News

Catching up with DNP Nurse Anesthesia Student Kitra Henker

Feb. 11, 2022

For University of Arizona Nurse Anesthesia student Kitra Henker, becoming a Wildcat Nurse was almost preordained: one of her earliest photographs depicts her as a baby wearing a UArizona Wildcats onesie. Add to that the fact that both her parents are University of Arizona Nursing alumni and you get a full picture of the kind of passion and allegiance that draws students to the College of Nursing. “I did not consider any other programs,” Henker says of her academic choice, although at first she was on the fence about pursuing a career in nurse anesthesia. “My dad is a nurse anesthetist and I have this weird complex about wanting to be my own person and do my own thing. But I couldn’t deny the fact that I just really like anesthesia. I was just fascinated by it.”


People ask me a lot, ‘What is your favorite thing about anesthesia?’ and I have a very hard time pinning down one specific thing. I like the autonomy that comes with it. It’s fun to be the head person in the room that’s in charge of the patient’s safety and comfort and to treat pain," ~ Kitra Henker, DNP nurse anesthesia student


Why did you pursue a career in nursing?

Both of my parents are nurses, so I grew up around it. I got my first degree from the University of Arizona in biology, which led to working for the National Park Service. I got involved in search and rescue and realized I really like doing medical activities. So I looked into nursing a little bit more and then it just seemed like it fit.

What drew you to the Nurse Anesthesia specialty?

My first job out of nursing school was at an Intensive Care Unit at University Medical Center in Tucson. We had a lot of interaction with anesthesia and a lot of interaction with surgeons. I would watch them do different things like intubate and put in central lines, all the hands-on skills, and I just thought that looked really fun. I was fascinated by it. People ask me a lot, ‘What is your favorite thing about anesthesia?’ and I have a very hard time pinning down one specific thing. I like the autonomy that comes with it. It’s fun to be the head person in the room that’s in charge of the patient’s safety and comfort and to treat pain.

Can you tell us a little more about your background?

I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both my parents got their master’s degrees in nursing at the University of Arizona. I applied to the University of Arizona when I was 18. My first degree was in ecology and evolutionary biology, and then I got an internship at Saguaro National Park in Tucson. That’s where I was exposed to wilderness medicine, which I have a large passion for. It’s my favorite. As much as I loved biology, I wanted to go down a different path and found nursing.

What are your favorite features of the UArizona Nursing Anesthesia program?

I loved the fact that it was online, which allows you some flexibility to learn at your own pace. You can work your life around being in school. Another great thing about the program are the people in it. You spend time competing to get into the program, you compete in nursing school for grades, you compete once you get out into the real world for jobs. But once you get into the anesthesia program the competition is over. They make that very clear: We’re done competing, we are all in this together, we’re going to finish this as a team, support each other, get through it together. I loved that. My classmates are practically like family: you call them, you go out to eat with them, they understand what you’re going through.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your studies?

It’s hard to say because I don’t know much pre-COVID. The program was online until December of 2020, so we were already online for the most part. A few of those simulation weeks either got shortened or cancelled, which was disappointing. The biggest impact that COVID had overall would be in the clinical setting and the effects it had across the health care system with surgeries getting cancelled. I did get experience intubating COVID patients at one clinical site.

What are your plans for the future?

I joined the army in Sept. of 2020 as a reservist. After school I will be going to the Officer School and training for the Army Nurse Corps. After that, I’m hoping to get a job somewhere in the Phoenix or Tucson area.

Do you have a piece of advice for students entering this field?

Anyone who is thinking about anesthesia should really investigate it. They should learn what is involved with the schooling process as well as the job itself, because the schooling process is ten times harder than anything I’ve ever been through. It is grueling and long and very hard. It’s not impossible but I would just say if you want to go into Anesthesia, just make sure. There are people who want to go into anesthesia because of the earning potential, but if that’s your driving force you will never make it through school. You really need to know what you’re getting into, get involved however you can, and learn everything you can about the schooling process and the job. If you still really have a passion for it at that point, then go for it.

College of Nursing Celebrates 65 Years of Wildcat Nursing in Arizona

Feb. 8, 2022

Gladys Ribbon Cutting 1967.jpg

Dean Gladys Sorensen officiates at the new building's ribbon cutting ceremony, 1967.

