Class of 2024 Honors Recipients
Congratulations to the UNC School of Nursing Class of 2024 honors recipients and the Alph Alpha Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International grant recipients! Your exceptional work and dedication to nursing research are a shining example of the future of the nursing profession.
*highest honors
Christiana Akinyemi
Navigating the Shadows: A Scoping review investigating the resources available for Black women navigating perinatal bereavement
Advisor: Shielda Glover Rodgers, PhD, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose nursing because of my passion for helping others in their most vulnerable moments. Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed the struggles my family and community faced due to a strained healthcare system. These experiences ignited a deep desire to make a meaningful difference in healthcare. Nursing allows me to provide compassionate care and support during times of illness and healing, aligning my values of empathy and dedication with improving well-being. It’s a profession that offers constant learning, challenges, and opportunities for personal and professional growth while allowing me to advocate for the positive change I want to see in healthcare systems.
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Olivia Aldridge
Diaphragm Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for the Prevention of Ventilator Induced Diaphragmatic Disorder (VIDD): An Integrative Review
Advisor: JoAn Stanek DNP, RN, CHPN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing after being inspired by my mom. Growing up around nursing and listening to her stories as a CRNA motivated me to pursuit nursing myself. While I didn’t always love her graphic medical shows during family dinners growing up, her sustained compassion for patients is something I strive to incorporate into my own practice one day.
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Lizbeth Arvizu-Benavidez
Young Adult’s Perspectives and Recommendations on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador
Advisor: Natalia Villegas Rodriguez, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose nursing for its ability to care for individuals during vulnerable moments, providing essential support and guidance. Nursing is rooted in empathy and dedication on patient and family well-being across all specialties. My journey through nursing academics, clinicals and doula volunteerism, ignited a passion for maternal-fetal, obstetric and neonatal care. These experiences have deepened my commitment to learning and caring for patients and families through both optimal and challenging situations. I chose nursing because nursing is more than a career; it’s a chance to make a lasting impact, offering healing, comfort, and hope, one patient and family at a time.
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Jasmine Barnes
Increasing PrEP Knowledge and Utilization Among Black Women
Advisor: Kandyce Brennan, DNP, CNM
Why did you choose nursing?
From a young age, I’ve had an interest in working in healthcare. After exploring the disciplines, I decided on nursing because I’m passionate about direct patient care. I value being hands-on with patients and building personal connections with them. Additionally, I have always had an interest in healthcare advocacy and mitigating healthcare disparities, so being able to work so closely with patients is very important to me and my career goals.
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Sydney T. Barnette
Closing the Gap: The Lived Experiences of Black Mothers Who Have Suffered a Perinatal Loss
Advisor: Catherine Crawford, PhD, RNC-OB
Why did you choose nursing?
Inspired by my mother’s dedication as a nurse and Advanced Gerontological Nurse Practitioner specializing in long-term care, I found my calling in nursing. Witnessing her passion for her profession and compassion for her patients fueled my desire to follow in her footsteps. Though my interest is in pediatrics, her commitment to enhancing lives motivates me to emulate her devotion. I aspire to provide children with the same level of care, ensuring enjoy fulfilling, healthy lives. My journey into nursing is a testament to the impact my mother has had on my career path and my desire to make a difference.
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Hannah Delgado*
Mental Health Interventions for Law Enforcement Officers : A Systematic Review
Advisor: Ya-ke Wu, PhD, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
When I was 12 years old, I walked into a hospital for the first time for the birth of my cousin. From this point forward I have always been in love with the idea of becoming a nurse. I am beyond excited to be part of an interdisciplinary medical team whose main goal is to help and advocate for our patients.
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LeAnne Ding
Mental Health Beliefs and Behaviors in Chinese Americans
Advisor: LaTonia Clark Chalmers, DNP-TCN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, NC-BC
Why did you choose nursing?
