr. Newton did not formally become a professor until after completing her DNP, she had always enjoyed teaching others. She taught advanced cardiac life support and basic life support and assisted in her hospital’s annual clinical skills fair. Completing the DNP at Frontier in 2018 fully opened the doors to her current career in academia. Dr. Newton began working at Galen College of Nursing in December 2018.

True to her nature, Dr. Newton jumped right into her new career, soaking up knowledge and distributing it to others with equal enthusiasm. She has quickly become a

leader in higher education diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

“I recently completed the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) Diversity Leadership Institute, and my capstone project was focused on creating a

“As an educator, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through culturally responsive pedagogy is an alternative to improving cultural humility, thus improving community health.”

resource toolbox but also training faculty on culturally responsive pedagogy and how they can integrate it into their syllabus and classrooms,” Dr. Newton said. “As an educator, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through culturally responsive pedagogy is an alternative to improving cultural humility, thus improving community health.”

Data demonstrates that culturally concordant care improves healthcare outcomes. Providing culturally concordant care means increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce and educating healthcare professionals about its importance. It is a tall task, to be certain, but an essential one. It calls for the skills of a JEDI.

“My future goal is to actively participate in changing the landscape of nursing,” Dr. Newton said. “I am so passionate about nursing education to be transformative for students and creating JEDI nurses –meaning Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. It will take JEDI nurses to make a difference in healthcare to be patientcentered, creating inclusive environments for patients and healthy work environments for nurses that are nourishing and not toxic.”

Unfortunately, there is still far too much toxicity in the political climate, which ultimately spills over into other areas, including healthcare and education. Pushback and even legislation against university-driven DEI initiatives are becoming more common nationwide. Those actions demand a response, not a retreat.

“With the new anti-DEI legislation happening across the country, it has become worrisome, especially when considering the importance of health outcomes and how they genuinely relate to diversity, equity, structural racism, and biases,” Dr. Newton said. “Anti-DEI is truly not an option in educating future healthcare providers. The social determinants of health, equity, and justice have to be the focus. This is a time more than ever when we need to take a stand and recreate the nurses we need for the future. We need JEDI-nursing warriors to advocate for all patients. We need health policy, population health, JEDI attributes, and quality improvement skills to be fundamental to the vocational, associate, and bachelor’s level nursing curriculum. We often leave it to the master’s or even doctorate level, but it needs to be at a grass root level. We need to develop nurses who can transform communities by addressing inequity in healthcare practices to improve health outcomes.”

With Dr. Newton’s expertise, commitment, and passion, perhaps, in her case at least, those last two letters of “JEDI” nurse should stand for “Disruptive Innovator.”

1976 Frontier Alumnus Corinne Chabot Looks Back on Four Decades as a Nurse Practitioner

return home to Minnesota to real careers,” Chabot said “I was assigned to work in the clinic, otherwise known as the emergency room, with the supervision of other NPs.”

After nearly a year of working in the clinic, upon the urging of friends, Chabot enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. After graduating from Frontier, Chabot took a job with the National Health Service Corps in a rural hospital in the logging community of Forks, Washington.

Chabot moved to Reedsport, Oregon, two years later to work at a brand new Robert Woods Johnson rural practice project clinic. Working alongside a physician there, she provided family care, prenatal and postpartum visits, and occasionally delivered babies.

“This was a small town, and word spread there was a woman at the clinic who could do your pap smear and as well as talk about depression. I was busy,” Chabot said.

Corinne Dunn Chabot graduated from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing at the Frontier Nursing Service in 1976. For the next 40 years, she worked as a nurse practitioner (NP), retiring in 2016. Recently, she graciously took the time to share her stories from four decades of nursing.

“I arrived in Hyden, Kentucky, about a month after graduating from a four-year college program as a boarded Registered Nurse with zero experience in real life. My friend and I had planned to spend one adventurous year in Kentucky and then

“There was a great deal of discussion and disagreement about what people in this new role should even be called. The term ‘nurse practitioner’ came about as a way to define us as different from ‘ordinary nurses’ because of the skills we developed and the tasks we did,” Chabot said. “We examined patients and then made decisions about treatment plans. We chose medications and wrote prescriptions. This was almost treason in the vision of physicians and hospital nurses. There was a great deal of pushback in some areas until there were enough of us working in the field to show our fellow professionals what we could do and how we could help both them and the patients.”

Dedicated to bringing healthcare to rural and underserved areas, the National Health Service Corps proved to be a perfect fit fornurse practitioners.

“I was given extra coaching and observation and was put in the rotation of managing normal deliveries in the hospital, with a doctor always on-site,” Chabot said. “We all did well and had no obstetrical disasters on my watch. I also learned how to sew up chainsaw cuts very neatly.”

Not only did she have a full plate at the clinic, but Chabot also became a leader and advocate for nurse practitioners. Working with state nursing and medical groups, she helped define state laws for rural clinics like the Robert Woods Johnson clinic. She was also a key advocate for obtaining independent prescriptive privileges for the state’s nurse practitioners.

“Prescriptive privileges were a critical need for NPs working very distantly from their legally required preceptors,” Chabot said. “One of my patients was the wife of the state senate president, and she told me she was going to lots of parties and telling people about the role of nurse practitioners and the need for legal support. The law passed in 1979 as one of the first in the country.”

While living in Reedsport, Chabot married and became pregnant with her first child. She anxiously awaited the birth, but concerns grew as her due date came and went.

“When my labor finally started, it was four weeks past my due date,” Chabot said. “My perfect daughter could not

Corinne Chabot

survive beyond early labor. After there was no heartbeat, I was transferred to the next largest hospital for an eventual C-section.”

Chabot insists on sharing this tragic experience because of the important lessons that came with it. With family on the other side of the country, she and her husband found a family in their community.

“The La Leche League ladies brought us suppers for a month. I never carried my groceries to my car or pumped my gas. We were given space or comfort as needed. My patients, any and all, gave back what I had given, and I was humbled,” she said. “The experience of losing an infant also taught me about grief, grieving, healing, and living. The greatest gift my daughter gave me was the gift of empathy. I really know what grief pain is. That gift served me throughout the rest of my long career in primary care, pediatric psyche care, and in cancer care. That was my daughter’s gift to all my patients. I understood pain.”

Chabot shared her story as an essay on motherhood with loss for the National Public Radio show “Listen to Your Mother.” She and her husband later had two healthy sons and eventually moved to Maine, where her husband had grown up. They also spent time living in Minnesota, and Chabot

earned a Master of Science degree as an FNP from the University of Minnesota in 2000.

“I was returning to an educational process 27 years into my career as a ground floor nurse practitioner after introducing the role in several states,” she said. “I always felt I had learned the absolute bedrock of independent nursing practice and honest family-focused care at Frontier Nursing Service. What saved me from making many critical errors was that I learned from the best, most basic, independent, strong role models in the profession while they were forging a pathway to define what this new role would become. The Family Nurses and Midwives at the Frontier Nursing Service were unequaled both as caregivers and as teachers. I have always been proud to claim that certificate

from the Frontier Nursing Service as the strongest building block of my resume. It was recognized as such.”

In the latter part of her career, Chabot took on the challenge of learning something new and began working in oncology care and worked in the radiation department, helping patients cope with the side effects of treatment.

“The Frontier Nursing Service has really defined the trajectory of my whole life,” Chabot said. “I am always a nurse practitioner and will be a decision-maker until I die. My son, who is now a physician, told me once, ‘Mom, I want to be the one who knows what to do. Like you.’”

Corinne checks on the mother and baby after delivery.

Corinne with her husband, Dan.

Frontier Nursing University Student Leslie Copp Selected For Prestigious Tillman Scholar

face when they’re traumatized. I feel blessed to be here and to advocate for people.”

Copp’s nursing career started when she was 15 and got a worker’s permit to work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) while still in high school. She went on to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and worked in that role for nearly 13 years before earning her Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She attended Ivy Tech for her LPN and ASN and Vincennes University for her BSN.

Leslie Copp

As a kindergartner, Leslie Copp was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She remembers drawing a picture of a nurse in response. That was her dream then, and she never wavered from it. Now she is a student at Frontier Nursing University pursuing her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner, with intentions of continuing on to earn a doctor of nursing practice as well. She also has 22 years of experience as a nurse and is currently a forensic nurse examiner in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role, she treats trauma patients who are the victims of violence and is frequently called upon to testify in court.

“Watching my mother have to defend her and myself, and how scary that was, I know how children with trauma are affected the rest of their lives,” Copp said, reflecting on her own experiences with domestic violence. “But had I not gone through that, maybe I wouldn’t be able to care for my patients the way I do today. Our journey in life leads us to places we don’t expect. I’m so blessed to have not fallen victim to addictions or suicide or some of the things our patients

“They were all small schools,” said Copp, who is on schedule to graduate with her FNP from Frontier in December 2024. “Being a smaller school is what drove me towards Frontier. I have always liked the personal part, getting to know your instructors, not being just a number.”

Wanting to get back into ER nursing, Copp began working for Community Health Network in Indianapolis after earning her RN. Soon thereafter, she began working in her current job in Community Health Network’s forensics department.