If you walk past the lush vegetation and calming fountain in the western courtyard and enter the main lobby of the College of Nursing building in Tucson, you will come face to face with a wall of history and accomplishments dating back to 1957. The faces of previous deans, faculty, students, and staff throughout the years have been ensconced along the façade, archiving several generations of Wildcat Nurses who have walked the corridors, participated in simulated training, and eventually graduated to make their mark on the world. The College, like the state of Arizona itself, has grown in leaps and bounds across the years, but 2022 represents a very special year in our history, because it marks our 65th anniversary.


There are so many accomplishments to be proud of in the past 65 years. Recently, we have seen tremendous growth in our academic programs along with an increase in Health Resources and Service training grants that support our students...My hope for the next five years is the continued success of our students and increased growth of our research portfolio," ~ Ki Moore, Dean, UArizona College of Nursing


“There are so many accomplishments to be proud of in the past 65 years,” said Ki Moore, Dean of the UArizona College of Nursing. “Recently, we have seen tremendous growth in our academic programs along with an increase in Health Resources and Service (HRSA) training grants that support our students. Our entry to practice and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) specialties continue to grow and address critical health care needs across the country, especially during this pandemic, while graduates from our PhD program are becoming highly successful nurse scientists and leaders. But that is all built on the foundation of the people who have come before us and the history of who we are as a college.”

Senior Manager of College Operations, Isabel Chavez, who is celebrating her 20th anniversary at UArizona Nursing this year, is one of the first people to greet new faculty and staff members, touring them around the building and sharing the history of the organization. “The 65th anniversary is meaningful to me because I’ve been fortunate to see the College grow significantly,” Chavez said. “I provide these tours because I believe it is important for new hires to learn the history of the program, while getting to know the layout of the building. I believe that when new hires feel connected to their workplace, they feel more welcome and are much happier employees.”

Chavez is also one of the few members of the College who has access to a historical storeroom, which houses boxes and boxes of archived materials, photos, and documentation stretching back to the very beginnings of the College of Nursing. “We have been very careful to keep the College of Nursing original documents, articles, photos, and memorabilia,” she said. “In those archival boxes, you can flip through photos of the inaugural faculty and early student cohort photos, or even see an actual nursing uniform from the 1960’s. We were recently looking through the items and found the original application that was submitted to the State of Arizona requesting the initial approval for the College to be created. It has all the original signatures and required documents.”

Dean Moore also shares a fondness for the history of the College, especially from when she started as an assistant professor in 1988 under Dean Claire Parsons. “Claire was one of the first nurse scientists at the National Institute of Health (NIH) and I will always remember and be grateful of her careful critique of my applications. I received my first NIH grant in 1990, and the project focused on the effects of central nervous system treatment for childhood leukemia. Claire was instrumental in that grant application and helping me start my research career off on the right foot.”

As dean, Moore has met with several previous deans to learn more about the foundations of the College, but her relationship with Dean Gladys Sorenson was incredibly special. Sorensen, who served as the second dean of the College from 1967 to 1987, passed away in spring of 2021. “After being appointed dean, I had several lunch meetings with Gladys,” Moore remarked. “To me, Gladys was the most influential dean of our College. During her tenure, she led the development of one of the first PhD programs in the country and was instrumental in the establishment of Beta Mu Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International. She was recognized nationally and internationally as a nursing leader, but always remained student focused. She remained current about new directions and developments in nursing throughout her retirement, but also enjoyed herself. She would always tell me stories of driving around Arizona in her red convertible. She was very proud of that car and was definitely a woman before her time!”

Even with the uncertainty of the pandemic, the future of the College of Nursing has never been brighter. 2022 will no doubt inspire a renewed look at the past 65 years, while continuing to usher in “firsts” for the College, including new specialties, programs, and ways of teaching. But the goal has always been the same: to discover new modes and methods of Nursing science and impart them onto new generations so they can improve the health and wellness of communities around the world.

