Summer 2024 | Accomplishments

FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Angela Starkweather, PhD, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, Chamings Professor and assistant dean for research development, and Jeanne-Marie Staccarini, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, were among the most recent inductees to the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing International Researcher Hall of Fame. The pair were inducted on the basis of their impactful and prodigious body of research. The induction took place during the organization’s 35th congress in Singapore on July 27.

Bryce Catarelli, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, clinical assistant professor, was selected as a recipient of a 2024 Champions for Change Award. These awards, sponsored by the UF Office of Sustainability and the Healthy Gators Coalition, recognize individuals and groups that have made significant contributions to the UF community in the areas of sustainability and/or health.

Sandra Citty, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, clinical associate professor, was selected for a Department of Veterans Affairs’ Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nursing — one of six in the nation. Citty was recognized in the Expanded Nurse Role category. Winners have demonstrated excellence and the highest level of dedication to their profession. Citty was chosen for her remarkable contributions at the Gainesville Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Centers within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. Her deep dedication stems from a desire to improve the well-being of veterans, particularly by enhancing palliative and end-of-life care.

Michaela Hogan, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, clinical assistant professor, was recently named a member-at-large on the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Florida, or APNA, Chapter Board. The APNA provides members with the resources, education, and dynamic collaboration needed to provide the best care to those they serve.

Debra Lyon, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN, professor and Kirbo Endowed Chair, was selected as a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor for 2024. Lyon was one of 34 professors selected university-wide.

Kasey Nestor, MSN-Ed, BSN, RN, CNE, clinical lecturer, and Jen Boneta, DNP, CCRN, clinical assistant professor, recently passed the National League for Nursing Certification for Nurse Educators exam. Passing the rigorous exam demonstrates their expertise in this role.

James Poole, APRN, clinical assistant professor, is the newest member of the UF College of Nursing Faculty Practice Association’s board of directors. The FPA’s mission is to support the university’s and the college’s service, teaching, and research goals. It oversees faculty members’ agreements to provide professional services to patients/clients in settings where they teach nursing students, enhancing clinical nursing skills, and knowledge. The FPA also oversees UF Health Archer Family Health Care, the college’s nurse-led primary care practice in Archer.

Melissa Brace, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN, clinical assistant professor, successfully passed the certification examination and is now a board-certified family nurse practitioner.

The College of Nursing marked Nurses Week 2024 with a festive celebration, offering gifts, awards, and cake. The highlight of the event was the presentation of DAISY Awards alongside the Faculty and Staff Awards.

DAISY Award winners:

Karen Schofield, Extraordinary Nurse Educator Undergraduate
Suzanne Weed, Extraordinary Nurse Educator Undergraduate
Elida Benitez, Extraordinary Nurse Educator DNP
Tracey Taylor, Extraordinary Nurse Educator DNP

Faculty and Staff Award winners:

Faculty Care, Lead, and Inspire Award, Karen Reed
Community Engagement Award, Raga Bjarnadottir
Impact Award, Hwayoung Cho
Innovation Award, Bryce Catarelli, Karen Schofield and Jen Boneta
Staff Care, Lead, and Inspire Award, Mailing Pauzauskie
Commitment to Excellence Award, Yancy Lawrence

STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Nursing students Melody Marino, Nicholas Moyer, and Chineme Churuba were selected as UF Scholars, where they will work with nursing faculty on a research project. The scholars program introduces undergraduate students to academic research review applications. Students from all disciplines are selected through a competitive process to participate in this program.

Luke Han, Accelerated BSN student and nurse ambassador, received a Johnson & Johnson Scholarship Award for his commitment to nursing excellence.

Samantha Koschmerl and Brison Stevens were recognized for being the inaugural participants in the Sigma Theta Tau International: Alpha Theta Chapter Student Internship Program.

At the 2024 Nursing Research Summit and Malasanos Lectureship, held on April 12, the focus was on leveraging artificial intelligence and mobile health solutions to enhance patient care. The event celebrated notable achievements, with awards recognizing excellence in research, leadership, and practice. Below is the list of student and professional award winners from the day of events:

Student Awards:

Elizabeth Brothers: Excellence in Advancing Nursing Practice Award

Connie Hartman: UF College of Nursing Leadership Award

Kizzy McRay-Shepard: Excellence in Community Service Award

Urszula Snigurska: Excellence in Research Award

Olatunde Madandola: Outstanding Publication by a PhD Student Award

Gina Gehling: Joyce K. Stechmiller Fellowship Award

Professional Category:

1^st place: T.Gail Czaban. Aromatherapy to Reduce Preoperative Nervousness and Improve Patient Satisfaction in the Perioperative Unit. T. Gail Czaban, RN, BSN, CPAN, CAPA; Michele, J. Brunges, RN MSN; Kristy Perry, RN MSN; Chloe Davies, RN, BSN; Darby Guyton, RN, BSN; Christopher Allen, RN, BSN; and Ann L. Horgas, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN

2^nd place: Casey Bopp. The RESCUE Program for Caregivers of Veterans with Major Lower Limb Loss: A Quality Improvement Program. Casey Bopp, RN, BSN; Nathanial Eliazar-Macke, RN, BSN; I. Magaly. Freytes, PhD; Sandra Citty, PhD, APRN; Tommy Coffey, PT, DPT, GCS; Sonja Ward, PT, DPT; Ifeyinwa G. Ilechukwu, MD; and Constance Uphold, ARNP, PhD, FA

PhD Student Category:

1^st place: Gina Gehling. Exploring the Relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Metastasis Among Adults Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review. Gina Gehling, RN, BSN; Miad Alfaqih, Lisiane Pruinelli, Ph.D., MS, RN, FAMIA; Angela Starkweather, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN; and Jennifer R. Dungan, PhD, MSN, BSN

2^nd place: LeeAnn Hewitt. Thymic Involvement in Breast Milk Intolerance Among Pediatric Congenital Heart Patients. LeeAnn Hewitt, RN, BSN, PhD Student; Leslie Parker, RN, PhD; Sukumar Suguna Narasimhulu, MD; and Clive Wasserfall, PhD

DNP Student Category:

1^st place: Summer Burlingame. Implementing a Noise Reduction Program to Decrease Delirium in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Burlingame, S. RN, BSN, DNP Candidate; Mauney, J. DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC; Weaver, M. RN, PhD, FAAN; and Xiaoxi Zhang PhD Student

2^nd place: Katherine DeSouza. Comprehensive Education Curriculum For Clients With Hypertension And Or Diabetes At A Food Pharmacy. De Souza, K., RN, BSN, DNP Student; Belhart, C., RN, BSN, DNP Student; and Carrington, J. M., PhD, RN, FAMIA, FAAN

BSN Student Category:

1^st place: Kenneth Borick. Development of a Questionnaire to Characterize Nurses’ Attitudes and Feasibility of Implementation on the Use of Music in Patient Care. Kenneth M. Borick., BSN Student; Leslie A. Parker., Ph.D.; M. David Miller., Ph.D.; Jeanne-Marie Stacciarini, Ph.D.; Mary Rockwood Lane, Ph.D.; and Ellen L. Terry, PhD

2^nd place: Julie Taquechel. End-Stage Liver Disease Comorbidities in Patients Awaiting Transplantation: Identification and Impact on Liver Transplant Outcomes. Julia Taquechel, UFNS4; Kiruthika Balakrishnan, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate; and Lisiane Pruinelli, PhD, MS, RN, FAMIA, Associate Professor