P. 14-16 P. 1 8 P. 2 4 Research P. 1-2 Labor of Love: Unmasking Stethoscope Love & Legacy: That Myths About Midwifery, Superwoman, Brings Tears to How a Blind Date Unlocks Stigmas About Surrogacy Student’s Eyes Led to a Major Gift Superstar and the Future Alumna Loretta P. 4-11 Ford Celebrates Her 100 th Birthday! Post Birthday Greetings on Our Online Message Wall. https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/lorettaford
Fall Winter 2020
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FROM THE DEAN
Our Programs Pioneered the Past. Our Research Unlocks the Future.
ne thing I know from the short time I have been Ford; learn about recent graduates – what they’ve the dean at CU Nursing, the legacy of this institu- accomplished and their plans for the future; and tion is truly amazing. As we adapt to a “new nor- get to know some of our staff members who know mal” of social distancing and working remotely, first-hand the quality of nurses and nurse-mid- we celebrate several milestones including 40 wives in our clinics. Also, discover groundbreaking years of our Nurse-Midwifery program, 55 years research our faculty are conducting that is having of inventing the Nurse Practitioner program, and an impact on people living with HIV; catch up Lee Ford’s 100th birthday! Wow. Can you believe it? This College on classmates, faculty, and students – where they and its people – alumni, faculty, students and staff – have shaped are now and what they are doing; and learn more Oand continue to shape the nursing profession. Join me in dis- about how one staff member’s labor of love led her covering how we are boldly transforming healthcare together, on a special journey of surrogacy with her family. and doing it while in the midst of a pandemic. Make sure to follow the College on our social In this edition of CU Nursing, celebrate the life and legacy of media channels or download this magazine as a one of the College’s great innovators and educators – Loretta mobile app on your phone or tablet. The mobile app is listed as CU Nursing in the Apple or Google This College and its people – alumni, Play stores. faculty, students and staff – have shaped and Best, Elias Provencio-Vasquez continue to shape the nursing profession.” PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP
response to a physician shortage and a need to WE DON’T JUST TEACH NURSE provide quality health care, the non-physician PRACTITIONERS. WE INVENTED THEM. role of the nurse practitioner was born. This was a controversial development in health care and 55 YEARS LATER AND STILL GOING STRONG. not everyone was “on board.” According to Ford,
ifty-five years have now passed since the founding of the nurse practitioner the nurse practitioner idea faced resistance from
movement at the University of Colorado. With more than 290,000 licensed nursing organizations and nurse educators, as well F nurse practitioners in the country – the growth is astounding. Co-founded as some physicians. But 55 years later, the NP role by Loretta Ford, BS, MS, EdD, FAAN, FAANP, and Henry Silver, MD, FAANP in is well entrenched in health care.
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Loretta Ford working as a public health nurse in Colorado.
CU NURSING MAGAZINE is published twice annually by the GET TO KNOW University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for the alumni and friends of the College of Nursing. LORETTA FORD,
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLLEGE OF NURSING BS, MS, EDD, FAAN, FAANP 13120 E. 19th Ave., C288-1 Aurora, CO 80045 ord grew up during the great depression and CONTACT Dana Brandorff, MA learned the value of hard work and education. 303-724-1698 [email protected] F She earned her nursing diploma in 1942, lost her All rights reserved. Contents may not be fiancé in WWII, and joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps reproduced without permission. We are usually pleased to extend such permis- the following year. After the war, she moved to Colorado sion. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those to complete her bachelor’s (1949) and master’s (1951) of the University of Colorado College of Nursing or the CU College of Nursing degree in nursing and an EdD in 1959. She met and Alumni Association. married William Ford in 1947, gave birth to their daughter EDITOR IN CHIEF Dana Brandorff, MA in 1952, and worked as a county public health nurse in
ART DIRECTION AND DESIGN rural Colorado. This experience convinced her that nurses Ozzmata.com needed to be able to make clinical decisions in the field. PHOTOGRAPHY Susan Baggett She co-founded the first nurse practitioner program in the Dana Brandorff Debra Melani U.S. with Dr. Henry Silver. Seven years after starting the Kristi Williams Photography NP program at CU, Ford was recruited by the University CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dana Brandorff of Rochester, where she became founding dean of the Debra Melani Katelyn Nolan School of Nursing and director of nursing for their 800-bed
hospital. She retired in 1986, was designated a Living CUCollegeofNursing Legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 1999, NursingCU and is the recipient of numerous awards, and in 2011 was CUCollegeofNursing inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. CUCollegeofNursing Today, at 99 years young, Ford remains active. This year,
ON THE COVER: she even Zoomed into CU Nursing classes providing our Loretta Ford students with a unique experience and insight. 4 4
Mustafa Ozkyanak, PhD
RESEARCH
Study Suggests How Emergency Departments Can Reduce Antibiotic Over Prescribing
“ONE SIZE FITS ALL” CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS USED IN HOSPITALS NOT EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTIONS ISSUED IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS By Dana Brandorff
esearchers at the University of Colorado College of Nursing at the Mustafa Ozkyanak, PhD. “These all impact anti- Anschutz Medical Campus found that a unique set of factors of biotic prescribing decisions.” the emergency department (ED) makes standard Clinical Decision The study of 38 ED providers analyzed these and Support (CDS) systems not as effective in helping to reduce anti- additional factors to determine how to design a biotic overprescribing in that environment. CDS system to assist with antimicrobial stew- RAntimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern, accounting for 2.8 ardship in pediatric emergency departments. It million infections and 35,000 deaths annually. Hospitals have focused on antibi- discovered that systems are rarely tailored to otic stewardship programs (ASP) to reduce over prescribing of antibiotics, which the context of the ED environment and end-user is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. While this has been effective needs. in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use by as much as 36% in inpatient settings, “ED clinicians often need to make rapid de- EDs are an exception where approximately 10 million outpatient antibiotic cisions and are frequently interrupted during prescriptions are written annually in the US. Data show that up to 50% of the the decision-making process,” said Ozkaynak. prescriptions were inappropriate or unnecessary. Current CDS systems do not take this unique The study, published in Applied Clinical Informatics, looked at three pediatric EDs set of circumstances into account. “Significant to determine how the unique setting of the ED influences this pattern, and how opportunities exist to improve the appropriate- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems can complement professional judgment ness of antibiotic prescribing in the ED setting. in the ED setting and potentially reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. “The ED Including relevant contextual data, considering is unique. Several factors are at play – clinical judgment, provider fatigue, the the limitations of current CDS systems, and tai- busyness of the ED, workflow, technology, bed availability, social determinants loring the design and implementation could all of health of the patient and their families,” said lead author Associate Professor help in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.”
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Alum earns grant to explore COVID-19’s impact on nurses at Children’s Colorado
By Children’s Hospital Colorado
n the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves throughout the nation’s healthcare facilities. Like many other hospital systems, Children’s Hospital Colorado was left grappling with a once-in-a-lifetime crisis. Because COVID-19 initially impacted adult popula- Itions and organizations caring for adults, pediatric hospitals have been left out of the broader conver- sation. CU Nursing alumna Lindsey Tarasenko, PhD, RN, Magnet Program Director & Nurse Scientist with Children’s Colorado, wants to change that.
On June 10, Tarasenko and her team of researchers The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly earned a $100,000 grant that will help tell Children’s Colorado COVID-19 story, capturing the experi- impacted our nursing work environments as ence of Children’s Colorado nurses throughout we have responded to the healthcare needs of the pandemic. Specifically, the study will outline recently introduced practice changes, unintended our community while navigating shifts in our consequences and unexpected challenges, and the professional and personal lives” - Lindsey Tarasenko role of the pediatric nurse in this unusual period. “The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our nursing work environments as we have responded navigating shifts in our professional and personal to the healthcare needs of our community while lives,” says Tarasenko. “This gift is making it pos- sible for us to capture the voice and experiences of nurses during this unprecedented time.” Tarasenko and her research team stress the importance of studying both the response to COVID-19 and the consequences of decisions that affect nurses, the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. “The knowledge gained from studying responses from current events has the potential to inform future decisions of A nurse and pediatric patient nursing leaders, hospital administrators, and at Sheridan policymakers to support nurses and the care Health Services they deliver to our patients and our community,” Tarasenko adds. 6
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PUBLISHED ARTICLES AND STUDIES
Nursing Considerations for Patients with HIV in Critical Care Settings AACN Advanced Critical Care Volume 31, Number 3, pp. 308-317 © 2020 AACN Lucy Graham, PhD, MPH, RN; Mary Beth Flynn Makic, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN, FNAP, FCNS
aintaining Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) during critical care admissions is essential as Mit suppresses the virus and is critical for successful management of HIV infection. Unfortunately, many antiretroviral regi- mens result in drug interactions and ad- verse drug incidents. Stopping ART can have significant consequences, including future resistance to HIV treatment. By recognizing the difficulties of managing HIV along with additional comorbidities, critical care nurses can provide safe, unbiased and compassionate care that promotes health for HIV patients.