“My hope for the next five years is the continued success of our students and increased growth of our research portfolio,” said Dean Moore. “We have four new endowed chair/professor positions to attract research-intensive faculty. We are launching a Certified Nurse Midwifery Program in conjunction with UA Health Sciences. And our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program was recently ranked 23rd in the country and number one in Arizona. I am confident that we will emerge even stronger and more resilient after COVID.”

Catching up with DNP Nurse Anesthesia Student James Gibson

Feb. 1, 2022

When we first profiled University of Arizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurse anesthesia student James Gibson in June 2020, he was neck-deep in the throes of the COVID-19 crisis. He had yet to begin his clinical training and was working nights as a registered nurse in a Veteran’s Administration COVID Intensive Care Unit in his native Southern California. Gibson battled anxiety, fatigue, and uncertainty daily, but he never lost sight of his goal of furthering his knowledge, life experience, and education.  

Now only a few months away from May convocation, Gibson is finishing up his post-doctoral work, completing his clinical training and planning for the future. Despite the difficulties of the past two years, as he tackles the intensive final stretch of his studies, he is optimistic, driven and eager for new challenges.


Choosing to pursue nurse anesthesia at the University of Arizona was one of the most difficult decisions that I made, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions. It is really like a family environment," ~ James Gibson, DNP nurse anesthesia student


What have you been up to since 2020?

I’m finishing up my post doc work and my clinicals, basically putting into practice what we’ve learned. It’s been very challenging because there’s a steep learning curve. As an ICU nurse you’re sharp at the skills that you do, but in the clinical setting you’re pretty much starting from scratch and learning new skills. I did most of my training in Southern California but after nine months I got the opportunity to go to a clinical site in South Texas.

Have your feelings about frontline health care work changed as the pandemic has evolved?

In the beginning, it was a scary time. You didn’t know what would happen if you got it, how to treat it, or how it would affect your family if you gave it them. We’ve had multiple surges since then and there’s definitely a lot less fear now, especially with the vaccine. I actually caught COVID for the first time last week, which wasn’t scary at all. It was just more of a hassle because I had to miss work and clinicals. That’s a stark contrast to a year and half ago.

Have you experienced issues with burnout?

Last year at this time was really tough, working in the hospital as an ICU nurse. You’d go to work to be with really sick patients, and when you’d come back, those patients would be gone. Normally, for an ICU nurse, the patients don’t die too often. But going to work every day where you have to do CPR on a patient because they’re crashing, and at the same time being in the midst of trying to protect yourself – it’s hard. So many things are going on that you don’t even have time to process it.

Has all this changed your thoughts on the importance of the nurse anesthesia field?

It made me realize just how important what we do is and how valuable we are to the health care system. During those peak surges, a lot of times elective surgeries are cancelled, which is the bread and butter of our work. Even still, CRNAs were able to transition to ICUs to do COVID interventions like breathing tubes, central lines so patients can get the medications to help keep them alive, and arterial lines to monitor their blood pressure. We were able to take our very important set of skills and use them in the ICU. It’s helped me realize how important we are and how essential it is to work as a team, whether you’re an ICU nurse, or a Nurse Anesthetist.

What are your post-graduation plans?

Last Monday I went on an interview in a small town in Northern California. I’m from southern California, so that was a big change. But the fact that CRNAs practice independently there piqued my interest. When I did the interview, the thing that really sold me was that it’s a supportive place where the people love their jobs and will give me the opportunity to grow in the best environment. When I thought about it, I decided to take the job. It’s scary and also exciting, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and to utilizing all the great things that the faculty at the University of Arizona taught us.

What’s your biggest takeaways from the CRNA program?

Choosing to pursue nurse anesthesia at the University of Arizona was one of the most difficult decisions that I made, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions. It is really like a family environment. Since my time in the program, I’ve helped mentor at least three other people who have gotten into the cohort specialty. In 2020 I was mentoring a co-worker with preparing for the program. He got an interview and then he was put on the wait list, and then in January of 2021, he told me that he had he had a rare form of cancer and it was really bad. He also told me that he was accepted into the UArizona Nursing CRNA program. He said “We did it.” And I told him “No, you did it. I just gave you the blueprint.” That day I called Dr. Kristie Hoch, our program director, and told her about what had happened and how worried he was about not being able to start the program because of his diagnosis. She said she would talk to him and that she’d save him a spot for next year so he could get better. You don’t normally get that from a program director. That just meant so much to him, that sense of being part of a family environment. But unfortunately, he passed away six months later.

