Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award – Call for Nominations!

Nominations are being sought for the Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award. The award is given annually to a UW-Green Bay nursing graduate (BSN or MSN). Criteria upon which nominees are evaluated include:

  • Service or leadership enhancing the profession of nursing and/or community
  • Achievements demonstrating a high level of professionalism and modeling values of the nursing profession (e.g. caring, altruism, social justice)
  • Distinguished scholarly achievement (e.g., presentations, articles, etc.) and/or serving as a mentor/trainer in the field of nursing

Letters of nomination (including self-nomination) should not exceed two pages and be submitted in digital format to malchowj@uwgb.edu by the recently extended deadline of April 1, 2018. Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee. The award recipient will be notified by May 15, 2018.

The following nominee information must be included: First and Last Name; Last Name at Graduation; Year of Graduation; Current email address; Mailing Address (Street, City, State, Zip); Phone; Current Employer and Position Title.

Please include the name and email address of the person submitting the nomination and a current photo of the nominee.

Alumni Award recipients will receive official recognition on the UW-Green Bay nursing website and in the Alumni Newsletter, an award certificate and engraved pen.

For more information, contact Mr. Jan Malchow, Manager of Student Outreach at 920-465-2722 or malchowj@uwgb.edu .

Dr. Chris Vandenhouten, Chair of Nursing & Health Studies, Receives United Way Recognition

vandenhouten 3-18 United Way Community Imapact Award

UW-Green Bay Associate Prof. Chris Vandenhouten was recognized with the Brown County United Way Community Impact Award, March 1, 2018. She is the fourth individual winner to receive this prestigious award given to an individual or organization “demonstrating leadership and innovation to address priority human services needs on a community-wide scale” in partnership with the Brown County United Way. The award has been given seven times in the organization’s history, and was presented to Vandenhouten at the 2017 Annual Meeting and Campaign Celebration, at the KI Convention Center.

Vandenhouten (center of photo flanked by United Way President and CEO Robyn Davis and 2017 Board Chair Dennis Grusnick) has contributed to community improvement in numerous ways over 20 years. Most notable has been her contributions to the Health and Wellness Impact Council of Brown County United Way (two terms as chairperson), Brown County Community Health Improvement Project–Oral Health Action Team, Brown County United Way Community Investment Committee, Community Partnership for Children Executive Committee, and Achieve Brown County.

Vandenhouten is especially proud of initiating a fluoride varnish program through the Brown County Women’s, Infants and Children (WIC) programs to provide oral health education and services to family receiving WIC services sustained through the support of nursing students. The fluoride varnish program is still going strong today, under the auspices of the Oral Health Partnership — an organization she has also supported since its inception and on whose board of directors she has served.

Currently she is consulting with the United Way to identify outcome indicators to establish baseline scores for the Brown County United Way Common Outcomes Framework.

Dr. Tyczkowski Contributing Author to “Book of the Year”!

A textbook in which Nursing & Health Studies Assistant Professor, Dr. Brenda Tyczkowski was the lead author of a chapter, has been awarded First Place in the gerontological nursing category of the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Awards for 2017. Dr. Tyczkowski was the lead author for Chapter 19: The Gerontological Nurse as Manager and Leader within the Interprofessional Team. The book is Gerontological Nursing Competencies for Care (2018) (Ed. Mauk, K.) Jones and Bartlett. Congratulations Dr. Tyczkowski!

Interesting Graduate Stories

Philippines Native to Become UW-Green Bay BSN-LINC Graduate

Guillermo William Adao, a Philippines native, will graduate with a 3.8 gpa from UW-Green Bay’s BSN-LINC Online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program on Dec. 16. He became a registered nurse in the Philippines, and relocated to Wisconsin Rapids serving in the Wisconsin National Guard as a Medical Specialist from 1989 to 1997. As a member of the Guard, he worked with a clinic offering physicals for members of the community and other members of the Guard. He currently resides in Mt. Prospect, IL. Since 1993, Guillermo has been active in the Filipino organization, Paetenian Chicago Midwest, helping indigent people of Paete Laguna, a small town in the Philippines. The organization, in 20-plus years, has completed a number of projects ranging from clothes donations, natural disaster relief efforts, donations to assist with the purchase of fire-fighting equipment and musical instruments, sponsoring Christmas gifts, and sending contributions enabling food items to be distributed to the people of this impoverished area. Guillermo currently works as a dialysis nurse. He plans to join the United States Army and enroll in graduate school within a year to pursue a degree in nursing leadership, education or as a Nephrology nurse practitioner.

