Awards and Professional Recognition
At its annual induction ceremony, the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma presented awards to College of Nursing faculty.
- Excellence in Leadership – Dr. Linda Hofmann
- Excellence in Mentorship – Dr. Rebekah Perkins
- Excellence in Education – Dr. Shawna Sisler
- Excellence in Research – Dr. Djin Tay
- Excellence in Clinical Practice – Dr.Cara Wolf
- Early Nurse Innovator – Dr. Anna Alder
- Excellence in Scholarship – Dr. Sara Simonson
Baccalaureate students inducted into Sigma included:
- Eva Brown
- Madison Callahan
- Ava Foulke
- Jane Haddock
- Michaella Halweg
- Amanda Holmes
- Kendall Huguley
- Averie Jacobs
- Erik Johnson
- Emme Keizer
- Mia Knox
- Nelson Kudilil
- Junwen Lai
- Franky Martinez
- Sydney Mortensen
- Pamela Muvunyi
- Ashlee Nelson
- Larene Orgill
- Lillian Prentice
- Sarah Robertson
- Lauren Russell
- Anna Spagnuolo
- Nicholas Terry
- Kaitlyn Walton
- Jessica Wieser
- Jordan Williams
- Sophia Wong
- Mia Woychick
Master’s student inducted into Sigma included:
- Phillip Dacruz
Doctor of Nursing Practice students inducted into Sigma included:
- Caroline Cobb
- Kimberly Orton
- Katy Foutz
- Tahsha Spackman
- Sara Williams
- Kathy Wsol
Event
Those who planned and produced the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma induction ceremony included: Dr. Julie Gee (President), Dr. Frances Johnson, Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Dr. John Nerges, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Kelly Mansfield, Dr. Sue Chase-Cantarini, Dr. Anna Alder, Amanda Keddington, Dr. Shawna Sisler, and Bronwyn Himes. Dean Marla De Jong delivered opening remarks regarding Sigma’s theme – Be Bold. Dr. Nanci McLeskey delivered the keynote address.
Grant Awards
The Donaghue Foundation awarded a $192,938 grant to Dr. Caroline Stephens for her study titled Population Science Informs Rural Nursing Home (NH) Resident & Caregiver Health Initiatives. Team members include Drs. Linda Edelman, Djin Tay, Rebecca Utz, and Mike Hollingshaus. Funded from January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, the team will use their Utah C-PopS cohort, derived from the Utah Population Database, to examine how rural NH resident characteristics and the availability of first-degree family affect end of life healthcare utilization and outcomes, and how caring for a rural NH resident impacts subsequent family health. In consultation and collaboration with Comagine Health – their key partner and Utah’s Quality Improvement Organization – and an Advisory Board, comprised of rural community-based clinical, industry, and state policy leaders, the team will use research findings to develop, refine, and disseminate infographics and palliative care training materials for rural older adults and their families, rural NHs, primary care practices, and hospitals in Utah and other rural states – such as Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oregon – within Comagine’s Network. Additional dissemination efforts will take place within the Utah Geriatric Education Consortium’s established interprofessional rural primary care and long-term-care workforce development programs, as well as via regional, state, and national conferences.
PhD student Natasha Ansari received a research grant from the Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma to help fund her dissertation research titled Moral Distress, Resilience, and Team Dynamics in Nursing: A Mixed Methods Study. Dr. Kathie Supiano is Chair of Natasha’s Dissertation Committee.
Presentations
Dr. Linda Edelman, Dr. Larry Garrett, Christopher Hernandez, and Megan McClure of the Utah Rural Opioid Healthcare Consortium – Collaborative Care Model (UROHC-CCM) attended the 2023 Rural Opioid and Stimulant Wellness Summit, hosted by Utah State University Extension in Price. The UROHC-CCM grant sponsored 25 students from the University of Utah, Southern Utah University, and Weber State University to attend the summit in person. Students had the opportunity to assemble wound care kits, listen to experts who work with substance use disorders, hear the stories of those in recovery, and make connections with others in this line of work. During the summit, Dr. Linda Edelman gave a presentation on Farm Stress: Recognizing the Risk and Providing Resources for the Farmers and Ranchers in Our Communities that resonated with the attendees of rural communities.
To prepare for the summit, Dr. Brenda Luther, along with Hailey Haffey from the School of Medicine, organized a webinar for students that focused on narrative medicine, active listening, and motivation. Students learned about the tools used in narrative medicine and active listening and then applied those in a simulation where they acted as a “provider” and talked with their new “patient” who had a substance use disorder.
The Excellence in Education initiative (CONExEd) hosted a TEACHtalks conversation focusing on right-sizing courses.
- Jane Price provided useful information on how to manage large classes, and use online grading tools.
- Dr. Sue Chase-Cantarini led an open discussion about backward design, where faculty keep the ultimate goal(s) of the course in mind when preparing the syllabi, writing curriculum, and planning assignments.
Publications
Hartsell J, Staes C, Allen K, Dunn A, Wilson F, Samore M, Shoaf K. Navigating the landscape: Barriers and facilitators in electronic case reporting implementation across public health agencies. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2023. Epub ahead of print.
Stucky CH, Kabo FW, De Jong MJ, House SL, Wymer JA. Surgical team structure: how familiarity and team size influence communication effectiveness in military surgical teams. Mil Med. 2023;188(S6):232-239.
Valenti K, Bybee S, Nwakasi C, Kano M, Coats H. Palliative care professionals’ perceptions of communication with sexual and gender minority patients. Am J Hosp Palliat Med. 2023. Epub ahead of print.
Community Engagement
A group of nursing professionals, including deans, chief nursing officers, and faculty members gathered at Brigham Young University for a Lunch & Learn surrounding The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education.
- Dr. Rebecca Wilson opened the event by presenting Introduction to The Essentials.
- Dean Sheryl Steadman from Westminster School of Nursing and Health Sciences presented Academic Practice Partnerships.
- Dr. Gwen Latendresse facilitated a Question & Answer Session.
- Dr. Reinke Holman, Department Chair of the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing at Weber State University, presented Introduction to Competency-Based Assessment.
- Dr. Julie Gee moderated a panel discussion regarding Work-Ready Graduates, which included panelists Maria Black, Amber Brennan, Benjamin Gawle, and Nicki Roderman.
- Dean Marla De Jong concluded the event by facilitating the Wrap-up and Topics for the Future discussion.
Professional Service
Dr. Ann Butt was chosen as a panelist for the 2024 Educause Horizon Report/Teaching & Learning Edition. This report profiles key trends and emerging technologies and practices shaping the future of teaching and learning, and envisions a number of scenarios and implications for that future. It is based on the perspectives and expertise of a global panel of leaders from across the higher education landscape.
Dr. Catherine Staes is an invited member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation Data Modernization Initiative Working Group focused on Improving Public Health System Interoperability. The working group includes 10 thought leaders from around the US with diverse experience concerning the public health data ecosystem, and will identify effective pathways to modernize public health information systems and use.
In the Media
The College of Nursing Simulation Center was mentioned in Becker’s Hospital Review for 34 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Simulation and Education Programs 2023. Becker's named 34 hospitals and health systems with great simulation and education programs, providing students and professionals the opportunity to develop necessary skills in realistic yet controlled environments. Hospitals and health systems with simulation and education programs see improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and enhanced patient safety. Programs mentioned offer cutting-edge technologies, lifelike scenarios, and safe environments that build provider confidence through practical application. The article notes that in 2022, the simulation team was nominated for the International Nursing Association of Clinical and Simulation Learning Frontline Simulation Champion Excellence Award.