Each year the College honors outstanding graduates with awards based on their achievements in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Awardees are nominated and selected by their faculty. This year we would like to recognize the Spring class of 2021 award recipients:
Nursing Leadership Award Recipient
“I am humbly honored to be the recipient of the Nursing Leadership Award. The Leaders and faculty at UNM’s College of Nursing have guided me along this journey to help shape and define my leadership skills. The Nursing Program not only provides an amazing experience but also an exceptional educational curriculum to shape future nurses and leaders. I am appreciative for the support from my professors, peers, and family during this time. I am excited to continue as a nurse leader at UNM Hospital!”
Pre-Licensure Academic Achievement Award Recipient
“I am honored to receive the Academic Achievement Award. I would like to graciously thank my outstanding instructors, nurse preceptors, and fellow student nurses for pushing me to be my best. I am incredibly grateful for my time and experiences at the College of Nursing and I look forward to my future nursing career on the Neuroscience ICU at UNMH.”
RN-BSN Academic Achievement Award Recipient
“I am humbled by receiving the Academic Achievement Award. The UNM RN to BSN program is very unique with one of the best curricula out there. Classes range from Genetics to Quality Improvement to Healthcare economics & policy etc...giving the students a deep understanding of the U.S healthcare landscape. The faculty are very knowledgeable and helpful. ‘You go through the program, and it goes through you in return.’ Congratulations to everyone.”
Outstanding NMNEC Dual Degree Award Recipient
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected for the Outstanding NMNEC Dual Degree Award. The last couple of years have been amazingly elevating and fulfilling as I accomplished my dream of becoming a nurse. For the past 14 years I have worked at the New Mexico VA serving those who served this great Nation and it is the honor of caring for America’s Veterans that inspired me to become a nurse. I am thankful for the support and push of my significant other, my family, my peers, mentors, and great professors throughout this journey; all of which gave me the strength and courage to see this journey through. To all of you, I am eternally grateful!”
Robin Armell Memorial Award Recipient
“I am humbled to be the recipient of this award! This accomplishment would not be possible without the support of wife, family, friends, classmates, peers, and educators. It has been an honor to be a voice for my cohort as one of your Representatives. Throughout my 10 years in the military as a Medic/Paramedic I had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, today that dream has come true. I am looking forward to beginning my nursing career in the Neuro Science ICU at UNMH.”
Graduate Academic Achievement Award Recipient
“I am so honored to receive this award! I appreciate the guidance and support provided by the DNP NEOL faculty and staff these last two years. I plan to continue to teach nursing and to also improve Native American healthcare and educational opportunities. The education that I obtained from UNM provided me with the nursing leadership skills that I need in order to serve my community!”
Estelle Rosenblum Dissertation Award
“It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to receive the Estelle Rosenblum Dissertation Award. Although my Ph.D. journey has been by far the hardest thing I have ever done, it has been an incredible ride. My dissertation chair, along with many other faculty and staff in CON, walked with me every step of the way. As I continue working in academia, I will always be grateful for the knowledge that I acquired, the insight and critical thinking that I learned, all while working with some of the top academics in nursing, the finest minds!”
Doctor of Nursing Practice Distinction Award
For her project entitled: Measuring Critical Care Registered Nurses’ Self-Perception of Competency in Caring for Chronically Critically Ill Adults with Special Needs in Adult or Pediatric Intensive Care Units.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a student with this year’s exceptional DNP student group and the exceptional DNP faculty. We supported, challenged and helped each other grow professionally and personally. The challenge isn’t setting the bar too high and failing, but setting the bar too low and succeeding, it takes all of us....together!“
Doctor of Nursing Practice Distinction Award
For his project entitled: Managing Simulated Anesthesia Emergencies with the Use of Clinical Decision Support in a Rural Hospital Setting.
“My nursing career started at UNM Gallup as a 17-year-old high school graduate with a determination to improve my life and the life of those around me. Since then, I became an active-duty officer in the United States Public Health Service, caring for the underserved and deploying to many of this generation’s greatest health care crises. I have been a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for the last six years and am now teaching future CRNAs as an assistant professor at Midwestern University. It is an honor to come full circle in my academic journey by completing my Doctorate in Nursing Practice at UNM’s College of Nursing. I owe a debt of gratitude to the University and to the staff who have supported me from the beginning!”