The following UNMC College of Nursing staff, faculty and students were recognized for their achievements:
Breanna Hetland, PhD, assistant professor at the UNMC College of Nursing, will be honored as the UNMC 2024 New Investigator Award winner on Nov. 14 at the Distinguished Scientist Award. The award is given to investigators who receive their first independent national funding.
College of Nursing Alumni who received awards at the annual UNMC Alumni Reunion on Sept. 27-28, 2024 were:
- Ann Berger, PhD – Distinguished Alumnus Award
- Trudie Owens – Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award
- Dilorom Sass, PhD – Nursing Excellence Award
- Nancy Bergstrom, PhD – Honorary Alumnus Award
Joachim Voss, PhD, associate dean of academic programs at the UNMC College of Nursing, served as an associate editor for the June 2024 issue of Clinical Nursing Research: An International Journal.
Krystal Davis, EdD was awarded the UNMC Silver “U” for the month of August 2024. She is the chair of the Undergraduate Admission, Progression, Graduation, and Scholarship/Grant Committee in the College of Nursing.
Brandon Varilek, PhD was selected to serve as a 2024 Health Disparities Research Institute Scholar. The goal of the HDRI is to provide participants with an overview of issues facing minority health, health disparities and to enhance abilities to apply for grants. He is one of 50 scholars selected for the program.
The May 2024 cohort achieved a 98.55% pass rate for the preliminary NCLEX. The accelerated BSN December 2023 NCLEX pass rate was 100%, which means the May 2024 cohort is in position to reach that mark as well.
Jen Miller, PhD, received her first Notice of Award from the NIH-NHLBI. Her research, titled “Motivational Enhancement and Device Support Interventions to Increase Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Adherence in Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” tests two, innovative telehealth-delivered interventions to improve adherence to a safe, effective medical therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. The one-year, $700,000 project will allow her to collect the data necessary for future projects.
Michele Balas, PhD, was a contributing author to “Call to Action: Blueprint for Change in Acute and Critical Care Nursing,” which addresses the nature of nurses’ work by identifying nine practice domains, hospital practice environment assumptions, and expected outcomes of nursing.
The following were promoted, effective July 1:
- Windy Alonso, PhD, promoted from assistant professor to associate professor with continuous appointment
- Jennifer Cera, DNP, promoted from clinical assistant professor to clinical associate professor
- Beth Culross, PhD, promoted from assistant professor to associate professor
- Jill Reed, PhD, from assistant professor to associate professor
- Sue Schuelke, PhD, from assistant professor to associate professor
Rita Weber, PhD, emeritus instructor, was inducted into the Nebraska Nurse Hall of Fame at the 2024 Nebraska Nurse Association Annual Convention on Oct. 3.
Nick Guenzel, PhD, and Marcia Shade, PhD, were inducted into the Interprofessional Academy of Educators on Sept. 19. Louise LaFramboise, PhD, emeritus associate professor, was inducted into IAE as an emeritus member.