Guillermo transferred with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Oakton Community College in Illinois, a partner school of UW-Green Bay’s RN to BSN Program.

From a Distance
Kathryn (Kate) Donovan may be distinguished as the Fall 2017 graduate traveling the furthest to attend commencement.  Kate is flying from Connecticut with her family to Green Bay to receive her BSN-LINC diploma as well as her Kappa Pi Nursing Society Honor Cords. She will graduate with a 3.94 gpa.

Kate is a Peri-Operative & In-patient surgical nurse in the Spine Institute of Connecticut at Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center in Hartford, CT.  She belongs to AORN, the Association of Perioperative Nurses.

Kate received her Associates Degree in Nursing from UW-Green Bay partner school, Three Rivers Community College in Connecticut.  She has a long-term goal to pursue a Masters Degree.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kate, Guillermo and all of our graduates!

Happy Holidays from Nursing & Health Studies

Nursing & Health Studies F&S 2017

Front row (l-r): Jennifer Schwahn (Senior Advisor), Sharon Gajeski (Senior Advisor), Dr. Christine Vandenhouten (Nursing & Health Studies Chair/MSHWM Chair/Associate Professor), Dr. Mimi Kubsch (Associate Professor)

Back row (l-r): Cindy Van Dyke (Practicum Coordinator), Dr. Janet Reilly (Chair of MSN/Associate Professor); Dr. Rebecca Hovarter (Lecturer); Dr. Brenda Tyczkowski (HIMT Program Director/Assistant Professor); Ruth Pearson (Student Services Specialist/Advisor), Jan Malchow (Manager – Student Outreach); Dr. Myunghee Jun (Assistant Professor)

Congratulations to 2017 Fall Semester Graduates – Virtual Commencement Video

 

Congratulations to our Fall Semester 2017 graduates. For those unable to attend the graduation ceremony, we have assembled a “Virtual Graduation” on our YouTube channel. The background video is from a previous graduation ceremony, but recognizes all of our Fall 2017 graduates by scrolling names across the screen. Click the following link to experience the sights and sounds of commencement on the UW-Green Bay campus: https://youtu.be/5QUFSFd1kuI.

The following is a list of the graduates by degree and location of residence. Congratulations to all 59 of our graduates this year. They include 43 BSN, 13 HIMT, and 3 MSN students. We wish you the best of luck in your careers! Please stay connected with us by completing an “Alumni Update Form” and following us on Facebook .

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

  1. Guillermo-William Adao, Mt. Prospect, IL
  2. Brittany Benzshawel, Luxemburg, WI
  3. Paula Bergen, Sheboygan, WI
  4. Marie Boogren, Rhinelander, WI
  5. Myra Brauner, Summerville, SC
  6. Aaron Couillard, New Franken, WI
  7. Kathryn Donovan, North Franklin, CT
  8. Heather Ellis, Iron Mountain, MI
  9. Callie Gramm, Burnsville, MN
  10. Erica Heimerl, Green Bay, WI
  11. Jessica Hermes, Appleton, WI
  12. Sheila Hulce-Dittmann, Tomahawk, WI
  13. Mindy Johnson, Green Bay, WI
  14. Susan Johnson, Hobart, WI
  15. Michael Kilpatrick, Chanhassen, MN
  16. Sally Kindell, Warrens, WI
  17. Heather Logslett, Menominee, MI
  18. Janny Lor, Green Bay, WI
  19. Wendy Luckow, Two Rivers, WI
  20. Gail Marquardt-Kujawa, Wausau, WI
  21. Rachel Meyers, Green Bay, WI
  22. Katlyn Mohr, Orlando, FL
  23. Amanda Nimmer, Milwaukee, WI
  24. Heather Paul, Milwaukee, WI
  25. Lindsay Peterson, Green Bay, WI
  26. Katy Powers, Green Bay, WI
  27. Jessica Puhrmann, Hager City, WI
  28. Rachael Raisleger, Green Bay, WI
  29. Debra Rice, Harker Heights, TX
  30. Helena Rieves, La Crosse, WI
  31. Janet Royan, Culbertson, MT
  32. Holly Schlag, Green Bay, WI
  33. Stephanie Schwertfeger, Marinette, WI
  34. Jennifer Skinner, La Crosse, WI
  35. Brooke Sommers, Green Bay, WI
  36. Kristin Stahl, Green Bay, WI
  37. Rosemarie Thompson, Cato, WI
  38. Lisa Urbaniak, Greenville, WI
  39. Denise VanLoon, Green Bay, WI
  40. Wendy Vickman, Athelstane, WI
  41. Tyrone Vinson, Glendale, WI
  42. Danielle Weber, Manitowoc, WI
  43. Megan Wickman, Green Bay, WI

