Nursing & Health Studies

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 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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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

Nursing  and Health Studies at UW-Green Bay is pleased to announce Athena Farias, a student in our NURSE 1-2-1 Program has been named the 2016 recipient of the $1000 LaVerne Foster Memorial Scholarship.  The Deaconess School of Nursing Alumnae Association has proudly supported nursing education in Wisconsin for many years. In 2016 the Association donated $5,000 to fund five separate educational scholarships through the Wisconsin League of Nursing (WLN).  Unique to this funding is the LaVerne Foster Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 awarded to a high school student who will be entering a nursing education program.

Athena is a Freshman student in our NURSE 1-2-1 Program.  Her home town is Denmark, Wisconsin.  She received the Scholarship during the WLN Fall Conference on November 4, 2016.  Congratulations to Athena!

Taken from USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Jan. 19, 2017 article….

Hepatitis C is increasing across central Wisconsin — with one county experiencing six times more cases over a five-year period — and health officials want people in at-risk groups to get tested as soon as possible.

Failure to get tested and treated can have serious consequences, including liver disease and eventually liver cancer from hepatitis C, said Melanie Behr, nursing supervisor for the Portage County Health Department.

For a direct link and more information, go to: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2017/01/19/hepatitis-c-cases-spike-central-wisconsin/96170486/

 

As of January 1, 2017, UW-Green Bay’s “Professional Program in Nursing” has updated its name to “Nursing and Health Studies.”

“In the past, “Professional Program in Nursing” accurately captured the department offerings. However, this name no longer reflects the current available programs and further suggests that there is only one program,” explains Christine Vandenhouten, Chairperson, Nursing and Health Studies.

The department began in 1981 offering a campus based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion program for associate degree Registered Nurses (RN). It expanded over the years and currently delivers BSN education via three RN to BSN completion tracks: campus BSN, BSN@HOME (an online UW collaborative program for Wisconsin students), and BSN-LINC online for students outside of Wisconsin. Starting this last semester, a new 4 year BSN program, NURSE 1-2-1 combines the resources of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) and UW-Green Bay.  The department also added a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with an emphasis in Leadership and Management in Health Systems during 2013.

In addition to the nursing programs, Nursing and Health Studies is part of two collaborative programs: Health Information Management and Technology (HIMT), a baccalaureate program which started in 2012; and Master of Science in Health and Wellness Management (MSHWM) which began in September of 2016. The collaborative programs are offered through the combined resources of the department along with faculty from other UW-Green Bay disciplines as well as other UW System campuses.

Congratulations to our Fall Semester 2016 graduates. For those unable to attend the graduation ceremony, we have assembled a “Virtual Graduation” on our YouTube channel. The video uses video from a previous graduation ceremony and recognizes all of our Fall 2016 graduates. Click the following link to experience the sights and sounds of commencement at the Weidner Center on the UW-Green Bay campus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPZ3LF8afD8 .

The following is a list of the graduates by degree and location of residence. Congratulations to all 55 of our graduates this year. This includes 50 BSN students and 5 HIMT students. We wish you the best of luck in your careers!

Health Information Management Technology

• Melissa Jo Cady, B.S. – Waupaca, WI
• Katie Emily Eichman, B.S. – Suamico, WI
• Dawnell Lynn Klein, B.S. – Rubicon, WI
• Jaclyn Marie Racolta, B.S. – Mundelein, IL
• Harmony Brooke Rutzinski, B.S. – Madison, WI

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• Danielle Tyler Albee, B.S.N – Wallingford, CT
• Marie Elizabeth Annexy, B.S.N – Richmond, TX
• Debra J. Bellin, B.S.N – Appleton, WI
• Stacie Lynn Beschta, B.S.N – Seymour, WI
• Lisa Bogel, B.S.N – Jewitt City, CT
• Therese Marie Brokmeier, B.S.N – Argonne, WI
• Stacy Ann Brophy, B.S.N – Wittenberg, WI
• Carly Dassow, B.S.N – Fitchburg, WI
• Nicole Hope DeBauche, B.S.N – New Franken, WI
• Kimberly Margaret Doll, B.S.N – Birnamwood, WI
• Anita M. Doxtater, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Barbara Jean Ernst, B.S.N – Sobieski, WI
• Thomas M. Fonferek, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Lori Marie Garlick, B.S.N – Plum City, WI
• Rebecca Jo Gerarden, B.S.N – Wauwatosa, WI
• Nicole Kristin Greene, B.S.N – Rogers, MN
• Carly Elizabeth Haenel, B.S.N – Watertown, WI
• Megan Ilene Heikkinen, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Amanda Rae Hilgart, B.S.N – Park Falls, WI
• Mark Robert Hunter, B.S.N – San Diego, CA
• Laura Lee Jones, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Jenna Aili Jurmu, B.S.N – Waukesha, WI
• Sara Marie Kazmierczak, B.S.N – Stephen, MN
• Katie Klueger, B.S.N – Sheboygan, WI
• Jessica Kolb, B.S.N – Sheboygan, WI
• Stacy Kay Kortas, B.S.N – North East, MD
• Mary Christine Lange, B.S.N – Platteville, WI
• Rebecca Ann Lohagen, B.S.N – Monico, WI
• Melissa Rene Madlem, B.S.N – Oneida, WI
• Tina Marie Mccracken, B.S.N – Cashton, WI
• Kelly Jean Miller, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Annette E. Nehring, B.S.N – Waupaca, WI
• Katlyn Kelly Nelson, B.S.N – Appleton, WI
• Jacqueline Joan Nourse, B.S.N – Weston, WI
• Miwako Arakawa Ogurek, B.S.N – De Pere, WI
• Rebecca Lyn Porod, B.S.N – Marinette, WI
• Kelsey Sue Porter, B.S.N – Appleton, WI
• Kaylee Sara Proctor, B.S.N – Oshkosh, WI
• Whitney Caryn Recla, B.S.N – Howard, WI
• LauraJean June Saylor, B.S.N – Blaine, MN
• Ruth Ann Scheck, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Laurie Lynn Simonson, B.S.N – Baraboo, WI
• Lauren Rose Snyder, B.S.N – Hurley, WI
• Dawn Rene Sprister, B.S.N – Suamico, WI
• Tammy Lynn Stanislawski, B.S.N – Rosholt, WI
• Lauren Elizabeth Stellato, B.S.N – De Pere, WI
• Angela Marie Strain, B.S.N – Hastings, MN
• Kaelee Sophia-Jay Swanson, B.S.N – Hurley, WI
• Lindsey Elizabeth Unright, B.S.N – Green Bay, WI
• Stephanie Rose Zoller, B.S.N – Ironwood, MI

Maribeth Hetherington, recently retired Chief Change Officer and former Interim Director of Clinic Operations at Door County Medical Center (Sturgeon Bay, WI), has been named the 2016 recipient of the UW-Green Bay Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award. Hetherington was a 1986 graduate of the university’s BSN completion program.   She developed and implemented a restructured supervisory leadership model during her tenure at DCMC and was featured early this year in the American Healthcare Leader Magazine article on “Schooling Healthcare” which described her innovative leadership methods designed to empower employees.

Prior to her time at DCMC, Hetherington served as Vice-President and Chief Nursing Officer for ThedaCare, Inc. (Appleton, WI) where her role as the executive leader of a new inpatient care delivery model was recognized in an international publication. The model was featured in the Shingo Award Winning book “On the Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry” by John Toussiant, M.D. and Roger A. Gerard, PhD with Emily Adams.

Hetherington had a perfect 4.0 grade point average as a student at UW-Green Bay and was a charter member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She reflected on her time at UW-Green Bay mentioning the flexibility of the program for a working nurse and mother of small children; the high quality of the professors; and the recognition she received for her prior learning which netted her 6 credits toward her degree.

Hetherington was presented the Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award at a recognition gathering at Door County Medical Center on October 20 by UW-Green Bay Chairperson of Nursing, Dr. Christine Vandenhouten and Manager of Student Outreach and Alumni Relations, Jan Malchow.

Looking back over her career, Hetherington summarized by saying, “I have had the pleasure of working in many diverse and rewarding roles as a nurse in a long and successful career, and have been grateful for the opportunities the nursing profession has offered me in my life. UWGB was integral in my journey and I will forever be thankful for having the opportunity to complete my BSN there.”