Fall 06 index/Past Issues/ SON Home/ MU Home/ Contact Us
Fall 06 index/Past Issues/ SON Home/ MU Home/ Contact Us
Fall 2006 |
Annually the School celebrates its accomplishments in education, research and service with its spring banquet and awards ceremony. 2006 was no exception. All stages of life and nursing careers were honored whether student, faculty, staff, alumni or friend. With more than 400 in attendance for the third consecutive year, alumni are using this occasion to reunite with their classmates. Last year, the School honored those classes that ended in a six year. The Class of 1956 gathered for their 50th class reunion, and three of the 17 alums were there to celebrate. "It is our hope that after hearing the stories of our students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends, you will walk away with a better understanding of what our mission is as a school, and why we are proud of our accomplishments," said Dean Rose Porter.
Helping others has always been part of Susan's life. Growing up she watched her parents run a funeral home and ambulance service, and learned she wanted a career helping others. Today, Susan will tell you she is not sure if she chose nursing or if nursing chose her but it was one of the best decisions of her life. She loves being a nurse. For her, the challenge that nursing presents is irresistible and she truly believes she has answered her life's calling. She graduated in 1977 with an associate degree and has spent the past 15 years as a school nurse at Jackson Junior High in Cape Girardeau. Additionally she is a part-time labor and delivery nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital. With the nursing shortage hitting home, Susan can visibly see patient care being affected by the lack of nurses. She decided to go back to school to become a nursing instructor, and obtaining her BSN is the first step.
Alison has assisted with beautification projects in U.S. inner city neighborhoods, raced in triathlons to raise money for cancer research and learned how to communicate with people from other cultures while living in Hungary . These life-altering events have taught Alison the importance of hope, encouragement and love. Being in touch with the entire person - physical, emotional and spiritual - is important to Alison. She is excited about using the knowledge she's learning in nursing school and drawing on her compassion to help those who do not have the health and medical resources they need. She is ready to join a profession that she respects and enjoys. Alison can think of no better pursuit in life than to nuture and care for others. Whether healthy or sick, she aims to bring comfort, hope and wants to help patients and their families have better lives.
When Emily was four, her mother passed away. The kindness of an EMT during that traumatic time influenced Emily's career choice at the age of 10. So in high school, she prepared for a nursing career by working in a pediatrics office and volunteering at a hospital. However, it was a trip to Honduras that cemented her decision. In Honduras , she cleaned wounds, gave baths, dispensed medications and educated patients. After returning, she joined a program allowing her to shadow nurses in various areas. Even at a young age, Emily understood that nurses were the ones by the patient's bedside and served as a source of trust for patients and their families. For Emily, nursing is the perfect career that allows her to return the kindness she was shown when she had needed it the most.
Some of Hiwot's earliest memories are of going to work with her father. As a physical therapist in Ethiopia , her father worked with patients in the hospital on a daily basis. By following him around, Hiwot realized she wanted to work in the healthcare profession so she could make a difference just like her father. Since her freshman year, Hiwot has been working in Dr. Deidre Wipke-Tevis' research lab. Through the EXPRESS program she assisted with screenings, experiments and data entry. This hands-on experience created her passion for a nursing career. Currently Hiwot is a peer mentor in the EXPRESS program. As a student researcher, Hiwot has learned the benefits that research provides to the health-care industry. Her interests are specifically in women's and newborn health. In the future, she plans to pursue a graduate degree and someday return to Ethiopia to provide a free women and newborn clinic.
Life is a journey where reality and dreams come together. As a child, Andrea loved being a nurse to her dolls and friends. These dreams came into reality when it was time for her to choose a college major. Nursing fit her strengths and life desires. Now in the clinical portion of her college education, Andrea has been greatly influenced by her patients. Holding someone's hand through a rough time or rejoicing after a baby is born are the most awe-inspiring reasons she decided to become a nurse.
