Sixty-four recent graduates of University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing have been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, a professional nursing organization of 260,000 nurses internationally that recognizes and promotes scholarship, leadership and research in nursing.
The students will join the Gamma Pi Chapter which is made up of UNMC College of Nursing Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff divisions. The chapter, chartered as the 86th chapter on April 16, 1978, has more than 700 members and sponsors academic programs, writers’ seminars and programs highlighting nursing research. It also offers research grants and scholarships.
Students who qualified showed leadership potential, a marked achievement in nursing and who’ve demonstrated superior scholastic achievement. Those who’ve earned bachelor’s degrees must have at least a grade-point-average of 3.0, with ranking in the top 35 percent of the class. Students who’ve earned master’s degrees must have a 3.5 GPA and doctoral students a 3.75 GPA.
Listed below under the UNMC nursing division they attend are the students and their hometowns.
KEARNEY DIVISION
BROKEN BOW — Susan E. Fast and Darci R. Horn
CALLAWAY — Julie M. Eastwood
FRANKLIN — Lisa B. Yelken
FULLERTON — Sara J. Horacek
HASTINGS — Larissa A. Rossow
HOOPER — Katie L. Peters
KEARNEY — Patricia J. Matson and Jessica J. Willett
LITCHFIELD — Samantha K. Schultz
MINDEN — Nicole K. Damgaard
NORTH PLATTE — Diane L. Gellerman
O’NEILL — Kelly C. Tomlinson
PALMER — Ellen Addison
WOOD RIVER — Kellie J. Wulf
LINCOLN DIVISION
AXTELL — Emily J. Kindschuh
CLEARWATER — Jennifer L. Kaczor
DAVEY — Samantha S. Keech
HUMBOLDT — Shannon L. Fankhauser
LINCOLN — Peggy A. Burkey, Jennifer L. Furry, Kelly A. Johnson and Renae K. Kuhlman
OMAHA — Beth Anne Czaplewski
RAYMOND — Lisa M. Virgil
WAVERLY — Patricia J. Johnson
HOMETOWN NOT AVAILABLE: Sydnie M. Carraher, Valerie N. Fischer, Kristi L. Kubicek, Doreen R. Lawrence, Ingrida Pakalniskyte, Lisa M. Thurnstrom and Ann E. Wyman
OMAHA DIVISION
ALLIANCE — Jennifer L. Buskirk
ARLINGTON — Patricia L. Barger
BELLEVUE — Paulette M. McLaughlin
BROKEN BOW — Heather L. Peck
FREMONT — Jodi K. Welander
HOOPER — Carrie L. Mueller
LINCOLN — Jill T. Edstrand
NORFOLK — Stacy L. Milliken
OMAHA — Deborah J. Becker, Kelly Bosak, Lisa M. LaCrosse, Janice L. Mathews, Tracy M. Reick and Kelli C. Sheppard
PINE BLUFF, ARK. — Jerithea D. Tidwell
HINTON, IOWA — LeAnn R. Havener
LENOX, IOWA — Corene A. Walter
SIBLEY, IOWA — Natalie C. Rasmussen
DETROIT, MICH. — Margaret J. Labadie
HOMETOWN NOT AVAILABLE — Rebekah R. Lehn and Jennifer G. Rounds
SCOTTSBLUFF (WESTERN NEBRASKA DIVISION)
BRIDGEPORT — Cheryl Laux and Vicki McLamb
CRAWFORD — Stephanie Hughart
GERING — Christine Buhr
MITCHELL — Mary Lafler
MORRILL — Judy M. Bowlin
SCOTTSBLUFF — Leena M. Booth and Nancy Hanson
WINDSOR — Jamie Martin
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Karen Andersen
In addition to the above, five professional nurses who are recognized as leaders and have demonstrated marked achievement in nursing education, practice, research, or publishing, were inducted into the society. Membership is awarded to them to recognize their leadership, creative work, support for professional standards, and commitment to scholarly nursing. They are:
BEAVER CITY — Suzanne Harder
KEARNEY B Carol Wahl
OMAHA B Julie Lazure, Cheryl West and Jan Wintle
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.