This week’s College Kudos celebrates a major program accreditation, national conference presentations, impactful media contributions, student and faculty achievements, and heartfelt farewells to retiring leaders.
Accreditation
The Board of Governors of the Accreditation for Gerontology Education Council granted inaugural accreditation to the College of Nursing Master of Science Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program for 5 years, extending to March 2030. The Evaluation Team observed, and the Board agreed, that the Program has several notable strengths that include administrative and student support, a collaborative tradition within the institution and in the community, and considerable resources to support faculty and student research and community engagement.
Presentations
A faculty member and a post-doctoral fellow presented posters at the 2025 Oncology Nursing Society Annual Congress in Denver.
- Dr. Amanda Dailey-Hansen presented Hematology Focused Education Series: An APP to RN Investment.
- Dr. Sumin Park presented:
- Family Caregivers as Hidden Patients: The Role of Chronic Conditions in Health and Caregiving Outcomes.
- Associations between Family Caregivers’ Appraisals, Contextual Factors, and Patient Health-Related Quality of Life at Initiation of Radiation Therapy.
Dr. Jenneth Doria delivered a presentation titled Culturally Sensitive Care for the Indigenous People at the 77th Foundation Anniversary of her alma mater – the University of the Philippines College of Nursing, which has approximately 500 students in its baccalaureate and graduate programs. 'Balik Turo' – a program sponsored by the US-based University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association – encourages alumni to give back to the College by “returning and teaching” during its annual event.
Dr. Mary Killela delivered an oral presentation titled Generative AI and Health Insurance Literacy at the Huntsman Alliance for Postdoc Spring Social in Salt Lake City. Dr. Echo Warner, Allyson Foor, Monique Stefanou, and Dr. Anne Kirchhoff contributed to the development of the presentation.
Dr. Julie Valentine presented a 3-hour invited lecture titled Trauma Informed Approach and Dental Care to first-year dental students at the University of Utah.
Dr. Rebecca Wilson chaired and presented a symposium titled Varieties of Master of Education in Health Professions: Standards and Creativity during the 2025 American Education Research Association Annual Meeting in Denver. Additional members of the expert panel were Maura Polansky, Anita Samuel, and Toni Ungaretti.
In the Media
The Scope, from University of Utah Health, highlights expert health advice and research that people can use for a happier and healthier life. The Scope's mission is to educate, engage in, and lead the conversation on the latest research and trends in medicine. Dr. Deanna Kepka joined Dr. Katie Ward for a recent episode of 7 Domains of Women’s Health titled The Social Domain of Pap Smears. They explored how family, community, and cultural dynamics shape cervical cancer prevention. From the role of parents, peers, and health care providers to the influence of social media and gendered messaging, they examined what it takes to build trust and encourage preventive care.
Dr. Julie Valentine and Burcu Sagiroglu, Policy and Advocacy Associate at the Joyful Heart Foundation, recorded a podcast titled The Power of Rape Kit Reform with Vivo Alliance, an advocacy group in Puerto Rico.
Dr. Julie Valentine recorded a webinar titled Sexual Assault on Women in Late Life: Multidisciplinary Practice Implications for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Dr. Julie Valentine presented at a Denim Day press conference. Denim Day, observed on the last Wednesday of each April, encourages people to wear jeans to support survivors of sexual violence and raise awareness about misconceptions concerning sexual assault. Several new agencies reported on the press conference, including, for example, Denim Day: How Salt Lake City is improving its response to sexual violence cases.
Vickie Bushman, Steve O’camb, Trent Dressen, Dr. Julie Valentine, and Charlee Barker presented Start by Listening . . . Believing for the Utah Office for Victims of Crime.
Event
The College of Nursing hosted post-doctoral fellows for Spring In-Person Week April 14-17. The theme was Social Health Innovations to Understand and Address Social Determinants of Health. Numerous College and University of Utah Health faculty and staff delivered presentations and helped with hosting: Dr. Andrea Wallace, Dr. Lee Ellington, Emilee Cluff, Gwen Allen Allouch, Emily Bailey, Lynn Dixon, Hollie Fuhrmann, Dr. Eli Iacob, Dr. Michelle Litchman, Dr. Tracy Onega, Dr. Nasser Sharareh, Dr. Kathy Sward, Dr. Djin Tay, Dr. Julie Valentine, Harper Vander Hoek, Dr. Bob Wong, members of the Transforming Caregiving through Sciences (TACTUS) Research Innovation Team, and Dean Marla De Jong.
Retirements
During a retirement ceremony, the College honored five faculty who are retiring – Dr. Linda Edelman, Dr. Valerie Flattes, Dr. Pam Hardin, Dr. Ana Sanchez-Birkhead, and Dr. Kathie Supiano. The College recognizes their steadfast dedication and service to the University, the College, the community, and their students. We wish them a wonderful retirement.
Student Recognition
Denise Crismon successfully defended her dissertation titled Belonging as a Critical Factor for Early Adolescent Latino Health. Committee members were Dr. Alycia Bristol (Chair), Dr. Nancy Allen, Dr. Echo Warner, Dr. Eduardo Ortiz, and Dr. Marc-Aurel Martial.
Scholarship Award
Malek Alnajar, PhD student, was awarded a 2025-2026 Oncology Nursing Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. The Foundation provides scholarships to registered nurses who are committed to oncology nursing and continuing their education by pursuing a research or clinical doctoral degree.
Scholarship Award
El-Atoum B, Gradick K, Parker K, Moore D, Fluchel M, Sanchez-Birkhead AC. Palliative and end-of-life disparities for pediatric Hispanic, Spanish-preferring patients with cancer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2025;47(4):197-203. DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000003026
Gutierrez Chavez M, Baucom KJW, Sanchez-Birkhead A, Villalta J, Carbajal-Salisbury S, Zavala Gonzalez N, Tatarevic L, Asnaani A. Questioning the status quo: Latino community members as researchers in the study of health equity. Psychotherapy. Epub ahead of print. http://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000545
Park S, Bristol A, Mazanec S, Wallace A. Social risks and unmet needs in individuals with cancer living in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Oncol Nurs Forum. In press.
Park S, Blackstone E, Mazanec S. Exploring the determinants of health literacy and its effects on health-related outcomes in family caregivers of patients with cancer. Support Care in Cancer. In press.
Vallejo-Riveros S, Velasco-Burgos MJ, Flores Hernandez LEC, Quintana R, Wiese J, Sanchez-Birkhead A, Duffecy J, Baron KG. A community-engaged qualitative study of factors affecting sleep among Hispanic/Latinos with short sleep duration. Sleep Health. 2025;11(2):149-157. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2024.12.002