Kerri has a passion for seniors. Over the years, she saw the lonely people who needed not only physical help but emotional support. She started volunteering in nursing homes to alleviate some of the loneliness and soon realized through a nursing career she could serve this population and make a difference in their lives. Nursing's challenges have helped Kerri to think outside of the box. She enjoys figuring out different ways to teach patients how to take care of themselves and participating in research that is discovering how nurses can better serve the needs of the elderly population. Through her professionalism, Kerri provides leadership and guidance to her peers, and demonstrates increasing confidence and competence with each learning opportunity. The MU Sinclair School of Nursing is proud to have Kerri as a student and soon to be alumnae.
Bridgett is an extraordinarily gifted student and nurse leader. In class, she combines her experience and passion to share excellent insight and examples with her classmates. At work, she is committed to a leadership role through disaster preparedness at the University Hospital. She also serves as a house supervisor to nurses at points of crisis. Bridgett has an outstanding energy level and wonderful work ethic. She is intelligent and grounded, but more importantly, she is passionate about her patients and her work, often going the extra mile with a smile on her face. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Leadership in Nursing and Health-Care Systems. This will undoubtedly contribute to her growth as a nursing leader and bring an entirely new layer of professionalism to the health-care industry.
During her senior year of high school, Kathy wrote a paper on nursing and why it was the best profession for her. Since then, she has spent her career in teaching hospitals and academic medical centers with a focus on children with cancer. Educationally Kathy is striving to obtain a higher set of skills so she can study methods of nursing care for children with cancer and their families. Ultimately, she would like to combine clinical practice and research. She chose to study with us because of our strong research opportunities and excellent faculty. Kathy found she could successfully combine a pediatric oncology nursing practice with excellent research training. In the next phase of her nursing career, Kathy would like to secure grant funding to develop a research program in parental treatment decision making, which is her dissertation research area.
MU Sinclair Home Care Staff nominees
Nancy Einfeld As a care coordinator at MU Sinclair Home Care, Nancy provides quality care to each client she visits. She spends hours on the phone with physicians and other providers to make sure her clients receive the care and services they require. In her hands-on approach to nursing care, Nancy pays attention to detail and timeliness throughout her day. She frequently works with nursing and medical students to share the challenges and rewards of home care. She is often the voice of reason when it is needed and she always has positive input and creative solutions to health-care challenges. Nancy 's holistic patient view appropriately prioritizes needs, performs nursing interventions and patient education in a manner that is respectful and effective. Through all she does, Nancy demonstrates a strong commitment to furthering the goals of MU Sinclair Home Care and the School of Nursing.
Richard Tayloe Richard works with Linda Bullock's Baby Beep research team, which studies the effects of domestic violence and smoking on pregnancy of low-income women. His organizational skills, caring attitude and attention to meticulous detail keeps the research team working like a well-oiled machine. Not an easy task, since the researchers visit patient's homes throughout the mid-Missouri area. His high work ethic is well respected by, not only the baby beep research team, but Dr. Jane Armer's lymphedema research team as well. These two research teams work and support one another due to being physically housed in Ellis Fishel. His smile, friendly encouragement, listening skills and barbequing technique make Richard a valuable asset and an integral member of the School of Nursing.
The Interdisciplinary Faculty Award for Excellence is designed to honor a deserving faculty member from outside the School of Nursing who has demonstrated a commitment to teaching excellence, who has made outstanding contributions to the nursing program, and who has demonstrated support of the School of Nursing. Initial nominees are selected by our students who feel this person has made an impact on their education.
Dr. Bruce Harry Dr. Bruce Harry is this year's Graduate Interdisciplinary Faculty Award for Excellence. Dr. Harry is considered a mentor, colleague and the voice of wisdom for many of our graduate students. And for those who know him, it should come as no surprise that he was chosen as Doctor of the Year at Fulton State Hospital last year. Dr. Bruce Harry is an avid supporter of the nursing profession. He goes out of his way to make our graduate nursing students feel at ease - taking every opportunity to solicit their thoughts and questions. He educates them about medical diagnosis, medications and interdisciplinary treatment issues. Our graduate students say he a joy to work with because he is one of the most knowledgeable, yet humble, clinicians they encountered in their educational experience. Dr. Harry is a role model in compassionate, respectful interviewing techniques. He shows them how to assist patients without eliciting defensiveness - a true art form at which he excels. He is also a nationally recognized expert in forensic mental health issues. Annually he receives grants and awards from the Missouri Department of Mental Health for his excellence in teaching.
