FRONTIER NURSING UNIVERSITY | VOL. 96, NUMBER 4 | WINTER 2022
QUARTERLY BULLETIN
The Importance of Precepting
Also Inside: FNU Mourns the Passing of Kitty Ernst
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.
Listen to the FNU All-Access Podcast
Seven episodes of the FNU All-Access Podcast are now available at frontier.edu/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Each episode is about 30 minutes long and features conversations on various topics with leaders from the Frontier community.
Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FAAN, FACNM President Shelley Aldridge, BA Chief Operations Officer Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Brittney Kinison, MBA, PNP, Interim Chief Advancement Officer Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN Dean of Nursing
Episode 1: Get to know FNU President Dr. Susan Stone
Michael Steinmetz, CPA, CMA, CSCA Executive Vice President for Finance and Facilities
Episode 2: What the Heck is an RCF?
Academic Administration
Episode 3: What is the PMHNP and Why is it Important? Episode 4: The Courier Program Episode 5: Why the DNP Degree? Episode 6: What’s So Special About Birth Centers? Download it today at frontier.edu/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.
President’s Cabinet
Episode 7: Why Advocacy Matters and How to Be an Advocate
Jess Calohan, DNP, PMHNP-BC FAAN Department Chair of PsychiatricMental Health Lisa Chappell, Ph.D., FNP-BC Department Chair of Family Nursing Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C DNP Director Rachel Mack, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, C-FNP, CNE Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Eileen Thrower, Ph.D., APRN, CNM, CNE, FACNM Interim Department Chair of Midwifery and Women’s Health
Alumni Collection Added to the Online Gift Shop! Great news, FNU alumni and students: our online gift shop is now officially open! We’re excited to finally have a virtual storefront offering a variety of apparel and accessories from t-shirts to cotton masks for you to show your FNU pride. Frontier.edu/FNUalumnigear
frontier.edu/FNUgear
From the President
Contents From the President
FNU Mourns the Passing of Kitty Ernst 2-3 The Importance of Precepting
Dear Friends,
1
4-10
News and Notes
11-14
Alumni Spotlight
15-17
Alumni Notes
18-19
Trustees
20
Board of Directors
20
Memorial
21
As many of you already know, 2021 ended on a sad note as we learned of the passing of our dear friend Kitty Ernst on December 28. For those of you unfamiliar with Kitty, she was a pioneer in midwifery, an architect of distance learning and community-based nursing, and an invaluable member of the Frontier Nursing University community. Her connection to Frontier began with her work with the Frontier Nursing Service. Shortly thereafter, she attended the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery finishing in 1951. Fully dedicated to advancing the mission of the university, she served on the FNU Board of Directors from 2012 to 2020. I encourage you to read Kitty’s full biography in the following pages, but I want to draw special attention to her unending commitment to the core of our university – our students. Despite her busy schedule, for more than 20 years Kitty would make it a point to meet with every new class of students, sharing her passion and history. Her heartfelt words deepened the connection between the students and their profession and their mission to serve others. Kitty was a true leader to so many of us, and her words and lessons will always be with those whose lives she touched. I point out this particular piece of Kitty’s history because it is our duty to pick up where she left off. We can all be leaders. We can all share our passion and knowledge. We can all help point a student in the right direction. It is an invaluable gift to be able to share our experiences and lessons learned with others. It is a gift that we see given every day by our faculty and our preceptors, who give their time, energy, and expertise to help prepare our students. In this issue, we share some very important information about the need for preceptors, how to become a preceptor, and personal stories about the impact of the relationship from both the preceptor and student perspectives. You will read about two FNU graduates who recently opened their own clinic. Not surprisingly, they were both inspired by a fellow FNU graduate who helped lead them to where they are today, supplying a service previously unavailable to the members of their community. We also have several updates to share about the incredible work and accomplishments of our alumni and faculty. These stories make us so proud and inspire us to do what we do every day. Because of people like Kitty Ernst and each and every one of you, the Frontier community is incredibly special. The work we do – whether as preceptors, faculty, alumni, students, staff, or volunteers – matters. It matters to our communities, large and small, and to the people with whom we serve and interact. I thank all of your for guiding our mission and inspiring our efforts. Together, we have accomplished much and will continue to further the mission of Frontier Nursing University. Thank you. Sincerely,
2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383 FNU@frontier.edu - Frontier.edu
Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM
Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc., FACNM, FAA Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 1
It was with deep sadness that we shared the news that our beloved Kitty Ernst passed away peacefully at home on December 28, 2021. Words cannot adequately express Kitty’s impact nor how much she will be missed. She was our mentor, visionary, taskmaster, cheerleader, and dear friend. Please circle up with me as together, we mourn the loss of Kitty Ernst, a wonderful woman, educator, and pioneer for nurse-midwifery. We reflect on her life, her work and impact on FNU, and the legacy that she leaves behind. Born on July 21, 1926, in Waltham, Massachusetts, Eunice Katherine “Kitty” Macdonald Ernst was a dynamic and committed pioneer in midwifery education and practice. She was passionate about ensuring that all families receive the best possible care during pregnancy and birth. She was the wife of the late Albert T. Ernst Sr who died in 2011. Kitty was the daughter of the late John D. and Esther C. Macdonald. She lived her life by the words of Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never give up.” Even as a young nurse, Kitty knew that she wanted to work in a place where she would make a difference in the lives of women and families. After graduating from the Waltham Hospital School of Nursing in Massachusetts, Kitty made the decision to embark on an adventure by
working at Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) in Kentucky. During her time as a nurse at FNS, she was introduced to nurse-midwifery and ultimately decided to attend the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery, a part of the FNS, in Hyden, Kentucky, finishing in 1951. During her time as a midwifery student at FNS, Kitty realized the importance of midwifery to the health of women and families. Throughout her life, Kitty often told the story of how awestruck she was when she first witnessed the power of a woman birthing in her own mountain home. Those first births Kitty witnessed as a midwifery student set her on a lifelong course of promoting and supporting women in normal birth, in a safe and comfortable setting, and educating midwifery students in these principles. Kitty knew that educating new nurse-midwives was essential to transforming health care not only for mothers but for their families as well. Following her time at FNS, Kitty went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from Hunter College in 1957 and a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University in 1959. From 195458, Kitty also served as a nurse-midwife for the Maternity Center Association (MCA) in New York City. After practicing as a nurse-midwife, Kitty turned her attention to advocating for nurse-midwives to play an important and respected role in our society’s health care system, a pursuit she continued throughout her life. She also started her own family, marrying Albert T. Ernst in 1961. Together, they had three children, Rosemary, Albert “Ted” Jr., and Kate. During this time, Kitty began working as a parent educator, teaching some of the first childbirth education groups of the International Childbirth Education Association. As a field consultant for MCA, she developed family-centered maternity care provided by an
2 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
obstetrician nurse-midwife team at the Salvation Army Booth Maternity Center in Philadelphia. Kitty was passionately committed to birth centers as a key solution to challenges in maternity care. Generations of midwives have learned from Kitty that birth centers are crucial to providing midwives with a place to practice true midwifery; as a safe, costeffective, and satisfying place for families to grow; and must be a part of the health care system. Kitty co-founded the National Association of Childbearing Centers (NACC) in 1983 now the American Association of Birth Centers. As Director of the NACC, she continued to be a leader in the effort to bring birth centers into the mainstream of health care delivery and steered the development of the Commission for Accreditation of Freestanding Birth Centers in 1985. In the 1980s, Kitty became particularly concerned about two issues: the small number of nursemidwives being educated each year, and the fact that the majority of nurse-midwives being educated in large tertiary care centers had a lack of out-of-hospital experience. To address these issues, she led the design and implementation of the first distance education program for nurse-midwives, which was adopted by the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, now known as Frontier Nursing University (FNU). Over many years, Kitty graciously shared her personal story, her passion, and her vision with every single class of incoming FNU students. Kitty, who often quoted one of the key beliefs of FNS that “all health care begins with the care and education of the mother,” maintained strong ties with FNU throughout her life. She served on FNU’s Board of Directors from 2012 to 2020 and was awarded an honorary doctorate from FNU in 2011. Kitty also occupied the first endowed chair in the profession, the Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery. Kitty is revered not only by FNU but by other institutions as well. She served as the president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) from 1961-63 and again from 2007-2008. Beginning in 1998, ACNM annually presents the Kitty Ernst Award to “an exceptional, relatively new CNM/CM who is an ACNM member, has been certified for less than ten years and has demonstrated innovative, creative endeavors in midwifery and/or women’s health clinical practice, education, administration, or research.”
for nurse-midwifery education programs and developing the first “What is a Nurse-Midwife” brochure. Over the course of her career, she published valuable information defining the role of a nurse-midwife and played a crucial role in the first accreditation of nurse-midwife programs in the U.S. As the Director of the pilot Community-based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP), she developed a model for meeting the overwhelming need for experienced birth center nurse-midwives committed to innovative family-centered maternity. Kitty’s impact spread far and wide. She traveled across the U.S. and abroad to Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Belgium, Russia, and Haiti to provide consultation and workshops on the midwifery model of care in birth centers. Kitty’s many accolades included the Martha Mae Elliot Award for Exceptional Health Service to Mothers and Children from the American Public Health Association. ACNM presented Kitty with the Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, which honors an exceptional certified nurse-midwife or certified midwife who is an ACNM member who has provided continuous outstanding contributions or distinguished service to midwifery. She received the Childbirth Connection Medal for Distinguished Service and was awarded the Maternity Center Association’s Carola Warburg Rothschild Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of women and their families. Kitty’s impact was significant and everlasting upon every person she met and every organization she served. She was a dear friend, loyal supporter, inspirational leader, and was kind and gracious to all. We are thankful for her countless contributions to FNU and to midwifery. She will forever be part of the Frontier Nursing University community. Kitty is survived by her children, Rosemary Senjem and her husband Marc of Woodbury, Minnesota; Ted Ernst and his wife Kelly of Blandon, Kate Bauer of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, and her beautiful grandchildren Nicholas Ernst and his partner Elise, Darby and Sophie Bauer, Lara Senjem Villavicencio, Sam Senjem and his wife Diane, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers John, Malcom, James, Robert, and Kenneth Macdonald; three sisters, Rosemary Messerlian, Ann Stutenroth, and Sheila Macdonald; and her son-in-law, Don Bauer.
The criteria for the ACNM Kitty Ernst Award is befitting of Kitty’s contributions to the profession. She was a leader in education and administration, conducting the first wave of accreditation
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 3
The Importance of Precepting
Dear Friends, The importance of preceptors has never been more evident. The COVID-19 Pandemic has brought greater awareness of our nation’s shortage of healthcare providers. FNU students are primed and ready to help fill these gaps, but they must have clinical hours to complete their course requirements and gain the real-world experience they need to excel.
zzz
In the following pages, we take a look at several aspects of precepting, including the specialties most in need of preceptors, how to become a preceptor, and the long-lasting impact of preceptors on FNU students. We also thank our devoted preceptors who continue to share their time and expertise year after year. We hope you will be inspired by all those who give so generously of their time and expertise. Sincerely,
Are You Qualified to Be a Preceptor? Let’s Check! FNU needs preceptors with the following credentials:
Precepting Facts and Figures • In the Winter 2022 term, FNU has 823 students in clinical courses. • The average FNU student needs three clinical sites to complete all required experiences. • The need is great and the competition for clinical sites is heavy. • The demand for preceptors is constant.
Preceptors are in demand for the following specialties:
Stephanie Boyd
• Certified Nurse-Midwife
Stephanie Boyd, BS
• Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Director of Clinical Outreach and Placement
• Certified Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
• National certification in a specialty area • One year of relevant experience in an advanced practice role • Master’s Degree or higher in a nursing-related field (we do allow BSN for midwives with significant experience, but an MSN is preferred) • MDs and DOs • For PMHNP students: MSN prepared LCSWs, LSWs, MFTs, and LDACs.
4 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
• Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Katheryn Arterberry’s Message to Current and Future Preceptors If there is one thing we have learned during the Covid pandemic, it is that we must be intentional and selective about the commitments we make. This is true in our personal lives but also in our professional lives. Prioritization is essential! We’ve gone through almost total shut down, to vaccination availability and are now trying to live in a new norm. Because we provide care to the whole family, we’ve seen the devastation firsthand. I know that you’ve experienced an unusual toll as you work with your patients. You have consistently impacted the health of your community and are true heroes. As all heroes know, there is still work to be done. This up-front and personal view of the health care crisis in America which has been exacerbated by the pandemic reiterates the importance of having a highly qualified workforce prepared to meet the demands of our communities. This pandemic has underscored the necessity to continue to educate and prepare knowledgeable providers and that is where you come in. We depend on you, your expertise, and your willingness to serve as we work to supply a much-needed workforce. It is my hope that you will make this a part of your professional priority by becoming a preceptor. FNU students are well prepared. Our certification pass rates are consistently well above the national average and we strive for continued excellence! Preceptors are an integral part of our team and FNU offers both administrative and clinical faculty support, an honorarium, and much more for our preceptors. We know that we can’t do what we do, without you! Please consider precepting an FNU student. To learn more about precepting an FNU student, please visit frontier. edu/preceptor or contact FNU’s Director of Clinical Outreach and Placement, Stephanie.Boyd@frontier.edu.
