DAY OF GIVING RAISES OVER $104,000!
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Frontier Nursing University Quarterly Bulletin, ISSN 0016-2116, Coopyright © 2024 by Frontier Nursing University, is published quarterly by Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383. Business and Editorial Offices: 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 43083. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Frontier Nursing University, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 43083. Periodicals postage is paid at Versailles, KY, and additional mailing offices (if applicable).
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Frontier Nursing University Quarterly Bulletin, Attn. Jim Kelsey, External Affairs Coordinator, 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383.
President’s Cabinet
Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
President
Shelley Aldridge, BA
Chief Operations Officer
Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success
Marc Blevins, MS, CISA
Chief Information and Digital Officer
Bobbi Silver
Chief Advancement Officer
Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN Dean of Nursing
Torica Fuller, DNP, FPN-BC, NP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN FNP, Clinical Transition Coordinator (faculty representative)
Samana Upadhyaya, MSCPE, Enterprise Applications Manager (staff representative)
Academic Administration
Audra Cave, DNP, FNP-BC Department Chair
Family Nursing
Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C DNP Director
Rachel Risner, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Kevin Scalf, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl, Department Chair of PsychiatricMental Health
Eileen Thrower, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM
Department Chair of Midwifery and Women’s Health
Dear Friends,
As my first 90 days as president near an end, I am more excited than ever about the present and future of this university. Why?
Within that short span, I have seen how committed everyone at Frontier is to this university, our students, and our mission. That commitment is matched by the impressive competence, passion, and potential of everyone within the Frontier community.
In August, we premiered our documentary, Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. In September, we hosted a maternal mortality conference that featured nearly two dozen renowned experts from across the country. We dealt with the unanticipated impact of Hurricane Helene while hosting our annual commencement ceremony, where we proudly celebrated our 1,060 2024 graduates while also reaching out to our students in need of emergency assistance.
In October, our annual Day of Giving event raised $104,104, surpassing our goal of $75,000. We celebrated National Midwifery and National Nurse Practitioner Weeks in October and November with signed proclamations from government leaders in Versailles and Lexington.
As these exciting events took place, we remained focused on our mission and our service to our beloved students. Yes, these 90-plus days have confirmed what I knew to be true all along. Frontier is an incredible, oneof-a-kind place, and I am so proud to be here.
Amazing things are happening at Frontier. This issue will provide highlights of some of our most exciting stories and photos from the past few months. I hope you enjoy these inspiring stories and know that I am incredibly thankful for the roles that each of you plays in the ongoing success of this university.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brooke A. Flinders DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM
FNU Celebrates 2024 Graduates at Commencement
FNU Celebrates 2024 Graduates at Commencement
FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders
Delivers Welcome Speech at Commencement Ceremony
Despite Hurricane Helene and the ensuing high winds and heavy rains that befell many states as the storm moved north, more than 1,600 people attended Frontier Nursing University’s 2024 commencement on Saturday, September 28, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The post-commencement Alumni and Family Celebration, which was to be held outdoors on campus, was canceled due to the severe weather.
Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, FNU President, welcomed the graduates and their guests with these opening remarks:
“Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Frontier Nursing University’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony! Welcome to all of the friends and family members who are here to support our 2024 graduates. Welcome to our distinguished speakers, whose words of wisdom we look forward to hearing and reflecting upon. Welcome to our faculty and staff, whose committed and diligent work has supported our graduates in getting to the finish line. And welcome, 2024 graduates! We are so happy and proud that all of you are here to celebrate this wonderful day!
“I’d like to acknowledge the members of our Board of Directors who are here with us today. Thank you for your dedication and your guidance.
“I’d like to recognize Dr. Susan Stone, our President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing, for her leadership and her decades of service to Frontier. We are grateful for all you’ve done, Dr. Stone, to make Frontier the university we all know and love today.
“I’d like to take a moment to thank our dedicated faculty and staff, who have worked so hard to make this day extraordinary in every way. I’d also like to convey my personal gratitude to Sharon Tankersley, who has planned for every detail of this incredible event.
“Days like this are special for so many reasons. For our graduates, this day marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another – a brief transition period to reflect on your Frontier experience and to imagine all that lies ahead. It is also an opportunity to thank those who have helped and supported you – the Frontier faculty and staff, your classmates, your friends, and your families.
“On behalf of Frontier Nursing University, I would like to thank
all of the friends and family members who are here and those who couldn’t be here today for all you have done to support our students. It is a team effort.
“And although this is my first commencement ceremony as President of FNU, this is my fourth commencement ceremony at Frontier. As a Frontier grad myself, I know firsthand about the sacrifices you’ve made, that this milestone is not reached alone, and that this is a momentous occasion in the trajectory of your careers.
“You were successful, confident, and competent nurses before you came to Frontier. You were already serving the people of your communities. You were already making a difference. But you were called to do more, and you answered that call.
“I understand that you would not be here today without your unyielding drive, commitment, and dedication. And while I’m quite sure that it has not always been easy, you can now pause for just a moment to say to yourself that it was worth it. Because every time you impact a patient, every time you provide compassionate, expert care to help a family, and every time you are present in an
Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, FNU President
underserved community as an advanced practice nurse… it will be worth it. Every time.
“We want you to know that Frontier will always be here to support you and to cheer for you. You are forever part of the FNU family. Please take the time to check in with us now and then. Let us know how and what you’re doing, and share your accomplishments with us. Stay connected to your classmates and your faculty on our social media platforms. Ensure that we have your preferred email address so you can stay informed via our e-newsletters and the Quarterly Bulletin. Look for career and continuing education opportunities on our alumni portal. And take it from me, you never know when or how you might return to Frontier. We look forward to it!
“Now, let us focus on this incredible opportunity to celebrate with your friends and loved ones today. We are all here to celebrate you. Your graduation is a remarkable accomplishment. Your continued education will propel you and will enable you to both extend and deepen your reach as a healthcare provider. You are equipped, you are prepared, and you are now qualified to do all that you dreamed of doing when you set out on this journey.
“We are all so very proud of you. Congratulations!”
Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success
Dr. Paula AlexanderDelpech Addresses the 2024 Graduates
Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success, then addressed the graduates and encouraged them to be active agents in improving healthcare in their communities, large and small:
“To the graduates before me, you have already faced many challenges in your journey, and now you are preparing to tackle the complexities of our healthcare system. It is a system that desperately needs transformation, which must be led by practitioners grounded in inclusive excellence. I truly believe that being an effective healthcare professional means caring for your patients and each other. You can serve your patients better when you are part of diverse, inclusive teams. To do this, you must be equipped with the skills to overcome health disparities and dismantle structural, systemic, organizational, and environmental barriers to achieve optimal health outcomes for every patient.
“Too many of us wear hidden masks that make us afraid to be ourselves because we belong to marginalized groups—whether through race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious preference, cultural background, or disability. These hidden masks can degrade our working environments and ultimately harm our patients. I am proud of Frontier Nursing University’s unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence. These are not just words; they are the foundation of who we are.
“As you enter the next phase of your careers, I challenge you to act as guardians of Inclusive Excellence in your practice and your lives. Understanding and harnessing the power of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are critical in creating a better future for you, your patients, and society.”
FNU Presents Honorary Doctorate to Keynote Speaker Dr. Bernadette Melnyk
Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, gave the keynote address at the 2024 Frontier Nursing University commencement ceremony. Dr. Bernadette Melnyk is Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer at Ohio State University, where she is also the Helene Fuld Health Trust Professor of Evidence-based Practice in the College of Nursing and Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry in the College of Medicine. She is also the founder of the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare.
During the ceremony, Frontier awarded Dr. Melnyk the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, In recognition of her “impactful, broad-reaching, and lasting contributions to the profession of nursing.”
Dr. Melnyk is recognized globally for her expertise in evidence-based practice (EBP), child and adolescent mental health, clinician wellbeing, and intervention research, as well as her innovative approaches to population health and well-being. Bern is a frequent keynote speaker at national and international conferences and has presented hundreds of workshops on EBP, mental health, intervention research, and health and wellness throughout the nation and the globe.
She is the editor of seven books focused on child and adolescent mental health, EBP, intervention research, evidence-based health assessment, and leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Melnyk has more than 540 publications and over $36 million dollars of sponsored funding from NIH, AHRQ, and foundations as a principal investigator. She is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Nursing that has recognized her three times as an Edge Runner (twice for her evidence-based COPE programs), the National Academies of Practice, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Dr. Melnyk served a four-year term on the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the National Advisory Council for the National Institute for Nursing Research, and the Behavioral Health Standing Committee of the National Quality Forum. In addition, she served as dean of The Ohio State University College of Nursing for 12 years where she led the college to top 10 U.S. News & World Report and NIH funding rankings.
Dr. Melnyk has served as an elected board member and vice chair of the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and received an honorary doctor of science degree from the State University of New York in 2022. She is editor-in-chief of the topranked journal Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing.
Dr. Melnyk was appointed to the National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-being and Resilience in 2017, on which she continues to serve, and is the founder and current president of the National Consortium for Building Healthy Academic Communities.
She received her bachelor of science in nursing from West Virginia University, her master of science in nursing degree and pediatric nurse practitioner education from the University of Pittsburgh, and her PhD in clinical research and psychiatric nurse practitioner education from the University of Rochester.
(from left) Dr. Tim Raderstorf, FNU Board of Directors, Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer at Ohio State University, and Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, President, Frontier Nursing University
Dr. Bernadette Melnyk
2024 Commencement Awards
FNU’s commencement ceremony included the presentation of the university’s annual leadership awards, honoring the students who provided exceptional leadership to their peers. Here are the 2024 FNU Student Leadership Awards winners:
Excellence in Leadership and Innovation Award
Dr. Gladys Anokam Upper Marlboro, MD
Doctor of Nursing Practice Exemplary Project Award
Dr. Emanuel Singleton Willoughby, OH
Dr. Rochelle Carlson Fitchburg, WI
Dr. Jill Damron-Solis Shelby, OH
Dr. Nicole Koppi Slidell, LA
Dr. Nagavalli Thiruvalluvan Edison, NJ
Dr. Susan E. Stone Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Award
Jazmene Landing Lexington, KY
Student Choice Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Commencement also always features the presentation of the Excellence in Teaching Awards. Each year, the Student Council leads the student body in selecting faculty members to receive Excellence in Teaching awards. These awards are given annually to faculty members who inspire and impact their students. The students choose both an Academic Faculty Award and a Regional Clinical Faculty Award. Here are the 2024 FNU Excellence in Teaching Award winners:
Dr. Azra Alomerovic
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PHMNP-BC, CNE Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Didactic Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. Alomerovic was AMAZING at Clinical Bound and Virtual Sims. She creates an environment of comfort, confidence, kindness, camaraderie, and compassion.
“Dr. Azra made the learning environment very comfortable and encouraged questions from students.”
Dr. Lisa Barnes
DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNEcl Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Practitioner Regional Clinical Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. Barnes was helpful, dedicated, and committed to her students. She is an encourager and always ensures that her students achieve success.”
“Dr. Barnes provided useful feedback and guidance during my clinical experience. She was easy to contact and shared her useful clinical wisdom with me. I loved having her as my RCF!”
Student Choice Awards for Excellence in Teaching (continued)
Dr. Aline Dowd
FNP-BC, NP-C
Family Nurse
Practitioner Regional Clinical Faculty
What the Students said:
“I first met Dr. Dowd at my Frontier Bound. She was very pleasant and welcoming. During my encounters with her, she has offered guidance, encouragement, and resources that I need to be successful.”
“She has been supportive throughout my clinical journey. She provided muchneeded words of encouragement on several occasions. She was also readily available and prompt.”
Dr. Kim Flanders
DNP, CNM, FACNM
Nurse-Midwifery, Regional Clinical Faculty
What the Students said:
“Kim is easy to talk to and is knowledgeable about the program, clinicals, and how everything works. She is available via email, phone, and Zoom and takes care of things quickly.”
“She is supportive and responsive to my needs.”
Dr. Torica Fuller
DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME
Family Nurse
Practitioner Didactic Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. Fuller never failed to be approachable and helpful. You can tell she genuinely cares.”
“She is always positive and encouraging. I could tell that she loves what she does and really wants the students to learn and succeed.”
Dr. Rebecca Lopez
DNP, CNM, CNE
Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Didactic Faculty
What the Students said:
“From the beginning, Dr. Lopez has been supportive and goes above and beyond to help us succeed. She tells us that we are already midwives and that she is just here to help us get that piece of paper that tells everyone else what we already know.”
“Dr. Lopez's enthusiasm and constant encouragement helped me get through two challenging semesters. When I needed that boost, there was always a video or announcement spreading nothing but positivity that could be felt through the screen.”
Dr. Cindy McCullough
DNP, CNM, APRN
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Regional Clinical Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. McCullough is extremely knowledgeable in all clinical areas of women's health. She is truly an expert, and I am consistently impressed by her intelligence and confidence.”
“Cindy has been my lifeline in clinicals! She has been there every step of the way, supporting, teaching, and cheering me on! Every time we meet, she starts off by asking about me and how I'm doing. She has been there through every roadblock and every success and I don't think I've ever had
someone in my corner as much as Cindy has been! She is the best!”
Dr. Niessa Meier
DNP, CNM, CNE
Nurse-Midwifery Didactic Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. Meier has been supportive and encouraging from day one. She sets realistic expectations and provides opportunities to challenge growth. Dr. Meier has a kind spirit, and it is obvious that she is passionate about educating the next generation of midwives.”
“Dr. Meier is the tender touch and understanding voice that students need with their intros into midwifery.”
Dr. Ann Schaeffer
DNP, CNM, M.Ed, CNE, FACNM
Doctor of Nursing Practice Faculty
What the Students said:
“Dr. Schaeffer has been the kindest and most present faculty I have ever had throughout my education (more present than courses I've taken in person). Her ability to guide us through this program while simultaneously teaching us how to do quality improvement and not getting frustrated when we were lost was amazing. I feel SO lucky that I was placed in her group.”
“Dr. Schaeffer goes the extra step to make sure students understand the material and understand the application of the material. She extends patience and grace, in addition to knowledge and wisdom. She is a class act!”
Photography by J.A. Laub Photography
Dr. Joan Slager
Dr. Joan Slager Leaves Lasting Imprint on FNU
Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN, announced this fall that she will retire as Dean of Nursing on February 28, 2025. Dr. Slager’s tenure as Dean began in 2018, but her dream of becoming a nurse-midwife and her connection to Frontier Nursing University started long before.
Dr. Slager grew up on a farm in rural Lake Odessa, Michigan. She enjoyed caring for the animals and was drawn to the wonder of the birthing process at a young age.
“We would take turns checking on the cows in the barn during calving season,” Dr. Slager recalled. “I would sit for hours waiting for a calf to be born. It was fascinating to me, and I just loved being there and watching. I think that’s what drew me to midwifery. It made me respect birth a lot.”
Dr. Slager graduated from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her BSN in 1980. She considered becoming a physician but chose nursing because she wanted to raise a family as well. During nursing school, she enjoyed her maternal/ child rotations and chose to work as a nurse extern in the neonatal intensive care unit the summer between her junior and senior years. She continued working in the NICU after graduation. Drawn to birth, her favorite part of that job was being assigned to attend at-risk deliveries. She subsequently worked three years (1981-83) with the Kalamazoo County Health Department clinics and later took a position as a staff nurse at the Borgess Medical Center Family Birthing Center (1984-91).
“I worked labor and delivery for six months and then took the birth center job and worked there for seven years until the birth center closed. While at the Birth Center, I worked with Kalamazoo’s first nurse-midwife, who cared for me during my pregnancies. As a nurse, I loved the partnership we nurses had with the midwife. It made caring for the women so much easier, and for the women, their labor and birth was a process they controlled. As a patient, I valued
“I walk away feeling very fulfilled. I have been incredibly blessed with the opportunities that I have been given. It’s been my pleasure to do my best and contribute in the best way I know how.”
— Dr. Joan Slager, Dean of Nursing
participating in my care and being listened to and respected. I wanted that experience for all women and their families. I knew I had to be a midwife. I heard about CNEP (Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program) at a nursing conference. I was intrigued that I didn’t have to travel 150-plus miles to go to school, and I could complete my education in my home community. It sounded too good to be true. I applied and was among the first students that started in the distance program at Frontier. I attended Level III (Clinical Bound) in the Chicken Coop on Kitty’s (Ernst) farm in Pennsylvania, and my first trip to Kentucky was for graduation which was held at Wendover. That’s how my relationship with Frontier started.”
