Students, staff and faculty at the UNMC College of Nursing recently celebrated the following achievements.
Kenzi Gillway, a DNP student at the UNMC College of Nursing, was selected to serve as the Nebraska representative of the Graduate Nursing Student Academy Advocacy Leader for the 2025-26 term. The representatives participate in quarterly conference calls to learn about the federal policy process, develop their advocacy skills and become informed on the latest health policy discussions.
Beth Beam, PhD, and Terri Mathews, PhD, were inducted into the American Academy of Nursing as fellows on Oct. 18, 2025.
Beth Beam, PhD, was named one of 13 UNeMed Innovation Ambassadors at the UNeMed Innovation Awards Ceremony on October 22, 2025
Jennifer Miller received the New Investigator Award on November 6, 2025 at the UNMC Distinguished Scientist Awards Ceremony.
Carol Geary, PhD, was inducted as a fellow in the American Medical Informatics Association. This achievement signals to patients, employers, and colleagues that Dr Geary is an expert in evidence-based informatics practice and engaged with a community of life-long learners who apply the latest advances in informatics to improve health and healthcare
Brandon Varilek, PhD, was approved for the Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing designation by the Hospice & Palliative Nurses Association Board of Directors. A FPCN designation represents a prestigious recognition of exceptional expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing the field of palliative and hospice nursing. It signifies a profound dedication to providing comfort, dignity, and holistic care for individuals and families facing serious illnesses while fostering mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional growth.
Mary Isaacson, PhD, received the 2026 MNRS Excellence in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award at the MNRS Annual Conference in St. Louis.
Nick Guenzel, PhD, and his team of UNMC College of Nursing faculty, received a Fred J. Kelly Fund grant for their project titled “Evaluating and Scaling AI Patient Bots to Improve Psychiatric Clinical Skills Across Nurse Practitioner Tracks.” The Fred J. Kelly Fund is facilitated by the University of Nebraska’s Office of Research and Innovation.
Jill Reed, PhD, has been named the recipient of the 2026 AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions. This award honors individuals who have made significant strides in advancing health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership (PEARL), and have demonstrated efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of nurse practitioners (NPs). Award recipients will be honored for this achievement at the Salute to the States Award Ceremony on June 26 at the AANP National Conference in Las Vegas.
Renee Paulin received her DNP from UNMC in December of 2025.
Douglass Haas, DNP, is the new Interim Director for the Morehead Center for Nursing Practice. Under his leadership, he will oversee faculty practicing within the Morehead Center for Nursing. He will work collaboratively with Tracie Kirkland on developing innovative and transformative faculty practice. Dr. Haas was instrumental in an innovative pitch with the School of Business MBA Students in developing a Capstone Project related to the use of the rural health care access and the mobile wellness unit.
Kirsten Hepburn, PhD, was selected to represent UNMC in the AIM-AHEAD NCATS Health Data Science Training Program, a highly competitive, NIH-sponsored national initiative. She is among approximately 150 trainees selected nationwide from more than 1,300 applications submitted to the four AIM-AHEAD 2025–26 training programs. This eight-month program provides structured coursework, mentorship, and hands-on experience working with the NCATS National Clinical Cohort Collaboration (N3C)database.
Liz Bockoven, MSN, Missy Ofe Fleck, PhD, and Emily Coffey, PhD, received the iEXCEL Academic Award at the iEXCEL Innovation Awards Ceremony on Feb. 24. They were acknowledged for their work to transform their OB simulation course by blending the strengths of traditional simulation with interactive iWall activities. This dynamic approach elevated student engagement and was later showcased at the IAE Innovated Conference.
Rebecca Swanson, DNP, received an honorable mention iEXCEL Clinical Award at the ceremony. Dr. Swanson and her team created and hosted an OSCE for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program for the third time. This used both standardized patients and manikins to assess students’ abilities to conduct physical exams, take patient histories, and demonstrate core clinical communication and interpersonal skills.
Robin Lally, Krystal Davis and Alyson Hanish were recognized on June 4 for their completion of a year-long investment in study the art of leadership in the UNMC iLEAD Program.
