College Kudos

A Kudos from Dean Marla De Jong

Explore the spotlight of achievement our weekly update, "College Kudos," curated by Dean Marla De Jong. Each week, we'll be updating this space to showcase the remarkable strides made by our faculty and students, showcasing their impactful research, prestigious awards, and inspiring contributions to healthcare. It's your go-to source for staying connected with what's happening in our college.

Recent Highlights at the CON

EVENTS

2nd Annual Open House

Mikayla Dalley and Annastasia Beller hosted the College of Nursing’s 2nd Annual Open House on April 15, where they greeted current and potential University of Utah pre-nursing students. Students and parents met with advisors, learned about prelicensure application and admission processes, and toured the Simulation Center, which was a big hit. Dr. Ann Butt, Yvonne Bass, Bobby Cody, and Debbie Boulter led the simulation tour and facilitated simulation experiences.

RECOGNITION

Grant Awards

The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Meaningful Use Committee awarded $25,250 to Drs. Lisa Taylor-Swanson and Camille Moreno for their project titled Delivering MENOGAP: A Group Medical Visit for Midlife Patients.

The Veteran's Administration Pain/Opioid Consortium of Research (CORE) awarded $46,732 to Drs. Felice Indindoli (PI; Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA), Lisa Taylor-Swanson (Co-I), and Carolyn Gibson (Co-I; University of California, San Francisco) for their project titled Rapid Quality Improvement and Evaluation of an Acupuncture Therapy Clinic for Peri/Post-Menopausal Women Veterans with Chronic Pain (A-MVP).

PRESENTATION

Faculty and students presented at the 2024 Utah Public Health Association Conference on April 10-11, 2024. The conference theme was “ACT for Health.”

Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead, Jeannette Villalta, Camille Moreno, Isabel Dulfano, and Lisa Taylor-Swanson presented Adapting an Integrative Group Medical Visit for Community Health Worker Delivery Among Latina Menopausal Women.
Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead, Heather Brown, Valentine Mukundente, Ivoni Nash, and Reverend Francis Davis presented Addressing Community Health Needs and Health Equity through Community Coalitions: CFU - A Model for Change.

Faculty and students will present at the Oncology Nursing Society Congress in Washington, DC, on April 24-28, 2024.

Rachael Alexander and Dr. Caroline Stephens will present a poster titled Palliative Care Stigma in Oncology: An Integrated Systematic Literature Review.
Angela Fausett, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, and Dr. Lynn Reinke will present a poster titled Rural Health Care Transformation: Enhancing Oncology Access to Care.
Lori Minasian, Dr. Kathi Mooney, Deborah Mayer, and Anabella Aspiras will present a podium presentation titled National Cancer Initiatives: Igniting the Effort to End Cancer as We Know It.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson presented an invited keynote titled Menopause: There’s So Much More to It than Hot Flashes and the Kidneys at the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Annual Symposium in Minneapolis. The symposium theme was “Embracing the Diversity of Acupuncture: Connecting People and Paradigms.” Dr. Taylor-Swanson then presented two 2-hour workshops titled Menopause: A Workshop on Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine Techniques and Theories, providing hands-on demonstration of evidence-based acupuncture therapy for peri- and post-menopause symptoms and experiences.

Facutly presented at the 2024 International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Health in Cleveland.

Jessica Barnhill, Aisha Chilcoat, Paula Gardiner, Isabel Roth, and Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson presented a research panel discussion titled Adapting Evidence-Based Interventions for Diverse Patient Populations: Mindfulness Based Interventions Within Integrative Group Medical Visit.
In an oral abstract session regarding natural medicine therapies, Belinda Anderson, Melissa Zappa, Barbara Glickstein, and Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson presented Chinese Herbal Medicine and COVID-19: A Qualitative Analysis of Approaches to Evidence-Based Practice by Licensed Acupuncturists in the United States.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson provided an online presentation titled Vasomotor Symptoms + Migraine = Increases the Relative Risk of Heart Disease & Stroke in Midlife Women for the White Pine Circle Research Study Group. White Pine Circle is an online resourcefor practicing acupuncturists, enabling them to continue learning, earn continuing education credit, and share best practices regarding the provision of East Asian medicine.

Dean Marla De Jong presented Leadership Lessons Pertaining to Military Service to Air Force Reserve Officer Training CorpsCadets at the University of Utah.

PUBLICATIONS

Douglass B, Stager SL, Shaw K, Hite A, Solecki S, Stanik-Hutt J, Tufts G. Professional identity in nursing: Why it is important in graduate education. J Prof Nurs. 2024;52:50-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.03.004

Farley J, Taylor-Swanson L, Koppenhaver S, Thackeray A, Magel J, Fritz JM. The effect of combining spinal manipulation and dry needling in individuals with nonspecific low back pain. J Pain. In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2024.03.002

Goodwin RM, Utz RL, Elmore CE, Ornstein KA, Tay DL, Ellington L, Smith KR, Stephens CE. Leveraging existing datasets to advance family caregiving research: Opportunities to measure what matters. J Aging Soc Policy. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2024.2320043

Linder B, Yang G-Y, Lumiere K, Taylor-Swanson L, Graca S, Armour M. Collaborative design of a Chinese herbal medicine case report guideline (CHM-CARE), Eur J Integr Med. In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2024.102364

IN THE MEDIA

OPENPediatrics™ - 03/18

OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open access, thus free to users. In a Nursing World Shared Practice Forum video titled Leveraging Research to Address Social Determinants of Health, Julie Waitt spoke with Dr. Andrea Wallace, who shared the importance of implementing social determinants of health screening in healthcare delivery, recommended non-traditional strategies and resources nurses can use to participate in evidence-based practice activities, and discussed firsthand experiences with implementing evidence-based practice in the context of improving outcomes when social determinants of health exist. Kathryn Brodie and Michele De Grazia contributed to producing the video, which is available through three sites.

SERVICE

Angie Fenton was appointed Graduate Nursing Student Academy Liaison for the University of Utah.

Dr. Julie Gee and Dr. Jenneth Doria were invited to serve on the Conference Planning Committee for the Transcultural Nursing Society’s 50th Annual Conference, which will be held in Salt Lake City on October 23-26, 2024. The conference theme is Envision the Future, Honor the Past: A Half-Century of Advancement in Transcultural Practice, Education, Research, and Administration.

Kudos from 2024

WIN Conference

The College of Nursing will be well-represented at the 2024 Western Institute of Nursing Conference on April 17-20, 2024, in Salt Lake City. The conference theme is Health and Equity in Changing Environmental and Social Climates. More than 100 faculty, staff, pre- and post-doctoral fellows, and students will present.

Recognition

2024 Western Academy of Nurses Inductees: Dr. Lauri Linder and Dr. Perry Gee

2024 WIN Award Recipient: Carol A. Lindeman Award for a New Researcher: Dr. Scott Christensen

Podium Presentations

Integrating Sustainability Concepts into Nursing Courses and Curricula. Dr. Jennifer Macali, Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Marge Volkening

When Water Use and Public Health Collide: The Human Health Implications of the Great Salt Lake’s Collapse. Ben Abbott, Dean Marla De Jong

Moderating Podium Presentations at a Professional Conference. Cara Gallegos, Dr. Lauri Linder

Women’s Health Across the Lifespan – Moderator: Dr. Lauren Clark

An Intersectional Exploration of Women’s Experiences during Menopause. Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Madison Maughan, ValentineMukundente, Lori Pacheco, Wendy Sanders, Fahina Tavake-Pasi, Jeannette Villalta, Heather Merkley, Camille Moreno
Using Female Reproductive System History in Cardiovascular Nursing Research. Mary Roberts Davis, Shirin Hiatt, Nandita Gupta, NathanDieckmann, Lissi Hansen, Quin Denfeld
Adapting an Integrative Group Medical Visit to Address a Gap in Menopause Care: Menogap. Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Jennie Leo, Zoee Perry, Camille Moreno, Luul Farah, Sara Farah, Julie Fritz, Cinneamon Geppelt, Doriena Lee, Heather Merkley, Valentine Mukundente, LoriPacheco, Wendy Sanders, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Kari Stoddard, Fahina Tavake-Pasi, Jeannette Villalta, Paula Gardiner

State of the Science Address in Research: Climate Change and Nursing Research: Implications for Climate Justice. Moderator: Dr. Paula Meek

Symposium: A Framework for Researching Women’s Health across the Lifespan.

Overview: A Framework for Researching Women’s Health across the Lifespan. Mary Roberts Davis, Quin Denfeld, Shirin Hiatt, Lyndsey Miller,Susan Rosenkranz, MinKyoung Song, Deanne Tibbitts, Ellen Tilden
Applying the WHRL Model to Understand Multimorbidity Challenges Among Women. Shirin Hiatt

Symposium: Methods to Support the Inclusion of Children with Complex Health Conditions and Their Families in Research. Moderator: Dr. LauriLinde

Overview: Methods to Support the Inclusion of Children with Complex Health Conditions and Their Families in Research. Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Christine Platt, Dr. Kelly Mansfield, Leandra Bitterfeld
Engaging Children with Cancer and Their Parents in Instrument Development. Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Christine Platt, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Kristin Stegenga
Strategies for the Inclusion of Siblings to Children with Chronic Illnesses in Research. Dr. Christine Platt, Sally Martens, Dr. Lauri Linder
Participant-Centered Recruitment of Parents of Hospitalized Infants. Dr. Kelly Mansfield, Linda Lambert, Dr. Katherine Sward, ClaudiaDelgado-Corcoran, Dr. Kristin Cloyes

Associate Deans and Directors for Research. Moderator: Dr. Paula Meek

Child Health / Illness Session – Siblings as Caregivers for Children with Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Exploration. Dr. Christine Platt, Sally Martens

Education: Focus on Equity and Diversity Session - Rural Health Disparities and Nursing Education: Using Simulation to Help Bridge the Gap. Dr. Ann Butt, Kristy Gauthier, Carly Bonfiglio

Maternal Health Session. Moderator: Dr. Cheryl Armstrong

Postpartum Health Behaviors and Weight Are Associated with the Social Environment. Jacqueline Kent-Marvick, Dr. Kristin Cloyes, Kayla de laHaye, Dr. Bob Wong, Michelle Debbink, Dr. Sara Simonsen

Older Adult Health Session - Tailoring a Diabetes Tech Intervention for Care Partners of Older Adults with Dementia. Dr. Synneva Hagen-Lillevik, Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Shinduk Lee, Dr. Nancy Allen

Topics in Diversity and Inclusion Session - Non-Traditional Age Nursing Students’ Experiences: Implications for Education. Michaella Lawson, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted, Dr. Kara Dassel, Dr. Jacqueline Eaton

Biological Research in Nursing Session. Moderator: Dr. Christine Platt

Chaotic Patient Trajectory and Risk Framework: Development of a Foundational Approach. Dr. Jace Johnny

Symposium: Our Patients (And Our Students) As Our Teachers. Moderator: Dr. Shawna Sisle

Overview: Our Patients (and Our Students) As Our Teachers. Dr. Shawna Sisler, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Danielle Bennett, Dr. Cynthia Garbett
Implementing Novel Formative Simulation-Based Education for Nursing Trainees. Dr. Shawna Sisler, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Danielle Bennett,Dr. Cynthia Garbett
From Awareness to Action: Translating SDOH Competencies into DNP Curricula. Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Danielle Bennett, Dr. Shawna Sisler
Psychological Safety: An Antecedent to Critical Learning. Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Danielle Bennett, Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Dr. Shawna Sisler
Our Students as Our Teachers: An Autoethnography. Danielle Bennett, Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Dr. Shawna Sisler, Dr. Rebekah Perkins

Topics in Clinical Education Session. Moderator: Dr. Ginette Pepper

PhD/DN Collaboration and Clinical Networking Special Interest Group. Moderator: Dr. Perry Gee

Mid-Career Connection to CANS. Moderator: Dr. Andrea Wallace

Distinguished Research Lectureship: From There to Here and a Program of Research: I Had No Idea. Moderator: Dr. Paula Meek

Chronic Illness Session. Two Distinct but Different Trajectories of Symptoms in End-Stage Liver Disease. Lissi Hansen, Michael Chang, Shirin Hiatt,Nathan Dieckmann, Christopher Lee

Linguistic Markers of Stress and Coping in Cancer Dyads’ Diaries during COVID-19. Dr. Kristin Cloyes, Dr. Kelly Mansfield, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo

Nurse Wellbeing Session. Nurse Reactions to Workplace Violence: Reporting and Safety Implications. Dr. Scott Christensen, Dr. Barbara Wilson

Public Health Issues Session. Educational Activity with Guatemalan Comadronas about Helping Babies Breathe. Kimberly Garcia, Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Emily Flynn

Topics in Academic Education Session. Moderator: Amanda Keddington

The Development of Family Caregiving Competencies for Nursing Education. Dr. Sara Hart, Kathryn Sexson, Andra Davis

Poster Presentations

External Urinary Catheters in Pediatric Females: A Quasi-Experimental Study Proposal. Kaylee Fauvell, Katreena Merrill, Dr. Perry Gee, Janine Roberts

Parents Perceptions of Healthcare Team Support during an Acute Hospital Stay. Dr. Kelly Mansfield, Dr. Katherine Sward, Maija Reblin, Eric Jones,Claudia Delgado-Corcoran, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Linda Lambert, Dr. Kristin Cloyes

Recruitment & Engagement of Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes for a Peer Support Trial. Bruno Gonzales, Dr. Nancy Allen, Dr. Eli Iacob, JuliaBlanchette, Nazeen Shah, Porter Bischoff, Dr. Michelle Litchman

Staff Views on Social Needs Screening: A Social Determination Perspective. Dr. Brenda Luther, Dr. Andrea Wallace

Implementation of Nurse-Led Medication Titration to Improve Outcomes in Heart Failure. Aaron Bennion

Skin Color Representation in Nurse Practitioner Education. Dr. Jennifer Hamilton, Dr. Robert Sylvester, Kari Weiss, Amy Dubuque, Annika Potter,Annabelle Huntsman, Dr. Valerie Flattes

Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Rural Oncology Care with a Provider Toolkit. Angela Fausett, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Kristin Barber, Dr. Tek Kilgore, Dr. Gillian Tufts, Dr. Lynn Reinke, Dr. Kathi Mooney

Embedding Community Health Workers into an Integrated Healthcare System. Amanda Keddington, Janine S. Roberts, Dr. Perry Gee, Dr. Julie Peila Gee

Adjusting Workload and Schedule Demands to Promote Nurse Leader Well-Being. Dr. Scott Christensen, Tracey Nixon

Workplace Violence Trends in Oncology Nursing and Beyond: Strategies for Safety. Dr. Scott Christensen, Mary Jean Austria

Enhancing Transitions of Care: The Heal at Home Program. Juan Manuel Hernandez, Michael Sanchez, Dr. Scott Christensen

Hitting the Bullseye: Dismantling Racism in Nursing Education. Dr. Teresa Garrett, Joan Gallegos, Vernell DeWitty, Vivienne Pierce McDaniel

Death with and without Dementia: Impact on Family Antidepressant Prescriptions. Dr. Eli Iacob, Michael Hollingshaus, Dr. Rebecca Utz, Dr. DjinTay, Katherine Ornstein, Pamela Barrientos, Mike Newman, Tom Belnap, Dr. Caroline Stephens

Implementing Loneliness Screening at a University Student Health Center. Helena Bronte Reay, Jeremy Yorgason, Brad LeBaron, Dr. Cynthia Garbett

A Cultural Humility Framework to Create a Virtual Reality for Health Professionals. Dr. Katherine Doyon, Malek Alnajar, Dr. Julie Peila Gee, Dr. Nancy Allen

Feasibility of Web-Monitoring Software Methods to Measure Online Misinformation. Cindy Turner, Ida Tovar, Dr. Echo Warner

Screening and Treatment of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Juvenile Corrections. Dr. Jennifer Clifton, Dr. Cara Leigh Wolf

Exploring Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Sustainability in Nursing Education. Dr. Jennifer Macali, Dr. Cheryl Armstrong

Identifying the Gaps in Teaching about Social Determinants of Health. Shaw Akutsu, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Jake Hutchings, Dr. Shawna Sisler

The Academic Nursing Educators Shortage: Stopping the Leak, Replenishing the Well. Dr. Jenneth Doria, Edwin-Nikko Kabigting, Edmund Pajarillo,Shellye Arlene Vardaman, Erica Sciarra, Laura Logan, Suja Davis, Sheryl Feeney, Jordan Baker, Susan Seibold-Simpson, Maria Bajwa

Environmental Science in Nursing Education. Dr. Katherine Sward, Dr. Victoria Tiase

Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Hemoglobin A1C in Native Americans with Diabetes. Leslie Crandall, Danielle Puri, Dr. Van Gip-Duran

Addressing Language Barriers for Spanish-Speaking Patients at a Women’s Health Clinic. Erica Cristina Nelson, Dr. Teresa Garrett

Developing Sex-Specific Nomogram Prediction Models for Low Bone Mineral Density Risk. Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Yu-Hsu Chen, Shau-Kwaun Chen

What Happens in Pregnancy Stays in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Analysis of Postpartum Care. Stephanie St. Clair, Jacqueline Kent-Marvick, Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Sara Simonsen

Using Evidence to Elevate Inpatient Hospice Nursing Care on a Medical/Oncology Unit. Bonnie Hoch, Dr. Scott Christensen

Adult-Child Caregiver Health and Wellbeing by Proximity to the Care Recipient. Dr. Catherine Elmore, Soojung Ahn, Katherine Ornstein

Improving Preoperative Communication from a Long-Term Care Facility. Catherine Ann Bowman, Dr. Teresa Garrett, Adam Marberger, Tyler DeHart

Preconception Preparation: Qualitative Results from a Participatory Film Project. Emma C. Norris, Jacqueline Kent-Marvick, ValentineMukundente, Akkiko Kamimura, Amy Mahtre-Owens, Dr. Sara Simonsen

Characteristics of Patients with Heart Failure with and without Caregivers. Youjeong Kang, Emily Knighton, Josef Stehlik, Meghana Nerusu, Dr. KathiMooney

Improving Access and Timeliness of Employee Annual Exams. Dr. Katie Davis, Dr. Carrie Huntsman-Jones, Lyndsay Wixom, Dr. Joshua DeanTwitchell, Dr. Jennifer Clifton, Morgan West

What Is a ‘Peaceful Death’ for Adults with Advanced Stage Cancer?: A Concept Analysis. Rachael Alexander, Dr. Caroline Stephens

Addressing GAPs in Menopausal (MENOGAP) Healthcare for Latina/Hispanic Women. Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead,Isabel Dulfano, Camille Moreno, Jeannette Villalta, Zurisadai Vasquez Bedolla, Johana Soto

Core Outcome Sets for Acupuncture Trials in Women’s Health across the Lifespan. Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Wen Tu, Elisabeth Osgood-Campbell,Kate Levett, Claudia Citkovitz, Kathleen Lumiere, Sandro Graca, Belinda (Beau) Anderson, Lisa Conboy, Rosa Schnyer

Research and Information Exchange Posters: Brigham Young University College of Nursing

Recommendations to Address Repetitiveness in People Living in Long-Term Care. Jeana Olmo, Corinna Trujillo-Tanner, Jessica Allen, JessicaBarney, Emily Lewis, Madeline Hoyt, Carmen Bowen, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Mitchel Holmes, Dr. Linda Edelman

Recommendations to Address Combativeness in Long-Term Care Settings. Jessica Barney, Jessica Allen, Corinna Trujillo Tanner, Jeana Olmo, EmilyLewis, Maddy Hoyt, Carmen Bowen, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Mitchel Holmes, Dr. Linda Edelman

Recommendations to Preserve Autonomy and Dignity in Long-Term Care Settings: Bathing. Jessica Edwards, Corinna Trujillo Tanner, Jessica Allen,Jessica Barney, Jeana Olmo, Emily Lewis, Maddy Hoyt, Fabianna Stracuzzi, Carmen Bowen, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Mitchel Holmes, Dr. Linda Edelman

Recommendations for Addressing Depression in Long-Term Care Settings. Emily Lewis, Corinna Trujillo Tanner, Jessica Allen, Jessica Barney, JeanaOlmo, Maddy Hoyt, Fabianna Stracuzzi, Carmen Bowen, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Mitchel Holmes, Dr. Linda Edelman

Research and Information Exchange Posters (R&IE): University of Utah College of Nursing:

Implementing Screening and a Resource List for Eating Disorders in Primary Care. Elise Anderson, Dr. Larry Curtis Garrett, Dr. Suzy Talken, Chelsea Edwards, Liz Joy, Dr. Tek Kilgore, Dr. Gillian Tufts

Unplanned Rehospitalization of Unsheltered Adults Utilizing Medical Respite. Jaime Cross, Dr. Linda Edelman

Palliative Care Utilization Among Advanced Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy. Katie Feldner, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Natalya Alekhina, Dr. Lee Ellington, Dr. Djin Tay, Mia Hashibe

Identifying the Gaps in Teaching About Social Determinants of Health. Shaw Akutsu, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Jake Hutchings, Dr. Shawna Sisler

The Caregiving Experience of Parents of School-Age Children with Cancer. Sofia Flowers, Dr. Lauri Linder

Improving Primary Care: Intimate Partner Violence Screening as a Quality Initiative. Tahsha Spackman, Dr. Diane Chapman, Kelsey A. Bywater

Improvement of Methamphetamine Use Disorder Treatment in Primary Care. Tania Oliveira, Dr. Jennifer Clifton

Increasing Referrals to Diabetic Self-Management Education Programs. Amanda Murray, Dr. Lynn Reinke

Ba Duan Jin for Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopausal Women: Scoping Review Protocol. Wen Tu, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, Caroline Sariah Howell,Lydia Howes

Evaluation of Game Design in Gamified Online Learning of Telehealth. Wen Tu, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Dr. Sue Chase-Cantarini, Martin Chow

Research and Information Exchange Posters (R&IE): University of Utah College of Nursing Reviewers:

Dr. Jackie Eaton, Dr. Shinduk Lee, Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Mollie Cummins, Dr. Echo Warner, Dr. Nancy Allen, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Lauri Linder

Exhibit and Reception at the 2024 WIN Conference

Carrie Radmall, Ryan Copeland, Annastasia Beller, Mikayla Dalley, Erica Fearnley, Kristen Mahoney, Kristan Tunks, Shelley Kerns, Andrea Aguilar, Heather Clarkson, Sonja Jensen, Miriam Lovin, Mindy Francis, Mary Wheeler, and Jenna Hoff are supporting the WIN and College receptions, and/or representing the College at Exhibit Booth #9.

Ryan Copeland, Gabriel Mayberry, Adryenne Huo, and Aaron Lovell prepared banners, and marketing and digital images. Gabriel Mayberry wrote a press release about the event. Gabriel Mayberry and Adryenne Huo will photograph the event.

Support to Faculty and Students:

Colleen Neering prepared a comprehensive schedule of all College of Nursing presentations, and provided input for College Kudos.

Ruby Hocker and Malinda Martinez supported faculty by coordinating poster printing with the J. Willard Marriott Library and managing WIN-related expenses.

Heather Clarkson supported students by awarding conference travel scholarships.

Service to the Western Institution of Nursing:

Board of Governors – Governor Representative of Nursing Research: Dr. Paula Meek

Program Committee: Dr. Linda S. Edelman, Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Paula Meek, and Dr. Perry Gee

Abstract Reviewers: Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Scott Christensen, Dr. Linda Edelman, Dr. Teresa Garrett, Dr. Perry Gee, Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Paula Meek, and Dr. Ginette Pepper

Events

April

Dean Marla De Jong, together with faculty, staff, and students, hosted a Delegation from Taiwan. The delegation includedDr. Bih-Ching Shu, Distinguished Professor, Department of Nursing, Institute of Allied Health Sciences, National Cheng Kung University; Dr. Ying-Hwa Su,Associate Professor and Director, School of Nursing, Yuan Ze University; andDr. Yun Chen, Professor, Graduate Institute of Medicine, Yuan Ze University. The delegation aimed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the College’s programs and curriculum, and explore opportunities for potential collaboration.

More than 20 million jobs will be available in long-term care settings between 2021 and 2040. The Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program partnered with the College of Social Work to host the U’s annual Careers in Aging Month hybrid event. Dr. Gail Towsley served as lead faculty in organizing the event, which was held in the Goodwill Building. Faculty members, Drs. Katarina Friberg-Felsted and Cynthia Beynon, and gerontology students, Hailey Hansen, Jaime Cross, and Paige Corley, worked with Dr. Towsley to plan, market, and present the event titled Discovering Career Paths in Senior Living.

Women in Health, Medicine, & Science (WiHMS) hosted an outreach event on March 25 at the College of Nursing. WiHMS invited Health Sciences LEAP students to visit the College to learn more about nursing as a profession, network with faculty, and ask in-depth questions about admissions and nursing specialties. The evening began with Yvonne Bass and Dr. Ann Butt leading a tour of the Simulation Center. Following dinner and a question and answer session with faculty and staff, Dr. Sheila Arlene Deyette and Dr. Cynthia Garbett shared their journeys as nurses and experiences as psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners. They also spoke with students about educational pathways and practice areas available in nursing. Students were immensely interested in the College and the profession. Dr. Sara Hart, Dr. Valerie Flattes, and Aarohi Drabu and University of Utah Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (UHEDI) helped plan the event, and Mandy Thomson and Shelli King provided administrative support.

January

The College of Nursing Lamp of Learning ceremony was held on January 25, 2024. The ceremony is a tradition in which we recognize incoming prelicensure students and acknowledge their decision to enter the profession of nursing. Erica Fearnley and Mikayla Dalley – Student Services Academic Advisors – planned and directed the ceremony. The Spring 2024 pre-licensure cohort and their invited family and friends met in the Student Union Ballroom for a meaningful evening that included hearing from Dr. Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh, Dean Marla De Jong, Dr. Valerie Flattes, Alyssa Pham, and Dr. Melody Krahulec. Dr. William Hull and Dr. Sue Chase Cantarini read the names of the pre-licensure students as they walked across the stage. A big thank you to the Advancement team for providing lanterns for each student. Staff members Sonja Jensen, Ben Jones, Annastasia Beller, Adryenne Huo, and Gabriel Mayberry also supported the event.

The College of Nursing (CON) celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Week with several events January 13-19, 2024. Cristi Creal, along with the BIPOC group, set up a pop-up display on the second floor of the College. Additionally, the CON Simulation Center hosted an open house for community members. MLK Week emphasizes the significance of equal access to quality healthcare for all individuals, and the CON Simulation Center embodies this principle by providing an inclusive learning environment that fosters excellence in healthcare delivery. The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team expresses gratitude to the Simulation Center team – Sherri Kerney, Yvonne Bass, Bobby Cody, and Debbie Boulter – for providing space and giving community members a tour of the center.