“As a forensic nurse examiner, I see victims of all types of violence, whether child abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assaults,” said Copp. “I fell in love with it. It was a totally different side of nursing. It was traumainformed care. I had never experienced that. We weren’t taught that in school. We were taught compassion and empathy, we just were not taught trauma-informed care. I dove really deep into that. Domestic violence was a very close topic for me. I grew up in a home with that when I was little and then experienced that in a marriage. I didn’t have someone to tell me these are the ins and outs, these are the resources. I didn’t have

anybody to lead me through a process or to help me heal. I thought, ‘I can be this person for someone else.’ It became very personal for me, and I attached to it. It’s really opened my eyes to nursing and what it should look like. I didn’t choose it, it chose me.”

The department in which she works is called the Center of Hope. There are four forensic nurse examiners in the Center, and together they provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is only one forensic nurse examiner on duty at any given time.

“We stay horribly busy, unfortunately,” said Copp, who also frequently serves as an expert witness for Marion County, which includes Indianapolis. “The surrounding rural areas don’t have any care in this capacity, so they will call us from all over the state and transfer patients. We’re not only seeing patients in the metropolitan area, we’re seeing them in the rural setting as well. They will transfer them to whatever ER we are at. On a typical day, I cover four ERs in four different hospitals. I’m consulted, and then I have to travel.”

Copp’s determination to stand for victims of violence has strengthened her resolve to expand her impact. Her passion provides the fuel she needs to balance being a full-time student, full-time nurse, and full-time wife and mother of eight children, ages 23 to 2. It sounds like an impossible schedule, but Copp feels called to do even more. She didn’t hesitate when FNU Assistant Professor Dr. Joshua Faucett, DNP, MBA, FNP-BC, CNE, encouraged her to apply for the prestigious Tillman Scholar Program earlier this year.

The Pat Tillman Foundation was founded by the family and friends of Pat Tillman, who, in 2002, put his National Football

League career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Tillman died in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. The Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans, and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities, and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers. Tillman Scholars make an impact as they lead through action in the fields of healthcare, business, public service, STEM, education, and the humanities. Tillman scholarships are available to active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses.

Dr. Faucett, who served in the U.S. Army and completed two tours totaling 27 months in and around Baghdad, Iraq, was selected as a Pat Tillman Scholar in 2011. His research focus is Veteran mental health and suicide prevention. Through this experience, Dr. Faucett understood both the work and value of applying for the Tillman Scholar Program. It is a rigorous process with multiple rounds of review until the pool of over 2,000 applicants is ultimately whittled down to just 60 distinguished recipients. Despite the long odds, Dr. Faucett believed that Copp was a strong candidate, eligible because her husband Justin is Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army with 23 years of service, including two deployments, most recently in Kuwait in 2017.

“The Pat Tillman Foundation forever changed the trajectory of my career path,” said Dr. Faucett. “Having listened to the incredible stories and accomplishments of fellow Scholars over the years, I knew Leslie’s journey to FNU and her future plans were compelling and unique. I simply encouraged Leslie to tell her story.”

“I have been very blessed to have him mentor me through the process,” Copp said. “I had to write some extensive essays. He proofread them and told me to rip up the first one. He said, ‘Your story is compelling, but you have to dream super big.’ That’s hard to do when you’re a humble person and you don’t want to talk about yourself.”

Ultimately, Copp remembered that it wasn’t about herself. Her dream was for the victims, the patients. It was for those who faced an abundance of danger and had few places to turn for help. The resulting essays were very personal and detailed a vision for a better way to provide trauma care, particularly in rural areas such as the one where Copp and her family reside in Odon, Indiana.

“I have two patient experiences that I wrote about,” Copp said, noting that no patient information was divulged in the essays. “I had an individual who had a current husband who was an amputeed veteran. In the middle of the night, they got a knock on the door, and when she opened the door, she was faced with her ex-husband. He strangled her to unconsciousness. She told me her

Leslie with her husband Justin, a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army.

husband couldn’t get out of bed and defend her and about the guilt that he has faced since then. I wonder, if she had not seen me, what would justice look like for her? Would it have been any different? I do believe it would have. Our patients don’t receive the justice that they need if they don’t receive a medical exam. It takes a jury to see it, not just hear it. They have to see the photos and what this person looked like before and after. Unfortunately, if you don’t have the medical exam, you don’t get those details.”

“I also wrote about a 20-year-old girl that I had seen several times in the ER,” Copp said. “She was being trafficked. Our healthcare system failed her. It wasn’t necessarily me or staff or the judicial system, it was that the medical failed her. I tried to get a social admission for her and a safe place for her to go for the night. She ended up losing her life because we couldn’t find a place for her to go. If we had just admitted her on a social admission, would that have changed the path for her?”

While those questions linger, Copp hopes to provide answers for future patients, particularly those in rural areas where access to trauma centers and forensic nurses is rare. In her Tillman Scholar application, she detailed her plan to create awareness of the need for this care in rural communities and to start rural-setting trauma centers for victims of violence.

