College of Nursing and Health Professions

Congratulations to Emily Holt, Clinical Professor of Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting, for making an impact on student success at USI! She was recognized in the inaugural Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Outstanding Faculty-Commitment to Student Success Awards!

Thank you, Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC), for helping us create healthy communities for all! Learn more about this incredible program hosted at USI in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

The USI Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs are sponsoring a donation drive for Aurora of Evansville March 13-31. Aurora serves the homeless and near homeless and provides permanent long-term housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness. Donation boxes for personal care items and non-perishable food are in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Items accepted are: travel-size shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors, soap, washcloths, lip balm, peanut butter crackers, pop-top canned goods, water flavoring packets and protein bars.

Current USI students are invited to the HP Expo to explore majors and career options in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. There will be giveaways and hands-on activities. Come to the second floor of the Health Professions Center on Friday, March 24 from 10 a.m.-Noon to join the fun!

Alex 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.

Do you know a high school junior or senior? Tell them that the College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a free Health Professions Day from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, to explore careers in healthcare. The day will incorporate hands-on experiences within various health professions programs, as well as interaction with faculty and current students. Lunch will be provided! Health Professions Day is free, but seating is limited and registration is required.

Kristy Denton '12, MHA '15 has a new title to add to her resume: Mrs. Southern Indiana! The USI graduate, wife, mother, long-term care administrator and adjunct instructor for Romain College of Business is a native of Newburgh, Indiana, and has been with American Senior Communities since 2014. She currently is the administrator at Willowdale Village in Dale, Indiana.

The deadline to apply for the Health Professions Community is March 15. Come live and learn with other students majoring in the College of Nursing and Health Professions! If you’re interested in a health-related career and helping others, this is the place for you to live.

Students in the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions are taught the importance of working together within a healthcare team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. Brooke Shafer, a senior nursing major, has first-hand experience with this concept.

Now is the time for dental assistants to brush up on their skills! There are still spots available for Coronal Polishing and Fluoride Application certificate programs, to be held online March 13-April 21, with onsite laboratory sessions on Saturday, April 22.

The USI Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is offering non-diagnostic ultrasounds to those in their second and third trimester on Thursdays through April 27. Physician consent is required.

The worlds of healthcare and art intersected recently at USI during Dr. Zach Ward’s Competitive Strategies and Marketing in Healthcare class (HA 496). Aaron Kizer, a native of Owensboro who is renowned for his striking portraits of celebrities and pop culture icons, recently spoke to Ward’s students about his work and artistic portfolio that ranges from hip-hop artists’ album covers to Fortune 500 companies.

USI Nursing's newest faculty member puts best foot forward with mission to provide new shoes for Mount Vernon elementary school students.

Jessica R. Riley, MSN, RN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, has been named Congestive Heart Failure Coordinator at Cape Cardiology Group, located in the Heart Hospital at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She received her Post-Master’s Certificate as an Acute Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner from University of Southern Indiana in July 2022.

Two students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program completed a pilot continuing education program that focused on reducing health disparities in the United States.

Sarah Fruit was named the USI Student Volunteer of the Year award at the Volunteer USI Dinner in August and is also the 2022 recipient of a University-wide scholarship. She says opportunities within the Food and Nutrition Program at USI have prepared her for her future career.

Prior to the USI Nursing White Coat Ceremony on September 11, 2022, Hailey Reas’ mother loaned her something special to wear to remember her family’s legacy of nursing service.

A junior majoring in Health Administration is the first student-athlete in USI school history to claim a NCAA Division I conference title. Read more about Lauren Greiwe and her accomplishments on the USI Women's Cross Country team.

Ann White, RN, PhD, MBA, NE-BC, Dean Emerita of the USI College of Nursing and Health Professions, received the 2022 Pillar of Leadership Award from the Indiana State Nurses Association (ISNA).

Two students from USI's Radiologic and Imaging Sciences program, Hortensia Almanza '23 and Eva Chung Loo '23, placed third in the state quiz bowl during the Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists (ISRT) meeting in Indianapolis on September 30. The program's newest faculty member, Ryan Williams '14, M'22, was also installed as the Vice President for the 2022-2023 ISRT Board of Directors.

Congrats to Katie Ehlman, Professor of Gerontology, for receiving the Faculty Recognition Award at the USI Founders' Day Celebration! Her anonymous nominator says, “Ehlman is an outstanding role model for students and is constantly creating experiential learning opportunities for them. Her work elevates the visibility of the University on a local, state, national and global platform.”

Dr. Joy Cook, Associate Professor and Chair of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences; Dr. Heather Schmuck, Clinical Associate Professor of Radiologic and Imagines Sciences; and Amanda Reddington, Clinical Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene/Assisting, presented "Getting Down and Dirty with Lead Apparel" at the 2022 American Dental Education Association Annual Session and Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 19, 2022.

Meet this 2017 graduate who received the 2022 Nurse of the Year for Community Service award from Deaconess Hospital.