Dr. Valerie Flattes, Aarohi Drabu, and Master of Science student Alyssa Pham organized the Saturday Academy session that was held on January 20, 2024 for 90 elementary, middle school, and high school youth. Saturday Academy is a collaboration among the Health Sciences Colleges and Schools and their offices of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The Saturday Academy aims to create and promote an inclusive campus environment, and populate a strong applicant pool for admission into multiple health science fields. Focusing on those from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations in health care, the academy inspires students in grades 4-12 to pursue a career in nursing. Attendees engaged in hands-on activities in the CON Simulation Center, interacted with nurses and nursing students, and learned about the journey of a nursing student, including preparation for college, the admissions process, and more. The following contributed to and supported the success of the academy:

Simulation Center team – Dr. Ann Butt, Debbie Boulter, Lori Hanson, and Bobby Cody.
Administrative support – Kristan Tunks, Erica Fearnley, Gabriel Mayberry, Adryenne Huo, Shelli King, Mandy Thomson, and Deidre Schoenfeld.
Students and alumni: Haley Gray, Nancy Astorga, Caroline Howell, Emma Plute, Taylor Nash, Madyson Hulse, Akira Oregel, Geovanna Inguanzo, Jacy Thomas, Carson Bohn, Courtney Eyler, Allie Stewart-Duke, Eloisa Marie Natalicio, Kate Wiseman, Ava Wronski, Sara Williams, Dayanara Zarate, Aynsley Silliman, Victoria Caroline Tompkins, Priscilla Santos, Brianna Aquilla, Salma Arrambide,AnneMarie Fougler, Denise Crismon, Lindsey Davis, Autumn Barker, and Daniela Cartwright.

Faculty/College Awards and Professional Recognitions

April

U.S. News & World Report ranks Midwifery programs. The College of Nursing is ranked #11 (tie; #9 publics) among 37 ranked schools and is the only ranked Midwifery program in Utah.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. The College of Nursing is ranked #25 (#17 publics) among 156 ranked schools and is the only ranked Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Utah.

The University of Utah Academy of Health Science Educators (AHSE) Selection Committee chose Dr. Jennifer Hamilton and Dr. Rebekah Perkins to be Fellows of the Academy. Recognized as outstanding educators in their field, Fellows advocate for excellent education in their Colleges and University of Utah Health, actively participate in Academy committees, and create a culture of collaboration and exceptional education within University of Utah Health. An Induction Ceremony to honor Drs. Hamilton and Perkins and other new Fellows was held on April 8, 2024.

Faculty member Dr. Cynthia Beynon also was inducted into Sigma Phi Omega. Those who planned and produced the ceremony included Chapter Co-Advisors Dr. Rebekah Perkins and Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted, Chapter President Jaime Cross, and Chapter Secretary Katelyn Rager. Dean Marla De Jong provided remarks about students’ success, Dr. Gail Towsley spoke about careers in aging, and Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted provided remarks about students' diligence and honors, gratitude for faculty, and appreciation for professional members. Rob Ence, Executive Director of the Utah Commission on Aging, was recognized as a distinguished guest.

Cindy Turner achieved Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. PMP certification acknowledges candidates skilled at managing the people, processes, and business priorities of professional projects, and validates that certification holders are highly skilled in motivating people and teams through all phases of a successful project; using predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches to determine which way of working is best; and highlighting the success of a project and its impact on overall strategic organizational goals.

Dr. Amanda Dailey-Hansen earned Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) certification from the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. AOCNP certification is for advanced practice nurses who possess a graduate degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program and who practice as a nurse practitioner in adult oncology.

Austin Waters, Cindy Turner, Caleb Easterly, Ida Tovar, Megan Mulvaney, Matt Poquadeck, Hailey Johnston, Lauren Ghazal, Stephen Rains, Dr. Kristen Cloyes, Anne Kirchhoff, and Dr. Echo Warner authored a paper titled Exploring Online Crowdfunding for Cancer-Related Costs among LGBTQ+ Cancer Survivors: Integration of Community-Engaged and Technology-Based Methodologies that recently was published in JMIR Cancer. Their paper was awarded first place in the Cancer Leaders Like Us Health Disparities Student Paper and Poster Contest for Winter 2024, which the National LGT Cancer Network organized.

March

Dr. Sara Simonsen will receive the 2024 OUR Mentor Award at the annual OUR Awards Ceremony on April 1, 2024. The award criteria included a record of sustained commitment to undergraduate research mentoring, active participation in research-related activities on campus, and positive contributions to the research and teaching culture of the Department, College, and University.

Dr. Djin Tay received the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association New Investigator Award at the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Carein Phoenix, presented by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association. Dr. Tay’sresearch focuses on the implications of emerging treatments on caregiving, decision-making, palliative care, and end-of-life in the context of the family. She leads the development of the Immunotherapy, Palliative, End-of-Life Treatment Utilization and Spousal Outcomes (ImmPETUS) cohort, a population-based cohort of Utah patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2019 with lung, colorectal, breast, melanoma, bladder, or head and neck cancer.

Dr. Liz Sloss was competitively selected for the two-year Alliance of Nursing Informatics (ANI) Emerging Leaders program. Individuals are paired with a mentor for dialogue and coaching during the two-year program. Mentors are selected by a sub-set of the ANI Governing Directors based on the proposed leadership project and will provide feedback and guidance throughout the program.

The Vice-President for Research Incentive Seed Grant Program awarded a 1-year, $27,022 research grant to Dr. Julie Valentine for her innovative study titled Toward trauma-informed care in dentistry: An evaluation of the impact of trauma on use and provision of dental care services. Dr. Valentine and Co-Investigator Dr. Brenda Heaton will explore the connection of trauma history in predominantly low-income/marginalized populations and survivors of sexual or gender-based violence with dental-related fear and utilization of dental care services. In addition, they will evaluate how the dental care workforce understands and applies trauma-informed care. After Drs. Valentine and Heaton merge findings from these distinct participant groups, they will design and conduct further research to develop best practice guidelines for trauma-informed care in dentistry.

Dr. Amanda Dailey-Hansen was recognized by her clinical practice colleagues for her communication to support efficient patient care. “Amanda always emails to the inpatient team regarding incoming admits. Even if it's a scheduled chemo, she goes above and beyond to update on any current issues with the patient in the outpatient setting to ensure exceptional care! We are so grateful for Amanda's excellent communication with the inpatient team regarding admissions from the clinic.”

Dr. Jenneth Doria: NURS 4140 Leadership and Management for Professional Nurses. “I wanted to extend my heartfelt appreciation for your patience and generosity in serving as my preceptor this semester. I am profoundly thankful for your understanding of my circumstances and for making my leadership practicum possible. Your prompt responses and meticulous attention to ensuring I had the necessary resources have not gone unnoticed. It has been a privilege to have you as my professor, and your admirable dedication to nursing and the impact of your work on individuals, including myself, have been truly inspiring. Your passion has sparked my interest in exploring projects beyond the hospital setting. Thank you again for everything you have done this semester. I express my gratitude and offer my best wishes for all your future endeavors."

February

At the end of each semester, students have the opportunity to provide feedback about each course they took, and the faculty who taught the course. The following unedited quotes are from students who took courses during Fall Semester 2023.

Anna Alder: NURS 3410 Acute Care Practicum. “I cannot sing the praises of Anna Alder enough. Anna was a fantastic course lead who I really respect. She is very evidenced based in her approach to how she teaches/answers questions. She was able to facilitate a safe and caring environment in ACD. My only complaint is that we didn't get to see her enough! The few times she filled instructors in post–conference was really lovely – she does a very good job of making room to share struggles of clinicals and also turn those hard clinical experiences into teaching moments.”
Dr. Nancy Allen: NURS 7702 DNP Scholarly Project II. “ Nancy does a great job in the canvas videos explaining content and assignments. Her knowledge of the research and writing process has been very valuable to us as students. I have a lot of respect for her and enjoy our interactions. She is well organized and provides a template for U DNP students to produce quality projects.
Dr. Cynthia Beynon: GERON 5001 Introduction to Aging. “Professor Beynon was incredibly kind and always responded to my emails. I love the way she had her course set up, and I felt like I genuinely learned from her course. Most courses like these, I remember the material long enough for each quiz; but I really learned in this class.”
Melissa Black: NURS 3410 Acute Care Practicum. "Melissa was great!! She was detailed at explaining everything before, during, and after our clinicals. She gave great feedback and was always there if we needed anything or got confused with some paperwork."
Dr. Sara Bybee: NURS 7101 Research Ethics & Protection of Human Subjects. “Dr. Bybee was very easy to approach and gave great feedback. Her lectures were well prepared and brought in important ethical issues that feel relevant to our lives.”
Dr. Sue Chase Cantarini: NURS 4650 Capstone Clinical. “Sue was very positive and supportive throughout the course. When I had to email her with some questions, she responded in a timely manner and was very willing to help. When I had some concerns about my capstone, Sue was very helpful and helped me explore all my options. She is great at advocating for her students and has a great energy.”
Dr. Diane Chapman: NURS 7053 Advanced Pathophysiology for DNP Students I. “Excellent instructor who draws from her clinical experience to inform classroom discussions; I appreciate her honesty and straightforward manner. Thank you for an excellent semester!”
Dr. Katie Davis: NURS 7602 PCNP Practicum II. “There are no words to explain how unbelievably incredible Dr. Davis is. She is tough with her expectations, but this makes you learn more and provides more benefits in the long run, even when you feel like students outside of her group have it easier. Katie cares so much about her student's education and her students as individuals. She is encouraging, kind, inspiring, and an invaluable part of my education. I hope that she teaches more of our courses.”
Dr. Sheila Deyette: NURS 6301 Foundations of Psychotherapy: The Art & Science of Healing in Relationship. “Dr. Deyette, You possess significantly greater insight into each modality, and role, than the typical instructor. I feel this arrives as a benefit of the thirty–plus years you have helped others move toward resolution. I believe your teaching style offers the student an appropriately nuanced view of the role, client–provider alliance, and the therapies we will be using to assist our patients in a way that lays the onus on the individual, as learners, yet offers firm instruction and guidance along the way. That is the best available path, in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.”
Angie Fenton: NURS 3305 Foundations of Clinical Nursing Care. “Angie always had great feedback and made sure to explain everything well. I learned a lot from her!”
Dr. Val Flattes: NURS 6603 Chronic Problems of Adults and Elders. “Val, YOU are an amazing teacher, and I LOVED your class. It was a safe place to learn and explore and you will always be one instructor I will not forget and always appreciate during my time at the university. I had a preceptor who took your class 7 years ago she also agreed you are one of the most comfortable and cherished instructors. Thank you for pointing out or showing us that although you are a guru on the mountain, you are still a learner at heart.”
Dr. Katarina Friberg Felsted: GERON 5370 Health and Optimal Aging. “Dr. Felsted is one of my favorite instructors at the university. She has high standards for achievement that she implements with fairness, compassion, and grace; this is a powerful combination that keeps me striving to do my best without added anxiety. Dr. Felsted is the embodiment of ethical leadership with responsible use of power.”
Amanda Keddington: NURS 4650 Capstone Clinical. “Mandi is a wonderful instructor. I couldn't have been happier with my capstone group/experience. Keep up the good work Mandi, you're an asset to the College of Nursing and your field!”
Dr. Nanci McLeskey: NURS 3430 Nursing Across the Lifespan. “Nanci is amazing and really makes the material engaging and unique! I loved her section of the class.”
Erica Nelson: NURS 4600 Professional Roles IV. "Erica was very helpful throughout the course and was very attentive to student's mental health. I could tell that Erica cares about her students by making herself approachable through Canvas. She reached out for a mental wellness check–in halfway through the semester and that was very heartwarming as a nursing student."
Dr. Shawna Sisler: NURS 4110 Global Health Nursing. "Professor Sisler is the definition of excellent. She is very open to feedback and makes an effort not to let the fact that a class is online stop her from building relationships with students. She is also invested in their overall experience, not just their experience in her class.”
Jacqueline Telonidis: GERON 5235/6235 The Aging Mind. “I have really enjoyed this class. You seem to really care about your students and our success.”

