Six nursing faculty honored by Nebraska Nurses Association
Six UNMC College of Nursing faculty received awards at the 2025 Nebraska Nurses Association’s Annual Convention in October in Kearney.
Lynne Buchanan, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, was named the 2025 Nebraska Nurses Association Outstanding Nurse Educator.
The award honors a nurse whose primary role is in patient education, nursing education, continuing education or staff development, and it recognizes innovation, expertise and impact as an educator.
“Receiving the Nebraska Nurses Association Outstanding Nurse Educator Award is more than a professional accolade — it’s a powerful affirmation of my work,” Dr. Buchanan said. “It means so much to me that my peers, students and profession recognize an impact.”
Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, was named a 2025 recipient of the NNA Extraordinary Achievement in Nursing Award.
This award focuses on achievement in nursing over a cumulative number of years. It honors a nurse whose career is evidence of significant contributions to nursing at the local, state or national level.
Dr. Buchanan and Dean Sharp-McHenry received their awards at the NNA awards dinner on Oct. 2
Bailey Hendricks, PhD, Angela Johnson, EdD, Jenna Hesse, EdD, and Elizabeth Rasmussen were selected as 2025 40 Under 40 award recipients from the NNA and the Nebraska Organization of Nursing Leadership. They were honored at the 40 Under 40 awards breakfast on Oct. 3.
“The UNMC College of Nursing is honored that six of its faculty members have been recognized for their accomplishments,” Dean Sharp-McHenry said. “These recognitions highlight their achievements, dedication to excellence in nursing education and the impact of their work on the community.
“I am extremely proud to be working with such a talented group of faculty.”
-Greg Forbes, UNMC College of Nursing
Jianghu Dong, PhD, honored for outstanding teaching
UNMC’s Jianghu (James) Dong, PhD, has been awarded the 2025 Outstanding Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching of Statistics in the Health Sciences from the American Statistical Association.
Dr. Dong joined UNMC in 2019 and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Biostatistics within the UNMC College of Public Health. He holds joint appointments with the UNMC College of Medicine’s Division of Nephrology and the UNMC College of Nursing.
Dr. Dong has earned praise for his instruction and his guidance and support of the numerous Master of Science, Master of Public Health and PhD students he has mentored. In the award nomination, one former student wrote that Dr. Dong “exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence, combining deep technical expertise, clear and effective communication and a genuine commitment to the professional and personal growth of his students.”
Among his other honors, he received the UNMC Faculty Senate’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 2024.
-Jeff Robb, UNMC strategic communications
Congratulations, Dr. Dong! This honor is well deserved.
Congratulations to all! Thank you for making a difference in the nursing and public health professions!
Congratulations, Dr. Dong! As one of your former students, I was always impressed by your teaching. You truly deserve this honor!
Congratulations and keep up the good work, James!
Congratulations, Dr Dong!