Dr. Slager was part of Frontier’s first CNEP graduating class in 1991. She began working as a nurse-midwife in Battle Creek, Michigan, eventually becoming the Director of Nurse-Midwifery at the Family Health Center of Battle Creek. She assisted Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo in developing a midwifery-led service in 1993, where she served as the Director of Nurse-Midwifery at the Bronson Women’s Service for 27 years.
“It was so successful that it grew into one of the largest midwifery practices in the country,” Dr. Slager said. “They employ 17 midwives and three nurse practitioners now. The OB/GYN physicians and hospital administrators were very supportive of the midwives, who were among the first advanced practice providers in the health system. Our model of care resulted in decreasing the C-section rate,
Dr. Slager (far left) with the Bronson Women's Service team.
increasing patient satisfaction, and reducing the after-hours walk-in visits in OB triage.”
Shortly after becoming the practice director at Bronson, Dr. Slager attended the first annual midwifery business institute at the University of Michigan (a weekend conference) to gain skills in directing a midwifery service. She offered a suggestion to include information on Billing and Coding at future meetings. A year later, she was leading a four-hour billing & coding workshop at that event.
“Midwifery education comprehensively covers clinical management and skills, but our survival depends on us developing some business acumen as well. I started researching and learning about billing and coding to prepare for the presentation I was asked to do, and it took my professional career down a whole different trajectory. I started implementing what I was learning in my own practice, and in one year, we tripled our billed revenue. It wasn’t because we got a lot busier, we were just capturing the work that we were doing. That made the hospital administrators very happy and demonstrated how cost-effective a midwifery model was. Not only were the patients happy, but we were positively affecting the bottom line as well as improving care.”
As a result of that workshop, Dr. Slager was invited to present at conferences and other midwife events or for individual practices and eventually founded Slager Consulting Business in 2000 while maintaining her everyday role as a nurse-midwife.
“It was very rewarding to help other midwifery practices demonstrate their value, improve salaries, and be able to grow and sustain their practices,” Dr. Slager said. “A lot of times, they (midwives) were working hard, but they were underbilling from a lack of knowledge of how to bill for all of the services they provided. It was important to me that midwives understand and learn to use billing codes accurately so that the work they did and the outcomes they achieved were documented.”
While occupied with a busy clinical practice, an independent consulting business, leadership roles in the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and raising an active family, Dr. Slager maintained her relationship with Frontier. During her 28 years of practice, she precepted over 100 FNU students.
“I always had a connection with Frontier because I routinely had Frontier students in our practice. Precepting is really fun, and teaching is rewarding work,” Dr. Slager said. “I want women to get good care, so I want people who provide care to do it well. Whether the students were medical students, nurse practitioners, or midwives, it was always fun to teach them how to provide safe, satisfying, collaborative, and competent health care.”
It was her own babies, fully grown with families of their own, that made Dr. Slager realize it was time for a change.
“Returning to Frontier was really driven by the fact that my three children, over a period of a couple of years, migrated to Phoenix, Arizona. We are a close family, and their spouses all grew up in Southwest Michigan too. One by one they relocated out to Phoenix. They all live close to each other, spend weekends together, and vacation together. I have nine grandchildren now between the ages of 4 and 11 and they are each other’s best friends. I realized I didn’t want to be the grandmother who only sees their grandkids on holidays and summer vacations. I wanted to be part of their lives.
25-year reunion with former Frontier classmates.
Seeking more flexibility in her career, Dr. Slager contacted FNU President Dr. Susan Stone about a faculty position. Noting that Dr. Slager had extensive management experience, Dr. Stone suggested a different position – Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
“Sue told me I had more management experience than teaching experience”, Dr. Slager said. “The more I learned about the DNP program and the director position, the more excited I got. I am good at fixing things or analyzing things and improving them. That’s what I did in my consulting business. I would go to a practice and spend time with the people there, learn what some of their challenges were, and then make suggestions to make things easier, faster, and more efficient. That was in perfect alignment with the DNP program curriculum which taught students to be change agents and to implement quality improvement projects.”
After 15 months as the DNP Director, Dr. Slager received another call from Dr. Stone, asking her to be the Interim Dean of Nursing. Dr. Slager was named the Interim Dean of Nursing in March 2018 and became the full-time Dean of Nursing in August 2018.
“I was enjoying myself. I liked it (acting as Dean) because it was an executive management position and a great match for my skill set,”
Dr. Slager said. “I used to work with midwife colleagues, and now I collaborate with and advocate for faculty, I used to care for patients, and now I work with students – there is a lot of correlation.”
The new position came at a pivotal time in the history of FNU, including the university moving its campus from Hyden, Kentucky, to Versailles, Kentucky. The Versailles property was purchased in 2017, and the planning and construction of the new campus began soon after.
“Frontier already had great programs and accomplished faculty leaders. These were well-established before I came to FNU. But moving the campus was a big deal,” Dr. Slager said. “Fortunately, in my job as the director of the midwifery program at Bronson, we relocated our office a few times, and we built a new hospital, and experienced major renovations of the inpatient units. I really believe you are in places for a reason at the right time.”
“I came to Frontier when we were starting the Versailles campus renovation project. I knew a lot about buildings, the things behind the scenes that people don’t really think about. I feel like bringing
Dr. Joan Slager
that experience to Frontier was a great way to contribute in a way that was completely unrelated to midwifery and people management.”
Renovating the new campus meant not only new buildings but planning for new offices, classrooms, simulation labs, dorms, a dining hall, and more. It also meant a lot of packing and moving items from the Hyden campus, all while maintaining normal university activities.
“I loved Hyden. I wasn’t anxious to move,” Dr. Slager said. “But I really love the Versailles campus and how it provides us with so many more opportunities and efficiencies. It was great to be part of the team that executed that. That’s probably one of the highlights of my career at Frontier. Someone could go through their whole career and never have the opportunity to move a university.”
As if moving the university wasn’t enough of a challenge, the COVID pandemic provided additional hurdles and significant delays. On-campus programs needed to pivot quickly to an online format. When the campus was ready, it still could not be opened. Finally, in 2021, the first students came on campus for clinical bound.
“It was very emotional for me to have that first group come to campus,” Dr. Slager said. “After all the planning and the waiting through the pandemic, we finally had students on campus. That was probably one of the most notable accomplishments at Frontier that I was able to be a part of.”
More recently, Dr. Slager took pride in being part of the group that hired new FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders earlier this year. It marked one of the final milestones that allowed Dr. Slager to consider retiring. “I had planned to serve as Dean for only a couple of years and then retire, but I felt compelled to stay through the topsy-turvy events that followed.”
“The pandemic hit, so I didn’t dare leave the university at such a challenging time. Then President Sue Stone announced her retirement, so I chose to delay retiring a little
bit longer to facilitate a smooth transition in leadership. With Dr. Flinders in her position, I feel so great about where Frontier is. I can very comfortably and confidently step away knowing the university is in great hands.”
Dr. Slager intends to stay connected with the university and be available for special projects and other opportunities where needed. Otherwise, she looks forward to traveling with her husband and spending time with her family, including her nine grandchildren.
(from left) Dr. Susan Stone, Dr. Kerri Schuiling, Kitty Ernst, Dr. Joan Slager
Dr. Slager (left) with FNU graduate and professor Lynn Rife, DNP, CNM.
Dr. Slager looks forward to spending more time with her family.
Maternal Mortality Conference Shares Strategies That
Work
REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY: Strategies
That Work! Maternal Mortality
A total of 957 people attended Frontier Nursing University’s Maternal Mortality Conference on Thursday, September 19. Held virtually, the all-day event featured a series of experts who explained the complexities of the data involved in measuring maternal mortality rates, why so many of these deaths are preventable, and what changes need to be made to produce better results. Among the attendees were more than 625 students, nearly 100 FNU alumni, faculty, and staff, and 83 healthcare providers and/or preceptors.
FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders welcomed the attendees and addressed the significance of the conference, which was supported by platinum sponsor Van Sloun Foundation, gold sponsor Republic Bank Foundation, and silver sponsor George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
Dr. Yvonne T. Maddox
Dr. Yvonne T. Maddox, Ph.D., served as a moderator throughout the event and led a closing discussion session. Dr. Maddox is President and Chief Executive Officer of the TA Thornton Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of underserved communities. Dr. Maddox previously served as Vice President for Research and Professor of
Allied Health Sciences at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), a part of the Department of Defense, where she oversaw a robust clinical and basic science research portfolio, including infectious diseases, trauma and critical care medicine, health maintenance, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury.
