Welcome
In 2018, Dr. Cormac O’Sullivan came to me with an intriguing and ambitious proposal; he had learned of a program funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust that was providing mobile, simulation-based continuing education to healthcare providers in rural areas and he thought the College of Nursing should apply to lead the program in Iowa. While I think we all recognized the potential, I don’t think any of us imagined an outcome even close to what we have now.
Today, Simulation in Motion-Iowa (SIM-IA), the program that Drs. Jacinda Bunch and O’Sullivan built, is well-received, highly respected, and nationally recognized. Along with the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, another innovative program rooted in the college, SIM-IA was recently named an Edge Runner by the American Academy of Nursing. The SIM-IA team has provided education in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and shows no signs of slowing down, thanks to the team’s dedication and recent financial support from The Wellmark Foundation, the Bedford Falls Foundation, and many alumni and friends of the college. To say that we in the college and across the university are incredibly proud of this program and the impact it is having on health and healthcare throughout our state would be an understatement.
As a college of nursing, it is not necessarily easy to see the profound impact we can have outside of traditional nursing programs. Leaders who have the courage to step outside our designated lanes and innovate must be supported on their journeys. Thanks to Drs. Bunch and O’Sullivan, Dr. Weathers (IONRP), and many other courageous innovators at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, we are turning heads and people are paying
Go Hawks!
Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Kelting Dean and Professor
Working with SIM-IA has truly revolutionized our approach to healthcare training. In our small community, distant from larger counterparts with access to high-end training, SIM-IA has been a beacon of innovation. Utilizing high-fidelity manikins manned by real-world healthcare providers, the program offers highly realistic scenarios for our community providers to respond and react to. The experiences with SIM-IA have been unparalleled, enabling us to conduct incredibly real training in a safe environment. Our primary goal is to reduce the fear and stress that providers often experience when responding to calls or caring for others, ultimately improving the level of care provided to patients.
- Brad Ratliff, director of emergency medical services for the city of Tipton, Iowa
On June 21, 2022, the Simulation in Motion–Iowa (SIM-IA) program was launched with an official ribbon cutting at the Capitol in Des Moines. “SIM-IA is like nothing the state has ever seen,” University of Iowa College of Nursing Dean Julie Zerwic said at the event. “Three custom-built mobile simulation units will soon be traversing the rural roads of Iowa, bringing high-quality, real-world clinical simulation education to healthcare providers. Whether the providers are in Adams County or the town of Zearing, SIM-IA allows us to bring this education to their doorstep.”
Less than three years later, the program has educated more than 14,000 people around the state, including emergency medical services (EMS) providers, high school students, quarry workers, nurses, long term care workers, and athletic trainers. In May 2025, at a training with Chickasaw County EMS in New Hampton, Iowa, the goal of providing education in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties was completed.
FULL CIRCLE: Alumna returns to lead and inspire at the College of Nursing
Kimberly Bergen-Jackson is best described as a gerontological nursing Renaissance woman. She has decades of clinical and administrative experience, a twin passion for older adults and students, a gift for connecting people and resources, and a steadfast determination to make an impact on the future of aging and long-term care. Bergen-Jackson is a three-time alumna who recently became faculty, and the College of Nursing has played a large part in her development into a compassionate, dynamic, and impactful nurse leader and educator.
Nursing school is rigorous, takes fortitude, and can be overwhelming in the best of times; but what happens when you add an NCAA sport, a toddler and a newborn, or a complete career switch to the mix?
Five College of Nursing students share their experiences, the support they have found at the college and across campus, and the ways they flourish as non-traditional nursing students.
Emerging Nurse Leader Award
Dan Lose, DNP, RN, CNML, is the recipient of the 2026 College of Nursing Emerging Nurse Leader Award. Lose (16DNP, 12BSN) currently serves as nursing director for the Medical Surgical Services Division at University of Iowa Health Care, where he oversees nine inpatient units, encompassing 293 beds and over 600 clinical staff.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Julie Cowan Novak, DNSc, RN, MA, CPNP, FAANP, FAAN, is the recipient of the 2026 College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award. Novak earned her BSN (72) and MSN (76) from the college, and soon after became the inaugural perinatal nurse clinician at University of Iowa Health Care’s Newborn Nursery and Primary Care Clinic.
Golden Alumni Reunion
Alumni from the classes of 1969–1975 gathered at the college in July for their Golden Reunion. Attendees enjoyed faculty and student presentations, a charter bus tour of campus, a recognition ceremony at Hancher, and lots of time to catch up and reminisce with their classmates.
Optimal Aging Day at the National Senior Games
The first ever Optimal Aging Day in Iowa was held in Des Moines on July 25, in conjunction with the opening of the 2025 National Senior Games. Students, faculty, and staff from the college and university partners shared a broad range of materials on and strategies for optimal aging with hundreds of athletes, their families, and community members. The event was organized by the Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence.
