Laura VanBrocklin (Denver CO) is dedicated to health behavior change (HBC). Her class participation in the HBC courses reflected her passion for encouraging healthy lifestyles. Her course work is reflective, she is eager to learn new skills and willing to challenge the discussion related to HBC in primary care. Dedication to HBC is particularly apparent in her DNP project, where she worked with a cardiac rehabilitation team to implement a quality improvement project designed to motivate clients to attend cardiac rehabilitation once discharged.

Nichole Taylor (Gillette WY) is a gifted leader, mentor; a self-driven learner who went above and beyond to maximize learning. Her work has been detailed and thoughtful. Outside the classroom, she developed into a skilled clinician, yet remained humble/relatable to clients. Preceptors remark on her natural skill and ease w/which she interacted with clients. She is nonjudgmental in her care for others. She has a passion for caring for clients living in rural Wyoming. Nursing faculty look forward to observing the impact this graduate will have in her community.

Joleen Watson (Cheyenne WY) RN for 11 years, working in urgent care/primary care/interventional radiology/post-anesthesia care unit. A dedicated endoscopy nurse, she loves caring for Vets. In 2016 began BSN education, realizing higher ed was necessary for expanding career. Her academic work is excellent; she conducts herself professionally in online learning environment, very engaged/supportive of others. Capstone Project: Hepatitis C prevention, screening, access to treatment. Developed action plan/5-yr goal: identify Laramie Co. gaps in care/increase public education/extend services.

Sarah Boyer (Douglas WY), Basic BSN student and president of SNA. As a very active, involved, hands-on leader, she worked to create an inclusive environment for all students in the nursing major. Under her tenure, SNA became very active with fundraisers/social events: trips to Denver’s Ronald McDonald House to support families; a bone marrow donor drive; activities for residents of Laramie Care Center & Spring Wind Assisted Living. She is a great role model for students, demonstrating integrity in the classroom, clinical settings and through her SNA leadership role.

Morgan Jacobs (Sheridan WY) [Recipient info] has a love of nursing and has done excellent work in the area of public health. This graduate did her community rotation at Albany County Public Health in Laramie. The nurses were very impressed with her hard work and willingness to jump into activities. Showing a lot of self-direction and initiative, she was able to become independent in many nursing activities of the public health agency. She excelled in mom/baby home visits, flu shot clinics, childhood immunizations, and TB tests. The nurses plan to use a handout she created for international travel. She was self-motivated in doing a lot of community outreach and supporting the mission of the agency.

Sara Pepper (Highlands Ranch CO) is an effective leader, demonstrating motivation/ability to accomplish goals. Taking an active role in Aspire, she assembled a capstone clinical sites/living options database to serve future classes of nursing students. She was instrumental in planning/organizing the 1st annual Nightingala, a hugely successful event giving seniors opportunity to celebrate completion of on-campus classes while heading off to capstone. Self-directed & innovative, she is helping the next generation to continue the activities. She is also an active leader in her sorority.

Sonia Klein (Baggs WY) is a compassionate, caring, knowledgeable, & professional nursing student. She is always prepared for class/clinical & has a positive demeanor with peers, staff, faculty, & community partners. She is pleasant to work with, and treats everyone with utmost respect. She truly listens to patients, providing safe, competent care. Her Med/Surg instructor says, “She has a terrific bedside approach & manner with patients… has a gift for creating a trusting rapport with every patient she encounters…Patients have even voiced disappointment when she could not be their nurse.”

Ryan Russi (Murrieta CA) exemplifies the essence of the Spirit Award, always with a positive attitude & smile on his face! Friendly/uplifting to peers/faculty, his presence creates a positive force in the classroom. Being a student athlete and nursing student was a challenge well met by Russi. He even recruited athletes by giving them school tours. Always first to volunteer to represent nursing, he spoke enthusiastically for the school at Discovery Days, exuding passion for the nursing profession. His patients comment about his excellent care, forecasting a future as a wonderful nurse.