Welcome
Welcome
Not long after beginning my time as dean of the University of Iowa College of Nursing, the first group of eight undergraduate nursing students traveled to Swaziland, now known as Eswatini, for their community and public health practicum. Upon return, these students described the experience as inspiring, challenging, and transformative.
The program is still going strong six years later, directly impacting the lives of those students who traveled to Eswatini and countless more people who will benefit from the ripple effect of their experience. Thanks to the generosity of the Code Family Foundation, scholarships are available for students who may not have been able to participate due to financial constraints.
The program is growing. We are developing opportunities for graduate students to travel to Eswatini and exploring further avenues of partnership with local organizations and the nursing program at the University of Eswatini.
Exposure, engagement, and service are key elements of nursing education. Whether they take place in Iowa or internationally, these elements can profoundly impact our students and shape the nurses they will become. At the College of Nursing, we continually strive to create educational experiences that are inspiring, challenging, and transformative. I am grateful for the donors who help us provide these opportunities, and for our staff and faculty who make them a reality for our students. Together, we are developing future nurse leaders who will advance the design and delivery of healthcare both locally and globally.
Go Hawks!
Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Kelting Dean and Professor
It’s the end of a day of workshops, and a group of students—a mix of Swazi and American nurses-in-training—is gathered outside of a block of classrooms at Good Shepherd Catholic College of Health Sciences in Siteki, a town in the southern African country of Eswatini, laughing and chatting.
The Swazi nursing students mingle with the small group visiting from the University of Iowa’s College of Nursing, swapping stories and smiles. One student grabs a phone and starts shouting instructions, and suddenly they’re all lining up to film an impromptu dance video.
Even more than the workshops they’d researched, designed, and taught, this bit of cross-cultural exchange and relationship building was at the heart of what their instructors hoped the UI students would take from the experience. Read more
SIM-IA trains providers along Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) route
For the third consecutive year, Simulation in Motion Iowa (SIM-IA) held a Pre-RAGBRAI tour, stopping in towns along the route to host simulation education sessions for emergency medical services and hospital professionals. Clinical scenarios focused on traumas and medical conditions that may occur during the ride.
Joseph named editor-in-chief of Nurse Leader
M. Lindell Joseph, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAONL, clinical professor, has been selected as the next editor-in-chief of Nurse Leader, the journal of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Joseph will begin her position in January 2025. Joseph directs the graduate Health Systems: Administration and Executive Leadership program
Two faculty selected for AAN 2024 class of fellows
Associate Professors Juliana Souza-Talarico, PhD, RN, and Wen Liu, PhD, RN, FSGA, will be inducted as Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing this fall. Fellows are selected for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally. Liu’s area of research centers around mealtime behaviors in older adults with dementia, while Souza-Talarico focuses on psychosocial stress and cognitive decline within aging populations.
Judge-Ellis named Hawkeye Distinguished Veteran
Associate Professor Tess Judge-Ellis, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, received a 2023 Hawkeye Distinguished Veterans Award. This award honors members of the armed forces who have demonstrated exceptional service to the United States, their communities, and our university. Judge-Ellis began her nursing career in the US Army and has been a faculty member with the college since 1999.
Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program celebrates 10 years
Launched in 2014, the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program was created to provide newly graduated nurses with the support, education, and community they need to thrive in their careers.
The program has enrolled 4,922 new graduate nurses over the past decade and stayed true to the mission while embracing new technologies and creative teaching methods to enhance learning and support.
Tonelli recognized by National Hartford Center
Shalome Tonelli, PhD, RN, assistant professor of instruction, received a 2024 Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing Award from the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence. This prestigious award recognizes well-prepared nurse educators who possess both knowledge in care of older adults and teaching competence, fostering positive attitudes toward older adults and actively engaging learners at all levels.
Notable Preceptor Awards
The Notable Preceptor Award, established in 2023, recognizes preceptors who model and encourage critical thinking, compassion, curiosity, and motivation and who have made a lasting impact on student learning. This year’s awardees are Paul Bradford, staff nurse in the Adult Acute Care Unit at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City, Iowa, and Chris McCormick-Pries (75MA), advanced registered nurse practitioner at Vera French Mental Health Center in Davenport, Iowa. Paul began precepting with the college in 2021, and Chris began in 1984.
Professional association leadership
Three College of Nursing faculty are currently president or president-elect of premier organizations in their field. Jacinda Bunch, PhD, RN, SANE-A, NREMT, is president-elect of the International Society for Rapid Response Systems; Daniel Crawford, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAANP, is president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; and Daniel Weseman, DNP, PMHNP-BC, ARNP, FAANP, is president-elect of the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.
Bechtel receives award for mental health work
Theresa Bechtel, DNP, RN, PCCN, CNE, associate professor of instruction, received a 2024 University of Iowa Mental Health Champion Award for making significant and sustainable contributions to campus mental health. Bechtel emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health in a fast-paced health care world, and her ‘Mental Health Wellness Toolbox,’ initially created for the college, has transformed into “HealthyMinds HealthyHawks,” and supports the mental health of the wider UI community.
