Today, I am reaching out to pay tribute to the memory of Lisa Chappel. Lisa was not only a dedicated nurse at her core but also a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Commencing her nursing career in 1974, she consistently held various nursing positions until shortly before her passing November 21, 2023. We at Frontier Nursing University were fortunate to count her as a teacher, colleague, and friend from 2009 onward.
Lisa initially joined as course faculty, but her exceptional leadership skills swiftly propelled her into the role of Course Coordinator. In 2014, she assumed the role of Associate Dean of Family Nursing, later rebranded as the Department Chair of Family Nursing. For nearly a decade, she led the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, achieving outstanding success with national board pass rates consistently approaching or reaching 100% annually.
As we reflect on Lisa's impact on students, faculty, and staff, a recurring sentiment emerges. Many express, "Lisa was my mentor" or "Lisa imparted invaluable knowledge to me." Others fondly recall Lisa's unwavering support in challenging situations, with sentiments like, "I always appreciated Lisa's calm support in the face of challenges" or "When I first started at FNU, Lisa took me under her wing and ensured I had what I needed."
Lisa embodied the roles of teacher, mentor, collaborator, and friend for numerous individuals at Frontier Nursing University. While her absence is deeply felt, her influence will endure in the lives of those she cared for, whether as a clinician, educator, mentor, or friend, for many years to come.
– FNU President, Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN
Lisa was a mentor and a friend. She was a firm but kind leader who commanded respect but was very much loved and admired by her faculty. She loved her work and her Frontier family.
– Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN
Dr. Lisa Chappell exuded kindness and maturity in all interactions. I am grateful for her guidance and role-modeling unfaltering dedication to the university and the nursing profession.
– Dr. Audrey Perry, DNP, M.Ed.(c), CNM, CRNP, A-GNP-C, CNE, FACNM
Dr. Chappell oriented me to Frontier Bound and was exceptionally kind and gracious – and funny!
– Dr. Eva Fried, DNP, CNM, WHNP
Lisa was one of a kind. She was Southern hospitality personified. I remember meeting her for the first time when I went to Hyden for my faculty interview. I was sitting alone in the admin conference room, and she sat next to me, introduced herself, and started talking to me about my life and my goals. At the end of it, she said, "I wish I would've known you first. You should come work in my department." Then she smiled her beautiful smile, laughed, then said, "I'm serious!" She saw the best in everyone. It was a pleasure to work with her closely over the past 2.5 years. I will cherish her mentorship, friendship, and kindness forever.
– Dr. Khara' A. Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC
Dr. Chappell was always so kind, compassionate, and determined with her work. She had a quiet presence about her but was always willing to help and had such graciousness about her. Even though she was the Chair of the FNP Department, I never felt intimidated by her title and always felt welcome to reach out with questions, big or small. She made me feel like I mattered, and that is how she treated all our students, too. She really wanted all students to be successful here. She will be missed so much!
– Jamie Wheeler, MA
I joined the FNU faculty in 2014 and attended my first Frontier Bound in September 2014. I met Lisa and remember how welcoming she was to me and talking with her about the importance of APRN practitioners in our society. I came from a university college of nursing where only DNPs were awarded, and I would now also be supporting faculty in our master's level programs as the Writing Support Specialist. Over the years, I've seen how devoted Lisa has been to the students in our FNP programs but, even more, her dedication to supporting our FNP faculty. Lisa was always approachable and diplomatic as our programs were constantly evolving, and change was a constant for our practice as nursing educators. Lisa was the embodiment of caring, and she was inspiring and encouraging to support new ideas and sustain practices that bound our community of caring with respect and engagement. I will miss Lisa and her indomitable and progressive spirit.
– Gail Spake, MA
Dr. Chappell was the chair of FNP when we started the advising center over nine years ago. She was instrumental in helping us navigate our new roles. I always appreciated her kindness and her collaborative spirit. Despite her experience, she was always quick to ask my opinion or talk through a situation instead of just handing down a decision. She will be sorely missed.