For most of my life, I had planned to pursue a career in healthcare by becoming a doctor. However, after experiencing life as a hospitalized patient, I found that the most memorable and impactful care I received was primarily provided by the nursing staff. Even today, I am still greatly inspired and moved by the compassion and empathy of the nurses who cared for me years ago. I want to be able to pay forward this gift that I have received and, in turn, make a positive difference in the lives of those I will care for.
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Katherine Downing
A Systematic Literature Review of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Hospital Settings
Advisor: Brandi Apple, PhD, RN, CNOR, CNE
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I wanted an active role in patient care and shaping a patient’s healthcare experience. I have always enjoyed biology and human anatomy. In nursing, I can use my skills in these areas in real life situations while impacting patients positively. These reasons and many more are why I chose to pursue a career in nursing.
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Andrew Ehrler
Inpatient hospice nurses’ spiritual perspectives and their spiritual care competence
Advisor: JoAn Stanek, DNP, RN, CHPN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing initially because of the stability and opportunity for growth that the career provides. I have no family in health care so I did not know a lot about the career. Once I started nursing school I realized that the career would also offer me a lot of satisfaction as well, which I now also consider to be a primary reason for my choice.
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Emily Esposito*
From Evidence to Action: Nurse Decision-Making in Intracranial Pressure Management
Advisor: Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
Caring for my grandmother in her final days left me with a profound sense of fulfillment, which ultimately led me to pursue a career in caretaking. This choice has only been reaffirmed throughout nursing school, as I have learned what it truly means to be a nurse. I am honored to have the unique role of supporting individuals in their most difficult and vulnerable moments. As I embark on my professional journey, I aspire to serve as a support system and personal advocate for all of my patients.
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Oluebube “Misheal” Ezeani*
Dousing the Burnout Fire: Analyzing the Contributions of the LeVine Wellness Program on Nursing Well-being – A Quantitative and Qualitative Program Evaluation
Advisor: Cheryl L. Woods Giscombé, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
I did not choose nursing; I believe nursing chose me. Everyone in their moment of vulnerability deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect, and nursing allows me to embody this belief. Nursing continues to teach me not just about the science of healing, but about the art of humanity. To be the light in someone’s storm, to offer hope where there’s despair, and to make a difference one caring gesture at a time— a nurse’s job—is more than a career, it’s a calling. I like to think that I am answering this calling to serve humanity as a NURSE.
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Mary Emmalyn Fleming*
How Spirituality, Religion and/or Faith Influences Adaptation in Families of Children with Down Syndrome in the United States
Advisor: Marcia Van Riper PhD, RN, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I have a passion for helping others and making a positive impact on people’s lives. I find fulfillment in providing comfort, support, and education to individuals and their families during challenging times. Nursing also offers a diverse range of opportunities for growth, learning, and specialization, allowing me to continually evolve and contribute to the healthcare field. My plans once I graduate are to work on a pediatric acute/intermediate care unit at University of Virginia Medical Center.
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Lanie Fulk
The Open-Heart Experience: Stress Reduction Nursing Actions from the Adult Cardiac ICU Patient Perspective
Advisor: Bethany Davis, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I believe nursing is a calling, and I chose to go into this profession because I feel called to do so. I am my happiest, most fulfilled self when I am helping individuals through their most vulnerable times. I have seen the impact that nurses have made upon my loved ones lives, and I want to be that person for others. I aim to be the best nurse I can be for my patients and continue advancing the healthcare system through research. I am proud to be a Carolina Nurse!
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Abigail Galindo-Mota
The Use of Telehealth for Postpartum Care Amongst Racial Minorities: An Integrative Literature Review of Attendance, Barriers, and Patient Satisfaction
Advisor: Catherine Crawford, PhD, RNC-OB
Why did you choose nursing?
