Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Alumni Newsletter 2023

LETTER FROM THE DEAN

It’s hard to believe that summer is over and fall is here with leaves turning to gold and snow visible on the mountain tops. We are so excited to have students back on campus, especially now we have just been told that nursing is the #1 major on campus—what a great honor to see how important our work is in preparing future healthcare workers! And, we are thrilled to celebrate along with the entire campus this year’s Homecoming theme of Cheers to 100 years of serving Wyoming as the only university in the state. So, Cheers to all of our graduates who are serving Wyoming and beyond making a difference in healthcare as it continues to evolve, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. We are so proud to call you our alumni whether you are leading at the bedside, in hospitals or clinics, at nonprofit or governmental organizations, or in education. Thank you for your dedication. See more as you read this year’s edition about all of our alumni here in the School of Nursing—both faculty and staff.

As we start another academic year, we also would like to share more about our outstanding new faculty and staff here in the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. In July, we welcomed our new Associate Dean, Dr. Karen Gorton. Dr. Gorton has been a nurse educator and administrator in programs in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Missouri and we are very excited to have her on board. We also welcomed several other new faculty this year—Cheryl Rodgers, Sarah Whitman, Jennifer Langevin, and Amy Turpin—all who will be teaching in our undergraduate programs (and by the way all alumni of UW!). We also have a new Business Manager, Lori Dockter, who joined us this summer bringing several years of experience on campus, including previous experience working with our college Social Work department.

As I close, I would especially like to remember a very special UW alumni, our former Dean and faculty member, Dr. Mary Burman, who passed away this September. Mary was a huge proponent of nursing and healthcare here at the university and across the state. She was a cherished mentor, teacher, leader, and friend to many and will be sadly missed. All of us here at the school are proud to continue her legacy of educating the next generation of future nurses.

Thank you for all you do for nursing and health of our communities. Please stop by if you are ever in Laramie. Again, Cheers to all and Go Pokes!

Regards, Sherrill J. Smith, RN, PhD, CNL, CNE Dean and Professor

Sherrill J. Smith RN, PhD, CNL, CNE Colonel, USAFR, NC (Ret)

Remembering Dr. Mary Burman 1959-2023

As we celebrate the University of Wyoming’s 100 years of educating graduates for the state and beyond, the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing proudly recognizes the accomplishments of one of our alumni and our former dean, Dr. Mary Burman. Born in Laramie, Dr. Burman was a star three-sport athlete at Laramie High School prior to starting her nursing career. She went on to pursue nursing degrees at Sioux Valley Hospital, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Michigan. After teaching for two years at Montana State University—Billings, Dr. Burman came to the University of Wyoming as a faculty member. She served as the Dean of the school for 11 years and also served as the Director of Social Work and the Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Along with her brother, John, and father, Robert, Dr. Burman was part of a family that served the UW faculty for 63 consecutive years.

Dr. Burman was integral in starting the ReNEW state-wide nursing education consortium as well as the Wyoming Center for Nursing state-wide nursing workforce initiative. She also cofounded the Laramie Downtown Clinic and served on non-profit boards across the state.

Dr. Burman will be sadly missed at the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing and across the state.

Oncology Nursing Research: Patient Experience Improves Care

Rural Wyoming oncology patients face extreme challenges in their care journey. As a 20+ year certified oncology nurse, my dominant program of research centers on the oncology patient experience in their cancer care journey. While living in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) for 15 years, I worked as a nurse on a critical care cancer unit at Vancouver General Hospital. The patients coming to this large urban center from all over Canada really opened my eyes to the difficulties those living outside of cities face. Rural patients with acute leukemias, for example, would have to be brought to our hospital after sometimes facing significant local challenges to receive a diagnosis. After arriving in Vancouver, the most expensive city in North America, the patient and their family would be immersed in a series of cancer treatments that could last weeks to months. The burden of being away from a rural community and suddenly in the middle (literally)

of a dense urban center with an extraordinary cost of living caused tremendous psychological, emotional, and financial burden for these patients who were also facing very dangerous cancer diagnoses. This experience, further informed by serving newly arrived immigrants or visitors from other countries who found themselves with an acute oncology diagnosis, accentuated in my mind the importance of understanding this experience to guide, and improve, interdisciplinary cancer care changes.

Since joining the faculty at the FWW School of Nursing in August 2022, I have dedicated my research program to understanding the exceptional Wyoming rural oncology patient experience. In 2023, I was awarded the prestigious National Institute of Health (NIH) INBRE grant specifically to fund a two-year qualitative research study around this experience as reported from both the patient and the healthcare professional level. This funding, which started in July, is being used to explore the multiverse experience of the Wyoming oncology patient with the goals of better understanding what these patients, and their caregivers, are going through around diagnosis and treatment, as well as ongoing surveillance and follow-up appointments. Through collaborating with oncology providers in Wyoming but also in neighboring states, this research project aims to generate knowledge that will inform care providers and ultimately illuminate possible changes and improvements that can augment and improve the care of these Wyoming residents.

Jennifer M.L. Stephens, MA, PhD, RN, OCN, CCNE

Photo to the right, dated 1920, is of a “typical operating room” at Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne. Courtesy of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

Members of the first graduating class of Memorial Hospital who received their diplomas in 1903. Courtesy of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

My dedication to oncology patient care resulted in a grant from the FWW SON from the Humenick fund (2022-2023) which has funded a qualitative research project exploring the patient experience of adult survivors of ocular melanoma who have gone on to develop a secondary (second primary) cancer. This research has been conducted in 2023 and included one-on-one interviews as well as a focus group with interested participants. With the help of a patient advisor and research assistant (RA) Chenoa Williams, critical insights from this work are being written up for both conference presentation and journal publication. This work has gained international attention and I was interviewed by the Eye Believe podcast in early September 2023. This influential podcast is sponsored by A Cure in Sight, a national organization to support ocular melanoma patients. This work with ocular melanoma patients has resulted in several requests by patients for further studies on OM with metastases. In addition to this scholarly work and teaching commitments at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, I have taken on many other faculty obligations within the FWW SON. This includes being member and now co-chair of the SON Curriculum and Evaluation Committee, a member of the College of Health Sciences Curriculum and Instruction Committee, and a member of the SON Scholarship and Learning Committee. These are augmented with service commitments which complement my research program. Through my increasing connections within the Wyoming oncology community, I have been honored with an invitation to the steering committee of the Wyoming Cancer Coalition (WYCC). Continuing to build critical relationships, I also received a Wald grant (2022-2023) from the FWW SON which allowed me to attend the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) conference in San Antonio, Texas. I have

Jennifer Stephens: With a BA in history from the University of Colorado and a MA in history from Portland State University, I have dozens of publications over the past many decades on various historical topics. For over 10 years I have done nursing history research on my great aunt from eastern Colorado, Margaret May Prentice, who served as an influential nurse missionary in China in the 1920’s to 1940’s. This has led me to the nursing history of Wyoming, and I have been doing an inventory of the historical items in the FWW SON with the help of Dean Sherrill Smith, Denise Gable, Holly Miller, Mike Jording, and many others. In early 2023 I submitted a proposal for a Wyoming Nursing History Special Interest Group (SIG) to the Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) and have been working closely with the Executive to find a way to make this group a reality. I am basing this SIG on the other nursing history groups I have been active involved with, most recently (and currently still) the British Columbia History of Nursing Society (BSHNS) based at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (where I did my nursing doctoral work). I have done presentations for the FWW SON as well as the Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Pi chapter and at the WNA 2023 convention. The support for exploring and discovering the history of nursing here in Wyoming has been outstanding, and I am developing a book proposal so that our nursing history can become part of the published record. It is so important!

been an ONS member for almost 20 years, having first joined this amazing organization when I was a younger oncology nurse working in Portland, Oregon. This year I completed my oncology nurse certification renewal (ONC) as well as the ONS Chemotherapy Immunology certificate. I also had the pleasure of being on the review team for the upcoming 4th edition of the manual Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs published by ONS.

As my research with oncology patients and with rural Wyoming oncology patients is developing, I am currently doing interview with both healthcare professionals and with oncology patients. I anticipate several grants developing as critical questions around the lived experience of these patients reveals issues around healthcare access as well as patient well-being and resiliency. Additionally, my research with OM patients has stimulated my interest in the phenomenon of cancer ghosting, and I am currently writing a grant proposal with colleagues around a ethnographic study of this as it pertains to specific cancer populations. Looking ahead to another year with this faculty, I appreciate the welcoming and encouraging environment at UW and the support of the FWW SON in supporting qualitative research.

Jennifer’s great aunt Margaret May Prentice - a missionary at the Isabella Fisher Hospital in Tientsin, China in the 1930s.

Wyoming Maternal Mortality Review: Record Abstraction

Only the Tip of the Iceberg

The death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or during the postpartum period is devastating to the family, community and society. Maternal mortality is not only an indicator of overall maternal health and the quality of care provided but it is also a metric for health of women, infants and children as well as families. Maternal death, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a death from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes) during pregnancy and childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy (2023).

Maternal mortality has continued to rise in the United States to crisis levels. According to the most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 1,205 women died of maternal causes compared with 861 in 2020 and 754 in 2019 (Centers for Disease and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Death rates have been increasing steadily for years, and the Covid 19 pandemic compounded an already rising level of maternal death to a peak in 2021. This means that 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births occurred in 2021. This is ten times higher than other high-income countries, including Austria, Australia, Japan, and Spain. Based on data collected by state maternal mortality review committees around the US, 84% of pregnancy related deaths in the

US are preventable.

The rise in maternal mortality is in the press, on the radio and television. Prevention of maternal mortality has gained national attention and many States have made it a priority to identify preventable causes and develop recommendations to address the crisis. The CDC set out to support states and US territories by funding Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRC) through the Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) Program. This program has set out to correctly identify maternal deaths on death certificates, review the death, distinguish pregnancy-related death, and identify prevention opportunities through development of recommendations (CDC, 2023). Currently, 44 states and two US territories receive funding to support and this includes Wyoming.

Access to prenatal care, mental health support, substance use disorder treatment, closures or rural health care facilities, staffing shortages, distances required to travel for care, and poverty are only a few of the potential causes of increased maternal mortality. Identifying causes in each jurisdiction is a priority for each MMRC.

In 2019, the Utah Department of Health and the Wyoming Department of Health partnered on a successful cross-state application for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) funding. The funding established a cross-state interdisciplinary maternal mortality review committee in 2020, with the first Wyoming maternal deaths reviewed in 2021. The role of the committee is to establish if the death was pregnancy related; if related, what was the underlying cause of the death; was the death preventable; what were the chances to alter the outcome; what were the contributing factors to the death; and finally, develop specific recommendations for action to prevent future deaths. Committees’ membership includes representatives from public health, obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-

Esther Gilman-Kehrer, DNP, MS, FNP-C, CNM, Clinical Associate Professor

fetal medicine, nursing, midwifery, forensic pathology, mental and behavioral health, patient advocacy groups, and community-based organizations.

A request for applications (RFA) by the State of Wyoming in 2019 was made looking for an individual that could perform case abstraction of maternal deaths in Wyoming. I felt I was uniquely qualified to perform case abstraction because of my decade’s long experience of working in the maternal child health as a nurse in small, rural community hospital and later practicing as a certified nurse midwife (CNM) in Wyoming and Colorado. In my present role at the University of Wyoming, Fay W Whitney School of Nursing, as a Clinical Associate Professor, the opportunity to collaborate with the Wyoming Department of Health to disseminate and analyze data obtained from these reviews and recommendations posed an additional opportunity to engage other expertise at UW to address this crisis. I was accepted and initiated reviews of deaths going back to 2018.

In the role of abstractor, I am tasked with obtaining all relevant records pertaining to death (eg. medical records, death certificates, autopsy records, and any pertinent resources) and life course of each individual mother. I develop de-identified case narrative summaries of each death for the committee to review and participate in the Utah-Wyoming Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) quarterly meetings. On average, a review takes up to 18 hours to complete.

Key findings from the reviews of maternal deaths in Wyoming were recently published in the first ever report from the Wyoming Department of Health.

From 2018 - 2020, 13 women died during pregnancy or within one year after the end of their pregnancy. Most of these deaths occurred after the end of their pregnancy. Twelve of these deaths were reviewed and 6 were determined by the committee to be pregnancy-related. Pregnancy-related deaths are deaths occurring during pregnancy or within one

year of pregnancy from a pregnancy complication, a chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or theaggravation of an unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy. In addition to having a temporal relationship to pregnancy, these deaths are causally related to pregnancy or its management.

Mental health conditions were the most common cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Substance use was involved in all 6 pregnancy-related deaths. All of the pregnancy-related deaths were deemed to be preventable. The most commonly noted factors contributing to the deaths included Lack of access/ Financial Resources, Substance Use Disorder, Mental Health Conditions, Clinical Skill/Quality of Care, and Social Support/Isolation.

If you would like for learn more from this report Wyoming Maternal Mortality Report (2018-2020)1

Prevention of maternal mortality is a priority nationwide and in Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Health’s Maternal Child Health Unity and the MCH Epidemiology Program continues to collaborate with the Utah Department of Health MMRC and hope to implement recommendations statewide. As outlined in the Wyoming Maternal Mortality Report, the Wyoming Perinatal Quality Collaborative (WYPQC) has identified mental health and substance use as a priority and are currently working on safety bundles through the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) to increase the use of evidence-based screening tools for substance use in the prenatal and postpartum period.

Pictured is the entrance to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Mother-Baby Unit

Simulation News

Some new faces have shown up in the Fay W. Whitney Simulation Lab. Mac and Susie are two new high fidelity manikins purchased from Gaumard through generous donations from the McMurry Foundation. Susie also has a mask which can change her youthful face into one with the creases and lines of an older adult. Both high fidelity manikins are welcome additions to the simulation family, which also includes a high-fidelity

child and birthing manikin.

Since late August, Janet Willhaus and Denise Gable have conducted two training sessions for new simulation facilitators. Changes to the Wyoming State Practice Act require that schools of nursing using simulation in Wyoming use a theory-based debriefing model and

have specialized simulation training for facilitators. The Fay W. Whitney School of nursing uses a debriefing model based on Tanner’s Model of Clinical Judgment (2006).

Education Abroad News

A total of 10 nursing students will have an opportunity to study in Spain for two weeks over J-term. The two-credit course Caring for the Mind, Body, and Soul through Pilgrimage will focus on self-care as the students walk 115 km (about 72 miles) of the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago de Compostella, Spain. Faculty members Janet Willhaus and Megan Beach will teach the class and lead the group on this journey.