– Lesia Hansen, M.A.
Lisa was truly one of the most gentle souls and I am grateful to have had the privilege of calling her my friend. I worked with Lisa in many different roles over the years, but most fondly remember times with her in the faculty house (Hyden) during DNP Bounds. We bounced around many ideas, which helped us grow the DNP program, and also had deep conversations, sharing many things which included both personal and professional advice. Lisa was one of a kind, and I will miss her. Rest in peace, Lisa!
– Dr. Deborah Karsnitz, DNP, CNM, FACNM, CNE
Lisa Chappell was a wise and fair leader, devoted to her faculty and our students. Lisa was an awesome mentor. For me, joining the FNU faculty was a bit of a culture shock. Lisa never waivered in her support and guidance. I suspect that many of us have benefited from Lisa's wise council. We are all grieving, but hopefully, we can find solace in the knowledge that Lisa Chappell has left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds. Her spirit will live on through the values she instilled in us and the lives she touched. Rest in peace, dear Lisa. Your legacy will endure, and your impact will resonate in our hearts forever.
– Debra Hunt, PhD, FNP, GNP, CNE
Dr. Chappell was a quiet force at Frontier Nursing University. Her calm demeanor and gentle Southern accent could lead you to believe that she was weak, but don't be fooled. Lisa could be clear and strong as needed. I first encountered her strength and diplomacy when we were at Clinical Bound together and dealing with an interpersonal problem between a faculty member and a student. She was amazing. As a member of the Emergency Fund Scholarship Committee, I witnessed her compassion and generosity time and again while also requiring adherence to policies and procedures. She will be sorely missed at Frontier and in my life.
– Mickey Gillmor, MN, CNM
Thank you, Dr Chappell, for your wisdom, mentoring, and friendship. You were the FNP Department champion for faculty and students. Your legacy is the lasting impact of kindness, humility, quality, and accountability in nursing education. May we continue to honor that legacy.
– Dr. Audra Cave DNP, FNP-BC
Dear Lisa, I pray you are safe and well and in the arms of your beloved husband. May God continue to watch over you.
– Dr. Carol McFarland. DNP, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CDE
Dr. Lisa Chappell was an exemplary educator, leader, and mentor. I am truly blessed to have known her.
– Dr. April Phillips, DNP, FNP-c, PMHNP-BC
Lisa Chappell was a wonderful boss, mentor, and friend to me. She was a woman who steered her life by her faith. Often, she told me she just had to get out of the way to let the Lord work through her. That showed in all that she did. Lisa has a wonderful biological family and has created a family here at FNU with us. She could be stern with a look and a "wait a minute now" comment. She didn't like everything we did, but she did love each and every one of us. She loved to cook, read three books at a time, and sing to Carrie Underwood's version of Victory in Jesus as ardently as Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. I still hear her singing, "Gotta kiss myself, I'm so pretty." When David, her husband, died, she was devastated. She turned to work and was buoyed by her desire to serve "her people" (us) and the FNP Department. We helped her through her loss. When she shared her diagnosis with me, I asked her what I could do for her. She asked that I help take care of her people and the Department. She also wanted us all to know that there is never enough time. It gives me great comfort to know where she is and that she is with David. I love you, Lisa.
– Dr. Joanne Keefe DNP, MPH, FNP-c, CNE
Dr. Chappell was an amazing woman who practiced the culture of caring every day. To know her for the past 10 years has been something I will always treasure. Her humor, smile, and laugh were infectious, and whenever she met with me, she always ended our meeting with a positive comment and made me feel special even on my worst day. Her support was unwavering, and she always had my back. We had so many wonderful talks about work, life, and family. She always made sure to ask how everyone was. I would always say, "I hope I can be half of the person Dr. Chappell is" because she was someone who inspired me to be a better person. She will be deeply missed. RIP our wonderful colleague and friend!
– Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Thank you, Lisa, for sharing all of your time, talents, and wisdom with us at Frontier. I know I personally spent many hours talking to you around the big tables in Hyden and learned a tremendous amount about teaching, navigating the politics of working at a university, and taking care of oneself in the process. You had the kindest soul and could always make me laugh. I will never forget your description of the beds on the Hyden campus and you calling them "child's beds" in your southern drawl. I still smile to this day thinking about that! You are sorely missed.
–Tia Andrighetti DNP, CNM, APRN, CHSE-A, CNE, FACNM
Lisa was a remarkable woman whose spirit and unwavering dedication to education have left a permanent mark on all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her commitment to the faculty and students was not merely professional; it was a deeply personal investment in our lives and the future of her students. Her love for her job was evident in her devotion to the betterment of FNU. Her legacy is one of kindness and compassion and will live on in all of us as we continue the work of education here at FNU. She will be deeply missed.
– Dr. Nancy Pesta Walsh, DNP, FNP, PMHNP
I am so GRATEFUL for her compassion for the students and also the faculty/staff. Her unwavering support and encouragement. Thank you for being such a GREAT leader and example for US ALL, Lisa. Frontier LEGEND!!!! May we make you PROUD as we strive to prepare the next generation of FNPs for GREATNESS, DIVERSITY, and CULTURE OF CARING.
– Torica Fuller, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FNP-C, WHNP-BC, CDP, CGRN, CPN, NRCME
I have worked closely with Lisa since her start at FNU--first as course faculty in the same courses and then as my Associate. Dean. She was so much more than her title; she was an advocate, encourager, friend, and confidante. Her heart was big and beautiful, and she cared deeply for others. I will miss her laughter and witty jokes. I will miss the peace and calm that she brought to every circumstance. And, goodness, she gave the best hugs! FNU was truly graced with Lisa's presence and leadership. Fly high, lovely lady . . . and rest well. May your memory be eternal.
– Nena R. Harris, PhD, FNP-BC, CNM, CNE, FACNM
Lisa was one of the most kind colleagues I have ever worked with and always made others feel welcome and appreciated. Her friendly demeanor and calming presence made anyone feel at ease. She will be greatly missed and was a true example of FNU's culture of caring.
– Brittney Kinison
Circling up from Utah, I’ll always cherish her kindness of encouragement on my journey to becoming a Frontier FNP.
– Jacob Ross
I am so sad to see this. I remember meeting her at Frontier Bound and she was so kind and welcoming to all the students. What a great loss to Frontier. Her compassionate spirit will live on.
– Celeste Desiree
I was honored to meet her at Frontier Bound last year. She was encouraging and made me look forward to being at Frontier for my FNP journey. Condolences to her loved ones and colleagues.
– Elizabeth Rice
Dr. Chappell provided such warmth and kindness to me and other FNP students at Frontier Bound. I loved hearing her nursing stories and the journeys her career took her on! I am sending love and prayers to her friends and family, especially her husband, of whom she talked so dearly!
– Evelyn Grace Cutting
Carrie Belin is an experienced board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a graduate of the Johns Hopkins DNP program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Georgetown University School of Nursing, and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. She has also completed fellowships at Georgetown and the University of California Irvine.
Angie has been a full-scope midwife since 2009. She has experience in various birth settings including home, hospital, and birth centers. She is committed to integrating the midwifery model of care in the US. She completed her master’s degree in nurse-midwifery at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) and her Doctorate at Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves as the midwifery clinical faculty at FNU. Angie is motivated by the desire to improve the quality of healthcare and has led quality improvement projects on skin-to-skin implementation, labor induction, and improving transfer of care practices between hospital and community midwives. In 2017, she created a short film on skin-to-skin called 
Justin C. Daily, BSN, RN, has ten years of experience in nursing. At the start of his nursing career, Justin worked as a floor nurse on the oncology floor at St. Francis. He then spent two years as the Director of Nursing in a small rural Kansas hospital before returning to St. Francis and the oncology unit. He has been in his current position as the Chemo Nurse Educator for the past four years. He earned an Associate in Nurse from Hutchinson Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bethel College.