Before joining USUHS, Dr. Maddox held many leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including Acting Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Deputy Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and Acting Deputy Director of the entire NIH.
PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Eugene Declercq
“Understanding What’s Real and Not Real in the Current Debate Over U.S. Maternal Mortality,” by Eugene Declercq, Ph.D., MBA, professor of community health sciences at the Boston University School of Public Health and professor on the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Declercq founded the website www.birthbythenumbers.org, where additional data on maternal mortality and other maternal and infant health outcomes can be found. He is also a recipient of the Martha May Eliot Award from the American Public Health Association for service to maternal and child health and the Greg Alexander Award for research in maternal and child health epidemiology.
Dr. Robert S. White
“Economic Burden of Maternal Mortality to the United States,” by Dr. Robert S. White, MD, MS. Dr. White is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College and was a Van Poznak Research Scholar in the Department of Anesthesiology. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, his medical degree, and a master’s in clinical research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed his anesthesia residency and obstetric anesthesia fellowship training at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He has authored numerous manuscripts exploring healthcare disparities in perioperative outcomes and quality of care.
News and Notes
Dr. Wendy Post
“Black Women Shouldn't Die Giving Life: The lived experiences of black women diagnosed with severe maternal morbidity in the United States,” by Dr. Wendy Post, DNP. Dr. Post is a seasoned nursing professional and a passionate advocate for maternal health with over 25 years of experience. She is the founder of "The Birth Mark," an organization committed to improving maternal health outcomes globally. She is currently pursuing a PhD at George Washington University School of Nursing. Her extensive career in nursing has been dedicated to addressing maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in underserved communities impacted by maternal health deserts and maternal morbidity and mortality.
Dr. Nikia Grayson
“Empowering Change: Advancing Black Midwifery and Maternal Health Equity,” by Dr. Nikia Grayson, DNP, MSN, MPH, MA, CNM, FNP-C, FACNM. Dr. Grayson is a trailblazing force in reproductive justice, blending her expertise as a public health activist, anthropologist, and family nurse-midwife to champion the rights and health of underserved communities. Graduating with distinction from Howard University, Dr. Grayson holds a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in public health. Her academic journey also led her to the University of Memphis, where she earned a master's in medical anthropology, and the University of Tennessee, where she achieved both a master's in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice. Complementing her extensive education, she completed a post-masters certificate in midwifery at Frontier Nursing University. As a fervent disruptor of the current healthcare system, Dr. Grayson is pioneering new models of care that prioritize midwifery and center the needs of Black and brown communities.
Dr. Holly Powell Kennedy
“Maternal Mortality: A Comparison to Other Countries,” by Dr. Holly Powell Kennedy, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. Dr. Powell Kennedy was the inaugural Helen Varney Professor of Midwifery (now emeritus) at the Yale University School of Nursing. She has served as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and received the 2016 Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, their highest honor. Her program of research is focused on a greater understanding of the effectiveness and outcomes of specific models of care during the childbearing year, especially is support of childbearing physiology. She was a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship at King's College London in 2008 and is currently a Fulbright Specialist. She is a retired Colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps Reserve.
A team from the University of Utah discussed the unique integration of nurse-midwives in the hospital setting. “An Integrated Team: The University of Utah Experience” was presented by Dr. Michelle Debbink, MD, PhD, FACOG, Dr. Jeelan Fall, DNP, Dr. Karlie Masaga, DNP, CNM, WHNP, and Dr. Robert Silver, MD.
Dr. Karlie Masaga
POSTER AND PODIUM PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Carrie Belin, DNP
Virginia Glifort, CNM
Dr. Diane Ortega, DNP, CNM
Rebekah Bhansali, MSN, CNM
Dr. Cathleen Hewlett-Masser, DNP, CNM, IBCLC
Kathleen Scott, DNP, MSN
Angie Chisholm, DNP, CNM
Melanie Mariano, MSN, FNP-BC
Learn more about all the Maternal Morality Conference speakers at frontier.edu/mmcspeakers
Dr. Michelle Debbink
Dr. Jeelan Fall
Dr. Robert Silver
FNU Premieres Its New Documentary
Frontier Nursing University held a premiere screening of its new documentary Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. The event, which included a reception prior to the premiere and a question-and-answer session after, was held at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville on August 15.
The premiere tells the story of how, prior to the advent of online learning, a remarkable group of nurses and nurse-midwives believed that more nurses would seek certification as nursemidwives if they could stay in their home communities during the educational process. That was the beginning of the unique and innovative Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP). CNEP was developed to allow nurses who lived in rural and underserved communities access to nurse-midwifery education without leaving home.
The documentary, sponsored by the Van Sloun Foundation, details the development and evolution of the CNEP via interviews with visionary leaders and educators. It also shines a light on the subsequent development of family nurse practitioner, women's health care nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner distance education programs and their similarly vital roles in maternal health care.
The documentary can be viewed at frontier.edu/documentary.
Frontier bused students who were on campus to the premiere.
Host a Documentary Viewing!
Roll out the red carpet and receive some FREE FNU swag! We are searching for FNU community members and friends who would like to host a viewing of Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis in their community. Once we work with you to solidify a date and location for your hosting, FNU will provide you with a free screening kit to get started! Learn more at frontier.edu/documentary or email FNUEvents@frontier.edu.
Q&A PANELISTS:
Susan E. Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN (Moderator)
Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, FAANP
Victoria H. Burslem, MSN, APRN, CNM, CNEcl, FACNM
JoAnne Burch Burris, APRN, CNM
(from left) Dr. Joan Slager, Dean of Nursing, Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, FNU President, Dr. Paula AlexanderDelpech, Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success, and Dr. Susan Stone, President Emerita, Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing.
FNU Trustee and Former Courier Patsy Lawrence Hosts Documentary Screening
Former Frontier Courier Patricia “Patsy” Lawrence hosted a screening of FNU’s documentary, Nurse-Midwives: Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Patsy is a very generous supporter of FNU and was selected as the winner of Frontier’s Courier Program Unbridled Spirit Award in 2015. This award is given annually to a former Courier who has perpetuated the mission and spirit of Frontier in their own lives. The criteria for this award includes dedication to serving others; ongoing, longstanding stewardship of Frontier; and demonstration of personal conviction, courage and a zest for adventure. Patsy served as a Courier in 1947 and has been a staunch supporter of Frontier ever since. Patsy served as Chair of the Boston Committee for many years and is still actively involved with the Boston Committee events. She also made a generous gift to establish the Patricia Perrin Lawrence Scholarship at Frontier.
Patsy Lawrence (seated, front), with (from left) Caitlin Rivard, Director of Alumni Engagement, Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, FNU President, Patsy’s daughter and former Frontier Courier Fran Keene, and Bobbi Silver, Chief Advancement Officer.
FNU Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions
HEED Award for the Seventh Consecutive
Year
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) was announced as a recipient of the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — FNU will be featured, along with 70 other recipients, in the November/ December 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the seventh consecutive year FNU has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.
“Being named an INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Education Excellence in Diversity Award winner is a tremendous honor,” said FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM. “Many years ago, the leadership at Frontier recognized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all corners of society, but particularly in healthcare, where it has been proven that culturally
Frontier expands clinical opportunities for students with Ob Hospitalist Group partnership
Ob Hospitalist Group (OBHG) and Frontier Nursing University (FNU) announced a strategic partnership to expand clinical opportunities for nurse-midwifery students nationwide. OBHG is the United States’ largest and only dedicated OB/GYN
competent care improves health outcomes. Guided by our Board of Directors and our diverse and talented faculty and staff, Frontier prepares our students to provide excellent, ethical, and compassionate care in their communities all across the United States. Receiving this award is not only a validation of our strategies and results but also a reminder that there is much more to be done.”
For nearly two decades, FNU has emphasized the importance of increasing diversity enrollment and retention through a number of initiatives. FNU’s many DEI initiatives include the implementation of a holistic admissions process, the expansion of its Office of DEI staff, diversity training for all members of the FNU community, mentoring programs, the formation of six Student Interest Groups, and the establishment of DEI Faculty Fellow and DEI Staff Ambassador programs. FNU’s enrollment of students of color, just 9% in 2010, has grown to 30% today.
“At Frontier Nursing University, we are fully committed to creating and maintaining a
hospitalist provider, and FNU is a national graduate nursing university educating 40 percent of the United States’ nursemidwives.