HIV Research Body Composition Changes in Response to Moderate- or High- Intensity Exercise Among nfection with HIV is a chronic condition, requiring daily Older Adults With and medication to suppress viral replication. Maintaining Without HIV Infection Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is extremely Syndrome, Nov. 2020 important in obtaining the best outcomes for person’s Catherine Jankowski, Samantha Mawhinney, Melissa P. Wilson, Thomas B. Campbell, living with HIV (PLWH). Today, those living with HIV who Wendy M. Kohrt, Robert S. Shwartz, Todd T. Brown, Kristine M. Erlandson adhere to a daily medication regimen have close to a eople with HIV are at an increased normal life expectancy. However, knowing what affects risk for obesity and muscle loss, medication adherence has the potential to improve outcomes. CU despite effective antiretroviral I Ptherapy. Exercise reduced total and Nursing faculty and students are recognized for their work in HIV visceral fat in older PWH and controls. research, and have recently published studies addressing a variety of Minimal gains in lean mass suggest that greater emphasis on resistance exercise issues affecting this population including fatigue, exercise and mental may be needed to more effectively in- health. The following are highlights of recent work. crease muscle in PWH.
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Sensor and Survey Comorbid Mental Health Disorders in Persons Living Measures Associated with HIV: Adherence to Antiretrovial Therapy With Daily Fatigue in HIV Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(4), 364-370. August, 2019 Journal of Association of Nurses in AIDS Anna Smith, BS Honors student, Paul F. Cook, PhD Care, 2019 Makic, Mary Beth PhD, RN, CNS; Danielle his study looked at factors that hinder and help promote good medication Gilbert, BA; Catherine Jankowski, PhD; adherence among people who have both HIV and a mental health or sub- Blaine Reeder, PhD; Nasser Al-Salmi, RN, stance use disorders. It found that PLWH who had reliable housing were CNS; Whitney Starr, NP; Paul F. Cook, PhD* overT six times more adherent than those with unreliable housing. atigue is the most common symptom of people living with HIV and remains a significant Fconcern despite viral suppression. Catherine Jankowski, PhD Studies show that fatigue reduces treatment adherence and in turn efficacy of ART, while increasing the risk of HIV transmission. Causes of fatigue may have many causes. This study used daily smartphone surveys and Fitbit data to characterize fatigue experiences and self-management behaviors. Research that clarifies the co-occurrence of fatigue with other symptoms, and the situations in which fatigue symptoms are most likely to occur can help patients and clinicians discover new options for symptom management. PLWH reported new insights into fatigue from self-moni- toring, an interest in reducing fatigue, and a willingness to use self-moni- toring technology. Thus presenting CURRENT FUNDED STUDY potential opportunities to improve sleep, activity, or stress management to alleviate fatigue in this population. High Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits (HEALTH) in Older Adults with HIV, R01, National Institute on Aging Mary Beth Principal Investigators: Kristine Erlandson, MD, A. Webel Makic, PhD Co-Investigator: Catherine M. Jankowski, PhD
he global aim of this study is to determine whether high-in- tensity interval training can overcome physical function and mitochondrial impairments in people aging with HIV infection toT a greater extent than continuous moderate-intensity exercise and whether biobehavioral coaching promotes long-term adherence to physical activity. 8
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The Impact of Moderate or High-Intensity Mounting evidence Combined Exercise on supports the Systemic Inflammation positive effects among Older Persons of exercise on people living with and without HIV with HIV. Journal of Infectious Diseases, August 11, 2020 Kristine M. Erlandson, Melissa P. Wilson, Samantha Mawhinney, Eric Physical Activity and Exercise to Improve Rapaport, Jay Liu, Cara C. Wilson, Cardiovascular Health for Adults Living with HIV Jeremy T. Rahkola, Edward N. Janoff, Todd T. Brown, Thomas B. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 2020 Campbell, Catherine M. Jankowski Cemal Ozemek, PhD, Kristine Erlandson, MD, Catherine Jankowski, PhD xercise did not exacerbate lthough ART has contributed to a drastic increase in life expectancy for people inflammation and greater living with HIV, the side effects of years of ART may contribute to the development intensity and adherence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is significantly increased in this population Eto exercise improves physical andA ultimately a major cause of mortality. Higher-intensity exercise appears to result in function and may be associated even greater health benefits without exacerbation of underlying immune dysfunction. with more beneficial changes in Mounting evidence supports the positive effects of combined aerobic and strength exercise. inflammation.
GET TO KNOW Dr. Cook studies problems in health behavior change, such as medication adherence, self-management of chronic diseases, and preventing inappropriate opioid use. He brings to his research his background
Paul Cook, PhD in clinical psychology and training as a psychotherapist. In 2012, he received an R21 grant from the Associate Professor National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) that led to four papers on people with HIV – their everyday
experiences and medication adherence. Published from 2015-2018, the papers also incorporated
Two Minds Theory (TMT: http://2mindstheory.org) addressing human behavior and the reasons why
people don’t do what’s good for them. In 2018, Cook published an elaboration of TMT that explains
health behaviors based on an interaction between two separate mental health systems – intuitive and
narrative. The intuitive system is deeply involved in the action of people’s day-by-day lives, reacting to
events and actually generating behavior in the moment. The narrative system works more like a sports
commentator, providing commentary about people’s actions and intentions but not directly influencing
the action on the field.Although the intuitive system has a more direct effect on behavior, it’s also harder
to modify because it usually operates outside people’s conscious awareness. Cook’s latest research
therefore harnesses technology like sensors and in-the-moment text messages to bridge the gap
between the two systems, helping change their behavior to improve their health.
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SUICIDE, SUBSTANCE USE, AND HOMICIDE: LEADING CAUSES OF MATERNAL DEATH
wo CU Nursing faculty – marginalized communities dying Jessica Anderson and Brie at higher rates.” said Thumm, PhD, Thumm – are members of CNM, RN, MAB, an author of the theT Colorado Maternal Mortality report and the maternal health Review Committee, which was put clinical consultant at the Colorado into statute in May 2019 through Department of Public Health and the Maternal Mortality Prevention Environment. According to the Act. The committee’s goals are to report, the majority of the top review causes of maternal deaths causes of death are preventable. in Colorado and recommend ways “It is important to remember that to prevent such deaths in the behind these numbers are the lives future. The committee recently and the families and communities issued its 2014-2016 Morbidity and of the people who died— who we Mortality report, analyzing causes care for as nurses. Nurses have the of maternal deaths during and up opportunity to improve maternal to one year after pregnancy. With outcomes through evidence-based more than 200,000 babies born in screening, expanding our scope CU Anschutz – a Colorado during that time and 94 of practice to provide mental hub for research pregnancy-associated deaths of and behavioral health services, and innovation pregnant and postpartum people, regardless of our specialty, and, Propelled by a rich legacy and the top causes of death (in order) most important, working to change 120 year history, our research were suicide, accidental drug the inequities inherent in the U.S. discoveries will transform the future: overdose, injury, and homicide. healthcare system and our own • Leveraging the power of The rate of homicide was more biases.” said Dr. Thumm. collaboration on campus, than twice that of non-pregnant statewide and nationally people of reproductive age. People • Training the best and brightest of Native American descent were scientists nearly 5 times more likely to die • Catalyzing thoughtful strategy than non-Native American people • Generating evidence that who gave birth during the same informs innovative solutions time period. Education level was significantly inversely related OUR PROGRAMS to maternal mortality rate and people who were insured through PIONEERED THE PAST. Medicaid had a higher mortality rate than all other forms of insur- OUR RESEARCH ance. “The findings presented in UNLOCKS THE FUTURE. this report illustrate how structural inequities, specifically structural racism, impact health outcomes. Maternal mortality is considered a bellwether metric for a region’s health status and these numbers are telling us that in Colorado www.nursing.cuanschutz.edu Recently released Maternal Morbidity we must address the systematic Report highlights the causes of death in discrimination that leads to pregnant and post-partum people. 10
RESEARCH
grown to 761 — with more than 500 related to COVID,” said Loresto. His database allows practitioners to conduct robust literature searches differently than before. “Our priority as nurses is to be by the bedside. Having access to this type of in- formation quickly helps clinicians hone in on treatment therapies and procedures that have worked in the past and might have applications for our current pandemic.” Loresto’s vision for the repository and application is “to provide tools at your fingertips for clinicians.” Check out his application on Children’s Hospital’s website at: childrenscol- orado.shinyapps.io/RN_COVID_Lit/ Harpin took a different approach to the pandemic by joining the frontlines of the state’s emergency response ef- forts. Having volunteered in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, he decided, “I could leverage those lessons learned to assist with staffing and training needs of the state emergency GRAND ROUNDS workforce.” On March 24, 13 days after Governor COVID-19 Hot Topics Polis declared a state of emergency, INNOVATIONS UNDER DURESS By Dana Brandorff Harpin attended his first meeting at the Colorado Emergency Operations Center. “At that time, the experts believed that Colorado would need about 5,000 ventilators and 15-20,000 Nursing’s July Grand Rounds presentation was a joint non-hospital beds to handle the influx effort between Drs. Figaro Loresto and Scott Harpin of patients if we couldn’t reduce an and highlighted different ways the two harnessed their impending surge,” said Harpin. “We CUbackgrounds and skills to make a difference during the COVID-19 only had approximately 900 venti- pandemic. In March, Loresto and Harpin asked themselves what they lators at the time, a far cry from the could do to help in the pandemic – one from a research perspective anticipated need.” Harpin quickly saw and the other from a “bedside” and public health perspective. Their the magnitude of the crisis. unique skill sets have helped and continue to help fight the epidemic The team assessed Colorado and in myriad ways. its capacity, categorizing potential Dr. Loresto, a biostatistician and nurse scientist at Children’s Hospital cases across tiers of need from acute Colorado, used his data mining background to develop a searchable to non-acute requiring isolation, but repository of the latest articles related to COVID and other epidemics not extraordinary care. “With the including SARS, Ebola, and H1N1.“It started with 49 articles, it has anticipated need for many beds for
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acute patients in hospitals, it became apparent that converting large facilities to make-shift hospitals was a necessity.” The questions became — where will the patients go, who will staff for our needs, what equip- ment do we need to meet the demand, and what kind of training do we need? As Colorado’s “field hospitals” were built out within days (i.e. the Denver Convention Center and The Ranch in Loveland), Harpin was developing ‘Just in Time Training’ videos and modules for health care providers and the general public. “We trained 15 master trainers, two of whom are CU Nursing alums!” said Harpin. Those trainers are prepared to train hundreds of first-line responders including health sciences students, retired RNs/MDs, Medical Reserve Corps members, health care workers from other hot zones and community volunteers. It is often said that successful crisis management is planning for the worst and never having to enact the plan because the crisis Nurse Scientist has been averted or abated. “We hope we don’t have Figaro Loresto Jr. PhD, RN to use the field hospitals, but we have them ready just in case,” said Harpin.
In addition to staffing up for the public, it became clear in late March that Denver’s homeless populations were a special concern for COVID transmission. “Stay at home orders do not work for those with no home,” said Harpin. So it became imperative to create shelters with social distancing capabilities for this vulnerable population. The City of Denver organized around two facilities – a 750-bed operation at the National Western Complex specifically for men and a second 250-bed facility for women at the Denver Coliseum. “We discov- ered that we needed to make sure that we provide not just masks, socially distanced beds, but also an array of social services to include medical and behavioral care,” said Harpin. “These facilities have also provided much-needed clinical opportunities for our students,” said Harpin. “As well as a great learning opportunity, our current experience might pepper our future curriculum with COVID-19 education.” At the time of the presentation, the state had 1162 ven- Associate Professor tilators at the ready, and 316 were in use. As of July 17, Scott Harpin, PhD, MPH, the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations RN, FSAHM is slowly rising throughout the state. Moreover, the Governor issued a state-wide mask order in response to the increase. 12 12
Jodi Cropper
COLLEGE
Innovative approach leads to university recognition By Dana Brandorff
any academic institutions – especially those in the degree programs, and numerous certificate healthcare field – were caught off guard during the programs. With 1300 students, CU Nursing is Coronavirus pandemic. The challenge for the University a mid to large size program, but in 2017 was of Colorado College of Nursing wasn’t just a matter operating as a small school. of social distancing and moving classes to remote “Keeping track of students — how they were learning. It was ensuring our students also obtained progressing as well as clinical placements — the clinical hours required by the State Board of Nursing was complicated,” said former Associate Dean to graduate. of Academic Programs Leigh Small, PhD, RN, For healthcare programs that require on the job prac- who arrived at the College in 2016. Dependent tical experience, placements became virtually non-existent. Clinics and inpatient on individually-held spreadsheets and key facilities where students typically complete their clinical hours shifted their focus individuals with extensive knowledge about Mto caring for coronavirus patients and suspended training. Consequently, students students made it impossible to accurately were in limbo and in jeopardy of not graduating. determine where students were in the pro- grams and to assess when new courses, course Faced with an internal crisis, CU Nursing faculty and staff retooled its programming sections, faculty, or clinical placements were and discovered new ways to help students complete the necessary requirements. needed. “We were extremely reactive – man- “We turned to virtual simulation, nurse-led clinics that we operate, and partnered ually handling placements,” said Director of with Aurora Public School District to help fill our educational void,” said Senior the Office of Academic Programs Jodi Cropper. Director Experiential Learning Team Fara Bowler, DNP. “Time and again, we would be surprised at the NEW SYSTEM MADE RESPONDING DURING THE PANDEMIC EASIER last minute that we needed a new section and would have to add faculty or adjunct faculty. Not long ago, this rapid response would have been unheard of and more difficult to We were frequently caught flat-footed.” accomplish. But a system that was implemented three years ago made it possible to respond more swiftly during the crisis. And, the people behind the system are BEING REACTIVE PUT PRESSURES now being recognized by the university for their vision. ON THE COLLEGE During its 120-year history, the College has grown to include a traditional BS With accreditation looming, it became even degree, an accelerated nursing degree, 12 advanced practice specialties, doctoral more apparent that a change was necessary
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for future growth. So, the two analyzed the needs One essential component to building the infrastructure was of the College and began an overhaul of the in- the addition of InPlace, a relational database system, which frastructure. The current system was customized could integrate the University’s disparate systems – CUSIS, to each student and dependent on advisors’ ex- Typhon, NursingCAS, clinical placements, compliance and tensive knowledge of where each student was in ordinary spreadsheets of students. It allowed each program. “Systems get ingrained and people CU Nursing to manage the College’s are used to what they are used to. They knew the enrollments to determine student’s system and were adept at thinking on their feet and progression and what future teach- addressing shortfalls. And for years it worked,” said ing needs would be and when. Small. Being so reactive put pressures and stress “Projecting needs allowed us to on the College. plan for gaps in a much more proactive fashion,” said Cropper. They knew there had to be a better way. Initially Instead of spreadsheets, the conducting a review of the processes, they dis- team could pull reports covered that it wasn’t simply just a software or that clearly showed tracking problem — moving the system from a specifics, includ- spreadsheet to something more automated. “It was ing current much deeper than that,” said Cropper. “We needed and future to develop a technology-supported structure, fig- needs and ure out a sequential order to our courses, shift to a gaps. cohort model for students, and incorporate a series of relational databases integrating numerous soft- EDUCATION THE KEY ware platforms.” As with anything new, fear and resistance are a natural GAME OF WHACK-A-MOLE bi-product. “Educating our constituents became extremely im- portant,” said Small. The team began an internal PR campaign. Cropper and Small began tackling this intricate “Helping people understand the capabilities of the technology issue. When they uncovered one part, it would lead and how it would be easier for them to facilitate what they them to another problem. “We played whack-a- do while removing human error became our mission,” said mole. When one issue would pop up, we’d knock Cropper. “Once we could show how we could generate a report it down. Then another would appear. So many quickly that could keep our students on target for graduation parts were inter-related,” said Small. The key was with real-time data and specifics, people became converts.” in seeing the bigger picture and realizing that an entire shift in thinking was necessary. “We’ve seen a cultural shift even more so with the pandemic. Our system helped quickly identify students at risk for not graduating due to lack of clinical placements and where we could shift to accommodate them,” said Small. It provided data that allowed the College’s experiential team to come up with creative solutions to meet students’ needs. Previously, the College would have been reliant on manual data that would have taken much longer to process and might have been inaccurate. Usually, these types of initiatives are thought of as a “necessary evil.” When completed, there is little fanfare. For Cropper and Small, that is not the case. The team was recognized by the university in September with an Outstanding Achievement Award for improving CU business processes. “It’s been a challenge to change the infrastructure. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. More importantly, we know we’re having a positive impact on the College. To be recognized for Leigh Small, PhD the work is the icing on the cake,” said Small. 14 Abby Zamora, operations program assistant with the Experiential COLLEGE Learning Team
Labor of Love
UNMASKING MYTHS ABOUT MIDWIFERY, STIGMAS ABOUT SURROGACY By Dana Brandorff
love being pregnant. When I say that to most “ women, they look at me as if I’m crazy,” said expectant mother and CU College of Nursing staff member Abby Zamora. For Zamora who is on her fifth pregnancy, having babies is the “most wonderful experience.” And that’s why she decided to become a surrogate. “I wanted to do this for another family,” said Zamora. When she broached the subject with her husband, he asked her why. SheI said, “When we’re done with having our family, I want to make sure that another couple is as exhausted, overwhelmed, underappreciated, irritable, but yet won- derfully overjoyed, excited, rewarded, loved and complete as parenthood makes us.” It was a big decision. “In the beginning, my husband was not as on board with it as I Can you separate yourself from the fetus you are carrying – knowing was. A lot of that was because of a lack of information that it is not your child, but someone else’s? Will you be able to give and misinformation. He needed to know how it works.” the baby up once born? Will you terminate the pregnancy if the baby Zamora and her husband selected a surrogacy agency has a congenital defect and the family wants to terminate? How will that walked them through the process and provided you explain the pregnancy to your children? One question stood out answers to their questions. for Zamora – “How am I going to feel when the baby doesn’t come home with me?” She needed to know that answer before proceeding. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF Zamora said, “I knew I could do it knowing the baby was not ge- “You must ask yourself many heavy questions – the num- netically mine. The father used an embryo donor, so I was literally ber one being are you finished having a family?” Because the oven – that helps.” the process can leave the surrogate infertile and unable to have children in the future, “You really need to know that MATCHING WITH A FAMILY IS LIKE ONLINE DATING you are done growing your family,” said Zamora. Surrogacy Zamora described the initial process to match her with potential par- is not impregnation and adoption. It is something very ents as, “Kind of like online dating.” With a lot of sharing of surrogate different. It requires In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and in and parent profiles and Zoom chats to get to know each other, “You Zamora’s case embryo transplantation – risky procedures have to be on the same page as the parents.” According to Zamora, that carry a higher probability of hysterectomy, infertility, the agency was amazing. You have to agree to everything upfront or and the embryo splitting. A traditional surrogate uses her be willing to walk away. Setting expectations is essential. Lawyers get own embryos. As a gestational surrogate, embryos were involved, which gets tricky. “They are there to protect both sides,” she donated, retrieved and implanted, and IVF was used to said. Sometimes there are things that the family or lawyer require inseminate them. “People are under the impression that as that make the situation potentially untenable. For Zamora, the one a gestational surrogate it’s the mother’s embryos and her contentious requirement that needed to be ironed out before moving baby. In actuality, you’re a vessel and you are giving over forward was the use of a traditional obstetrician over midwives for your body for 10 months to grow someone else’s child,” her care. “I put my foot down. If I can’t see my midwives I’m done,” said Zamora. she said. The lawyer was unwavering. It had to be an obstetrician. Questions and answers surrogates must come to terms “I’ve had four babies with these midwives. I asked them, ‘You’re going with are – if the embryo splits are you prepared to carry to make me go to a doctor I’ve never been to before?’” In order to multiple fetuses to term or to reduce the number to im- overcome the family’s lawyer’s reticence, Zamora suggested one of prove survival for the baby and carrier? Other questions: the UC Health OBs attend a prenatal appointment. “That did the trick
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and seemed to satisfy the lawyer,” said Zamora. In the Zamora. So weekly belly bump pictures and Zoom ultrasounds as end, it came down to the family trusting her and her they happen are part of the process. It’s a lot of communicating. choice of midwife for care, labor, and delivery. Her fourth delivery was without complications and delivered with SURROGACY AND MIDWIFERY the assistance of a water birth. “I labored in the tub with my other SHARE SIMILAR STIGMAS births, but I found it too difficult to get traction, or I got too hot. So would get out of the tub before the births. This time, it worked like Like surrogacy, the choice of midwifery is very personal. a charm,” she recalled. It is also something that is shrouded in a bit of mystery, which means becoming educated about the experience. EACH BIRTH IS DIFFERENT “I’ve seen it before. My husband wasn’t very supportive of All of Zamora’s births have been unique. Her first was a breeze, and midwifery at first. But then we experienced it with our first, she had little to no pain. Because her first was so easy, she wanted to and we’ve had great births ever since,” recalled Zamora. feel some pain for the second one because she wanted to know where People tend to think it is all-natural, with no doctors, no the baby was in the process of labor and delivery. “Be careful what you hospitals, and no drugs. “I think he thought I was going wish for. The pain was very intense. After 46 hours of labor, I ended to give birth on the living room floor. His perception was up having an epidural as the pain just got the best of me and I was that if it wasn’t a doctor, then it was some sort of medieval exhausted,” said Zamora. Then the third was better again. And the practice. He ended up trusting me and my decision,” she fourth, another great experience. said. After they went through it with their first child, he Continued on next page agreed that it was the best experience for the family. “The midwives are there to help you however you need, which can include epidurals and pain meds. And an OB is on call if necessary,” said Associate Professor Jessica Anderson, DNP, CNM, the director of Midwifery Services at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and one of the midwives Zamora sees. With the UCHealth Center for Midwifery, who are part of the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and the University of Colorado College of Nursing, pa- tients give birth at the Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus. “All of my children have been born there. I wouldn’t use anyone else,” said Zamora. Studies show the benefits of midwifery care include fewer instances of complications, reduced use of anesthesia, and higher rates of breastfeeding. For Zamora, her surrogate family trusted her and her instincts. “You are on a journey with the family. After all, you’re carrying their child,” said Zamora and her family. PHOTO: KRISTI WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY 16
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Continued - Labor of Love
COULD SHE LET GO? With the birth of her first surrogate son (and her fourth pregnancy), Zamora was able to answer the question she had posed at the beginning of the journey – would she be able to let him go? And yes, she could. “I never felt like I had lost him. He was never mine to lose,” she said. Because the first surrogacy went so smoothly, her hus- band and family were okay with her doing it again. So, Zamora decided on a fifth. The two “surrobabies” (as Zamora calls the surrogate children) will be 25 months apart. Her fifth required that she travel to California in June for the embryo transfer. “That was a bit unsettling given that I was traveling during the pandemic,” said Zamora. Once she returned, she gave herself daily in- tramuscular injections with the support and help of her children.
My kids were amazing with both surrogacies. I explained that we CU NURSING CELEBRATES were doing this for another family and that the baby was not their 40 YEARS OF EDUCATING brother or sister.” - Abby Zamora NURSE MIDWIVES
“My kids were amazing with both surrogacies. I ex- plained that we were doing this for another family Certified nurse midwives are registered nurses who and that the baby was not their brother or sister,” complete midwife education programs approved by said Zamora. “They took it in stride.” Others did not. Zamora and her family lost friends after announcing the national Accreditation Commission for Midwifery their first surrogacy. “They couldn’t comprehend Education, and receive certification after passing an why I was doing it and what I was doing to my body,” she said. There is stigma involved in being a surro- exam through the American Midwifery Certification gate. “The second most asked question after they Board. In addition to assisting during childbirth, CNMs find out I’m a surrogate is ‘how much are you getting paid?’” said Zamora. “I think I get an average of $3 provide a range of services encompassing women’s an hour. Believe me, you don’t do it for the money,” health before, during and after pregnancy. In so doing, she said. “You do it for the love.” Because there are strict financial requirements to be a surrogate, it they “augment” the care provided by maternal and can’t be your main source of income, and you can’t fetal medicine specialists, obstetricians, and family be on government assistance. medicine physicians. This year marks the 40th year of Now the Zamoras know what to expect for this second surrogacy. And all are on board for another the midwife education program at CU Nursing, one of amazing journey. the top midwifery programs in the country.
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The “Right Stuff”
WIFE’S BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS LEADS TO NURSING CAREER By Dana Brandorff
n 2015, Josh Simpson’s world stopped. Soon after the birth of his youngest daughter, his 33-year-old wife received an earth-shatter- ing diagnosis — breast cancer. Originally misdiagnosed as clogged milk ducts, the diagnosis came after she switched doctors, and a subsequent biopsy. “I can’t tell you how many times people have said that you don’t typically get breast cancer while breastfeed- ing. One thing I learned is that there is no normal Iwith breast cancer,” said Simpson. After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, sur- geries, and reconstruction, the couple thought she had beaten it. Within months, cancer spread to her brain and spine. The prognosis was grim. She fought hard but realized she wasn’t going to get better. hospice and death was so important. I learned there were many “During that time, I learned that people deal with things you can do to ease suffering – monetarily and emotion- these situations very differently, and you need to ally. Not talking about death is not one of those things.” let them handle it in their way,” said Simpson. His Before her diagnosis, his wife did something that would have wife’s family did not believe what was happening. a tangible impact on her family after her death. She had the They wanted her to keep fighting and didn’t want forethought to put insurance in place and raise the limit. to hear that she was dying. “I learned to advocate “We didn’t talk about it at that time,” said Simpson. It was for her and her wishes,” said Simpson. fortuitous, as it allowed him to semi-retire, throw himself FOCUSING ON THE RIGHT STUFF into school, and pursue a different career. Consequently, “We tried to plan for the kids and “As far as I could remember, I wanted to be in healthcare, but focus on all the right stuff,” said Simpson. had followed several different paths including firefighting, law enforcement, and real estate software.” For Simpson, nothing The “right stuff” included making videos for their felt like he wanted it to be until nursing – specifically hospice three young children so they could have them when care. “That’s my path. If it changes, I’m okay with that. But I’m they got older. The “right stuff” included talking not willing to be sidetracked now,” said Simpson. about death, making sure they completed all pa- perwork, and were prepared. The “right stuff” also REMOVING THE TABOO OF TALKING ABOUT DEATH included Simpson taking Family and Medical Leave His personal experience solidified a long-term desire, which from his computer job and becoming his wife’s full- led him to CU Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing pro- time caregiver. gram. Today, Simpson is in his first year at CU Anschutz after “We had a lot of time together as a family,” he said. completing his prerequisites at the Community College of Juggling her care as well as that of their children was Denver. Excited by the prospect of being a nurse, Simpson challenging. “But one that I wouldn’t change,” said said, “I’m a little older. I’ve seen a lot of things. I want to get Simpson. “Being able to be there and openly talk about rid of the taboo of talking about death.” 18
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As Liz Phelps opened her book bundle from CU College of Nursing, she began to cry. An unexpected gift from the College and the Alumni Association was included with her books – a stethoscope. “When I opened the stethoscope and saw the note I, to be honest, immediately started to cry. The fact that nurses who once stood in my shoes would be willing to lend a hand to their future colleagues made me proud of this profession that I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to enter into,” said Phelps.
After working in the field for a while, Phelps soon decided that the pull to healthcare was strong. She quit her job, took a 16-week course and became a certified nurse assistant (CNA), and worked at Denver Health conducting epilepsy monitoring and in the surgical ICU. Sometimes handling acute patients under the age of 18, “That’s when I discovered a love for pe- Grandmother’s diatrics. I thought I would hate it. But I really love children’s Prediction Puts Student ability to rebound.” While working, she went back to school and enrolled at the on Nursing Path Community College of Denver. “I stumbled into the Integrated By Dana Brandorff Nursing Pathway program, which offers a unique way to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.” Offered through three local community colleges (Community College of Aurora, The Community College of Denver and Red Rocks Community College Arvada), the program pro- he stethoscope and note Liz Phelps received vides simultaneous application and admission to the local upon entering the nursing program symbolized community college and CU College of Nursing. Upon admis- her transition into the profession and summed sion, students take the first two semesters of classes at the up her journey to nursing. T community college and receive an associate degree. Then, That journey began years ago when Phelps’ grandmother — a they complete nursing studies at CU Nursing at the Anschutz neonatal ICU nurse in Georgia — told her, “You’re going to Medical Campus where they earn their BSN after two years. be a nurse one day.” Phelps finished her associate degree this past May and started Phelps fought it for a long time. Originally pursuing a psy- June 1 at Anschutz where she is one of 58 INP students. She chology degree, she took a three-year break from school said excitedly, “I have a healthy nervousness. I’m finally in and began working in corporate medical supply sales for a the program and am glad I chose the profession.” As a CNA, company specializing in internal tube feeding for patients Phelps saw and worked with nurses who attained their de- with a variety of conditions from gastrointestinal cancer, to grees from a variety of institutions. “The nurses I have met nutrition issues, to chemotherapy and allergic disorders. She who have come out of CU are incredibly prepared. Their soft discovered a love for patient education. “When families were skills are amazing. They appear more centered on the patient.” discharged from hospital I would set up the initial supplies, If you would like to have an impact on an incoming student and educate them about kangaroo pumps, troubleshoot and want to contribute to the stethoscope fund, visit: connect them with dieticians,” said Phelps. https://giving.cu.edu/fund/college-nursing-stethoscope-fund
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Not Lost in Translation
CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES LEAD TO MEDICAL CAREER By Dana Brandorff
s a child, Ashley Chacon BRIDGING THE LANGUAGE Percival became her GAP WHILE PROVIDING A family’s interpreter; GREAT CLINIC EXPERIENCE helping her Spanish Percival has thrived at speaking parents Sheridan, helping the pa- navigateA the healthcare system. At 8 tients feel at ease navigating years old, she was accompanying them a variety of services including to medical appointments, interpreting primary care, mental and and translating for them, and when her behavioral health, a dental father suffered a stroke she attended practice, and pharmacy. “I feel his specialty appointments with him. so grateful to work here. It’s such a supportive environment. What CHILDHOOD LEADS TO separates Sheridan from other clinics MEDICAL INTERPRETING is that we truly listen to our patients “I think my childhood led me to where and their needs.” The patients rec- I am today,” said Percival. While assist- ognize this special bond. Recalling ing her family, she recognized a gap a patient who needed HIV care, in services and discovered a calling Percival said he first went to a local Sheridan Health Services Referral Coordinator Ashley Percival – medical interpreting for Spanish hospital’s emergency department, speaking patients. “I wanted to be the which could not provide continuous person to fill that gap,” she said. care for his chronic condition. “He came to us. I coordinated assistance NEW PATHWAYS TO NURSING For six years, Percival was a medical for him. He was so grateful. Those A year ago, she began thinking about becoming a nurse. Her interpreter in different Denver metro are the moments that make the job fellow workers couldn’t be more supportive of her decision area hospitals. “Even though I loved it, rewarding. I know I made a difference to enroll in CU Nursing’s Integrated Nurse Pathway INP) it wasn’t a steady job,” recalled Percival. in his life,” said Percival. program. Three years ago, she began looking for a more reliable position in health Her work has made her an invaluable The INP program provides simultaneous application and care administration. She found it as asset providing intangible services admission to the local community college and CU College a referral coordinator with Sheridan for the clinic’s clientele. Making them of Nursing. Health Services, a nurse-managed feel welcome, at home, and cared Percival is taking her courses at the Community College of health center run by the University for. “We can provide the healthcare Denver and will be transitioning to CU College of Nursing of Colorado College of Nursing. “In services, but Ashley sets the stage for in January 2021. Working full-time at Sheridan and going a sense, it was like going back to my a great clinic experience,” said Nurse to school full-time is a challenge, “but it’s one I love,” said roots. Sheridan reminded me of the Case Manager Megan Peek, RN, BSN. Percival. With a future goal of being a rural health nurse, community clinics that I attended with After two-and-a-half years working Percival has lived the experience that many of her current my parents when I was a child. I had a at Sheridan, seeing the commitment, and future patients will face. “And that’s why she’s going to true connection and knew I belonged,” passion and compassion of the staff make an outstanding nurse,” said Peek. said Percival. As a referral coordinator, and providers, Percival began ques- she helps patients navigate the clinic, tioning her role. “Seeing all they do get to their appointments, translates, makes me motivated to do more for and make sure paperwork and tests are the community and be more of an completed. advocate,” she said. 20
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Master’s Student Uses Front Line Experience with Coronavirus as Basis for Capstone Project
WITH THE DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF BEING UNABLE TO COMPLETE HER MASTER’S PROGRAM, STEPHANIE LEE AND CU NURSING FACULTY GET CREATIVE AND FOCUS ON RESILIENCE By Dana Brandorff
“In May and June I felt my whole world tumbling,” said CU Nursing master’s student and nurse manager Stephanie Lee. An iLEAD (Innovation in Leadership and Administration in Nursing Health Care Systems) master’s student, Lee was entering her final course in the specialized track, when coronavirus hit. She didn’t know if she would be able to finish the program or not. Clinicals were up in the air, and graduation did not look promising. The hospital where she worked as a Clinical Nurse Manager, based in Brooklyn, was ground zero for COVID-19, and like many hospitals was overwhelmed by patients and struggling. All “extra” initia- tives, including affiliation agreements with universities, were on hold. “That affected my ability to complete my capstone project and graduate,” said Lee. became her passion and her capstone project. “We took CU Nursing’s master’s program encourages students to take Clinical Nurse a personal perspective on my project. All of the grad stu- on real-world projects, and frequently those reside within the and iLEAD dents in the program would be leaders one day – going master’s student student’s work environments. “If the institution doesn’t have the Stephanie Lee from the bedside to the boardroom. My research looked bandwidth or won’t allow the affiliation, the student is in a dif- on duty at her at how to build resiliency in aspiring leaders.” ficult position and must seek alternatives to complete their final hospital. While working in the emergency department (ED), she saw project,” said Assistant Dean of CU Nursing’s Graduate Program how the staff adjusted and qualities that were necessary Peggy Jenkins, PhD, RN, CNE. Because of COVID-19, priorities to handle the crisis. “We did 19 intubations in a single changed, and affiliation agreements were shelved. Jenkins and Lee shift and had two refrigerated trucks filled with bodies got to work creating a project that would fulfill Lee’s requirements parked outside the ED,” said Lee. It was overwhelming and and allow her to graduate this summer. terrifying. For Lee, qualities like optimism, a ‘can do’ atti- As Lee describes, “Dr. Jenkins was super creative…helping tude, internal resolve, a problem-solving mentality, and a find something that would work. She’s literally been my support system stood out. Lee learned that “coronavirus rock. And if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be graduating.” brought out the best and worst in all of us.”
RESEARCHING RESILIENCE CONSTANT CHANGES PROVED CHALLENGING Since Lee was working in a hot zone for coronavirus at a hospital “My career in trauma, ICU, and ECMO — specializing in that was treating thousands of patients, it seemed natural to focus acute respiratory distress — prepared me for this pan- on a joint study about retention and stressors in graduate students demic,” said Lee. However, coronavirus was different in light of COVID-19. Researching the phenomenon of resilience from anything she had ever experienced. The constant
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Coronavirus brings out the best in Lee and her colleagues.