FACULTY RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

GRANTS AND FUNDING

The Camino de Santiago began as a Christian pilgrimage in the 9th century and is now a popular pilgrimage both secular and religious for exercise, selfgrowth, and transformation. Faculty and students will carry their things in backpacks as traditional pilgrims and will stay in special hostels called “albergues” along the way. The class will also spend a few days in Madrid at the beginning and end of the class for cultural visits to museums and other exhibits.

Carron, R., Gilman-Kehrer, E., & Alvero, R. A Pilot Management Program for American Indian/Alaska Native Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research Grant (5U54GM104944-08), PI, $59,950, 2020-2022 (Completed).

Carron, R. (PI), Gilman-Kehrer, E., & Alvero, R, Sharon S. Humenick Enrichment Fund, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming. An Institutional ethnographic analysis of online open support groups for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, PI, $5,000.00, 20192022 (Funded).

PRESENTATIONS

Carron, R. (2023). 49th Annual Conference Transcultural Nursing Society Charleston, SC, Oct. 11-14, 2023 (Accepted), Using Leininger’s Culture Care Theory to Improve Global Health for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PUBLICATIONS

Carron, R. (2022). Using community-based participatory research to improve care for American Indians/Alaska Natives with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Nurse Practitioner, 47(6), 10-19.

Carron, R. (2020). Health disparities in American Indians/Alaska Natives: Implications for nurse practitioners. The Nurse Practitioner, 45(6), 2632. DOI: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000666188.79797.a7

Carron, R., Kooienga, S., Gilman-Kehrer, E., Alvero, R., & Boyle, D. K. (2019). Using the medicine wheel to study polycystic ovary syndrome in American Indian women. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice: An International Journal, 33(3), 246-256. http://dx.doi. org/10.1891/1541.6577.33.3.246.

Rebecca Carron, PhD, RN, NP-C

Yellow scallop shell trail marker of the Camino de Santiago

Karen Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS

PUBLICATIONS (*refereed +data based #invitational)

*+ Gorton, K, (2023). Acute bronchitis. Mosby’s Evidence-Based Nursing Monograph. ClinicalKey for Nursing.

*+ Gorton, K.L., (2023). Cancer Pain. ClinicalKey for Nursing. Mosby’s Evidence-Based Monograph. Clinical Key for Nursing.

*+ Valluri, J, Gorton, K, Chesnut, S. (2023). Nurses Chronic Pain, a Brief Survey Report. Journal of Radiology Nursing. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2023.03.003

*+ Valluri, J, Gorton, K (2023). Global Meditation Practices: A literature Review. Journal of Holistic Nursing. (In Press)

PRESENTATIONS (*refereed +data based #invitational)

*+# Gorton, K.L. (2023, May). 6th international Symposium of Nursing – Innovation in the future of Health. Mexico City, Mexico

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Name

SCL Health

Sigma Career Center

Role

Nursing Research for BSN prepared Nursing Research Fellowship

Facilitated Career Advising Center Creating Healthy Work Environmentsustin, TX

FACULTY SPONSOR FOR STUDENT AWARDS

Project Title:

Funding Agency:

Role:

Principal Investigator:

Date Awarded:

Total Awarded:

AWARDS

Dates

2021, 2022 Fall

February 2023

The LIFESPAN Study: A Qualitative Descriptive Exploration of Newly Licensed Practical Nurses’ Experiences of Workplace Incivility Within Their First Twelve Months of LPN Employment

UMKC Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund Mentor

A. Bentley, PhD Student

2023

$2000

(2020 Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (JCEN) Innovation Award, 2021, Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (JCEN) Communication of Wisdom in Nursing Award, 2021, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Received, as Program Director/PI: HRSA grant Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (NEPQR: Behavioral Health Integration Program). Award amount $1,500,000 over three years. Funding 7/1/2020 – 6/30/23

Received, as Program Director/PI: HRSA grant Project Title: Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP). Award amount $2,500,000 over five years. Funding 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2028.

PUBLICATIONS

McGee NI, Proctor J, Hart AM, Burman M. Reconsidering Benzodiazepines and Z-drug Prescriptions: Responsible Prescribing and Deprescribing. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. 2021;17(1):76-83.

Burman M, McGee NI, Proctor J, Hart AM, Moody EJ, Hardesty CL. ECHO: A Model for Professional Development in Nursing through Learning Networks. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 2021.

PRESENTATIONS

McGee, N. & Proctor, J. (2021). Behavioral Health Integration. Increasing Access to Care for Individuals with Depression and Substance Abuse Risk in a Rural Community. Power of Rural Healthcare Conference. Online, May 18. Podium Presentation.

McGee, N. & Proctor, J. (2021). Behavioral Health Integration. Increasing Access to Care for Individuals with Depression and Substance Abuse Risk in a Rural Community. Power of Rural Healthcare Conference. Online, May 18. Podium Presentation.

McGee, N. & Proctor, J. (2023). Behavioral health integration: Increasing access to care in rural communities. 2023 Western Institute of Nursing: Leveraging Technology to Advance Nursing and Equity in Research, Practice, and Education. April 21. Poster Presentation.

McGee, N. & Proctor, J. (2023). Behavioral Health Integration: Increasing Access to Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Communities. 2023 Power of Rural Healthcare Conference. April 19. Podium Presentation.

PUBLICATION

Hart, A. M., Seagriff, N., & Flinter, M. (2022). Sustained impact of a postgraduate residency training program on nurse practitioners’ careers. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 13, 21501319221136938. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319221136938

PRESENTATIONS AT PEER-REVIEWED NATIONAL CONFERENCES

Hart, A.M., Kidd, V.D., & Seagriff, N. (2023, July 24). Panel research presentation: Research on APP postgraduate training and the longterm impacts of NP/PA postgraduate training. Panel presentation at the 6th Annual Conference of the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers in Washington, D.C.

Gamboe, R. & Hart, A.M. (2023, July 23) Measuring outcomes and data management within the program. Symposium presentation at the 6th Annual Conference of the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers in Washington, D.C.

TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS

Farra, S., & Smith, S. (in press). Disaster case studies—Disaster Planning and Management. Case Studies in Community/Public Health Nursing (2nd edition). St. Louis: Elsevier.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Pilot Test of the Use of Augmented Reality to Teach Assessment. Peer-reviewed presentation at the Wyoming Nurses’ Association Summit in Casper, Wyoming with Dr. Christina Warren and Ashley Lair, September 23, 2022

Nancy McGee, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Sherrill Smith, RN, PhD, CNL, CNE

Ann Marie Hart, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP

FACULTY RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

2021 Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing (JCEN) Innovation Award, 2021, Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing GRANTS AND FUNDING

Received, as Co-Investigator (McGee N. Program Director/PI): HRSA grant Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (NEPQR: Behavioral Health Integration Program). Award amount $1,500,000 over three years. Funding 7/1/2020 – 6/30/23 (Completed)

Faculty Professional Development, 2020 Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Wald Award, Neuroscience Education Institute Conference, Colorado Springs, CO. Award amount $1,763.00.