Brandy Jackson serves as the Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs and Assistant Educator at Wichita State University and Co-Director of Access in Nursing. Brandy is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of experience. Before entering academia, Brandy served in Hospital-based leadership and Critical Care Staff nurse roles. Brandy is passionate about equity in nursing education with a focus on individuals with disabilities. Her current research interests include accommodations of nursing students with disabilities in clinical learning environments and breaking down barriers for historically unrepresented individuals to enter the nursing profession. Brandy is also actively engaged in Interprofessional Education development, creating IPE opportunities for faculty and students at Wichita State. Brandy is an active member of Wichita Women for Good and Soroptimist, with the goal to empower women and girls. Brandy is a TeamSTEPPS master trainer. She received the DASIY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty in 2019 at Wichita State University. 
Dr. Sabrina Ali Jamal-Eddine is an Arab-disabled queer woman of color with a PhD in Nursing and an interdisciplinary certificate in Disability Ethics from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Dr. Jamal-Eddine’s doctoral research explored spoken word poetry as a form of critical narrative pedagogy to educate nursing students about disability, ableism, and disability justice. Dr. Jamal-Eddine now serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in UIC’s Department of Disability and Human Development and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND). During her doctoral program, Sabrina served as a Summer Fellow at a residential National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) Summer Institute at Arizona State University (2023), a summer fellow at Andrew W. Mellon’s National Humanities Without Walls program at University of Michigan (2022), a Summer Research Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Othering & Belonging Institute (2021), and an Illinois Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) trainee (2019-2020).
Vanessa Cameron works for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nursing Education & Professional Development. She is also attending George Washington University and progressing towards a PhD in Nursing with an emphasis on ableism in nursing. After becoming disabled in April 2021, Vanessa’s worldview and perspective changed, and a recognition of the ableism present within healthcare and within the culture of nursing was apparent. She has been working since that time to provide educational foundations for nurses about disability and ableism, provide support for fellow disabled nursing colleagues, and advocate for the disabled community within healthcare settings to reduce disparities.
Dr. Lucinda Canty is a certified nurse-midwife, Associate Professor of Nursing, and Director of the Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbia University, a master’s degree from Yale University, specializing in nurse-midwifery, and a PhD from the University of Connecticut. Dr. Canty has provided reproductive health care for over 29 years. Her research interests include the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, reducing racial and ethnic health disparities in reproductive health, promoting diversity in nursing, and eliminating racism in nursing and midwifery.
Dr. Lisa Meeks is a distinguished scholar and leader whose unwavering commitment to inclusivity and excellence has significantly influenced the landscape of health professions education and accessibility. She is the founder and executive director of the DocsWithDisabilities Initiative and holds appointments as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Learning Health Sciences and Family Medicine at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Nikia Grayson, DNP, MSN, MPH, MA, CNM, FNP-C, FACNM (she/her) is a trailblazing force in reproductive justice, blending her expertise as a public health activist, anthropologist, and family nurse-midwife to champion the rights and health of underserved communities. Graduating with distinction from Howard University, Nikia holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in public health. Her academic journey also led her to the University of Memphis, where she earned a master’s in medical anthropology, and the University of Tennessee, where she achieved both a master’s in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice. Complementing her extensive education, she completed a post-master’s certificate in midwifery at Frontier Nursing University.
Dr. Tia Brown McNair is the Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success and Executive Director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC. She oversees both funded projects and AAC&U’s continuing programs on equity, inclusive excellence, high-impact practices, and student success. McNair directs AAC&U’s Summer Institutes on High-Impact Practices and Student Success, and TRHT Campus Centers and serves as the project director for several AAC&U initiatives, including the development of a TRHT-focused campus climate toolkit. She is the lead author of From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education (January 2020) and Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success (July 2016 and August 2022 Second edition).
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