Dr. Louise Thai Dr. Louise Thai is this year's Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Faculty Award for Excellence. Her Microbiology course truly influences our undergraduate students. Her knowledge of micro-organisms leads our nursing students to take critical steps in protecting themselves and patients from the spread of infectious diseases caused by organisms. During the past 10 years, Dr. Louise Thai has made significant contributions to the development and deployment of curricula primarily for students in nursing, allied health professions and medicine. Her course "Introduction to Medical Microbiology and Immunology" has grown from 75 students per semester to 180. That number is limited by laboratory space not by student interest. Dr. Thai's course is the cornerstone of undergraduate microbiology and immunology curriculum for all health-profession students. Over the years, she has intensified the course's rigor and quality to provide nursing students with the necessary preparation in these constantly changing fields. Dr. Thai is as dedicated to helping and caring for her students as she is in educating them. Her compassion often helps her form close relationships with her students. She often meets with them outside of class to discuss class content, future careers or how their week had been.
It is evident to all who know Gina that she has a passion for both nursing and education. Her ability to bring that passion to life in the classroom and for her students makes her an excellent role model. She often goes the extra mile to meet the needs of students and the faculty. Her friendly, down-to-earth approach and wonderful sense of humor creates an open door policy for anyone needing her assistance. Gina is also involved in campus and curriculum teaching evaluation and promoting excellence in the process. She takes a holistic approach in her study of factors affecting student NCLEX success. Her results will enable us to continue helping students improve their success on this licensing exam. Although she demands excellence from her students, she guides and molds them into successful, confident nurses. Gina is an asset to the School and we are proud of her achievements. This award is given to a faculty member who is dedicated to excellence in teaching, in and out of the classroom and clinical setting.
Cindy's commitment to nursing research and scholarship is strong and unwavering. Her overall research program is focused on improving medication compliance in chronically ill adults. However, her focus is on adults and older renal transplant recipients and immunosuppressive medication compliance. Cindy's goal is to develop and implement nursing interventions and guidelines to enhance medication compliance and improve patient outcomes. She has longstanding leadership roles throughout professional organizations. This includes being a reviewer for professional journals and editorial board member. She is also involved in national and international research organizations such as the Alpha Iota Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Cindy's bright, positive outlook on life is contagious. She always offers encouragement to all she meets. Cindy is a wonderful example of the brilliant, energetic researcher and scholar this notable award is intended to recognize. This award is bestowed on a faculty member whose research has contributed to the body of nursing knowledge and who serves as a role model for others.
Kristin is a strong advocate for women's health-care rights. She is the type of person that is highly motivated and gives many selfless hours to providing care to underserved women in our community. Nationally, Kristin was one of 10 individuals asked to serve on a task force for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing in Washington D.C. She has also been appointed to serve on the Governor's Council on Health and Physical Fitness. Kristin demonstrates her commitment and leadership by being both politically and nationally involved in women's health and advanced nursing practice issues. For the past two years, the Missouri Nurses Association has lobbied to expand Advanced Practice Registered Nurses prescriptive privileges to include controlled substances. Kristin has helped educate Missouri legislators about this need and makes frequent trips to the State Capitol to attend meetings, present testimony and arrange meetings with area legislators. She is a tremendous advocate and has put a human face to this pressing issue. This award is bestowed on a faculty member who provides tireless service to their school, University, nursing profession and/or community.
