College says goodbye to two faculty stalwarts

From left, Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, PhD, and Rebecca Keating-Lefler, PhD

On Aug. 31, the UNMC College of Nursing hosted a retirement reception on the Omaha campus to honor two longtime faculty members.  The reception recognized:

  • Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, PhD, professor, associate dean for academic programs and Christine Heide Sorensen Endowed Professor, who retired on Sept. 2. Dr. Stamler joined the College of Nursing in 2014. 
  • Rebecca Keating-Lefler, PhD, assistant professor and coordinator of the RN-BSN program, who retired on Sept. 30. Dr. Keating-Lefler joined the college in 2002.

Dr. Stamler practiced in several clinical areas, including the ICU, long term care, rehabilitation and home health. She taught all levels of nursing education from the diploma to the PhD. Her research interests were eclectic (diabetes, breast health, booster seats for children, leadership), but the common thread was the teaching-learning process, be it through patient education or nursing education and leadership. She practiced and/or taught in three states and three provinces in Canada, and she holds two U.S. degrees (BSN, PhD) and one Canadian degree (MEd), as well as an honorary doctorate. 

Dr. Keating-Lefler’s clinical specialty was in women’s health and high-risk obstetrics. She earned her BSN, MSN and PhD at UNMC and taught courses in health policy and issues, leadership and management, health care outcomes and nursing research. Her research focus was single, low-income mothers.