She dreamed big, detailing both the need and the potential solution. Then came the call from Tillman Foundation

“They personally called me,” Copp said. “They were in a conference call, and there were friends of Pat Tillman, his family, his sister–in–law. It was very personal, and they were emotional about it. They said, ‘We’re a big family, and you’re part of the family now.’”

Copp’s work will begin in earnest after a conference with the Tillman Scholar Program. She will be assigned a personal mentor to provide guidance and resources to make the dream a reality.

Copp plans to seek federal and state grants while also informing government officials, prosecutors, and judges, of the need for rural trauma centers. She will present the data as proof of the need. She will also present the added value the trauma centers and forensic nurses would provide to local law enforcement.

“People think they can do it. They get into the training, they start seeing patients, and then realize they can’t take on trauma every day from patients,” Copp said. “You have to have certain qualities to be able to be able to stay with this for a long period of time. There are a lot of realms of this that are hard, but I think having the forefront that you are the person that can make a change and can be strong for this person because they need you to be that person. I haven’t always been stoic. Your vulnerability sometimes is what the patient needs. A tear occasionally shows them that you’re real and that you do feel for them. It’s not the easiest thing to hold back every time.”

There is little holding back Copp. The former Vice President of the Board of Forensic Nurses in Indiana, she is unafraid to ask for help, to ask for money, and to state her case to politicians, judges, and state and local leaders.

“We can eliminate so many things for law enforcement,” Copp said. “They can have more time on the street doing what they need to be doing to keep the community safe while we’re doing the back work. We’re taking the photos, we’re collecting the evidence and bagging it and getting it to the crime lab. They don’t have to send an officer to do that. There are a lot of benefits all the way around. I hope to see a huge stride in this in the next ten years.”

Copp envisions the trauma centers providing multiple services beyond the medical exam, such as access to social workers, counselors, prosecutors, and emergency overnight shelter.

An additional challenge is preparing more forensic nurse examiners to staff these trauma centers. There is a high turnover rate because of the extremely emotional nature of the work.

“I’m not afraid to sit in front of people,” she said. “I sit on a stand in court two or three times a week. I think having that background is going to help me talk to people who are higher up.”

Copp’s call to serve rural and underserved populations, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, is in direct alignment with the mission of Frontier. She belongs to the first class to attend Frontier Bound on the Versailles campus and felt an immediate connection to the university and her classmates.

“I still connect with the small group that I met there,” she said. “We have become more than friends. We have become so close with each other and supportive of each other. I have also received support from the staff and the professors there. It has been one of the most enjoyable programs I’ve done as far as the coursework and how it’s presented. I have done nothing but praise the university since I’ve been here.”

An additional challenge is preparing more forensic nurse examiners to staff these trauma centers. There is a high turnover rate because of the extremely emotional nature of the work.

Sara Posdzich Opens Women’s Healthcare Practice

Sara Posdzich, MSN, CNM (Class 148), opened With Women Wellness, a women’s healthcare practice, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 14. Located in Lake Placid, New York, With Women Wellness offers a holistic approach to women’s health, including gynecological, mental health, vaginal wellness, and face and body care.

Carrie E. Levine Authors Woman’s Health Book

plaque honoring Kranz was unveiled during the ceremony. The plaque, which now hangs outside the hospital nursery, reads: “This nursery is dedicated to the memory of Christina Kranz. May she continue to watch over laboring mothers and their babies from heaven as she did while she was on earth.”

Kranz was also posthumously awarded a DAISY Award in November 2021. The DAISY Award was established to celebrate the extraordinary compassion nurses provide their patients and families every day. The award was presented to Kranz’s family during the nursery dedication ceremony.

Four FNU Alumni Part of New Midwifery Service

Sisters Sarah Roe and Erin Vande Lune Move Jointly Owned Birth Center to Larger Location

Carrie E. Levin, CNM (Class 19), founder of the Whole Woman Health Clinic in Newcastle, Maine, has published a book, “Whole Woman Health: A Guide to Creating Wellness for Any Age and Stage. According to a press release, “the book offers practical advice for women seeking a more holistic, collaborative approach to their healthcare.”

Nursery Dedicated in Memory of Christina Kranz

On May 15, the Family Birthing Center at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, New York, was dedicated in memory of Christina Kranz, MSN, CNM (Class 115). Kranz passed on August 21, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. The nursery dedication took place in front of the hospital and was attended by her former coworkers, friends, and family. A

Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania, recently opened the area’s first facility exclusively dedicated to providing outpatient midwifery services. Four FNU alumni are part of the Lehigh Valley Physician Group Midwifery-Pond Road facility: Allison Burdulis, CNM (Class 63) MS, Yverose Dalembert, DNP (Class 40), CNM; Sherilyn Donnice Gibbs, DNP (Class 16), CNM, and Leah Jablonski, CNM (Bridge 184), MSN.

Sarah Roe, MSN, CNM (Class 121), and her sister Erin Vande Lune, MSN, CNM (Class 121) opened Flourish Wellness & Birth Company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in May of 2022. The first midwifeowned, freestanding birth center in the state, Flourish welcomed 40 infants in its first year. The sisters recently announced plans to move Flourish to a new location in Sioux Falls this year, allowing them to continue growing and offering more services.

Kelly Papesh Named Executive Director of AMDAPP

Kelly Papesh, MSN, DNP (Class 26), has been named the executive director of the recently formed Association of Movement Disorder Advanced Practice Providers (AMDAPP). The organization is a professional network built for advanced practice providers in movement and related disorders “to connect, refuel their inspiration, deep dive into further education, and collaborate to enhance the lives of their patients.” Papesh has extensive experience as an advanced practice provider in neurology and patient case management, including more than five years of experience specializing in movement disorders. Her experience includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with a variety of movement disorders, including Parkinson’s

Yverose Dalembert, DNP, CNM

Allison Burdulis, CNM, MS

Sherilyn Donnice Gibbs, DNP, CNM

Leah Jablonski, CNM, MSN

Erin Vande Lune

Sarah Roe

disease, atypical parkinsonism, essential tremor, ataxia, and Huntington’s disease. She also has experience in advanced therapies, including deep brain stimulation and botulinum toxin injections.

Chrissie Bell Joins SchoolBased Health Clinic

Boston Mountain Rural Health Center (BMRHC) announced Chrissie Bell, FNP (Class 90), MSN, as the new advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) assigned to the clinic at the Jasper School-Based Medical Clinic in Jasper, Arkansas.

Wayne Memorial Welcomes Amy Borove

Amy Borove, CNM (Class 198), recently joined Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. As a nurse-midwife in the Women’s Health Center, Borove facilitates births at Wayne Memorial Hospital’s New Beginnings Birthing Suites.

Esmeralda ChavezAnderson Assumes New Role at Astria Health Center

Esmeralda ChavezAnderson, PMHNP (Class 198), recently took on a new role as a behavioral health provider for Astria Health Center in Sunnyside, Washington. She previously worked at Astria as a family nurse practitioner.

SoutheastHEALTH welcomes Megan Buhs

Megan Buhs, MSN, APRN, CNM (Class 192), recently joined Southeast Women’s Integrated Health Services in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Elizabeth CoblentzKnuteston Joins Baptist Health Medical Group

Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Coblentz-Knuteson, DNP (Class 27), has joined Baptist Health Medical Group in Richmond, Kentucky, as a nurse practitioner at Baptist Health Medical Group Neurology.

Pen Bay Women’s Health Welcomes Elisabeth

Frederick

Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Maine, recently welcomed Elisabeth Frederick, MSN, CNM (Class 197), to the Pen Bay Women’s Health team. Frederick provides care before, during, and after childbirth and guides patients through important health decisions.

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.

Reva V. Harward Delivers Keynote Address

Reba V. Harward, CNM (Class 196), MSN, gave the keynote address during the Nursing Pinning Ceremony at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. Harward is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner for West Virginia University Medicine at The Center for Women’s Health at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. She graduated from Davis & Elkins College with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.

Seward Community Health Center Welcomes Andrea Helmer

Andrea Helmer, DNP (Class 32), FNP, recently joined Seward Community Health Center in Seward, Alaska. There she treats patients in areas such as women’s health, pediatrics, well-child, well-women exams, and geriatrics.

Nami Ono Joins Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, Hawaii, recently welcomed Nami Ono, CNM (Class 142), as a certified nurse-midwife.

Ashley Rogers Opens Essential Women’s Wellness Clinic

Ashley Rogers, MSN, APRN, CNM (Class 194), recently opened her own practice in Lewiston, Idaho. At Essential Women’s Wellness, her patients include girls entering puberty, women of childbearing age, and women who have completed menopause for routine medical care. She plans to expand and offer a birth center for women with low-risk pregnancies.

Stay in the Know

Jessica Schock Receives Service Excellence Award

Jessica Schock, CNM (Class 72), MSN, was awarded a Service Excellence Award from UR Medicine Thompson Health in Canandaigua, New York. Schock works in obstetrics and gynecology and was one of four recipients of Thompson Health’s Service Excellence Awards. The Service Excellence Award acknowledges Thompson associates who deliver exceptional service consistently.

We know you want to stay informed about all that is happening at FNU. To make sure you don’t miss communications such as the Quarterly Bulletin or our monthly e-newsletters, please take a moment to make sure we have your updated contact information. Please send your updated contact information, including your preferred email address, phone number, and mailing address, to alumniservices@frontier.edu. Thank you!

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Please note that recent faculty publications and presentations will be included in the Fall 2023 issue of the Quarterly Bulletin.

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.

College Students Complete First Courier Summer Program Held on Versailles Campus

After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, one of Frontier Nursing University’s oldest programs relaunched this summer behind the leadership of the Director of Annual Giving and Courier Program, Lisa Colletti-Jones. The Courier Program, which was operated from the Versailles campus for the first time, provided an opportunity for two college students to participate in an eight-week service learning internship within Woodford County, which is home to the city of Versailles and the FNU campus.

2023 Courier Rebecca Kouvei

As a senior public health major at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Rebecca Kouevi is passionate about connecting with patients to understand their problems better and collaborate with them to find effective solutions. Her studies include epidemiology and disease control concentrations, and she is minoring in sociology.

“I chose (sociology) because I wanted to bring that patient-centered and cultural sensitivity aspect to care,” Rebecca said. “First of all, let’s treat the person in front of us. It is about more than just the medicine prescription or their presenting disease. Different factors – economic, social, health, and diet – contribute to their health and wellbeing as a whole person.”

Rebecca, who resides in Richardson, Texas, just outside of Dallas, is a first-generation

college student and is on track to graduate next spring. She hopes to become a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner and later plans to do medical missions and work with underserved populations, hoping to work for World Health Orginization (WHO).

“I love how versatile a physician assistant’s career pathway can be, the freedom to jump from one specialty to another – like surgery, primary care, and pediatrics. However, nurse practitioners’ practice independence is a big draw also,” Rebecca said. “Whether I become a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, I do not think I can go wrong either way. They are both helping people. Whatever I decide, I hope to make a difference in my patients’ lives and positively impact the community I serve.”

Rebecca has worked with the Woodford County EMS and The Midway Center for Integrative Health during the Courier program. She has gone on calls with the EMS, which has given her a first-hand perspective of how the EMS personnel interact with patients in the most stressful of times.

“One call I was on was with an elderly patient,” Rebecca said. “She had fallen on her head. When the EMS arrived, I saw so much more than just bandaging someone up. Her daughter was there and in disarray. One of the EMS people was over there calming her down, offering to let her ride with us while at the same time taking care of the mom who fell. It’s just nice to see the interaction between providers, patients, and families. The tender care, empathy, and compassion displayed left an imprint on me.”

At The Midway Center for Integrative Health, Rebecca has worked with Dr. Jim

Roach, M.D., ABIHM, ABOIM. “One of the first two questions he asks is about their spiritual and mental health, followed by their diet inquiry,” Rebecca said. “He is really thorough, and I like how he is able to take time with each patient to conduct a comprehensive assessment and determine root problems. I continue to learn about the importance of humanizing healthcare delivery and providing care for that patient right in front of me and value them. It is paramount to collaborate with patients, to put yourself in their shoes, seeking to understand the buy-in for patients, and considering their lifestyle to formulate an effective and comprehensive care plan that they can adhere to for optimal outcomes.”

Rebecca said the Courier experience has been fun, educational and has sharpened her healthcare delivery vision.

“Everyone is super friendly, and I have enjoyed meeting various people from diverse backgrounds and disciples,” she said. “Each week, we have discussions with different practitioners and professionals who are experts in their fields. It has been amazing getting everyone’s knowledge and insight, and advice on how to improve the healthcare system. It is easy to focus on all the things that are wrong with healthcare, but we have physicians and nurse practitioners who are there because they want to be there. They care about their patients and seek to help them attain a quality life amidst their health challenges. Focusing on people will make a difference for everyone.”

Rebecca said that the Frontier community, led by the Annual Giving and Courier Program Director, Lisa Colletti-Jones, has gone above and beyond and made her Courier experience positive.

“I am just impressed by the staff members,” she said. “They are passionate and caring people who do their work well. They are dedicated to ensuring an impactful and hands-on experience for us to explore our individual interests. I am so thankful for Lisa and everyone here who made the program successful. It has been a great time, and I am so grateful for this experience and all the ways it has enriched my professional development.”

2023 Courier Echioma Onyemaobi

Completing his freshman year at the University of Texas Permian Basin, Echi Onyemaobi is taking the time to learn what he wants to do after his college days are over. He is already enrolled in UT Permian Basin’s nursing program and embraced the opportunity to learn more about healthcare as an FNU Courier this summer.

With most summer internships tagged for juniors and seniors, Echi was prepared to work through the summer. But an advisor suggested he look into courier service and helped him set up his profile on Handshake. Not long after, he came across the Courier program and realized it was the opportunity he was looking for.

