Biannual Newsletter | Winter 2024
WELCOME
We are excited to share updates from the Missouri Baptist University School of Nursing. This edition highlights our eight new faculty and staff, SON Missions, the launch of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, and grant funding from the Missouri State Board of Nursing
Grounded in Christian faith, we remain committed to preparing students spiritually, intellectually, and professionally through Biblical truth and liberal arts education Thank you for supporting our mission to shape compassionate and skilled nurses who impact healthcare and their communities Thank you for being an essential part of our journey Your support empowers us to cultivate a generation of nurses dedicated to excellence, service, and faith
Dr. Robin Elaine Murray
DNP, RN, CNE | Associate Dean of Undergraduate Nursing
New Faculty and Staff
Dr. Tara Hommelson
DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, CNE | Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing
Dr. Grace Franklin, DNAP, CRNA
GRADUATE ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: Goldfarb School of Nursing, 2016
Graduate School: Webster University, 2022
Clinical Areas: Anesthesia, Functional Medicine
About Me: I am recently re-married with three beautiful “bonus babies”. When I am not working in the Operating Room or teaching as an adjunct professor, I enjoy reading and writing, traveling, and pursuing photography and neuroesthetic design In addition to my clinical practice, I also have my own private wellness practice
Lauren Kalhorn (’23), BSN, RN
SIMULATION TECHNICIAN
Nursing School: Missouri Baptist University School of Nursing, 2023
Clinical Areas: Emergency Department
About Me: I have three children ages 7-14 and five pets at home I met my husband in third grade, and we have been together since we were 15 years old In the summer, you can find me in the hammock enjoying a good murder mystery book!
Caitlyn Baum, BSN, RN, OCN
PEDIATRIC CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: Union University, 2018
Graduate School: Currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Clinical Areas: Pediatrics
About Me: My dog, Milo, and I love going to local parks and hiking In my free time I love crafting, baking and concerts
Maggie Rizzo, BSN, RN
ADULT HEALTH CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: University of Missouri- Saint Louis, 2014
Clinical Areas: Medical Intensive Care Unit
About Me: My husband, Logan, and I have been married for eight years We have three daughters, Andie (5), Sawyer (3) and Briar (1) We love cooking and baking together as a family
Josie Urhahn, BSN, RN
PEDIATRIC CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: Mayrville University, 2020
Graduate School: Currently enrolled at SIUE
Clinical Areas: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
About Me: I got married this past September and we spent our honeymoon traveling the Greek islands! In my free time I enjoy working out and reading. I love to travel and spend time outdoors.
Lisa
Walker,
BSN, RN
LABOR & DELIVERY CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: University of Missouri- St Louis, 2007
Clinical Areas: Labor & Delivery
About Me: My husband of 20 years and I can usually be found at one of our four children's activities, filling the roles of driver, encourager, and expert applauder. We have an amazing extended family who we love spending time with and two cats that one of us adores (it's me!).
Glennetta Pryce, MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-MNN, C-EFM
LABOR & DELIVERY CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: Hawaiian Pacific University, 2003
Graduate School: Northwest Nazarene University, 2015
Clinical Areas: Labor & Delivery
About Me: I have four children, ages 15-22, and a granddaughter who was born last fall. I have been married 25 years to a wonderful, supportive husband. We moved to St. Louis about seven years ago after retiring from the US Navy, and I enjoy gardening and working in the yard.
Natalie Buncher, BSN, RN, CEFM
CLINICAL NURSING ADJUNCT FACULTY
Nursing School: Benedictine College, 2013
Clinical Areas: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Telemetry, NICU, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum
About Me: I have been a nurse for 11 years now I started out in the Cardiovascular ICU and now I work in Labor and Delivery I met my husband at a Bible study gathering 10 years ago and now we have three wonderful children I enjoy spending time with my family, and I love being in the outdoors admiring God's creation
SON Wins
Significant Grant to Bolster SON Program
MBUishonoredtoreceive$719,135infundingfromtheMissouriStateBoardofNursing’sNursing EducationIncentiveProgramgrant!Thisgenerousawardwillsupportinitiativestostrengthenour programbyenhancingstudentandfacultyretention,improvingtechnologyandincreasingthe numberofqualifiednursesenteringMissouri’sworkforce
AkeyinitiativefundedbythisgrantistheintroductionofaNursingSuccessAdvisor/Tutor Thisrole willprovidestudentswiththeacademicandemotionalsupportneededtonavigatenursingschool successfullyandstayontrackforgraduation Weareconfidentthiswillgreatlyimproveretentionand helpmorestudentsachievetheirgoals.
SON Faculty Spotlight
Ashley Bell
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NURSING
At Missouri Baptist University's School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing nurses to serve with excellence and compassion in a global context. Since 2022, Dr. Ashley Bell has led transformative mission trips to Greece and Liberia, giving students the opportunity to serve communities in need.
Every other year, nursing students can apply their skills in diverse settings providing medical care in underserved Liberian communities and supporting refugee ministries in Greece These hands-on experiences not only make a tangible impact, but also deepen students' global perspectives
Rooted in our Christian faith, these mission trips emphasize spiritual care, as students share the love of Christ through their service, bringing hope and healing to those they encounter We are grateful for Dr Bell’s leadership in the SON Missions! This fall, Dr. Bell was also honored with the prestigious Emerson AwardforTeachingExcellence a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions. Thankyou,Dr.Bell,forallyoudotoensureexcellenceinnursingeducationattheMBUSchool ofNursing!
Graduate Corner
DidyouknowthatMBUhasaMasterofScienceinNursing–PsychiatricMentalHealthNurse PractitionerProgram?Designedforworkingprofessionals,thisonlineprogramallowsyoutoearnyour MSNinaslittleastwoyears,providingtheflexibilitytobalanceyourstudieswithafull-timejob.
Flexible&Online:Learnonyourschedulewithonlineclassesandlabstailoredtobusynurses.
QuickCompletion:Full-timestudentscangraduateinjustsixsemesters
ExpertFaculty:Gaininsightsfromprofessorswithreal-worldexperiencewhounderstandthe challengesofmodernhealthcare.
Faith-BasedEducation:MBUintegratesfaithwithstrongacademics,preparingnursestoserve diversecommunitieswithcompassion
Certification-Ready:GraduatesarepreparedfortheANCCPMHNP-BCexam,equippingyouto makeagreaterimpactonmentalhealthcare
Alumni Updates
Olivia Anic
Working as an NP at a Medspa, building longterm relationships with clients and supporting them through a personalized journey toward their aesthetic goals (MSN ‘23)
Ansley
Little
Obtained MEDSURG-BC certification, assisting with the creation and initiation of a UAP fellowship program, Went to Athens Greece on another mission trip and will graduate with my DNP in spring 2025 (BSN ‘20, MSN ’23)
Mikayla (Kayla) Dieckman
Earned chemo certification. (BSN ‘24)
Colton Potter
Accepted a Nurse Practitioner position with South Star Urgent care in Eunice, LA (MSN ‘21, BSN ‘24)
Paul Plohr
Pursuing DNP-PMHNP at the University of Wyoming, and published an article: Use of Theory to Love Thy Neighbor and a summary of the Tidal Model (BSN ‘21)
Elizabeth Kem (née Winter)
Earned CPN Certification in March and working in Pediatric Sedation and Interventional Radiology at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital (BSN ‘22)
Please fill out this form for professional updates to appear in future newsletters (such as earned certificates, degrees, new positions, mission work and initiatives). Send us an update!
Missouri Baptist University School of Nursing
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