Briefly

New aging education toolkits available

New resources for teaching introductory aging content are available from the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, including toolkits created by School of Nursing faculty. Professor Emeritus Merrie Kaas, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS, FAAN, wrote Suicide in Older Adults, which teaches learners how to assess and prevent suicide in older adults. Professor Kathleen Krichbaum, PhD, RN, FGSA, ANEF, FAAN, wrote Addressing Ageism in Healthcare, which helps learners reflect on ageism and understand better how it affects the care and health of older adults. Learn more by visiting mngwep.nexusipe.org/toolkits.

Looman named inaugural associate dean for faculty affairs

Professor Wendy Looman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, was named the inaugural associate dean for faculty affairs. The associate dean for faculty affairs has primary responsibility for matters related to faculty affairs in the School of Nursing, with a focus on faculty promotion, tenure, leaves and professional development. The position supports and promotes the School of Nursing’s priority on advancing a culture of wellbeing as well as in promoting recognition and inclusion for the success of all members of the faculty.

3 Minnesotans honored with ANA Innovations Awards

Three Minnesotans received recognition by the American Nurses Association and the American Nurses Foundation, which announced the winners of the 2023 ANA Innovation Awards. The awards highlight, recognize and celebrate exemplary nurse innovators who improve patient safety and health outcomes.

Roxanne McMurray, DNP, APRN, CRNA, and the McMurray Team received the Nurse-led Team Award. McMurray, who is a former faculty member, leads the team that developed the Distal Pharyngeal Airway (DPA), which is a breathing tool that stents open throat tissue to maintain adequate ventilation for surgery or other medical procedures. McMurray and her team saw a gap in available and effective airway management tools for populations who suffered from breathing complications, which led to the creation of DPA.

Kevin Smith, DNP ‘14, FNP, FAANP, was named the recipient of the Individual Nurse Award. Smith, who graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2014, is the creative mind behind The Good Clinic, a Minnesota-based, modern primary care model that provided patients age 12 or older with holistic wellness.

Assistant Professor Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, DC, RN-BC, FAMIA, FNAP, received an honorable mention in the Individual Nurse Award category for MyStrengths + MyHealth: A Comprehensive Whole-Person Health & Resilience Assessment.

11 new Global Health Scholars named

Associate Professor Mary Fran Tracy, PhD, RN, Clinical Associate Professor Carol Flaten, DNP, RN, PHN, Clinical Assistant Professor Stephanie Gingerich, DNP, RN, CPN, Professor Carolyn Porta, PhD, MPH, RN, SANE-A, FAAN, FNAP, Clinical Associate Professor Huong Nguyen, PhD, MSW, MA, Clinical Assistant Professor Olof Indridadottir, DNP, AHN-BC, CRRN, Clinical Associate Professor Dorcas Kunkel, DNP, RN, PHN, CNW, CPHIMS, CDIP, Clinical Assistant Professor Joanne Donnelly, DNP, APRN, CRNA, Professor Lucy Mkandawire-Valhmu, PhD, RN, FAAN, Clinical Professor Judith Pechacek, DNP, RN, CENP, and Professor Mary Hearst, PhD, were named Global Health Scholars and joined the Global Health Faculty Scholars’ Community of Practice. The program supports the advancement of global health through meaningful partnerships around the world.

Post-graduate certificate program approved

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved the addition of an Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Specialty to the school’s post-graduate certificate program. The first students in the program will begin their students in the summer 2023 semester.