NCEC achieves full accreditation
The Nursing Clinical Education Center, a simulation lab run jointly by the University of Iowa Health Care Department of Nursing and the College of Nursing, achieved full accreditation in the area of Teaching/Education from the Society of Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) in July 2024. SSH is the largest healthcare simulation accrediting body in the world, and accreditation signifies a commitment to excellence and adherence to best practices in simulation.
5
programs ranked among the top 10 by "U.S. News & World Report"
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing–Clinical Nurse Leader
Doctor of Nursing Practice–Nurse Anesthesia
Doctor of Nursing Practice–Pediatric Primary Care
Doctor of Nursing Practice–Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
938
Students enrolled in the College of Nursing (an increase from 2023)
22
MSN Entry into Practice students participated in the white coat ceremony in 2024, up from 15 in the first year of the program
>800
Preceptors throughout the state of Iowa, including RNs, APRNs, MDs, PAs, and more
$1.25 M
in new state funding to advance rural health by increasing psych mental-health nurse practitioners in Iowa
239
students received donor-funded scholarships over the past year.
25.42 %
amount scholarship applications for FY24 increased
$1.135 M
in scholarships was awarded last year.
Together Hawkeyes Campaign
Generous support from donors provides faculty, students, and staff the opportunity to advance in education, research, and outreach initiatives. We are grateful to our generous donors who continue to impact the lives of many students through scholarships, internships, optimal learning environments, and highly sought after educators. As the cost of education increases and science evolves, the need for support to advance nursing and healthcare is essential.
As of August 30, nearly $43 million has been raised toward the $70 million UI College of Nursing campaign goal as part of the university’s $3 billion Together Hawkeyes campaign.
Learn how you can join us in leading and transforming healthcare in Iowa and nationally by contacting Dayna Ballantyne, Director of Development
dayna.ballantyne@foriowa.org
319-331-4135
Alumni Updates
Karen Jones Porter, 65BSN
I recently published a memoir: From the River to the Sea: Reflections of the Personal Journey of Karen Jones Porter. Classmates and alumni may enjoy the stories about life of a college co-ed and nursing student in the 60’s as I experienced them. It can be purchased on Amazon.
Eloise (Good) Mason, 67BSN
Worked in school nursing for 18 years as well as nurse for the Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Also did medical sales for a few years. I am retired now and live in South Carolina.
Jan (Thede) Lee, 75BSN
I retired in 2019, after 44 years fulltime work. After I (mostly) recovered from injuries from a fall, I entered my new career as a community volunteer. I enjoy cheering for the Hawkeye football and men's and women's basketball teams, occasionally in person, but often from the comfort of my recliner. ON IOWA, ON FOREVER MORE!
Have a life update to share?
Jane (Wertzberger) Rutledge, 75BSN
I absolutely enjoyed the 125th celebration of the Iowa College of Nursing, last September. Connecting with old friends and young nursing students, plus seeing changes in the college and on campus. I put my new Iowa Nursing umbrella to good use in recent California rain. I love to boast that I received a huge return on investment from my degree, having retired in 2021 after 45 years of nursing- thank you Iowa.
Lynn (Krell) Albertson, 77BSN
Retired after 43 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, mostly in solo practice in Woodinville, WA. Enjoying travel and more time with grandkids as well as knitting and baking. A highlight was meeting and dining with Dr. Zerwic at a Seattle area Iowa alumni event!
Lou Ann Montgomery, 88MA
Appointed Associate Chief Nursing Officer - Professional Practice at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics on October 1, 2023.
Joyce Knight, 93BSN
My career has been greatly extended by continuing to teach Certified Nursing Assistants at Scott Community College in Davenport.
Ann Gustafson, 94BSN
After 18 years as a labor and delivery nurse and 8 years in the wellness industry, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was quite shocked, but after my surgeon shared this sentence with me---"Disease doesn't follow the rules.", quite a few dots were connected for me. All the things I had learned as a nurse, all the further education in the wellness industry, and a few other areas...all came together. I sat down to write a book to encourage, educate, and mentor others as they run into an obstacle in their life, not just cancer. I hope this book encourages you on your life journey if you choose to pick it up. My education from the College of Nursing not only taught me to be a stellar nurse, but it was a stepping stone to being an author.
Megan (Weimer) Gendel, 02BSN
I recently became the Associate Director of Primary Care at University Health Services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Tiffany Lentz, 08MNHP
I completed my Doctorate of Nursing Practice in May 2023 from Chamberlain University. My work has been in perinatal mental health, specifically depression. My work highlights a much needed focus on the most common obstetric complication, that has massive implications to patients, their families, and the healthcare system. I am passionate about system change to support mental health for women and their families
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering College of Nursing alumni who have died
1940s
Lois Marie Dansdill, 46GN
Alice (Mahany) Schmidt, 47BS 47GN
Ellen (Butler) Haskins, 47GN
Jean (Angus) Barry, 48GN
Helen (Diton) Jahnke, 48GN
Betty Jane (Sherman) Selde, 48GN
Mary (McLaughlin) Case, 49GN