“When I came across the Courier program, I saw it was more like community service,” Echi said. “That’s what really caught my interest. I’m a freshman, so I’m here to explore.”

Echi, who was born in Nigeria, moved to Odessa, Texas, with his family when he was young. Along with his mother, he has an older brother and older sister. His father passed away when Echi was little.

He has already immersed himself in college life, enjoying the small atmosphere. He

is active in student government, having recently been elected as treasurer.

“It’s been a good experience so far,” Echi said of college life. “My teachers have been really encouraging.”

Outgoing and eager to learn, Echi enjoys building relationships and helping others.

“What got me interested in nursing is that you can actually have a more personal relationship with patients,” he said.

During his time as a Courier this summer, Echi shadowed Patty, a hospice nurse with Bluegrass Care Navigators. He went on patient visits with her and had the chance to watch first-hand how she interacted with her patients.

“One thing that she made me see is the importance of a personal relationship with your patients,” he said. “She has that. I see I see it in her patient’s eyes. They are excited to see her. It’s not like we can reverse aging or make them feel younger, but I

feel these moments are really important in people’s lives. She could just go and check her patients and move along and just walk away. That’s what she’s getting paid for. But she takes the extra step to make sure the patient is actually happy and at ease. That’s what I really like about this experience. It’s important to do your job, but there’s nothing more important than actually maintaining that relationship that you have with your patient. It can change everything.”

While the Courier program did not change Echi’s mind about wanting to be a nurse, it did give him a much deeper understanding of the profession.

“One thing I’ve loved about this experience is that it showed me the true motivation behind my wanting to become a nurse,” he said. “The Courier program was really a good idea for me because this reinforced my decision to pursue nursing. I have more of an understanding of what nursing can actually be, and I want to become a nurse now more than ever.”

The Couriers with Lisa Colletti-Jones, Director of Annual Giving and Courier Programs.

FNU Welcomes New Board Members

of Columbia. Dr. Dewitty is currently leading the delivery of technical assistance programming for 32 nursing schools funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to increase nursing workforce diversity.

Dr. Vernell DeWitty

Dr. Vernell DeWitty is the Director for Diversity and Inclusion at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), where she advises the nation’s top academic nursing leaders on building consensus around a strategic approach to diversity and inclusion. Previously, she directed the Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program, a nine‐year $41 million national collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AACN that focused on diversifying the nursing workforce. In this capacity, she created and implemented strategies and resources that contributed to the academic success of underrepresented and disadvantaged students in 130 nursing schools located in 41 states and the District

Dr. DeWitty has provided consulting services to healthcare systems in obstetric and neonatal risk assessment and guided new product development while serving as the Director for Consultation and Marketing at the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). She earned her master’s degree from the Catholic University of America in Women and Neonatal Nursing and served as the first Director for Maternal and Newborn nursing at Howard University Hospital. Dr. DeWitty served as Interim Chief Executive Officer, Director of Patient Services, and Director of Program and Business Development at the Hospital for Sick Children, a pediatric rehabilitation hospital located in Washington DC. As a member of the Executive Management Team, she was responsible for directing patient care services of 130 rehabilitation beds and overseeing 185 FTEs with a $15 million operating budget.

She earned her doctorate from George Mason University, MBA from Howard University, MSN from The Catholic University of America, and BSN from Dillard University. She is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Dr. Tim Raderstorf

Dr. Tim Raderstorf is the Talent Partner for AndHealth, a digital health company focused on helping people reclaim their lives from chronic illness. He holds volunteer positions as the Head of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Erdős Institute and the Chief Operating Officer of the nonprofit NursesEverywhere. He is a member of the American Nurses Association’s Innovation Advisory Board. Dr. Raderstorf was the Chief Innovation Officer at The Ohio State University College of Nursing in his previous role. From TED talks to textbooks, he uses every platform he can find to empower those on the frontlines to change healthcare.

As the first nurse to hold the Chief Innovation Officer title in academia, he takes pride in educating the world on the role of the nurse as an innovator. He is the founder of the Innovation Studio, a maker space that democratizes innovation, providing every interprofessional team that pitches their innovation with the funding, tools, and mentorship needed to turn ideas into actions.

Throughout his career, Dr. Raderstorf has founded multiple businesses and has been the first employee for a profitable healthcare startup. His new textbook, co-authored with Bern Melnyk, Evidence-Based Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nursing and Healthcare: A Practical Guide for Success, was a #1 new release on Amazon and the American Journal of Nursing’s Management & Leadership Book of the Year. Some of Dr. Raderstorf’s recognitions include the Early Career Innovator of the Year and Distinguished Recent Alumni at the Ohio State University, the Innovation Studio being named Non-Profit of the Year by Columbus Business First in 2019. He was most recently inducted into the 2020 Class of 40 under 40 by Columbus Business First and as a 2021 Fellow at the American Academy of Nursing.

