December 2023

Happy Holidays from the College of Nursing and Health Professions

USI will be closed for Winter Recess December 22 through January 1, 2024. Enjoy the holiday with family and friends! We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

Click through this gallery of photos to see some of the holiday magic in the CNHP!

USI's Osnabrück Connection

During the 2023 Fall Semester, the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions hosted 19 healthcare management students and two instructors from the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule) Osnabrück in Germany. In addition to learning about U.S. culture and healthcare, they met with Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, visited Historic New Harmony and toured both local hospitals.

HP Renovations — Part of the delegation from Germany after their visit to USI.

Nursing Instructor selected as NCLEX® Item Writer

April Fehlinger, Instructor in Nursing, was selected as a volunteer item writer for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

She was approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and selected by NCSBN to the NCLEX item development panel of subject matter experts held at NCSBN headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, from October 31 through November 3.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Updates

In November, Dr. Doug Sheffer, Cardiologist from Ascension St. Vincent Medical Group, discussed imaging of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with senior cardiac sonography students at USI.

Jordan Thomason '13, Instructor in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, passed her abdominal sonography national certification exam, becoming one of seven people in the U.S certified in abdomen, OBGYN and pediatric sonography, as well as adult echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography and fetal cardiography. Plus, she is the only person in Indiana with those credentials.

Thomason is the clinical coordinator for the USI DMS program and also teaches all the echocardiography courses.

Interprofessional Education (IPE) Activities

At USI, students from the health professions and related disciplines are engaged in interactive learning through interprofessional education (IPE). Learning to work effectively as members of diverse teams creates an understanding of the unique perspective and knowledge other professions bring to the care of the patient. Below are a few of the IPE activities during the 2023 Fall Semester.

Nutrition and Radiology

Students in these two programs collaborated for a hands-on activity. They practiced inserting nasal gastric (NG) tubes and took X-rays to check the placement.

Nursing, RT and OTA

USI's Clinical Simulation Center is the perfect setting for students in these three disciplines to learn how to work together to save the life of a "patient" in cardiac and respiratory distress.

Respiratory and OT

This Early Mobility Lab simulates transferring an ICU patient on a ventilator to a wheelchair.

Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Southwest Indiana AHEC connected USI students in social work, nursing, food and nutrition and occupational therapy with the Indiana University Interprofessional Practice and Education Center for a workshop exploring how addiction affects families, friends and communities through "real-life" scenarios of individuals living with or touched by substance use disorders.

Dietetics and Nursing

Dietetics students shared their passion for nutrition with students in the USI Nursing Program with a carb counting activity.

News from the GWEP

Learn how the USI Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) is working to improve health outcomes for older adults in southwest Indiana.

New Podcast Episode

bOLDer People, a podcast from the USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness' Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, has released its sixth episode to streaming platforms.

Mental Health First Aid Training

The GWEP is hosting a free training for CNHP faculty and staff on Friday, January 5. Learn how to identify unique mental health challenges in yourself and others and earn up to eight CE hours.

Celebrating with Seniors

The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness and celebration. As we prepare to celebrate, let's not forget the older members of our families. Click to read more.

Explore the GWEP

Visit our web page to be up to date with all of the news and programs related to the GWEP!

Student News

Four nursing students participated in the USI Honors Student Symposium on November 29. This event gives honors students the opportunity to present their capstones and other honors projects. Learn more about USI's Honors Program.

Maternal and Infant Education

Mia Bruno and Hailey Kessler presented “Maternal and Infant Health Education.” They were supervised by Dr. Marilyn Ostendorf, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing.

High Blood Pressure

Sarah Jones presented “Community Health Needs Assessment: Screening for High Blood Pressure.” She was supervised by Dr. Julie St. Clair, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing.

Language Barriers

Sofia Hernandez presented “Challenges to Health Care Access for People with Language Barriers in the United States.” She was supervised by Dr. Pam Thomas, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing.

Faculty & Staff News

New Employees

Please welcome four new members on the College of Nursing and Health Professions team. We are happy you are here!

Lauren Cusic

Lauren Cusic, Senior Administrative Assistant for Food and Nutrition Program

Mallory Mills

Mallory Mills, Instructor in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene

Dr. Kelly Pruden

Dr. Kelly Pruden, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Dr. Bailey Rankin

Dr. Bailey Rankin, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Faculty present at Indiana Occupational Therapy Association Conference

Faculty in the occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs were presenters at the 2023 Indiana Occupational Therapy Association (IOTA) Fall Conference, held on October 21 at the University of Indianapolis Health Pavilion. Dr. Jessica Mason, Assistant Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy, is Vice President for the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association. In this role, she helped with conference planning, orchestration and many behind-the-scenes logistics.

Breast Cancer Research

Dr. Stephanie Rexing, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, did a poster presentation, "Does Pre-operative Education Increase Activity Participation and Decrease Perceived Arm Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients?"

Screening for Adverse Experiences

Dr. Kristi Hape, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, and Sean Weir, Assistant Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy Assistant, presented a breakout session, "Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences: What is Our Role as Occupational Therapy Practitioners?"

Rehab and Disability

Dr. Jenna Thacker, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, led a breakout session, SIS Breakout Session: Rehab and Disability.

Faculty Appointments and Awards

Dr. Joy Cook ’03 M’09 D’22, Associate Professor and Chair of the Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, has joined the board of directors for the Southwest Indiana Red Cross Chapter. Cook has been a professional in the field of radiology for the past 28 years, and 18 of those years have been in education.
Ryan Williams, Assistant Professor of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, took office as the President for the Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists for the 2023-24 term. In this role, he oversees this professional society and advocates for professional needs at the state level.
Dr. Ashley N. Carter ’08 MSN, Assistant Professor of Nursing, has been awarded the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Indiana League for Nursing (ILN). Carter has been a nursing educator for 16 years. She joined the USI Nursing faculty in Fall 2020. Read More

Years of Service Recognition

Congratulations to the following faculty and staff members for their years of service to USI:

20 Years: Dr. Marilyn C. Ostendorf D'11, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing

15 Years: Dr. Ethel A. Elkins M'06, Associate Professor of Health Services

10 Years: Lorinda L. Coan, Associate Professor in Dental Hygiene; Dr. Charlotte S. Connerton, Associate Professor in Nursing; Tamara J. Hall, Senior Administrative Assistant for Nursing; and Dr. Erin Reynolds, Associate Professor and Chair of Health Services and Health Administration programs

Five Years: Carly J. Andrews '17 M'18, Coordinator of Clinical Simulations; Shellye A. Davis '12 M'18, Instructor in Nursing; Dr. Steve E. Gruenewald, Assistant Professor of Health Services; and Krista R. Kercher '14 M'16, Clinical Coordinator for Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

More Faculty Achievements

Retirement Announcement

Mary Ann Allen Photo Since June 2016, Mary Ann Allen has been the "go-to person" for continuing education (CE) in our College. In her role with the Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning, she has coordinated the health profession conferences, including arranging for speakers, determining topics, event planning and providing CE contact hours. She is retiring from USI on December 21.