Thank you for your commitment to caring for our communities. Thank you for making the investment in our students. And, if you are new to precepting or precepting FNU students, I hope to be able to work with you as we prepare future providers to do the same. With Respect and Admiration, Katheryn Arterberry, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC Clinical Director, Family Nurse Practitioner Program
A Message to Students from Dr. Tanya Baca To all of the students and soon to be thriving providers, It is through your newly acquired knowledge and good old grit, that you have come this far. Without people like you who want to make a change for our community, there would be many patients left behind. I hope that this journey has been one where you have discovered new things about healthcare, justice, and even about yourself as a person and provider. There will be long days in a clinic or in the hospital, away from your family, worked holidays, missed anniversaries, and at times maybe even tears but, after those not too frequent days occur, please know that you are touching lives, you are making a change. I would be honored for a Frontier grad to care for me and my family. Here is to your next journey! Cheers, Dr. Tanya Baca, DNP, CNM, APRN, CLC Course Faculty NM703 Primary Care WHNP/CNM Clinical Faculty
Former Student Thanks Dr. Tanya Baca Dear Tanya, I would like to take the time to thank you for everything that you have done for me during my clinical rotation. As someone who is a Frontier grad and has been through this process recently, you totally understood what I was going through. This was such a stressful time for me as I was trying to juggle full-time school, work, and being a parent. You totally understood what I was going through and offered so many words of wisdom. Preceptors are a very special breed of person. Not all people are meant to teach and educate students, but you do it with such ease. It is very clear that you enjoy what you are doing and you do it in such a way that is not belittling to the student. This is something that I truly appreciated, as many students often doubt many of their actions and choices. The education, wisdom, and patience that you have shown and given to me, is something that I can never repay to you, but I would like you to know how thankful I am for you and your commitment to me. Thank you so much and I hope that our paths cross often. Sincerely, Amanda Hallman, MSN, CNM, Class 179
Words of Wisdom to Students, Past and Present By Associate Professor Tonya Nicholson, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM
“You were called to this profession. On hard days, remember why you chose this!” “Never lose the wonder of birth. You are blessed to be a part of each birthday party.” “Always say thanks for the privilege of caring for each family.”
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 5
The Importance of Precepting
Survey Says! What Our Preceptors Say About Precepting How satisfied were you with your experience serving as a Preceptor for an FNU student? 60 50.28%
40
40.18%
20 7.08%
0
Very Satisfied: 632
Satisfied: 505
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied: 89
1.83%
0.64%
Dissatisfied: 23
Very Dissatisfied: 8
How well prepared did you feel the FNU student was when they began their clinical experience with you? 80 60 55.43%
40 36.30%
20 8.26%
0
Exceeded expectations: 334
6 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
Met expectations: 510
Below expectations: 76
We surveyed our 1,297 preceptors from the past year and this is what they told us about their experience as preceptors for FNU students. Do you feel supported by FNU if you have concerns or issues while precepting? 100 91.25%
75 50 25 8.75 %
0
No: 110
Yes: 1147
How do you feel about the amount of interaction/assistance you had with the FNU student’s Regional Clinical Faculty (RCF) member? 80 72.71%
60 40
20
12.41%
14.88%
0
Exceeded expectations: 187
Met expectations: 914
Below expectations: 156
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 7
The Importance of Precepting
Students Say
Thank You Preceptor Reflection: Courtney McMillian, MSN, CNM, APRN By Ryan Gavagni-Fiorentino, RN, SNM Courtney McMillian is a Boca Raton native midwife, who has spent the last seven years growing her practice, Boca Midwifery. She received her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her graduate degree in Midwifery from the University of Florida. Prior to Midwifery, Courtney was a Labor and Delivery Nurse for 10 years in the Boca Raton area, where she began growing her community bonds that still flourish to this day. She has always had a passion for supporting women and physiologic birth, as well as providing empowering care to help women achieve whatever their goals may be. She has an unrivaled passion for providing evidence-based practice and encourages her clients to be active partners in their care. She is one of a few VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) supportive providers in the area, a trait that brings women from far and wide, and her VBAC success rates are outstanding. She is unbelievably patient and reasonable and never lets unnecessary fear drive her decisions about patient care. I have learned a tremendous amount from Courtney, but I think the most memorable “pearl” I have learned is how important building a trusting relationship is. She makes real efforts to educate using the most up-to-date information, answer endless questions without being annoyed, never rushes the patients, tunes in to their emotional state, and is always working to help build their confidence. This “way” of practicing is a great model for me to take with me in the future. I don’t ever want my patients to become just a number. I want to be sure I am always making an effort to make the best choices WITH the patient, just like she does. Another “pearl” I have observed is that she makes a point that when she disagrees with someone, she simply educates them about her point of view from what she knows the facts to be, and then accepts their decision without constantly going back to try and change their mind. There is no shaming the patient or using fear tactics to try to coerce them into what YOU think is the best option. She has taught me that if you constantly try to do the opposite of what the patient wants, you break down what relationship you have built and it drives them away. I will take with me into practice the idea that you can respectfully disagree, and continue to work with your patient to find solutions that work for everyone.
8 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
Courtney, As I am positive you have heard from prior students, there aren’t enough words to express my gratitude for your patience and kindness towards teaching me everything you could over these last 5 months. You have shown me what it means to be a truly caring provider, someone that can be fully trusted by their patients to always do the right thing. You never waiver in your commitment to supporting these women, even when others try to doubt you. I have seen how much more being a preceptor adds to your plate, with you having to check over my work and having to slow down your day to allow me the chance to learn. I hope you know that I will be a better Midwife because of my time with you, no doubt. You have ingrained in me the importance of good quality care, and have shown me time and time again what amazing outcomes you get because of it. You go above and beyond to ensure your patients are well taken care of, devoting a huge chunk of your life to it, and that is something to be recognized. Stay true to your beliefs and be strong in your passion, it is working out amazingly for you and your patients! With Great Admiration,
Ryan Gavagni-Fiorentino Ryan Gavagni-Fiorentino, MSN, CNM, Class 186
Preceptor Reflection: Liz Pigott, CNM By Ashley Homan, MSN, CNM, Class 181 Liz Pigott is a Certified Nurse Midwife who works with USF Midwives at Tampa General Hospital. She was inspired to a career in midwifery by her mother who was a midwife. Liz spent 10 years pursuing her goal and has now been in practice for the past 3 years. Liz cares greatly for her patients which is evident by the time and effort she spends educating and empowering patients. Liz values individuals’ preferences and tailors the care she provides accordingly. She has a great knowledge base of differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment plans. She supports the midwifery model of care incorporating watchful waiting and non-intervention in normal processes. The thing that I admire most about Liz is her gentle touch. In practice, I have witnessed her ability to provide comfort and reassurance to patients. It has been an honor to work alongside her and learn from her clinical experience and wisdom. One “pearl” of wisdom that Liz shared with me is that sometimes not all problems are immediately solvable. Sometimes a visit will entail education and conversations with women about various options and then a follow-up appointment later. For example, in the clinic, we had women who came in to have their IUDs removed and discussion about birth control options. Using shared decision making the IUDs were not removed at that visit but rather left in place until the next form of chosen contraception was available i.e. Nexplanon or new IUD. At the subsequent visit, the removal and insertion of the new device were done at the same time.
Dear Liz, Thank you for taking the time and patience to help me become a safe and effective midwife. It has been a blessing to serve women, pregnant people, and families alongside you. Thank you for advocating for me and encouraging me throughout my internship. I admire you as a colleague and am very grateful for your dedication as my preceptor. Sincerely yours,
Ashley Homan Ashley Homan
Preceptor Reflection: Lindsay Stubbs, CNM By Kourtney Black Martin, MSN, CNM, Class 182 When I thought about my experience as a student, I was nervous and intimidated. I was trying to live up to so many expectations. All of those fears drifted away when I met my preceptor, Lindsay Stubbs. She is that person who is absolutely infectious to be around. The person who you are drawn to and has a contagious laugh. She really took the time to show me the caring and patience a midwife should have. She is so passionate about natural birth and taught me so much about breastfeeding. She taught me to be patient with myself. To step out of a patient’s room during pushing, that way when you go back in you have fresh eyes to help the patient when you return.