Growing up, I often help my mother by translating for her during her clinic appointments, especially during her pregnancy with my younger sister, as she had limited English proficiency. Through these experiences, I interacted with nurses and realized that I wanted to become a nurse. I was inspired by their ability to provide education and advocate for their patients. During my clinical experiences, one of my fondest memories is seeing the appreciation of my patients when they realized I could understand and communicate with them in Spanish. I am excited to start my nursing career and become a Carolina nurse.
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Madelyn Holmes
The Impact of Patient Education on Post-Operative Ambulation and Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgical Patients: A Review of the Literature
Advisor: Stephanie Machalicky, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Why did you choose nursing?
As a kid, I took on the role of the patient as I spent time in the hospital and in outpatient settings for medical-related issues. To this day, I have strong, positive memories of my time and experiences with the nursing staff during my hospital stays, that has translated into an inspiration for me to pursue a career in nursing. As a future nurse, I seek to provide the same compassionate care I received and build lasting relationships with my patients that support them not only in their time of need, but the rest of their lives.
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Robert Janiczek
Does Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance Play a Role in the Transmission of Psychiatric-Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders in Humans?
Advisor: Rose Mary Xavier PhD, MS, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing to spend time with the individuals in the community around me. Nursing allows for many avenues to aid those around us, whether it’s education on health issues, performing important nursing skills, or simply by offering one’s presence when one is needed. Spending 12 hours a day offering a helping hand to those in need is a pleasure and a unique job experience that few professions like nursing have.
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Gabriel Kaluzny*
Barriers to Palliative Care in Critical Care Settings within the United States
Advisor: JoAn Stanek, DNP, RN, CHPN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to pursue a career in nursing after my grandfather fell and sustained a spinal cord injury. Throughout his considerable medical treatment and countless hospital stays, the nurses inspired me to go into nursing. Their endless patience, dedication, and advocacy were integral in assisting us as a family through such a difficult time. Additionally, they continued to serve as a familiar face and resource for any questions or needs we had. As I have gained more experience, I cherish the relationships I build with patients and the privilege it is to care and advocate for them.
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Mollie Pierce Kilpatrick
Simply Sayin’: A mixed methods study of the usability of Simply Sayin’ app by pediatric nurses in emergency and operative settings
Advisor: Beth Cosgrove PhD, MSN, CPNP-PC, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
Nursing provides an avenue to make lasting impact, as it is versatile, needed, and ever evolving. I want to be a nurse because I am passionate about pathophysiology and providing patientcentered care that considers the complexities of diagnoses. Nurses spend most of their time with patients meaning we notice the small changes in our patient’s condition and alert the team before complications arise. As a future pediatric nurse, I will have a unique opportunity to engage with my patients and their loved ones beyond their diagnosis. Nursing perfectly combines my love and passion for people, pathophysiology, and education.
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Olivia King
Amniotic Fluid Embolism Management with a Novel Therapy, the A-OK (Atropine, Ondansetron, and Ketorolac) Protocol: A Scoping Review
Advisor: Jennifer Alderman, PhD, MSN, RN, CNL, CNE, CHSE
Why did you choose nursing?
Education is at the core of nursing practice. I believe that knowledge is power, and this is exactly why I pursued a career in nursing. By equipping patients with the information they need to understand their conditions, resources available them, and how to better care for themselves, I can empower them to be active participants in their healthcare journey. I am inspired by the opportunity to combine my passion for education, research and patient care to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.
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Caroline Laws*
The Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Social Support in Adult Intensive Care Nurses
Advisor: Brandi Apple, PhD, RN, CNOR, CNE
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I was interested in the medical field and wanted to help patients directly. Witnessing the remarkable impact nurses had on my family, their compassionate care and support, inspired me to follow in their footsteps. Through my experiences as a CNA and MA, I discovered a passion for hands-on skills and meaningful connections with patients and their families. These experiences have solidified my goals to pursue a career in nursing where I can advocate for and provide care to those in need.