Received, as Co-Investigator (McGee, N. Program Director/PI): HRSA grant Project Title: Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP). Award amount $2,500,000 over five years. Funding 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2028

PRESENTATIONS (Invited)

Proctor, J. & McGee, N. (2021). Behavioral Health Integration. Increasing Access to Care for Individuals with Depression and Substance Abuse Risk in a Rural Community. 2021 Power of Rural: Health and Research Conference, Innovations in the Wyoming Healthcare Landscape. Online, May 18. Podium Presentation.

Proctor, J. & McGee, N. (2023). Behavioral Health Integration: Increasing Access to Care in Rural Communities. 2023 Western Institute of Nursing: Leveraging Technology to Advance Nursing and Equity in Research, Practice, and Education, Tuscan, AZ. April 21. Poster Presentation.

Proctor, J. & McGee, N. (2023). Behavioral Health Integration: Increasing Access to Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Communities. 2023 Power of Rural Healthcare Conference. April 19. Podium Presentation.

PUBLICATIONS

McGee, N., Proctor, J., Hart, A.M., & Burman, M. (2020). Reconsidering benzodiazepines and x-drug prescriptions: Responsible prescribing and deprescribing. The Journal of Nurse Practitioners. doi: 10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.08.004

McGee, N., Proctor, J., Hart, A.M., Moody, E.J., & Hardesty, C. (2021). ECHO: A Model for professional development in nursing through learning networks. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 52(4), 198-204.

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND HONORS

2023, Presidential Scholarly Achievement Award (tenured faculty), University of Wyoming

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Investigator Subcontract: Research, National Institutes of Health (NIGMS), 2U54GM104944-06, Clinical and translational research infrastructure network IDeA-CTR. Community engagement and outreach core site director: J. Thomas (PI/Project Director: F. Sy, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 9/15/18-6/30/24).

Faculty Professional Development, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Wald Funding Opportunity, Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute, PI/Project Director: J. Thomas. $2,434, 1/1/2022-6/30/2022.

Research, Wyoming Department of Health Chronic Disease Prevention Program, University of Wyoming Community Diabetes Prevention Grant, PI/Project Director: J. Thomas. $14,500, 12/01/21-12/31/22.

PRESENTATIONS

(Thomas, J., Das, B., Mistica, A., Soske, G., Hankenson, A., King, A., Olin, H., Schiewe, M., Stout, C., Switzer, M., & Wade, M. (2023). Examining the feasibility and acceptability of student-led type 2 diabetes prevention interventions. Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Phoenix AZ, April 26-29. Poster Presentation.

Thomas, J.,Das, B., Erickson, N., Graves, K., Smith, B., Gore, K., Mistica, A., Phister, K., Snow, E., Soske, G., Stout, C., & Wade, M. (2022). Diabetes interventionist training program for pre-professional students in the health sciences. Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Baltimore MD, April 6-9. Poster Presentation.

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Thomas, J., Moring, J., Bowen, A., Rings, J., Emerson, T., & Lindt, A. (2023). The influence of stress and coping on diabetes self-care activities among college students. Journal of American College Health, 71(5), 1317-1322. (Data-based article)

Purtzer, M.A., & Thomas, J. (2021). What Native Americans want nurses to know: Attitudes and behaviors desired in client/nurse relationships. Public Health Nursing, 38(2), 176-185. (Data-based article)

Thomas, J. (2020, November). Human behavior and COVID. Wyoming Nurse Reporter.

GRANTS AND FUNDING

Willhaus, J. K. & Beach, Megan, Education Abroad Course Grant, Pilgrimage for the Mind Body and Soul (Camino de Santiago, Spain) June 2023. $3,500

Public Health, Immigration, and Social Justice. Education Abroad Site Visit Grant. May 2022. $3,500

Exploring the impact of aromatherapy and three-dimensional guided visualization on anxiety. McMurry Award, School of Nursing, PI Janet Willhaus, October 2020. $8,207.00

PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS

PhD, RN, CHSE, CHSOS

Willhaus, J. K. (Accepted for 2024) The impact of vocal fidelity on nursing student learning in simulation. International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare. San Diego, CA

Willhaus, J. K. (2022). The impact of vocal fidelity in student nurse learning in simulation. WNA Summit and conference. Casper, WY Willhaus, J. & Snyder, A. (2022). Exploring auditory fidelity use in simulation programs. Scholarship Day University of Wyoming, Laramie. Willhaus, J. K. & Snyder, A. (2021). Audio fidelity in simulation education. Wyoming Nurses Association Conference. Virtual.

PUBLICATIONS

Clark, C., Kardong-Edgren, S., & Willhaus, J. K. (2023). Intervention Using Cognitive Rehearsal, Simulation, and Biomarker Data to Address Workplace Incivility. Journal of Continuing Education.

Willhaus, J. & Snyder, A. (2022). Exploring auditory fidelity use in simulation programs. Simulation Technology and Operations Resource Magazine (STORM).

Davis, S. P., Stover, C. F., & Willhaus, J. K.(2022). Simulation use in entry-to-practice respiratory care programs. Respiratory Care, https://doi. org/10.4187/respcare.08673

Jenifer Thomas, PhD

Janet Willhaus,

J’Laine Proctor, DNP, FNP, PMHNP

Jennifer M.L. Stephens, MA, PhD, RN,

GRANTS AND FUNDING

University of Wyoming NIH INBRE Pilot Project grant. Proposal title: The Experience of Cancer for Rural and Frontier Wyoming Adult Oncology Patients: A Two-Phase Mixed Methods Study. PI: Jennifer Stephens. Source of Funding: National Institutes for Health National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Institutional Development, Awards IDeA Networks for Biomedical Excellence program. Amount: $70,000 USD over 2 years, July 2023 to April 30, 2025.

University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Wald Grant. Attendance at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress 2023 (San Antonio, Texas–April 26–30, 2023). Source of Funding: University of Wyoming, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. Amount: $2,500 USD.

January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Humenick Grant. Proposal title: The Experience of Secondary Cancers for Survivors of Ocular Melanomas: A Qualitative Patient-Collaborative study. Source of Funding: University of Wyoming, Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing.

Amount: $5,000 USD. January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences Faculty grant. Source of Funding: University of Wyoming, College of Health Sciences.

Amount: $10,000 USD. 2022 to 2024

PUBLICATIONS

Bryan, V., Stephens, J., Shippey-Heilman, A., & Rempel, G. R. (2023). Who is caring for nurses? A qualitative description of psychological influence of COVID-19 pandemic on RNs’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice Research, 13(9), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v13n9p38

Thiessen, N., Leslie, K., & Stephens, J. (2023). An examination of self-employed nursing regulation in three Canadian provinces. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544231175472

Lane, A. & Stephens, J. (accepted). What it is and is not: Pedagogy underlying online nursing education. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning.

Stephens, J. & Leslie, K. (accepted). The status of climate change and environmental sustainability materials in Canadian BN Programs. Journal of Nursing Education.

Stephens, J. (2023, March 14). Transhumanism and posthumanism in nursing. Nursology. https://nursology.net/2023/03/14/transhumanism-andposthumanism-in-nursing/

Stephens, J. (2023). Exploring the history of nursing in Wyoming. Wyoming Nurse, 36(1), 6.

Stephens, J. (2023). Exploring the history of nursing in Wyoming. The Paintbrush: Wyoming State Board of Nursing Newsletter, 3(3), 2.

Leslie, K., Myles, S., Stahlke, S., Shelley, J. J., Cook, K., Stephens, J., & Nelson, S. (2023). Regulating during crisis: A qualitative comparative case study of nursing regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 14(1). https://www.journalofnursingregulation. com/action/showPdf?pii=S2155-8256%2823%2900066-2

Stephens, J. & Thorne, S. (2022). When cancer is the self: An interpretive description of the experience of identity by hematology cancer patients. Cancer Nursing, 45(2), E504-E513.DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000984

Stephens, J. & Stephens, M. (2022). Funny Ha-Ha: A primer on how to incorporate humor into your teaching as a nurse. (Chapter 12, p. 159-168). In Kishor Vaidya (Ed.). Teach Nursing with a Sense of Humor: Why (and How to) Be a Funnier and More Effective Nursing Educator and Laugh All the Way to Your Classroom. Curious Academic Publishing.

PRESENTATIONS

Stephens, J. (2023, 3 November). Patient advocacy in the face of cancer: Nursing reflections. [Keynote Speaker]. Rocky Mountain Region, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Annual Meeting. Casper, Wyoming.

Stephens, J. (2023, 28-29 September). Early history of nursing in Wyoming. [POSTER]. Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) Annual Convention, Cheyenne Wyoming.

Stephens, J. (2023, 28-29 September). The Wyoming oncology patient experience: Nursing research. [POSTER]. Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) Annual Convention, Cheyenne Wyoming.

Stephens, J. (2023, 28-29 September). Nursing schism: The humanism and post-humanism dividing lines. [Oral Presentation, virtual]. 26th International Nursing Philosophy Conference, Syndey, Australia.

Stephens, J. (2023, 5 September). Wyoming rural oncology patient update. [Oral presentation, virtual]. Rocky Mountain Region, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Monthly On-line Meeting.

Stephens, J. (2023, 12 May). Exploring the early history of nursing in Wyoming. [Keynote Speaker]. Sigma Theta Tau Induction Ceremony, Ivinson Hospital, Laramie, Wyoming.

Stephens, J. (2023, 18 April). Nursing schism: The humanism and posthumanism dividing lines. Student Conference for the Center for Nursing Philosophy, University of California-Irvine. [virtual]

Stephens, J. & Jones, S. (2023, 18 April). Cancer in Wyoming- the current landscape of needs and what’s on the horizon. [Oral presentation]. Wyoming Primary Care Association 2023 Power of Rural Healthcare Conference, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

Stephens, J. (2023, 12 April). Exploring the early history of nursing in Wyoming. [Oral presentation]. University of Wyoming Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Scholarship Day, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

Leslie, K., Nelson, S., Myles, S., Stephens, J., Cook, K., & Schiller, C. (2023, 1-5 July). Regulating during crisis: Examining nursing regulatory responses. [Oral presentation]. International Council of Nurses Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Maynard, J., Cook, K., & Stephens, J. (2022, 22 October). Anticipatory grief in parents who have a child with a non-malignant life-limiting condition. [Oral presentation]. 23rd International Congress on Palliative Care, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Maynard, J., Cook, K., & Stephens, J. (2022, 15-16 October). Anticipatory grief in parents who have a child with a non-malignant life-limiting condition. [Oral presentation]. Athabasca University Graduate Student Research (online) Conference.

Henderson, J., Stephens, J., & Thirsk, L. (2022, 15-16 October). Accessing medical assistance in dying: A narrative review of nursing and patient perspectives. [Oral presentation]. Athabasca University Graduate Student Research (online) Conference.

Stephens, J., Parker, N., & Petrovic, K. (2022, 21-23 September). Quality improvement template for undergraduate nursing education curriculum review and analysis. [Poster] International Research Health and Nursing Education Conference, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Stephens, J. (2022, 17-19 August). Transhumanism and nursing: Hints of where we are headed [Oral presentation]. International Nursing Philosophy Conference for the International Philosophy of Nursing Society (IPONS), University of California, Irvine, USA.

MEDIA APPEARANCES

American Lung Association. (2023, August). Leaders for Lung Cancer Screening: Public Service Announcement for Lung Cancer Screening: Jennifer Stephens, oncology nurse. https://www.alcsi.org/leaders-for-lung-cancer-screening

A Cure in Sight. (Recorded 2023, September 5). Episode 79: Special Research Call out for OM patients with Jennifer Stephens. Eye Believe: Podcast for the A Cure in Sight organization. https://ocularmelanoma.podbean.com/e/episode-79/

OCN, CCNE

SCHOOL UPDATE: NEW FACULTY

Amy Turpin, MS, RN Assistant Lecturer

I graduated from Nursing School from The University of North Carolina, Wilmington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I worked as an RN in Intensive Care and Trauma units for 15 years before getting my Master’s of Science Degree in Nursing Education from the University of Wyoming in 2015. I then became a Nurse Educator at Sheridan College for 8 years in the ADN nursing program. I held a role as Director of Patient Safety and Quality for one year before relocating to Laramie in July of 2023 and entering back into Nursing Education.

I am married with 2 daughters Katie (19) attending Black Hills State University and Maggie (16) attending Laramie Highschool as a junior.

Karen L. Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS Associate Dean/Associate Professor

Karen Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS is an experienced nurse educator, teaching across the spectrum of nursing. She has taught from Certified Nursing Assistant, to both Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Philosophy programs. Her teaching has been in public and private institutions. Her foundation in nursing clinical practice is in Emergency Nursing and she did obtain certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her research work most recently has focused on resilience and well-being within the healthcare workforce and nursing education. Additionally, she has past funding in the area of academic nursing professional development.

She remains active in Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma) where she presently serves on the International Governance Committee. She has also served as the Vice President and Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair on the International Board of Directors. In her free time, she loves to cycle, ski and hike. She is a volunteer committee member and ride support person for the Venus Bike Club.

Cheryl E. Rodgers, MSN, RN Assistant Lecturer

I am new to the faculty as of January this year. I was born in Oklahoma where I lived until I was around six years old, moved to Texas briefly, then to Missouri from ages seven to 12, then back to Fort Worth, Texas where I was raised. I lived in Texas until 2014, when my husband and I moved to Wyoming, just because, no reason :). I received my undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University in 1993 and a Master of Science in Nursing from University of Wyoming in December 2022.

My career has spanned 30 years and has included pediatrics, maternal child, adult intensive care, dialysis, oncology, and now academia. I have been a staff nurse, a house supervisor, a unit manager, clinical supervisor, vascular access nurse, rapid response nurse, and built an electronic medical record. I love nursing for this and many other reasons. You can never get bored because there is always something

new to learn or a different area to explore.

I have four children, Cooper (30 years old), his wife Sierra, and our new addition my granddaughter, Gwenivere Odette; then there is Connor (27 years old) and his wife Katie; Wayne (12 years old); and Hannah (11 years old). We live on 52 acres west of Laramie, have five horses, one goat, two dogs, and three cats! Quite the menagerie. My family loves adventure! We take pack trips with our horses, camp quite frequently, fish, hunt, own a small sailboat, and are planning to remodel an old school bus to tour North America during the summers.