 

Master of Science in Nursing

  1. Deanna Freese, Woodville, WI
  2. Christina O’Connell, Manitowoc, WI
  3. Julie Williams, Green Bay, WI

 

Health Information Management Technology

  1. Danielle Aubrey, Janesville, WI
  2. Meghan Blum, Marengo, IL
  3. Brintney Cournoyer, Green Bay, WI
  4. Taylor Delich, Ironwood, MI
  5. Jacob Fleming, Baraboo, WI
  6. Seth Gantz, Waukesha, WI
  7. Loren Golmon, Ville Platte, LA
  8. Shelby McCarthy, Wausaukee, WI
  9. Haeleygh Miller, Greenville, WI
  10. Stephanie Ochoa, Sheboygan, WI
  11. Justin Rathkamp, Oconomoc, WI
  12. April Spykerman, Kaukauna, WI
  13. Tuan Tran, Appleton, WI

2017 Spring and Summer Virtual Graduation Video

Congratulations to our Spring and Summer Semesters 2017 graduates. For those unable to attend the graduation ceremony, we have assembled a “Virtual Graduation” on our YouTube channel. The background video is from a previous graduation ceremony, but recognizes all of our Spring and Summer 2017 graduates by scrolling names across the screen. Click the following link to experience the sights and sounds of commencement at the Kress Center on the UW-Green Bay campus: https://youtu.be/8osDrgUI0nE .

The following is a list of the graduates by degree and location of residence. Congratulations to all 94 of our graduates this year. This includes 62 BSN, 16 HIMT, and 16 MSN students. We wish you the best of luck in your careers!  Please stay connected with us by completing an “Alumni Update Form” and following us on Facebook .

Health Information Management Technology
Danielle Aubry, Janesville, WI
Courtney Blok, Green Bay , WI
Samantha Bresnyan, Green Bay , WI
Amy Bronson, Medford, OR
Kelsey Butterfield, Dousman, WI
Heather Foth, New Franken, WI
Nicole Garcia, Cumming, GA
Lisa Haase, Madison, WI
Natalie Hampton, Spencer, WI
Jennifer Hoffman, Lomira, WI
Jaclyn Janikowski, Stevens Point, WI
Amanda Kern, Rice Lake, WI
Mariah Rathkamp, Oconomowoc, WI
Alicia Rekoske, Pulaski, WI
Casandra Ruppel, Appleton, WI
Jessica Wiese, Oconto Falls, WI

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Paula Bake, Green Bay, WI
Brittany Benzshawel, Luxemburg, WI
Jennice Biese, Verona, WI
Ashley Biondello, Amston, CT
Melissa Buckmaster, Luxemburg, WI
Dara Cannon, Kennewick, WA
Laura Cole, Rogers, MN
Sarah Cross, Green Bay, WI
Jacqueline Czachor, Green Bay, WI
Alana Dahl, Elk River, MN
Jennifer DeLoid, Largo, FL
Jessica Delvoye, Green Bay, WI
Allison Dethardt, Seymour, WI
Kenneth Giorgi, Milford, CT
Erica Goldapske, Howard, WI
Alissa Grant, Manitowoc, WI
Joanna Grothe, Agoura Hills, CA
Kelly Harris, Highlands Ranch, CO
Mark Harstad, Manitowoc, WI
Angelica Helgerson, Green Bay, WI
Jessi Hendricks, Stevens Point, WI
Amanda Hoffman, Allouez, WI
Cari Illa, Lakeville, MN
Courtney Karttunen, Ontonagon, MI
Danielle Kellner, Appleton, WI
Janine Kidd, Cloquet, MN
Christie Koch, Peshtigo, WI
Ashley Koski, Ironwood, MI
Katherine Lash, Newton, MA
Linda Levin, Chula Vista, CA
Khia Lockbaum, Oconomowoc, WI
Nicole Lorang, Green Bay, WI
Ann Mattson, Iron Mountain, MI
Amy Nickels-Schwartz, Darien, WI
Vidallah Nordquist, Rhinelander, WI
Jennifer Nowlan, Fountain Hills, AZ
Sheri Pauer, Rio, WI
Kelly Paullin, Weyauwega, WI
Julie Poyhonen, Pelican Lake, WI
Andromana Price, Florence, WI
Melissa Resch, Birnamwood, WI
Debra Rice, Miami, FL
Charlotte Ross, Green Bay, WI
Susan Sattler, Appleton, WI
Anna Savino, Florence, WI
Tomi Schmidt, Green Bay, WI
Alexandra Schoeneck, Green Bay, WI
Kayla Schroeder, Seymour, WI
Heather Schumacher, Appleton, WI
Holly Simpson, Milwaukie, OR
Joshua Smith, Yakima, WA
Matthew Sprister, Suamico, WI
James Stresing, Waukesha, WI
Jessica Sutherland, Somerset, WI
Jill Theys, Greenville, WI
Cassie VandenElzen, Oconto Falls, WI
Rebekah VanErp, Wausau, WI
Barbara Wagner, Three Lakes, WI
Sarah Wiemer, Green Bay, WI
Zoua Yang, De Pere, WI
Parn Yang, Rothschild, WI
Jodi Zimmerman, Greenville, WI 