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Lauren Lorenzi
Perception of Trauma-Informed Care in Hispanic Communities: Project Proposal
Advisor: Erin Stanley, DNP, RN, CEN, SANE-A, CCLS
Why did you choose nursing?
I became inspired by the infinite possibilities of learning, outreach, and involvement. I stay a nurse because I have learned about how incredibly deep our profession runs; we are advocates, educators, community partners, rescuers, comforters, and leaders. Entering this profession was the best decision I made to follow my desire to improve the lives of others, serve my community, and advance the field of medical knowledge. I am hopeful that the rest of my career as a nurse will be as bright as its beginning.
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Patricia Luy*
Cultivating Compassion: An Integrative Review on Nursing Confidence and Competency in Providing Bereavement Support for Families
Advisor: Maureen Baker, PhD, CNL, CHSE
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I believe that it represents an opportunity for me to directly impact the lives of patients and their families in a meaningful way. As a nurse, I am able to integrate my love of learning, my desire to strengthen my clinical expertise, and my ability to connect with and provide compassionate care for patients and their families.
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Makenzie McGuire
An Individualized Digital Educational Product for Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes
Advisor: Leigh G. Mullen, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Why did you choose nursing?
I originally chose to go into nursing because my father is a nurse and I saw how much he loved it. After becoming an NA, I found my passion for helping people and knew that I wanted to pursue nursing to have a larger role in caring for patients. Beyond caring for patients, nursing challenges me to critically think, and gives me the option for a variety of career paths in the future.
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Leslie Montalban Petatan*
Rompiendo Barreras: Addressing Fear and Mistrust in The Latinx Community with Diabetes
Advisor: Susana Barroso, PhD, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
My “why” for choosing nursing stems from my parents, whose sacrifices inspire me to advocate and uplift the Latinx community. Nursing, to me, represents more than just a profession—it’s a calling. It presents constant challenges that spur personal and professional growth, while enabling me the privilege of making a difference in the lives of my patients. Each day, I am reminded of the reciprocal impact we have on one another. I aspire to provide exceptional care at the bedside and actively empower the Latinx community in navigating the complexities of healthcare.
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Abigail Poe*
Young Women’s Experience Initiating Contraceptive Treatment and the Factors that Influence their Decisions: A Qualitative Study
Advisor: Catherine Crawford, PhD, RNC-OB
Why did you choose nursing?
I grew up always wanting to become a nurse because of the compassion and kindness I had seen in nurses in my life. I chose nursing because I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day. Nursing provides me with the opportunity to work closely with patients, providing care and support during some of their most vulnerable moments.
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Maria Ramage
Virtual Reality as an Intervention for Adult Burn Patients: An Integrative Review
Advisors: Suja Davis, PhD, RN and Derek Miller, MSN, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
My interest in healthcare was driven by an innate curiosity about medicine. I have always been fascinated by disease processes and treatment mechanisms. I wasn’t sure which aspect of healthcare I wanted to work in until I gained experience as a nursing assistant. I was deeply inspired by the compassionate care nurses provided to their patients and the connections that they were able to make with them. I am excited to combine my love for science with my desire to provide high-quality patient care as a nurse!
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Caroline Roseman
Are Patients With LVADs Living in Rural Areas Subject to a Higher Risk for Infection? Findings From an Integrative Review
Advisor: Nancy Jo Thompson, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
My choice to pursue nursing stems from my passion for serving others and setting a positive example. Starting as a nursing assistant, I developed a strong interest for patient education and advocacy. As a student, I’ve honed my skills and embraced the belief that nursing presents countless opportunities to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Throughout my life, I’ve actively sought avenues for service, recognizing that it is an integral part of my identity. I aspire to be a nurse who not only provides exceptional clinical care but also ensures that every patient feels heard, understood, respected, and valued.
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Christine Salcedo
Empowering Parents in Crisis: An Integrative Review of Parental Experiences in the Context of Three Pediatric Episodically Life-Threatening Conditions
Advisor: Louise Fleming, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN, FAAN
Why did you choose nursing?