Dr. Raderstorf earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University, a Master of Science in Nursing from Xavier University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Ohio State University.

Dr. Joanna Santiesteban has been a boardcertified Obstetrician and Gynecologist for over 20 years. She attended Indiana University Bloomington, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She received her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago and completed her OB/GYN residency at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Dr. Santiesteban lives in eastern Kentucky and serves as Chief of Staff at Highlands Appalachian Regional Healthcare. She is involved with obstetrical substance abuse treatment programs and care for an underserved population. She provides obstetric and gynecological care at Big Sandy Healthcare, a Federally Qualified Health Center in southeastern Kentucky.

She is clinical adjunct faculty at Lincoln Memorial University College of Medicine and is community area faculty at the University of Pikeville College of Medicine.

Dr. Santiesteban is the mother of 5 children. She enjoys yoga, reading, and visiting with family and friends.

Tara Mitchell Martino is a Nationally Certified School Nurse in Massachusetts and is a current FNU student studying to be a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She is a school nurse and has been a labor support person, a WIC breastfeeding peer counselor, and a foster parent. She is a two-time surrogate gestational carrier and a proud supporter of the movements for Women’s Rights, Black Lives, and LGBTQIA++ Equality.

Tara is the Scoutmaster of Westport’s allgirl Boy Scout Troop 33. She is also a Girl Scout Cadette Level-3 Troop Leader of Troop 68111 and Assistant Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 3.

A mother of four children, Tara’s goals after graduating from Frontier are to establish her own practice while enrolling in FNU’s DNP program. She also hopes to continue to serve the underserved children in her area. She would also like to volunteer for Doctors Without Borders and to research the impact of psychedelics on neuroplasticity and treatment-resistant depression.

Note: The FNU Board of Directors added a non-voting student member because they felt it important to hear student feedback as part of the Board.

Dr. Joanna Santiesteban

Tara Martino

Trustees

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

Bill Corley, Indianapolis, IN

Mrs. Julia Breckinridge Davis, Winston-Salem, NC

Mrs. John Dete, West Liberty, OH

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. William Lubic, Washington DC

Mr. Robert Montague, JD, Urbanna, VA

Mr. Wade Mountz, Louisville, KY

Dr. Judy Myers, Ph.D., RN, New Albany, IN

Ms. Barbara Napier, Irvine, KY

Ms. Sandra Napier, Stinnett, KY

Dr. Spencer Noe, Lexington, 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

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

Board of Directors

CHAIR

Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP

New Orleans, LA

VICE CHAIR

Michael T. Rust

Louisville, KY

SECRETARY

Nancy Hines

Shepherdsville, KY

TREASURER

Emma Metcalf, RN, MSN, CPHQ

Louisville, KY

Board Members

Carlyle Carter, Evanston, IL

William (Bill) Corley, MHA, Carmel, IN

Vernell DeWitty, Ph.D., MBA, RN, Silver Spring, Maryland

Jean Johnson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Cabin John, MD

Tara Martino, BSN, RN, NCSN, SANE (Student Board Member, Non-Voting), Fairhaven, Massachusetts

Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR

Tim Raderstorf, Ph.D., Columbus, Ohio

Joanna Santiesteban, Ph.D., Paintsville, Kentucky

Kerri Schuiling, Ph.D., CNM, FAAN, FACNM, Marquette, MI

Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL

Dr. Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC

May Wykle, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FGSA, Cleveland, OH

Foundation Board Members

Derek Bonifer, Louisville, KY

Constance Brotherton, MA, Lexington, KY

Peter Coffin, Chair, Frontier Nursing Service, Inc Foundation, Chestnut Hill, MA

Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL

Board Members Emeritus

Wallace Campbell, Ph.D. Berea, KY

John Foley, Lexington, KY

Marion McCartney, CNM, FACNM, Washington, DC

Kenneth J. Tuggle, JD, Louisville, KY

Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Seattle, WA

Become a Monthly Donor TODAY!

By making a recurring gift to FNU, you are investing in the lives of Frontier students year-round. Your generous monthly gift will make long-lasting impacts on the FNU community across the country. Help Frontier continue its mission of providing accessible educational opportunities to prepare competent and compassionate leaders in primary care. To learn more about monthly giving and other ways to give, please contact the Director of Annual Giving and Courier Program, Lisa Colletti-Jones, at lisa.collettijones@frontier.edu or (859) 251-4728. To make your donation today, please click the “Give Now” button on the home page of our Frontier.edu website. Thank you!

Please let us know. Simply email us at FNUnews@frontier.edu.

The mission of Frontier Nursing University is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We transform healthcare by preparing innovative, ethical, compassionate, and entrepreneurial leaders to work with all people with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities.