2024 Year in Review: College of Nursing
This year, University of Utah College of Nursing made incredible strides in advancing our mission areas. Whether securing first-of-its-kind grants or expanding care for underserved populations, the college continues to exemplify innovation and leadership in nursing, community health, and gerontological research, practice, and education.
Explore these and numerous other College of Nursing highlights below. For more, be sure to check out our blog, College Kudos, and annual magazine.
Events and Initiatives
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In April 2024, the college hosted the Western Institute of Nursing Conference in Salt Lake City. The event brought together hundreds of nurse researchers, faculty, and clinicians to advance nursing science, practice, and education. More than 100 faculty, staff, and students from the College presented on diverse topics, such as addressing rural health disparities, climate change, sustainability in nursing education, and innovations in women’s health research.
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The Family Caregiving Collaborative continued its vital work in 2024, advancing a family-centered approach to care through research, education, and community partnerships. Together with the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, the collaborative authored the Caregiving Perspectives report, offering critical insights into supporting caregivers across the course of their lives.
By emphasizing partnerships among patients, families, and health care professionals, the initiative bridges gaps in support systems, positioning the College of Nursing as a leader in integrated family-centered health care. These efforts champion the health and well-being of caregivers and their families, aligning with the College of Nursing mission to promote holistic and equitable care.
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The Excellence in Nursing (U-EXCEL) program offers a new direct-entry pathway for high school seniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. U-EXCEL participants are expected to engage in transformative educational experiences, including becoming Bennion Scholars, joining the Honors College, and participating in research programs like the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) or the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR).
- This immersive approach helps students build the skills and connections necessary for success in nursing and beyond, with support from early admission advisors to help them explore options like minors, double majors, or study abroad.
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The College of Nursing deepened its commitment to rural health by broadening services within Juvenile Justice and Youth Services clinics across Utah. Previously operating in seven facilities between Ogden and Provo, the college has added clinics in Logan, Richfield, Cedar City, and St. George. These clinics deliver trauma-informed care tailored to the unique needs of young people involved in the justice system, addressing health gaps in underserved communities.
Nursing students and faculty deliver vital services, including comprehensive health screenings, mental health support, and chronic disease management, while also offering health education to help young people take charge of their well-being.
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The College of Nursing partnered with the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine’s Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences to launch a dual-degree interdisciplinary Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) and Master of Science in Gerontology (MSG) program. This program prepares graduates to address the complex needs of an aging population, blending the clinical expertise of physician assistants with a deep understanding of aging.
Students gain hands-on experience in caring for older adults through specialized courses, clinical rotations, and research opportunities, equipping them to provide compassionate, evidence-based care. By integrating training in primary care with aging-focused specialties, the program addresses the increasing demand for health care professionals skilled in gerontology, positioning graduates as leaders in a field critical to the future of health care.
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The College of Nursing led a global learning experience to Rwanda, fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and the University of Rwanda. Participants engaged in activities such as training nurses in infant resuscitation techniques, attending research symposiums on improving health outcomes, and exploring innovative health care delivery methods, including using drones to transport medical supplies to remote areas.
The trip provided an immersive opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s health care systems, emphasizing community-centered care and resilience in resource-limited settings.
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The annual Nursing Summer Camp expanded to include 30 middle school students, many from historically underrepresented groups in nursing. The camp aimed to inspire these young people to pursue careers in nursing, introduce them to various nursing specialties, and offer a glimpse into the student experience at the University of Utah. Participants engaged with faculty, advisors, and alumni to learn about nursing career paths. They also participated in hands-on activities in the Simulation Center, toured campus, and learned about the admissions process. The camp aims to cultivate a diverse group of nursing applicants who can deliver culturally sensitive care to meet the needs of Utah's evolving population.
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Administrative and Leadership Appointments
- Amanda Al-Khudairi, DNP, was appointed Director of the Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Al-Khudairi advances the college’s success and ability in preparing highly skilled practitioners who will make a positive impact in health care.
- Cathy Maxwell, PhD, RN, was named the Robert L. and Joyce T. Rice Presidential Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging, recognizing her expertise in geriatric trauma and aging; she leads interdisciplinary work to advance research and improve care for aging adults.
- Emily Winn, DNP, was named Executive Director for Nurse Practitioner Education. Her dedication and leadership in Nurse Practitioner education are essential in addressing National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education standards in preparation for on-site CCNE evaluation of the DNP program in 2026.
- Jenna Hoff was appointed Senior Director of Advancement and brings her experience in fundraising, leadership, and development to the College of Nursing’s strategic efforts, ensuring continued philanthropic support for the college and its priorities.
- Josh Wall, PhD, RN, was appointed Chair of the Division of Undergraduate Education and Entry to Professional Practice. Wall’s experience makes him well-suited to launch this new division. He offers a clear vision and provides strategic guidance that inspires his team to achieve innovative and impactful goals.
- Julie Peila-Gee, PhD, RN, was appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and directs the Baccalaureate, Master of Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Doctor of Philosophy programs at the College of Nursing.
- Katarina Friberg-Felsted, PhD, was appointed Assistant Dean for the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. Her expertise as a leader, educator, and researcher is instrumental in advancing the program’s mission to prepare the next generation of leaders in the field of aging.
- Natalie Allen, DNP, was appointed Director for the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Allen’s professional background, including 35 years of nursing experience and expertise in the care of children with special health care needs, further advances the college’s success and impact in the field of pediatric primary care.
Faculty and Staff Achievements
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Amanda Keddington, DNP, was recognized as an Emerging Leader from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
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Andrea Wallace, PhD, RN, received the inaugural Exemplary Mid-Career Researcher and Mentor Award from the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science.
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Echo Warner, PhD, received first place in the Cancer Leaders Like Us Health Disparities Student Paper and Poster Contest for Winter 2024 which was published in JMIR Cancer.
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Linda Edelman, PhD, RN, contributed to a groundbreaking book on age-friendly ecosystems, highlighting her expertise in geriatric nursing.
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Sara Simonson, PhD, received the Office of Undergraduate Research Mentor Award.
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Zoe Robbins, DNP, received the American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence for her dedication to high-quality clinical care.
Research and Grants
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The National Institute on Aging awarded a $129,600 grant to Alycia Bristol, PhD, RN, for her project titled, “Partnering with U of U Health to Design Embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trial Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Persons Living with Dementia.”
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The Donaghue Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Caroline Stephens, PhD, for her project titled, “Population Science Informs Rural Nursing Home Resident & Caregiver Health Initiatives.”
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The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Djin Tay, PhD, RN, for her project titled, “Partnering with Rural Cancer Patients to Optimize Self-Advocacy for Financial Empowerment- SAFE."
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The National Institute on Aging Awarded a $120,000 grant to Gail Towsley, PhD, for her project titled, “Building an Academic Long-term Care System Coalition to Improve Palliative Care.”
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The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded a $2,600,000 grant to Gwen Latendresse, PhD, for her project titled, “Supporting Primary Care Work Force Needs in Rural and Underserved Settings Through Experiential Learning in Diverse Communities.”
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Julie Valentine, PhD, RN, received $27,022 from the University of Utah Research Foundation for the project titled, “Toward Trauma-informed Care in Dentistry: An Evaluation of the Impact of Trauma on Use and Provision of Dental Care Services.”
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The National Institute of Justice awarded a $575,000 grant to Julie Valentine, PhD, RN, for her study titled, “What About Us? Formative Evaluation of Forensic Nursing Program Delivery of Intimate Partner Violence Medical Forensic Examinations.”
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The National Institutes of Health awarded a $399,821 grant to Katherine Sward, PhD, RN, for her project titled, “Helping to End Addiction Long-term®. Common Data Elements Program,” along with a $8,452,103 grant for the project, “Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Sickle Cell and Common Data Elements Supplement.”
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The National Cancer Institute awarded a $2.9 million grant to Lauri Linder, PhD, APRN, for her project titled, “mHealth Intervention to Support Symptom Communication for Children with Cancer.”
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The Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center awarded a $14,246 grant to Lee Ellington, PhD, for her project, “The Rural Cancer Caregivers: A Feasibility Study.”
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The Department of Defense awarded a $1.5 million grant to Lisa Taylor-Swanson, PhD, for her project titled, “Confirming the Effectiveness of Acupuncture to Treat the Symptoms of Gulf War Illness.”
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The Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center awarded a $19,185 grant to Lynn Reinke, PhD, for her project titled, “The AAADD Study: Acupuncture or Self-Acupressure for Anxiety During Dyspnea.”
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The National Institutes of Health awarded a $450,000 grant to Michelle Litchman, PhD, for her project, “Improving Access to Diabetes Information for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations.”
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The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences awarded a $924,066 grant to Mollie Cummins, PhD, RN, for her project, “Community-Driven Sensor Metadata Ecosystem for Exposure Health.”
- Dexcom awarded a $10,000 grant to Nancy Allen, PhD, for her project titled, “A Feasibility Study of Older Adults and Their Care Partners Using Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring Share.”
- The Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center awarded a $28,689 grant to Sara Bybee, PhD, for her project, “Hispanic/Latino Individuals’ Experiences of Housing Instability and Resilience.”
- The National Institute on Aging awarded a $2,984,024 grant to Sara Bybee, PhD, for her project titled, “Developing an Inclusive Measure of Financial Hardship for People Living with Dementia and their Care Contributors.”
- The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities awarded a $3,792,619 to Sara Simonsen, PhD, for her project titled, "Addressing Sleep Health Disparities from Within: A Community-Engaged Study to Understanding Sleep and Cardiometabolic Disease Risk among Women of Color."
- The Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators at UC-Davis awarded $450,000 to Schola Matovu, PhD, RN, for her project titled, “Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Tele-Coaching and Support Intervention for Grandparent-Caregivers with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Rural Utah and the Greater Mountain West Region.”
- The National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center awarded a $968,360 K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award to Schola Matovu, PhD, RN, for her project titled, “Development and Testing of BAJJAJJA: An Intervention to Promote Economic Empowerment and Health of Grandmothers who Provide Primary Care for Grandchildren in Uganda.”
- The Utah Clinical & Translational Science Institute awarded a $59,594 grant to Shinduk Lee, DrPH, for her project, “Community-Academic Partnership to Co-Develop Strategies to Promote Equitable and Sustainable Delivery of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs.”
- The Oncology Nursing Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Sumin Park, PhD, RN, for her project, “The Impact of Multi-Level Social Determinants on Health Outcomes for Lung Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers During the Transition from Cancer Treatment.”
Fellowship Inductions
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Ann Butt, EdD, RN, was inducted as a Fellow into the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education for her exemplary leadership in nursing education.
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Jia-Wen Guo, PhD, RN, was inducted as a Fellow into the American Medical Informatics Association.
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Julie Valentine, PhD, RN, was inducted as a Fellow into the American Association of Forensic Sciences.
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Katarina Friberg-Felsted, PhD, was inducted as a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, Behavioral and Social Sciences Section.
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Lauri Linder, PhD, APRN, and Perry Gee, PhD, were inducted as Fellows into the Western Academy of Nurses.
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Linda Hofmann, PhD, RN, and Nancy Allen, PhD, were inducted as Fellows into the American Academy of Nursing.
Student Award
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Kait Otero, a DNP student, was selected as a Jonas Scholar for 2024–2026.
Looking Ahead
We are excited about the future and the steps we're taking to get us there. And we will continue serving as Utah’s flagship nursing school in 2025 and beyond. As we continue enhancing our educational offerings, expanding our research, and engaging communities throughout the state, we demonstrate the unique value of nursing—and nurses—in health care.
