UW Nursing School Members Chosen for Leadership with Wyoming Nurses Association

An alumna and a current faculty member with the University of Wyoming’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing have been chosen for leadership positions with the Wyoming Nurses Association (WNA).

Faith Jones, a longtime resident of Powell and the winner of the nursing school’s Alumni of the Year Award in 2023, received the majority of votes during a recent election process and will now serve as the WNA’s vice president. She has a long-standing involvement with the WNA that includes roles as president, president-elect, legislative chair and district officer. Throughout her career, Jones has been committed to advancing nursing practice, particularly in rural and frontier communities.

“I have respect for all nurses, but especially for rural nurses. Rural nursing is a specialty that is often undervalued when, in fact, our nurses in Wyoming have a greater breadth of knowledge, which stems from wearing many hats,” Jones says. “In the role of vice president, I hope to engage nurses throughout the state and put a spotlight on and celebrate the high quality of nurses we have in Wyoming.”

Jones also has represented Wyoming nurses nationally as a delegate to the American Nursing Association (ANA) House of Delegates and as vice president on the ANA board of directors. She also is the owner of BeEngaged LLC, a health and wellness organization that provides networking opportunities for Wyoming nurses.
 

Jennifer Stephens, from Cheyenne, also was re-elected to the position of secretary for the WNA. She currently is an associate professor with the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing.

“I love being a member of the WNA, and I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving our state organization in the role of secretary,” Stephens says. “I am passionate about serving nurses and in advancing our profession.”

Stephens has been the secretary for the WNA since 2023 and is excited to continue in this role. She also is co-chair of the Practice Committee and the founder of the Wyoming Nursing History Special Interest Group. The debut of the Wyoming Nursing History Podcast occurred during the WNA’s recent convention, and these oral history podcasts are available on the WNA website.  

"WNA is blessed with the amazing leadership from both of these individuals,” says Kara Beech, executive director of the Wyoming Nurses Association. “We are thankful for the University of Wyoming Fay Whitney School of Nursing for turning out students who continue to give back to the state in various ways."

“I am thrilled to see both Faith and Jennifer elected as officers in the Wyoming Nurses Association,” adds Sherrill Smith, dean of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. “Their leadership will help to facilitate our school’s continued collaboration with WNA to facilitate the profession of nursing and health care in Wyoming.”  

“I am incredibly proud to see both Faith Jones and Jennifer Stephens representing the University of Wyoming and the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing through their leadership with the Wyoming Nurses Association,” says Patrick Hardigan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Their service exemplifies the spirit of excellence, commitment and community engagement that define our nursing program. Faith and Jennifer’s dedication to advancing nursing practice across Wyoming -- especially in rural and frontier communities -- underscores how UW-trained nurses continue to make a meaningful difference in the health of our state.”