“The primary goal of the partnership is to simplify the process for nurse-midwives to secure their clinical rotations,” said Dr. Amanda Shafton, DNP, CNM, FACNM, OBHG’s National Director of Midwifery. “Nurse-midwives practicing at OBHG programs consistently strengthen the clinical team. This partnership helps to establish a steady pipeline of new nurse-midwives to expand and grow the profession.”
The partnership builds on the robust relationship between OBHG and FNU,
welcoming community where everyone is included, valued, and respected,” said FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, FAANP. “Our DEI programs, initiatives, and policies are data-driven and evidence-based, with equal input and commitment from university leadership, faculty, students, and staff.”
“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”
which includes the current placement of 22 students in OBHG programs. The clinical education requirements for FNU’s nursemidwifery students include a significant amount of time in a labor and delivery setting.
“This partnership is an exciting opportunity to expand our clinical site options for students, many of whom have to travel outside of their local communities to gain access to inpatient sites,” said Dr. Joan Slager, DNP, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, FNU’s Dean of Nursing. “Keeping our students in or near their home communities, and ultimately retaining them in the community as healthcare providers, has been the vision
Frontier Nursing University Earns “Great College to Work For” Designation for the Fourth Consecutive Year
For the fourth consecutive year, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) has been named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program.
The results were released on September 19 at GreatCollegesList.com. The results were also distributed on September 20 via a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education. The results are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. In all, 75 of those institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. Results are reported for small, medium, and large institutions. FNU, with an enrollment of 2,700, is included among the universities with 500 to 2,999 students.
“We are so proud to be designated as a Great College to Work For for a fourth consecutive year,” said FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRNCNM, FACNM. “We look forward to participating in the Great Colleges to Work
For program because it provides fantastic insight into the satisfaction of our faculty and staff. Their anonymous responses to the surveys shine a light on what we are doing well and where we need to improve. We value our employees greatly and are honored to be a great place for them to work and are grateful for all they do in service to our mission, our students, and alumni.”
Additionally, FNU, which has over 250 employees, earned designation as an Honor Roll institution by excelling in eight of the 10 categories evaluated by the Great Colleges program:
• Job Satisfaction & Support
• Compensation & Benefits
• Professional Development
• Mission & Pride
• Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness
• Confidence in Senior Leadership
• Faculty & Staff Well-being
• Faculty Experience
The survey results are based on a twopart assessment process: an institution questionnaire that captures employment data, benefits, and workplace policies from each institution and a survey administered to faculty, administrators, and professional support staff. The primary factor in deciding whether an institution received recognition was employee feedback.
The Great Colleges to Work For® program is one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country. For more information and to view all current and previously recognized institutions, visit the Great Colleges program website at GreatCollegesProgram. com and GreatCollegesList.com.
ModernThink, a strategic human capital consulting firm, administered the survey and analyzed the results.
of the Community Based Nurse-Midwifery Program since its inception.”
The formalized agreement is expected to remove barriers to clinical placement by streamlining the contracts and documentation process to credential preceptors for student rotations. With OBHG operating in 39 states, FNU’s 2,700 students, who reside and work across all 50 states, gain access to more localized clinical opportunities.
"I had the privilege of working with two different certified nurse-midwife (CNM) preceptors at two different OBHG clinical sites and had different experiences with each,” said 2024 FNU graduate Megan
Agardi, CNM. “I truly appreciate the knowledge and experience that OBHG providers brought to each clinical site. One clinical site had OBHG just in OB triage, and the other site was both in OB triage and as a laborist. Both experiences helped me feel confident in my transition from student to CNM."
“There’s a misallocation of OB/GYN clinical resources in the U.S. today,” said Dr. Mark Simon, OBHG Chief Medical Officer. “Expanding access to midwifery services within hospitals offers significant benefits to patients. The partnership between Certified Nurse-Midwives and OB/GYNs ensures comprehensive, patient-centered care.”
“Midwifery care can improve outcomesincluding lower morbidity and mortality among mothers and infants, said Dr. Amy VanBlaricom, OBHG’s Chief Clinical Officer. “OBHG is dedicated to integrating more Certified Nurse-Midwives into our hospital programs as another important way to address the maternal mortality crisis.”
The partnership is now in effect after a year of careful planning and development. Four state contracts are currently in place, with more expected soon. The agreement has been formalized without any time limit on the duration of the partnership.
Frontier Faculty Selected for 2025 AACN Diversity Leadership Institute
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) announced that three of its faculty have been selected by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) to participate in the organization’s 2025 Diversity Leadership Institute. FNU faculty accepted to attend the institute are Dr. Tanya Belcheff, DNP, CNM Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Dr. Torica Fuller, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNPBC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME Clinical Transition Coordinator, Family Nurse Practitioner Program; and Dr. April Phillips, DNP, FNP, PHMNP Regional Clinical Faculty, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
AACN’s Diversity Leadership Institute is a five-month program that provides an overview of the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in academic nursing and the role of Diversity Officers in nursing education and practice. Via a series of five two-day virtual
modules beginning in January 2025, program facilitators will frame DEI within the context of higher education and academic nursing while presenting high-involvement strategies and practices that can be deployed at schools of nursing.
“Frontier Nursing University believes in the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the particular need for DEI in healthcare. We know that data indicates that healthcare outcomes are improved with the presence of culturally concordant care,” said FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN. “I am very proud of our three faculty selected to participate in this unique and special experience offered by AACN and am excited to see how their experience and leadership will contribute to the advancement of FNU’s DEI initiatives.”
Attendees of the Institute attain new knowledge and experiences designed to stimulate strategic thinking and elevate impact. The program content was designed to increase self-awareness while building skills and capacity to lead change and launch successful DEI-focused initiatives. The program allows participants to develop a diversity plan designed to drive excellence and meet local needs. Upon completion, the participants will present their projects, describing how they will apply their plans within their respective organizations.
FNU Leaders Complete Three-Year Midwifery Learning Collaborative
Five FNU leaders were selected to participate in the recently completed three-year Midwifery Learning Collaborative (MLC). Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the MLC consisted of five state-based teams from Arizona, California, Kentucky, Michigan, and Washington. Each team consisted of leaders and innovators from four key groups: state Medicaid agencies, Medicaid health plans, community-based organizations, and provider groups, including midwives of all credentials.
Dr. Susan Stone, President Emerita and Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing, and faculty Victoria Burslem, MSN, APRN, CNM, CNEcl, FACNM, Dr. Angie Chisholm, DNP, CNM, and Dr. Dolores Polito, DNP, participated on Team Kentucky. Dr. Cathy CollinsFulea, DNP, served on the Institute of Medicaid Innovations (IMI) National Advisory Committee and provided technical assistance for Team Kentucky in the development of its initiatives.
This summer, the five state-based teams, the IMI project team, the national advisory committee, the project's funder, and other experts convened in Detroit, Michigan, to network, celebrate, share lessons learned, and plan for the future.
Dr. Torica Fuller Dr. April Phillips
Dr. Tanya Belcheff
Vicki Burslem
Dr. Susan Stone
Dr. Cathy Collins-Fulea
Dr. Angie Chisholm
Dr. Dee Polito
Frontier Nursing University Students Selected for Karen
Edlund Future Nurse Leader Fellowship
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) announced that two of its current students have been selected by the Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (NSRH) for the prestigious 2024 Karen Edlund Future Nurse Leader Fellowship. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner student Samirah McKee and Certified Nurse-Midwifery student Erlyn Woodward were two of the six students selected for the 2024 Fellowship. The Karen Edlund Future Nurse Leader Fellowship supports nursing students of color to leverage their power and become leaders in sexual reproductive health, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice. Named after the beloved former NSRH Board Member Karen Edlund, RN, the fellowship honors her legacy of exemplary leadership in ensuring access to comprehensive SRH services. It provides fellows with mentorship, professional development, leadership skills, and a peer network, ultimately empowering them to transform healthcare and celebrate sexual and reproductive health.
FNU Student Receives
$10,000 New Jersey League for Nursing Scholarship
Samirah Mckee, RN, BSN, who is from Stone Mountain, Ga., is pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with the intention of becoming a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Her goal is to serve at a non-profit or community-based clinic. Her past experience includes working at Planned Parenthood.
