College Kudos

October

On Pulse, Morgan West recognized Dr. Amanda Keddington, writing, “For volunteering time out of your busy schedule to help nursing students give flu shots with the RedMed pop up clinics! Your dedication to supporting their hands-on learning is truly appreciated!” Dr. Lauri Linder echoed the recognition, writing, “Congratulations on this nice recognition. I truly appreciate your efforts to support the flu shot clinics and to be such a positive professional role model for our students.”

On Pulse, Dr. Amanda Keddington recognized Dr. Lisa Barry writing, “Lisa has gone above and beyond to help our nursing students in their capstone placements. She exemplifies professionalism consistently earning respect from students & clinical partners!” Dr. Lauri Linder echoed the recognition, writing, “Congratulations, Lisa for this nice recognition! Your efforts in supporting the success of Capstone are greatly appreciated and do not go unnoticed.”

Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson completed a week-long leadership and capacity building fellowship in Sydney, Australia. The Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine led the fellowship. 

Cheryl Gerdy, President of the Utah Organization of Nurse Leaders (UONL) presented the UONL 2024 Nurse Researcher Award to Dr. Julie Valentine at the College of Nursing College Council meeting. The award recognizes a nurse researcher who has focused on advancing the health of Utahns through innovation and/or cultivation of excellence in nursing leadership through education, mentoring, leadership development, or professional development. Dr. Valentine was honored for her research on sexual assault that has 1) been a driving force behind Utah’s improvement in addressing sexual violence, 2) informed national standards in sexual assault evidence collection and kit submissions, and 3) resulted in multidisciplinary reforms in education, practice, and policy in Utah and the United States. 

Shiver passed their dissertation proposal defense on October 18, 2024. Shiver is a PhD student in the Department of Education, Culture, and Society. Their dissertation is titled An Exploratory Study on Racial Narratives of Whiteness and Antiracist Praxis Among Postsecondary Education Administrative Staff.

Dr. Mindy Robert, Sarah Roberts, Amy Miller earned Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) certification, which the National Commission on Correctional Health Care sponsors. This certification underscores their knowledge and expertise in governance and administration; health promotion, safety, and disease prevention; personnel and training, ancillary health care services; patient care and treatment; special needs and services; and medical-legal issues. Dr. Roberts, Sarah, and Amy met eligibility criteria and passed an 80-100 question exam. 

On Pulse, Adam Christiansen recognized Dr. Amanda Dailey-Hansen, writing, “Thank you for being willing to fill in and help out when needed, it makes a huge difference and we appreciate you! Thanks for your contributions to making this a great place for our patients and colleagues!” Dr. Dailey-Hansen worked multiple extra shifts when the department was understaffed. Dr. Lauri Linder echoed the recognition, writing, “This is such a nice recognition of your contributions to practice and working to ensure excellence to the patients you serve.”

Dr. Sumin Park was competitively selected to attend the Secondary Caregiver Data Analysis Trainee Workshop that followed the 3rd Conference on Caregiving Research in Pittsburgh.The Utah Area Health Education Center (AHEC) presented the 2024 Preceptor of the Year Award to Dr. Jennifer Hamilton, Dr. Jessica Leavitt, Dr. Paige Miller, and Dr. Emily Winn. The Utah AHEC was developed as part of Congress’s initiative to recruit, train, and retain health care professionals serving in underserved communities, with the goal that all citizens of Utah can access high-quality primary care. The award highlights individuals who go above and beyond for their students, ensuring their training experience is valuable. The award ceremony was held during the 2024 Utah Primary Care Summit Reception on October 17, 2024.

U.S. News & World Report ranked 686 Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. The College of Nursing is ranked #39 (tie) and is the highest-ranked Bachelor of Science nursing program in Utah.

Yvonne Bass achieved recognition as a Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS). Yvonnepassed a 115-question examination and joins other Simulation Center staff members – Debbie Boulter and Sherri Kerney – who are CHSOS certified. The Society for Simulation in Healthcare Certification Council offers certification to individuals who have two years of experience in simulation, and who implement and deliver simulation activities that span simulation modalities, settings, geographic locations, learner populations, and specialists’ functions. CHSOS certification validates knowledge concerning 1) concepts in healthcare as applied to simulation, 2) simulation technology operations, 3) healthcare simulation practices, principles, and procedures, 4) professional behavior, capabilities, and leadership, and 5) concepts in instructional design as applied to simulation. 

Dr. Erica Nelson achieved Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The peer-developed 150-question examination and awarded certification validates Dr. Nelson's knowledge in the areas of 1) human resource management including knowledge of employment law, critical communications, employee and team performance management, 2) quality and safety including knowledge of change management frameworks, culture of safety, continuous process improvement, and research and evidence-based practice methods, 3) business management including reimbursement methods/payor systems, financial management/budgeting, hours per patient day, resource utilization and leadership styles, and 4) health care delivery, including the ANA's Nursing Leadership Scope and Standards of Practice, regulatory and compliance standards, emergency preparedness, patient experience, nurse sensitive indicators, core measures, and technology evaluation and integration of systems such as telehealth, predictive analysis, and remote monitoring.

September

The Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault presented Dr. Julie Valentine with the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault Beacon of Hope Award. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment and service to victims or sexual violence, as well as those that improve the accessibility or appropriateness of systems for victims or sexual violence. 

Dr. Justin Rigby and Dr. Sarah Canham – Director and Co-Director, respectively, of the University of Utah Health Interprofessional Education (IPE) Program expressed appreciation to faculty for their exceptional contributions as facilitators in the IPE program from Fall Semester 2018 to Spring Semester 2024. In a letter addressed to Dr. Linda Hofmann and Dr. Lauri Linder they wrote, “Through their dedication and expertise, these faculty members have significantly enriched the educational experiences of our students and have played a vital role in fostering collaboration among students from various disciplines. Their commitment to promoting interprofessional teamwork and communication in healthcare has had a profound impact on our institution's mission to prepare future healthcare professionals for the challenges they will face in their careers… We would like to express our deepest gratitude to these faculty members for their ongoing commitment to excellence in interprofessional education. Their contributions are invaluable to the success of our program, and we are truly grateful for their dedication to advancing collaborative healthcare practice.”

The faculty members are:

• Tamara Ekker, 155 hours, Platinum level
• Dr. Jennifer Macali, 60 hours, Platinum level
• Dr. Zoe Robbins, 48 hours, Platinum level
• Dr. Chris Macintosh, 28 hours, Gold level
• Dr. Liz Greene, 25 hours, Gold level
• Dr. Cheryl Armstrong, 23 hours, Gold level
• Dr. Sue Chase Cantarini, 23 hours, Gold level
• Dr. John Nerges, 23 hours, Gold level
• Dr. Natalie Allen, 18 hours, Silver level
• Dr. Sheila Deyette, 15 hours, Silver level
• Dr. Sherri Evershed, 13 hours, Silver level
• Dr. Rebecca Wilson, 13 hours, Silver level

For the first time in years, the College’s total grant portfolio has surpassed $52.5M and continues to grow thanks to our faculty, and members of the Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center (EEJNRC) team, program managers, study coordinators, and research assistants who support all phases of their projects.

• Associate Dean for Research: Provide visionary and strategic leadership for sponsored (grants and contracts) and internal research programs, provide administrative leadership for the EEJNRC, and guide College personnel to develop capacity for research.
  • Dr. Andrea Wallace
• Director: Direct the EEJNRC and ensure that budget, management, and compliance processes are robust and effective.
  • Terri Pianka
• Pre-Awards Team: Help faculty, post-docs, and students identify and apply for a diverse range of funding opportunities.
  • Hollie Fuhrmann
  • Emily Baily
  • Harper Vander Hoek
• Post-Awards Team: Manage the day-to-day administration and reporting of active grants.
  • Rachel Hamilton
  • Helen Yang
• Nurse Scientist Training: Oversee the post-doctoral program and help make connections for PhD and undergraduate students.
  • Emilee Cluff
• Statistical Team: Provide invaluable statistical and data management support across the college.
  • Dr. Xiaoming Sheng
  • Dr. Bob Wong
  • Dr. Eli Iacob
  • Keiko Cawley 
  • Dr. Seneca Moore helps integrate AI into research and training.
• Administrative Support: Organize and coordinate training and events that support the research mission.
  • Colleen Neering
• Research Program Managers: Plan, organize, direct, and oversee aspects of research projects; interact with personnel at clinical study sites and sponsors; onboard staff; make purchases; support faculty and staff; and/or manage data.
  • Ana Liquin
  • Christina Echeverria
  • Jacqueline Telonidis
  • Karissa Mirus
  • Megan McClure
  • Nancy Aruscavage
  • Somer Aly
• Clinical Research Coordinators, Study Coordinators, Research Nurses, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, Nurse Practitioner Clinicians, and Research Analysts: Support scientists in numerous ways in accordance with the nature of the study or project.
  • Adonica Kauwe Tuitama
  • Amber Dayley
  • Anna Fetzer
  • Annemarie Rousseau
  • Bruno Rodriguez Gonzales
  • Cassie Kuhn
  • Chaz Davis
  • Christopher Hernandez
  • Emily Gilgen
  • Ernest Grigorian
  • Hannah Bruce
  • Ida Tovar
  • Jacqueline Kent-Marvick
  • Joe Delannoy
  • Keiko Cawley
  • Mackenzie Elliot
  • Megan Rose
  • Nicole Fleming
  • Pamela Barrientos
  • Roxanne Geurin
  • Samantha Stebleton
  • Tracey Mai
  • Vinay Kumaran
  • Wen Tu

The Presidential Scholar award recognizes the extraordinary academic accomplishments and promise of associate professor faculty members, providing them with financial support to advance their research and teaching. Dr. Michelle Litchman has been selected from an exceptional cadre of nominees from Colleges and Schools across the university for this impressive distinction. She will be recognized as a Presidential Scholar for three academic years: 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027.

On Pulse, Aubry Bagshaw recognized Malek Alnajar, writing, “Thank you for your help during a challenging morning of unexpected downtime. You were so calm and helpful, and a great example to our patients and staff. Thank you Malek!”

At its Emergency Nursing 2024 conference in Las Vegas, the Emergency Nurses Association welcomed Associate Instructor and Master of Science (Nursing Education) graduate student Paige Potter to its 2024 class of 20 Under 40 program. The 20 Under 40 program spotlights emergency nursing professionals who make exceptional contributions to their workplaces, their communities, and the emergency nursing specialty.

Dr. Djin Tay was featured on the cover of the Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing. The photo caption reads, “Djin Tay, PhD, RN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Utah. Dr. Tay’s research focuses on family caregiving outcomes in advanced cancers. She has co-Chaired HPNA’s Emerging Scholar SIG, serves as a member of the Research Advisory Committee, and has contributed to HPNA’s 2023-26 Research Agenda.”

To support early-career educators, the College established Success Academy to mentor new faculty and provide resources that will enable them to achieve teaching excellence. This initiative was developed under the strategic guidance of Division Chairs Dr. Linda Hofmann and Dr. Lauri Linder and Dean Marla De Jong and is sponsored by the Excellence in Education program (CONExEd). Alongside Dr. Rebecca Wilson, Director of CONExEd, and given their pedagogical expertise, Drs. Carolyn Scheese, Diane Chapman, and Cheryl Armstrong were selected as mentors. The objectives of the Success Academy include enhancing mastery of the academic nurse educator role, increasing teaching confidence and satisfaction, and improving student education experiences.

The Success Academy launched its first cohort on August 12 and held an immersive orientation. Faculty participants included:

• Dr. Lisa Barry
• Jesika Chavez-England
• Leslie Crandall
• Dr. Amanda Daily-Hansen
• Dr. Katie Davis
• Dr. Van Gip-Duran
• Anne Harris
• Dr. Megan Hebdon
• Dr. William Hull
• Esther Kang
• Dr. Amanda Keddington
• Dr. Jessie Leavitt
• Dr. Kelly Mansfield
• Dr. Cathy Maxwell
• Dr. Joshua Twitchell
• Dr. Erica Nelson
• Danielle Puri
• Dr. Jacob Steenblik
• Dr. Julie Valentine
• Alisa Wursten

During the immersive orientation,

• Dr. Carolyn Scheese presented Being Educators at the CON.
• Dr. Josh Wall, Dr. Melody Krahulec, Dr. Diane Chapman, and Shiver led a panel discussion on the Institutional/Organizational Framework.
• Dr. Diane Chapman presented First Day of Class Overview.
• Mike McIntosh, Gabriel Mayberry, Adryenne Huo, and Dr. Carolyn Scheese presented breakout sessions about Canvas, classroom technology, and social media and communication.
• Dean Marla De Jong spoke about education priorities and new developments within the University.

