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Faculty Spotlight: Joanne Keefe, DNP, MPH, FNP-C

December 20, 2018 By frontieredu

Alumna and faculty member, Joanne Keefe, DNP, MPH, FNP-C found where she belonged in nursing at Frontier Nursing University (FNU). Joanne is a course coordinator for Epidemiology/Biostatistics at FNU, where she thrives in the teaching environment.

As an educator, Joanne answers the call by creating an uplifting nursing community, something her individual work in the field initially lacked.

According to Joanne, before coming to FNU, she worked in nursing for 10 years but felt she wasn’t making a difference. She pursued a Master of Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of New Mexico. After public health didn’t seem to be a good fit, she returned to individual care and decided to pursue a higher level of education at FNU.

She completed the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, but gained more than additional education.

“I finally found what I had been looking for in nursing – a supportive community,” said Joanne. “I am so lucky to be able to now work in this environment!”

Professionally, she has presented at AANP, NONPF and Conference on Meaningful Living and Learning in a Digital World.

The students in the FNU community also appreciate Joanne, nominating her for the FNU Student Choice Award in 2018.

“My ultimate goal is to change the face of nursing by sharing the community feeling and encouraging them to spread this feeling in their own communities,” said Joanne. “I strive do this as an educator, colleague and mentor.”

When Joanne is not busy at Frontier, she rides horses, gardens and spends time outside.

Joanne is grateful to be a part of the supportive FNU community and we are equally thankful to have her!

Congrats to our Summer Term 2018 Circle of Caring Award Winners!

November 12, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is thrilled to announce the 2018 Summer Term Circle of Caring Award winners. Congratulations to Debra Hunt as the faculty recipient and Wesley Farmer as the staff recipient!

The Circle of Caring Award is a recognition for faculty and staff who go above and beyond their job duties and strive to uphold FNU’s mission and Culture of Caring everyday. One faculty and staff member is recognized each term.

FNU faculty and staff were invited to nominate someone anonymously. Nominations were then voted upon by a committee based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

Wesley Farmer, Maintenance Supervisor

Wesley Farmer is the Maintenance Supervisor at FNU. The following are excerpts from his anonymous nominations:

“Wesley is always ready and willing to help. No matter how many different directions he’s being pulled in or how busy he is, his pleasant demeanor and service with a smile remains constant. He is the nicest and most helpful person ever. He never complains, is always positive and does whatever is asked of him.”

Debra Hunt, PhD, is a FNP and Course Faculty Member at FNU. The following are excerpts from her anonymous nominations:

Debra Hunt, PhD, FNP, FNU Course Faculty

“Debra has been a tremendous help in PC702. She has gone over and above her role as course faculty and helped with assignments, ideas on how to improve the course, and taken her teaching to a new level while supporting the other course faculty. She has been nothing but supportive, and is also helping another faculty member monitoring her course while she is on vacation! This level of willingness to step above the course faculty role is something to appreciate and support.”

Both winners will receive a framed certificate, a $50 gift card and will be featured in various FNU communications.

Our sincere congratulations to Wesley and Debra for exemplifying the spirit of community and caring at FNU.

Do you know a FNU staff or faculty member that goes above and beyond? Nominate them now for the Circle of Caring Award!

Frontier Alumni Celebrate 2018 Homecoming

October 22, 2018 By frontieredu

On October 5, alumni, family and friends gathered at Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) campus for its annual Homecoming celebration. Among the weekend festivities were a reception, cookout, award ceremony and many opportunities to network with present and former FNU students.

After an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dinner and dessert, homecoming participants gathered for the annual Alumni Award Ceremony.

Please join us in honoring and congratulating the 2018 award winners:

Distinguished Service to Alma Mater, Nurse-Midwife: Susan Culp Clapp, CNM, Class 81

Distinguished Service to Society, Nurse-Midwife: Francie Likis, CNM, NP, Class 40

Distinguished Service to Alma Mater, Nurse-Practitioner: Estella Wetzel, FNP, Class 78

Distinguished Service to Society Alumni, Nurse Practitioner: Elena Prendergast, DNP, Companion DNP 4

Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award: Berea College Appalachian Fund

The Mary Breckinridge Lifetime Service Award recognizes an individual or organization providing longstanding support and commitment to the mission and work of Frontier Nursing Service and Frontier Nursing University. We are very proud to award this year’s honor to the Berea College Appalachian Fund. The Fund supports organizations working to improve the health, education and general welfare of people living in the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding areas.