Terri Mathews, associate professor at the UNMC College of Nursing, has been selected as a recipient of the UNMC Impact in Education Award – Inspirational Mentor of Educators. Dr. Mathews was presented this award at a ceremony on Friday, March 6 at 4 p.m. in the Durham Research Center. The award recognizes an individual who has mentored junior faculty or trainees in developing as health professions educators.
Margaret R. Emerson, DNP, Clinical Associate Professor at the UNMC College of Nursing, was selected as a member of the MGH Center for Women’s Health’s 2026 Inaugural NP Masterclass Cohort. This competitive program unites nurse practitioners from across the country who are passionate about advancing care for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders through collaborative learning, case discussions, and shared expertise.
Wendy Wells received the NSNA Outstanding Local Chapter Faculty/Advisor Award in Spring 2026.
Kelsey Miller, was recognized at the NNA Positive Image of Nursing Recognition Awards Ceremony on April 4, 2026 in North Platte.
The UNMC College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division was named a recipient of the National Student Nurses’ Association’s Stellar School Chapter Recognition. This is the third, five-year cycle the division has earned the honor. The program recognizes NSNA chapters for their commitment to shared governance and professional development. The plaque will be presented to school representatives at the NSNA annual convention in Houston in April. As a Stellar School designee, the school will be listed in the NSNA guidebook, the NSNA awards web page and the Stellar School program. Stellar School pins will also be available.
Tiffany Moore, PhD, was selected as a recipient of an Outstanding Mentor of Graduate Students Award. She was recognized by UNMC interim chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, at the 2026 Annual Faculty Meeting on April 15. The award includes $1,500 in a professional development account.
Five UNMC College of Nursing faculty and staff members were nominated for the 2026 Catalyst for Education Award. Juli Bohnenkamp, Brandon Morehourse, Renee Paulin, Ana Lara-Ramirez and Lori Turner were all recognized at the UNMC Spotlight on Scholarship event on March 31. The Catalyst for Education Award, sponsored by the Interprofessional Academy of Educators, recognizes an individual in an educational support role whose contributions help further the educational mission at UNMC. Additionally, Elizabeth Beam, PhD, UNMC College of Nursing associate professor and director of Global Health and the HEROES program, was featured as a Project Awards presenter at the Spotlight on Scholarship event.
Amber Golden, DNP, clinical assistant professor at the UNMC College of Nursing, received the Faculty Advisory Excellence in Engagement Award at the 2026 iTEACH Awards ceremony on April 16. This award recognizes excellence in community engagement by UNMC faculty who mentor registered student organizations and for providing exceptional service to students, their colleagues and/or UNMC. Candidates are evaluated on the extent to which the nominee consistently demonstrates iTEACH values and reciprocally beneficial relationships with one or a variety of organizations.
UNMC College of Nursing faculty members Megan Dubas, Lincoln Division, Cathy Tierney, Northern Division and Sue Schuelke, Lincoln Division, received the Positive Image of Nursing Award at the 2026 Lincoln MIG Celebrate Nursing Breakfast on April 11. The annual award highlights nurses for their commitment and dedication to their profession. Honorees were nominated by their peers.
Kelly Gonzales, DNP, has been selected as a 2026 American Association of Nurse Practitioner Fellow. Dr. Gonzales will be inducted at the AANP Conference in Las Vegas in June. Established in 2000, the FAANP program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and the delivery of high-quality healthcare. Fellows are expected to actively contribute their expertise as reviewers, topical experts, committee members, journal contributors, mentors, and in other volunteer roles that support AANP.
Lisa Firestine received the Institute of Professional Nursing’s 2026 Leadership Award on May 13. The award is given to an individual who demonstrates a creative approach to leadership in both teaching and scholarship.
Mariya Kovaleva, PhD, and Peace Johnson, graduate research assistant, presented “Review of interventions for rural persons living with dementia and their caregivers” at the Chronic Illness Self-Management and Prevention Symposium hosted at the UNMC College of Nursing in Omaha and at the 50th Midwest Nursing Research Society conference in St. Louis.
Wendy Wells, DrPH, received her Doctor of Public Health with Distinction on May during the UNMC convocation ceremony in Omaha. Her concentration is emergency preparedness.