Dr. Julie Valentine was awarded Fellow designation in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). AAFS presented the award at its 76th Annual Conference, which was held February 19-24 in Denver, CO. Fellowship recognizes service to AAFS, the general area of forensic sciences, forensic science research

The Alzheimer’s Association awarded a 3-year $199,964 research grant to Dr. Sara Bybee for her study titled Fostering Equitable Dementia Care for Hispanic/Latino Communities. Dr. Bybee aims to provide equitable dementia care by translating the LEAD Guide (Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer's & Other Dementias) into Spanish (S-LEAD). She will incorporate community-based participatory research practices within a cultural adaptation framework to refine S-LEAD, design an intervention, and evaluate its effects among Hispanic/Latino Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia dyads. Co-investigators include Drs. Kara Dassel and Eli Iacob.

The College of Nursing is ranked #32 in National Institutes of Health funding to colleges of nursing. We commend our hard-working and innovative scientists, their collaborators and team members, and the Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center staff who support them.

The Utah Academy of Health Science Educators renewed Dr. Sue Chase-Cantarini as a Fellow of the Academy for five years, extending through April 2029. Involvement in the Academy is instrumental in creating a culture of collaboration and exceptional education within University of Utah Health.

The Georgia Nurses Foundation announced the 2024 inductees for the Georgia Nursing Hall of Fame. These 10 individuals are exceptional registered nurses who have contributed or are contributing to the advancement of the nursing profession on a local, national, and/or international level. Mary Gullatte, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, AOCN LSSYB, FAAN, an alumna of the PhD program, is one of 10 inductees. The initiative honors nurses who have become legends in Georgia and brings them into the spotlight.

January

Dr. John Nerges facilitated the panel discussion. Recent graduate Emme Keizer (2023) emphasized that self-care and resilience are important to success. Four current students generously shared their experience, holding nothing back, but accentuating that success is not only possible but expected, and that students can access resources to help them along the way.

NURS 3410 faculty and Dr. Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh thank Nicole Halenkamp, Riley Histon, Emme Keizer, Grace Poulsen, and Bailey Van Wagonerfor their generosity and selfless service to current students who will follow them into the nursing profession.

Yvonne Bass recognized Kristy Gauthier for excellence, writing on Pulse, "Kristy always strives to make the lessons she teaches better every time. She is never stagnant. She expects the same level of effort from those around her, helping us strive for excellence with her."

The National Institute on Aging’s IMPACT Collaboratory Health Care Scholars Program funded Dr. Alycia Bristol’s project titled Partnering with UHealth to Design ePCT non-pharmacological interventions for PLWD and CPs for $129,600. [Abbreviations: embedded pragmatic clinical trial (ePCT); persons living with dementia (PLWD); care partners (CP)].

The Oncology Nursing Society funded post-doctoral fellow Dr. Sumin Park’s RE03 proposal titled The Impact of Multi-level Social Determinants of Health Outcomes for Lung Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers During the Transition from Cancer Treatment for $50,000. Dr. Andrea Wallace and Dr. Alycia Bristol mentor Dr. Park.

Staff Awards and Professional Recognitions

April

“Today, I want to recognize Adrienne Bott, Administrative Manager for the University of Utah College of Nursing Caring Connections, for her compassion, gentleness, keen sense of humor, attention to detail, and loving concern for others.” Cathy added details about a situation in which she was required to submit additional paperwork within a short time to the contracting department. “I am delighted to inform you that, thanks to Adrienne's swift action and expertise, our project has been approved... It is a privilege to work alongside someone of Adrienne's caliber.”The quick resolution will lead to a $70,000 contract.

March

Jane Price recently earned the complete set of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Credentials. Universal Design for Learning is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. The credentials covered the key concepts of UDL, such as learner variability and barriers in online course design, and culminated in the development of a publicly-available course on accessibility following UDL principles. These credentials validate Jane’s expertise in concepts that are important for UDL, ability to analyze learning scenarios, and skill in using UDL to develop learning experiences.

Kristen Tunks, Student Success Manager, collaborated with colleagues from across the University and within the College to plan the first College of Nursing Tax Clinic. Volunteers provided income tax assistance so that nursing students could file their taxes for free. Kristen also will host an Open House to highlight opportunities available to students who participate in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the Honors Program, and recruit new students into these programs. Later this semester, Kristan and colleagues will host “destress for finals” week for all Health Science students.

Student Awards and Recognitions

April

The Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega held its Annual Spring Induction Ceremony. Gerontology students inducted into Sigma Phi Omega included:

Christopher Gravett
Hailey Hansen
Julie Kemeny
Aline Lowenthal
Sasha Perez
Olivia Snyder

100% of baccalaureate graduates who took the NCLEX-Registered Nurse licensure exam during Quarter 1 of 2024 passed the exam. High praise for each faculty member, preceptor, and staff member who contributed to their education.

March

Michaella Halweg, nominated by Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted, Dr. Jacqueline Eaton, and Dr. Kara Dassel, will receive the 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher (OUR) Award at the annual OUR Awards Ceremony on April 1, 2024. The award criteria included a record of sustained commitment to developing research skills and knowledge under the supervision of a faculty mentor, evidence of independent and critical thinking, active participation in research-related activities on campus, and positive contributions to the research culture of the Department, College, and University.

February

Ryan Jamora, a second-semester prelicensure student, was recognized for his exceptional critical thinking and clinical reasoning during his acute care clinicals at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. When making rounds on the Telemetry unit, the clinical instructor learned that the previous day Ryan had identified a serious medication-related adverse effect that others missed. A charge nurse described a patient who was experiencing visual changes. During rounds, when the provider asked if there were any questions, Ryan confidently asked, "Is there a chance the visual changes could be from his new Digoxin?" The provider admitted they had not considered that possibility, expressing gratitude for Ryan's insightful input. This experience demonstrates the impactful influence and dedicated efforts of prelicensure faculty. Prelicensure faculty are continually committed to foster clinical judgment in all students, which is reflected in Ryan's exemplary demonstration of critical thinking and proactive engagement in patient care.

January

On January 9, five talented students volunteered to participate in the orientation session for NURS 3410 Acute Care Nursing Practicum, sharing their wisdom and experience with incoming students.

Publications

April

Allison TA, Stephens CE, Kotwal AA. Supporting technology access for older adults though in-home, intergenerational involvement: The case for ethnographic methods and student service-learning courses. Invited editorial for J Am Geriatr Soc. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18860

Campbell KM, Ogbeide SA, Echiverri A, Guillaume G, Henderson JE, Jackson N, Marquez CM, Miranda C, Montoya M, Oni K, Pierre G, Semenya MA, Udezi V, Flattes VJ, Rodriquez JE, Washington JC. Are committee experiences of minoritized family medicine faculty part of the minority tax? A qualitative study. BMC Medical Education. 2023;23:862. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04848-3

March

Allison TA, Stephens CE, Kotwal AA. Supporting technology access for older adults though in-home, intergenerational involvement: The case for ethnographic methods and student service-learning courses. Invited editorial for J Am Geriatr Soc. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18860

Hollingshaus M, Smith KR, Meeks H, Ornstein K, Iacob E, Tay D, Stephens C, Utz RL. Mortality risk following end-of-life caregiving: A population-based analysis of hospice users and their families. Soc Sci Med. 2024. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116781

Buller DB, Sussman AL, Thomson CA, Kepka D, Taren D, Henry KL, Warner EL, Walkosz BJ, Woodall WG, Nuss K, Blair CK, Guest DD, Borrayo EA, Gordon JS, Hatcher J, Wetter DW, Kinsey A, Jones CF, Yung AK, Christini K, Berteletti J, Torres JA, Barraza Perez EY, Small A. #4Corners4Health social media cancer prevention campaign for emerging adults: Protocol for a randomized stepped-wedge trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024;13:e50392. doi: 10.2196/50392

Garcia K, Iacob E, Dean-Smith M, Royce E, Alvarez G, Kepka D. Low levels of lifetime pap test receipt among vulnerable Guatemalans. J Cancer Educ. 2024. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1007/s13187-024-02405-0

Mayahara M, Tay DL, Kates J, Rosa WE. Palliating serious illness during disasters and public health emergencies. Am J Nurs. 2024;124(3):56-60. DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0001008424.70710.ca

O’Conner-Von S, Shlafer R, Galchutt P, Kettering S, Bouterse A, Freese R, Berry P. A survey of state correctional health care providers on advance care planning: Opportunity for collaboration with corrections. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. Epub ahead of press. doi:10.1177/10499091241226638

Taylor-Swanson L, Wong B, Anderson BJ, Hullender Rubin L, Majd I, Altschuler D, Bensky D, Ma S, Mitchell C, Taromina K, Cohen M, Conboy L. Describing Chinese herbal medicine telehealth care for symptoms related to infectious diseases such as COVID-19: A prospective, longitudinal, descriptive cohort study protocol. Integr Med Rep. Epub ahead of press. doi.org/10.1089/imr.2023.0042

February

Allison TA, Stephens CE, Kotwal AA. Supporting technology access for older adults through in-home, intergenerational involvement: The case for ethnographic methods and student service-learning courses (invited editorial). J Am Geriatr Soc. In press.

Alnajar M, Darawad M, Khater W, Alshahwan R, Mosleh S, Nofal B, Abdalrahim M. Exploring palliative care needs among patients with cancer and non-cancer serious chronic diseases: A comparison study. Am J Hosp Palliat Med. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1177/10499091241235920

Bybee SG, Waters AR, Smith K, Warner EL. Misalignment of social support in the social media posts of young adult cancer caregivers. Cancer Reports. 2024;7(2):e1998. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.1998

Christensen S, Wilson BL, Cummins MR, Eaton JL, Iacob E, Hansen SD. Exploring nurses’ emotional reactions to and reporting of patient-on-nurse workplace violence: A mixed-methods study. Int J Nurs Stud. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104724

Matovu SN, Whitley DM, Young HM. A global perspective on intersecting social and systemic barriers experienced by grandparent-caregivers: A qualitative systematic review. GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy. 2024;7(2):7-54.

Nicholson B, Sloss EA, Fausett A, Davis C, Dumas K, Littledike M, Mooney K. Rural access to the cancer hospital at home care model. NEJM Catalyst. 2024;5(3). DOI:10./0/56/CAT.23.0336.

Ong T, Wilczewski H, Soni H, Ivanova J, Barrera J, Cummins M, Welch B, Bunnell BE. Therapist perspectives on telehealth-based virtual reality exposure therapy. Virtual Reality. In press. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3161151/v1

Cummins M, Shishupal S, Wong B, Wan N, Johnny JD, Mhatre-Owens A, Gouripeddi R, Ivanova J, Ong T, Soni H, Barrera J, Wilczewski H, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Observational study of travel distance between participants in U.S. telemedicine sessions with estimates of emissions savings. J Med Internet Res. In press. DOI: 10.2196/53437

Cummins MR, Ivanova J, Ong T, Soni H, Barrera JF, Wilczewski H, Welch BM, Bunnell BE. Will the U.S. pass on telemedicine progress? JAMIA Open. In press.

Cummins M, Soni H, Ivanova J, Ong T, Barrera J, Wilczewski H, Welch B, Bunnel, BE. Narrative review of telemedicine applications in decentralized research. Journal of Clinical & Translational Science. In press. doi:10.1017/cts.2024.3

Anderson M, Taylor N, Rowley T, Owens C, Iacob E. Understanding factors influencing nursing faculty departure and intentions. Nurse Educ. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001612

Beck SL, Smith R, Mindes J, Beck K, Leah Kim J, Weitzman M, Stone JAM, Veleber S, Dudley WN. Feasibility and usability of EnergyPoints: A mobile health app to guide acupressure use for cancer symptom management. Integr Cancer Ther. 2024;23.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354231223965

Bybee SG, Sharareh N, Guo J-W, Luther B, Grigorian E, Wang C-Y, Wong B, Wallace AS. A secondary data analysis of technology access as a determinant of health and impediment in social needs screening and referral processes. AJPM Focus. 2024;3(2):100189. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focus.2024.100189

Kaiser J, Huntsman-Jones C, Woods L. Kinesiology tape in outpatient settings. J Nurse Life Care Plan. 2024;XXIV(1):15-19.

Sisler S, Al-Khudairi M, Hart S. Rebranding “sick leave” to “health leave.” Utah Nurse. 2024;33(1):2.

Unroe KT, Towsley GL. Learning from the experience of dementia care for nursing home residents during the pandemic. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18771

January

Lim M, Rodgers G, Branch W, Simonsen S. Targeting a higher plasma VWF level at time of delivery in pregnant individuals with von Willebrand disease: Outcomes at a single-institution cohort study. Haemophilia. Accepted for publication.

Waters AR, Easterly CW, Turner C, Ghazal L, Tovar I, Mulvaney M, Poquadeck M, Rains SA, Cloyes KG, Kirchhoff AC, Kent EE, Warner EL. LGBTQ+ inequity in crowdfunding cancer costs: The influence of online reach and LGBTQ+ state policy. Cancer Med. 2024. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6926

Miles LW, Valentine JL, Mabey LJ, Hopkins ES, Stodtmeister PJ, Rockwood RB, Moxley ANH. A syystematic review of evidence-based treatments for adolescent and adult sexual assault victimes. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2023; 0(0). doi:10.1177/10783903231216138

St Clair S, Dearden S, Clark L, Simonsen SE. Some key questions: Pregnancy intention screening by community health workers. Womens Health (Lond). 2023;19. https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231213735

Stephens C, Utz R, Tay D, Iacob E, Hollingshaus M, Goodwin R, Farrell T, Bouldin E, Edelman L, Reinke LF, Smith K, Ellington L, Ornstein K. Dying with dementia in nursing homes: A population-based study of decedents and their families. J Am Geriatr Soc. In press.

Reinke LF, Tartaglione EV, Ruedebusch S, Smith PH, Sullivan DR. Nurse-led, telephone-based primary palliative care intervention for patients with lung cancer: Domains of quality care. J Hosp Palliat Nurs. Epub ahead of print. doi: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000001005

Presentations

April

Dr. Elizabeth Sloss presented a webinar titled Streamlining Success: Implementing Documentation Burden Reduction with the AMIA 25x5 Toolkit. The American Medical Informatics Association hosted the webinar, which more than 300 persons attended.

Faculty presented at the 2nd Annual Pediatric Health Equity Symposium at Primary Children's Hospital Eccles Outpatient Center.

Susanna Cohen, Dr. Cristina Creal, Candace Chow, and Karen Tao presented a workshop titled Cultivating Cultural Fortitude and Multicultural Orientation in Clinician-Patient Interactions and Language.
Caleb Hocutt, Cindy Turner, Katie Rogers, Douglas Fair, Joseph Letourneau, Anne Kirchhoff, and Dr. Echo Warner presented an abstract titled Equity and Accessibility of Fertility Preservation Services for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients.

Faculty, staff, and students presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine 2024 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA.

Cindy Turner, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Skyler Johnson, Andy King, Anne Kirchhoff, Margaret Raber, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Ida Tovar, Dr. Deanna Kepka, and Dr. Echo Warner presented a poster titled Filling the Gaps in Online Health (Mis)information Research: Feasibility of Web-monitoring Software Methodology.
Dr. Echo Warner, Cindy Turner, Skyler Johnson, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Ida Tovar, Caleb Hocutt, J. Piccolo, Anne Kirchhoff, Dr. Deanna Kepka, and Andy King presented a poster titled Cancer Patients’ Use of the Internet and Social Media for Cancer Information and Perceived Exposure to Cancer Misinformation.

Faculty, staff, and students presented at the American Society of Preventive Oncology 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Cindy Turner, Austin Waters, Lauren Ghazal, Matt Poquadeck, Caleb Easterly, Anne Kirchhoff, Stephen Rains, Dr. Kristen Cloyes, Erin Kent, and Dr. Echo Warner presented a poster titled Go Fund Yourself: A Content Analysis of LGBTQ+ Cancer Crowdfunding.
Dr. Echo Warner, Cindy Turner, Skyler Johnson, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Ida Tovar, Caleb Hocutt, J. Piccolo, Anne Kirchhoff, Dr. Deanna Kepka, and Andy King presented a poster titled Cancer Patients’ Use of the Internet and Social Media for Cancer Information and Perceived Exposure to Cancer Misinformation.

Caleb Hocutt, Cindy Turner, Katie Rogers, Douglas Fair, Joseph Letourneau, Anne Kirchhoff, and Dr. Echo Warner will present a poster titled Examining Equity in Fertility Preservation for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients at the 2024 American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Conference in Seattle.

