Directory of Our Exceptional
Faculty and Staff

Education
ADN, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
BSN, University of Nebraska Medical Center
MSN University of Nebraska Medical Center
PhD, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

General Background
Initially, as a staff nurse, I practiced in the areas of obstetrical and high-risk obstetrical nursing. After receiving a Master's degree in Nursing (MSN), I transitioned to nursing education at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC). I have been a nurse educator for the past 33 years and have taught in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. As a Certified Lamaze Childbirth Educator, I also have taught Childbirth Education classes at Methodist Women’s Hospital. In my faculty role, in the undergraduate program, I mainly taught pediatrics, faith community nursing, complementary and alternative nursing therapies and population health I clinical. After earning a PhD, I also taught in the online graduate programs in courses such as professional role development, research, instructional methods and philosophies and theories. I have also assisted many graduate students complete their final research projects. I served in a variety of other roles at NMC such as Director of Nursing-Special programs, Dean of Nursing and Program Coordinator for the Scott Scholars, Levine Scholars and Diverse Nurse Scholar programs. 

Notable Publications/Presentations
I co-authored a combined obstetrical and pediatric text book package, Ward & Hisley Maternal Child Nursing Care: Optimizing Outcomes for Mothers, Children & Families. The text book package was comprised of the main textbook (1400 pages), a clinical pocket companion, faculty CD, student CD as well as the information posted on the accompanying website. The Ward & Hisley books received the American Journal of Nursing Award in 2009 and overall 3rd place book in 2016. I also completed a reference book called Pediatric Nursing Care: Best Evidence-Based Practices and a book called Introduction to Population Health as a Framework for Wellness in Children. I have also published several journal articles on a variety of topics and served as an article reviewer for The Journal of Pediatric Nursing. I co-wrote and received a variety of grants including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - New Careers in nursing grant for 5 years. 

Professional Service/Recognition/Charitable Boards
Responsibilities at Nebraska Methodist College included teaching courses, coordinating the Accelerated Nursing, LPN-BSN RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs. Community partnerships were always a focus with several metropolitan schools (pre-school through high-school), the American Red Cross as well as a partnership with a group of ecumenical churches in South East Omaha. I have guided nurses at Methodist Health System learn Evidence Based Practice and was a co-investigator on a qualitative research project about the Rapid Response Team.

On the local level, I participated on the Immunization Task Force, Refugee Task Force, World Refugee Day Committee and served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Interfaith Health Services. On a state level, I am a member of the Nebraska Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. I have been a national leader in the area of Faith Community Nursing and wrote modules and edited the International Parish Nurse Resource Center's curriculum. I co-authored the Faith Community Nursing Scope and Standard in 2005 and 2012 and co-developed their Portfolio Recognition process. Other broader areas of service have been a member of the Omaha Mayor’s Personnel Board, member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) State Grass Liasion and lead the AACN Practice Ready Advisory Group for competency based education