Nurses serve as critical thinkers, interprofessional collaborators, and leaders in the hospital while always keeping the patient experience in mind and advocating for their needs. Knowing how much of a positive difference nurses make for each patient during a potentially very scary or stressful hospital stay is what drew me to this career and is what excites me about being a nurse. It is an honor to be joining this profession and I look forward to the opportunities, experiences, and possibilities that await me in nursing, and I am so proud to soon call myself a Carolina Nurse.
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Bryanna Schutze*
Attitudes and Knowledge of Postpartum Nurses Collaborating with Volunteer Doulas
Advisor: Rhonda K. Lanning, DNP, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I want to be a nurse because of the direct impact I can have on patients and their care. As nurses, we grow strong connections with our patients. These relationships have the power to improve their lives in many ways. Being at the bedside as a nurse is both the most rewarding, and heartbreaking position, sometimes accompanying our patients through the most difficult times in their lives. Even with these emotional challenges, I learn so much from my patients each day.
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Amy Simmel*
New nurse graduates’ preparedness for practice and the impact on their transition into practice
Advisor: Jennifer Alderman, PhD, MSN, RN, CNL, CNE, CHSE
Why did you choose nursing?
I have always loved science and math classes, and knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field when I started undergrad. My choice of nursing was solidified when I saw the intentional and personal care provided by the nurses for my aunt during her battle with cancer and I understood how integral nurses are for patient care. I love the hands on aspect and meaningful relationships nurses build with their patients and feel this is where I am meant to be in healthcare.
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Olivia Skertich
Benefits and Challenges Surrounding ICU Visitation: Revisiting Patient- and Family-Centered Care
Advisor: Nancy Jo Thompson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I wanted the opportunity to care for patients during some of the most challenging and vulnerable times of their lives. I always knew I was interested in the healthcare field but after seeing nurses’ close relationship with patients and their ability to truly make an impact on their lives, I knew nursing was the best career choice for me.
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Jaden Slattery
Walking Alongside Teens: A Qualitative Analysis of Supporting Adolescents Through a Doula’s Perspective
Advisor: Rhonda K Lanning, DNP, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
Nursing perfectly encapsulates the skills and achievements needed to accomplish my values and goals. While I have been interested in medical careers since a young age, the medical field has continued to captivate my interests through my innate passion to nurture and assist others. This adoration for helping others fueled my persistence in becoming a well-rounded, Carolina nurse!
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Alyssa Thomas*
Facilitators and Barriers for Nurses Implementing Delirium PADIS Guidelines in the Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review
Advisor: Suja P. Davis, PhD, RN, CGRN and Derek Miller, MSN, RN, CCRN-K
Why did you choose nursing?
In 2016, I had the honor of becoming a caretaker for both of my grandparents alongside my mother. Through my mother and I caring for them and striving to make their final years full of compassion, gentleness, and respect for their unwavering wisdom, I discovered my passion to further those impacts onto the lives of others as a nurse. Over the past few years, my appreciation for science, relationship-centered care, and education has blossomed and deepened my passion for nursing. I carry my grandparent’s legacy as a motivator to make meaningful contributions to the lives of others.
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Haley Turner
Screening for Pediatric Abusive Head Traumas in the Emergency Department
Advisor: Krystal Pendergraft-Horne, DNP, RN, FNP-C
Why did you choose nursing?
As the child of a nurse, I grew up witnessing the impact this profession can leave on the lives of others. From bandaging the scraped knees of the neighborhood kids to being a safe place for friends to relay medical concerns, I saw the trust my community instilled in my mom. I chose to pursue a nursing career to create a similar environment where those I serve feel comfortable and empowered to advocate for their well-being.
