The UNMC College of Nursing honored the contributions and dedication of faculty and staff during its annual awards ceremony on May 14 in Kearney.
The event featured 15 awards and additionally recognized the outgoing General Faculty Organization and General Staff Organization chairs, Silver U winner and Daisy Award recipient.
The Ada M. Lindsey Professional Service Award, which acknowledges a faculty member who displays exemplary service and leadership, went to Tracie Kirkland, PhD, DNP, associate dean for transformational practice and partnerships and the Kenneth E. Morehead Endowed Chair in Nursing Associate Professor.
The nomination for Dr. Kirkland stated her service to and participation in local, state and national organizations has demonstrated a dedication to bettering nursing while she continues to be present for students and colleagues.
“Beyond her many accomplishments, she remains deeply committed to mentorship and service,” the nomination said. “She has guided faculty and students across disciplines, volunteered through community outreach initiative , engaged in active research collaborations and continued clinical practice while pursuing leadership development herself as both mentor and mentee.”
Staff awards included the Staff Excellence Award, which was given to Juli Bohnenkamp, online testing resource coordinator. The Staff Excellence Award recognizes a staff member who embodies excellence, emphasizes customer service and respects individuals.
The nomination for Bohnenkamp acknowledged the work she’s done to improve the testing process at all five UNMC College of Nursing divisions and her approach to problem-solving and communication.
“She approaches each interaction with genuine concern, empathy, and a strong desire to support others’ success,” the nomination said. “Her responsiveness, clear communication and ability to anticipate needs have improved the effectiveness and efficiency of daily testing operations.”
Other award winners are:
- Rosalee C. Yeaworth Teaching Excellence Award and the Donna Westmoreland Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award: Jill Reed, PhD
- Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award: Kassidy Horst, DNP
- Kathryn Sandahl Philp Creativity and Innovation Award: Jenna Dubas, EdD
- Spirit of Shared Governance: Core FNP Team of Kelly Gonzales, PhD, Kassidy Horst, DNP, and Jill Reed, PhD
- Virginia Tilden Leadership Development Award: Amy Ford, DNP
- Distinguished TEAM Award: Recruitment and Enrollment Student Services Team of Brandi Sestak, Haley Klein, Sarah Jones, Diana Rizzo, Haley Mattison, Leslie Gonzalez, Maegen Graham, Jenny Knobbe, Megan Monzon, Lois Schroeder and Jenny Christian
- Staff Spirit Award: Amy Ramirez
- Ada M. Lindsey Professional Staff Award and the CON Outstanding Staff Award: Patrick Rejda
- Staff Leadership Award and the CON Outstanding Staff Award: LaDonna Tworek
- CON Outstanding Staff Award: Amanda Filipi, John Rejda and Saray Leary
- CON Staff Innovative Idea Award: Brandon Morehouse
A gallery of all award winners can be found here.
The annual meeting featured a welcome from Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, before a keynote presentation by Bruce Christopher, who used humor and personal anecdotes to explain attitude, optimism and performance in the workplace. The day concluded with the ribbon cutting and tours of the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney.