Message from the DeanLooking back at USI’s Spring 2026 Commencement that was held a few weeks ago, I am proud of the continued momentum across the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. In this issue, you will find news of major gifts to support nursing students and highlights of faculty research and accomplishments, along with introductions to new colleagues who bring valuable expertise to our community.
We are making progress on our building renovations that will enhance our learning and work environments for years to come. Thank you for your continued support, and congratulations to our graduates as they begin their next chapter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Julie McCullough, Dean, Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions
Coudret Family EndowmentThe family of Dr. Nadine Coudret, the first Dean of the USI Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, has made a $1 million endowed gift to the University that will provide unrestricted support for the USI Nursing Program and establish an annual scholarship for nursing students.
In recognition of this gift, the Nursing Program will be named the Coudret Nursing Program.
“We are so grateful that Dr. Coudret’s family is honoring her career and vision with this very generous gift,” says Steven J. Bridges ’89 M’95, USI President. “This level of investment, combined with other major charitable gifts the Kinney College has received the past five years, further showcases the impact our alumni have on healthcare in this region and the academic excellence taking place here at USI.”
Rutledge EndowmentThe University has received a $1 million leadership gift from Larry Rutledge to support graduate nursing education within the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions.
The gift will create an endowment providing scholarships in perpetuity for USI graduate students enrolled in the family nurse practitioner or acute care nurse practitioner programs within the Master of Science in Nursing program. The gift reflects a long-term investment in the preparation of advanced practice nurses who will serve communities throughout the region.
In recognition of Rutledge’s generosity, the new auditorium in the renovated USI Health Professions Center will be named Rutledge Auditorium.
For the second year, USI Nursing presented The DAISY Award® for extraordinary USI nurse educators and USI nursing students.
The DAISY Foundation™ was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died from complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.
The DAISY Award is in over 6,000 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing internationally. It is a recognition program for nurses wherever they practice, in whatever role they serve, and throughout their careers––from nursing student through lifetime achievement.
Payten ZieglerPayten Ziegler of Evansville, Indiana, is the recipient of the 2026 DAISY Award for Extraordinary USI Nursing Students. "Payten always advocates for the best possible care for her patients," wrote one of her nominators, a hospital staff member. “When she sees a patient’s care is lacking, she will step up and advocate for them or offer a hand to help provide better care.”
Ziegler was inspired to pursue nursing after watching her younger brother survive an aggressive form of cancer. “It showed me the true power of nursing, not just in saving lives, but in holding families together when everything feels like it's falling apart,” she says. “Seeing the impact nurses can have on patients and their families made me want to be that kind of support for others.”
After she graduates with her BSN degree in July 2027, she plans to work in intensive care on a trauma unit.
Dr. Ashley CarterDr. Ashley Carter, Assistant Professor of Nursing, is the second recipient of The DAISY Award® for extraordinary USI Nurse Educators. She has been a nursing educator for 19 years, having first started her teaching career in 2007 at Ivy Tech Evansville, where she also served as Department Chair for five years before joining the USI Nursing faculty in Fall 2020.
One of her students wrote, "A specific example of how Dr. Carter made a significant impact is how she is always so supportive and encouraging in ensuring we’re confident in our actions. She always knows how to ease nerves at any times that are stressful in the workload. I greatly appreciate it because it helps me become confident in my future occupation."
Dr. Jennifer Fehrenbacher, Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene/Assisting, will be promoted to Associate Professor (effective August 11, 2026) and has been named Chair of Dental Assisting.
Dr. Michelle Gogel, Assistant Professor of Nursing, has been named Director of Graduate Nursing. Leadership Tracks (effective May 27, 2026).
Taryn Hagan, Instructor in Nursing, has been named Director of Undergraduate Nursing (effective May 27, 2026).
Lauren Mygatt, Senior Administrative Assistant, has been promoted to Nursing Admissions Coordinator.
Dr. Katherine Peak, Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, will be promoted to Clinical Associate Professor (effective August 11, 2026).
Dr. Kelly Pruden, Assistant Professor of Nursing, has been named Chair of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (effective May 27, 2026).
Dr. Bailey Rankin, Assistant Professor and Chair of Graduate Nursing, has been named Assistant Dean of Nursing (effective May 27, 2026). In this role, he succeeds Dr. Jennifer Evans, who is leaving USI after 21 years of dedicated service in the Kinney College.
Dr. Susan Seibert, Teaching Associate Professor of Nursing, will be promoted to Teaching Professor (effective August 11, 2026).
Dr. Kristen Stout, Assistant Professor of Nursing, has been named Director of Graduate Nursing Leadership, APRN (effective May 27, 2026).
Dr. Michelle Wakefield, Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Nursing, has been named Chair of Graduate Nursing (effective May 27, 2026).
Dr. Ethel Elkins
Associate Professor
Health Administration and Community Health
18 Years of Service
Dr. Marilyn Ostendorf
Clinical Assistant Professor
Nursing
23 Years of Service
Dr. Pamela Thomas
Clinical Assistant Professor
Nursing
14 Years of Service
Occupational Therapy faculty Dr. Jessica Mason and Dr. Jenna Thacker are the recipients of the 2025-26 Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Development Award. Their proposal, titled Then and Now: A Comparative Study of Fieldwork Educators’ Perceived Essential Skills for OT Students Beginning Level II Fieldwork, has been funded for a total of $5,000.
Dr. Kristi Hape, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, is the recipient of the 2025-2026 Bronstein Center Faculty Research Award. This award will fund her research related to dementia care, Advancing Student Skills in Gerontology Using Artificial Intelligence and Biometrix Feedback.
Excellence in Teaching AwardsCongratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Kinney College Excellence in Teaching Awards: Dr. Joy Cook, Associate Professor and Chair of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences, and Amy Wilson, Clinical Professor and Chair of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Each year, students and faculty are asked to nominate full-time faculty members who have contributed significantly to the quality of teaching in the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. These awards, valued at $2,500 each, are funded by the USI Foundation and can be utilized for professional development or innovative projects.
Their nominators wrote:
" Dr. Cook is an exceptional educator. She has a way of making complex material understandable and easy to retain. It is evident that she has extensive experience in the field, as she regularly incorporates real-world scenarios into her teaching, offering students a better understanding of how concepts apply in practical situations. She encourages students to go above and beyond by seeking opportunities outside of the classroom that will enhance her students' skills and future careers."
"Amy is truly an excellent teacher and deserves recognition for her dedication to her students and the way she presents complex material. Despite how difficult the material can be, she explains concepts in a way that makes them easier to understand and learn. Amy also provides many helpful resources that support our learning. She gives out handouts, diagrams, and visual materials that help us study outside of class. She creates a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions."
Carly Andrews, Coordinator of Simulations, has received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSO) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
Jody Delp, Clinical Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy, passed the examination for the Adult Critical Care Specialist credential (RRT-ACCS) through the National Board for Respiratory Care.
Megan Ivy, Instructor in Nursing, has completed the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Simulation Education Program (ISEP), a six-month online professional development credential.
Alex Medina, Alexandra Medina, Nursing Clinical Coordinator for Graduate Nursing received her Master of Business Administration degree (Health Administration and Project Management) from the University of Southern Indiana.
 Josie AultSenior Administrative Assistant Gerontology, Informatics, MHA |
Alexandra Medina Nursing Clinical Coordinator Graduate Nursing |
 Sarah SengSenior Administrative Assistant DMS, Radiology and Respiratory |
Kristen Stout Assistant Professor Nursing |
Occupational Therapy grad
helps plan "Illuminate ALS" awareness event
Maddie Rynkiewich, a two-time USI alumna who earned her master's in occupational therapy in 2015, helped pull together USI faculty and students, Volunteer USI and Alumni Engagement, community organizations, friends and family members for a special event on campus March 29 to raise awareness of those affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The event included a presentation by Duke neurologist Dr. Richard Bedlack, and a screening of Stitching Strength, a short film highlighting his work with individuals living with ALS, including 2013 USI graduate Frank Rynkiewich, Maddie's husband.
“Dr. Bedlack is known for his advocacy, research and compassionate leadership,” says Maddie. “He embodies the idea of illumination within the ALS community, providing hope to patients and families.”
On several occasions, Maddie and Frank have been guest speakers in USI Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) classes taught by Sean Weir and Jana Pace. These two faculty members worked very closely with the Rykniewich family and the USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning to coordinate the "Illuminate ALS" event.
Mark Your Calendars:
Our Next Health Professions Days
are Friday, October 23, 2026, and February 26, 2027!
Do you know a high school junior or senior interested in healthcare? Tell them about our Health Professions Day!