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Odinakachi Uhegwu
Usability Testing of a Mobile Health App to Manage the Health Needs of Children with Down Syndrome
Advisor: Beth Cosgrove, PhD, MSN, CPNP-PC, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because I was fascinated by the diversity of the career paths I could follow as a nurse. While I am interested in pediatric nursing, I am also interested in community health, health policy, research, and education—all things that I could do with a degree in nursing.
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Madison Weller
The Impact of Left-Ventricular Assistive Devices One Year Post-Implantation on Patient’s Mental Health
Advisor: Bethany Davis, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I chose to go into nursing because of the impact I saw both my mother and grandmother have on their patients. I knew I wanted to be at the patient’s side through their medical journey and be able to develop a strong rapport with them and their families as I get the chance to care for them. Nurses make an instrumental difference in the lives of so many and I would be honored to join them in this challenging, yet rewarding profession.
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Courtney Wilkins
Filling the gap: Physical assessment of darker skin tones
within in nursing education
Advisors: Stephanie Fisher, DNP, MSN, RN & Maureen J. Baker, PhD
Why did you choose nursing?
My passion for nursing lies in my desire to help others by supporting them in their time of most need. As someone who has been a family member of patients frequently in the hospital, I have always appreciated the kindness and care extended by nurses. As a future nurse, I hope to extend the same kindness and support to the people I encounter.
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McKayla A. Williams
Promoting Health in the Unhoused Community: Assessing the Screening Process for Social Determinants of Health for the Houseless
Advisors: Stephanie Fisher, DNP, MSN, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I am here to serve, to love, and to share what I have been given with others. Working in a profession where I get to provide care, give love, and share hope with people in what may be the worst time of their life is definitely a calling. Through nursing, my ultimate goal is to provide care to under-resourced communities who would not be able to receive it otherwise by opening up my own practices. Serving others with what I have been given is why I am here, and nursing is one of the gifts I get to share.
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Miller Williamson*
Optimizing Sepsis Care in the Emergency Department: A Comparative Analysis of Intravenous Push Antibiotics vs. Intravenous Piggyback Administration
Advisors: Krystal Pendergraft-Horne, DNP, RN, FNP-C
Why did you choose nursing?
There was no “Aa ha” moment where it all of a sudden clicked that I wanted to be a nurse; instead, it was more of an immersion process. Growing up, the idea of working in healthcare has always been on my mind, ever since I was a young boy, especially when spending time at my grandfather’s surgery practice. My sister’s Type I diabetes diagnosis further fueled this passion, especially after meeting a male nurse during a hospital visit. His kindness, attentiveness, and willingness to share his experiences in a predominately female career path inspired me to pursue nursing and serve others with passion and compassion.
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Yutong Yang*
Perception of LGBTQ+ Chinese and Taiwanese-American Youth Regarding Parental Attitudes
Advisors: Susana Barroso, PhD, RN
Why did you choose nursing?
I had always been interested in healthcare as a child, but never thought about the field I wanted to enter. However, seeing the courage and resilience of the nurses at the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted my perspective. Their unwavering dedication amidst adversity inspired my choice to pursue nursing, which has since been solidified by the various clinicals I have attended since starting nursing school.
View PosterSigma Theta Tau International Grant Recipients
Ayomide Bankole, PhD, RN — Home health care clinicians and staff perspectives on unmet patient care needs during transitions from home healthcare to independence at home | View Poster
Cass Dictus, MPH, RN — Perspectives on Racial Disparities Related to Symptom Management Among Nursing Home (NH) Residents: A Qualitative Descriptive Directed Content Analysis | View Poster
Rebeca Harris — The Role of Structural and Interpersonal Discrimination on Latina Mother and Child Immune Pathways | View Poster
Lesley Gillian, MSN, RN — Improving Early Career Nurse Resilience with a Resilience Toolkit: A Pilot Project | View Poster
Dana Bjuro, DNP Candidate — Improving pharyngitis care in virtual school clinics: A quality improvement initiative | View Poster