Attendees appreciated learning about the College’s structure, organization, and policies. They found the technology breakout rooms to be helpful before beginning teaching during Fall Semester 2024. Many faculty expressed thanks for the College offering Success Academy and for being invited to participate. Angie Fenton commented, “I am so glad you are offering this to newer faculty (I know I am still new) - those first couple of years can be rough!”

Sarah Brown, Lynn Dixon, Kathy Doom, Karen Fuller, Shelli King, Shiver, Deidre Schoenfeld, Dr. Linda Hofmann, and Dr. Lauri Linder provided invaluable support, contributing to a successful launch of Success Academy.

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 Summer Semester 2024.

Dr. Mandy Al-Khudairi: NURS 7604 PCNP Practicum IV. “Amanda has been helpful and supportive of me and my struggles with graduate school and my health over the last six months. Thank you for understanding and working with me to get the most out of this class. I appreciate all of your time and support!”

Dr. Nancy Allen: NURS 7701 DNP Scholarly Project I. “Professor Allen is very knowledgeable about the DNP scholarly projects. Her examples and advice are extremely helpful. She is very supportive and helpful with guiding me with my project.”

Natasha Ansari: NURS 4650 Capstone Clinical. “I loved how Natasha let us discuss things that were important to us during our meetings even if they went off the planned discussion. I also enjoyed how Natasha let us solve our own problems and turn to our class mates first for advice before jumping in herself to help us problem solve as needed. When she did offer advice, her experience in dealing with similar situations really shone through as her advice usually seemed to work for classmates as they shared their experiences. She advocates for her students and offers a supportive and nonjudgmental space for students to express their successes and fears.”

Dr. Sheila Deyette: NURS 7661 Psychiatric/Mental Health Practicum I. "I love the passion you teach with! I have talked to some of the other students, and they feel the same way. You were amazing at laying the groundwork for us in understanding the deeper concepts in therapy. Whether it was different theories like humanistic, psychodynamic, or behavioral, you broke them down in a basic way and really got us to reflect on how these theories apply to our patients and how understanding these concepts will unlock the gateway for a healthy therapist/patient relationship. Now that we are in our therapy rotation, this has really paid off.…Take my word for it, you are having a profound impact on everyone. Thank you!"

Dr. Jenneth Doria: NURS 4116 Public Health Nursing for RN's. "Jenneth Doria is an amazing professor who not only leads a well-organized course, but wholeheartedly cares about her students and wants us to succeed. She has a kind heart and I have truly enjoyed this class and being her student. Thank you for your support and dedication to my learning."

Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted: GERON 5280 International Dimensions of Lifelong Learning. What could this instructor do to improve or increase learning opportunities in this class? “Absolutely nothing. She’s perfect.”

Esther Kang: NURS 3410 Acute Care Nursing Practicum. “Esther is a fantastic instructor. She brings valuable experiences that she shares with her clinical group and is supportive of all of her students.” “Esther is great! I enjoy her post–conferences after clinicals as she teaches us valuable lessons like conflict management and interviewing tips.”

Dr. Amanda Keddington and Dr. Cynthia Garbett: NURS 3300 Professional Roles I: Foundations of Professionalism. “I didn't expect to like this course, but I learned a ton of skills and framework for things I will encounter as I enter the nursing field. A lot of the learning we had were things that are some of my weaknesses in terms of communicating effectively, so I really enjoyed it.”

Dr. Shinduk Lee: NURS 5550 Practical Statistics. “Homework and quizzes aligned with lectures and text book, stats was challenging but the instructor structured the class for students to succeed and master concepts, I enjoyed the class.”

Dr. Shinduk Lee and Dr. Lisa Taylor-Swanson: NURS 7701 DNP Scholarly Project I. “It was helpful to take [7700] in conjunction with 7701 as it helped me think through outcome measures for my project that I was then able to use for assignments for that class.”

Dr. Lynn Reinke: NURS 6329 Death, Dying and Bereavement. “This class provides distinct and tangible benefits to my clinical nursing practice, i.e. exposure to advance care planning, the discussion on cultural practices surrounding death and how grief appears in younger populations. This will help me be a more competent clinician.”

Dr. Zoe Robbins: NURS 7664 Psychiatric/Mental Health Practicum IV. “Dr Robbins was not my small group leader, but I recommend her as an instructor. I'm always learning new things from her, especially when it comes to addiction medicine. She responds quickly about clinical sites and preceptors.”

Dr. Xiaoming Sheng: NURS 7201 Statistics I. “Dr. Sheng was incredibly knowledgeable and able to answer student questions from multiple perspectives giving broader range of topics/ideas/discussions.” “Xiaoming does a great job with his organization and explanations of the topics. The labs are easy to follow.”

Dr. Djin Tay: NURS 7207 Quantitative Research Designs I. “Amazing instructor! Available, genuine, knowledgeable, explains things clearly.” “She explains everything very well and gives detailed feedback on the assignments.”

Dr. Joshua Twitchell: NURS 3410 Acute Care Nursing Practicum. “Josh is hands down the best professor I have ever had. He cares deeply about his students and wants to see them succeed. He provides the best advice/help when experiencing something tragic, and helps his students process with him. Josh grades in a way that provides constructive criticism without students making themselves feel bad about themselves and gives students the grades they deserve after we have worked so hard on assignments. Josh may not teach the hardest class in the program, but he teaches the most important one. His students are so grateful for him and his influence/presence in their lives.”

Dr. Echo Warner: NURS 7207 Quantitative Research Designs I. “Echo was very nice and respectful, she obviously has a very good knowledge base to teach this course. She paid a lot of attention to the course and the students.”

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded a $3,600,000 R01 grant to Dr. Amanda Petrik at the Kaiser Permanente Northwest Center for Health Research for a project titled Multilevel Peer-to-Peer Education Program to Increase HPV Vaccinations and Wellness in School Based Health Centers (PEER). Dr. Deanna Kepka is a Consultant. Effective August 28, 2024, the team is working to use school-based health centers for primary and preventive care, evaluate a multilevel intervention to increase HPV vaccination, and improve health equity and health outcomes. 

The National Cancer Institute Cervical Cancer ‘Last Mile’ Initiative includes federal and private sector participants who are contributing evidence on the accuracy and clinical effectiveness of self-collection-based HPV testing for cervical cancer screening. Dr. Deanna Kepka and Dr. Kathryn Maurer are Lead Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, respectively, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for the initiative’s multi-center SHIP (Self-collection for HPV testing to Improve Cervical Cancer Prevention) trial.

Dr. Julie Valentine and colleagues were awarded the 2023 Journal of Forensic Nursing Education Article of the Year. Downing NR, Avshman E, Valentine JL, Johnson LM, Chapa H. Forensic nurses' understanding of emergency contraception mechanisms: Implications for access to emergency contraception. J Forensic Nurs. 2023;19(3):150-159. DOI: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000430 Co-author Luke Johnson was one of Dr. Valentine’s undergraduate research assistants and is currently attending medical school at the University of Virginia.

August

The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) presented its Sarah Gomez Erlach Humanitarian Award to Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead. Named after Sara Gomez Erlach, an extraordinary Hispanic nurse who dedicated her professional and personal life to service for the underserved – especially minority, migrant, and rural populations, the award honors NAHN members for their lifetime humanitarian efforts on behalf of vulnerable populations. It recognizes members who seek to improve health delivery to those that are financially disadvantaged, the rural poor, and/or migrant farmworkers and their families. Awardees have demonstrated initiating or implementing health program(s) for the financially disadvantaged, the rural poor, and/or migrant farmworkers and their families, and being committed to and advocating for public health services to the financially disadvantaged, the rural poor, and/or migrant farmworkers and their families. The award letter included the following: “Congratulations! You are the 2024 recipient of the NAHN Sarah Gomez Erlach Humanitarian Award. It is our great privilege to recognize your contribution to the world of nursing and to celebrate your accomplishments. This recognition is not only a celebration of your work, but also an expression of gratitude for your leadership, commitment, and contributions to NAHN and the Hispanic community.”

Students and faculty praised Dr. Kelly Mansfield. “We want to pause from our busy semester and recognize Kelly Mansfield for her outstanding contributions to the College of Nursing. Kelly's impact is felt across multiple programs, including the prelicensure track within the Bachelor of Science program, the nursing education track within the Master of Science program, and the scholarly project course series within the Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Dr. Mansfield’s dedication to student success shines through in NURS 4505 Concepts in Critical Care Nursing. As one student shared, "This elective was the highlight of my final semester, and even my entire nursing program." A fellow faculty member eloquently summarized Kelly's impact: "Your passion for teaching, unwavering commitment to students, and ability to inspire and challenge them is truly remarkable. Thank you for everything you do.”

The University of Utah Board of Trustees designated Dr. Nanci McLeskey as Associate Professor (Clinical) Emeritus effective July 1, 2024.

The University of Utah Board of Trustees designated Dr. Gillian Tufts as Associate Professor (Clinical) Emeritus effective July 1, 2024.

The National League for Nursing (NLN) announced its 2024 Classes of Fellows, including Dr. Ann Butt. Induction into the Academy is a prestigious honor, and reflects Ann’s academic leadership, innovative research and scholarship, application of evidence-based and novel teaching-learning strategies, and mentorship of students, staff, and faculty. Distinguished by their innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy initiatives that advance nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships, inductees will be recognized at the NLN Education Summit on September 18-20, 2024. The theme of the summit is A Daring Proposition: Competency-Based Education.

On July 25, Dr. Amanda Keddington hosted the virtual Annual Meeting and Induction Ceremony for the Gamma Rho chapter of Sigma. Dr. Keddington announced and thanked the chapter’s new leadership board, including: 

• President: Dr. Amanda Keddington
• Vice-President and Awards Chair: Dr. Cheryl Armstrong
• Secretary: Dr. Lisa Barry
• Treasurers: Dr. Rebekah Perkins and Dr. John Nerges
• Governance Chair: Dr. Sue Chase-Cantarini
• Faculty Counselor: Dr. Anna Alder
• Archivist: Dr. Valerie Flattes
• Research/Scholarship: Dr. Kelly Mansfield

Dr. Linda Hofmann delivered the keynote address titled Transformational Leadership, sharing excellent leadership pearls and experience. 

Nurse leaders inducted into Sigma included:

• Dr. Liz Greene
• Katie Feldner

Dr. Katarina Friberg-Felsted has been appointed as Assistant Dean of the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program.

July

As Graduate Nursing Student Academy Advocacy Leaders, Jesika Chavez-England and Dr. Amanda Keddington participated in Virtual Hill meetings, meeting with Congressman Blake Moore’s staff and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. In a message to Dean Marla De Jong, Rachel Minahan (Stevenson), Director of Government Affairs at American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), praised Jesika and Amanda, writing “Two graduate nursing students, Jesika Chavez-England and Amanda Keddington, from the University of Utah are joining these visits. I have to say they are extremely impressive! You truly have a strong team and I appreciate all of your leadership.”

Dr. Diane Chapman earned the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential, which the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program administers. This certification underscores Dr. Chapman's knowledge and expertise in facilitating learning, facilitating learner development and socialization, using assessment and evaluation strategies, designing curriculum and evaluating program outcomes, functioning as a change agent and leader, engaging in scholarship, pursuing continuous quality Improvement in the academic nurse educator role, and functioning within the organizational environment and the academic community. NLN created this academic nurse educator certification to establish nursing education as a specialty area of practice and create a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. Dr. Chapman met eligibility criteria for certification and passed a 130-question examination.