Lee with RN Miranda Toussaint working together during the outbreak.
changes, updates in protocols, and down with it. I developed a dry cough of herself and fellow nurses and what rapidly changing recommendations at the tail end of my shift and said made them better qualified to face a were challenging. “It was truly scary. ‘I think I have it.’” Immediately she pandemic. She presented her capstone With little to no effective treatments, called Occupational Health. “I felt project virtually July 21 to faculty. “It and the CDC constantly changing rec- super guilty that I wasn’t there for was fascinating and provided a peek ommendations, our staff experienced the team,” said Lee, who quarantined into what our nurses were and are increased stress and burnout,” said at home. After two weeks’, she was dealing with during this pandemic. The Lee. “I’ve never seen such resilient and allowed back to work. “Every situation stresses and what makes them able to strong nurses. They made it work.” was a little different, but my hospital cope,” said Jenkins. Creating their own support system, was phenomenal and provided housing Lee officially graduated August 14. “My including prayer groups, the staff in and daycare for the staff,” said Lee. In research on resilience will provide in- the ED and PACU pulled together. “You many cases, staff decided to separate sight for me as a leader and others for had to be a real strong communicator from their families for two months, years to come,” said Lee, who is grateful or the system would fail.” and some chose to send families and to CU Nursing for working with her to children elsewhere. REAL AND PRESENT DANGER see her degree completed. “I don’t think I could have made a better choice of The possibility of contracting the BATTLE TESTED AND WEARY program. The faculty were phenomenal, illness was a real and present danger. For Lee, the experience of handling and I was blown away by the support Like most front line workers, Lee COVID-19 made her battle-tested and especially during COVID. It was the best knew she’d be lucky not to become weary. It also provided a unique oppor- decision I could have made.” infected. “I knew exactly when I came tunity to analyze the inner workings 22 22
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Alumna Builds International Online Community to Combat Burnout and Support Nurses
By Dana Brandorff
fter graduating from CU Nursing with a BS in 2012, Cat Golden worked at Children’s Hospital Colorado and then Children’s Hospital of Michigan. “I was on the peds path and worked nights,” said Golden. WithinA a few years, she noticed many of her colleagues experiencing burnout plugging away because I thought there was and dissatisfaction. For Golden, having been a certified nursing assistant before a need,” said Golden. When traveling, she nursing school helped her adjust when she started working. “I knew what the Cat Golden, would meet up with other nurses and just profession required and what to expect. I think experience in the field is key prior BSN ‘12 chat. Surprisingly, the community grew. to deciding on nursing as a profession,” said Golden. Once out in the real world, “I noticed that nurses often are so focused on caring for others that we forget to A GROWING COMMUNITY take care of ourselves. We’re also not very good at accepting help and won’t ask.” Today, Golden’s online community BURNOUT IS REAL — Nurses Inspire Nurses — is home to more than 30,000 nurses worldwide. Burnout is real – especially in nursing. According to the National Nursing With seven staff members comprised of Engagement Report, 15.6% of all nurses reported feelings of burnout, with the nurses, nursing students, a social worker, percentage rising to 41% of “unengaged” nurses. Forty-nine percent of registered and an assistant, the organization pro- nurses under 30 and 40% of registered nurses over 30 experience burnout. With vides support, resources, and a “safe approximately 19% of nurses quitting after their first year on the job, the turnover is place to have real discussions.” Even high and is likely to become higher with COVID-19 and the pandemic. “I witnessed though she is in demand as the founder it firsthand and decided that there was a better way to support each other than and leader of the organization, “It was just venting at work,” said Golden. “I told myself ‘We don’t have to live this way.’” never supposed to be my platform. The So in 2018, Golden began hosting coffee talks. “It was kind of billed as ‘Therapy with point is for nurses to support each other. Cat,’” she recalled. Her first session was a bust. “No one showed. But I continued The goal has always been to empower the
CU College of Nursing | Fall/Winter 2020 23 community to host conversations on its own and to function without me.” With a video vault including tutorials, meet-ups, and a high touch mentorship program where members meet weekly for three months, as well as one-off classes, Golden and her team provide a valuable and affordable resource to nurses ev- erywhere. “We also have an online store where inspirational gear is available for purchase,” added Golden.
FILLING A NEED Ruby Martinez For the past two years, Golden has juggled a full- with her Latino Legacy Award time nursing job with getting the business off the ground. “I’ve hustled and worked very, very hard. When I started, I really didn’t envision this as a business,” said Golden. “But it’s obvi- ous that there is a need.” Golden’s background, Alumna Recognized by as well as a business degree with a minor in National Asociation of International & Community Development that she attained before nursing school, helped her Hispanic Nurses with see the potential. Today, Golden has been able to quit her nursing job and devote herself 100% Latino Legacy Award to Nurses Inspire Nurses. “I realize that this is what I’m meant to do.” Join CU Nursing and the CU Anschutz Alumni CU Nursing alumna Ruby Martinez, PhD, RN, was recently Association during its monthly Healthy & awarded the 2020 Latino Legacy Award from the National Happy Hour December 9 for a special presen- Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). Each year at the national tation by Cat Golden on how to cope in this conference, NAHN recognizes one member who has contributed new norm post-COVID-19. to the nursing profession with commitment to advancing the health in Hispanic communities and to lead, promote and advocate the Register at: https://cvent.me/ebPDOV educational, professional, and leadership opportunities for Hispanic nurses. Like many national conferences, this year’s NAHN conference was held virtually in July due to coronavirus.
Nominated for this prestigious award by the Denver Chapter of NAHN, Dr. Martinez’s career has included clinical, administrative, and faculty positions. Martinez started her career in psychiatric nursing at TOP COPING TIPS the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan as a staff nurse, nurse manager, and nurse administrator. She later worked at Denver FROM NURSES Health as the nurse manager of the Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry Units. A Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing with prescriptive TO INSPIRE NURSES authority, Dr. Martinez has practiced psychiatric nursing part-time for the past five years at AllHealth Network. In addition to her clinical roles, Martinez was a faculty member at the University of Colorado 1. BECOME MINDFUL OF YOUR LIMITATIONS College of Nursing where she taught graduate and undergraduate psychiatric nursing and conducted research on runaway teens 2. ASK FOR HELP until 2005. Having earned her BSN, MS, post-master’s certificate, and PhD from CU College of Nursing, Martinez is proud of her CU 3. CREATE SPACE FOR YOURSELF education and affiliation. “CU Nursing is very special to me,” she said. “It helped shape who I am.” 4. SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE FROM Dr. Martinez remains active in nursing organizations including as “EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR CONTROL” board president of the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence, TO “WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL” and as a member of the Nurse Physician Advisory Task Force for Colorado Health Care (NPATCH). Actively involved in 5. TAKE ACTION AS IT BREEDS CONFIDENCE the community, Martinez is a member of the Public Safety Commission of Castle Rock and a volunteer at the Dumb Friends 6. NOT ALL THINGS CONSIDERED BAD ARE BAD League Buddy Center caring for dogs. 24
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cadets and 19 women from Karen’s sorority. Kevin knew he found the girl of his dreams. From that moment, they were inseparable, and what a life they led. He – a lawyer, businessman, and avid pilot. She – a nurse, informatics specialist, assistant professor, and flight navigator. The two jet setters even built a hangar beneath their house for Kevin’s plane! As Karen’s father jokingly said, “I’m the only person I know to have my own private nurse, cook, and pilot.” After they married in 1976, they moved to Palo Alto, California, where Karen worked at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) in an Ear, Nose & Throat sur- gical unit. Kevin was earning his master’s and law degrees from Santa Clara at the time. They then moved to Portland, Oregon, where Karen com- Karen pleted her master’s in nursing, followed by a PhD and Kevin from Oregon Health Sciences University, and a few Padrick years teaching at the university. She then accepted a position with the VA as an information specialist for the nursing service, playing intermediary between the chief nurse and IT where she computerized nursing care plans. “My role was to customize the Love & Legacy computer systems to fit each nursing unit’s needs,” said Padrick.
HOW A BLIND DATE LED TO A MAJOR ADVENTUROUS SPIRITS GIFT TO CU NURSING In the meantime, Kevin joined the law firm of Miller, By Dana Brandorff Nash, Graham & Dunn, where he established the insolvency department and at the time became the ot long before his accidental death in an airplane firm’s youngest partner. After Kevin was diagnosed crash, Karen Padrick’s husband (Kevin) came to her with ankylosing spondylitis – a condition that made and asked if she wanted to give a significant donation it impossible to sit for long periods – the two decided to the University of Colorado College of Nursing. It to move to Silverton, Colorado to pursue a dream of took Padrick by surprise. “I didn’t have to think long, building a helicopter ski lodge. For five years, they but it hadn’t really occurred to me,” she said. Kevin had already built up the business, hired and started a construc- Ndesignated money to the University of Santa Clara where he tion company, operated the RV Park, and became the received his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Business was garbage collectors for the town. They even were the good and for some reason, he decided they had more to give. town’s attorney and school nurse. “Kevin would see “We could afford to spread the wealth around,” Padrick said. a need and try to fill it,” said Padrick. Unfortunately, He to his alma mater, and she to hers – CU Nursing. “That was the original vision of a helicopter ski lodge did not just the type of person Kevin was. Generous. Thoughtful. A bit pan out, and they returned to Oregon, where Karen impulsive,” recalled Padrick. helped open a medical clinic and volunteered, and LOVE IS BLIND Kevin founded numerous successful companies, which allowed them to gift to their alma maters. The couple met on a mass blind date in 1974 when Karen was in CU’s nursing program, and Kevin was at the United States “It seems fitting to leave this legacy,” said Padrick. “In Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The two were paired a way, it commemorates how our love story began – at together when they attended a football game with 19 fellow a university.”
