51猎奇

Midwest Nursing Research Conference: Awards and Highlights

Students and faculty discussing research poster at MNRS

The 2022 Midwest Nursing Research conference was held in Illinois in late March, allowing students, faculty and researchers to gather to discuss new research and connect on a level that hadn鈥檛 been done in the last two years.

51猎奇 College of Nursing had over 25 representatives present posters and abstracts during the conference, and three members received recognition for their scholarly work.

Distinguished Abstract

Suzanne Kreuziger in front of her poster at MNRS
Suzanne Kreuziger

Suzanne Kreuziger, 51猎奇 Doctoral Student, received the Distinguished Abstract recognition for the abstract entitled 鈥淣urse Educators鈥� Attitudes toward Students with Mental Health concerns: An Integrative Review.鈥� The abstract is a qualitative study of nursing instructors鈥� perceptions of students with mental health concerns. Using the Whittemore and Knafl integrative review method, Kreuziger conducted a broader review of publications that included perspectives from instructors in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. Kreuziger shared, 鈥淎t first, I thought the announcement email was fake and still to this day, it doesn鈥檛 feel real that I was one of 13 abstracts recognized. The conference was amazing, yet overwhelming, and it鈥檚 like a big reunion for nursing researchers from networking to listening to presentations.鈥�

Senior Scientist Award from the Family Health Research & Implementation Interest Group (RIIG)

Michele Polfuss with award next to Natalie McAndrew
Michele Polfuss (left)

Dr. Michele Polfuss, 51猎奇 College of Nursing Associate Professor, received the Senior Scientist Award from the Family Health Research & Implementation Interest Group for her work focusing on pediatric obesity in children with special needs and the role of family through parenting and feeding practices. Dr. Polfuss shared, 鈥淚 am extremely honored to be selected with this award on behalf of the Family Health RIIG. My mentors, collaborators, and participants are key to our success. It is exciting to see the new discoveries in science we are making as a team.鈥�

New Investigator Award from the Population Health Research & Implementation Interest Group (RIIG)

Joshua Gwon with Award at MNRS
Joshua Gwon

Dr. Joshua Gwon, 51猎奇 College of Nursing Assistant Professor, received the New鈥�/Early Career Investigator Award from the Population Health Research & Implementation Interest Group for his program of research in the area of high-risk health behaviors in young adults related to 鈥媡obacco use. His research includes studying cognitive characteristics of e-cigarette users including attentional bias toward tobacco-related stimuli. Dr. Gwon shared, 鈥淚 am so honored to receive this award from the 鈥婸opulation Health RIIG. The team I have worked with for the last few years have allowed me the ability to discover new ways to look at tobacco use in emerging adults. It is exciting to be recognized with this award.鈥�

51猎奇 College of Nursing presenters included the following, in alphabetical order:

Tala AbuZahra
Musab Almanaseer
Lisa Brennan
Mary McMahon Bullis
Alison Camarda
Leticia Costa
Imteyaz Eljarrah
Jeanne Erickson
Anwar Eyadat
Megan Galske
Cynthia Gonzalez
Jeana Holt
Aisha Kendrick
Dorothy Kent
Suzanne Kreuziger
Chris Peters
Michele Polfuss
Ashley Rainey
Audrey Roach
Karyn Roberts
Jessica Rotier
Christina Sima
Murad Taani
AkkeNeel Talsma
Raghad Tawalbeh
Janelle Theisen
Pamela Treisman
Stephanie Uhr

AACN Student Policy Conference – 2022

Aisha Kendrick and Pamela L. Souders together at AACN Policy Summit

In March 2022, UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing sent two doctoral students to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Student Policy Summit in Washington, DC. Students were invited to submit an abstract addressing their interest in attending the conference, which the College鈥檚 Research Committee reviewed. This was the first time in many years that students were given a sponsored opportunity to participate in this conference, which offers extensive and immersive sessions focused on the federal policy process and nursing鈥檚 role in professional advocacy.

Aisha Kendrick (PhD in Nursing student) and Pamela L. Souders (DNP student) competed and were selected to attend as representatives on the College鈥檚 behalf. The conference is structured for undergraduate and graduate students, and attendees participate in sessions so everyone hears the same programming. In addition, students are seated with others from around the nation to network, discuss and gain perspectives from current students of all levels. 

Kendrick shared that she wanted to attend the conference as she鈥檚 highly interested in policy. Her dissertation is on black maternal morbidity and mortality, and policy/laws surrounding her work are changing rapidly. She shared, 鈥淚鈥檓 interested in centering the voices of Black women. During pregnancy, Black women have higher rates of morbidity and mortality than other races.鈥�  She shared how attending this conference impacted her research and outlook on nursing policy. 鈥淚 learned the importance of nursing advocacy and how much research informs policy. I鈥檓 able to be here as a PhD student because of the opportunities of the .鈥�

Souders applied to attend the conference because advocacy is important to her and the patients she serves as a nurse practitioner in a trauma unit. She said, 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 at the point in my career where I can eloquently speak of our profession. Everyone needs to know where their voice is 鈥� and where it fits.鈥� She explained, 鈥淚 learned I have to know and understand when to say something, understand the current political climate and when to bring policy issues forward.鈥� Souders shared she鈥檚 had a burning desire to learn more about policy, which triggered her desire to pursue her doctoral degree. 鈥淚 realized nurses can鈥檛 act alone. We must start taking the steps forward to bring our voice together. Our profession has a lot of credibility, but the problem with nursing is it can be hard to understand our various roles.鈥�

Both, Kendrick and Souders expressed their deep gratitude for this opportunity and ability to meet with nurses and those entering the profession. You can learn more about the conference at: .

51猎奇 Nursing Increases NIH Funding Ranking for 2021

51猎奇 Campus Aerial View with Campus and Downtown Milwaukee in background

UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing is ranked in the top 30 of total National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to Schools of Nursing for federal fiscal year 2021. In 2021 there were 85 Schools of Nursing that received NIH funding, the College moved up 18 spots from the 2020 rankings.

Contributing to this leap in ranking is Drs. Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, Michele Polfuss and Hyunkyoung Oh along with their research teams, collaborators and countless other faculty who have been federally funded.

The numbers were compiled by the , by Robert Roskoski Jr. and Tristram G. Parslow.

Learning Design Thinking for Nursing Research and Teaching at MNRS

MNRS Image of the speakers

Drs. AkkeNeel Talsma, Jeana Holt and Murad Taani are presenting at the MNRS Pre-Conference “Learning Design Thinking for Nursing Research and Teaching: Innovating Nursing Practice and Science. Learn more and register at:

Seeking nominations for National Daisy Award

Daisy flowers

What Is the DAISY Faculty Award?

The DAISY Foundation, as part of its service to the nursing profession鈥檚 role in patient care, established The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty (includes clinical teaching staff as well). The purpose of this program is to provide to colleges/schools of nursing a national recognition program they may use to demonstrate appreciation to teachers for their commitment and inspirational influence on their students. The Foundation hopes that, in some way, this program will contribute to a positive work environment for faculty in schools.

About the DAISY Foundation

The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. (DAISY is an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system.) During Pat鈥檚 8-week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family. So, one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat鈥檚 memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day.

Specific Criteria used to select nominees:

  • Excellence in Teaching   
    • Demonstrates expertise in content area (e.g., fosters evidence-based practice in classroom or clinical/community environment)
    • Sets high standards for student achievement
    • Fosters the development of critical thinking skills and evidence-based practice in classroom or clinical/community environment(s) through pedagogically sound, innovative, and engaging teaching methods.
  • Quality Relationships with Learners
    • Engages in caring and sensitive interactions with students, while facilitating learning in the classroom and clinical/community environment(s).
    • Fosters an environment in which transparent and respectful communication is expected of all, role-modeled by the faculty member, and rewarded (i.e., when students do the same).
    • Treats all students fairly and in an unbiased fashion.
  • Leadership and Collaboration
    • When issues arise, addresses them effectively, fairly, and in accordance with existing policies and procedures
    • Collaborates effectively with other professionals to facilitate student learning.

Specific Materials Needed to Nominate a Teacher:

  • A letter that includes details of your relationship to the nominee and your credentials if a

member of the community or academe, a statement about the context in which you know the nominee, and details as to how he/she meets the criteria listed above with information that substantiates 鈥榚xtraordinary鈥� accomplishments.

How to Nominate an Extraordinary Faculty Instructor

Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners may nominate a deserving UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing teaching faculty or staff member by emailing a letter of recommendation. Please put “Daisy Nomination” in the subject line of your email and send it to the attention of Susan Wolff at wolff3@uwm.edu. You must submit an actual letter of recommendation to be considered a nomination.

RN to BSN Program extended to prelicensure ADNs

Student in scrubs with backpack

UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing is excited to share that the RN to BS in Nursing completion program now extends entry to prelicensure Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) students. Students working towards an ADN can take a variety of courses at 51猎奇 through one of the three course modalities we offer: in-person, online, or competency-based assessments.

