School Update

Faculty and Staff Awards

Paula Belknap, PhD, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CNE COW AWARD 2020 “Communication of Wisdom” Paula Belknap readily shares her expertise with faculty and students regarding distance and concept-based education, simulation, implementation of an interactive classroom, acute care, and most recently, using technology for distance education necessitated by COVID-19. Due to her experience with the ReNEW [Revolutionizing Nursing Education in Wyoming] curriculum from its inception and embracing the focus on concept-based education, Belknap presented a concept-based education workshop for SON faculty along with faculty Christina Warren. Belknap mapped out concepts throughout the curriculum, spearheading the transition to concept-based textbooks and how best to use resources to enhance student learning. She also worked with faculty to provide concept-based clinical experiences in all clinical settings.

K. David Bodily, MS, RN, CHSE WNA 2020 “Inspiring our Future Nurses Award” The Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) this fall announced K. David Bodily as recipient of “Inspiring our Future Nurses Award,” given annually to a WNA member nursing instructor who has been a positive influence on the future nurses of Wyoming. Bodily is associate lecturer as well as program director for UW ReNEW and RN-BSN nursing programs. A seasoned instructor, he “embodies the faculty role that involves teaching, advising, service, and professional development,” says UW Nursing Dean Sherrill Smith, “and has had an invaluable impact on our future Wyoming baccalaureate prepared nurses.”

New Faculty

Ashley Lair, RN, MSN Assistant Lecture Ashley Lair, an alumna of the UW FWWSON nursing program, says this will be her first year in a faculty role. She is excited to be back in Laramie. “Throughout my career I have enjoyed working with students and mentoring new nurses in various settings. Along with being back at UW, I am excited to have the opportunity to work with students every day.”

Janet Willhaus, PhD, RN, CHSE, CHSOS Associate Professor Janet Willhaus will step into a new role for her as a faculty member in the Masters of Nursing Education and Leadership program. “I hope to help our nursing workforce understand how critical they are to setting the example and influencing policy.”

Nancy Eisenmann, PhD, RN Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing Nancy Eisenmann is the first to step into a new faculty position shared by UWFWWSON and Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. In this academicpractice partnership, both entities seek to enhance patient care outcomes through implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP).

Retired Faculty

Mary Burman, PhD, FAANP, FAAN Emeritus Professor Mary Anne Purtzer, PhD, RN Emeritus Associate Professor Linda Williams, MS RN

Student Convocation Awards 2020

Artzer, Emily of Platteville, CO (BSN Completion): Gertrude Gould Memorial Award for demonstrating excellence in public health nursing Blankenburg, Elsa of Fair Oaks, CA (Basic BSN): Amelia Leino Memorial Award for demonstrating academic excellence Donaldson, Jayme of Casper, WY / (DNP-PMHNP): 2020 DNP Project Excellence Award for excellence in DNP scholarship and the Susan McCabe Psychiatric/Mental Health Graduate Award for demonstrating academic excellence, passion for knowledge, and superior clinical practice Dunn, Stephen of Driggs, ID / (BRAND): Dorothy Tupper Senior Memorial Award for demonstrating caring, compassion, and interpersonal communication Dyson, Emily of Parker, CO / (Basic BSN): Lina Kennedy White Memorial Award for demonstrating interest in and aptitude for gerontology Gulbrandson, Kimberly of Rawlins, WY / (BRAND): Passion for Nursing Award for demonstrating passion in nursing Johnston, Juston of Laramie, WY / (DNP-FNP): Change Agent Award for demonstrating commitment to improving and changing health Judkins, Heather of Lander, WY / (DNP-PMHNP): Dr. Patsy Hesen Haslam Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership & grace Kindt, Jenna of Colorado Springs, CO / (Basic BSN): Carol Macnee Scholarship Award for demonstrating excellence in scholarship and/or research

PRECEPTOR RECOGNITION 2020 Basic BSN PRECEPTOR AWARD: Laressa Branson, RN McKee Medical Center • Loveland, Colorado

In her 15 years of experience as a nurse, my preceptor was a travel RN, worked in the wound clinic, amassed multiple certifications, is currently working on a master’s degree and is now an ER Charge Nurse. I feel lucky enough to have had the chance to work with someone so passionate for her career. She always focused on how to help me reach my goals, and was an amazing teacher who fostered the mindset of using critical thinking, helping to grow my confidence and cultivating my independence. She also wanted to make sure I was always learning. If there was a code, or someone going to the Cath lab, she would check to make sure that nurse was okay with me joining in- and soon, I was able to self-advocate for helping or seeing other procedures or cases with different nurses as timing was appropriate. As we got started working together, she let me take over one patient who had an easy case load – so I could think of a few potential diagnoses, think of what the doctors were going to want (labs, scans, etc..), and learn how to time manage orders with patients requests. As time went on, Laressa challenged me by letting me take on 2-3 patients consistently during the day. When I was able to successfully complete the tasks of multiple patients, I felt as if I could do this on my own someday. The ER is a faster pace—something I thrive in—and she helped me by giving pointers on how best to balance organization and personality in that environment. Although I was a student, she made me feel as if I were part of the team and nurse family. — Hayley Stromberg, Basic BSN Student 2020

PRECEPTOR RECOGNITION 2020 BRAND PRECEPTOR AWARD: BRENDA EATON, RN Memorial Hospital of Carbon County • Rawlins, Wyoming Brenda was a major influence in my capstone experience. She was patient, kind, and open for any question thrown at her. Her guidance led me to believe in myself and allow me to learn in a comfortable environment. She pushed me, but not past my limits. She acknowledged my strengths and weaknesses. My clinical experience was one for the books, and she helped give me a strong desire to continue this journey I am on. I am thankful for Brenda, and strive to be half the nurse she is one day! ” — Kimberly Gulbrandson, BRAND Student 2020

Kolkman, Kelsey of Cheyenne, WY / (Basic BSN): School of Nursing Spirit Award for demonstrating exceptional spirit and enthusiasm McCoy, Bailey of Casper, WY / (Basic BSN): Dorothy Tupper Senior Memorial Award for demonstrating caring, compassion, and interpersonal communication Nazminia, Jenna of Cheyenne, WY / (DNP-FNP): Dr. Patsy Hesen Haslam Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership & grace Palczer, Nicholas of Cheyenne, WY / (BSN Completion): Professional Nurse Award for demonstrating excellence in practice, community service and professional service Peick, Anne, of Lander, WY / (BRAND): Beverly McDermott Award for demonstrating leadership & political activism Petrus, Daniel of Dubois, WY / (BRAND): Rudolph “Rudy” & Louise Anselmi & Jeri Kirk Family Trust Nursing Scholarship for demonstrating leadership & responsibility Skaar, Torey of Laramie, WY / (Basic BSN): Gertrude Gould memorial Award for demonstrating excellence in public health nursing Skagen, Greta, of Cheyenne, WY / (DNP-FNP): DNP Project Excellence Award, for demonstrating excellence in DNP scholarship Smith, Alexandra of North Pole, AK / (Basic BSN): Rudolph “Rudy” & Louise Anselmi & Jeri Kirk Family Trust Nursing Scholarship for demonstrating leadership & responsibility Sullivan, Crysta, of Gillette, WY / (DNP-FNP): DNP Project Excellence Award, for demonstrating excellence in DNP scholarship Thiele, Nicole of Buffalo, WY / (Basic BSN): Beverly McDermott Award for demonstrating leadership and political activism Williamson, Travis of Rapid City, SD / (DNP-PMHNP): 2020 DNP Project Excellence Award for demonstrating excellence in DNP scholarship