Spotlight, Page 2

Luke Pfitzinger, smiles, composite photo.

Luke Pfitzinger – Graduate Spotlight


Pfitzinger, a Mizzou Nursing legacy, volunteer firefighter, EMT and Columbia local, plans to stay with the University of Missouri Hospital after commencement.

Featured-Image-Chistyl-Barnes

Born for this


Christyl Barnes explored several institutions, majors and career paths before finding her home at Mizzou. Now, as a master’s degree recipient and instructor at the Sinclair School of Nursing, she’s right where she belongs.

Debora-Paez-Perez

Intergenerational dreams


First-generation college student Débora Paez Perez found the right major later in her college career. See how her calling is also fulfilling a lifelong dream of her immigrant mother.

OutsideBest Edited No tape

Popejoy named dean of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing


Lori Popejoy has served in various administrative and research roles, including interim dean, since arriving at the University of Missouri in 2007.

Student Spotlight: Nina Graves

Student Spotlight – Nina Graves


Nina Graves discovered she wanted to be a nurse when she worked as an interpreter in health care. Now, she's making an impact even before graduation.

Roy Thompson photo

Roy Thompson – Faculty Highlight


Nursing goals are strong in Roy Thompson. Improving the nursing home workforce while understanding the relationship between staffing, models of care and  health disparities among nursing homes residents that belong to racial and ethnic minoritized groups.

Chelse Howland, PhD graduate

Grad Spotlight – Chelsea Howland


Chelsea Howland, PhD'22 and advocate for health outcomes in rural settings, has the distinct honor of being selected as the doctoral student marshal for the MU graduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Olivia Besgrove Smile

Grad Spotlight – Olivia Besgrove


Olivia Besgrove is a fourth generation tiger with a passion for helping others during life's biggest moments.

Kelby Perry, Headshot, smile

Grad Spotlight – Kelby Perry


Kelby Perry hopes to bridge the gap between hospital administration and nurses. "It goes back to making sure they have the resources that they feel they need to do their job and provide clinical quality care."

Shelby Bass, smile

Grad Spotlight – Shelby Bass


Sinclair School of Nursing graduate Shelby Bass got involved on campus and took advantage of resources. Now she’s embarking on her dream career.