Courier Unbridled Service Award: Julia Breckinridge Davis, Courier, 1967-69

FNU Homecoming award winners, l to r: David Cooke on behalf of the Berea College Appalachian Fund; Julia Breckinridge Davis; Susan Culp Clapp; Francie Likis; Estella Wetzel

Homecoming participants spent the following day at the annual Mary Breckinridge Festival and parade, cookout and toast. Winner of the Courier Unbridled Service Award, Julia Breckinridge Davis, led the parade with the traditional riderless horse.

The traditional bell ringing concluded homecoming weekend, and participants caravanned to the new Versailles campus for a tour of the exciting renovations and new builds.

We are already looking forward to next year! We hope that you will join us.

See more photos of our 2018 Homecoming Celebration here.

Frontier Nursing University Receives 2018 Health Professions HEED Award

October 18, 2018 By frontieredu

Versailles, Ky. – Today, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) received the 2018 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, veterinary, allied health, and other health schools and centers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — FNU will be featured, along with 34 other recipients, in the December 2018 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“We are deeply honored to receive the prestigious HEED Award,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We believe in the benefits of a diverse university and in the positive impacts our diverse graduates can make in communities across the country. Our graduates serve people of all races and cultures and are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds. It is imperative that our students, faculty and staff have cultural awareness and competency in order to effectively advance our mission of servant leadership. We have demonstrated our ongoing commitment to diversity by implementing programs and structure to ensure we reach our goals. The HEED Award is a validation of those efforts and provides additional inspiration to maintain our commitment to achieving and exceeding our diversity and inclusion goals.”

Since the implementation of the FNU PRIDE Initiative (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education) in 2010, which spearheaded many targeted recruitment activities, FNU has increased the student of color enrollment from 9% in 2010 to 23% in 2018. This success has been achieved through a comprehensive marketing effort targeting prospective students from underrepresented groups. Advertisements, conferences, events, and public relations have been focused on reaching and recruiting new students from underrepresented groups.

FNU has also held annual three-day Diversity Impact Student Conferences since the PRIDE Initiative began. The purpose of the Diversity Impact Conference is to ensure that nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives understand the challenges and opportunities offered by diversity in rural and underserved healthcare systems. Moreover, Diversity Impact advances solutions to problems posed by contemporary health care policy.

To further demonstrate its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, FNU created the position of Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer (CDIO) in 2017 and named Dr. Maria Valentin-Welch to that office. Dr. Valentin-Welch was named one of the Top 25 Women in Higher Education by Diverse Magazine earlier this year.

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both; continued leadership support for diversity; and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus.”

About Frontier Nursing University:

The mission of FNU 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. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates. To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

Frontier Nursing University President Dr. Susan Stone Elected to National Academy of Medicine

October 16, 2018 By Stephanie Boyd

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) president Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Dr. Susan Stone has served as President of Frontier Nursing University since 2001. NAM states the election recognizes Dr. Stone’s achievements that have opened the door to more than 5,000 nurses to achieve graduate education and positively impact the accessibility of quality health care for rural families across the United States.

Dr. Stone is a leader in the development of strategies to increase the quality and capacity of the midwifery and advanced practice nursing workforce with the specific goal of improving health care for families. Her primary position for the last two decades is as the leader of Frontier Nursing University, where she led the transition from a community-based school of nurse-midwifery offering a basic certificate program with 200 students enrolled to an accredited University offering master’s and doctoral degrees to nurses seeking graduate degrees. Today the University has over 2,000 graduate nursing students enrolled from every state in the United States and seven foreign countries. The focus is educating primary care providers from rural and underserved communities who will then serve rural and underserved populations. Within its degree programs, the university now offers tracks leading nurses to certification as nurse-midwives, family nurse practitioners, women’s health care nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

Dr. Stone currently also serves as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, where her agenda includes increasing the midwifery workforce through educational quality and capacity strategies, advocacy especially related to the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, and increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce. She believes collaboration with other health care professionals is essential to achieve the goal of improving the health of women and families.

“I am deeply honored to be elected to The National Academy of Medicine,” said Dr. Stone. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to work collaboratively with and learn from other leaders across many other medical professions and disciplines. I am eager to join the Academy’s ongoing efforts to improve health and healthcare.”