Jennifer Langevin, MSN, RN, OB-RNC Assistant Lecturer

Jennifer has lived in seven States in the US, Sicily, Italy and Zambia, Africa where she worked as a Peace Corps volunteer. This is where her determination to work in Labor and Delivery was sparked. This dream was fulfilled when she had the privilege of working in a busy hospital in Tacoma, WA. While raising two children with her husband Paul, she has worn many hats but most of them involved teaching. Jennifer finished her Masters of Nursing Education in December of 2022 and is excited to be able to put what she learned from the program into practice. When she isn’t working, she is usually on trails where she lives in Star Valley Ranch. She is an ultra distance trail runner and has completed six 100 mile races and many 100ks and 50ks.

Sarah

Whitman, MSN, RNA Assistant Lecturer

I was born and raised in Wyoming and am proud to teach at The Fay Whitney School of Nursing at the University. I have worked as a CNA, LPN, and received my RN, ADN in 2004. In my 20+ year healthcare career, I worked on medical units, and as an RN I focused on Labor and Delivery as a charge nurse and as a manager over the Women and Children’s Departments. During this time, I continued my education receiving my baccalaureate and Master’s degree in Leadership and Management. I gained valuable experience as I grew as an RN and leader which has proven valuable in a faculty role. I currently live in Cheyenne with my husband and 3 children.

Senior Director of Development for the College of Health Sciences

Shannon Mosness

Shannon Mosness recently joined the College of Health Sciences as the Senior Director of Development. She and her daughter are both graduates from the University of Wyoming. Prior to joining the University, Shannon was with Colorado State University and UCHealth Northern Colorado Foundation. If you’re interested in learning more about giving opportunities, she can be reached at 970.224.9054 or shannon. mosness@uwyo.edu.

2023 AWARDEES CONVOCATION Congratulations

Kenneth Goff, Michelle Kitchen & Marta Iwaseczko

Amelia Leino Memorial Award for demonstrating academic excellence

Anne Marie Huntington

Gertrude Gould Memorial Award for demonstrating excellence in public health nursing practice

Makena Sanger

Rudolph “Rudy” & Louise Anselmi & Jeri Kirk Family Trust Nursing Scholarship for demonstrating leadership and responsibility

Brandon Johnson and Kailee Nazminia

Dr. Patsy Hesen Haslam Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership & grace

Ellie Edgar

School of Nursing Spirit Award for demonstrating exceptional spirit and enthusiasm

Sheri Lynn Nicks

Professional Nurse Award for demonstrating excellence in practice, community, and professional service

Brandon Johnson

Susan McCabe Psychiatric Mental Health Graduate Award for demonstrating academic excellence, passion for knowledge, and superior clinical practice

Hunter Myers

Lina Kennedy White Memorial Award for demonstrating interest and aptitude for geriatric nursing

Giovanna Vaira

Beverly McDermott Award for demonstrating leadership and political activism

Gracy Gilbert & Christina Rozier

Dorothy Tupper Senior Award for demonstrating caring, compassion, and interpersonal communication

Morgan Lu

“Change Agent” Award for a graduating DNP student who has demonstrated a commitment to improving and changing health

Abigail Frier

Carol Macnee Scholarship Award for demonstrating excellence in scholarship and/or research

Kenneth Goff

Passion for Nursing Award for demonstrating passion in nursing

Amy Wiig

Courage to Teach Award for the personification of a critically reflective attitude about learning and teaching

The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing at the University of Wyoming announces their 2023 Distinguished Alumna, Faith M. Jones, MSN, RN, NEA-BC.

I have had the pleasure to know Faith Jones as a nursing colleague for about 21 years. She has an infectious personality and has been a strong nursing leader and innovator in Wyoming locally, statewide, and nationally. She is a frequent speaker, teacher, author, and most recently ran for American Nurses Association (ANAPresident). Faith exemplifies what a strong passionate nursing voice can bring to the table and make a difference. This quote comes directly from her Webpage (https://www.vote-faith.com/why-votefor-faith).” It is so important that nurses have a clear and distinct voice, made up of all the countless voices that make up the profession. There are nurses in this country from all backgrounds with vastly different life experiences, but at our heart – we have so much in common. Faith’s mission is to draw from all these unique differences and individual strengths and bring them together to project one powerful collective voice to send a message of strength and hope for the future of nursing.

It has been an honor to work with Faith Jones not only through Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA) but nationally through ANA also. Faith Jones is a graduate and now a Fellow of the American Association Nurses Leadership Institute (ANAI) of which I was part

2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA

Faith M. Jones, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

of the volunteer ANA staff. She is a bright engaging leader that understands the strong need for advocacy whether locally on the job, the state Legislature or federally through Congress. To become a Fellow in ANAI, it is a year- long training program where a nurse goes to DC and attends classes on how to communicate and shape a message with nursing colleagues, constituents and policy makers. Then the nurse returns to her state and works on a project for one year. Faith has taken these skills on in all her work with staff nurses, other nurse leaders, and policy makers.

Faith started her nursing career as a Navy Corpsman and met her future husband while serving in the Navy in Reykjavik Iceland. As a nurse Faith has served in many roles in clinics, hospitals, long term care, home care, consulting and focused especially in rural health care. I will expand on her leadership roles and innovation work in the next examples. Her Awards include but not limited to: Navy Achievement Medal, Professional Nursing Award from U of Wyoming School of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau, Leadership Award in WNA, Norman S. Holt Award in Nursing Excellence, Wyoming Nurse Management Nurse of the Year, WNA Outstanding Leadership, and WNA Nightingale Award of Excellence.

Examples of Excellence:

1. When you think of leadership many words come to mind when I think of Faith Jones, but Trust is key, Compassion with the ability to listen and to be positive, Stability is someone you can count on, and finally Hope that there are ways for a brighter future. Faith has a strong resume of working for the Nursing Profession. It is important to note that nurses have ranked the most trusted for 19 years. Nursing professional organizations focus on the health and safety in the work place. Faith started out in her local WNA District 16 and served as Secretary and Treasurer. She was then appointed to the WNA Board serving as Practice Committee chair and

also Legislative Chair of WNA. She was elected as President-Elect, the President, and a Delegate to the ANA House of Delegates. From there she moved to national prominence, being elected as Director at large to ANA. At the national level she was also appointed to the ANA PAC Board of Trustees and served as Chair. In addition, she was appointed to several ANA committees and appointed to Vice President of ANA. Finally, she was inducted into the ANA Leadership Society and served as Chair.

During her service for ANA, she was involved in streamlining the Organization Structure which meant reducing the number of elected ANA Board and creating the Constituent Assembly replacing the large House of Delegates. During all this re-organization Faith always kept in mind the need for understanding the nursing challenges in rural America.

Faith has also been involved in The Wyoming Organization of Nurse Executives and has served as PresidentElect, President, and Past President.

During her tenure as President of WNA, we moved from a local office in Cheyenne to having a management group operate the Organization. It was a time of great concern to many nurses whether WNA could be the voice of nurses without an office in Cheyenne. WNA of course has always had a lobbyist in Cheyenne but streamlining our State Organization allowed us to grow and thrive. Faith helped this process go smoothly.

Wyoming Nurses Association is grateful for Faith Jones running for ANA President this June. Although she did not win, she highlighted the need for understanding the rural nurse in the US.

2. Faith has always had a passion for innovation in all of her work situations. In 2013 to 2015 after the ACA (Affordable Care Act) was passed, there was a huge amount of money put aside for innovative health solutions. Montana received

Nominated by Mary L. Behrens, Colleague

in the first round 10.5 million dollars to work with 25 critical care hospitals. Faith Jones was then the Chief Clinical Officer /Co-Director of Innovations. They conducted 11 projects, some worked, and some did not. One project was in relation to Swing Beds. Faith and four other authors wrote an article for the Journal of Rural Health, Lessons learned: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Barriers to Swing Bed Utilization in Critical Access Hospitals. A second study was in relation to Advanced Directives. Faith and two other authors published in the Journal of Nursing Care Quality, Improving the Advance Directive Request and Retrieval Process in Critical Access Hospitals. In both these studies Faith’s group was able to influence Medicare rules in Chronic Care. They were also able to help out rural

clinics in improving reimbursement for care. Nursing is key in Care Coordination. Faith has been instrumental in improving care coordination in 15 states. Faith just presented at the California Association of Rural Clinics on Medicare and Care Coordination.

Other areas Faith Jones has focused on are Telehealth, Treating Opioid Use Disorder requires a Team Approach, Implementing Team Based Care to eliminate Burnout in Primary Care, leveraging your Annual Wellness Visit for Health Care Promotion Revenue in Wyoming, and Innovating to Improve Care Coordination through Community

Paramedicine Collaboration to name a view examples. She has done presentations on these topics but also taught courses in these areas.

Faith Jones has truly made a difference for nursing and is a wonderful example of a nursing leader from the University of Wyoming moving our profession forward with grace and enthusiasm. It is an honor to nominate her for Distinguished Nursing Alumni from U of Wyoming.

PLANS FOR CELEBRATION

Faith will be honored in person during the Fall 2023 University of Wyoming Homecoming week on Friday, September 29th

2023 PRECEPTOR AWARD: K.O. Kasten, CMSRN

Joint & Spine Care Center-Avista Adventist Hospital • Louisville, Colorado

K.O. Kasten is a certified Medical/Surgical RN who is presently practicing at Avista Adventist Hospital in Louisville. She considers it a wonderful opportunity and privilege to teach the next generation of nurses on the floor.

She has travels annually with medical teams to international clinics in Tanzania, Uganda, and Peru.

Basic BSN student Teresa D’Angelo who nominated K.O. had this to say:

I would like to nominate Karen (K.O.) Kasten for the preceptor award for her extraordinary role in professional leadership, mentoring, and compassionate patient care. K.O. encourages students to give all patients the attention and care that they deserve. For example, K.O. is a certified medical interpreter for Spanish-speaking-only (SSO) patients which only further exemplifies her inclusion in delivering the highest level of care to all patients. It is admirable to see her work through tricky situations while still maintaining the dignity of each of her patients. She is a strong, self-sufficient advocate for her patients and I am truly amazed at all her work accomplishments. I would like to thank K.O. for her kindness and genuine dedication to the nursing profession including adequately preparing and empowering the next generation of nurses. My time working with her has truly been invaluable and she continues to be a positive light to co-workers, to patients, and to me.

COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD 2023: Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County Rock Springs, Wyoming

The recipient of the Community Partner Award for 2022-2023 is the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. The award was presented on August 30, 2023 in the Arts & Sciences Auditorium on the University of Wyoming Campus at the school’s annual Nightingale Ceremony introducing new junior students to professional nursing. We are very appreciative of the support of the Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County this past year. We are especially appreciative of all the time and effort that Patty and the hospital provided to our group of BRAND students. The students were very complimentary of the clinical experiences working with all of the staff at the hospital.

K.O. Kasten, CMSRN

Left to Right: Dean Sherrill Smith, Patty O’Lexey, Megan Guess, Amelia Cuevas

UW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NURSING

Update 2023

The UWAANC is busy as always!

SPEED MENTORING

The annual Speed Mentoring will be held in 3 sessions. Two in October, one in November. Speed mentoring is done in person with some of the mentors participating via ZOOM. The specialties to be represented are flight Nursing, Intensive Care, School Nursing, Informatics, Managed Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, Family Nurse Practitioner Practice, and International Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

UWAANC had the annual general membership meeting on April 12, 2023. It is great to interact with colleagues and alumni from around the state and country.

CAPSTONE MENTORING

UWAANC finished off the spring semester with the capstone mentoring program. The goal of the program is to provide social support and assist in the transition from senior nursing student to professional nurse. The UWAANC board is always thankful for the wonderful and dedicated capstone mentors from around the country. If interested in being a capstone mentor, please email uwursingalumni@ uwyo.edu.

We are gearing up for a very busy and exciting fall.

HOMECOMING MEET AND GREET RECEPTION

This will be held in the back room at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery on September 29, 2023, from 6 pm-8pm. The UWAANC board looks forward to seeing our colleagues and friends. This is an excellent networking opportunity. Everyone is welcome, so please add this event to your calendar.

CHAPTER (UWAANC)

MEMORABLE MENTOR AWARD

The award will be presented during the above reception. If you have someone who influenced your nursing career, please consider submitting a nomination: http:// www.uwyo.edu/nursing/alumni/uwaa-nursing-chapter/ memorable-mentor-nomination-form.html Nominations are due every year prior to the Annual Homecoming Meet and Greet.

UW NURSING & HEALTH PROFESSIONS CAREER FAIR

The UWAANC will have a table with information available for students in October in the Wyoming Student Union Ballroom.

RESUME BLITZ

Reviewers will be present during the above career fair to review resumes of students. Resumes will also be reviewed online. The students remark that the feedback given with this review is helpful in acquiring their first professional nursing position.

MOCK INTERVIEWS

The interviews will be held in November to assist the senior students in acquiring their first nursing position through honing their interviewing skills. Students have found this experience to be very valuable and the dedicated UWAANC board members have enjoyed participating in the interviews.

Please contact UWAANC at uwnursingalumni@ uwyo.edu if interested in joining the chapter, being on the board, or participating in any of the events or programs.

2023-2024 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

The following donors make nursing education more manageable financially for some students, and make nursing education actually possible for others. A big Thank You for encouraging hard-working students with your gift of support.

Rudolph “Rudy” & Louise Anselmi & Jeri Kirk Family Trust Scholarship

Abigail Preston

Babson & Associates Primary Care Nursing Scholarship

Katelyn Lahnert

Blue Cross Blue Shield Wyoming

BSN Completion Scholarships

Grace Lowry

Katelyn Lahnert

Mason Agort

Chancey Stebner

Elizabeth Wood

Blue Cross Blue Shield Wyoming DNP Scholars Program Scholarships

Margot Carr

Bonnie Just

Julia Brady

Mckenzie Frederick

Steven Aragon

Kathleen Buckingham Bohmont Nursing Scholarship

Nicole Wagler

BRAND Loan

Ashley Majusiak

Sarina Myers

Tommi Olson

Tori Starkebaum

Polly Chase Memorial Scholarship

Melissa Chehade

Tori Starkebaum

Josh Keegan

Jessica Ketcham

Angela Juarez

Marcia L. & William G. Dale Nursing Scholarship

Jade Casey

Jessi Schroeder

Bobbie Schreiner

Dowell Infectious Nursing Scholarship

Isabel Lyons

J V Leino Memorial in Nursing Scholarship

Abigail Preston

Emma Karhu

Kylee Holstad

Kaylyn Burns

Ashley Marshall

Mikayla Colling

Abbie Samp

Marina Youngdahl

Madylin Turpen

Jay Robinson

Alexandra Conforti

Frances E. Gasdek-Eaglehouse & Barry D. Gasdek Scholarship

Ashley Majusiak

Frank R. & Dorothy M. Gruden Scholarship in Nursing

Finley O’Connor

Rachel Kuntz

Elizabeth Holland Scholarship in Nursing

James Wallen

Maxine S. Chisholm Pioneer Nurse Practitioner Fund

Melissa Chehade

John & Lois Malmquist Nursing Scholarship

Rachel Petersburg

Kimberly Denningmann

Carolyn Bennett Miknis ’59 ReNEW and BRAND Nursing Scholarship

Mason Agor

Carolyn Bennett Miknis, Nursing Scholar

Chenoa Williams

Gordon S. and Charlott Myers (CHS)

Melissa Chehade

Bonnie M. and George E. Nugent Nursing Scholarship

Teagan Marsh

Chenoa Williams

Pearl Crossley O’Kieffe Memorial Scholarship

Emily Torres-Lumsden

Mildred Agnes Kimball and Adele Colling Memorial Scholarship

Marie Ramier

Joseph F. & Susan H. Steiner ReNEW Nursing Scholarship

London Hultman

Rita Bragg Nursing Scholarship

Emily Jones

Dorothy Tupper Nursing Scholarship

Teagan Marsh

Clayton Unger Endowed Nursing Scholarship

Kirsten Schlautmann

Ella Erickson

Josh Keegan

Wiest Nursing Scholarship

Rachel Petersburg

Sharon K. West Nursing Scholarship for Needy Students Institutional Fund

Ella Erickson

Rachel Kuntz

Jeanne Mogard Emerson Scholarship

Kia Hafner

Diane Burns Memorial Nursing Scholarships

Jay Robinson

Susan K McMurry Strategic Partnership for the Advancement of Nursing in Wyoming BRAND

Johanna Nielsen

Robert Barnes

Abigail Devine

Shelbee Thompson

Kaylen Hansen

James Wallen

Cody Chancellor

Sarina Myers

Madison Hall

Ashley Majusiak

LIST OF DONORS TO SCHOOL (JUNE 2022-JUNE 2023)

Ann C. Enlow

Preceptors & Friends of the Nurse Practitioner Program

Ross & Nancy McGee

Chelsea Carter

Tamara Mason

Edward & Ann Marie Hart

Best Day Possible Fund for Older Adult

Palliative Care

Bradley & Kay McKim

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Wyoming DNP Scholars Program Scholarships and BSN Completion Scholarships

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming Caring Foundation

Diane Burns Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Joni Bollinger

Patrick Burns

Tommy Crawford

Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing Fund

Thomas & Jean Tonoli

David & Holly Miller

Joyce Dewey Billings

Jeanne Mogard

Emerson Scholarship in Nursing

Cheryl Remple

Joseph F. & Susan

H. Steiner ReNEW Nursing Scholarship

Joseph and Susan Steiner

Marcia Dale Aspire Scholars Program Fund

Ann Strenger

United Health Care Group

Marcia L. and William

G. Dale Nursing Scholarship

The Joannides Family Foundation

Mary E. Burman

Fund for Student Experiential

Opportunities in Nursing

Charles & Joyce Lyford

Guthmann Revocable Trust

Charles & L.J. Guthmann

Jerry & Mary Behrens

A.J & Jane Barghothi

Maria Kidner

Ross & Nancy McGee

Stephen & Kathleen Bieber

Thomas & Angela VerPloeg

Mary Anne Purtzer

Ryan & Taylor Meyer

Kathryn Luzmoor

Maxine S. Chisholm

Pioneer Nurse Practitioner Fund

Edward & Ann Marie Hart

Jerry & Mary Behrens

David & Sherry Wells

Brianne Werbelow

Vincent Siren

Keith & Corrine Seebart

Ridge & Kathy Larson

Jeffrey & Sherrill Smith

Kathleen Bertoncelj

Nursing Alumni Scholarship

Yvonne Brady

Patricia Shoults

Robert Butcher

Nursing School

Carl & Donna Lindberg

George & Deborah Lantz

Richard & Sandra Browne

Jennifer Grim

Thomas & Leslie Lee

Michael & L. Susan White

Gerald & Elizabeth Nichols

Paul & Pamela Smith

Bruce D. and Patricia K. Fritz

Rev. Trust

Prospera Financial Services

Kelly Heflin

Milton & Patricia Green

Catherine Purcell

Tina O’Connor

Jack & Christina Warren

Edward & Ann Marie Hart

Jerrod & Kristine Isaak

Leland & Sheri Stinson

Catherine Soberekon

Marian Gruenfelder

James & Karen Esten

Gaurdia Banister

John & Janet Farmer

Kay Calloway

United Health Group

Jacob Wagner

Thorm & Jean Forseth

Michael & Jill Dunn

Willard & Cynthia Woods

Briggin & Heidi Palmer

Dave & Sonia Klein

Cary & Ann Enlow

Frank & Veronica Taylor

Patrick McCaughan & Stacey

Young-McCaughan

Ralph & Fay Whitney

Lawrence Boram

Everett Davis & Robin Wilcoxen Davis

Jeffrey & Sherrill Smith

Kathy Moore

Gerald & Mary Jo Garvin

Robert F. and Lana S. Shepard Living Trust

Nathan & Melissa Wadsworth

Chikwendu & Bibiana Ukaegbu

John Thompson

Jeanine Niemoller

Emmajean Amrhein

Darrell & Susan Asbell

Michael Enright

Joelle Appel

David Corken

Michelle Hilaire

Carol Holland

Rebecca Franklin

Alan & Mary Bair

Amanda Ford

Denise Ramp

Joyce Dewey Billings

Bruce & Patricia Fritz

Ann Strenger

Nancy Hanson

Janice Denoo

Eric Plummer

Audry Van Houweling

Steven Broman

Robert Hylton

Sharron S. Humenick

Nursing Enrichment Fund

Edward & Ann Marie Hart

The Dowell Infectious Nursing Scholarship

Active Scholarship

Mark E. Dowell, MD and Caryn Dowell

John & Susan Masterson

John A. Masterson Revocable Trust

Wyoming Community Foundation

Transition Practicum

Scholarship in Nursing

Mrs. Carolyn M. Carollo and Mr. Al Carollo, Jr

Nancy C. Brazelton

UW-Cheyenne

Regional Medical Center (CRMC) Faculty Partnership

Brian & Sara Bauman

GIFT FORM

Name

Address City State Zip

Preferred e-mail address

Preferred phone number

Please accept my/our gift to UW Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing in the amount of:

❑ $50 ❑ $100 ❑ $200 ❑ $500 ❑ $1,000 ❑ Other $

This gift is designated for: (please specify)

I/we would like to make my/our gift in the form of:

❑ Check: Please make payable to the University of Wyoming Foundation

❑ Telephone: Please call the University of Wyoming Foundation during normal business hours: (307) 766-6300 or (888) 831-7795

❑ Online: www.uwyo.edu/giveonline

❑ Mail: Please mail form to: University of Wyoming Foundation 1200 East University Street, Laramie, WY 82070

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Persons seeking admission, employment, or access to programs of the University of Wyoming shall be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or political belief.

Aerial view of the University of Wyoming Campus, 1929-1930