Nursing presents teaching, research, service, staff awards

The UNMC College of Nursing recently honored faculty and staff with excellence in teaching, research, professional service and staff excellence awards. The recipients were Joyce Black, Ph.D., Bunny Pozehl, Ph.D., Susan Muhlbauer, Ph.D., and Rhonda Harnish.

Joyce Black

Dr. Black, associate professor, received the Rosalee C. Yeaworth Teaching Excellence Award. Established in 1995, the award recipient must inspire learning and promote thinking, possess personal and professional integrity; create a caring learning environment that allows the student to apply new knowledge; develope creative teaching strategies that facilitate learning; make a lasting impact on the student; and live the role of nurse educator. Black has been at UNMC since 1982.

“She gives a whole new meaning to the description of a nursing professional,” said one of her nominators. “She shows knowledge, understanding, experience and love for nursing. I am proud to say I am a nurse when I see a person such as herself representing the profession.”

As a classroom and clinical instructor, Dr. Black attempts to make the classroom material relevant to her students’ goals and aspirations. “I believe that students need to ‘experience’ what it means to be a nurse, so I tell stories about patients I have cared for,” Dr. Black said. “Most of them enter nursing to help others, so telling them about patients is a good way to introduce them to what nurses do and believe about the people for whom they care.”

Bunny Pozehl

Dr. Pozehl, associate professor, received the Pennie Z. Davis Faculty Research Award. The award recognizes creative activities of a new investigator, who is conducting research that represents a promising area for nursing science and practice. Recipients must have done a major part of their research while a College of Nursing faculty member, their research must contribute to the advancement of nursing science and clinical nursing practice. They also must have been published or accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and the investigator has received intramural or small extramural funding. Dr. Pozehl has been at UNMC since 1990.

“She is an excellent example of the integration of research into the faculty roles of practice and teaching,” said her nominator. “She has demonstrated past performance reflective of the purpose of the award and she is committed to future research. Dr Pozehl’s passion for research has already helped patients and contributed to the advancement of nursing science.”

Dr. Pozehl’s research studies exercise in heart failure patients. She recently received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health to test a training camp designed to teach patients how to exercise and self-manage exercise behavior over time. Dr. Pozehl said her research will provide valuable assistance to heart failure patients who do not receive reimbursement for cardiac rehabilitation programs.

“I strive to be a valuable and contributing faculty member who advances scientific knowledge through research, while making a difference in student and patient lives. I believe this requires me to be as caring and diligent in my work as possible,” Dr. Pozehl said.

Susan Muhlbauer

Dr. Muhlbauer, assistant professor, received the Ada M. Lindsey Professional Service Award, which recognizes an individual who is an excellent clinician, works to increase financial resources through development of grants, develops innovative advanced practice strategies and develops and maintains community partnerships. In addition, the recipient must demonstrate and engage in outcome-based clinical practice with an emphasis on scientific rigor, participates in clinical research and/or development of conceptual models and publish manuscripts based on scholarly practice.
Dr. Muhlbauer has been at UNMC since August 1980.

Said Dr. Muhlbauer’s nominator: “The recipient’s dedication to patients is demonstrated in her ability to develop trust with her clients, as well as to advocate on their behalf. She is a well respected practitioner, an influential community member, an excellent role model and a tireless leader.”

Over the past 12 years, Dr. Muhlbauer worked to initiate and develop the role of psychiatric nurse practitioner in Nebraska. She developed a psychiatric mental health practice in South Omaha at the Family Health Care Center and a University Medical Associates outpatient clinic managed by advance practice nurses from the UNMC College of Nursing. Dr. Muhlbauer said she exhibits excellence in caring and mentoring through the development of advance practice psychiatric mental health nursing skills.

“I see my work as a way of using my talents and skills to do something I enjoy and find challenging as well as a meaningful way to contribute to society,” Dr. Muhlbauer said. “For me, what I ‘get to do’ is ideal. I can practice. I can teach. I can do research. I can make meaningful contributions. I can see the effect of my work carried out in the students I teach, the research I do and the services I provide.”

Rhonda Harnish

Harnish, program associate, is the first recipient of the new Staff Excellence Award, which recognizes a staff member who embodies the spirit of the College of Nursing through professionalism, integrity, and outstanding performance; provides outstanding customer service and enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of daily operations; and respects individuals for their cultures, contributions and points of view, while fostering an environment of learning and communication. Harnish has been at UNMC since July 2001 in the Continuing Nursing Education office.

“Rhonda is a role model for everyone, no matter what their position in the College of Nursing,” her nominator said. “The College of Nursing and the Continuing Nursing Education unit have benefited immeasurably from her professionalism, her efforts, her outputs and the positive attitude she brings to work every day.”

Harnish assists with planning, organizing, budgeting and staffing continuing nursing education conferences, workshops and programs for UNMC’s internal and external customers.

“When you like your job and the people you work with it increases your motivation to perform at your best,” Harnish said.

Based in Omaha, the UNMC College of Nursing is the largest nursing school in the state with a total of more than 900 students in Omaha and divisions in Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff. It is the only nursing school in the state to offer undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees.