Drew Adriaens from Sheridan, Wyoming, is the recipient of the Rudolph "Rudy" & Louise Anselmi & Jeri Kirk Family Trust Nursing Scholarship for demonstrating leadership and responsibility. ABOUT THE AWARD: This Scholarship was established by Mr. Rudolph Anselmi, who was instrumental in sponsoring the legislation that authorized establishment of the School of Nursing in 1951. The leadership award is one of the many ways Anselmi supported the School and is presented in memory of his wife Louise. ABOUT ADRIAENS: Drew demonstrates leadership and responsibility in his everyday actions as a nursing student. He assumes the role of leader in his class and he may not even realize it! He is a good role model and is professional at all times in the classroom setting and in the clinical setting. He takes all of his responsibilities very seriously and everything is done well and on time. His communication skills are excellent with his peers, faculty, and other healthcare professionals. He received a fellowship in the Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence Program, which was a unique opportunity for an undergraduate student. As one faculty stated “He is one on-the-ball guy!”

Barbara Eakin from Cheyenne, Wyoming, is the recipient of the 2017 Professional Nurse Award for excellence in practice, community service, and professional service. ABOUT THE AWARD: A former faculty member sponsors this award, which is given to a graduate of the RN-BSN Completion program. ABOUT EAKIN: Barbara received an Associate Degree in Nursing from Laramie County Community College in 2012, then spent 2 ½ years on a medical unit. She next began both practice as a Wyoming Public Health Nurse and work on her baccalaureate degree. This recipient remarks that good leaders embrace change. She is thoughtful and motivated to learn. As part of her coursework, she put forth a proposal entitled Enhancing the Culture of Off-Site Safety for Public Health Nurses and Staff, addressing the exposure of healthcare workers to acts of violence as much as 16 times more frequently than those in other service professions do. This recipient has fully embraced professional nursing practice and is now a member of the Laramie County Emergency Response Team.

Kristy Gambill from Cody, Wyoming, is the recipient of the Gertrude Gould Memorial Award for excellence in public health nursing practice. ABOUT THE AWARD: Gertrude Gould was a member of the planning committee to establish a nursing program at the university. The award in her name was established by funds donated by the Laramie Medical Group. ABOUT GAMBILL: Kristy demonstrates an understanding of family concepts, caring for the community, and population health. She did a wonderful job as a student nurse in her community health rotation. Her preceptor at Albany County Public Health writes, “She was very capable in her nursing skills, but what we noticed the most was her ability to jump into any of our programs and quickly adapt to the information. She took initiative in her own learning and was eager to assist our team.” She shows professionalism, integrity, and high-level clinical skills in her work with infants, children, and adults.

Kristin Kapeles from Casper, Wyoming, is the 2017 recipient of the Amelia Leino Memorial Award for demonstrating academic excellence and a strong aptitude for family nursing. ABOUT THE AWARD: Dr. Leino was appointed the first Dean of the nursing program when it was established in 1951. She provided the leadership necessary to establish a Bachelor of Science Degree program at the university. The funds for this award come from friends and alumni of the School of Nursing to be given to an on-campus, Basic BSN graduate. ABOUT KAPELES: We had a couple of graduates in the Basic BSN Program with a 4.0 grade point average. This is surprising based on the rigor in our nursing school program! Kristin is a member of Mortar Board’s Cap and Gown Chapter, which is the senior honorary organization exemplifying the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. Her enthusiasm for learning and the profession of nursing is very evident. She excelled in her obstetrics and pediatrics rotations by demonstrating caring and high level clinical skills. Her future goals include working in a family setting such as the neonatal intensive care unit or on a pediatric unit.

James Kuster from Boulder, Colorado, is the recipient of the 2017 Dr. Patsy Hesen Haslam Leadership Award, for demonstrating leadership and grace in the DNP Program. ABOUT THE AWARD: This award was created by DNP faculty member, Ann Marie Haslam Hart in memory of her mother, Patsy Hesen Haslam. Haslam was a nursing and public health advocate in southern West Virginia, whose community leadership inspired educational and public health initiatives across Appalachia. ABOUT KUSTER: James demonstrated academic excellence and professionalism throughout the DNP program; however, his role as a student leader truly set him apart. He was always eager to volunteer and advocate for his fellow students, as well as UW’s DNP program. He rallied his peers and encouraged active involvement among all DNP cohorts. He mentored new DNP students and recruited applicants into the DNP program. Like Dr. Haslam, the DNP faculty expect he will continue to demonstrate this same graceful leadership in his new role as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Gretchen Palmquist from Moran, Wyoming, is the recipient of the Dorothy Tupper Memorial Award for demonstrating caring, compassion, and interpersonal communication. ABOUT THE AWARD: Dr. Tupper joined the faculty in 1952, serving as dean for several years. This award has been maintained with funds given by the class of ’62 in memory of Judy Oglivie, a public health nurse. ABOUT PALMQUIST: Gretchen is a compassionate, kind, caring, competent, and professional nursing student. She is always prepared for class and clinical and has a positive demeanor with peers, staff, faculty, and community partners. She is a joy to work with and she treats her patients with respect. She truly listens to her patients and provides safe, competent care. Her future goals include helping others on a more global scale by participating in Nurses Without Borders or in missionary nursing. Her capstone preceptor shared this: “She has a terrific bedside approach and manner with patients. She truly has a gift for developing the special relationship necessary in nursing. She is truly a special person on her way to becoming an equally special registered nurse."

Sarah Smith from Gillette, Wyoming, is the recipient of the 2017 Susan McCabe Psychiatric Mental Health Award for demonstrating academic excellence, passion for knowledge, and superior clinical practice in the PMHNP program. ABOUT THE AWARD: This award is given to a student in the Psychiatric Mental Nurse Practitioner Program. Dr. McCabe was tragically killed in a car accident in 2008. The faculty and staff of the School of Nursing established this award to remember Dr. McCabe’s passion for psychiatric mental health nursing. ABOUT SMITH: Sarah would have made Dr. McCabe proud. Smith has been a self-driven learner who went above and beyond to maximize her learning. Her work has been detailed and thoughtful. Outside the classroom she developed into a skilled clinician, yet remained humble and relatable to clients. Preceptors consistently remarked on her natural skill and the ease with which she interacted with clients. She has been open and non-judgmental in her care for others. She has a passion for caring for clients living in rural Wyoming. The faculty look forward to observing the impact this student will have in her community.