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) announced the election of 75 regular members and 10 international members during its annual meeting. Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

“This distinguished and diverse class of new members is a truly remarkable set of scholars and leaders whose impressive work has advanced science, improved health, and made the world a better place for everyone,” said National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau. “Their expertise in science, medicine, health, and policy in the U.S. and around the globe will help our organization address today’s most pressing health challenges and inform the future of health and health care. It is my privilege to welcome these esteemed individuals to the National Academy of Medicine.”

New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulate that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. The newly elected members bring NAM’s total membership to 2,178 and the number of international members to 159.

Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy and inspires positive actions across sectors. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding. With their election, NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their service in National Academies activities.

About Frontier Nursing University:
The mission of FNU 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. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates.

To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

Alumni Spotlight: Mary T. Bradish, CNM

July 5, 2018 By frontieredu

Mary Theresa Bradish, CNM, a Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumni, is a midwifery pioneer who worked for years to bring natural birthing options to women in north-central Illinois. She published her inspirational autobiographical memoir in 2016.

Mary’s incredible story began as an obstetrics nurse. She was in the Cadet Nursing Corps during WWII before transitioning into maternity nursing in LaSalle County, Ill. Twenty-five years later, she realized her true calling was encouraging women and families to pursue the birth they desired. She wanted to be able to offer mothers the most comfortable and natural experience possible – from water births to Lamaze practices to breastfeeding.

After completing the nurse-midwifery program at FNU, Mary returned to the Illinois valley to practice. But at that time, in the late 1970s, Mary faced many obstacles because the state wasn’t accepting of natural methods for birth. Through personal and political struggles Mary persisted, and since has helped thousands of women become mothers – always focusing on the most ideal method for each one.

Decades of service later, Mary finally wrote it all down in a personal memoir, entitled Breathe, Breathe, Push. The book chronicles Mary’s journey as she trail-blazed the way for midwifery in central Illinois.

For her extraordinary efforts, Mary received the Distinguished Service Award in 2017 at the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) 62nd Annual Meeting & Exhibition. The award recognizes a CNM/CM or other professional for an unusual and exemplary effort in the field of community service, innovation in midwifery practice, education, or research.

Mary still continues her work as a nurse-midwife at Illinois Valley Community Hospital, where she has helped introduce water births and other natural options for prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Thank you Mary, for representing FNU by being an inspiration to the nurse-midwifery community and to mothers and families everywhere!

At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community who are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

FNU Faculty and Leadership Spotlighted at 2018 ACNM Conference

June 5, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) was represented strongly by its faculty, staff, students and alumni at the 2018 American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Annual Meeting & Exhibition on May 20-14, 2018. ACNM’s mission is to support midwives and advance the practice of midwifery in order to achieve optimal health for women through their lifespan. Here are the members of the FNU community who demonstrated outstanding leadership at the 63rd Annual ACNM Conference:

ACNM President

FNU President, Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNS, FACNM, FAAN

Dr. Susan Stone Inducted as ACNM President

FNU President, Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNS, FACNM, FAAN was officially inducted as the ACNM President at the conclusion of the ACNM Annual Meeting. In her address, she appealed to all midwives to be a force for change in maternal mortality rate and racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. “As midwives, we need to carry the banner of change and become its forceful catalyst at all levels. Our women and families are relying on us,” said Stone.

Dr. Stone listed her priorities as President: position midwives as leaders in national discussions regarding maternity care and health care systems; ensure positive collaboration among midwives and maternity care providers; and increase the number and diversity of the midwifery workforce.

Dr. Stone’s initiatives will be supported by ACNM leadership. See the ACNM news release about Dr. Stone’s induction here.

ACNM Treasurer

Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, CPC, FACNM

Chair, Nominating Committee

Tonya Nicholson, CNM, WHNP, FACNM, DNP

Chair, Research Committee AMCB; Board of Trustees ACNM Foundation and Chair, ACNM Healthy Birth Initiative

Tanya Tanner, PhD, MBA, APRN, CNM

Secretary, ACNM Midwives of Color Committee; Member, ACNM Nominating Committee

Charlotte Morris, DNP, CNM

Treasurer, OR ACNM Affiliate

Trish McQuillin Voss, ND, DNP, MSN, CNM

Faculty Awards/Honors

Faculty Inducted as 2018 ACNM Fellows

Charlotte Morris, DNP, CNM; Mary Kay Miller, CNM, MSN; Eileen Thrower, CNM, PhD; Rebecca Morris; Linda Cole, DNP; and Jane Houston, CNM, DNP

