More than 70 faculty, pre- and post-doctoral fellows, students, and staff from the University of Utah College of Nursing represented the college at the 2026 Western Institute of Nursing (WIN) Conference in San Francisco, California. This year's conference, held April 21–24, focused on the theme, "Navigating the Currents in Healthcare and Academia: Bridging Research, Practice, and Education." The conference brought together researchers, educators, clinicians, and students from across the region to share new and emerging knowledge in nursing science and education.
College representatives delivered podium and poster presentations and a symposium; moderated sessions; provided service to WIN, exhibited, and more. Presentations were included in Volume 59 of Communicating Nursing Research, the annual publication of WIN. Below is a summary and a collection of highlights showcasing the College's contributions and achievements at the 2026 WIN Conference.
Service to the Western Institute of Nursing
Board of Governors – Governor Representative of Nursing Research:
Dr. Andrea Wallace
Program Committee:
Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Andrea Wallace, Dr. Perry Gee, Dr. Ryoko Kausler
Abstract Reviewers:
Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Dr. Lisa Ann Barry, Dr. Alycia Bristol, Dr. Scott Christensen, Dr. Teresa Garrett, Dr. Perry Gee, Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Paula Meek, Dr. Ginette Pepper, Dr. Andrea Wallace
Sigma/WIN Research Grant
Dr. Stephanie St. Clair
Podium Presentations
Nurse Perceptions of Inpatient Use of Wearable Insulin Pumps and CGMS
Ruth Robb, Kim Franson, Dr. Perry Gee
Creating and Validating the REPORT Scale to Foster Nursing Safety Reporting
Dr. Scott S. Christensen, Robert P. Lubeznik-Warner, Mykel Winter
Connecting Classroom and Practice: A Competency-Based Online Approach
Dr. Angela Fenton, Sydnie LaValley, Tiffany Noss, Lisa Broome, Mari Kimoto, Dr. Rebekah Perkins
Faith-Based Perinatal Support: A Community-Engaged Qualitative Study
Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Cindi Bennett, Chinma E. Njoku, Emma J. Stover
Walking in Patients’ Shoes: Virtual Reality and Social Determinants of Health
Dr. Julie Peila Gee, Dr. Katherine Doyon, Harshitha Naidu, Christine Buena, Dr. Ann L. Butt, Roger Altizer, Dr. Nancy Allen
Caregiver Availability Buffers Impact of Geographic Disadvantage on Health Outcomes
Dr. Sumin Park, Dr. Andrea Wallace, Dr. Alycia A. Bristol, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Kelvin G. Opare, Dr. Catherine E. Elmore, Dr. Paula M. Meek
Developing SAFE: A Nurse-Led, Community Approach to Financial Toxicity
Dr. Djin Tay, Megan Rose, Dr. Sumin Park, Mackenzie Mitchell, Carrie Bellerive, Junko Fowles, Mary Steinbach, Angie Fausett, Erin Bradshaw, Kathleen Gallagher, Jennifer Stephens, Patricia Brooks, Carilee Ellis, Duane Pannell, Selena Pannell, Erika Patronas, Joseph Patronas, Rachel Scott, Dr. Kathi Mooney
EHR Automation and an Online Patient Education Portal to Prevent Perinatal Depression
Dr. Gwen Latendresse, Dr. Sara Simonsen, Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Dr. Eli Iacob, Wen Tu, Lauren Gimbel, Marcela Smid, Justin D. Smith
A Theoretical Approach to Sexual Assault of Women in Later Life
Alyssa Lark, Dr. Julie Valentine, Dr. Cathy Maxwell
Symposium
Currents of Crisis and Creativity: Adapting Care in Nursing Homes
Moderator: Dr. Caroline Stephens
- Overview: Currents of Crisis and Creativity: Adapting Care in Nursing Homes