Dear Lindsay, A midwife should encompass characteristics such as patience, respect, dedication, resourcefulness, and strength. You have shown me all of those qualities and so much more. I have learned in our short time together how to care for women in such a way that will forever change how I practice as a nurse-midwife. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your patience in teaching me how you practice midwifery. Your vast experience as a nurse, working in a birth center, your personal homebirth, and hospital CNM knowledge really gave me a well-rounded understanding as your student. I can’t express how much I am going to miss being with you and learning from you. I know that this is not the end of our now amazing friendship because there’s something about midwives that keeps a bond together forever. Words can’t express how thankful I am for you and all that you do for your patients. One day, because of you, I will be able to practice as a nurse-midwife. Thank you. Sincerely,
Kourtney Black Martin Kourtney Black Martin
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 9
The Importance of Precepting
The Rest of What You Need to Know! Gain Valuable Training as a Preceptor with Free CE Courses Participate in free online training courses for new and experienced preceptors: “The Gift of Precepting” and “The Master Preceptor” (.2 CEUs each) • Promote your profession through the education and guidance of your future peers • Help expand access to quality, compassionate care to rural and underserved populations • Earn an honorarium based on the percentage of time spent precepting students • Learn more and sign up to be a preceptor at frontier.edu/preceptor
Contact Us To learn more about precepting, contact The FNU Department of Clinical Outreach and Placement. Our staff will be happy to: • Answer questions about the process to become a preceptor • Provide support to preceptors when using the online preceptor profile portal • Provide information regarding our Master and Expert Preceptor programs • Answer questions regarding preceptor honorariums You can reach our department via email at ClinicalAdvising@frontier.edu
10 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
News & Notes
Frontier Nursing University’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program Ranked Number 3 By U.S. News and World Report FNU has the third-best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master’s Program according to rankings compiled and released by U.S. News and World Report on January 25, 2022.
The U.S. News and World Report rankings are held in high regard due to their thorough and rigorous review process. The online FNP rankings were compiled using these five weighted categories:
“We are very honored to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as having one of the leading online FNP programs in the nation,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM. “We are even prouder of our more than 2,900 Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) graduates who are providing much-needed care to their communities across the country. These graduates are actively fulfilling FNU’s mission to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations.”
Engagement (30%): In a quality program, aspiring advanced practice nurses can readily collaborate with fellow students in their classes and clinical settings. In turn, instructors are not only accessible and responsive but are also tasked with helping create an experience rewarding enough for students to stay enrolled and complete their degrees in a reasonable amount of time.
In the late 1960s, university leaders recognized the need for broader education to provide comprehensive primary care to all family members. This led to the formation of the first Family Nurse Practitioner program in the United States and the university changed its name to the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing to reflect the addition of the FNP program in 1970. ”In the 1950s and 1960s the birth rate dropped and there were more treatments developed to treat chronic conditions. Frontier Nursing Service identified the need for nurses trained in primary care to provide services to the rural and underserved communities,” said FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN. “Launching the FNP program was in alignment with FNU’s mission of educating nurses to meet the health care needs of rural and underserved communities.”
Faculty Credentials and Training (20%): Strong online nursing programs employ instructors with academic credentials that mirror those of instructors for campus-based programs, and they have the resources to train these instructors to teach distance learners. Expert Opinion (20%): A survey of high-ranking academic officials in nursing helps account for intangible factors affecting program quality that statistics do not capture. Also, employers may hold in high regard degrees from programs that academics respect.
FNU has been highly rated in other U.S. News and World Report rankings, including 37th out of 330 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs in 2021. Updated rankings for the DNP and other categories are scheduled to be released in March.
FNU Students Record Impressive AANP Certification Pass Rates
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) recently released the 2021 Family Nurse Practitioner certification pass rates. Here is a look at how FNU students fared versus the national average: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Students FNU overall pass rate: 97%
Services and Technologies (20%): Programs that incorporate diverse online learning technologies allow greater flexibility for students to take classes from a distance. Outside of classes, strong support structures provide learning assistance, career guidance, and financial aid resources commensurate with quality campus-based programs.
FNU first-time pass rate: 96%
Student Excellence (10%): Student bodies entering with proven aptitudes, ambitions and accomplishments can handle the demands of rigorous coursework. Furthermore, online degrees that schools award judiciously will have greater legitimacy in the job market.
FNU first-time pass rate: 100%
National average pass rate: 84% Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) Students FNU overall pass rate: 100%
National average pass rate: 82%
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 11
News and Notes Paula Alexander-Delpech Named Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Paula AlexanderDelpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, has been named the Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO). Dr. Alexander-Delpech currently serves at FNU as an Associate Professor, Chair of the Health Equity subcommittee, Chair of the President’s Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Chair of the Faculty, Staff, and Preceptor Development and Retention committee. “Dr. Alexander-Delpech has extensive experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating DEI programs in private and public universities located in urban and rural communities, which reflect her ability to lead DEI initiatives at Frontier Nursing University,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM. “She also brings experience in recruitment and retention of underrepresented students and will carry on the essential work of FNU’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Under her leadership as Director of Student Services, Dr. Alexander-Delpech created the first nursing summer program to increase the number of underrepresented high school students interested in becoming a nurse. She brings experience in initiating new programs with community partners to meet the growing workforce needs. She was instrumental in developing the first Foreign-Educated Physician Nursing Program (FEPNP) in the U.S. Further, Dr. Alexander-Delpech has developed workshops for community-based clinics and training on social justice utilizing a community-based participatory approach, which provided extensive experience working with marginalized communities. Dr. Alexander-Delpech has implemented several projects focused on connecting the social environment and healthy lifestyles to wellness outcomes. Some workshops were developed with local
organizations to address health and wellness in the Black community. She was also instrumental in initiating a grassroots campaign to bring mental health awareness to African American women living in a rural community. Board-certified as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Dr. AlexanderDelpech maintains her clinical practice in a community-based facility. She is an appointed member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) diversity committee; an inaugural member of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF) diversity committee; a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA); an executive board member of the Florida chapter of the APNA; a member of the South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses; and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Frontier Nursing University Awards Distinguished Service to Alma Mater to Susan Nilsen Frontier Nursing University recently announced its annual award recipients. These awards are presented to FNU alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to their communities or to the university. Among those honored was Susan Nilsen, Ph.D., CNM, who was awarded the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award. This award honors a graduate who has supported FNU through volunteer efforts and/or donor support. “We are very proud that so many of our alumni not only go on to play such important roles in their communities but also value the work that Frontier is doing and choose to give back to the university as instructors and leaders,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc,
12 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
FAAN, FACNM. “It is amazing how many deserving individuals are nominated for these annual awards, and we extend our gratitude and congratulations to all of this year’s winners.”