Sinnwell receives Culturally Responsive Health Care award
Assistant Clinical Professor Emily Sinnwell, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, was honored with the 2025 University of Iowa Health Care Culturally Responsive Health Care award. The award recognizes health care professionals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in addressing health disparities among patients or populations through culturally responsive care. Sinnwell (14DNP, 12MSN, 09BSN) was nominated in part for her commitment to expanding access to care for immigrants in Iowa and teaching students to recognize and address the structural barriers that patients face around social determinants of health challenges.
Familiar faces in Finland
Dean Zerwic traveled to the International Council of Nurses (ICN) 2025 Congress in Helsinki, Finland this summer where she spent time with national and international nursing leaders, including 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and second vice president of ICN, Karen Bjøro (08PhD), and Hyeonkyeong Lee, a former student from University of Illinois-Chicago who is now dean and professor at Yonsei University College of Nursing in Seoul, Korea.
Community Doula Program aims to improve health outcomes
A partnership between the College of Nursing, UI Health Care, and Johnson County Public Health has developed the Community Doulas of Johnson County program to improve local maternal health outcomes. After training ten bilingual community members as doulas, the program supports them in providing services to low-income pregnant people in Johnson County. The doulas support their clients through the pregnancy and birthing process, including multiple prenatal and postpartum visits at the client’s home. Assistant Professor Julie Vignato, PhD, RN, RNC-LRN, CNE, a leader in the program, is collecting data to better understand the effectiveness of doulas on reducing the rates of maternal disease and death in Iowa.
Wesemann named AAN Fellow
Clinical Associate Professor Daniel Wesemann, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, FAANP was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing this fall. Wesemann, who directs the college’s Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP program, is a two time college alum (08MSN, 06MNHP,) and joined the faculty in 2015. College of Nursing alumni Teri Pipe (85BSN), Ryannon Frederick (00BSN), and Ju Young Shin (07PhD) were also inducted this fall. Alumna and faculty emerita Connie Delaney (78MAN) was honored as a Living Legend.
Montgomery receives DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award after 47-year career
Lou Ann Montgomery PhD, MAN, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN associate chief nursing officer at UI Health Care and co-director of the Nursing Clinical Education Center, was recently honored with the DAISY Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout her 47-year career Montgomery (88MAN), who retired in September, has impacted the College of Nursing in many ways. She was instrumental in creating the Nursing Collaboratory, a partnership between the college and UI Health Care’s Department of Nursing to improve both patient outcomes and nursing practice. She also spearheaded efforts during the pandemic to have nursing students designated as
Lofgren receives AANP award for outstanding contributions to the state
The American Association for Nurse Practitioners honors one individual from each state who has made significant strides in advancing health care through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership and has demonstrated efforts to advance the image, profile and visibility of nurse practitioners. The 2025 recipient from Iowa is Maria Lofgren, DNP, ARNP, NNP-BC, PNP-PC, FAANP. Lofgren (13DNP, 98MSN) is a clinical professor and director of faculty practice at the college, and director of advanced practice providers at UI Health Care.
Inaugural Buckwalter Prize awarded
Kathleen ‘Kitty” Buckwalter (76MAN, 71BSN) established the Kathleen and Joseph Buckwalter Prize in Gerontological Nursing Research this year, to recognize the hard work of faculty that participate in the intensive, month-long College of Nursing Grant Writing Workshop. The prize will be awarded annually to the principal investigator of the best gerontology-focused proposal submitted by the workshop deadline. The winner of the 2025 Buckwalter Prize is Assistant Professor Alaa Albashayreh, PhD, MSHI, RN (22PhD).
Kim receives OVPR Arts and Humanities Initiative grant
Assistant Professor Kyung Soo Kim, PhD, RN is one of 11 UI faculty to receive funding from the Office of the Vice President for Research Arts and Humanities Initiative, a competitive, internal grant program that supports scholars in the humanities or creative, visual, and performing arts. With this grant, Kim and her team will conduct a pilot study investigating art making as a complementary approach to managing chronic pain in older adults.
5
#8 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
#4 Nursing Systems Administration - Online Master of Science in Nursing
#3 Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice
#4 Pediatric Primary Care Doctor of Nursing Practice
#7 Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Doctor of Nursing Practice
11,570
14.4 yrs
2.15
3.75
Bedford Falls Foundation: Fueling Nursing Futures
When University of Iowa College of Nursing junior Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student Ahava Atar talks about her future, her vision is clear: work in an intensive care unit, pursue graduate studies to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and continue her advocacy for the Deaf community. But her path hasn’t always been smooth.
$58.2 M
Part of the university’s $3 billion Together Hawkeyes campaign.
Together Hawkeyes Campaign
Generous support from donors provides faculty, students, and staff the opportunity to advance in education, research, and outreach initiatives. We are grateful to our generous donors who continue to impact the lives of many students through scholarships, internships, optimal learning environments, and highly sought after educators. As the cost of education increases and science evolves, the need for support to advance nursing and healthcare is essential. As of July 2025, nearly $58.2 million has been raised toward the $70 million UI College of Nursing campaign goal as part of the university’s $3 billion Together Hawkeyes campaign.