Dr. Caroline Stephens, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Amy Powell-Versteeg, Pamela Barrientos, Rachael Alexander, Dr. Laura Block - Crisis within a Crisis—Sustaining Connection in Dementia Care during COVID
Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Amy Powell-Versteeg, Pamela Barrientos, Rachael Alexander, Dr. Laura Block, Dr. Caroline Stephens - Leading from the Heart: Perspectives on Nursing Home Leadership in Crisis
Amy Powell-Versteeg, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Pamela Barrientos, Rachael Alexander, Dr. Laura Block, Dr. Caroline Stephens - Telehealth in Nursing Homes: Experiences and Strategies for Integration
Rachael Alexander, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Amy Powell-Versteeg, Pamela Barrientos, Dr. Laura Block, Dr. Caroline Stephens - Creative Solutions and Silver Linings Developed during the COVID-19 Crisis
Dr. Laura Block, Amy Powell-Versteeg, Pamela Barrientos, Rachael Alexander, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Caroline Stephens
Poster Presentations
Clinic Staff Perspectives on mHealth for Perinatal Depression
Wen Tu, Uma P. Dorn, Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Dr. Sara Simonsen, Dr. Tumilara B. Aderibigbe, Dr. Gwen Latendresse
Telehealth Group Prevention for Perinatal Mental Health: A Pilot Study
Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Amber Baranek, Dr. Gwen Latendresse
Perinatal Mental Wellness & Prevention Program Engagement in mHealth Portal
Dr. Ryoko Kausler, Dr. Sara Simonsen, Dr. Eli Iacob, Wen Tu, Dr. Gwen Latendresse
Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing a Rheumatology Transition Clinic
Clare Peckenpaugh, Dr. Echo L. Warner, Tressie Rollins, Sarah Wallgren, Suzy Richins, Dr. Katherine A. Sward, Aimee O. Hersh, Rebecca S. Overbury
Integrating Mental Health Screening into Metabolic Care Clinic Workflows
Ashely Andrews, Dr. Scott S. Christensen
The Cytologic-Histologic Correlation with Abnormal Pap Results in Guatemala
Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Jill Johnson, Kimberly Garcia
Evaluation of a Mentoring and Onboarding Program for Early-Career Nurse Faculty
Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, Dr. Diane Chapman, Dr. Carolyn Scheese, Dr. Rebecca Wilson
Caregiving between the Lines: What Literature Misses and Lived Experience Reveals
Kimberly Y. Ito, Malek Alnajar, Mutiu Olawunmi Fakorede, Sarah Small, Dr. Megan C. Thomas Hebdon, Dr. Catherine E. Elmore
Caregiver Presence as a Factor in Patient Readiness for Hospital Discharge
Kelvin G. Opare, Dr. Paula M. Meek, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Dr. Alycia A. Bristol, Dr. Catherine E. Elmore, Dr. Andrea Wallace
Bridging Education and Practice: Evaluating Pmhnp Readiness Via Simulation
Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Dr. Lisa Ann Barry, Isaac Harmon, Dezmond Swain, Caylynn Mcevoy, Dr. Rebekah Perkins
Engaging Near Peers to Bridge Competency and Professional Identity
Dr. Lisa Ann Barry, Dr. Cynthia Garbett, Dr. Rebekah Perkins
Instruments to Measure Symptom Self-Management by Children with Cancer and Parents
Dr. Lauri Linder, Dr. Jia-Wen Guo, Christine Platt, Kristin Stegenga
Health Literacy, Social Factors & Diabetes: An Intersectional Approach
Dr. Jisook Ko, Nicole Murry
Addressing Rural Behavioral Health: Collaborative Care and Project ECHO
Christopher D. Hernandez, Dr. Larry C. Garrett, Megan L. McClure, Dr. Rebekah Perkins
Interpreters’ Role as Cultural Brokers in Serious Illness Conversations