51猎奇 RN to BS in Nursing offers students a unique opportunity with multiple modes of course delivery. Many students take courses in various ways because we understand that course flexibility and cost are essential to all students.

BSN@Work and School offer students face-to-face courses taught at local hospitals and technical schools.

BSN@Home allows students to take courses and earn a degree online through the UW-System Collaborative Nursing Programs.

UW Flexible Option provides students the ability to complete competency-based assessments in place of the traditional courses.

51猎奇 RN to BSN Completion Programs Director Nicole Simonson, DNP, RN, shared, 鈥�51猎奇 has worked hard to meet our students where they are at in their learning and career journey. We understand that completing a Bachelor of Science in nursing is more than an expectation of an employer, but rather a self-fulfilling goal for many nurses who have to work while going to school. Allowing prelicensure nurses the ability to take BSN completion courses in their final year of school, gives them the jump start to achieve a BSN quicker.鈥�

About UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing

Since 1965, the College of Nursing has developed a tradition of excellence. Dedicated to providing academic programs of the highest quality that are at the forefront of nursing, the college has been widely recognized for its innovation, leadership in the profession of nursing and extensive collaboration with diverse community agencies. US News & World Report consistently ranks the college in the top 15 percent of nursing schools with graduate programs.

Honorary Doctorate of Community Health: Ms. Belinda Pittman

chancellor mark mone, dean kim litwack and belinda pittman

When Ms. Belinda Pittman founded Nia Imani Family, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI) in 1994, she had no intentions that the years of commitment and service would result in a Doctorate of Community Health by UW-Milwaukee. On December 19, Ms. Pittman was one of four outstanding individuals awarded a 51猎奇 honorary doctorate. 

Ms. Pittman, CEO and Founder of Nia Imani Family, Inc., has led her non-profit organization that offers critical services to women with histories of homelessness and trauma, eventually evolving into working with younger mothers. Ms. Pittman has been nationally recognized for her groundbreaking approach to trauma-informed care, which has achieved a far-reaching impact.  

Nia Imani Family, Inc., a transitional living facility located in the heart of Milwaukee鈥檚 inner-city, serves African American women in the 53205 and 53206 poverty-stricken zip codes. The name is derived from the seven principles of Kwanza, two of which guide the non-profit: Nia meaning 鈥減urpose鈥� and Imani meaning 鈥渇aith.鈥� The word Family was added to the name as the facility was not only bringing many families back together through repaired relationships and reunification but also by providing a community that functions as a family to one another. 

Ms. Belinda Pittman

Nia Imani Family remains Milwaukee鈥檚 only long-term transitional living facility where women can stay with their children for up to two years. They offer a variety of programs to help women learn to succeed on their own including job skills training, parenting classes, financial literacy classes, and they connect women with community resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Most importantly, however, Nia Imani Family, Inc., offers women unconditional emotional and social support and acceptance. 

Ms. Pittman shared, 鈥淚 became a partner of UW Extension and UW-Milwaukee early on and was able to come up with an approach that worked to teach young adults. Mentors worked with me to create a process, test it, and prove the format we were using was indeed a successful form of education. This is how I learned to research materials and create methods.鈥�

The community Ms. Pittman has formed through Nia Imani Family, Inc., has had a lasting impact on the women and families of Milwaukee, as well as the students of 51猎奇. Ms. Pittman has served as a mentor and teacher for 51猎奇 nursing students for several years. 51猎奇 undergraduate nursing students have participated in population health practicum experiences at Nia Imani Family, Inc. 51猎奇 graduate students work hand in hand with Ms. Pittman on Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) projects, such as data analysis and manuscript development to assess the impacts of Nia Imani鈥檚 programs.

Ms. Pittman shares, 鈥淭his Honorary Doctorate of Community Health has brought respect to something I have spent my life dedicated to. I鈥檓 committed to the nursing students because Nia Imani Family can help teach students about the population of women we serve. This doctorate says that what I have done all these years is appreciated, useful and possible. These years have been worth it. I made lots of sacrifices. Many times, I wasn鈥檛 at the dinner table with my own children because I was teaching myself what I needed to learn while my family watched. The doctorate also represents generations that came before us and the family I have influenced. This is a message of not giving up and following your beliefs from family, participants, mothers and University partners, this is for all of us.鈥� Ms. Pittman continued to share that there were many situations through the years of partnerships, meetings and networking she was hesitant to participate, however, shared the advice her daughter gave her, 鈥淢om, don鈥檛 ever be afraid to take your seat at the table.鈥�

From that advice and the years of dedication and service to women and participants at Nia Imani Family, Ms. Pitmann has been recognized both locally and nationally. As an author on a research article to various media, highlights include features in Milwaukee Magazine, The Milwaukee Times, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Neighborhood News Service, Shepherd Express, The Milwaukee Catholic Herald and many others. She has been a speaker at the 4th Street Forum, the State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Alverno College, Mount Mary University, the Wisconsin Association for Adult and Continuing Education, 51猎奇 College of Nursing, and has appeared on a 鈥�60 Minutes鈥� episode on childhood trauma.