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News and Quotes Alumni Remembered
HEIDE TINA GROBE Nursing Doctorate (‘94)
Heide Tina Grobe, Nursing Doctorate, Class of 1994, age 51, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Melbourne, Florida on May 19, 2020. Grobe’s husband Eric Perlman was a CU Boulder PhD who earned his degree in 1994. They met during graduate school at the University of Colorado. Grobe spent most of her career MILDRED O’BRIEN as a nurse and case manager. She was a BSN (’47) devoted wife, mother daughter, sister and friend. Smart, intelligent and outspoken, PHYLLIS GWENDOLYN Mildred O’Brien, BSN, Class of 1947, age 97, passed away strong in body and in spirit, she was a ELIZONDO SWIFT on June 7, 2020. O’Brien’s legacy of giving care was vast. feminist. She loved literature, learning BSN (’74) Throughout her career she served in the Cadet Nurse Corps, and music. An accomplished singer and worked in obstetrics and with polio patients, and practiced Phyllis Gwendolyn Elizondo Swift, BSN, flautist, she sang in the Central Maryland over 20 years at CU as an ObGyn. She was known as “Moving Class of 1974, age 69, died suddenly on Chorale and played in the Space Coast th Millie” as she dashed from doctor to doctor and patient to May 27 , 2020. She was born on March Flute Orchestra. patient. After formally retiring, O’Brien continued giving classes 20, 1951. Swift passionately pursued a to expectant mothers and volunteered at CU Anschutz Medical life dedicated to the service of others. In Campus giving tours of the Eisenhower Suite in the Fitzsimons 1973, while working as a nurse, she began Building – the original army hospital. her family with her sons Marcus Caldwell and Paul Caldwell – whom she often called “a deal”. She was not interested in the publicness of her generous acts, but in the authenticity of each small moment. What the family has come to realize, in memorializing Swift’s life, is that she was always “the deal.” Funny, playful, serious, intelligent, beautiful, kind, compassionate, devout, loyal, loving, and fiery—she was everything one could ask for in a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, and nurse—she is, and always will be, “the deal.”
KATIE LOU HOLCOMBE GRIFFITH TIES TO COLORADO BSN (’60) Katie Lou Holcombe Griffith, Class of 1960, age 87, passed Karen is a Colorado girl with long ties to CU. Her sister, brother, father, and away on August 23, 2020. She was loved throughout life for her mother all graduated from the University of Colorado with a variety of degrees goodwill and kindness toward others and was always willing – pharmacy, engineering, and business respectively. Her father even was the to help friends, neighbors, patients, and students alike. Griffith facilities engineer at Fitzsimons Army Base (the precursor to CU Anschutz served in the United States Navy and began her nursing career Medical Campus where the College of Nursing resides). Karen’s siblings still in the Navy’s Nurse Training Program, then later attended CU live in Colorado Nursing in 1956. 26 26
Get to know some of our recent graduates. In May, CU Nursing conferred 188 bachelor’s, 80 master’s, two doctor of nursing/master of public health, and four doctor of philosophy degrees.
The following pages highlight some of our recent graduates and their stories. GRADUATION
CU Nursing Graduate: ‘You are not just a nurse’ TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres for graduate school, and put the spotlight on the nursing profession more than she could have ‘NURSE KELLEY’ TELLS FELLOW GRADUATES THEIR ever imagined. MISSION STANDS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER By Debra Melani Today, as her fellow nurses are being challenged in unimaginable ways caring for the sick and dying during a worldwide pandemic, the message Johnson has continued to share since her moment of fame hen she competed in Miss Colorado rings truer than ever: You are not just a nurse. in 2015, Kelley Johnson, RN, wore a ‘IGNORANT COMMENTS: A BLESSING IN DISGUISE’ gown from Craigslist that was too short Johnson, who grew up in Windsor, was a nursing student in Iowa for heels. So, she went barefoot. when she jumped into pageantry hoping to (but not expecting to) WShe borrowed a swimsuit at the last minute and earn some scholarship money. Her untraditional Miss America monologue – a touching, personal tribute to nursing – ignited a strolled out in her nursing scrubs for the talent com- national outcry after some women on the daytime TV show “The petition, delivering a monologue she had scribbled View” mocked her attire. down in the car on the way to the pageant. “Why was she wearing a costume?” they said of her scrubs. “Why She won, and the monologue changed her life. was she wearing a doctor’s stethoscope?” “It was such a blessing in disguise,” Johnson said of the “ignorant “Pageantry wasn’t something I was really ever meant to do,” comments” that caused her email inbox to explode with angry nurses said Johnson, who earned her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from across the country wanting to thank her for her monologue. from the University of Colorado College of Nursing in May, even “We were given a platform and microphone to really talk about our though the COVID-19 pandemic pushed her chance at the grad- profession,” she said of the crusade that followed (#NursesUnite). uation stage off indefinitely. “It was about scholarship money.” “We were excited to be nurses again.” Johnson went on to deliver that monologue about the power Johnson, who knew she wanted to be a nurse at age 4 when she of nursing in the 2016 Miss America Pageant. She won second watched nurses care for her father who passed away from colon runner-up, had her college debt erased, received $10,000 from cancer, delivered 80 keynote speeches on the importance of nursing
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in the three months following her Miss Colorado delivery “I’m so thankful for everything they’ve done for me. I’m not a traditional of that monologue, which earned a standing ovation. student. They have not only been very flexible, but I’ve worked really closely with a lot of the faculty, especially Dr. (Krista) Estes, DNP, FNP, to After Miss America and “The View” comments, a media be able to make my clinical experiences work and to be able to pass my frenzy ensued. “I was on Ellen, Dr. Oz, E! News, Inside coursework. I wouldn’t have been able to have such success without them.” Edition, The Doctors. It was just really insane, the outpour,” she said, adding that the nationwide support was the best ‘I HAVE A JOB TO DO’ part of the ordeal. Being an advocate for the nation’s “most honorable,” but desperately Major companies pulled advertising from “The View” and needed profession, is rewarding, Johnson said. channeled the dollars instead to nursing scholarships. “I tell people that we want and need more nurses in this profession. That’s “I still have nurses come up to me and say that they were my goal,” she said, recalling one memorable call from a mother after the going to retire, or that they wanted to quit, and that whole Miss America pageant who said Johnson’s monologue convinced her scenario inspired them to keep going. They remember why daughter to forgo pageantry and become a nurse. they did this in the first place,” said Johnson, who changed “That just makes it all worth it,” she said. “Nursing is really hard, and we her course and has continued to advocate for nurses as a have to celebrate those victories that remind us why we do this in the first national speaker (Nurse Kelley) and TV host in California. place. That’s why for me, I can’t return to the bedside right now, because A LIFE-CHANGING MONOLOGUE I have a job to do. And I don’t intend on stopping.” While fellow contestants danced and sang for the talent Her advice for all: Always remember Joe’s words, Johnson said. section of the pageant, Johnson chose to share a transfor- “Remember that you are not just anything. We are vital. We are absolutely mational story about an Alzheimer’s patient she cared for essential to safe and effective patient care. Demand the respect that you in the hospital. deserve for the role that you play in healthcare. You are a nurse.” She recalled how she held Joe’s hand when he awoke with night terrors, ending in many long talks. She described how she tried to boost his spirits when he broke down one day, telling him he was not defined by his disease. Then Joe turned the table. He tearfully told Johnson – who often replied to his requests with “No, Joe, I can’t. I’m just a nurse” – that she changed his life, and that she was not just a nurse. She was his nurse, and she had changed his life because she had cared about him.
SHARING HER MESSAGE WITH CU AND BEYOND Despite the unexpected fame, Johnson kept her sights on advancing her nursing skills, applying to CU Nursing’s Family Nurse Practitioner program. “I actually cried when I got my acceptance email,” Johnson said, noting that she was in a hotel and woke her parents up in the room next door to celebrate. “CU is a top nursing school, and it’s important for me to get the best education possible,” said Johnson, who intends to continue her education and earn a doctorate, thanks, in part, to Ellen DeGeneres. “I hope one day she finds out that (her gift) did actually go to graduate school.” Johnson said she knew that, with living in California now and not being a bedside nurse, her CU path wasn’t going Kelley Johnson with Ellen DeGeneres whom she to be easy. credits with helping to fund her master’s degree. 28
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After successfully defending her thesis on Zoom during the pandemic, Johnson’s friends gave her a parade. “That made me feel special! I’ve never had a parade in my honor before!”.