Dr. John Nerges achieved board certification in Emergency Nursing, passing the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®) exam. According to the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing, the CEN is the foundational nursing specialty certification for registered nurses working in the Emergency Department and across the emergency spectrum. Certified emergency nurses are lifelong learners who demonstrate expertise in clinical practice and are better prepared for professional development and overall career success.

Academic Promotion, Award of Tenure, and Reappointment:

Based on a formal review and accomplishments, the following individuals have been promoted, awarded tenure, reappointed, or retained in the College of Nursing, effective July 1, 2024:

• Dr. Anna Alder was promoted to the academic rank of Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• Dr. Natalie Allen was reappointed at the academic rank of Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• Dr. Alycia Bristol was retained at the academic rank of Assistant Professor
• Dr. Jackie Eaton was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor and awarded tenure
• Dr. Heidi Favero was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor (Clinical)
• Dr. Eli Iacob was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor (Research)
• Dr. Deanna Kepka was promoted to the academic rank of Professor
• Denise Reeves was reappointed at the academic rank of Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• Dr. Tom Rowley was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor (Clinical)
• Christopher Sneddon was reappointed at the academic rank of Instructor (Clinical)
• Dr. Caroline Stephens was promoted to the academic rank of Professor
• Dr. Suzanne Talken was reappointed at the academic rank of Associate Professor (Clinical)
• Dr. Djin Tay was retained at the academic rank of Assistant Professor
• Dr. Josh Wall was promoted to the academic rank of Associate Professor (Clinical)

The American Academy of Nursing announced its 2024 Class of Fellows, including Dr. Linda Hofmann and Dr. Nancy Allen, and alumna Dr. Shelly Reed. Induction into the Academy is one of the most prestigious honors in nursing. Distinguished by their substantive and sustained contributions to health and health care, the inductees will be recognized at the Academy’s 2024 Health Policy Conference on October 31 – November 2, 2024. The theme of the conference is Courageous Transformations Towards an Equitable Future.

Dr. Cathy Maxwell has been appointed as the Robert L. and Joyce T. Rice Presidential Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging and begins her faculty appointment on July 1, 2024.

Dr. Kelly Mansfield is recognized for her expertise in teaching and applying evidence-based practice (EBP) methodologies, a substantial process using critical appraisal, synthesis, translation, and outcomes measurement to make evidence-based practice changes and promote evidence-based quality improvement. As academic-practice partners, Intermountain Health (IH) leaders invited Kelly to co-teach PULSE, an evidence-based course that IH offers quarterly for nurses across its system.

June

Dr. Lauri Linder was appointed as Adjunct Professor to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) selected Dr. Zoe Robbins to receive its 2024 American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence. Established in 1991 to recognize outstanding clinical quality, the AANP State Award for Excellence honors nurse practitioners for the lifesaving care they provide to patients. AANP will present the award to Dr. Robbins at the 2024 AANP Conference in Nashville, TN, on June 28, 2024.

Dr. Schola Matovu is one of 16 nurse scientists accepted to the fifth cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators. The three-year fellowship recognizes early- to mid-career nursing scholars and innovators with a high potential to accelerate leadership in nursing research, practice, education, policy, and entrepreneurship. Fellows receive $450,000 to conduct an innovative project or study that has the potential to address a gap in knowledge, meet a vital need, alter care delivery, or design a new solution to advance health. Dr. Matovu will conduct a project to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led telecoaching and support intervention for grandparent-caregivers with Type 2 diabetes in rural Utah and the greater Intermountain West.

May

Dr. Amy Pasmann achieved Nurse Executive (NE-BC) certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This peer developed examination and awarded certification validates Dr. Pasmann's knowledge in the areas of 1) human resource management, including knowledge of employment law, critical communications, employee and team performance management; 2) quality and safety, including knowledge of change management frameworks, culture of safety, continuous process improvement, and research and evidence-based practice methods; 3) business management including reimbursement methods/payor systems, financial management/budgeting, hours per patient day, resource utilization and leadership styles; and 4) health care delivery, including ANA's Nursing Leadership: Scope and Standards of Practice, regulatory and compliance standards, emergency preparedness, patient experience, nurse sensitive indicators, core measures, and technology evaluation and integration of systems such as telehealth, predictive analysis, and remote monitoring.