“I think having providers that look like and can relate to the populations they serve is one step closer to improving health equity and improving patient-provider interactions in healthcare,” McKee said. “For me this fellowship allows me mentorship and collaboration with those that look like me and the underrepresented populations in my community that I hope to better serve. Representation in healthcare matters, especially when it comes to sensitive care like reproductive and sexual health. This fellowship makes space for us to discuss the challenges and burdens of systemic oppression and make efforts towards dismantling the current system to make care more accessible, inclusive, and comprehensive for those who have been abused and neglected by our healthcare system. I've always wanted to make a difference and make a change, especially in reproductive health, but I was never quite sure how to actualize those goals; this fellowship is giving me the opportunity to figure out how I can make tangible efforts toward those goals.”
New Jersey,” said NJLN President Donna M. Penn, DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC.
Erlyn Woodward, SNM, BS, BSN, RN, C-EFM, from Silver Spring, Md., is attending FNU to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife. Her experience includes intensive care and maternal and newborn care. She hopes to open her own birth center.
“I aim to create a supportive and comprehensive environment for women and families, integrating my diverse clinical experiences in intensive care and maternal and newborn care,” Woodward said. “My aspiration to become a nurse-midwife stems from my commitment to providing holistic, compassionate care to women throughout their reproductive lives. I have seen firsthand the profound impact that quality, empathetic care can have during critical and transformative moments. I am driven to advocate for reproductive rights, enhance patient education, and support women’s health with a focus on equity and accessibility. This fellowship represents an incredible opportunity to deepen my knowledge and refine my leadership capabilities in sexual and reproductive health. I am eager to leverage this fellowship to advance my leadership skills and drive positive change in reproductive justice and rights, ensuring that all individuals have access to the compassionate, informed care they deserve.”
The Fellowship runs from August 2024 through January 2025 and includes a $1,000 stipend for each student.
Chinonye Nkemka, a Master of Science in Nursing student attending Frontier Nursing University, was recently announced as the recipient of a $10,000 New Jersey League for Nursing (NJLN) 2024 Dr. Maureen Sullivan Foley Memorial Scholarship Award.
“Ms. Nkemka has proudly represented your school of nursing, where she has demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to nursing education, and a passion to make an impact in healthcare in
The Dr. Maureen Sullivan Foley Memorial Scholarship Award is made possible through a $100,000 grant awarded to the NJLN by the Community Health Connections Foundation (CHCF), Inc., a private grant-making foundation. This award is in memory of Dr. Foley, a prominent New Jersey nurse leader and Past President of the NJLN from 1986 - 1988. Nkemka was formally recognized at the 2024 NJLN Nurse Recognition and Scholarship Awards event on November 1 in Edison, New Jersey.
FNU Student Published By AHRQ
FNU DNP (Class 52) student Lannette M. Fetzer, MS, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, CHC, was an author on a recent Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) publication entitled “Diagnostic Excellence in U.S. Rural Healthcare: A Call to Action.” Fetzer is the Quality Improvement Coordinator and Certified AgriSafe Nurse Scholar at the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health.
Erlyn Woodward
Samirah Mckee
Frontier Celebrates National Nurse-Midwifery and National Nurse Practitioner Weeks
Frontier Nursing University celebrated National Nurse-Midwifery Week (October 6-12) and National Nurse Practitioner Week (November 10-16) with two virtual events. The 2024 Empower Virtual
Brittney Kinison, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Shelley Aldridge, Chief Operations Officer, accepted the award on behalf of FNU.
Events, which were sponsored by Southern Cross Insurance, were free and included several presentations from leaders in the nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner professions. In conjunction with these
events, Lexington, Kentucky, Mayor Linda Gorton and Woodford County Judge Excutive James Kay issued proclamations declaring Nurse-Midwifery Week and Nurse Practitioner Week in the state.
FNU Receives Business Promoting Women Award
At a reception on October 23, Frontier Nursing University was honored as the 2024-25 winner of the Business Promoting Women Award by the Woodford County Business and Professional Women’s Club. FNU was selected for the award via a unanimous vote.
“You are being recognized for promoting quality work policies for women and families in our community,” Brenda Richards, President of the Woodford County Business and Professional Women’s Club (WCBPWC), wrote in a letter announcing the award. “Business Promoting Women is an award given to a business that best supports and is a leader in promoting and protecting the rights of working women and equality in the workplace. It also honors a business that cooperates with employees’ family responsibilities, contributions to the community, with school partnerships, mentoring, and service activities, plus organizational memberships.”
The reception is held annually in recognition of Kentucky Professional Women’s Week, which has been celebrated since 1928 by the Kentucky Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club (KFBPW). The week was established to commemorate the important contributions women have made to business, the professions, and their local communities.
The WCBPWC, which belongs to the Kentucky Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. (KFBPW), was charted in April 1956 to be a local voice for working women in Woodford County. The club supports many charities within the community and awards scholarships to nontraditional students.
KFBPW was founded in 1920 and is a cross-generational, nonpartisan membership organization with a mission to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. Established as the first organization to focus on issues of working women, KFBPW has historically been a leader in grassroots activism, policy influence, and advocacy for millions of working women.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton (fifth from the left) issued a proclamation in honor of Nurse Practitioner Week.
Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay (far right) visited the Frontier campus to issue a proclamation in honor of Nurse-Midwifery Week.
2024 Day of Giving Exceeds Goals, Raises Over $104,000
Frontier Nursing University’s third annual Day of Giving was held from noon, October 22 to noon, October 23. Lisa CollettiJones, FNU Director of Annual Giving and Courier Programs, set a goal of $75,000 from 150 donors. By the end of the 24-hour campaign, 164 FNU supporters donated $104,014 in support of FNU’s students and programs.
Here is a sampling of some of the reasons donors told us they supported the Day of Giving:
“To help students in need, and I am thankful for Frontier University.” — Joe T.
“To support the mission of Frontier Nursing University.” — Patricia C.
“Grateful to be working in the field I love with a fellow FNU grad.” — Jeanne C.
Student Emergency Fund Aids Hurricane Victims
Hurricanes Helene and Milton wreaked havoc on a number of states, including Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Frontier has students in all of these states and many of them were significantly affected by the high winds and flooding brought by the hurricanes. The resulting damage included loss of homes, excessive flooding, extensive power outages, significant damage of property, and loss of possessions. For many FNU students, continuing their coursework was incredibly difficult if not impossible as the long road to recovery stood in their way.
In these times, FNU’s Student Emergency Fund is an invaluable resource. The Student Emergency Fund provides grants to students
who have unexpected financial situations that threaten their ability to continue their studies. It gives them the financial assistance needed to continue their programs by addressing the monetary shortfalls resulting from personal misfortunes or natural disasters.
“With no power or running water in our area, and limited access to fresh food, it has become increasingly difficult to manage day-to-day life. Thanks to your contribution, I will be able to seek temporary housing in a location where essential utilities are accessible, allowing me to focus on getting back on my feet and continue my work in the PMHNP program at Frontier. Your kindness and the compassion of your
Memorial Bench Honoring Dr. Lisa Chappell Installed
on Frontier’s Campus
FNU installed a bench in memory of Dr. Lisa Chappell on campus in October. The bench was purchased via the generous contributions from the Frontier community in Dr. Chappell’s honor. Thank you to everyone who supported this endeavor to honor Dr. Chappell’s lasting legacy.
program have brought me hope and relief in the midst of this crisis.”
“So many roads were destroyed that I could no longer reach the hospital where I was working, and I had to quit my job. Electricity and internet services have been absent or uncertain. I am tearful as I write this email, tears of gratitude for your generosity and kindness. This scholarship will enable me to continue my studies at Frontier while volunteering my nursing services in my community to help heal and rebuild. This generous and practical gift of support, in addition to the kindness and support of my Frontier faculty, once again makes me grateful and proud to be a member of the Frontier community.”
Introducing Director of Alumni Engagement
Caitlin Rivard
Hello there, Esteemed Alumni!
My name is Caitlin Rivard, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Director of Alumni Engagement at Frontier Nursing University. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve in this role, and I am eager to connect with you as we work together to strengthen the bonds within our incredible alumni community.
With a passion for fostering meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for alumni to engage with one another, I am excited to bring fresh energy to our alumni programs. Whether through memorable events, professional networking opportunities, or a robust mentoring program (details to come!), my goal is to create significant experiences that keep you connected to FNU and to each other.
As we embark on this journey together, I WANT to hear your thoughts and suggestions. It is really important to me to build this community with what our alumni want to see happening at the forefront. Please feel free to reach out to me at caitlin.rivard@frontier.edu or 859.251.4717, whether it’s to share ideas, ask questions, or just say hello!