Rachel Johnson is all smiles after earning her PhD in Caring Science
medical social work. She began work- Mental Health Struggles ing in a nursing home with nurses and Lead to a PhD in fantastic clinical partners. “I loved it. It was the most challenging place to Caring Science work.” It opened her eyes to those living with chronic illness and the By Dana Brandorff role of psychosocial intervention in healthcare. She asked herself “Can’t we do better than this? Isn’t there a better way to help these patients?”
truggling with depression as a teenager, Later, while working on an NIH grant Rachel Johnson came to a pivotal moment at the Veteran’s Administration (VA) in in her young life. psychosocial intervention and chronic illness, she found her niche – straddling “I was either going to kill myself or kill my- research and clinical domains. She also self for who I was, and become the person I discovered she needed to understand wanted to be instead of struggling with who her research colleagues and speak to I was,” said Johnson. Fortunately, she met a them in their language. “Research was social worker who gave her permission to live life “the way the class I hated in school, but the I wanted to be.” That moment changed her forever. It’s the more I learned, the more excited and Smoment she discovered a passion for social work. “I thought passionate I became,” said Johnson. I could help others by sharing my experience and cultivating mental health therapy as my specialty.” As she ramped up her skills to operate in the research world, she found she After earning a bachelor’s degree, she earned a master’s in had a lot to offer in terms of unique
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perspective and decided to pursue a PhD in Caring According to the Adoption Science. Johnson is the first interdisciplinary graduate Network, adoption rates of foster of the program. “For years I didn’t think it a possibil- Adoption children began improving in the ity, but then a friend asked ‘why?’” Reflecting on that late 2000s. By 2014, 50% of children question, Johnson realized she had to be the change Leads to in foster care were adopted, nearly she wanted to be and not rely on others. a Calling 30% spent at least three years in the system, and the average age Knowing she needed a supportive environment to lift of a waiting child before adoption her up, she chose CU College of Nursing for her degree. By Dana Brandorff was 7.7 years old. “It was rare to be “I felt an immediate connection. I could reconnect to pulled out of CPS — especially three the child I was to develop into the research and inter- ll he wanted was a siblings. For whatever reason, they disciplinary thinker I am,” said Johnson. plastic toy car. At 4 made a recommendation to my Today, Johnson is a full-time researcher in the VA. years old, that was parents and we spent negligible She bridges a variety of departments including sui- what Josh Harrington time in the system.” cide prevention, opioid abuse, and care coordination. wanted and he was Now one of five children, “Unitary Caring Science teaches that everything is in- goingA to get it. Harrington was the only boy in a terconnected. It never made sense to me to treat mental Wandering off to the local grocery sea of girls. “I was the pesky little health without considering physical conditions,” said store with pennies in his pocket, brother,” he said with a grin. Johnson. With a goal of improving health care by shap- Harrington had no idea what he ing and guiding it to be more caring focused and holis- After graduating from high had done. tic, Johnson proves that she cannot be “pigeon-holed.” school, he signed up for the For him and his two sisters (ages Marine Corps Reserves where he Looking back to where she’s come from, “I wouldn’t 7 and 1), it was the end of a rough has served for the past 10 years. choose to not go through the pain I did as a young “first few years of life. And the In addition to the Reserves, adult. It made me who I am.” beginning of something good.” Harrington stepped into a cer- After the store clerk called the tified nurse assistant role in an police — they went to his home, assisted living facility. “I didn’t
Josh Harrington surrounded by his sisters.
removed his sisters, and placed all know something was missing three of them into the foster care until I stepped up into that role. system. Deemed unfit because There’s something fulfilling of behavioral health issues and about caretaking.” After commu- drug problems by Child Protective nity college and one semester at Rachel with Services, Harrington’s biological Metropolitan State College, he her husband parents faded from the picture. applied to CU College of Nursing and daughter and was accepted. “Nursing is a Chris and “We got lucky,” said Harrington. Luna Koenke profession of compassion. I see it “We were adopted by the most as a way to give back because of awesome family and had a normal what I’ve been given.” childhood.” 30
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Still determined to pursue a nursing degree, Vaske went back to school when her first-born was four months old. Attending Red Rocks Community College, she obtained the prereq- uisites to apply to CU College of Nursing. Knowing how competitive nursing programs are, Vaske said, “I was certain I wasn’t going to get into the program.” So, when she received the acceptance email from Amy Sturrock in Student Affairs, “My heart jumped out of my chest!” For the last two years, Vaske has dil- igently pursued her degree — raising a toddler, giving birth to her second The Vaskes child, and working at UC Health in – 3-year-old Orion, Chris, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). “The Erika and baby resiliency I gained and developed in Carson the military helped with nursing,” she said. “It’s going to be important for us as nurses to be resilient, and to remember that we’re here to provide compassionate care to our patients Helicopter Pilot Comes Full especially during a pandemic and such a scary time.” Circle to Become a Nurse As Vaske prepared to join the nurs- APACHE HELICOPTER PILOT SAYS NURSING SCHOOL WAS MORE ing workforce, she said she hoped to work in critical care. “My experiences CHALLENGING TO GET INTO THAN FLIGHT SCHOOL By Dana Brandorff in ICU showed me that’s where I will thrive, and that’s the plan,” she said.
leven years ago, Erika Vaske was on a two-year waitlist to get into a nursing program. “A lot of my inspiration came from my mom, who has been a nurse’s aid for over 35 years,” she said. For Vaske, the wait was “interminable.” So she chose another path — changed majors and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. EAfter college, she joined the Army where she was an aviation officer. “It was easier to get into flight school than nursing school,” said Vaske. She trained at Fort Riley, KS where she met her husband who is also a pilot. She flew Apaches; he flew Kiowas (no competition there!). The couple ended up in Germany where Vaske’s last assignment included commanding soldiers. “I had the opportunity to go to some pretty neat places, see some cool stuff, lead soldiers and work with really great leaders,” said Vaske. Pregnant with her first child, Vaske hung up her wings and moved to Colorado with her family. “It seemed like a very good spot for us,” she said.
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degrees. The slogan “potential realized” caught his eye and resonated. “CCA was a fantastic starting point and I would recommend it to anyone,” said Dechasa. His older sister, Bemnet, played a major role in his decision to pursue nursing through the Integrated Nursing Pathway (INP) program at CCA. Currently in medical school in Chicago, Bemnet received an undergraduate degree in anthropology/human biology from Emory University. Post bachelor’s, she and Eaba had many conversations about “how to make enough of an impact.” She felt she was not and realized that many of her friends who pursued nursing were. “I knew I wanted to do something big and nursing just seemed right.” By partnering with local community colleges, the INP program facilitates a unique pathway for students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The program includes simultaneous application and admission to one of three community colleges and CU College of Nursing. According to Dechasa, “The INP program was fantastic. If you don’t have resources or know how to navigate college it makes it manageable.” Out of Africa Inspired to be a nurse and leader, Dechasa believes CU’s program is a gateway to that. “The College without me would be the same. But me without the College, I’d be By Dana Brandorff nothing. It changed me in many ways. Once I got into the program I knew I was capable of doing anything.” eventeen years ago, Eaba Dechasa arrived in America from Ethiopia with his family. His father was a geologist. His mother a teacher. The Dechasas came to America through the Diversity Immigrant Visa program (also known as the visa lottery), which provides up to 50,000 immigrant visas Seach year. Drawn from random selection among all entries, the visas are awarded to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Distributed among six geographic regions, no single country can receive more than 7% of the available DVs in any one year. Despite losing their prestigious jobs in Ethiopia, the Dechasas knew this was an opportunity and grabbed it with both fists. With ethnic war raging in their country, their future looked bleak. “My parents were dedicated to giving us an opportunity,” said Dechasa. So the family came to America – specifically Colorado – where approximately 30,000 Ethiopians live. While in high school, Eaba enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program. “It was very competitive. The expectation was that you’d attend an Ivy League school, but I knew that was not likely in my future.” Disappointed, Dechasa “needed to mature enough to realize that there are other programs that can be just as great.” One day, he received a brochure from the Community College of Eaba Dechasa Aurora, where his parents earned their License Practical Nurse (LPN) and family. Nonprofit Organization College of Nursing U.S. Postage Mail Stop C288-14 PAID 13120 E. 19th Avenue Denver, CO Aurora, CO 80045 Permit NO. 831
Birthday Wishes to Loretta Ford Being a Nurse Practitioner means I get to provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients during Join us in celebrating Lee Ford’s 100th Birthday December 28, 2020! Send some of their most challenging moments, and us a message (with photo if possible) to post on our message wall at also celebrate triumphs and [email protected] Check out the messages that have already successes. Thank you to Lee been posted at https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/lorettaford! Here’s a Ford for developing this amazing sampling of the well wishes, memories, and thanks. profession, which has helped so, so many. Being a Nurse Practitioner (NP) has been an amazing career choice and adventure Kasey Bowden for me. It has allowed me to meld all of the wonderful aspects of being a nurse MSN, FNP, AGACNP with the added scope of advanced practice. Becoming a NP has allowed me incredible opportunities in my career. I am a clinician, educator, quality and process Being a Nurse Practitioner means giving back to my improvement specialist, program director, researcher and so much more! I feel community, caring for children and their families, and I have made a huge impact on patients, families, students, other APPs and the filling my soul by doing good and being my best self community within my role as a NP. as a professional nurse. Being a Nurse Practitioner Loretta Ford has undoubtedly affected my life, career and all of the good things that has given me the opportunity to challenge myself as a have come from it. The impact she has made as the founder, leader and trailblazer for clinician, academic scholar, and leader. Being a Nurse the NP role has led thousands of individuals to a career of health “care”. Loretta’s work Practitioner has taken me to the front line of healthcare in nursing has changed and improved the way care is provided. The role she created, and the leading edge of health care innovation. Loretta has contributed to the quality of care patients receive throughout this country and many Ford has inspired my career by being a courageous others. Without her forward thinking, determination and selfless leader and pioneer in this role, and acts to promote hope and progress, the NP role and healthcare by demonstrating joy in work that would not be what it is today. For this, I cannot thank her enough. I aspire to every day. Glen J. Peterson, RN, DNP, ACNP Stacey Wall, BSN, MS, PNP, DNP Assistant Professor, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Clinical Director of Advanced Practice, Director, APP Education and Quality | BDCTC APP Co-Director, Blood Children’s Hospital Colorado, Disorders and Cellular Therapies Center BS Nursing Clemson University 1995
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