12 minute read
Commencement 2020 Goes Virtual
2020 Commencement Ceremony
On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, FNU hosted its first virtual commencement ceremony. The event celebrated the 817 nursemidwives and nurse practitioners who completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Master of Science in Nursing degree, or Post-Graduate Certificate programs this year.
Advertisement
In her address to the graduates, FNU President Dr. Susan Stone noted that the class of 2020 will be called upon to lead the way against the COVID-19 Pandemic and other health care issues in the U.S.
This sentiment was shared by keynote speaker Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Rear Admiral (RADM) Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. During her speech, Trent-Adams urged students to be present in their communities, and compassionately serve those who need it most.
“We as a profession stand in the crossroad of community and healthcare systems,” RADM Trent-Adams said. “We have an
3500
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Degrees awarded (2015-2019)
241 209 203 210
73
2
2015 10 24 84
3
2016 17 28 246 236 324
285
111
1 1 16 28
2017 131
3 30 27 22
2018 315 317
183
3 73 14 46
2019
Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner MSN Completion Nurse-Midwifery Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner WH Comp Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
obligation to deliver the best possible care that includes being self-aware and conscious of our actions, our word, and our intent.”
RADM Trent-Adams served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health from January 2019 until August 2020. In this position she shared responsibility with the Assistant Secretary for Health for planning, coordinating, and directing substantive program matters; policy and program development; and determining and setting legislative and program priorities covering the full range of public health activities within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. She served as the Acting Surgeon General from April 2017 through September 2017, Deputy Surgeon General from October 2015 through December 2018, and as Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS from 2013 through 2016.
RADM Trent-Adams has held various positions in the United States Department of Health & Human Services, working to improve access to care for poor and underserved communities. As a clinician and administrator, she has had a direct impact on building systems of care to improve public health for marginalized populations domestically and internationally. Prior to joining the USPHS, RADM Trent-Adams was a nurse officer in the U.S. Army. RADM Trent-Adams received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University, a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She became a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2014. She was recently elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine’s Class of 2018.
Annual Leadership Awards Presented During Commencement
Although this year’s commencement was held virtually for the first time, it retained all of the signature elements of any FNU commencement. One of many traditions kept was honoring the students who provided exceptional leadership to their peers, via the presentation of the FNU Leadership Awards:
The Kitty Ernst Nurse-Midwifery Student Leadership Award:
Autumn Fuselier
MSN, APRN, CNM, CNEP Class 157, DNP Class 40
Salado, Texas
What is your current position?: Fullscope hospital Certified Nurse-Midwife in Harker Heights, Texas
What are your career goals?: I have a lot of goals! I hope to finish my doctorate this summer. I ultimately aspire to continue building our practice. We added another midwife and I hope to get to 6-7 midwives and expand to add a hospital-associated birth center. I do believe I will probably go back to school for my FNP so that I can provide care for the entire family. I also hope to one day teach future midwives. I am very excited to precept future midwives for now but hope to extend that to a university level one day. I am also big into policy advocacy so I hope to continue these efforts and eventually be a part of the leadership of ACNM.
What inspired you to become a nurse? I had no idea I wanted to go into nursing until I became a teen mom at 15. Becoming a mom changed my life. I decided I wanted a career where I could change other young mothers’ lives and help improve outcomes for our young moms and babies. I worked as an ICU nurse for two years before I got the chance to work in labor and delivery and of course, fell in love and shortly after began pursuing midwifery.
Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? I have 4 kiddos (3 boys and a girl) and am married to a firefighter/ paramedic. We are very busy! I love spending the time with my family. We are involved in soccer and are outdoors a lot of the time! I also love interior design and decorating my house. Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Student Leadership Award:
Gina Kristiansen
RN, MSN, WHNP-BC Class 169
Longview, Texas
What is your current position?: I am an adjunct clinical OB instructor at Kilgore College in their ADN program. I accepted a job in the Women’s Health Clinic at Ochsner LSU Medical Center and will start in January.
What are your career goals?: To continue to educate nursing students and share my passion for women’s health. I plan to continue my education in the DNP program so I can continue to teach. I am looking forward to my new WHNP position and being able to support women in their healthcare choices. We are at a pivotal point in the U.S. where healthcare is changing. I hope to be a positive motivator for women to take this time to reflect on their health and goals toward wellness.
What inspired you to become a nurse? I come from a family of nurses although it was not my first career. After I graduated from college with a degree in psychology, I worked in a communitybased mental health program. I continue to use those experiences and skills every day as a nurse.
Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? We recently moved to Texas from Upstate New York. I live with my husband and three children. We all love to travel and I enjoy running and reading.
Brandy Camperlino
MSN, FNP-C, Class 159
Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
What is your current position?: I work at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, as a Hospitalist.
What are your career goals? One of the reasons that I was drawn to continue my education at Frontier is its mission to serve rural communities and underserved populations. I have been working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in varying capacities for nearly 20 years. Individuals with IDD are an underserved population that requires a provider with specialized training and patience to fully meet the patients’ needs. My ultimate career goal is to open my own practice specializing in this patient population.
What inspired you to become a nurse? As far back as I can remember, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare in some capacity. I love helping ot hers and I cannot imagine a better profession than nursing to fulfill my calling.
Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? I am married with two boys who play multiple travel sports and spend much of my off time running them to games and practices lol. Doctor of Nursing Practice Student Leadership Award:
Dr. Minyon Outlaw
DNP, Class 33, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNEP Class 157
Winter Park, Florida
What is your current position?: I live in Winter Park, Florida. I practice at AdventHealth Medical Group OB/ GYN at Altamonte Springs as a full scope Certified Nurse-Midwife. I also facilitate an online support group for antepartum and postpartum families.
What are your career goals? My ultimate goal is to provide affordable and culturally congruent healthcare to women of color. I want to do this in the inner-city neighborhood of Parramore, where I spent part of my childhood growing up. Additionally, I’d like to work with hospitals to decrease their cesarean birth rates, precept future midwives, and mentor the next generation of nurses.
What inspired you to become a nurse? My inspiration to become a nurse came from the preterm birth of my firstborn son. During my encounter, I experienced both being ignored and being heard. My provider didn’t believe me when I told her that my water broke. She sent me home from her office without any testing. I experienced a prolapsed cord, at home, one week later. The night nurse, who took excellent care of me, listened to my dreams of becoming a nurse. She encouraged me to follow my dreams. After I was discharged from the hospital, my mother and I enrolled in a CNA program. That was the beginning of my nursing journey over 30 years ago (my son turned 30 this year).
Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself? My husband and I have been married for 18 years. We have a blended family of six adult children, two son-in-loves, eight grandchildren, and twin great-grandchildren. I love going to the beach, reading, and taking road trips.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Student Leadership Award: Practitioner Student Leadership Award:
Kristin McColly
PMHNP, Class 176
Hinsdale, Montana
What is your current position?:
Family Medicine / Psychiatric Specialist at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Plentywood, Montana
Anything else you would like to tell
us about yourself? Kristin is currently offering psychiatric evaluation, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, genetic testing, substance abuse counseling, and full-body wellness. Exemplary DNP Project Award:
Dr. Kristin Gianelis
DNP, ANP, WHNP; PM-DNP, Class 30
Barrington, Rhode Island
Career: I joined FNU as DNP Clinical Faculty in September 2020. I have a genuine passion for health equity and scholarship and hope to continue working towards equity through quality improvement work with my students and in my community.
What inspired you to become a nurse? Sometimes I’m not entirely sure how I got here, but I’m so glad that I did. I love the “whole person” approach to nursing. I love the continuous personal growth and learning. And I love that I can continue on a long and winding road, exploring new joys and challenges at each turn.
Personal: I have two children (ages 10 and 12) and a wonderful partner. We enjoy spending time on the water as a family. I am also an avid reader and love to get lost in books (both fiction and non-fiction) in my spare time.
Student Choice Awards
As part of the annual commencement activities, FNU honors the faculty members who have inspired and impacted students throughout the year. Here are this year’s prestigious student choice winners:
Dr. Eileen Thrower
Ph.D., CNM
Dr. Eilenee Thrower was nominated by many of her students for the Student Choice Excellence in Teaching Academic Faculty Award. Here are just a few snippets from those nominations:
“Dr. Thrower has done an incredible job of running the virtual clinical courses for WHNP and CNEP students this summer. She is a wonderful resource and an incredible instructor who truly cares about each and every student. I feel so fortunate to be able to have this opportunity to learn and grow as an NP student from her before I venture into the real world!”
“Dr. Thrower always comes prepared. [She is] calm, cool, and collected and makes the most of whatever life and technology throws our way. I appreciate her dedication to her job and her students. She has made herself very reachable and encourages us to contact her whenever we need to. She is doing a great job.”
“Dr. Thrower deserves this award because of her role in creating and carrying out the most valuable virtual clinical experience possible! She juggles multiple bound sessions, hundreds of students, coordinates faculty, and still makes every student feel important and heard. I love listening to her pearls of wisdom, and gaining confidence as I work through the course. I feel very lucky to have her as my first ‘preceptor’!” Student Choice Excellence in Teaching Regional Clinical Faculty Award:
Dr. Kevin Scalf
PMHNP-BC
Dr. Kevin Scalf received tremendous support from his students for the Student Choice Excellence in Teaching Regional Clinical Faculty Award. Here are a few of their comments:
“Dr. Scalf has been my lifeline through the clinical process. I am delighted to have the opportunity to vote for him and I greatly hope he is recognized. His kind, patient manner, and steadfast support has led me through this uncharted territory. I was apprehensive about my clinical experience to begin with and then when COVID complicated the situation my apprehension elevated to anxiety. Dr. Scalf has led Mental Health Mondays, enabling clinical students to attend case studies and gain experience throughout the clinical term when we were unable to attend our assigned clinical site. He offers his time, knowledge, resources, and reassurance consistently. I honestly have no idea how I would have gotten this far without his never-ending support. I am endlessly appreciative.”
“Dr. Scalf has been unbelievably patient and knowledgeable with our Virtual MH712 class. Whenever there are technical issues, he takes them in stride, and maintains a pleasant and respectful demeanor. He communicates openness and compassion with all that he does and says. He truly is a priceless asset for Frontier.”