Master of Science in Nursing
Melanie Baehr, Plover, WI
Daniel Blaha, Two Rivers, WI
Pamela Corsten, De Pere, WI
Kelly Dahms-Schartner, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Deanna Freese, Woodville, WI
Jolene Hendricks, De Pere, WI
Vicki Kamp, West Linn, OR
Jennifer McKown, Arlington Heights, IL
Stacie Murley, Altoona, WI
Christina OConnell, Manitowoc, WI
Renee Payne, Dayton, OH
Jason Perry, Denmark, WI
Pamela Pfeifer, De Forest, WI
Kenneth Uecker, Neenah, WI
Hannah Utter, Suamico, WI
Julie Williams, Green Bay, WI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSN Student McKown Selected for NCSBN Graduate Experience

Jennifer McKown, a current student of the UW-Green Bay MSN, Leadership and Management in Health Systems Program, has been selected to the prestigious National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Regulatory Scholar Graduate Experience Program in Chicago.  Unpaid practical experience in nursing regulation or policy is offered to a limited number of nursing graduate students who would like to gain nursing regulatory/policy experience to satisfy the clinical experience component of their graduate nursing program.   Jennifer will have experiences in a variety of NCSBN departments and may choose to work intensely in one area.  She will contribute to the work of NCSBN while obtaining practical experience in nursing regulation.

Jennifer is employed as the Assistant Director of Healthcare Services at the Lutheran Home, a 480 bed full continuum nursing home in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  She oversees a post-acute skilled nursing rehabilitation unit; serves as the Clinical Education Coordinator; and is the designated Infection Preventionist.  She is completing her UW-Green Bay MSN practicum placement with the Director of Nursing at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois working with associate degree in nursing students.  Her placement has included a diversity of experiences ranging from coordinating high stakes scenarios for nursing students in the college simulation lab; attending the college’s management council meetings and strategic planning seminars; as well as the Illinois state Nurse Political Action Day and Organization of Nurse Leaders emerging leaders workshop.

Congratulations Jennifer on your selection as a participant in the NCSBN Graduate Experience Program!

NURSE 1-2-1 Fall 2017 Student Featured in Video

Abbey Gorjance is a Burlington, Wisconsin high school senior who has been admitted for Fall of 2017 to our new NURSE 1-2-1 program. Abbey was recently featured in a video commissioned by the Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance (WSAA) about innovative programming and partnerships in education. Abbey’s full interview begins at 4:26: https://vimeo.com/204409792#t=266s

Abbey took advantage of a partnership between Burlington High School and Gateway Technical College in Southeastern Wisconsin to earn her certification as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). As a CNA, Abbey is certified to work in nursing centers and will be able to bring her direct experience into her education to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Certification as a CNA is required by the second year of the NURSE 1-2-1 program. Abbey’s ability to complete this while in high school has given her a head start in meeting the eligibility requirements of entrance into NURSE 1-2-1.  Because this popular program has a limited number of seats and early application deadline, students are advised to review the program’s eligibility requirements and application deadlines at least a year in advance of when they wish to start.  Kudos to Abbey for planning ahead!

For more information about the NURSE 1-2-1 program, please visit http://www.uwgb.edu/nursing/nurse-1-2-1/overview/index.asp