Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions

Sarah McSparin, a diagnostic medical sonography student from Eldorado, Illinois, is one of only 22 students from across the United States chosen to be in the 2025 Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Foundation Emerging Leaders Program.

Congratulations to Dr. Beth Young for being named Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Chair of USI's Food and Nutrition Program, she began her journey at USI as an adjunct instructor in 2007 and has been a valued full-time faculty member for the past 13 years. Her passion for inclusive wellness shines through in her adaptive cooking classes for individuals with Down syndrome—just one example of how she’s making a difference both inside and outside the classroom.

USI Women's Track and Field freshman Hadessah Austin, a Nutrition and Wellness major, was named Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week for the third time this season! It also marks the fifth overall OVC weekly honor for Austin–she also has been named OVC Track Athlete of the Week twice this year. Congrats, Hadessah!

A $49 million renovation of the USI Health Professions Center, which houses the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, is underway, adding over 48,000 square feet of additional space for classrooms, updated labs and state-of-the-art equipment for growing healthcare programs while also transforming the building's exterior and entrance to campus.

Our Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is offering free, non-diagnostic ultrasounds for those 18–34 weeks pregnant! Sessions are available Tuesday afternoons through April 2025. Book your spot today by emailing usi1dms@usi.edu.

Dr. Jennifer Evans, Assistant Dean and Chief Nurse Administrator, has been accepted as a Distinguished Fellow of the Nursing Academy for the National Academies of Practice (NAP). The NAP is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 to advise governmental bodies on healthcare issues. Now that she has been inducted into the Class of 2025, she may use the “FNAP” credential to identify herself as a Distinguished Fellow of the NAP.

Five occupational therapy students made history when they were honored as 2024 Outstanding OT Students of the Year during the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA) Fall Conference. They were recognized for their high academic achievements and their recent fieldwork experience in Central America.

Congratulations to Natalie Restivo, a Plainfield native and sophomore nursing student at USI, for being selected as a 2025 500 Festival Princess. She and the other princesses are participating in a variety of community outreach events leading up to the Indianapolis 500. Natalie has decided to include the Kinney College and the Evansville community in one of her outreach projects: a "500 to the 500" food drive for the Tri-State Food Bank with a goal to collect 500 items before the end of the semester.

Sussuana Larbi-Agbo, a student in USI's Master of Science in Nursing (FNP) program, attended the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Student Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., March 30-31. "My experience exceeded my expectations," she says. "Initially, I joined the summit to gain exposure and possibly network with fellow professionals, but I left with a newfound passion for being actively involved in the spaces where decisions are made. I am no longer content with just discussing these matters; I am eager to take action." Also representing USI was Dr. Jennifer Evans, Assistant Dean for Nursing.

Rylie Farr '24 says, "My cousin's baby, who survived 19 days in the NICU, ignited my dream of becoming a respiratory therapist and providing care to premature babies. USI has given me the knowledge and skills to achieve this goal."

Lauren Greiwe '23, a Health Administration major, is the first student-athlete in USI school history to claim a NCAA Division I conference title. She discovered the "hands-on" side of healthcare wasn't for her after working as a patient care technician at an Evansville hospital, which led her to USI's Health Administration Program.

Emily Clark of New Harmony, Indiana, has received the Lucy C. Perry Scholarship from the Nurses Educational Funds (NEF), a national nonprofit organization that provides financial support to nurses seeking advanced degrees.

Grace Range ’26 is one of two students from Indiana selected to participate in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Student to Leadership Development Program for 2025. She is a student in the Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, large numbers of nurses are retiring or leaving the profession. This national workforce decline is often attributed to the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to staffing issues, stress, burnout and concerns for nurses’ overall mental health. Because resilience involves adapting to and overcoming stressful life circumstances, several faculty members in the USI Nursing program have been researching ways for students to build resilience from the start of their nursing education.

Dr. Daniel King '10 has been elected to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Board of Directors. The Evansville native is an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, College of Nursing in North Chicago, Illinois. In addition, he works as a nurse anesthetist and is the owner of DreamLion Anesthesia.

Noor Alameer, a 2024 Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduate from Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, received USI's Outstanding International Graduate Award. "I would recommend USI to any international student because it is always a welcoming place. The people here are all very nice and are willing to help–instructors or students," she says. "I always felt welcome to ask, inquire or discuss anything. I cannot count how many things make USI just the most pleasant experience you could ever imagine. It's truly a unique place!"

Sarah McSparin, a diagnostic medical sonography student from Eldorado, Illinois, is one of only 22 students from across the United States chosen to be in the 2025 Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) Foundation Emerging Leaders Program. As a member of this cohort, she will participate virtually in a variety of education opportunities related to the future of the profession and leadership volunteerism.

Shelby Livingston '25, a student in the USI Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Program, is the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Bill Sands Communication Scholarship, a University-wide award established by USI faculty members–the late William and Helen Sands. During her time at USI, she has competed on the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. 

Three Posey County teens recently visited USI to thank a member of our Nursing faculty for her quick response when they were injured in a three-vehicle accident.

Keith Miller ’15 M’20 was recently named Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center Chief Administrative Officer and Deaconess Indiana Region President in Jasper, Indiana. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Health Services in 2015 and Master’s in Business Administration in 2020. Having worked in healthcare management most of his career, Miller continues to utilize both degrees daily.

Laisha Gonzalez Ramos learned at a young age that many older adults need healthcare advocates. Now that she graduated from USI with her bachelor’s degree in health administration and minors in Spanish and business administration, she is well on her way to being an agent for change for this vulnerable population.

Alexandra Gilmore ’17 was named the 2023 Nurse of the Year at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany, Indiana. She has worked in the hospital's intensive care unit for six years.