UNMC College of Nursing students, faculty and staff recently received the following awards, honors and recognition:
Breanna Hetland, PhD, served as a panelist for the Beyond Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel at the Nebraska Women in Tech Summit in Omaha on March 7. Dr. Hetland shared insights on the impacts of technology, innovation and inclusivity in healthcare.
Michele Balas, PhD, presented her clinical research on the national level at one of the National Institutes of Health’s Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory Grand Rounds on Feb. 28. Dr. Balas’ presentation, titled “Behavioral Economic and Staffing Strategies to Increase Adoption of the ABCDEF Bundle in the Intensive Care Unit (BEST ICU): Protocol, Challenges, and Major Updates,” highlighted her leadership of the med center’s first multisite, PCORnet® Study to assess strategies on how best to implement these evidence-based practices, known as the ABCDEF Bundle.
Kelly Gonzales, PhD, received the Visionary Leadership in Education Award at the UNMC Impact in Education Awards on March 14. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the ability to skillfully establish or administer an educational initiative or role at UNMC or nationally.
Sydney Fellers, UNMC College of Nursing – Kearney Division class of ’25, was awarded the student Daisy award from CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island.
Jayme Weber and Tiffany Whitney, DNP, represented the UNMC College of Nursing and Gamma Pi at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau at the Creating Healthy Work Environments Conference as part of the Rising Stars of Research Scholarship. Both presented their scholarship and provided insights into the nursing profession.
John Rejda, Omaha Division; Carla Streff, Northern Division and Lori Turner, all divisions, represented the UNMC College of Nursing as nominees for the Catalyst for Education Award, which recognizes an individual in an educational support role whose contributions are integral to furthering UNMC’s educational mission.
Marcia Shade, PhD, assistant professor, was featured in the Journal of Medical Internet Research for her publication examining how older adults engage with routines facilitated by a conversational AI assistant, such as Amazon Alexa.
Kati Bravo, PhD, interim assistant dean for the Omaha Division, and Joachim Voss, PhD, associate dean of academic programs, were selected to participate in the 2025-26 cohort of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing Program. The ELAN fellowship is designed to further develop and enhance leadership skills in new and emerging nurse academic leaders in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.
Two faculty members were selected for leadership roles on the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Board. Jill Reed, PhD, was elected co-chair of the Program Director SIG. Dr. Reed was also recognized for her service on the NONPF nominating committee for the past two years. Amy Ford, DNP, was selected to serve on the board’s Preceptor Committee for a two-year term.
Suhasini Kotcherlakota, PhD, assistant professor at the Omaha Division, has been selected into the Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL) 2025 US Program. The IELOL is the Online Learning Consortium’s premier leadership development sponsored by the OLC and in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Online and Professional Learning Resources as the residency host for the 2025 program.
Steffi Geline S. Tacacan, a student at the West Nebraska Division, was selected to the 2025-26 National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) Nominating and Elections Committee at the NSNA’s 73rd Annual Convention in Seattle.
Amy Ramirez, academic success coordinator at the West Nebraska Division, and Brandi Sestak, student services coordinator at the Lincoln Division, were elected to UNMC’s inaugural Staff Advisory Council. The UNMC Staff Advisory Council will promote and facilitate communication between UNMC administration and staff throughout UNMC’s colleges and departments.
Robin Lally, PhD, Windy Alonso, PhD and Linda Smith, PhD have received $25,000 in funding from the Nebraska Center for Women’s Health Research for their proposed pilot project, Let’s Talk About Cancer: Educating Community Health Workers in Cancer Risk, Screening, Prevention & Treatment Guidelines for Minoritized Women! The overall goal of their project is to fill gaps in knowledge and support related to cancer risk, screening, prevention, and treatment guidelines for minoritized women in Nebraska–which is consistent with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Cancer Plan 2025–2030 priorities.
Valeta Creason-Wahl was awarded the UNMC Silver U for May 2025 Her nominator wrote: An ultimate team player, Valeta has the ability to bring people together to achieve a common goal.”
Audrey Nelson, PhD, was presented with a resolution at the 2025 UNMC Annual Faculty meeting recognizing her dedicated service and effective leadership as the long-standing Faculty Senate Parliamentarian. She became Parliamentarian in 2014, becoming the second longest-running parliamentarian in the Senate’s history.
Nancy Reno and Heather Kaestner were named Daisy Award winners for Spring 2025.
Haley Hays, DNP, interim assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division, was awarded the Outstanding Rural Health Practitioner Award. The award recognizes individuals who provide patient care and strive to improve health services in rural Nebraska. Factors taken into consideration include providing outstanding care; collaboration and multi-disciplinary teamwork; involvement in the community; involvement in education; and lasting contribution to the rural health care system.
Windy Alonso, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, was selected for Fellowship in the American Academy of Nursing. Academy Fellows actively participate in the organization by joining Expert Panels to help support the organization’s policy recommendations, obtain appointments to the organization’s committees and national advisory councils, serve in elected leadership positions, engage in philanthropic efforts and attend Academy events. Dr. Alonso will be welcomed into the organization during the 2025 Health Policy Conference on Oct. 18.