Left to right: Charlotte Morris, Mary Kay Miller, Eileen Thrower, Rebecca Morris, Linda Cole and Jane Houston

Excellence in Teaching Award and Newton Long Award

Jill Alliman, CNM, DNP, FACNM

Outstanding Preceptor Award

Sheila Lorentzen, CNM

Carrington-Hsia-Nieves MOCC Graduate Fellowship Award

Mimi Niles, RN, CNM, MSN, MPH

Clinical Star Award

Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, CPC, FACNM

Singing of the National Anthem at the Welcome Premier Session

Tonya Nicholson, CNM, WHNP, FACNM, DNP

Alumni Awards and Presentations

Distinguished Service Award from the ACNM MOCC (Midwives of Color Committee)

Lauren Arrington, CNM (FNU Alumna, CNEP Class 48)

Lauren Arrington, CNM

Distinguished Service Award

Nikki May, CNM, FNP, MSN

Thatcher Community Grants

Angie Chisholm, CNM (FNU Alumni)

ACNM Division of Global Health Panel: Developing Competencies for Midwives to Effectively Work in International Settings

Lauren Arrington, CNM (FNU Alumna) and esteemed panel members

Think You Know Listeria? Think Again. A Fresh Look at Stale Teaching Guidelines

Katya Simon, CNM, MSN, MS (FNU Alumna), Mickey Gilmor-Kahn, MSN, CNM (FNU Faculty) and colleague

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Women’s Health Care Provider’s Guide to Identifying Risk and Distinguishing Symptoms

Andrew Youmans, CNM, CPEN, FAWM (FNU Alumni)

Is the Midwife on the Birth Certificate? Why All Midwives Should be Active Participants in Improving Birth Certificate Accuracy

Kendra Adkisson, CNM, MNS (FNU Alumna) and colleague

Workshops & Education Sessions

Perineal Repair Update: A Suturing Workshop

FNU Faculty Members: Sarah Smith, CNM, DNP; Eileen Thrower, CNM, PhD; Julie Daniels, CNM, DNP; Vicki Burslem, CNM, FACNM, MSN; Mickey Gillmor, CNM, MS; Rebecca Fay, APRN, CNM, DNP, WHNP; Jane Houston, CNM, DNP; Lisa Huckaby, CNM, DNP; Dwynn Golden, DNP, CNM; Judith Butler, CNM, DNP

Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME): Maximizing Educational Quality through the ACNM Criteria

Victoria Baker, CNM, PhD (FNU Faculty) and colleagues

Think You Know Listeria? Think Again. A Fresh Look at Stale Teaching Guidelines

Katya Simon, CNM, MSN, MS (FNU Alumna), Mickey Gilmor-Kahn, MSN, CNM (FNU Faculty) and colleague

Katya Simon, CNM, MSN, MS and Mickey Gillmor-Kahn, MSN, CNM

Pharmacology for Successful Tobacco Cessation

Dawn Lovelace, CNM, FNP-C, DNP; Linda McDaniel, DNP, APRN, CNM; Julie Daniels, CNM, DNP; Laura Baraona, CNM (All FNU Faculty)

Quality Improvement to Promote High-Quality Maternity Care and Physiologic Birth

Janelle Komorowski, DNP, CNM (FNU Faculty) and colleagues

Creating Health in Any Zip Code: Defeating Geographical Health Disparities and Integrative Midwifery for the Underserved

Janelle Komorowski, DNP, CNM

Developing a Technology-Enhanced Peripheral Brain for 21st Century Practice

Megan Arbour, CNM, PhD, FACNM and colleague

AABC Strong Start: Freestanding Birth Centers Serving Vulnerable Populations

Jill Alliman, CNM, DNP, FACNM (FNU Faculty) and colleague

Teaching Students to Care about Cultural Humility and Social Justice: What Does it Take?

Maria Valentin-Welch, CNM, DNP, MPH, FACN (FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer); Victoria Baker, PhD, CNM, CPH, MPH; Essence Williams (FNU Faculty), SNM, BSN, CBE, CCE (FNU Student)

Are Autism, Preeclampsia, and Alzheimer’s Disease Stops on the Same Trajectory?

