University of Iowa College of Nursing

Congratulations to the 156 UI College of Nursing students who were named to the president's list for the 2021 spring semester! The president’s list was established in the fall of 1983 to recognize academic excellence. The complete list of UI students who have achieved this recognition for the 2021 spring semester is available at https://bit.ly/3xsCmAw Nicely done, Hawkeyes!

Last week, U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin Walsh toured UI’s health sciences campus and personally thanked our researchers and front-line health care workers who were involved in COVID-19 vaccination and patient care efforts. Pictured here with Secretary Walsh are Iowa College of Nursing alumni and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists David Villanueva and Lindsay Brown. During a massive surge of COVID-19 cases in Iowa last winter, Drs. Villanueva and Brown, both graduates from the college’s BSN and DNP Nurse Anesthesia programs, volunteered to be reassigned and helped provide care for COVID patients admitted to the ICUs at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

After 29 years of teaching, Instructional Track Lecturer Pat Nelson will be retiring from the College of Nursing. Pat began teaching in the RN-BSN program at the college in 1992, serving as a regional coordinator in Mason City. In 2010, she transitioned to Iowa City where she taught a variety of courses, including Professionalism & Patient Safety, Baccalaureate Seminar, Community & Public Health Nursing Practicum, and Leadership & Professional Engagement. Her connections and... strong nursing relationships throughout northern and eastern Iowa helped recruit exceptional preceptors for community practicum and leadership projects, which enhanced student learning. Pat is an amazing educator who has been committed to students’ achievement and to providing high-quality education. Students have greatly appreciated her dedication to their learning, caring nature, encouragement, mentoring, and advocacy. We are all extremely grateful for Pat’s many years of dedication to teaching and service. Her passion, collaboration, generosity, wisdom, insight, and humor have touched the lives of countless students and faculty. Congratulations on your retirement, Pat!

Programming Alert: American Nurse Heroes premiers Thursday, June 24, on the Discovery Life channel! This one-hour special pulls back the curtain and takes an in-depth look at the lives and contributions of nurses in a variety of practice settings. https://americannurseheroes.com

Dean’s Assistant Dawn Pressler has announced that she will be retiring from the University of Iowa on September 3. Dawn began her career as a legal secretary. She started working at the university in 1994 when she accepted a position as secretary to the Dean of the College of Medicine. She eventually worked her way up to administrative assistant for the President of the University, where she served from 2003-2015. In 2015, she joined the College of Nursing as administrative ...assistant to Dean Rita Frantz. I am so grateful that Dawn helped me as I stepped into my role in 2017. She provided significant guidance and coaching all along the way. Congratulations, Dawn, and thank you for your contributions to the University of Iowa College of Nursing, said Dean Julie Zerwic. We celebrate the many years of service that Dawn has provided to the University of Iowa and we congratulate her as she begins this next phase of her life. Congratulations on a great career, Dawn!