Lookin’ at U – Diana Rizzo

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee.

This week, we learn more about:

• Name: Diana Rizzo
• Hometown: Vermillion, S.D.
• No. of years at UNMC: Just started my fifth year.

Tell us about what you do here at UNMC:
I am the student services coordinator for the Norfolk campus. I work with prospective students. I do recruiting at area high schools and colleges, and I work with the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) students from Wayne State College. I work with students who are in the process of applying, once they are admitted and getting everything ready to start the program, and I work with our currently enrolled students on registration and progression.

I also work to connect our current students to resources that they might need to help them be successful in nursing school. I coordinate new student orientations, white coat ceremonies, graduation and tutoring on the Norfolk campus. I help coordinate licensure for our students who are ready to graduate, and I help track our NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates. Basically, I get the privilege to work with our students from beginning to end, and beyond! They truly are remarkable students, and I enjoy getting to see them mature and grow into great nurses!

“Healing” is one of UNMC’s core values. Tell us of a time you witnessed “healing” at UNMC:
I see the Norfolk faculty embody the “healing” value on many occasions. They are always doing their best to get to know the students, to listen and give advice when students are having trouble and to do whatever they can to help students to learn so that they can be successful. It is not just taking a few minutes to help the students understand a concept; often, it is about helping the students learn how to learn so that they can understand all of the concepts that they come across.

What is your favorite winter activity?
My favorite winter activity as a child was sledding, but my favorite winter activity as an adult is curling up with a blanket and hot chocolate to watch a Christmas movie (my favorite Christmas movie is still “Home Alone.”)

List three things people may not know about you:

• My family lived in Tokyo, Japan for a year.
• I am the oldest of four and the only girl.
• My husband and I have a very rambunctious 14-month-old son.