Learn more about Nia Imani Family and Ms. Pittman at .

Preceptor Highlight: Paige Lindow

Paige Lindow, boyfriend and two dogs

Paige Lindow, a clinical nurse leader at Columbia St. Mary鈥檚 and UW-Milwaukee direct entry Master of Nursing (MN) alumna, has been giving back to future nursing students in a way that impacts students for years to come; she has been precepting students in the MN program. 

Paige explained, 鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 important in my clinical nurse leader role to work with students because many people do not understand the role and it鈥檚 used infrequently. We learn about it in the program, but allowing students to see how a health care organization uses the role gives students a great understanding.鈥� Paige also shared that alumni should consider precepting students and shared this advice: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be nervous, the students are there for a learning opportunity and I鈥檝e only been in this role myself for 1.5 years. I鈥檓 learning as my preceptee asks questions and together, we create creative solutions for problems on the unit.鈥�

Before her nursing career, Paige earned a biology degree from UW-LaCrosse. She was a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for several years before coming to 51猎奇 for the Master of Nursing program. Her parents were both ultrasound technicians and Paige always knew she wanted to have a career in health care. From her CNA experience, she understood that nurses were able to spend time with patients and create connections.

McAndrew Selected as 2021 Sojourns Scholar

PORTLAND, OR 鈥� December 15, 2021

Cambia Health Foundation is pleased to announce the eighth cohort of scholars accepted into its Sojourns庐 Scholar Leadership Program. Ten emerging palliative care leaders were carefully chosen through a rigorous selection process from a highly competitive pool. In addition, the Foundation has opened the 2022 Sojourns庐 Scholar Leadership Program and encourages palliative care professionals from across the country, including all disciplines and practice settings, to apply.

The Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program is designed to identify, cultivate and advance the next generation of palliative care leaders. As part of the leadership program, each Sojourns Scholar receives $180,000 in funding ($90,000/year over two years) to conduct an innovative and impactful clinical, policy, educational, health equity or systems change project in the field of palliative care. Scholars also participate with other scholars in a collaborative learning community while receiving individual mentorship to design and implement a plan that supports completion of their project as well as their growth and development as national palliative care leaders.

鈥淭he ongoing pandemic has made us acutely aware of the importance of interdisciplinary palliative care teams, not only in terms of providing whole person care for people with serious illness, but also in addressing health disparities and fostering workplace resilience,鈥� said Peggy Maguire, president and board chair, Cambia Health Foundation. 鈥淏y supporting the development of this elite group of palliative care professionals, we are transforming the experience of people with serious illness and building a more inclusive and sustainable health care system.鈥�
Since the program鈥檚 inception in 2014, the Foundation鈥檚 purposeful investment in palliative care leadership has awarded more than $15 million to 84 scholars around the country. Scholars represent different areas of the palliative care team including physicians, nurses, chaplains, pharmacists and social workers, but all are committed to improving the experience of people facing serious illness and their caregivers.

鈥淲e are inspired by the emerging leaders across all disciplines in palliative care, and our aim is to continue to broaden the diversity of this program so that every person in the United States who could benefit from palliative care has the ability to access the services,鈥� Maguire said.

Listed below are the 2021 Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program Grant Recipients:

Becca Hutchinson, MD, MPH
MaineHealth

Becky Cammy, LCSW
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center 鈥� Jefferson Health

Billy Rosa, PhD, MBE, NP, FAANP, FAAN
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

David Wang, MD
Scripps Health

Jung Kwak, PhD, MSW
The University of Texas at Austin

Khaliah Johnson, MD
Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

Elizabeth Dzeng, MD, PhD, MPH, MPhil, MS
University of California, San Francisco

Michelle Milic, MD
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

Natalie McAndrew, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Tracy Fasolino, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, ACHPN
Clemson University

To learn more about the individual scholars, please visit the Sojourns Scholar Leadership Program page on the Cambia Health Foundation website.