I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months, especially at some of our upcoming events, including our Alumni and Friends Cruise, alumni receptions, or at a stop on our Presidential Tour with Dr. Flinders, kicking off in February. Come hang out with me! Together, let’s continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of our alumni network and pave the way for a future full of collaboration, connection, and success.
Warm regards, and thank you for ALL you do,
Caitlin Rivard
Director of Alumni Engagement Frontier Nursing University
caitlin.rivard@frontier.edu
859.251.4717
On The Road With Dr. Flinders
FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders will be coming to a city near you in 2025! In order to meet as many members of the Frontier community as she can, Dr. Flinders is embarking on a tour in 2025. Watch your emails, FNU social media, and the Quarterly Bulletin for specific dates, times, and locations. We look forward to seeing you in 2025!
Women’s Excellence Welcomes Amanda Berberich Nurse-midwife
Amanda Berberich, MSN, RN, CNM (Class 167), C-EFM, RNC-OB, recently joined Women’s Excellence in Lake Orion, Michigan. Amanda’s special interests include caring for adolescents, LGBTQ+ individuals, and patients with perinatal mood disorders.
Rachel Blessington Leads Efforts to Open Freestanding Birth Center
Worcester Community Midwifery in Worcester, Massachusetts, recently received a $1 million state-issued grant to aid in the opening of a freestanding facility. Rachel Blessington, CNM (Class 194), is the founder and executive director at Worcester Community Midwifery, which intends to use the funds to expand its practice by offering the first independent birth center in Central Massachusetts.
Nicole Doan
Joins Laurel Health Centers
Pennsylvania-based Laurel Health Centers recently welcomed Nicole Doan, WHNPBC (Class 163), MSN, as a women’s health nurse practitioner. She accepts patients at both the Mansfield and Wellsboro Laurel Health Centers.
AWHONN Awards Scholarship to Meredith Hunter Elischer
Frontier DNP graduate Meredith Hunter Elischer, DNP, BS, CNM, C-EFM, received the Every Woman, Every Baby EBP ImmersionScholarship from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The scholarship covers expenses to attend either virtual or in-person evidence-based practice immersion programs. The cost of attendance and travel is funded through Every Woman Every Baby.
Ivy Emery and Andrea Zimmerman Open New Practice
Ivy Emery, APRN, WHNP-BC (Class 164), CLE, and Andrea Zimmerman, MSN, WHNP (Class 157), recently opened Harmoni Wellness in Plymouth, Minnesota. They provide a wide range of services, including but not limited to hormone therapies, pelvic floor treatments, vaginal health, sexual health, and weight management.
Kristina Gray Joins Hoskinson Health and Wellness
Pennsylvania-based Laurel Health Centers
recently welcomed Nicole Doan, WHNPBC (Class 163), MSN, as a women’s health nurse practitioner. She accepts patients at both the Mansfield and Wellsboro Laurel Health Centers.
Quail
Ridge Family Practice Welcomes
Luisa Johnson
Luisa Johnson, DNP (Class 4), FNP, MSN, recently joined Quail Ridge Family Practice in Cairo, Georgia, as a nurse practitioner. Quail Ridge Family Practice is part of the Archbold Medical Group.
Lisa
Kiser
Named A Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Lisa Kiser, DNP (Class 26), CNM, WHNP, was recently named a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. The fellowship program is dedicated to the global advancement of nurse practitioners and the highquality health care they deliver. Kiser is an associate clinical professor at the University of Arizona College of Nursing.
Citizens
Memorial Hospital Welcomes
Shawndee Knight
Shawndee Knight, MSN, WHNP-BC (Class 192) has joined Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri. Knight is part of the hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology team.
Jessica Loban Joins Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital
Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa, recently welcomed Jessica Loban, PMHNP (Class 203), to provide behavioral healthcare.
Jeanine Valrie Logan Leads Chicago South Side Birth Center’s Latch and Stroll Event
In celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week, the Chicago South Side Birth Center held its third annual “Latch and Stroll” event on August 31. The event celebrates chest and breastfeeding in Black communities. Jeanine Valrie Logan, CNM (FNU Class 146), MSN, MPH, is the founder and lead steward of the Chicago South Side Birth Center. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the more than 200 people who attended the event, which also included over 30 vendors. The Chicago South Side Birth Center has launched a capital campaign to build the first freestanding birth center in Chicago’s South Side.
Shannon Mayfield Appointed to Georgia
Maternal and Infant Health Advisory Commission
Shannon Mayfield, MSN, CNM (Class 69), was recently appointed to the Georgia Maternal and Infant Health Advisory
Ivy Emery
Andrea Zimmerman
Alumni News and Notes
Commission. Mayfield is a nurse-midwife at Advanced Women’s Care Center in Stockbridge, Georgia, where she provides comprehensive care to women across various socioeconomic backgrounds. She specializes in cost-effective, patientcentered care; emphasizes education on maternal health; and collaborates with perinatology for high-risk cases.
Damaris Michoma to Be Published in the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice
Dr. Damaris Michoma, DNP (Class 46), APRN, PMHNP-BC, recently received verification that her manuscript “Improving Person-Centered Depression Screening and Care in an Urban Faith-Based Community” has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice. Dr. Michoma is a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner in Fort Worth, Texas.
Bloom Health Centers Welcome
Sarah Munn
Sarah Munn, PMHNPBC (Class 200), PMH-C, is an integral part of the newly launched specialized care services for women in Manassas, Virginia. Bloom Health Centers recently launched the program, which is designed to identify and minimize risks for new families and ensure that women receive the support they need during critical periods.
Rauli J. Perry Joins Pinedale Medical Clinic
Pinedale Medical Clinic in Pinedale, Wyoming, recently added Rauli J. Perry, MSN, WHNP (Class 188), to its provider team as a women’s health nurse practitioner. Perry is focused on providing comprehensive women’s healthcare, including routine annual check-ups and breast exams, pap smears and STI screening, mental health support, postpartum care, and birth control options, among numerous other services.
Elizabeth Thompson Joins AdventHealth
AdventHealth Medical Group in Chatsworth, Georgia, recently welcomed Elizabeth Thompson, MSN, FNP (Class 140), as a family nurse practitioner. “I am called to my field because it is an opportunity to live out my faith in the service of others with the goal of making a positive impact in the lives of my patients,” Thompson said.
Sandra
Scott Watson Named Assistant Professor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Dr. Sandra Scott Watson, DNP (Class 28), APRN, FNP-C, recently joined Northwestern Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor of nursing in the DNP Program.
The Frontier Nursing University Office of Alumni Relations is here to support YOU! Our purpose is to offer helpful programs and services that support our graduates. Alumni are an integral part of FNU’s development because you demonstrate the excellence of FNU in everyday practice. You are also our primary recruiters and most loyal donors. We deeply appreciate your commitment to FNU.
The Alumni Association is open to all graduates of FNU. We currently have more than 8,000 alumni in all 50 states and many countries around the world. We encourage you to explore the services, programs, and activities offered and become involved. There are several ways to stay in touch with friends and connect to FNU, including conference receptions, case days, e-newsletters, and the FNU Alumni Facebook Group. Please ensure we have your most recent contact information to take advantage of all member services. Email us at alumniservices@frontier. edu.
2024 Alumni Survey
Frontier surveys their alumni one year and five years post-graduation. The Alumni Survey is designed to give graduates an opportunity to reflect upon their education at Frontier Nursing University after graduation. The information collected is used to identify strengths in our programs as well as areas that need further development. We are currently surveying alumni that graduated from January - June 2023 and anytime in 2019. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win prizes from the FNU Gear Store. Please participate by checking your email and completing the survey.
If you do not receive an email from us or prefer a paper copy, please contact the Director of Institutional Assessment at Marilyn.Lyons@Frontier.edu
FNU Faculty Poster Selected for Inclusion on End-of-Life Nursing Education
Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Faculty Publications and Presentations
PODIUM PRESENTATION
Judith Butler DNP, CNM, WHNP, CNE
“Backward Curriculum Design for Midwifery Education.” ACNM's Citizen United, University of Delhi, Altilya Bai College of Nursing, India.
