Donna Otto

MS(N), RN

Instructor of Nursing
S428 MU Sinclair School of Nursing
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
E-Mail: OttoD@missouri.edu
Phone: (573) 884-7293
Fax: (573) 884-4544

Interest Area: Nursing leadership and management

Donna graduated from the MU School of Nursing in May of 1972 and completed her MS(N) in Nursing Administration in 1981. She began her professional career as a Staff Nurse in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Med Center (Later to become known as the University Hospital and Clinics) in Columbia. She was appointed Head Nurse in 1974 and continued to assume increasing responsibilities and administrative roles for the next 26+ years.

While serving as Chief Nurse, Donna also held a joint faculty appointment with the MU Sinclair School of Nursing and has enjoyed mentoring students. She has served as a preceptor for many students who have chosen to focus their studies in the area of nursing leadership and management.

In the spring of 2001, Donna joined the faculty at the school of nursing and has been associated with the RN-BSN program. She is teaching N3180 and N4300 classes. Says Otto, "It has been great fun to learn daily how to transfer my knowledge and skills from the service world to the academic setting. When I am not teaching, I assist as Project Coordinator for Tiger Place, (the school's aging in place project), and serve as the Director of Alumni Relations."

• 2006 Golden Column Award University Hospital Recognition
• 2004 Faculty Award for Excellence in Service MU Sinclair School of Nursing
• 2003 Excellence in Nursing Award Sigma theta Tau, Alpha Iota Chapter
• 1999 Distinguished Friend of the School of Nursing Award, University of Missouri-Columbia
• 1998 Women's Month Award, Columbia Community Betterment
• 1997 25-Year Service Award, University of Missouri-Columbia
• 1993 Annual Tribute to Missouri Nurses, St. Louis School of Nursing Honoree - Administration
• 1989 Fellow, Johnson & Johnson - Wharton Management Program for Nurse Executives, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
• 1989 Excellence in Nursing Award - Honorable Mention, Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Iota Chapter
• 1988 Chancellor's Staff Recognition Award, Administrative/Professional, University of Missouri-Columbia
• 1988 Who's Who in American Nursing

Professional and Community Memberships:

• 2002 - present Board of Directors Safe Kids Coalition
• 1997 - 2001 University of Missouri-Columbia Health System Board of Directors
• 1996 - 2001 Central District Directors of Nursing Task Force
• 1995 - 2001 Association for the Care of Children's Health
• 1980 - present MU Alumni Association Lifetime member
• 1975 - present American Nurses Association
• 1980 - present Sigma Theta Tau (Alpha Iota Chapter)

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