Highlights this week include faculty designations and appointments, grant and award recognitions, student dissertation milestones, a major classroom remodel, staff contributions, and national conference presentations.
Academic Designations
The University of Utah Board of Trustees designated Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead as Associate Professor Emeritus effective July 1, 2025.
The University of Utah Board of Trustees designated Dr. Katherine Supiano as Professor Emeritus effective August 16, 2025.
Endowed Chair Reappointment
Based on a formal review of her accomplishments, Dr. Caroline Stephens is reappointed as the Helen Lowe Bamberger Colby Presidential Endowed Chair in Nursing through September 30, 2029.
Leadership Appointment
Dr. Emily Winn was appointed Medical Director of the Pediatrics Clinic at the Sugar House Health Center. Bringing nine years of experience in general pediatrics, newborn medicine, and pediatric behavioral health, Emily will advance quality improvement, foster innovative care, and promote collaborative leadership. She is committed to ensuring effective staffing and scheduling to manage the clinic’s high patient volume and support its growth and serving as a resource and advocate for the Department of Pediatrics in the Sugar House Health Center and the community.
Awards
Dr. Valois Feneziani was selected as a recipient of a 2025 Health Academics District Staff Excellence Award. This prestigious award program recognizes superior service and ongoing contributions by full-time and part-time staff employees. To be selected is a high honor, and a sign of commitment and contributions that are truly valued by her colleagues. Dr. Feneziani will be honored at an upcoming luncheon and awards ceremony.
Grant Award
5 Point App, Inc., awarded a $71,665 Subaward on a National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute Award to Principal Investigator Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson and Co-Investigator Dr. Jia-Wen Guo for the project titled Decentralized Clinical Trial of Effectiveness of EnergyPoints App to Guide Acupressure Use for Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances in Cancer Survivors.
The University of Utah Center on Aging awarded Dr. Megan Hebdon a 2025 Center on Aging Pilot Grant for her project titled Financial Counseling and Advocacy for Dementia Family Caregivers in Early and Middle Adulthood. The one-year grant provides $14,999 in funding.
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Auditorium Remodel
Remodeling, including room and technology upgrades, of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Auditorium was completed in time for Fall Semester classes that begin today. This remodel reflects strong planning and execution and enhances both functionality and aesthetics.
Special appreciation is extended to Steve Seckinger for managing coordination and providing timely project updates, and Lori Longhurst, Project Manager for Project Services, for overseeing the project and working diligently to ensure its on-time completion. Thanks to many who contributed thoughtful input, guidance, and hands-on work throughout the project.
- Dr. Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh
- Rebwar Baesmat
- Debbie Boulter
- Sarah Brown
- Lynn Dixon
- Chris Harris, Custodial Crew Leader, Health Sciences
- Amber Howell
- Shelli King
- Amen Koutowogbe
- Dr. Melody Krahulec
- Gabriel Mayberry
- Brent Puzey, Manager, Audiovisual Installation Services, Digital Learning Technologies
- Cody Rasmussen
- Dylan Russel
- Steven Seal
- Josh Soupanya
- Minhvan Thach
- Olie Turner, Project Coordinator, Project Services
- Megan Whittaker
- Brent Vawdrey
Web Development
Dani Hartin, Web Content and Social Media Specialist, extensively and expeditiously updated the College of Nursing website, significantly improving presentation of the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Nursing Practice academic programs. Dani reformatted and standardized webpages, added learning outcomes and program expected outcomes, included new programs of study, uploaded Policy and Progression Manuals, spotlighted the revised curriculum for the Nursing Informatics track, and more. In addition, she created webpages for two new tracks that the College will offer beginning Fall Semester 2026 – Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Dual Acute Care/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Julie Gee provided content and meticulously reviewed the pages to ensure accuracy.
Student Recognition
Se-Hee Jung successfully defended her dissertation titled A1C Testing and Therapeutic Inertia. Committee members were Dr. Katherine Sward (Chair), Dr. Michelle Litchman, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng, Dr. Marcus Pezzolesi, and Dr. Ann Lyons.
Nemeh Manasrah successfully passed her oral and written exams, and defended her dissertation proposal titled Examining Pain Characteristics and Factors Influencing Self-Efficacy for Symptom Self-Management Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. Committee members are Dr. Lauri Linder (Chair), Dr. Paula Meek, Dr. Lee Ellington, Dr. Jeannine Brant, and Dr. Kristin Stegenga.
Presentations
Dr. Jacqueline Eaton, Dr. Eli Iacob, Amber Dayley, Moroni Fernandez Cajavilca, Sarah Neller, Julene Johnson, Dr. Rebecca Utz, and Dr. Lee Ellington delivered a presentation titled Using Active Engagement to Support Dementia Caregivers: Results from the Enhancing Active Caregiving Training (EnACT) RCT Study at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, Canada.
College of Nursing faculty and staff delivered presentations at the 49th Annual Utah PA and NP Conference at Snowbird. Dr. Jennifer Clifton served on the Planning Committee and moderated sessions.
- Navigating Workers Compensation in Primary Care. Dr. Katie Davis
- Suicide Prevention Education. Taryn Hiatt
- Diagnosis and Management of Behavioral Disorders in Children/Adolescents. Dr. Emily Winn
Publication
Clayton JL, Aruscavage N, Bigger SE, Bybee SG, Utz RL, Iacob E, Dassel KB. Quality of life matters to me more than life itself: A qualitative exploration of older adults’ values and preferences on controlling the time of death. Death Stud. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2025.2537969