PODIUM PRESENTATION
April Phillips DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC
Phillips, A.; Urquhart, E. “Where Two Rivers Meet: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Indigenous Peoples in America.” American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
Dr. Sally Weiss
EdD, APRN, FNP-C, CNE, ANEF
Associate Professor and Course
Coordinator Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, and Course Faculty Dr. Sally Weiss, EdD, APRN, FNP-C, CNE, ANEF, presented the poster, “The Art of Breaking Bad News: An FNP Student’s Simulated Virtual Experience,” at the 2024 National League for Nursing Education Summit in September. The poster has been selected to be placed on the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium Faculty Corner.
POSTER PRESENTATION
Dr. Lisa Barnes DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC
“Utilizing Best Practices in Simulation Debriefing to Reflect and Prepare for Practice, A Literature Review.” Wolters Kluwer’s Nuts & Bolts for Nurse Educators Conference.
PODIUM PRESENTATION
Catherine Collins-Fulea DNP
“Midwifery in India: Comparison and Contrasts to Care in America.”
PODIUM PRESENTATIONS
Dr. Thomas George DNP, CRNP, FNP-C, NASMCPT/WLS
“10 Things You Need to Know to Prescribe Obesity Medications in 2024.” AANP Conference.
“Managing Anti-Obesity Medication: More Than Just an RX.” Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives.
Stay in the Know
We know you want to stay informed about all that is happening at FNU. To make sure you don’t miss communications such as the Quarterly Bulletin or our monthly e-newsletters, please take a moment to make sure we have your updated contact information. Please send your updated contact information, including your preferred email address, phone number, and mailing address, to alumniservices@frontier.edu.
Thank you!
Courier Program Public Health Internship 2025
After a highly successful 2024, planning for Frontier’s 2025 Courier Program Public Health Internship is well underway. Applications will be open soon, with the seven-week program itself beginning in June, with a remote learning phase in the county of their residence. In July, the Couriers will come to FNU’s campus to complete their internship.
“This year, we had a fantastic group of eight impressive college students who intend to pursue careers in healthcare,” said Lisa Colletti-Jones, FNU’s Director of Annual Giving and Courier Programs. “We are so appreciative of the local healthcare community and agencies who partner with us and allow the Couriers to shadow them. It is an invaluable opportunity for these talented students to see the impact of public health providers in action on a daily basis.”
In 2025, each student will be assigned summer reading that will be discussed during the remote learning phase. They will participate in group discussions about public health and rural America. Upon completing the remote learning phase, each student will present their county health assessment research findings. When they arrive on the FNU campus, they will utilize what they have learned from their summer reading, discussions, and projects while observing clinical host sites in and around Woodford County. The internship will end with a larger presentation comparing their county
“Coming into the FNU internship this summer, I really wanted handson experience going into nursing school in the fall. As a nursing major, there are few internships available until you have nursing skills to offer, so I found the Courier program unique in that way. While in Versailles, I had the pleasure of observing at the Homeplace at Midway, where I experienced networking, clinical work, and collaboration between medical professionals. These experiences at the Homeplace at Midway truly shaped what I know about healthcare and have given me fruitful experiences I can take with me to nursing school. I am very grateful for my time at Frontier and for them supporting me in my future career as a nurse.”
— Avery H., 2024 Courier
of residence and Woodford County. Courier students will also participate in volunteer days and explore the surrounding areas in Kentucky.
2025 Dates (Tentative)
June 9– June 27: Remote Learning
July 7– August 1: In-person Observations
Applications
Do you know a student who would be interested in becoming a Courier? We are looking to fill eight spots for the summer of 2025. Applicants must be a currently enrolled student in any higher education
setting. The deadline to apply for the Courier Program Public Health Internship is April 18, 2025. Please visit frontier.edu/ courier for more information.
Calling All Past Couriers
Are you interested in volunteering during this summer’s program? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Lisa CollettJones, Director of Courier Program, at lisa. collettijones@ frontier.edu.
The 2024 Couriers
Check Out the Companion DNP
Check with an admissions counselor to see if you are eligible for the Companion DNP program. Don’t miss your opportunity to save $6,000! Contact FNUadmissions@frontier.edu or visit frontier.edu/dnp
Memorial Donations
The following people contributed to Frontier in memory of their friends or loved ones. The names in bold are the deceased.
Golden
Is your Frontier.edu email not working? Please contact support@frontier.edu to reset your password.
Curtis
Alison Golden
Lisa Chappell
Bonni Cohen
Leadership Council & Trustees Board of Directors
Sarah Bacon
Andrea Begley
Heather Bernard
Steven Beshear
Julia Breckinridge Davis
Lees Breckinridge Yunits
Timothy Bukowski
Wallace Campbell
Jane Campbell
Anna Carey
Carlyle Carter
Jean Chapin
Lois Cheston
Mary Clay Stites
Peter Coffin
Martha Copeland
Dete Ehrlich
Joyce Fortney Hamberg
Mary Frazier “Fra” Vaughan
Mary Ann Gill
Susan Graham
John Grandin
Horace Henriques
Nancy Hines
Frank Hower III
Mary Carol Joseph
Deborah King
David Kramer
Patricia Lawrence
Marian Leibold
Phyllis Leppert
Ruth Lubic
Robert Montague
Judy Myers
Barbara Napier
Sandra Napier
Dean Osborne
Amy Penington Brudnicki
Helen Rentch
Sherrie Rice Smith
Nina Richardson
Linda Roach
LouAnne Roberts Verrier
Georgia Rodes
Sandra Schreiber
Noel Smith Fernandez
Austin Smithers
Richard Sturgill
Patience White
Vaughda Wooten
Board Member and FNU Graduate Dr. Kerri Schuiling Earns Prestigious Award
PFNU Board member Dr. Kerri Schuiling, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, was recently named one of two recipients of the 2024 Dorothea Lang Pioneer Award. This is the most prestigious honor presented by the American Colleges of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Foundation. Named for the late past president of the ACNM and ACNM Foundation, the award recognizes exceptional individuals in the field who have exhibited vision, leadership, and innovation.
Dr. Schuiling, a graduate of FNU’s first CNEP class, is past president of Northern Michigan University. She is a fellow of ACNM (2003) and the American Academy of Nursing (2011).
CHAIR
Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, New Orleans, LA
VICE CHAIR
Michael T. Rust, MPH, Louisville, KY
SECRETARY
Nancy Hines, Shepherdsville, KY
TREASURER
Emma Metcalf, RN, MSN, CPHQ, Louisville, KY
Board Members
Elaine Bolle, BA, MBA, Chapel Hill, NC
William (Bill) Corley, MHA, Carmel, IN
Vernell DeWitty, Ph.D., MBA, RN, FAAN, Silver Spring, MD
Jean Johnson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Cabin John, MD
Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR
Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN, FAAN, Columbus, OH
Joanna Santiesteban, MD, FACOG, Paintsville, KY
Kerri Schuiling, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, Marquette, MI
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
Michael Steinmetz, CPA, CMA, CSC, Bellevue, WA
Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC
May Wykle, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FGSA, Cleveland, OH
Student Representatives
Bridget Ehrhart-Bennett (DNP Class 53), South Webster, OH
Kathleen "Kate" Corbett (FNP Class 209), Victoria, British Columbia
Foundation Board Members
Peter Coffin, Chair, BA, Chestnut Hill, MA
Derek Bonifer, MBA, BA, Louisville, KY
Constance Brotherton, MA, BA, Lexington, KY
Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM, Lexington, KY
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
President Emerita
Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM Distinguished Chair of Midwifery and Nursing
Board Members Emeritus
Wallace Campbell, Ph.D., Berea, KY
John Foley, BBA, Lexington, KY
Marion McCartney, CNM, FACNM, Washington, DC
Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Seattle, WA
Frontier Nursing University
FNU Supports Miles for Midwives 5K
Frontier Nursing University served as a sponsor for the local Miles for Midwives 5K held in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to having a booth at the event, several members of the FNU community participated in the event, which was hosted by the Kentucky affiliate of the American College of NurseMidwives. The event raises money to promote midwifery advocacy and provide scholarship support for student nursemidwives.
SHARE YOUR STORY…
2025 will mark the 100year anniversary of the inception of the Frontier Nursing Service. We want to celebrate by capturing and sharing the countless stories that make up our history. Whatever your connection to FNU, we want to hear your Frontier story. Please scan the QR code to share your story and help us celebrate all FNU has accomplished.
We are looking to spotlight FNU community members in our blog! Tell us your story by scanning the QR code and filling out the form or email stories@ frontier.edu. Then, someone will contact you soon. These spotlight stories help us shine a light on all of the amazing accomplishments and the impact our community members have on their home communities and the University community.
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