The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) selected Dr. Jia-Wen Guo to be inducted as a fellow (FAMIA). FAMIA recognizes AMIA member professionals who apply informatics skills and knowledge towards the goals of enhanced personal and population health, improved organizational performance and learning, and individual empowerment in healthcare. Fellows apply informatics skills and knowledge within their professional setting, demonstrate professional achievement and leadership, and contribute to the betterment of AMIA. The induction ceremony will occur at the AMIA 2024 Clinical Informatics Conference May 21-23 in Minneapolis.

The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS), a signature initiative of the American Academy of Nursing, announced it will honor Dr. Andrea Wallace with the inaugural Exemplary Mid-Career Researcher and Mentor Award at the CANS 2024 State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research. This award recognizes a mid-career nurse scientist whose established and impactful program of research has significantly contributed to advancing nursing knowledge through interdisciplinary research teams and mentorship of nursing students.

Carly Bonfiglio earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree, specializing as a family nurse practitioner, from Westminster University.

Dr. Valois Feneziani earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, specializing in organizational leadership, from the University of Utah.

Congratulations to all College of Nursing graduates who earned Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice, or Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Nursing, a Master of Science degree in Gerontology, and/or a certificate in nursing or gerontology. We celebrate your academic accomplishments and look forward to hearing about your contributions as you promote wellness and prevent illness, reduce health disparities, shape the future of healthcare to be equitable, and improve health outcomes for persons and communities.

Commendation to all faculty, staff, preceptors, and community partners who supported and positioned students for academic success during their programs of study.

Dr. Natasha Ansari earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing.

Dr. Amanda Keddington earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, specializing in organizational leadership. She received the Outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholar Award. 

Dr. Kelly Mansfield earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nursing, and a Graduate Certificate in nursing education. 

Dr. Erica Nelson earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, specializing in organizational leadership.

Simulation Center staff and faculty organized several events for junior high and high school students from the Ascent Academy in West Jordan, the Canyons School District’s Nurse Assistant program, Granite Technical Institute, and the Alpine School District. Simulation Center staff and faculty, including Mandy Thompson, Debbie Boulter, Carly Bonfiglio, and Dr. Ann Butt worked hard to ensure a positive experience for all attendees.

Eighty 7th graders from Ascent Academy, most of whom had not thought much about attending college or becoming a nurse, traveled by Trax to visit the Simulation Center. Their visit led to conversation in class about the fun they had in the Simulation Center, and that it would be cool to attend the University of Utah. Their thank you note is included in the collage above. 

Tom Wood, Work-Based Director of the Alpine School District, sent a thank you message to Simulation Center staff and faculty.

“… I just wanted to drop you all a massive thank you for putting together such an incredible day for the Alpine School District Medical Explorers visit. Seriously, you knocked it out of the park! The activities you organized were not only fun but also super informative. You made learning about medical exploration an absolute blast! Your hard work and dedication didn't go unnoticed, and we're all so grateful for the awesome experience you provided. Thank you all!!!”

Bo Berry, Executive Director of the Western Institute of Nursing (WIN), sent a thank you message to Dean Marla De Jong.

“Thank you and the University of Utah College of Nursing for the incredibly generous sponsorship of WIN’s 2024 conference and for the tremendous support you provided our annual meeting this year. What a great event!

… feedback from the conference is overwhelmingly positive. We are so grateful to you and your team for making the meeting a success. It was a great pleasure to finally bring the conference back to Salt Lake City after 15 years. 

As always, Carrie Radmall was delightful to work with and provided a great deal of support behind the scenes. We are also very grateful to Gabriel Mayberry for photographing our 2024 award recipients. I was able to send the photos to each honoree yesterday, and they are always so happy to receive them.

Paula Meek, Linda Edelman, Perry Gee, Lauri Linder, Andrea Wallace, Jacqueline Kent-Marvick, and Cheryl Armstrong all worked so hard to support WIN this year and the conference. The University of Utah’s support means a great deal to our small organization (and to NEXus) and truly helps sustain us…”

April

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).

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.

The Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Phi Omegaheld 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

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.