News - Nursing

The faculty teaching group for palliative care

UP Receives Grant to Boost Palliative Care Education in Nursing Programs

Nursing

Awards and Rankings

Bolstered by a grant from the Cambia Health Foundation, University of Portland is leading the academic charge to improve the quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses. 

Claire McKinley-Yoder

UP School of Nursing & Health Innovations Receives Grant to Promote Diversity and Eliminate Racism in Nursing

Awards and Rankings

Nursing

As part of a national effort to promote diversity and inclusivity in the field of nursing, University of Portland’s School of Nursing & Health Innovations (UPSONHI) is one of 10 programs awarded grant funding from the American Nurses Association (ANA) National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.

Kelly Fox

Congregation of Holy Cross Honors UP Professor Kelly Fox with 2023 Spirit of Holy Cross Award

Nursing

Awards and Rankings

The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers has honored University of Portland Assistant Professor Kelly Fox with a 2023 Spirit of Holy Cross Award, conferred upon lay collaborators in the U.S. and abroad who “make God known, loved, and served” in education, parish and mission settings.

Joane Moceri

Dean Joane Moceri appointed to OHA's ARCTAC Committee

Nursing

The Administrative Requirements for Clinical Training Advisory Committee (ARCTAC) committee of the Oregon Health Authority will review and modernize rules related to clinicals and clinical compliance for all clinical training programs in Oregon, including medical, nursing, and all the allied health programs.

Blanchet House

Blanchet House Honors UP School of Nursing & Health Innovations with 2023 Service Award

Nursing

Awards and Rankings

Strengthening a bond that traces back to its founding 71 years ago, Blanchet House has selected University of Portland’s School of Nursing & Health Innovations (UPSONHI) as the recipient of its 2023 Service Award.

Andra Davis

School of Nursing & Health Innovation’s Andra Davis to Lead Development of a Regional Center of Excellence in Palliative Care Education

Awards and Rankings

Nursing

Andra Davis, PhD will lead development of a Regional Model of Excellence in Palliative Care Education focused on schools in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Funded through Cambia Health Foundation, the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) at the City of Hope, received a three-year grant which began in August 2021, totaling $420,000, to advance its work strengthening the nursing workforce in the care of patients and families living with serious illness.

Student Nurses at Vaccination Clinic

UP Student Nurses Get Real World Experience Administering COVID Vaccines

Nursing

Pilots Prevent

When their clinical rotations got canceled, UP nursing students got a valuable crash-course in patient care and people skills by administering COVID vaccines at clinics in the Portland area.

Andrew Lafrenz

COVID Investigator, Columbia County

Nursing

Portland Magazine

Alumni

UP’s resident epidemiologist—Andrew Lafrenz ’02—has been working seven days a week since April. Not only is he directing the School of Nursing’s newest major in integrative health and wellness studies, but he has also been offering his expertise to local entities during the pandemic.

Chelsea Cassens

Healer, Hunter, Mentor, Mom

Nursing

Portland Magazine

Chelsea Cassens ’08 wants her eastern Oregon community to stay healthy. She works toward that goal as a nurse and as an advocate for the protection of public lands.

School of Nursing students

University of Portland School of Nursing to Assist Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers with COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Nursing

As Oregon welcomes long-awaited vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Portland School of Nursing (UPSON) is stepping up to assist with vaccination of priority recipients at Kaiser Permanente medical centers.

Bailey Saleumvong

Here Comes the Sun: Travel Nurse Works with COVID-19 Patients

Portland Magazine

Alumni

Nursing

Bailey Saleumvong '08 is a travel nurse currently based in Los Angeles. He cares for critically ill COVID patients and sees signs of hope even amid the pandemic.

Illustration of woods and mountain landscape

When Nurses Speak, We Listen: Why Bother With Wilderness?

Nursing

Portland Magazine

Because wilderness can be a balm for the pain in every human heart. Because we can quiet our minds and our voices and listen to the sounds of the trees, the rivers, the wind, the rain.

Illustration of nurse speaking to elderly couple over a computer

When Nurses Speak, We Listen: A Reminder

Alumni

Nursing

Portland Magazine

A nurse makes home visits during the pandemic. What does she see? Body, Mind, Emotion, Spirit, Dream.

Jennifer Graves sitting on hospital cot

When Nurses Speak, We Listen: On Ethical Leadership

Alumni

Portland Magazine

Nursing

For many years I wasn’t able to articulate the value of a liberal arts education. But right now, particularly for nursing and particularly around COVID-19, I think about the value of the liberal arts education, about how I had courses in philosophy and ethics, how I feel very grounded in ethical decision-making.

Outside of Franz Hall

University of Portland announces 2020 Faculty Award Winners

Engineering

College of Arts and Sciences

Business

Nursing

The University of Portland’s Committee on Teaching and Scholarship is pleased to announce the 2020 Faculty Award winners.

close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard.

When Clinical Rotations Were Cut Short, the School of Nursing Found a Solution

Nursing

Portland Magazine

When COVID-19 forced the closure of in-person classes at University of Portland, the online learning posed a challenge to nursing students who were getting hands-on experience in clinical rotations. Nursing faculty quickly stepped in with a unique and timely learning opportunity.

UP students at Maker Challenge

Shiley School of Engineering and School of Nursing work with Community Vision

Nursing

Engineering

The Shiley School of Engineering and Portland- area organization Community Vision have come together in a partnership with sponsored Maker Challenges and capstone projects. Community Vision’s mission is “is to make Oregon a place where people with disabilities can live, work, and thrive in the communities of their choice.” Engineering students are working together to further this mission by working on projects with Community Vision’s Assistive Technology (AT) Lab.

Eileen Ryan

Q&A with Eileen Ryan at Kenton Women's Village

Portland Magazine

Nursing

Junior nursing major Eileen Ryan '21 recently worked a community health rotation at Kenton Women's Village, a 14-pod village offering temporary housing to assist houseless women in the Portland area. Ryan talks about her work at KWV.

Kay Toran, Kelly Fox, and Emily Harrington outside the Blanchet House

The clinic the house built: Alumnae Emily Harrington, Kay Toran, and Kelly Fox work to add nursing services at the Blanchet House

Nursing

Alumni

Portland Magazine

The Blanchet House has a long history with the University of Portland. Three alumnae--nursing professor Kelly Fox '90, Volunteers of America Oregon president and CEO Kay Toran '64, and nurse practitioner Emily Harrington '03, '06--are working to strengthen that relationship with the soon-to-open Harrington Health Clinic--a nurse-led clinic staffed with UP nursing students.

three nursing students taking notes

Bedside with Mr. Lopez

Nursing

Portland Magazine

Fully equipped hospital rooms and live actor "standardized patients" are part of University of Portland School of Nursing's Simulated Health Center, where student nurses practical clinical judgment as well as nursing skills.

students and professor stand around Simulated Health Center

School of Nursing opens newly remodeled and updated Simulated Health Center

Nursing

University of Portland’s School of Nursing has opened its newly renovated and updated Simulated Health Center. The Elsie Franz Finley Simulated Health Center and the Nelson Family Simulated Ambulatory Care Center are designed to prepare graduate and undergraduate nursing students with hands-on and real-world experiences.

photo of Casey Shillam

School of Nursing professors receive $50,000 grant from Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation

Nursing

University of Portland School of Nursing dean Casey Shillam, associate dean Lindsay Benes, and assistant professor Kelly Fox have received a $50,000 grant from Rita & Alex Hillman Foundation. This grant will support their project “Nurses Leading Change in Palliative Care for the Houseless with Serious Mental Illness.”

badge reads Best Nursing School in Oregon

School of Nursing ranked top undergraduate school in Oregon by NursingDegrees.com

Nursing

The University of Portland School of Nursing was ranked as the top school in Oregon to earn an undergraduate degree in nursing by NursingDegrees.com. This honor follows a study that looked at factors such as tuition, student to faculty ratio, and student services.

Cassidy Smith climbing a rock wall

For the Love of It: Moving Meditation

Portland Magazine

Nursing

Recreational Services

Cassidy Smith '20 is a nursing major with a passion for rock climbing.

Tatjana Jerkovic

She's Got This

Nursing

Portland Magazine

Tatjana Jerkovic-Walls '19 spent years working as an ER technician at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. With the help of the Ralph and Sandra Richardson Miller Endowed Scholarship, this working mom will soon graduate with a nursing degree from University of Portland.

Dr. Casey Shillam

Dr. Casey Shillam appointed new Dean of School of Nursing

Nursing

University of Portland President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., announced today the appointment of Dr. Casey Shillam as Dean of the School of Nursing, effective December 1, 2018.

Dr. Joane Moceri

Dr. Joane Moceri, retiring dean of University of Portland’s School of Nursing, honored with endowed scholarship

Nursing

Development

In honor of Dr. Joane Moceri’s retirement as the dean of the University of Portland School of Nursing, an endowed scholarship for nursing students has been established in her name.

Nursing students at Legacy Salmon Creek

School of Nursing launches partnership with Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center

Nursing

The School of Nursing has launched a new nurse training program in partnership with nurses at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center.

Teaching empathy using Photovoice

Teaching empathy in the age of selfies

Nursing

Theology

Awards and Rankings

Social Work

An award-winning project by three University of Portland faculty explores the question of how to train students to encounter profound pain and suffering.

Mike and Arlette Nelson

Michael and Arlette Nelson commit $10 million to strengthen programs and enhance the campus of the University of Portland

Business

Development

Nursing

Portland businessman Michael E. Nelson ’76, a member of the University of Portland Board of Regents, and his wife Arlette have made a $10 million gift to enhance the campus infrastructure and support academic programs, the University announced Friday.

photo of Joanne Olsen

Faculty profile: Joanne Olsen

Nursing

Joanne Olsen, director of master’s programs in the School of Nursing, has held many positions in her nursing career. With experience in nursing, leadership, and hospital administration, Olsen is committed to producing insightful nurses through the School of Nursing master’s programs.

Lynne and Kelly Slauson

Alumnae profile: Lynne '84 and Kelly '16 Slauson

Nursing

Mother and daughter Lynne and Kelly Slauson, share a love of nursing and a passion for helping others. Not only are Lynne ’84 and Kelly ’16 both graduates of UP’s School of Nursing, they also work together as advocates for rheumatoid arthritis, a condition Kelly has been diagnosed with since she was a baby.

University of Portland nursing major Kyle Doty receives American Psychiatric Nurses Association Scholarship

Nursing

University of Portland nursing major Kyle Doty receives American Psychiatric Nurses Association Scholarship

Photo of Joane Moceri, dean of the School of Nursing

Joane Moceri, dean of UP's School of Nursing, presented with Outstanding Alumna Award from UW Tacoma

Nursing

Awards and Rankings

University of Portland School of Nursing dean Joane Moceri was named the 2017 Outstanding Alumna of the University of Washington Tacoma's Nursing & Healthcare Leadership Program in June.

School of Nursing launches two new masters programs

University of Portland’s School of Nursing launches two new Masters of Science programs for health care professionals

Nursing

The University of Portland’s School of Nursing has this week received accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for two new Master of Science (MS) programs for health care professionals.

University of Portland bioethics team wins national competition

Chemistry

Nursing

Biology

Philosophy

The University of Portland bioethics team won the 2017 Bioethics Bowl by defeating Georgetown University in the finals. In only the second year competing, the UP team was undefeated in the Bioethics Bowl.

Nursing students in sim lab with mannequin

School of Nursing professors, students research factors that improve moral resilience of students

Nursing

Professors Lorretta Krautscheid and Laura Mood, UP students, and researchers from University of Tennessee in Knoxville are studying ways to help student nurses improve resilience and prevent burnout.

Nursing Lab Refresh

School of Nursing announces changes to Learning Resource Center

Nursing

The School of Nursing’s Learning Resource Center will be undergoing major changes in the upcoming year. Comprised of a 3-phase development plan, nursing students will see upgrades to existing facilities as well as new spaces in the already state-of-the art model hospital and outpatient clinic labs.

Susan Stillwell

University of Portland’s Susan Stillwell joins American Health Council Nursing Board

Nursing

University of Portland associate nursing dean Susan Stillwell has been selected to join the Nursing Board at the American Health Council.

School of Nursing announces creation of Alumni Steering Committee

Nursing

The School of Nursing is proud to announce the creation of the Alumni Steering Committee. The group, comprised of 10 members, aims to connect nursing alumni back to the University, support new nursing graduates, and give back to the local community.

School of Nursing to add new master's programs

Nursing

The School of Nursing will add two new master's programs: a master’s of science in innovation in health systems and a master’s of science in quality and safety in health systems. Both master’s programs, which will begin during the Fall 2017 semester, can be completed in five semesters, including one summer session, with online courses and several on-campus immersion sessions.

Stempel family

Alumnae profile: Mary '78 and Katie '15 Stempel

Nursing

For mother/daughter pair, Mary and Katie Stempel, the University of Portland is more than just a university; it’s where they both found their passion for helping others. Not only did Mary ’78 and Katie ’15 both graduate from UP’s School of Nursing, they happen to both work in women’s services and volunteer their time with the organization Faith in Practice.

University of Portland ranked 7th in the West

University of Portland ranked 7th in the West by 2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings

Engineering

Education

Nursing

Business

Awards and Rankings

For the 22nd consecutive year, the University of Portland has received a top-ten ranking by U.S. News & World Report, which today released its 2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The University is 7th out of 124 institutions listed in the “Regional Universities – West” classification.

2 nursing students and a professor talking in Nursing Sim Lab

University of Portland School of Nursing ranked no. 4 in the West

Nursing

Awards and Rankings

UP nursing program ranked no. 4 in the West, no. 46 in US by NursingSchoolsAlmanac.

University of Portland’s School of Nursing takes pledge on opioid education in national effort to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse

Nursing

As part of academic nursing’s ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug and opioid abuse across the United States, the University of Portland’s School of Nursing is proud to announce that it has committed to educating its advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The commitment was featured in a White House fact sheet today as part of the White House Champions of Change event on Advancing Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.

University of Portland Nursing Professor Amber Vermeesch selected for National Faculty Policy Intensive Program

Nursing

Nursing professor Amber Vermeesch has been selected as one of eight participants from around the nation for the 2016 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Faculty Policy Intensive program. She will also be recognized as an AACN Faculty Policy Fellow.

Gus Little and Travis Vetters

Gus and Travis

Business

Alumni

Portland Magazine

Athletics

Nursing

Gus Little was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. His former baseball teammate Travis Vetters gave him one. Is this the ultimate University of Portland "story"? Editor Brian Doyle says yes.

Joane Moceri begins tenure as dean of School of Nursing

Nursing

Beginning July 1, Joane Moceri is now serving as dean of the University of Portland’s School of Nursing.