The College of Nursing was well-represented at the Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium held on April 9, 2024. The following students presented posters:

Aidan Cheney: Understanding Sex Education for Women with Disabilities (Research Mentor, Dr. Sara Simonsen)
Sofia Flowers: The Parent Caregiving Experience of School-Aged Children Diagnosed With Cancer (Research Mentor, Dr. Lauri Linder)
Lorna Khemchand: American Native and Alaska Native Women in Menopause (Research Mentor, Dr. Sara Simonsen)
Jennie Leo: Midlife Women's Experiences of Participating in MENOGAP (Research Mentor, Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson)
Emma Norris: Using film to address reproductive health among Central African immigrantsrefugees resettled in Utah  (Research Mentor, Dr. Sara Simonsen)
Mia Sheneman: Improving Access to Naloxone and Opioid Resources through the Emergency Department (Research Mentor, Dr. Jacob Steenblick)
Anya Weglarz: Internalized HIV Stigma Among Women Giving Birth in Tanzania: A Mixed Methods Study (Research Mentor, Melissa Watt)

Christopher Stucky, Felichism Kabo, Dean Marla De Jong, Sherita House, and Josh Wymer presented a poster titled Surgical Team Structure: How Familiarity and Team Size Influence Communication Effectiveness in Military Surgical Teams at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Nashville. They won second place for research posters.

March

Faculty, staff, and students presented at the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care and State of the Science in Hospice and Palliative Carein Phoenix, AZ, which the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) sponsored.

Mike Hollingshaus, Ken Smith, Huong Meeks, Katherine Ornstein, Dr. Eli Iacob, Dr. Djin Tay, Dr. Caroline Stephens, and Dr. Rebecca Utz presented a poster titled Mortality Risk Following End-of-Life Caregiving: A Population-Based Analysis of Hospice Users and Their Families.
Dr. Eli Iacob, Mike Hollingshaus, Dr. Rebecca Utz, Dr. Djin Tay, Katherine Ornstein, Pamela Barrientos, Mike Newman, Tom Belnap, and Dr. Caroline Stephens presented a poster titled Death With and Without Dementia: Impact on Family Antidepressant Prescriptions.
Holli Martinez co-led a pre-conference session titled Lessons in Leadership Using the Art of Poker.
Dr. Lynn Reinke facilitated the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Membership Meeting.
Dr. Lynn Reinke and Holli Martinez were invited to co-present Developing an Advanced Practice Clinician Palliative Care Fellowship: A Leading-Edge Program Responding to Workforce Demands.
Dr. Caroline Stephens, Dr. Rebecca Utz, Dr. Djin Tay, Dr. Eli Iacob, Mike Hollingshaus, Dr. Rebecca Goodwin, Timothy Farrell, Erin Bouldin, Dr. Linda Edelman, Dr. Lynn Reinke, Dr. Ken Smith, Dr. Lee Ellington, and Katherine Ornstein presented a poster titled Dying with Dementia in a Nursing Home with and without Family: A Population-based Study.
Dr. Djin Tay, Kline Dubose, Huong Meeks, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Natalya Alekhina, Katie Feldner, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Jonathan Chipman, Dr. Lee Ellington, and Mia Hashibe presented a poster titled Inpatient and ED Use among Melanoma and Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Miriam Lovin and Mary Wheeler planned a College of Nursing exhibit, sharing information about the College’s education programs, faculty, and open faculty positions with those who attended the Assembly.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson was invited to present a talk titled Alternative and Western Medicine During Menopause for Alternative and Western Medicine During Menopause for a Utah Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Lunch & Learn. The AHEC program enhances access to quality healthcare by improving the supply and distribution of healthcare professionals.

Dean Marla De Jong and Linda McCauley facilitated the Academic Health Center Like Schools Focused Discussion at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Deans Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, and presented themes to the AACN Board of Directors.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson provided the inaugural presentation titled Menopause, Acupuncture, Research, Interoception and YOU! for the White Pine Circle Research Study Group. White Pine Circle is an online resource for practicing acupuncturists to continue learning, earn continuing education credit, and share best practices regarding provision of East Asian medicine.

Faculty spoke at the University of Utah Health Women’s Leadership Day: Be a Champion of Change. Content focused on influencing change at the individual, team, and organizational levels.

Sara Lamb and Dr. Gwen Latendresse: Organizational Change
Brenda Heaton, Rachel Hess, and Dr. Andrea Wallace: Research Change
Kelly Tappenden, Sam Finlayson, and Dean Marla De Jong: Deans’ Visions of Organizational Change

February

First-semester prelicensure student Sofia Flowers (mentor Dr. Lauri Linder) presented her honors thesis research at the Huntsman Cancer Session at the Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research, which was held February 16 at Utah Valley University. Sofia’s presentation was titled The Parent Caregiving Experience of School-Age Children with Cancer.

The Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) featuring Dr. Sara Bybee for its Scientist in the Spotlight: Social Scientist program. During her presentation – Detecting and Preventing Housing Injustice – she explored the impact of state eviction laws on the physical and mental health of the population. Dr. Bybee showcased the tools used to link data on evictions and health, described first-hand accounts from those who have experienced eviction, and provided ways in which people can have a positive impact on their community.

January

Dr. Ann Butt and Kristy Gauthier attended the International Meeting of Simulation in Healthcare and presented Imagine U: Using Simulation to Explore Careers in Nursing and Medicine, sharing how the College of Nursing Simulation Center supports Summer Camp, Imagine U!, and Saturday Academy.

Dr. Julie Valentine and Dr. Nancy Downing presented a virtual Texas Teleforensic Remote Assistance Center ECHO-SAFE webinar titled Intersections of Mental Illness and Sexual Assault: Implications for Forensic Nursing.

In the Media

March

Julie Kiefer, host of the podcast U Rising, interviewed Dr. Linda Edelman for the Ageism: Here is What it is and How to Avoid Engaging in it episode. Dr. Edelman discussed the perceptions of aging, ageism, and the importance of creating age-friendly communities. Similarly, Julie and Dr. Edelman wrote Ageism: What it is and How to Avoid Engaging in it for Accelerate. They reviewed the World Health Organization's definition of ageism, and discussed the impact of ageism on social isolation, health outcomes, and disparities in access and treatment. They also described strategies to address ageism and create age-friendly communities, and emphasized the importance of adopting a positive attitude towards aging, reframing language, and working towards creating inclusive, supportive environments.

February

Aaron Tallent recently interviewed Dr. Sara Bybee for an article in Cancer Discovery News titled LGBTQ+ Individuals Vulnerable to Cancer Disparities. The article highlights that LGBTQ+ individuals are more at risk of cancer and face disparities in healthcare due to minority stress and discrimination. Mental health problems and substance misuse further worsen these disparities. The article emphasizes the importance of personalized care for LGBTQ+ patients, including training for healthcare providers and collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data in electronic health records to address disparities effectively. Dr. Bybee emphasizes the need for inclusive research and clinical guidelines to ensure equitable cancer care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Drs. Matthew Howard, Esther Chipps, and Dr. Perry Gee published The Collaborative Edge in Nursing Centered, Sigma's online resource center. The article emphasizes the pivotal role of nurse scientists in integrating research and evidence-based practice in healthcare organizations, highlighting their contributions to strategic planning, consulting, mentoring, and securing research funding. Despite facing challenges such as limited resources, ethical considerations, and diverse research demands, the authors proposed collaboration among nurse scientists across multiple health systems as a solution. Collaborative efforts offer benefits such as resource sharing, data pooling, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical guidance, ultimately enhancing research quality and relevance. By fostering collaboration, nurse scientists can overcome challenges, drive progress in healthcare research, and improve patient care outcomes, leading to a culture of innovation and satisfaction within the healthcare community.

Cassidy Kotobalavu, Amanda Keddington, and Mary-Jean Austria published Recipe for Success: Decreasing Burnout in Nurse Educators in Accelerate. To tackle burnout risks among educators in the Clinical Staff Education Department at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the authors devised a method that focused on improving professional support and team culture. The recipe for implementing an improvement project for a team included four ingredients – a dedicated team, data collection tools, leadership support, and a collaborative spirit. They assessed the baseline state and investigated the problem, provided group classes and team-building activities to foster professional growth, empowered team members to take ownership, monitored progress, and refined strategies based on results. As a result, burnout scores decreased from 35% to 24%. The authors attributed the success of the project to regularly assessing and refining their strategies, which helped reduce negativity and increase engagement.

Drs. Shawna Sisler, Mandy Al-Khudairi, and Sara Hart published Rebranding “Sick Leave” to “Health Leave” in the Utah Nurse, the official publication of the Utah Nurses Association. They proposed changing terminology used in the state of Utah – renaming "sick leave" as "health leave." Drs. Sisler, Al-Khudairi, and Hart emphasized the importance of words and ideas, asserting that time and actions focused on health and healing are acts of wellness rather than sickness, that language can transform societal attitudes, organizational health cultures, and behaviors; and that terminology changes reflect commitment to holistic health and a departure from the disease-centered model traditionally used in human resources. Starting with the 2024 Utah legislative session, they encourage nurses to support legislation regarding “health leave,” asserting that nurses, informed by firsthand patient care experiences, can play a crucial role in advancing this initiative.

