Frontier Nursing University (FNU), located in Versailles, Ky., 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, of League City, Texas. Dr. Nilsen was awarded FNU’s 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, 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.”
For 25 years, Dr. Nilsen, who completed her nurse-midwifery education at FNU, served as a 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. Preceptors serve as the student’s teacher, supervisor, and evaluator during the clinical practicum.
Dr. Nilsen was presented the Distinguished Service to Alma Mater Award in recognition of her lifelong support of midwifery and Frontier Nursing University.