Adebusola Oluwatoba-Adeyemi, Carolina Cannard, Hannya Ornelas, Sadia Abdulkadir, Naomi Mwamba, Sunny Smart, Dr. Katherine Doyon
Feasibility of Mindfulness App for Parents in Nursing School: Pilot Study
Chinma E. Njoku, Dr. Ryoko Kausler
Navigating Dual Roles: Understanding Parental Stress Among Nursing Students
Emma J. Stover, Dr. Ryoko Kausler
Research and Information Exchange Posters: University of Utah College of Nursing
Category Error and Moral Dissonance in Healthcare: A New Theory
Garrett Schwanke, Dr. Emily Barrows
Cue-Based Care for Improved Preterm Infant Sleep: An Evidence-Based QI Project
Amanda Chamberlain, Dr. Katherine Doyon
Implementing a CNA Palliative Care Intervention: A QI Project
Caroline Sariah Howell, Dr. Rebekah Perkins, Dr. Caroline Stephens, Dr. Laura Block, Rachel Alexander, Pamela Barrientos, Dr. Jennifer Hamilton, Lynn Flint
Implementing a Nurse Wellness Program in an Oncology Critical Care Unit
Mykel Winter, Dr. Scott Christensen
Implementing a School Nurse-Led Toolkit to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism in Utah
Katherine Sardoni, Dr. Natasha Ansari
Implementing the MENO10 Screener: A QI Initiative
Kelley Keenan, Dr. Gwen Latendresse
Optimizing the Expanded Role of the Nurse for the Underserved
Dr. Jenneth Doria
Pain and Self-Efficacy Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer
Nemeh Manasrah, Dr. Paula Meek, Dr. Lee Ellington, Dr. Lauri Linder, Jeannine Brant, Kristin Stegenga
Preparing PhD Students for Tenure-Track Faculty Positions
Dr. Mary Killela, Jessica Williams, Harry Adynski, Gillian Adynski, Cassandra Dictus, Leah Morgan, Elizabeth Myer, Hayden Hmiel
Severe Drought Around the Great Salt Lake and Its Influence on Asthma
Wen Tu, Runyue Pu, Dr. Xiaoming Sheng
Using Mini-Plays to Foster Clinician Confidence in Advance Care Planning
Dr. Moroni Fernandez Cajavilca, Dr. Jacqueline Eaton, Dr. Sara Bybee Jackson, Dr. Kara Dassel, Nicole Fleming
Moderators
Chronic Illness: Supporting Patients and Caregivers
Moderator: Dr. Catherine E. Elmore
State of the Science Address in Research: The State of Nursing Science in a Culture of Chaos and Anti-Intellectualism
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Wallace
Perinatal and Infant Health
Moderator: Dr. Lauri Linder
2026 Distinguished Research Lectureship: The Salience of Crosstalk among Biological, Psychological and Social Domains of Health to Knowledge Development in Nursing Science
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Wallace
Maternal Health and Illness
Moderator: Dr. Gwen Latendresse
Associate Deans and Directors for Research
Moderator: Dr. Andrea Wallace
Exhibit and Reception
Carrie Radmall represented the College of Nursing at Exhibit Booth #108, planned the College’s evening reception, and hosted PhD students who attended the conference: Amber Baranek, Lauren Castro, Kate Daunov, Shery Huang, Sunho Im, Cynthia Johnson, Faith Koehler, Alyssa Lark, Whitney Maxwell, Kelvin Opare, Clare Peckenpaugh, Cami Perry, Elena Solis, Aurie Tovar, Jenne Vagher, and Jamie Villanueva.
Gabriel Mayberry developed the College's advertisement in the conference program.
Support to Faculty, Staff, and Students
Colleen Neering prepared a comprehensive schedule of all College of Nursing presentations and provided input for College Kudos.
Ruby Hocker supported faculty by coordinating poster printing with the J. Willard Marriott Library, managing WIN-related expenses, and registering individuals for the conference.
Heather Clarkson supported students by awarding conference travel scholarships and processing travel accommodations.