Dr. Lynn Reinke was featured on the Palliative Perspective Podcast, where she spoke on mentoring, taking risks, and engaging in opportunities that led to her being elected as 2024 President of the Board of Directors for the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) and for the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF). Dr. Reinke also shared her enthusiasm for HPNA Strategic Plan, and her focus on building a strong community of hospice and palliative care nurses.

Dr. Sara Bybee published Opinion: Utah Will Only Achieve Housing Justice if We Prioritize People Over Profits in the Salt Lake Tribune. She underscores the need for a comprehensive strategy in Utah's housing policies, emphasizing housing justice that prioritizes people over profits. While acknowledging Gov. Spencer Cox's plan for 35,000 new starter homes, she recommended a multifaceted strategy, including a state-funded housing voucher program for extremely low-income households. Dr. Bybee called for addressing eviction policies that disadvantage vulnerable groups, and noted the influence of legislators involved in real estate. She stressed the urgency of changing housing policies, practices, and programs, which can prevent the negative consequences associated with forced displacement and evictions.

January

In an article titled Cancer Misinformation Puts Patients in Harm’s Way, that Brian Furlow published in The Lancet Oncology, Dr. Echo Warner was quoted saying, “Misinformation can disrupt effective cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care. But its potential to do harm does not stop there. The constant barrage of inaccurate claims and inconsistent information from different sources can be a source of anxiety and distress for individuals trying to understand a cancer diagnosis and can harm patients’ trust for and relationships with clinicians and caregivers.” The article addresses the rise of cancer misinformation, emphasizing its dangers to patients. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's unsupported claim linking mRNA COVID vaccines to cancer is highlighted. Cancer misinformation, often tied to political polarization, can lead patients to delay proven treatments or pursue unproven ones, increasing the risk of death. The spread of misleading claims on websites and social media, particularly from anti-vax movements, poses a significant threat. Improving communication and social media cooperation are suggested solutions, along with the need to provide education regarding critical thinking and conduct further research.

Dr. Gwen Latendresse’s Maternal Mental Health Access study, also known as the "MaMa" Study, is a prevention program designed for women who are at risk for postpartum depression. Recently the study has gained attention in news outlets.

U of U Health pushing for more care for postpartum depression, and anxiety, an interview by Jim Spiewak from KUTV.
When It’s More Than the Baby Blues: Help for new moms struggling with mental health, an interview with Brooke Walker, from Studio 5.
For the Love of Mothers, an article included in the University of Utah Health 2023 Report to Our Community.

Dr. Linda Edelman was a featured guest on the U Rising podcast, Ageism: Here is What it is and How to Avoid Engaging in it. In her interview with Dr. Edelman, Julie Kiefer, associate director of science communications at University of Utah Health, explored how age stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination, with a focus on internal ageism. Dr. Edelman emphasized the World Health Organization's definition of ageism and discussed its impact on social isolation, health outcomes, and healthcare access. She also described benefits of aging, the age-friendly health system, and the importance of reframing language to combat age bias in both healthcare and everyday life.

Dr. Kathi Mooney provided an interview to Brooke McCormick with the American Journal of Managed Care on Improving Patients' Quality of Life Through Technology, describing how her Symptom Care at Home and Huntsman at Home have improved the quality of life for patients with cancer. Symptom Care at Home is a patient-reported symptom platform where patients report symptoms at home daily, and receive automated self-management coaching tailored to their current symptoms' severity. This approach significantly reduced severe and moderate symptom days, increased mild and no symptom days, and decreased emergency department visits and rehospitalizations. The Huntsman at Home program offers acute-level care for symptoms that would typically lead to emergency department visits or hospitalizations. This program effectively halved emergency department visits and hospitalizations, leading to a nearly 50% reduction in costs while supporting patients at home and minimizing unplanned healthcare utilization.

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care recognized the College’s Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) clinical practice by reprinting three blogs from University of Utah Health GOOD NOTES: Voices of U of U Health in the last three editions of its CorrectCare Extra.

Caring for At-Risk Youth in Utah Correctional Facilities – Part 1 by Dr. Jennifer Clifton.
Caring for At-Risk Youth in Utah Correctional Facilities – Part 2 by Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs.
Caring for At-Risk Youth in Utah Correctional Facilities – Part 3 (Oral Health) by Anna Fuller. Via the College of Nursing’s contract, Dentists from the School of Dentistry provide oral health care to youth in correctional facilities.

Community Engagement / Service

April

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) released a caregiving report titled Policies and Practices for Supporting Family Caregivers Working in Science, Engineering, and Medicine, which addresses the under-supported and stigmatized issue of caregiving, and provides leaders in academia and government with evidence-based guidance on how to implement policies and programs to support the retention, re-entry, and advancement of students and professionals working in science, engineering, and medicine who have family caregiving responsibilities. In March 2023, Dr. Djin Tay presented Emotional and Health Impacts of End-of-Life Caregiving and Bereavement: Implications for Family Caregivers in Academia and STEM at the Policies and Practices for Supporting Family Caregivers Working in Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Symposium 2. Dr. Tay and other presenters provided expert guidance to an expert committee of NASEM who wrote the report.

March

Dr. Rebekah Perkins was selected to serve as Advisor for the Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Phi Omega!

Dr. Schola Matovu was elected to serve a 3-year term on the Western Institute of Nursing’s Nominating Committee.

Dean Marla De Jong was appointed to the University’s Operational Excellence Deans Taskforce. In an effort to modernize and enhance operations, University of Utah leaders are considering new shared service models and administrative structures. The taskforce will serve as a platform for gathering feedback, addressing challenges, aligning academic objectives, collaborating across academic units, and exploring opportunities for improvement.

Angie Fenton was appointed Graduate Nursing Student Academy Liaison for the University of Utah.

Angie Fenton has been selected as a member of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses Governmental Affairs Strategic Work Team (SWT). The Governmental Affairs SWT monitors and reviews federal and state laws, regulations, and administrative actions affecting perianesthesia nursing and its practice. This position is a one-year term and includes serving as a liaison for local chapters.

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson co-leads the Menopause Study Group at White Pine Circle. Group members meet monthly and discuss difficult cases and current research on menopause. With more than 70 members, it is one of the largest study groups in White Pine Circle.

February

Amanda Keddington gave a guest lecture titled Stop the Bleed at the Career and Technical Education program in the Salt Lake School District. The lecture was intended for high school juniors pursuing a career in health science. Amanda partnered with Jamie Troyer, the U Health Trauma Education Outreach & Injury Prevention Coordinator, who provided materials for the class. It was a great experience for Amanda to share her knowledge and help students learn about this important topic.

On February 9, 2024, Dr. John Nerges spoke to the students at Jordan High School about careers in healthcare and nursing. Mr. Jack Hyer sent the following message: “John came and spoke to our Latinos in Action class at Jordan High School today. He delivered an engaging presentation on his experience in his careers in the military and in nursing. The students were engaged and asked lots of questions about his experiences, and he was able to give great answers in response. There was a great discussion on college, programs offered, careers, etc. It was a great community connection with our high school for the University of Utah, and we would gladly welcome him back.”

The Utah Nurses Association held Nurses Day at the Legislature 2024 on February 9, 2024. Speaking as nurses and not on behalf of the University of Utah, faculty summarized legislation. Schedules permitting, those who sponsored the Bills joined the conversation.

Dr. Zoe Robbins summarized HB 378 First Responder Mental Health Services (Representative Ryan Wilcox)
Dr. Teresa Garrett summarized HB 58 International Licensing Amendments (Representative A. Cory Maloy)
Dean Marla De Jong summarized HB 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives (Representative Katy Hall)

Drs. Diane Chapman, Mandy Al-Khudairi, Zoe Robbins, and Doctor of Nursing Practice students, Lisa Bell and Hailey Sommerfield, attended the 2024 AANP Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Utah was formally recognized for its recent move to 'green,' meaning that Utah is a full-practice authority state in which nurse practitioners may practice to the full extent of their experience and education. The group met with staff in Senator Mitt Romney and Senator Mike Lee's offices, as well as district representatives.

January

Dr. Lee Ellington has been elected to represent the College of Nursing on the Academic Senate through May 15, 2024.

Funded by a College of Nursing Global Health grant, Drs. Deanna Kepka, Lisa Taylor-Swanson, and Ivette Lopez traveled to Puerto Rico in December 2023. Their objective was to establish connections and gain insights into how their expertise could enhance women's health outcomes on the island. They are establishing relationships with faculty at the University of Puerto Rico, including the College of Nursing, the Centro Comprensivo de Cancer, and the University Sagrado Corazón. In addition, they are developing a community-academic relationship with Pro Familias. They will pilot test Sin Reglas (‘without periods, without limits’), which is MENOGAP in Spanish, and which Community Health Workers will deliver.

Dr. Caroline Stephens – representing the Utah C-Pops (Caregiving Population Science) Group, including Dr. Eli Iacob, Dr. Michael Hollingshaus, Dr. Rebecca Utz, Dr. Djin Tay, Dr. Erin Bouldin, Dr. Ken Smith, Dr. Amy Cizik, Rebecca Goodwin, Pamela Barrientos, and Dr. Katherine Ornstein – has been invited to showcase innovative Utah Population Database end-of-life caregiving work to Dr. Susan Gregurick, the Director of the National Institutes of Health Office of Data Science Strategy.