Maria Valentin-Welch, CNM, DNP, MPH, FACN (FNU Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer); Victoria Baker, PhD, CNM, CPH, MPH; Essence Williams (FNU Faculty), SNM, BSN, CBE, CCE (FNU Student) and colleague

Context and Clinical Care: Applying the Institute of Medicine Report on Social Determinants of Health

Victoria Baker, PhD, CNM, MS, MSPH (FNU Faculty)

All My Babies and the Grand Midwives of Georgia: A Presentation and Discussion of Rare Film Images

Eileen Thrower, CNM, PhD (FNU Faculty)

Student Honors/Awards/Presentations

Rose Fisher, CNEP Bridge Class 138 – ACNM Foundation Memorial Scholarship
Grace Dible, CNEP Class 166 – Awarded Scholarship to Conference
Essence Williams, SNM, BSN, CBE, CCE – Two podium presentations with FNU Faculty (see above)
Lauren Cox, SNM, Stephanie Martinez, SNM, Corrianne Parada, SNM – FNU Case Day Presentations

FNU student nurse-midwives before their Case Day Presentations

Poster Presentations

Listeria: Then and Now. A Call to Revise Patient Teaching Based on Analysis of Federal Databases 1998-2016.

Katya Simon, CNM, MSN, MS (FNU Alumna),

Midwives and Student Midwives: Building Provider Resilience

Katie Moriarty, CNM, PhD, FACNM, CAFCI (FNU Faculty)

Impact of Stress and Evidence Regarding Mind Body Interventions

Katie Moriarty, CNM, PhD, FACNM, CAFCI (FNU Faculty)

Dr. Jane Houston, CNM, MSN, DNP and Dr. Trish Voss, ND, DNP, MSN, CNM

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: Beyond the World of Pink and Blue in Healthcare and Graduate Education

Jane Houston, CNM, MSN, DNP; Trish McQuillin Voss, ND, DNP, MSN, CNM; Ally Williams, MEd (FNU Faculty)

Efficacy and Satisfaction of Distance-Based Pre-Clinical Skills Training for Women’s Health NP Students

Megan Arbour, CNM, PhD, FACNM

Thank you all for representing FNU with excellence! See our photo album for more highlights on Facebook. To find out more about the ACNM Annual Conference, go here.

Congratulations to Our 2018 Winter Term Circle of Caring Award Winners!

April 27, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to announce Patricia Caudle as the faculty recipient and Katie Moses as the staff recipient of the 2018 Winter Term Circle of Caring Award.

This award is a recognition for Frontier faculty and staff who go above and beyond everyday duties and strive to uphold FNU’s mission and Culture of Caring.

Nominations for this award were submitted anonymously by faculty, staff and students. A committee then voted on each nomination based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

Patricia Caudle, DNS, FNP, CNM, FNU Course Faculty

Patricia Caudle, DNS, FNP, CNM, is an associate professor at FNU. She has also been serving FNU as the co-chair of the Admissions Committee for many years. After working in the field for nearly 50 years, Pat is planning her retirement for next year – but only after she helps write an updated textbook for her class!

The following statement was included in Patricia’s nomination:

“Pat spends well above her assigned hours tutoring and mentoring students. I can honestly say every single interaction I have had with her has been positive and uplifting. She has demonstrated patience, kindness, and encouragement…and never failed to spend a bit of time extending a warm welcome to FNU. She’s a gem and one who will be truly missed when she retires next summer.”

Katie Moses, FNU Admissions

Katie Moses, an FNU admissions officer, is the face of customer service and knowledge for each of the many FNU applicants. She’s been in her current role for nearly eight years, often jumping in to serve in other ways, like running the Gift Shop when other staff were not available.

This statement was included in Katie’s nomination:

“Katie’s patience and understanding along with willingness to help is amazing! I recently needed help and she worked with me so patiently through the entire process, explaining it step by step. She also stepped up and helped out with our students when her co-worker was on medical leave. Katie completed the student and faculty housing, attended the bound preparation meetings and made sure everything was ready for the incoming students while continuing to do her own job duties.”

Pat and Katie will receive a framed certificate and a $50 gift card, and will be featured in various Frontier communications.

Thank you, Pat and Katie, for embodying the FNU spirit of community and caring.

Do you know an FNU staff or faculty member that goes above and beyond? Nominate them now for the Circle of Caring Award!