Louise mirrors many of Betty's qualities - a strong desire to see students succeed, high academic standards and giving of her time. Betty Crim valued a quality nursing education and professional nursing practice, setting high goals for faculty who teach students. Louise also sets high standards for herself and her students. She expects students to excel by learning, caring and being the best nurses possible. She goes to great lengths make to those goals happen for her students. She encourages students to understand nurses should take an initiative and act outside the clinical setting in government as well as the hospital setting. She opens their eyes to how one person can affect the health of society outside the traditional setting. So in a way she's opening a "pandora's box" on public health. Louise's high level of excitement and interests are motivating. You quickly notice how she cares about each student as an individual. She asks about academic and professional goals and encourages students to aggressively pursue them. The student committee determined that the following characteristics should be recognized with this award: a commitment and dedication to students and the school, a professional role model and a flexibility in teaching styles. Louise excels in these areas.
(pictured with his wife, Betty Preston) Paul was one of the first curators to visit the School. One day he unexpectedly visited and spent three hours meeting the School's researchers and clinical faculty. "He then asked me to present at a Board meeting," said Dean Rose Porter. "That presentation allowed me to put the School of Nursing in the spotlight for the Board of Curators." Paul received his bachelor's of science degree in business and public administration from MU in 1962. He was then appointed to the Board of Curators in 1997 and served through 2003 including a term as president in 2001. During his tenure, research and academic efforts were brought together both philosophically and literally across the MU campus with the Life Sciences Center. "I have heard him say on many occasions that being a curator was the highlight of his volunteer work," Porter said. Since retiring, Paul is spending more time at his Chillicothe farm with his wife and growing family. This month, his brood of six grandchildren will increase by two - a second generation of twins. The School honored Paul for his passion for higher education and the University of Missouri as well as his willingness to learn more about and stay connected to the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to, and support of, the MU Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and/or the nursing profession. Betty Preston, Paul's wife, surprised Paul by buying a seat in his honor in the School's Take-A-Seat campaign.
(pictured with her family) In 1999, Mary was appointed to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators and served as its president in 2004. During her time as president, she had a personal mission to connect with all the system's schools and colleges. She made a point to visit the School once or twice a year. During her visits she spent time with research teams, attended classes, listened and asked questions of faculty members and was actively acquainted with TigerPlace. Mary prefers to focus on programs that benefit young people, but her most important criterion for getting involved with a project is whether it is something she cares about deeply. She graduated from Mizzou in 1971 with a bachelor's of science degree in education. Their sons, Alex and Doug, both earned bachelor's degrees from Mizzou. In February, they added a granddaughter to their family, Molly James. "We are deeply appreciative of Mary's care and focus of the academics here at the School," said Dean Rose Porter. "She is truly a warm and caring person whose passion for people, particularly young people, has benefited the School and the University." This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to, and support of, the MU Sinclair School of Nursing at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and/or the nursing profession. Bill, Mary's husband, surprised Mary by buying a seat in her honor in the School's Take-A-Seat campaign. |
© 2004 - Curators of the University of Missouri - DMCA and other copyright information
All rights reserved
Comments? Questions? Call 573-882-0277
Or Email: nursing@missouri.edu
Published by the MU Sinclair School of Nursing
An equal opportunity/ADA institution
.jpg)
RN-BSN nominees
Susan Stroder
Accelerated BSN nominees
Alison Hutchison 
Emily Mundwiller 
6th-semester nominees
Hiwot Woldgeorgis
7th-semester nominees
Andrea Dolan 
Throughout school, Andrea has been motivated by her instructors and classmates. These relationships have formed life-long friendships and a foundation due to a shared dream. However, Andrea has come to appreciate the teamwork in nursing. Wonderful outcomes can be accomplished when a group of people work together. 
8th-semester nominees
Kerri Hart
Master's nominees
Bridgett Robbins 
PhD nominees
Kathy Kelly 
SON Staff nominees
Interdisciplinary Faculty nominees
Faculty Excellence in Teaching nominees
Gina Oliver 
Faculty Excellence in Research nominees
Cindy Russell 
Faculty Excellence in Service nominees
Kristin Metcalf-Wilson 
Betty Crim Faculty nominees
Louise Miller 
Alumni Awards 
Friends of the School 
Paul Steele
Mary James