The University of North Dakota College of Nursing will celebrate 100 years of service on Friday, October 2, recognizing the impact of the College and its graduates on the world of healthcare.
A Centennial Nursing Gala will be held at the Alerus Center with a 5:30 p.m. social and 6:30 p.m. dinner, awards banquet, and dance. During the celebration, distinguished alumni Pauline Sherry (‘59 BSN), Marion Kershner (’94 MS), Deborah Soholt (’78 BSN) and Jacqueline Strinden (’99 BSN) will be recognized for their accomplishments.
Nursing courses began at UND in 1909. Baccalaureate degrees were awarded beginning in 1951, and the College of Nursing was established in 1959. The College has graduated more than 4,500 nurses. It’s estimated that over the course of their careers, these nurses have touched the lives of 9 million patients.
In addition, the Nurse Anesthesia Master’s specialization and the Recruitment and Retention of American Indians into Nursing (RAIN) Program are celebrating 20 years; and the Eta Upsilon chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The awards presented to the four distinguished alumni are as follows:
Dream Award: Pauline Sherry
Sherry has made a major contribution to nursing through leadership, innovative teaching, creative approaches to improve healthcare and/or demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit. Sherry taught nursing in diploma, associate degree, and practical nursing for 16 years.
Sherry served as the coordinator of continuing education and nursing research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) in Philadelphia, Pa. The basic chemotherapy administration course she revised is designated as the National Certificate Program in Chemotherapy Administration. She wrote the FCCC’s first hospice grant to provide education for nurses and utilized the funds to implement the Hospice Course, Radiation Oncology Course, a Comprehensive Cancer Course, and a review course for the Oncology Nursing Society Certification Exam. Between 1984-1994, 6,550 students attended her programs.
Discover Award: Marion Kershner
Kershner has made a major contribution to nursing research and scholarship; or has used sound and scientific research findings in practice leading to significant changes in the clinical nursing practice at the unit, service, institutional, regional, or professional levels.
Following completion of her Master’s Degree, Kershner designed a groundbreaking research study on issues affecting victims of domestic violence in rural communities. She has been recognized locally and nationally for her research, presentations and publications regarding the prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in women.
Kershner has worked for Otter Tail County Public Health in Fergus Falls, Minn., since 1991 and has led the planning and implementation of Otter Tail County’s program to gather data and education on the dangers of second-hand smoke. She later helped shape the “Borders United for Smoke-Free Air” initiative which ultimately led to legislation banning smoking in public places in the state of Minnesota. Kershner developed and hosts a weekly public health radio show called “Health Matters,” now in its seventh season.
Deliver Award: Deborah Soholt
Soholt has consistently demonstrated excellence in practice and has made unique contributions to nursing practice and patient care. Sohol is currently the director of women’s health at Avera McKennan Hospital and leads the Avera Midlife Care for Women Clinic in Sioux Falls, S.D. She directs development of primary care models for women’s health and is responsible for community-based women’s health programming.
Soholt is a public speaker for women’s health, leadership, professional role development and change within health care. In January 2009, she hosted an educational talk for women that resulted in 400 new patients to her organization. For five years, she has co-hosted “House Calls,” a weekly public radio show on health topics. She has introduced hormone rebalance care and established compounding pharmacy for bio-identical hormone therapy to providers in her organization.
Young Alumni Award: Jacqueline Strinden
Strinden is recognized for significant contributions to nursing practice, scholarship, teaching, research or leadership beyond expectations. Since January 2009, Strinden has worked at Triumph Hospital in Bismarck, N.D., as the chief clinical officer.
Strinden implemented a general and clinical nursing orientation program, a skills validation program, a rapid response team approach, and has revamped policies and procedures to reflect exemplary patient care standards. Previously, Strinden was employed by Altru Hospital, where she filled many leadership roles. She accepted a position in the intensive care unit in 2001 and was recognized by Altru as an outstanding educator for setting expectations for best practice and patient safety initiatives and presenting lectures and in-service programs for the intensive care unit.
--30--
Print this Page
Email This Page
Add to Favorites
Comments
iPod Friendly