“It is amazing how many deserving individuals are nominated for these annual awards, and we extend our gratitude and congratulations to all of this year’s winners.” Dr. Susan Stone
For 25 years, Nilsen served as Certified Nurse-Midwife at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. Now retired, Dr. Nilsen also served as the Director of Inpatient Services for UTMB’s Regional Maternal and Child Health Program. In addition to the care she provided to her community, Dr. Nilsen understands that serving the community also means preparing the next generation of healthcare providers. To that end, UTMB frequently provided Frontier students the opportunity to work with their team and Dr. Nilsen herself precepted 35 Frontier students. “I love Susan Nilsen,” said Maud van de Wiele, CNEP, DNP, Class 28. “She taught me more in six weeks than others could have in a lifetime. I am so proud to call her a friend and colleague but most of all mentor and teacher and I will forever be grateful for the experience.” Dr. Nilsen was presented the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award in recognition of her lifelong support of midwifery and Frontier Nursing University.
Introduction to Cultural Safety Course Available to All
By the end of the Introduction to Cultural Safety, learners will be able to: • Define cultural safety
• Discuss personal and systems change strategies for improving the cultural safety of care
On December 10, 2021, an EF-4 tornado struck western Kentucky and was on the ground for a devastating 165 miles. The tornado created catastrophic damage in numerous towns in the western part of Kentucky. A total of 78 Kentuckians were killed by the tornado, which also destroyed more than 1,000 homes and buildings.
The course is led by Dr. Tenney with guest instructor Dorene Waubanewquay Day. In addition to being clinical faculty at FNU, Dr. Tenney is a certified nursemidwife and women’s health nurse practitioner, DONA International birth doula trainer, writer, and photographer who has worked within Indigenous health centers and communities throughout her nursing career of almost 20 years.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear established the Team Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist the victims. Frontier Nursing University was eager to help, collecting donations from faculty, staff, and the Board of Directors. The full $4,095 collected by FNU was donated to the Team Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund in January. The FNU campus in Versailles, Kentucky was unharmed during the storm.
Dorene Waubanewquay Day is an accomplished educator, midwife, activist, singer, and artist who consults with and works within many Indigenous and other communities and organizations to help restore and design culturally safe practices. In 2020, she was selected as a Luce Indigenous Fellow.
FNU Personnel Accepted to Present at National Conference
• Identify the three key tenets of cultural safety • Explain the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in the U.S.
Erin Tenney
Dorene Waubanewquay Day
A three-hour continuing education course, “Introduction to Cultural Safety”, is available not only to the FNU community but to anyone interested in the course and its areas of focus. The curriculum was developed by FNU clinical faculty Dr. Erin Tenney, CNM, DNP, Class 14. Those taking the course will learn about Native American history and culture in order to better comprehend cultural safety. This requires not only understanding the Native American culture, but also self-reflection and awareness on the part of the healthcare provider. This course introduces the concept of cultural safety and explores the three main aspects of it, which include: • Learning about the history and impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in the U.S. • Being self-reflective on our identities as health providers who may care for Indigenous people • Centering the Indigenous patient experience and listening as the patient defines what safe care is
FNU Contributes to Tornado Relief Fund
• Describe what culturally safe vs. culturally unsafe care may look like
Those interested in the Introduction to Cultural Safety can enroll in the course at https://ceu.catalog.instructure.com/ courses/introduction2cultural-safety. This activity is approved for 3.0 contact hour(s) of continuing education by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Activity ID# 21034781. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies. Editor’s Note: This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,065,200. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Four members of the FNU community were selected to present at the 5th annual Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World in Savannah, Georgia. “Meaningful Mentoring Experiences of Graduate Students in a Virtual Environment” was presented by FNU Associate Professor Dr. Diane John, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CNE; alumnus Keife Earley, MSN, PMHNP, Class 191; and student Dorcas Adeniyi, MSN, PMHNP, Class 196. Assistant Professor Christopher Kennedy, DNP, presented “Maximizing Distance Learning Within the Community of Inquiry.” Held February 8-March 2, 2022, the conference is sponsored by The Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration and the University of West Georgia.
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 13
News and Notes Book Co-Edited By FNU Faculty Wins Book of the Year Award
Faculty Published Articles and Chapters: Following is a list of articles and chapters recently published by FNU faculty members: Instructor Kelsey Kent, MSN
Nena Harris
Angela Mitchell
Article in a peerreviewed journal, first author:
Linda McDaniel
Laura Manns-James
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Midwifery
and Women’s Health, 6th edition, a book co-edited by four members of the FNU faculty, won a 2021 Book of the Year Award in the Adult Primary Care category from the American Journal of Nursing. Associate Professor Laura Manns-James, Ph.D., CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM, served as Associate Editor. Assistant Professors Nena Harris, Ph.D., FNP-BC, CNM, and Linda McDaniel, DNP, RNFA, CNM, were Assistant Editors, and Instructor Angela Mitchell, DNP, FNP-BC, was a contributing editor. Published by Jones & Bartlett, the book was written by Nell L. Tharpe, Cindy L. Farley, and Robin G. Jordan. The American Journal of Nursing praised the book, stating, “While this book is primarily intended for midwives, it is also an excellent resource for family and adult NPs. Nearly all of its chapters can be used by advanced practice clinicians in caring for women during the prenatal period, postpartum, and across the life span.
Kent, K.G. (2021). Prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in US Military Veterans under outpatient care at the Veterans Health Administration. SAGE Open Medicine. https://doi. org/10.1177/20503121211049112
Assistant Professor Penny Wortman, CNM, DNP Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author: Wortman, P. (2022). Obstetric guidelines. In J. C. Cash & C. A. Glass (Eds.), AdultGerontology Practice Guidelines 3rd ed.). New York: Springer. Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author: Wortman, P. (2022). Obstetric guidelines. In J. C. Cash & C. A. Glass (Eds.), Family Practice Guidelines (6th ed.). New York: Springer.
Associate Professor Rhonda Arthur, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE
Assistant Professor Nancy Pesta Walsh, DNP, FNP
Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author:
Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author:
Arthur, R. (2022). Gynecologic guidelines. In J. C. Cash & C. A. Glass (Eds.), AdultGerontology Practice Guidelines. New York: Springer. Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author: Arthur, R. (2022). Gynecologic guidelines. In J. C. Cash & C. A. Glass (Eds.), Family Practice Guidelines (6 ed.). New York: Springer.
Pesta Walsh, N. & Mullin, J. (2022). Sexual Dysfunction, Genitourinary Guidelines. In Cash & Glass (Eds). Family Practice Guidelines. 6th ed. (pp. 367374) New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. (in publication). Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author: Pesta Walsh, N., & Cash, J. (2022). Eye Guidelines. In Cash & Glass (Eds). Adult-Gerontology Guidelines 3rd ed. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. (In Publication). Book chapter in a scholarly textbook, first author: Pesta Walsh, N., Cash, J, & Mullin, J. (2022). Eye Guidelines. In Cash & Glass (Eds). Family Practice Guidelines. 6th ed. (pp. 103120) New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. (In Publication).