JOIN US
Learn how you can join us in leading and transforming healthcare in Iowa and nationally by contacting:
Dayna Ballantyne, director of development dayna.ballantyne@foriowa.org
319-331-4135
Alumni Updates
Joyce H. Chadwick Eby, 78BSN
I retired in 2019 from a 40 year nursing career at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. My career included staff nurse as well as charge, head nurse & director positions in ICU, home health, rehabilitation, risk, quality & case management. My nursing degree from UI afforded me so many opportunities. Since retirement, I’ve continued a 25 year PRN role as a Forensic Nurse Examiner. Feel blessed to be able to continue in this work even at the age of 71!
Have a life update to share?
Mary Horm, 67BSN
I practiced as a PNP, having graduated in the first certificate class. I am now my church’s paid parish nurse and have learned a lot about illnesses of aging. I visit parishioners in the hospital and at home. I have developed safety information as our church is in a high risk neighborhood. I will be 80 this year and have found my education helpful everyday of my life
Evelyn (Benda) Moore, 89PhD, 75MA, 73BSN
After 40 years of nursing practice, education and college administration I am happily retired in Coralville. I keep busy volunteering at University Hospitals, attending University events and sports, quilting and volunteering at my church and sewing, biking, gardening and enjoying my children, grandchildren, friends and Cavapoo, Katie. Retirement is great.
Jane (Wertzberger) Rutledge, 75BSN
To All University of Iowa College of Nursing Graduates Who Have Served in the Army Nurse Corps:
Our alma mater has long been recognized for its excellence in nursing education—and many of us carried that legacy into service with the U.S. Army. I’m inviting you to join me in celebrating a truly historic milestone: next year is the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps. To mark this occasion, a Gala Celebration will be held on February 6, 2026, at Union Station in Washington, D.C. More than 900 attendees are expected, including Army nurses, military leaders, dignitaries, and longtime supporters of Army nursing. Hosted by the non-profit Army Nurse Corps Association, this event will honor generations of Army nurses who have made a lasting impact on military medicine, nursing practice, and compassionate care. To purchase tickets for the Gala, order commemorative merchandise, or make a contribution, please visit the Army Nurse Corps Association website or contact me directly at: region5dir@e-anca.org
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering the lives of our alumni
1940s
Delores (Skorheim) Heyl, 44GN
Evelyn (Fisch) Bothmer, 48GN
Beverly (Bringolf) Lindsey, 48GN
1950s
Elizabeth (Barry) Nitzke, 50GN
Charlene (Flickinger) Sutherland, 50GN
Mary Jo (Becker) Chapman, 51GN
Pat (Valentine) Johnston, 51GN
Janet (Allbaugh) Knorr, 51GN
Marjette (Hovden) Fitzgerald, 52GN
Dolores Whitehead, 53BSN, 61MA
Virginia (Taylor) Meadows, 53GN
Elsie (Jerdee) Foerstner, 54BSN
Anita Wildman Hockett, 54GN
Patricia (Templeton) Harms, 55BSN
Shirley (Klehfoth) Lamb, 55BSN
Karen (Kratz) Lewis, 55GN
Shirley (Ralston) Webster, 55GN
Cynthia (Johnson) Pansegrau, 56BSN
Nancy (Bresnahan) Senneff, 56BSN
Mary (Evans) Bereman, 57BSN
Janice (Hagens) Butts, 57BSN
Lois (Boland) Hennings, 59BSN
Judith (Frank) Johnson, 59BSN
Janet (Klindt) Lohman, 59BSN
Kay (Accola) Strobel, 59BSN
1960s
Susan (Ausland) Rollins, 61BSN
Jane Fay, 62BSN
Mary (Buswell) Mallison, 62BSN
Beverly (Smith) Hunter, 63BSN
Marjorie (Walsh) Curtis, 64BSN
Charlotte (Hooker) Rembolt, 64BSN
Margie (Okano) Fearing, 64MA
Nichele (Schulz) Miller, 66BSN
Yvonne Riddle-Wessels, 68BSN
Georgia (Griffith) Whitley, 69MA
1970s
Carolyn (Swanson) Hudgens, 72BSN, 75MA
Mary (Micka) Franck, 73BSN
Beverly (Dunn) Nelson-Forbes, 73BSN
Beverly (Jenne) Cronnelly, 74BSN
Joan H. (Hanson) Dohrer, 74BSN
Ruth (Ripley) Bice, 75BSN
P. Elizabeth (Robson) Abel, 75BSN, 78MA
Vernette (Backhaus) Riley, 75BSN, 78MA
Teri (Botsford) Verduyn, 76BSN
Mary Taylor, 78BSN
Verabeth (Eckert) Bricker, 78BSN, 94MA
1980s
Ardith Maile, 81BSN
Marsha Morton, 81MA
Ellen Mellick, 89MA
1990s
Mary Jo Bain, 91MA
Patricia Rank, 94MA
Karen (Christianssen) Duehr, 95BSN
2000s
Jenny (Schneider) Bailey, 01MSN
Kristin (Boswell) Ledvina, 07BSN