Current Award Recipients
Honorary Alumnus Award
Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, PhD, DLitt, RN, FAAN
1973 – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
1984 – Master of Education (Health Education), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
1994 – PhD (Nursing), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Career – 52 years of nursing, 1973 – present, Professor Emerita, UNMC, 2022 – present
Clinical and Research Focus
Dr. Stamler spent the first 11 years of her career in several clinical fields, such as medical-surgical (Chicago), long term care, (Saskatoon, SK), dialysis, rehab, and home care (Winnipeg, MB) while completing her M.Ed. At that point she pivoted to nursing education.
Her research efforts have focused on education in some way. She began with her dissertation “Patients’ Perception of Patient Education as Enablement” with primipara women and later explored knowledge and education in patients with diabetes and lipid issues, breast screening, prenatal services, parental knowledge of use of car seats, and patient perspectives of quality of health care. As her academic career progressed, patient education gave way to research in nursing education. Although a professor emerita, she remains active on two long-standing research teams examining student sense of belonging in clinical practice sites, and critical thinking in nursing students. She has been funded through more than 20 research grants over her career.
Academic Roles
Teaching roles began as an instructor in a diploma program in a community college. After completing the doctorate, she began teaching in university settings. These included University of Windsor, Windsor, ON (1994-2001), Nipissing University, North Bay, ON (2001-2004), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (2004-2012), South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD (2012-2014), and UNMC College of Nursing (2014 – 2022). She was tenured and promoted to Associate Professor in 1998, and to Professor in 2007. She has served as clinical and classroom teacher, Inaugural Director of Collaborative BSN Program, Assistant Dean (Graduate Program), Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) and Associate Dean for Academic Programs. She has taught at the diploma, BSN, MSN, and PhD levels. She continues to co-supervise PhD students as Professor Emerita.
Selected Leadership
Dr. Stamler has held several leadership positions. These include committee work with the regulatory bodies of Ontario and Saskatchewan, work with Health Canada (Self Care Network), the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) (8 years on the board, first president elected who was not a sitting dean), inaugural member of two Sigma chapters in Canada (chaired the committee that established the Windsor Nursing Honour Society), served as a Canadian Representative on several international Sigma committees, and chaired the CASN/Health Canada Task Force on nursing Public Health Education. Dr. Stamler served on the Finance Committee for the Midwest Nursing Research Society for six years. She has served as a site visitor for accreditation for both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the CASN Bureau of Accreditation, activities in which she continues as Emerita Professor.
One of her greatest joys was editing two nursing textbooks. The first was as co-editor of Community Health Nursing – A Canadian Perspective – the first Canadian comprehensive community nursing text which involved over 30 nationwide community health nurses as chapter contributors (first edition released, 2004). While she no longer edits it, the sixth edition was released in 2024. She was co-editor of two Canadian editions of the well-known Kozier et al. text Fundamentals of Canadian Nursing: Concepts, Process and Practice.
Honors
Dr. Stamler was honored to be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as an International Fellow in 2011. In 2017 she was awarded a Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degree by Nipissing University. In 2018 she was awarded the Visionary Leadership in Education Award by UNMC, and in 2021 she was named the Christine Heide Sorenson Professor of Nursing by the College of Nursing.
Dr. Stamler is honored to be named the 2025 Honorary Alumnus. She came to Nebraska expecting to serve for the last five years of her academic career and stayed for eight years. Given that her final years were primarily in administration, it is the faculty and staff that she misses the most. Strong collegial relationships were forged that have continued into retirement. The College of Nursing provides a beacon of excellence in nursing education, research, practice, and leadership. It was such a joy to end her career at the CON. As a recognition of the work of the CON and UNMC, she and her husband have established the Leeseberg Stamler Scholarship Fund for doctoral students with an interest in nursing education. She thanks everyone for their contributions to nursing and nursing education and for a magnificent experience completing her formal teaching career.
Nursing Excellence Award
Natalie Rasmussen, PhD, APRN-NP, AOCN
2000 MSN, 2020 PhD
Dr. Natalie Rasmussen has nearly three decades of experience in oncology, beginning her nursing career in 1995 and advancing to practice as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner in 2000. Her extensive clinical background includes practicing in both academic and community hospitals and cancer centers, managing patients with complex oncology and palliative care needs, and spearheading initiatives in cancer prevention, survivorship, clinical trials, and palliative care.
Currently serving as a Principal Medical Science Liaison at Genentech, Dr. Rasmussen works closely with peers to drive medical strategies, support execution of oncology clinical trials, disseminate data, and collaborates to address care gaps and improve patient outcomes. She previously served as Executive Director of the Nebraska Oncology Society, where she led statewide policy and payer initiatives to improve access to cancer care and expand clinical trial opportunities.
Dr. Rasmussen obtained a Master of Science in Nursing in 2000 and a PhD in Nursing in 2020, both from UNMC. She is a proud College of Nursing alum and was most excited when her daughter also chose to attend the UNMC where she just started her first year in the nursing program! Dr. Rasmussen’s dissertation research investigated glycemic variability in patients with colon cancer. She remains deeply committed to the advancement of the nursing profession. As adjunct faculty at Nebraska Methodist College, she teaches doctoral students and has taught courses in healthcare leadership, complex health systems, advanced pharmacology, community health programming, and philosophy. She has published research in peer-reviewed journals including Oncology Nursing Forum, Biological Research for Nursing, and Public Health Nursing, with findings presented at national oncology conferences. Her work has been recognized with multiple honors including the Cancer Champion Award by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition.
Natalie remains actively involved in the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Oncology Nursing Society, and the American Nurses Association. Committed to community service and wellness, she also volunteers as a parish nurse and yoga instructor. Natalie and her husband John enjoy spending time with their four young-adult children, golfing, and traveling.
Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award
Leslie Newburn, RN, BSN
2014 BSN
Lieutenant Commander Leslie Newburn was born in Conway, South Carolina and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended UNMC and in May 2014 earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. LCDR Newburn earned her commission through the Nurse Candidate Program.
In 2014, LCDR Newburn reported to Naval Medical Center San Diego where she worked as a charge nurse on the Medical Surgical Wounded Warrior Unit, responsible for 30 staff nurses and corpsmen. In January 2017, LCDR Newburn transferred to the Emergency Department and worked as a staff nurse until October 2017.
In November 2017, LCDR Newburn began her tour at United States Naval Hospital Sigonella where she served as a Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department responsible for 24 staff nurses and corpsmen.
In October 2019, LCDR Newburn reported to 3d Medical Battalion in Okinawa, Japan as an Emergency-Trauma Operational Nurse. While serving as Deputy Director at Medical Skills Training Center, she deployed to Guam for Task Force Medical in support of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. LCDR Newburn served as 2nd Platoon Commander for Alpha Company responsible for 10 Officers and 40 Corpsmen beginning in January 2021 through the end of her tour in October 2021 where she received her Fleet Marine Force Officer Qualification.
In November 2021, LCDR Newburn reported to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Guam where she served as Team Lead in the Emergency Department until May 2023. In June 2023, LCDR Newburn began her role as Clinic Manager of Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Dermatology.
In April 2024, LCDR Newburn reported to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command New England in Newport, Rhode Island. While serving as a staff nurse in Medical Home Port, she was sent to Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Naples for two months to serve in the Emergency Room during critical staffing needs. LCDR Newburn then returned to Newport and currently serves as Department Head of Allied Health Services.
Her decorations include Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) -3, and Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (COM)-2.