14 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
Alumni Spotlight
FNU Graduates Open Midwifery Clinic Aimed at Making Homebirth Midwifery Affordable and Available to Everyone Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the northwest corner of the state, approximately four hours from Des Moines. Without insurance, Hainley said home birth costs between $6,000 and $7,000 and must be paid upfront in cash. “That prices out so many of our population,” she said. “Those lower socioeconomic groups are really at a disadvantage at finding midwifery home birth care.” Hainley and Zambrano-Andrews come by their passion to serve women of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds honestly. Included in the insurances they accept is Medicaid.
Drs. Caitlin Hainley (left) and Emily Zambrano-Andrews (right). When your business offers something no one else does, it’s either because you’re ahead of the curve or there’s a reason no one else is doing it. For Drs. Caitlin Hainley and Emily Zambrano-Andrews, both might very well be true. Fellow Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumni Hainley, DNP, ARNP-CNM, IBCLC, and Zambrano-Andrews, DNP, ARNP-CNM opened the Des Moines Midwife Collective on September 1, 2021. Their clinic is the first in central Iowa and only the second in the entire state to accept insurance care for homebirth midwifery services. They understand why others don’t accept insurance, but more importantly, they know why Des Moines Midwife Collective does. “What we really want to do here is bring accessible care,” said Hainley, Companion DNP Class 5. “I want to be the type of midwife I wish had been around when I was having babies. I want to be open to all socioeconomic demographics.”
“What we really want to do here is bring accessible care, I want to be the type of midwife I wish had been around when I was having babies. I want to be open to all socioeconomic demographics.” -Caitlin Hainley
“We want to give women access to care and to serve women of all backgrounds,” said Zambrano-Andrews, Companion DNP Class 5. “That’s hard to do when you are cash pay only and don’t take insurance.” So hard to do, in fact, that the only other clinic in the state that accepts insurance for home birth midwifery care is a Federally
“Medicaid reimbursement is not always very high, but it’s just important for us to provide access,” Hainley said. “We were once the Medicaid moms looking for midwives. We have both been poor. We’ve both been on Medicaid and food stamps. Accessing kind, respectful, equitable care is important to us because we’ve been there.” Both of these Iowa midwives were born and raised in rural Iowa but took different routes to arrive where they are today. ZambranoAndrews gave birth to her first child when she was 19. It was an experience that forged her path to becoming a nurse-midwife. “I was on state insurance so I felt like I had to go to one place,” Zambrano-Andrews said. “A nurse practitioner gave me most of my care, but then my delivery was with an OB and that was not the most pleasant experience. I decided I wanted to go to nursing school after I had my daughter. I wanted to be a labor delivery nurse to be supportive of women.” One of Zambrano-Andrews’ instructors in nursing school was FNU graduate Ann Ersland, MSN, Class 32. “She was my motivator and my mentor,” Zambrano-Andrews said. “She was a huge
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 15
Alumni Spotlight influence to me. Doing clinicals with her and learning what midwives do and what the difference is between midwives and OB physicians was fascinating. I knew someday I wanted to be a midwife but I felt like I just needed to do nursing for a while to get experience.”
midwifery school. We were both in love with home birth. We had home births ourselves and we talked about how we wanted to do home birth when we graduated. We were in many of the same classes in school and we worked together our last two years before we opened our own clinic.”
Zambrano-Andrews was a nurse for 10 years at a small-town hospital before deciding it was time to become a midwife.
The decision to open their own clinic was not only the fulfillment of a dream but also the opportunity to put into place some ideas that had been percolating for years. Both had experienced the lack of access to the type of care they wanted and were determined to offer that very service to the women in their community.
“At that time I had two children,” she said. “After I went to my orientation week for Frontier I found out I was pregnant with my third. I decided to push through and do school. When I started my DNP program I found out I was pregnant with my fourth.” With few jobs available after the fellowship, Zambrano-Andrews took a hospitalbased midwifery position but found it unsatisfying compared to her out-ofhospital work. That’s when she reconnected with her former FNU classmate Hainley, who was working at Primary Healthcare, an FQHC that served a large uninsured and underinsured population. Unlike Zambrano-Andrews, Hainley did not stay in Iowa after finishing high school. She spent some time traveling along the east coast and taking classes at community colleges. She ultimately went to Harding University in Arkansas, where she met her husband and graduated with a degree in English. She and her husband then moved to China for five years. She taught British and American literature at a university there, then got involved in pregnancy and birth education. “I basically helped any foreigner in our area of China who needed help navigating the Chinese hospital system during pregnancy, birth, or lactation,” Hainley said. “I had a doula business. I got really interested in women’s health.” The couple moved back to Iowa in 2011 and Hainley immediately began taking classes to become an RN. After graduating, she started at FNU in 2014, ultimately going into the DNP program with Zambrano-Andrews. “We met when I was finishing my RN,” Hainley said. “Emily had already been a nurse for about 10 years at that point and she was getting ready to go back to midwifery school and I knew I was going to
“There were times throughout my own pregnancies and births where I could not access affordable care. I ended up having two babies at home without a midwife, just because of the lack of access to care.” -Caitlin Hainley “There were times throughout my own pregnancies and births where I could not access affordable care. I ended up having two babies at home without a midwife, just because of the lack of access to care,” Hainley said. “Because we had been there ourselves, we had a lot of great ideas but we didn’t have the power at our previous place of employment to enact them. So, we finally said, if they are such great ideas, let’s just take them and build them ourselves.” They did a business plan and knew what they wanted their clinic to look and feel like. There was plenty they didn’t know, but they jumped in with both feet and hit the ground running. In the months since opening, they have learned much and recognize they have much more to learn. They deal with the challenges of accepting insurance willingly while acknowledging the challenges it presents. “Taking insurance costs a lot,” Hainley said. “You have to have malpractice
16 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
insurance, which costs a lot. Some of the home birth midwives don’t have that because they don’t take insurance and they don’t have to have it. You have to have good billers. All of this costs money and time, so I understand why they don’t. It is a struggle to bring that valued home birth care to an affordable setting. But it’s worth it. It’s worth it for every person’s life who is touched by that care.” “Hopefully we’re improving health outcomes for our state and our community,” Zambrano-Andrews added. “There’s a lot of places where women got prenatal care here that have closed their doors. They have to drive a long way to get care. I feel like midwifery care, in general, has more of a wellness approach so I’m hoping that community health improves by what we’re doing here.” Not only is the Des Moines Midwife Collective unique in its willingness to accept insurance, but it is also the first free-standing lactation clinic in the state of Iowa. Hainley has her International Board of Lactation Consultant certification and ZambranoAndrews is working toward hers. Currently, they have no staff other than themselves. They function not only as the nurse-midwives, but also the receptionists, schedulers, greeters, and billers. “It’s so costly to provide affordable care, but it’s worth it to us,” Hainley said. “We are building something for future generations and we’re building something to prove it can be done. We get to do that together and it’s really a great thing to have a partner in this.” In the clinic, they do prenatal visits, lactation appointments, and women’s healthcare. In the home, they do births, 36-week prenatal visits, and a 24-hour postpartum visit. Some lactation visits are also offered in the home. Their years of experience in the community have helped them make multiple connections in the event of cases in which medical care in a hospital setting is required. Both Hainley and Zambrano-Andrews are thankful for the preparation provided to them by FNU. They were both drawn to FNU’s history and community-based emphasis. “I picked Frontier because they were more community-based,” Zambrano-Andrews
said. “I felt like their focus on supporting birth centers was what really drew me to Frontier versus other programs.” “They have such a great community background and they have a great emphasis on building community,” Hainley added. “They have such an emphasis on community and that fits really well with what we’re doing. Some of that was fostered and grown by how Frontier runs its program.”
“I picked Frontier because they were more communitybased, I felt like their focus on supporting birth centers was what really drew me to Frontier versus other programs.” -Emily Zambrano-Andrews
The Des Moines Midwife Collective has received great support since its opening and has been welcomed by other midwives in the area. While the learning curve of owning a business has been steep and some challenges still loom, it has all been worth it so far. “We have very appreciative clients who are so amazed that we are here and are taking insurance so they can have the desired birth they want,” Zambrano-Andrews said. “You sacrifice for what’s important to you,” Hainley said. “It’s more than just putting a sign in a yard. It’s living a life that is meaningful even if nobody knows what you’re doing. It’s a sacrifice for what’s important.” Editor’s Note: During the course of the interview, Hainley and Zambrano-Andrews expressed their gratitude for so many people who have helped them and made sacrifices to aid them in this journey. In particular, they wanted to
acknowledge their families and say, “Thank you to our friends and family who have helped us along the way.” Zambrano-Andrew’s family includes her husband Jesus Zambrano, whom she calls “her biggest supporter. If I didn’t have him, I don’t know if I’d be a midwife.” Together they have five children: Mina, Olivia, Elio, Giselle, and Elena. Hainley and her husband Matt have four children: Juliet, Zella, Snowden, and Gemma. She also wanted to express her appreciation for her parents, Royce and Lisa. “My dad did so much contracting and manual labor work for us,” she said. “It wouldn’t have looked as pretty if he wasn’t involved. And my mom has helped paint and has taken up all the slack while my dad helps us.” Learn more about the Des Moines Midwife Collective at www.midwifedesmoines.com.
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 17
Alumni Notes Jami Hain Receives Entrepreneur Legacy Award
Vivian Crites Joins Saint Francis Healthcare System
Jami Hain, MSN, CNM, Class 68, was the recipient of the Angela Dillon Entrepreneur Legacy Award by Veterans Leaders and Entrepreneurs Institute (VEL Institute) at the organization’s awards ceremony in November. Hain is the owner of the Nativiti Family Birth Center in The Woodlands, Texas. Hain worked as a nurse at Nativiti while attending FNU, earning her CNM in 2012. An active leader in the community, Hain has spoken about women’s health and maternity care at the Houston Birth Fair, as well as on local radio stations and at various community organizations.
Vivian J. Crites, MSN, FNP, Class 178, recently joined Saint Francis Clinic in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Saint Francis Clinic is part of the Saint Francis Healthcare System. Crites is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and specializes in family medicine.
Tandem Health OB/GYN Welcomes Carol Landry
The Angela Dillon Entrepreneur Legacy Award is presented annually in honor of Angela Dillon, who served as a VEL Ambassador and was “passionate about her business and the community she served.” She was tragically killed in a car accident in September 2020.
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 preferred email address, phone number, and mailing address to alumniservices@frontier.edu. Thank you!
Brittany Nurmukhamedov Joins Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital
Photo courtesy Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital
Stay in the Know
Carol Landry, MSN, APRN, CNM, C-EFM, NP-C, FNP-BC, DNP Class 44, recently joined Tandem Health OB/GYN in Sumter, South Carolina, as a Certified Nurse-Midwife.
Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital recently welcomed Brittany Nurmukhamedov, MSN, CNM, Class 175, to its Women’s Health practice in Ellsworth. She brings extensive nursing experience to Maine Coast and has an interest in caring for women and their families throughout their lifespan for gynecologic and childbearing needs, with an emphasis on underserved and rural populations.
18 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
West Tennessee Medical Group Welcomes Angela Quick West Tennessee Healthcare recently welcomed Angela Quick, MSN, FNP, Bridge 147, to West Tennessee Medical Group Specialty Care – Gastroenterology, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. “I enjoy providing care to patients in my hometown,” she said. “I am looking forward to serving the people of West Tennessee and working with West Tennessee Medical Group.”
Maggie Stanley Joins Shore Physicians Group Shore Physicians Group recently welcomed Maggie Stanley, CNM, Class 62, to their office in Northfield, New Jersey. She joined Shore Physicians Group’s newly added OB/ GYN Midwifery services.
Barbara Torres Joins Samaritan Obstetrics & Gynecology Barbara “Barb” Torres, MSN, CNM, Class 32, has joined Samaritan Obstetrics & Gynecology in Corvallis, Oregon, where she provides gynecological and obstetric care. She earned a bachelor’s degree at California State University, Sacramento, a master’s degree in nursing at Case Western Reserve University, and a master’s in nursemidwifery at Frontier Nursing University.
Crystal Massey CoOwns New Oregon Birth Center Crystal Massey, MSN, CNM, Class 104, is the co-owner of the new Oregon Birth & Wellness Center in Springfield, Oregon. The clinic, which opened in January, offers prenatal, wellness, and birthing care and expects to host 50 births this year.
Coming Soon: Alumni Survey 2022! Frontier surveys their alumni one year and five years postgraduation. 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. This year we will be surveying alumni who graduated in winter 2021 and winter 2017. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win prizes from the FNU gift shop. Please participate by checking your email and completing the survey. If you do not receive an email with a link to the survey or prefer a paper copy, please contact the Director of Institutional Assessment Marilyn.Lyons@Frontier.edu. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and for your thoughtful responses.
Lacey Mills Earns Social Justice Award Lacey Mills, DNP, Class 37, received the Social Justice Award at Peace Harbor Medical Center’s Mission and Values Awards on January 11. Per the award criteria, the Social Justice Award is presented to an individual who “demonstrates a deep commitment to improving the lives of the poor, the vulnerable, and others in need by identifying and assisting in the removal of barriers to personal and community wellbeing.”
Dr. Mills, who is a nurse practitioner at PeaceHealth Medical Group Family Practice in Florence, Oregon, saw a need to better recognize and provide mental health care for patients. She developed a new process to enhance the screening for anxiety and depression among patients and then connected those in need with medication and follow-up referrals. “Lacey created a new walk-in clinic system to capture underlying symptoms that patients may or may not have shared within a walk-in clinic setting,” said Thomas Caton, MD, Director of the walk-in clinic at PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center.
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. To take advantage of all member services, please make sure we have your most recent contact information. Email us at alumniservices@frontier.edu.
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 19
Mrs. Tia Andrew, Hamilton Parish, Bermuda Ms. Sarah Bacon, Brooklyn, NY Mrs. Andrea Begley, Hyden, KY Dr. Heather Bernard, Hamilton, NY Gov. Steven Beshear, Lexington, KY Mrs. Betty Brown, Louisville, KY Mrs. Amy Pennington Brudnicki, Richmond, KY Dr. Timothy Bukowski, Chapel Hill, NC Dr. Wallace Campbell, Berea, KY Miss Anna Carey, Hyden, KY Mrs. Jean Chapin, Oldwick, NJ Mrs. Lois Cheston, Topsfield, MA Bill Corley, Indianapolis, IN Mrs. Julia Breckinridge Davis, Winston-Salem, NC Mrs. John Dete, West Liberty, OH Mrs. Selby Ehrlich, Bedford, NY Mrs. Robert Estill, Raleigh, NC
CHAIR Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP New Orleans, LA VICE CHAIR Michael T. Rust Louisville, KY SECRETARY Wallace Campbell, Ph.D. Berea, KY TREASURER Emma Metcalf, RN, MSN, CPHQ Louisville, KY
Mrs. Noel Smith Fernandez, Pomona, NY Ms. Mary Ann Gill, Versailles, KY Mr. John Grandin, Chestnut Hill, MA Dr. Joyce Fortney Hamberg, Southgate, KY
Board Members
Dr. Horace Henriques, Lyme, NH
Carlyle Carter, Evanston, IL
Mr. & Mrs. John Hodge, Berwyn, PA
William (Bill) Corley, MHA, Carmel, IN
Mrs. Robin Frentz Isaacs, Lincoln, MA Mrs. Rosemary Johnson, Versailles, KY
Nancy Hines, Shepherdsville, KY
Mrs. Mary Carol Joseph, Hyden, KY
Jean Johnson, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Cabin John, MD
Ms. Deborah M. King, Westport, MA
Marcus Osborne, MBA, Bentonville, AR
Mrs. Patricia Lawrence, Westwood, MA
Kerri Schuiling, Ph.D., CNM, FAAN, FACNM, Marquette, MI
Mrs. Marian Leibold, Cincinnati, OH Dr. Ruth Lubic, Washington, DC
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
Mr. William Lubic, Washington DC
Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC
Mr. Robert Montague, JD, Urbanna, VA
Nancy Fugate Woods, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Seattle, WA
Mr. Wade Mountz, Louisville, KY
May Wykle, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, FGSA, Cleveland, OH
Dr. Judy Myers, Ph.D., RN, New Albany, IN Ms. Barbara Napier, Irvine, KY
Foundation Board Members
Ms. Sandra Napier, Stinnett, KY
Peter Coffin, Chair, Frontier Nursing Service, Inc Foundation, Chestnut Hill, MA
Dr. Spencer Noe, Lexington, KY Mr. Dean Osborne, Hyden, KY Mrs. Helen Rentch, Midway, KY
Derek Bonifer, Louisville, KY
Mrs. John Richardson, Washington, DC
Peter Schwartz, MD, Port St. Lucie, FL
Mrs. Linda Roach, Lexington, KY
Board Members Emeritus
Mrs. Georgia Rodes, Lexington, KY Mrs. Sandra Schreiber, Louisville, KY
John Foley, Lexington, KY
Maria Small, MD, MPH, Durham, NC
Marion McCartney, CNM, FACNM, Washington, DC
Mrs. Sherrie Rice Smith, Franklin, WI
Kenneth J. Tuggle, JD, Louisville, KY
Mrs. Austin Smithers, Lyme, NH Mrs. Robert Steck, Arlington, MA Mrs. Mary Clay Stites, Louisville, KY Mr. Richard Sturgill, Paris, KY Ms. Mary Frazier Vaughan, Lexington, KY Mrs. LouAnne Roberts Verrier, Austin, TX Dr. Patience White, Bethesda, MD Mr. Harvie Wilkinson, Lexington, KY Ms. Vaughda Wooten, Hyden, KY
20 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
Frontier Nursing University Special Knit Items Needed! Homemade blankets and scarves continue to be very needed for our FNU Students. Frontier nurse-midwifery students present a baby cap to the family of a baby whose birth they attend, and our nurse practitioner students present lap quilts or scarves to their patients. We have plenty of baby caps at this time but desperately need more blankets and scarves. The size needed for lap quilts is approximately 40 by 42 inches. We greatly appreciate the many knitting groups and friends who send items to us. These items circle the globe as our students pass them on to women and families and share the story of the Frontier Nursing Service. It’s such a special way to pass on the vision and mission of Frontier. Please send your donated items to:
Frontier Nursing University Attn: Dr. Joan Slager, Dean of Nursing 2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383
Frontier Wish List: Your Gifts Help Enhance Students’ Experience on Campus Have you ever wanted to make a gift for a specific item? This wish list is for you. It includes equipment suggested by our faculty to enhance our students’ experience on campus. You can make your donation online by going to this web address: Frontier.edu/WishList or mail a check to: Frontier Wish List Frontier Nursing University 2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383 Your gift to purchase one of these items will go far in enhancing our students’ experience. Thank you! Refurbished GE Corometrics 120 Fetal Monitor - $512.00 This monitor measures the fetal heart rate and the length, frequency, and strength of the uterine contractions. MamaNatali Birthing Simulator - $1,005.00
Memorial Donations The following people gave contributions to Frontier in memory of their friends or loved ones. The names in bold are the deceased.
Laerdal Medical”s “MamaNatalie Birthing Simulator” comes with NeoNatalie and helps create realistic training scenarios easily. It is designed to facilitate engaging role play that makes birth simulation sessions memorable. The MamaNatalie is fashioned to be worn by the person who plays the role of the delivering patient. This allows it to be adaptable for practicing a variety of scenarios (normal birth and complications), in various settings (hospital, birth center, or home) and in different birthing positions (semisitting, hands, and knees, or standing). Sophie and Her Mum Full Birth Obstetric Trainer - $12,500.00
Harriette Sherman Barnes Ms. Mary Ann Barnes Sandra Taylor Bernasek Dr. Steven L. Bernasek Phyllis J. Davis Mr. Everett M. Davis
Laura Mann Mrs. Tamara L. Barry Celia and Robert Oseasohn Ms. Nancy M. Oseasohn Mr. Stephen Harold Smith Stephen H. Smith Family
The Model-med “Sophie and Her Mum Full Birth Obstetric Trainer” model is a full birth training simulator. Manufactured by Paradigm Medical Systems, it is designed for the simulation of spontaneous vaginal delivery as well as some of the complications that may occur at birth. It is a life-size birthing model of a torso and perineum that comes with a fetus to simulate the process of giving birth. Both the maternal torso and neonate are made of a highly realistic, flesh-like material. It creates an extremely realistic tactile experience for student nurse-midwives as they practice the hand skills required to effectively manage births.
Kitty Ernst Ms. Karen Watt Jude Hassler Amy Ravin
Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin 21
Do you have a new mailing or email address? Please let us know. Simply email us at FNUnews@frontier.edu.
22 Frontier Nursing University • Quarterly Bulletin
2050 Lexington Road Versailles, KY 40383 FNU@frontier.edu • 859.251.4700
Frontier.edu Our mission is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education to prepare competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate leaders in primary care to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations.
