Four years ago, Jim Walls drove nearly 500-miles from Fayetteville, Georgia, to begin his freshman year at the University of Louisville. Prior to arriving on campus, Walls was acquainted only with his future roommate from Maryland, whom he had briefly interacted with on Instagram over the summer.

Even though he was far from home, Walls’ strong desire to connect with the UofL community proved invaluable during his first year. He actively sought out opportunities to get involved, which ultimately helped him find his place on campus.

“I had to come in with the mindset of being at a disadvantage because I’m from so far away,” said Walls. “But I knew if I put myself out there and got involved in different organizations, I’d be able to make my own friends and find groups of people to interact with.”

Walls was drawn to UofL because of the pre-dentistry program, . UofL School of Dentistry offers early admission opportunities to exceptional high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to pursue a lifelong career in dentistry. As a pre-dental student, Walls was able to take a class at the School of Dentistry called “Introduction to Dentistry.” His favorite part was doing community service work with the school.

“There’s one instance where we went over to Seneca High School and actually were teaching some students about oral hygiene and handing out toothbrushes and other items,” he said. “That was a very enriching experience I’ve really taken to heart and is something I’ll always use as motivation going forward in my career.”

Walls became interested in the field of dentistry in elementary school when his family dentist discovered a tumor in his mom’s throat during a normal check-up.

“It ended up being something that potentially changed and saved her life, so from an early age I’ve always thought very highly of my dentist,” Walls said.

Walls, a biology student graduating from the , plans to attend dental school after graduation.

From Kenya to Kentucky

Ibrahim Henry Peterson, an international student in the , found his passion for the field through his upbringing in an orphanage in Kenya.

“Growing up without parents and going to school was not an easy experience. I faced many challenges, but it also taught me resilience and the value of hard work,” he said. “These experiences have deeply influenced my desire to make a positive impact on others’ lives.”

One of Peterson’s biggest adjustments as a student was the differences in cultural and academic environments. He vividly remembers doing poorly on his first exam.

“Despite my disappointing performance, every teacher congratulated me on my effort and encouraged me to keep studying hard. They all believed in my potential, which was a stark contrast to my experiences back home,” Peterson said. “Their support and belief in me inspired me to persevere and improve.”

After graduation, Peterson is considering a career as either a nurse anesthetist or a medical doctor. His goal is to start a clinic in his Kenyan community to provide much-needed health care services and give back to the area where he grew up.

Reflecting on his time at UofL, Peterson advises incoming international students to view challenges as opportunities for personal and academic growth.

“Don’t hesitate to seek help from academic advisors, tutors, and counseling services whenever needed,” Peterson said. “Practicing your English regularly will also enhance your communication skills. Exploring the city of Louisville can offer a well-rounded experience, so take the time to enjoy what it has to offer. And lastly, prioritize your health and well-being to maintain a balanced and successful academic life.”��

took a moment to talk with UofL News about the community impact of UofL’s School of Nursing. From her entrance into the school as a 17-year-old nursing student in 1976 to being named interim dean in 2022, the school has served as�� bookends for DeLetter’s dedicated nursing career.

UofL News: Your history with the School of Nursing is almost as long as the school’s history. Tell us more about that.

DeLetter: I started at UofL as a first-year associate degree nursing student at age 17 in 1976. I stayed in the program two more years and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1980. After my graduation, I did work at different hospitals in Louisville, then moved to North Carolina where I obtained my master’s degree. I returned to Kentucky and after working in Lexington for many years, I was recruited to UofL in 2017, where originally, I taught part-time. I then became director of the RN to BSN program, then associate dean for academic affairs, and in 2022, was asked by the provost to serve as interim dean. As of 2024, that’s a span of 46 years in nursing.

It’s been a huge honor and privilege to have been in this School of Nursing at the beginning – two years into the start – and now to have held this position. For me to have come in this big circle and to be able to close the loop on my career, having had the privilege to serve at this level, is something I will always treasure.

UofL News: What makes UofL’s School of Nursing distinctive?

DeLetter: From the very beginning, expectations of students were high; we were strong, and our faculty were strong. We were right on the cusp of a shift in the profession from subservient to autonomous.

We were guided to really use our knowledge, our science, our critical thinking, our assessment skills to make decisions. I don’t think all schools were there yet.��

We were encouraged to push forward in our education so that we would have a seat at the table with other health care professionals.

I learned at an early age that the patient’s family is whoever the patient says they are. It was the mid-70s and people didn’t all talk like that, but we were very open to diversity. We were ahead of our time. Today, we still have that vitally and strong commitment to our students and to the community.

UofL News: In addition to the massive technological and digital advancements from the ’70s through today, what are some of the most significant changes in the field?

DeLetter: I sometimes wonder how students still do it in a four-year degree. They’re spending the same amount of time now that we spent 40 years ago to learn so much more.

There are so many more drugs, medications, treatments, types of surgeries. When I first became a nurse, patients were admitted the day before a surgery, it could be something as simple as a carpal tunnel surgery, and they stayed for two or three days afterward. Now of course, for that and much bigger surgeries, they don’t stay.

We also have so much more knowledge about pathophysiology and treatment and outcomes. An important thing that’s changed for nurses is our ability to monitor what we do and how we have an impact on the patient. We have evidence-based protocols, and nurses are now expected to monitor and prevent conditions from developing like pressure ulcers, falls, infection from urinary catheters or central line IV access or ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Simulation education is hugely different. We practiced injections on each other. Today, students have excellent training in simulation. We also have a more collaborative health care team than 40 years ago.

Another momentous change in nursing has been the educational level of the faculty. Years ago, a new dean came and told everyone they needed to get doctoral degrees. It was pivotal in reframing the School of Nursing to be recognized as a credible discipline in higher education.

UofL News: What challenges do today’s nurses have that they didn’t have years ago?

DeLetter: The acuity of illnesses is greater. We are more challenged by societal problems of gun violence and domestic violence. Bills have gone before the state to decriminalize errors by nurses and to hold patients criminally liable when they assault nurses or other health care providers. The world is busier and more complicated.

Some students have bigger burdens to carry. Some are single parents or living in domestic violence situations. We have a student loan debt crisis. There’s discussion everywhere about the mental health crisis of many students on college campuses, not just ours, but across the nation.

UofL News: In what positive ways have you seen our nursing students change over the years?

DeLetter: Students have a broader view because of their access to the world, so they have a better understanding of global health. Also, they have a better understanding of the impact of the health of the community. We think broadly about social determinants of health that affect patients across the continuum of their health care. ��

UofL News: How has our nursing program impacted our community?

DeLetter: We’ve graduated over 7,000 nursing students in the last 50 years so there’s no question our graduates are everywhere.

We are well known in hospitals and other agencies for our quality graduates. We contribute to dozens of community activities every year. We provide service to people through our community health courses, we have students in schools, homeless shelters and in all kinds of agencies providing care to clients. When you have students doing something for them, and they wear that UofL shirt, that’s going to have a positive impact. The university is socializing students to care about others.

UofL News: What is one thing that you hope to see happen in nursing in the next 50 years?

DeLetter: I hope we reach a point where the workforce shortage is not so dire.
Another thing I would like to see is the continued proliferation of the research and evidence-based practice changes in patient care. We continue to give diligent care as bedside clinicians; we continue to advance the science and we continue to serve the communities where we live and work.

LaunchIt, offered twice per year through the , is an intensive eight-week hybrid course focused on , which helps innovators and entrepreneurs test their ideas or products in the real world and see if they have what it takes to stick.

The program, taught by experienced and successful entrepreneurs, includes coaching, mentoring and curriculum including lessons on customer discovery, product validation and other considerations when preparing for market launch. The program is open to anyone in the region working to develop a technology-focused product or company.

Leads for the fourteen teams in the fall 2023 session were:

• Tom Alaimo: LifeStory Connection, software that personalizes the quality of care to their life and experiences, creating a person-centered approach to healthcare.
• Faisal Aqlan (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): A UofL data-driven interactive virtual reality clinic (IVRC) that enhances cognitive function provides an accurate assessment of dementia level to providers.
• Shavonne Bass: Loc’n Key, offering community driven products focused on sustainable, eco-friendly organic hair care products specifically designed for customers with locs.
• Zachary Fowler (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): A device for wearable continuous monitoring insulin biosensor to help physicians identify patients who are at risk for metabolic disease and Type II diabetes.
• Kelly Gibson and Jason Crist: Crison, an electrical infrastructure app for seamless integration of asset information and test result trending.
• Seokyoung Han (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): A smart device for interpreting dog behaviors combines imaging of the animal’s expressions with biometric data to relay accurate status to the owner.
• Arpan Jain: Jain Energy Co., a biofuel cell that promotes a neutral-carbon-based circular economy and reduces dependency on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
• Young Hoon Kim (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): Building construction materials that consume zero-water used in drought regions.
• Hallie Osborne (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): A device used for improved visualization when removing fluid from around the heart in emergent cardiovascular cases.
• Sumit Paul (J.B. Speed School of Engineering): A novel mechanical interlocking metamaterial that strengthens biomedical implants and increases durability after implantation.
• Farshid Ramezanipour (College of Arts and Sciences): A novel compound that efficiently generates hydrogen from water to provide a cheaper, environmentally friendly energy source.
• Nicolas Tehrani: Lode, a company creating full-flavor fermented non-alcoholic beverages for beer enthusiasts.
• Elton Thomas: Project Story ����ֱ��, a company using cutting edge biometric technologies to design and provide education, fitness and security solutions.
• Imelda Wright (School of Nursing): An assessment tool used in several high-risk industries by identifying weaknesses in their safety systems.

LaunchIt is offered by the team as part of its National Science Foundation program. All teams in this cohort received training, funding and other support from I-Corps to drive their innovation-backed technologies to market.

“LaunchIt was a window into the world of entrepreneurship,” said Ramezanipour, a UofL faculty member who participated as part of the I-Corps program. “It was a great experience and very helpful in understanding how to take your innovation to the next stage.”

UofL New Ventures works to launch and grow startups, and is supported in part by Amplify Louisville. LaunchIt coaches include the office’s Entrepreneurs in Residence, knowledgeable founders with an in-depth understanding of launching and growing a business.��

The next session of LaunchIt, beginning in spring 2024, is now enrolling. More information and registration is available at .

The University of Louisville chapter of����(PKP), one of the oldest honor societies on campus, is recruiting new members from across all schools and disciplines. It has almost 350 active members from the top 10% of seniors, graduate and professional students and in November was given the 2022-2023 Circle of Excellence Chapter Award from national PKP.

Seeking to improve access to health care, the UofL School of Nursing spearheads efforts to partner with the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund to provide health care services to uninsured workers in the Kentucky horse racing industry. Many workers are non-English speaking with little access to health care or support finding health care. The partnership provides primary care, women’s health care, and mental health care to workers and their families as well as care focused on preventing costly chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

UofL School of Nursing faculty and advanced practice registered nurses Krista Roach and Dedra Hayden, who also serves as the program’s director, engage UofL Latin American and Latino Studies program students to help with��interpretation, dental students to provide care to patients with complex dental cases, and nursing students to provide care alongside nurse practitioners.��In addition to ongoing year-round health services, during the pandemic the��program’s nurse practitioner providers played an indispensable role in addressing vaccine hesitancy among their client population.

“At UofL, we are committed to directly impacting the health and well-being of Louisville and beyond,” said UofL Interim Vice President for Community Engagement Douglas Craddock. “Our clinic for equine industry workers both cares for an often-marginalized community and provides essential hands-on, experiential learning to our students, empowering them to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.”

“Health care��provided by our highly qualified nurse practitioners��is critical to helping address the shortage of primary care providers in Kentucky. The UofL School of Nursing is honored to play such an important role in providing care to those who otherwise may not have access. We are thrilled by this recognition,” said Interim Dean of the School of Nursing Mary DeLetter.��

Since 2007, APLU and the Engagement Scholarship Consortium, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, have partnered to honor the engagement scholarship and partnerships of four-year public universities. The award recognizes programs that demonstrate how colleges and universities have redesigned their learning, discovery and engagement missions to deepen their partnerships and achieve broader impacts in their communities. The national award is named for C. Peter Magrath, APLU president from 1992 to 2005.

Inspired by those who cared for her grandmother with dementia and a cousin with cystic fibrosis, the Owensboro native became a nurse, graduating in December from the .

At the senior awards ceremony prior to graduation, Wilhoite was surprised to find out she won the , which specifically honors program students for having “the courage to be a servant-leader.” Winners receive $5,000 and commit to working for one year at .

In keeping with the award, Wilhoite recently asked if she could return a portion of it for the benefit of other students.

“I want this award to reflect all of us, not just me,” she said.

Amy Higdon, assistant dean of Owensboro BSN Programs and assistant professor in the School of Nursing, said the award is named after Vicki M. Stogsdill, the retired chief nursing officer of Owensboro Health.

“She always practiced servant-style leadership,” Higdon said. “The Owensboro faculty has the privilege of selecting the recipient of this award each semester and when considering which applicants embodied servant-style leadership, Maggie was a frontrunner.”

Important components of the program are service learning projects throughout the Owensboro community and a senior project completed during the Global Public Health course. Wilhoite asked the $2,000 she returned be used to help with these projects.

“Students can allocate the funds as they see fit, whether it be to enhance their project or donate to the community organization they collaborate with,” said Wilhoite, who grew up on an Owensboro farm.

Wilhoite said she applied for the award “on a whim,” and was shocked when she won.��

“There are 14 members of my graduating cohort. Each of us brings something special to the table,” she said. “We survived nursing school during a historically adverse time in health care. We are entering the nursing profession during uncertain times. We have all exhibited resilience and compassion, which are necessary traits for nurses. Any one of us would be more than deserving of this award.”

Because she graduated debt-free, she said, “I would not feel right accepting a servant-leadership award and keeping it all for myself if I am not struggling financially.”

Wilhoite said she told her mother she wanted to become a nurse in the third grade and she hopes to someday be able to use her skills on a medical mission trip. She credits her supportive family with helping her earn her degree.

“I want to be a part of something bigger than myself,” she said.��

The investment will support the renovation and development of a new dynamic Student Collaboration Lounge in the UofL that will become the heart of the student educational program. The funding also will enable the build out of UofL ’s Culinary Medicine Training Kitchen.

“The University of Louisville’s mission includes preparing professionals who will have a significant impact on our community and the commonwealth. Our nurses are frontline heroes and today’s announcement will only improve their experience and training,” said UofL interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “Thank you to our partner Kindred Healthcare for investing in UofL’s School of Nursing and our community’s next great generation of nursing leaders.”

“Louisville’s ability to stand out as the nation’s epicenter for the future of health care innovation relies on a robust and well-trained nursing workforce across the care continuum,” said Kindred Healthcare LLC Chief Executive Officer Ben Breier. “On behalf of the Kindred Foundation, and me personally, we are proud to support the development and training of the next generation of nurse leaders through our investment in UofL’s School of Nursing. Our hope is that we can support well-trained caregivers and positively impact the health and well-being of our entire community.”

The essence of the 3,485-square-foot Student Collaboration Lounge renovation positions UofL nursing students for success by encouraging them to engage with one another, to share ideas and to develop collectively. The new Student Collaboration Lounge features spaces to support collaboration in both open and private places, including an open kitchen area built to resemble a modern café.

The innovative Culinary Medicine Training Kitchen will help train the health care workforce of the future address barriers to healthy eating by increasing students’ and patients’ sense of preparation, confidence and comfort; help erase misconceptions about popular diets; facilitate learning how to make healthy food flavorful with spices and herbs; provide basic cooking techniques and address food access and other equity issues.

By providing an evidence-based curriculum that supports various delicious and healthy ways of eating, participants will be better prepared to explain dietary approaches and offer strategies to support this foundational component of wellness to their patients.

“I’m very excited to be working on this project. This mural showcases six nurses both men and women, from across the world and from different cultures and faiths. Nurses are people who give all of themselves to the care and well-being of people they usually don’t even know,” Thompson said. “I have two sisters and one brother who are nurses: I’ve seen this selfless compassion carry over towards all their friends and family. These six individuals show that no matter where you’re from or what your faith is, your decision to be a professional care giver is the right one. This mural is a way to tell the next generation that healers matter, that being a nurse is worth it.”

The mural includes from left to right: Hector Hugo Gonzalez (1937- ), Mary Jane Seacole (1805-1881), Mary Mahoney (1845-1926), Rufaida Al-Aslamia (570-630 CE), Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail (1903-1981) and Joe Hogan(1953-).

Hector Hugo Gonzalez: Texas-born in 1937, Gonzalez, received his nursing diploma from Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1962 and a bachelor’s degree in 1963 from Incarnate Word College. Gonzalez served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. In 1974, Gonzalez completed a PhD, with focus on education, from the University of Texas at Austin and became the first Mexican-American Registered Nurse to earn a doctorate in the United States. He had a lengthy career in nursing education and was a nursing educator consultant in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Kuwait.

Mary Jane Seacole: A Jamaican-born nurse, also known as “The Creole with the Tea Mug” became famous for her contribution during the Crimean war. After her rejection to gain a nursing position in the Crimean War (which she questioned whether racism was a factor), Seacole set up a British Hotel to provide food and supplies to soldiers. She assisted the wounded at the military hospitals. After the war, she returned to England. She published a book titled, “Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in May Lands,” which was the first autobiography written by a Black woman in Britain.

Mary Mahoney: Mahoney is recognized as the first Black registered nurse. She was known for her efficiency, patience, and caring bedside manner. In 1908, she co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses to advocate for the equality of African American nurses. That group founded the Mary Mahoney Award, which is still awarded today by the American Nurses Association. Mahoney has been credited as one of the first women to register to vote in Boston following the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women’s suffrage on Aug. 26, 1920.

Rufaida Al-Aslamia: Born in the year 620, which is approximately 1,400 years before Florence Nightingale, was the first female Muslim nurse. She served during the holy wars with Prophet Muhammad on arrival to Medina. She implemented her clinical skills into developing the first ever documented mobile care units that were able to meet the medical needs of the community. Her work was primarily in hygiene and stabilizing patients prior to more invasive procedures.

Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail: The first Crow and one of the first Native Americans to graduate as a registered nurse in the United States has received many honors for her work. Most notably received were the President’s Award for Outstanding Nursing Health Care in 1962 and honored as the Grandmother of American Indian Nurses in 1978 by the American Indiana Nurses Association. Yellowtail used her talents to better the Indian Health Service (IHS) by speaking out on the inadequate facilities, the language barrier that interceded between healthcare workers and the IHS consumers, as well as highlighting the poor living conditions that plagued the health of many Native American families.

Joe Hogan: In 1979, an African American nurse in Columbus, Mississippi, Hogan, applied to Mississippi University for Women to further his education and get a baccalaureate degree. But he was denied due to his gender. Hogan petitioned the university to change their guidelines and filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court on violation of his 14th Amendment rights. The court ruled against him stating MUW had appropriate guidelines for a female-only curriculum. The case went to the Supreme Court who ruled the policy was unconstitutional and Hogan could enroll in 1982.

Check out a time lapse video of the mural’s creation:��

Story written by Adrianne Kelly, School of Nursing marketing specialist and events coordinator.��

“It’s vital to help ensure the workforce needs are met across the state of Kentucky,” said School of Nursing Dean Sonya Hardin.��

The accelerated BSN program, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing ����ֱ��, is designed to provide an expedited pathway into the nursing profession and ideal for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field who desire a career in nursing. The program will be offered in Louisville and the School of Nursing’s extension in Owensboro, Kentucky.

The program makes it possible for students to earn a degree in as few as 15 months, or four semesters. The program will be offered in a hybrid format, allowing students a more flexible format to embrace the benefits of online education and in-person learning. Lecture content will be offered online, with in-person clinical experiences. The blended instruction will provide students flexibility in completing their coursework. Graduates will be prepared for taking the national licensure exam (NCLEX) upon graduation.

“The School of Nursing faculty possesses a wide variety of teaching and practice expertise and incorporates opportunities for students to provide care to diverse patient populations in hospital and community settings,” said Assistant Dean of Owensboro BSN Programs Amy Higdon.

Applications for the accelerated BSN program begins in November 2021 for the first cohort and classes will begin in May 2022.

More information is available online here.��

Story written by Adrianne Kelly, marketing specialist and events coordinator, UofL School of Nursing.��

Newquist and Nikki Enlow, a graphic design student at Hazard Community College, have launched a public health information campaign as part of the Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. The project is overseen by UofL Professor Frances Hardin-Fanning and is sponsored by Aetna Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the National Association of Counties.

Newquist, a research scholar, also works at UofL Hospital as a physical therapy technician and has been an active member of the UofL COVID vaccination team. She will graduate in May 2022 with plans to work in orthopedic nursing in Louisville. She uses her skills from her undergraduate research courses to review scientific evidence about the health impact of foods, which is guiding her work with the Perry County program.

As part of the educational campaign, Newquist shares spotlight information on different fruits and vegetables each week on ; for example, “Garlic can be made into an extract and it has been effective in lowering blood pressure in people with uncontrolled hypertension … Garlic can help improve our artery’s flexibility, which results in lowered blood pressure, improved heart health, improved aerobic fitness and a decreased risk for cardiovascular disease.”

The Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge is a grant-funded project aimed at increasing access to foods that support healthy eating patterns. Perry County, located in Eastern Kentucky, – 12 percentage points higher than the 35% average for Kentucky. Seventy-four percent of adults who live in Perry County are overweight, and just 10% get their recommended fruit and vegetable intake. The Aetna Foundation .

UofL’s School of Nursing also leads the Food & Faith Coalition, a partnership with either other organizations. In addition to increasing access, the coalition aims to increase food security screenings, grow retailers’ donations to nonprofit food programs and improve the interconnected work of 16 county organizations that provide food to community members.

Read more about Newquist’s work with this project on .