Delta Health is proud to recognize two Med Surg nurses who recently completed the hospital’s Nurse Residency Program. Kindra Barela, BSN, RN, and Stephanie Lemelin Belvill, BSN, RN, officially graduated in January, marking the completion of the program’s seventh cohort since its launch in 2022. Delta Health continues its partnership with the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence and the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program (IONRP) to provide new nurses with added support, mentorship, and resources as they begin their professional journeys.

As part of the yearlong program, each nurse resident completes a professional experience project that addresses a real-world need within the organization. This year’s graduates brought thoughtful focus to patient experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and behavioral health support.

For her project, Kindra Barela expanded on a quality initiative started by July 2024 cohort member Elle Young, RN, centered on improving patient rest through clustered care. Recognizing that frequent assessments, medication administration, and other bedside tasks can disrupt sleep and hinder healing, Kindra researched how fragmented rest affects recovery. Her findings highlight the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care planning, along with increased staff education around timing interventions based on patient needs. She also emphasized the value of non-pharmacological tools—such as eye masks, earplugs, fans, and white noise—to help create a more therapeutic inpatient environment. Her work supports ongoing efforts to enhance patient comfort and improve outcomes.

Stephanie Lemelin Belvill chose to focus her project on committee engagement, joining the hospital’s newly formed Behavioral Health Committee. With a background in psychology, she contributed to the committee’s early development as it works to strengthen mental health support within the hospital. Her efforts included helping define the roles of the Behavioral Health team for inpatient staff and case managers, and assisting in creating a flow sheet to guide staff in caring for patients in crisis. The committee also aims to expand membership as Delta Health continues to broaden access to behavioral health and psychiatric services closer to home. Stephanie’s work has supported these foundational steps in building a stronger safety net for patients and staff.

The Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program congratulates Kindra and Stephanie on their achievements and thanks Shauna L. Meilner, DNP, MSN Ed, RN, NPD BC, CNE, CCRN, Nurse Residency Site Coordinator, for her leadership and continued dedication to Delta Health’s nurse residents. Their accomplishments reflect Delta Health’s commitment to supporting new nurses and strengthening patient care across the communities they serve.

Employers interested in learning more are invited to reach out to
nicole-weathers@uiowa.edu or schedule a 1:1 conversation at a time that works best for them.

IONRP Director Nicole Weathers, DNP, RN, NPD-BC