What advice do you have for students thinking of following in your academic footsteps?

I’ve spoken to the DNP One’s -- the cohort that just got in last year -- and I’ve told them, “You’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity, because there are people who work so hard to be in your shoes and unfortunately they didn’t have the opportunity. You have to really think twice before you complain about certain things that aren’t really important, because you have an opportunity here that people have died in pursuit of.” Don’t take it for granted. It’s an opportunity to make a dream become reality. Be grateful. You don’t have to do this. You get to do this.

Midwifery Specialty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Request for 3rd Party Comment

Jan. 31, 2022

Request for 3rd Party Comment

The University of Arizona College of Nursing (UACON) Midwifery Specialty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is scheduled for a preaccreditation site visit by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) Board of Review in April, 2022.

Program constituents, stakeholders, and other interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments relevant to the program’s qualifications for preaccreditation. All comments must reference the ACME Criteria for Preaccreditation (published May 2019, Rev 2020).

Comments should be made in writing using either the ACME 3rd party comment form, submitted by email to accreditation@acnm.org , or mailed to:

Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
Attn: Angela Smith
8403 Colesville Rd.
Suite 1230
Silver Springs, MD 20910

New Faculty Profile: Get to Know Julio Loya, PhD, RN

Jan. 24, 2022

Please welcome Assistant Professor Julio Loya, PhD, RN, who joined the University of Arizona College of Nursing in January. Dr. Loya completed his PhD in Nursing at the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing in July 2021. Prior to joining the UArizona, Dr. Loya was the Senior Nurse Manager of the subacute Neuro/trauma unit at Banner University Medical Center where he also assisted in the College’s acute care undergraduate coursework. Dr. Loya’s research interest is in the prevention and treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 among Mexican Americans. He is a long-time volunteer at Clinica Amistad and conducted his dissertation research on interventions to improve physical activity there.


I believe higher education should prepare individuals beyond content mastery. As an educator, I strive to create a learning environment fostering critical thinking and problem solving. If students are to become change agents, they need to understand not simply facts, but how the knowledge they acquire can be utilized to augment their advocacy," ~ Julio Loya, PhD, RN


What drew you to a career in nursing?

I originally enrolled at the University of Arizona as a biology major with the intention of applying to medical school. After my freshman year, I decided not to pursue medical school and instead obtain a graduate degree in biology. When I started my senior year, I realized I did not want to pursue a graduate degree in biology. At the suggestion of my brother, I decided to look into the requirements of going to nursing school. I did not grow up with aspirations of becoming a nurse, and I distinctly remember going to my first nursing lecture and wondering if I was going to like nursing. After the very first lecture, I absolutely fell in love with the nursing profession! I am celebrating 18 years as a nurse in July of this year.

What attracted you to the UArizona College of Nursing?

As an alumnus of the University of Arizona, I have been aware of the reputation of UArizona as a world-class research and educational institution. The UArizona College of Nursing greatly contributes to this reputation. As a nurse in the Tucson community, I have worked alongside UArizona nursing alumni, educators, and researchers and have always been very impressed by the commitment and dedication to help others. Becoming part of the nursing faculty was a personal goal as soon as I embarked on my PhD journey. I am elated to finally accomplish this goal! 

Tell us more about your research interest is in the prevention and treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 among Mexican Americans?

My research interests focus primarily on ameliorating the deleterious effects of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (T2DM) in adult Mexican Americans through culturally-adapted interventions. My research attempts to change physical activity behaviors of previously sedentary Mexican American individuals with T2DM. I use a community-based participatory research approach to attempt to learn how to best engage participants in the community. I am also interested in finding ways with which to sustain long-term adherence to behavioral changes.

What is your teaching philosophy?

I believe higher education should prepare individuals beyond content mastery. As an educator, I strive to create a learning environment fostering critical thinking and problem solving. If students are to become change agents, they need to understand not simply facts, but how the knowledge they acquire can be utilized to augment their advocacy. My expectations of students include being active participants in their learning, and using the material learned as a foundation for the next level of their journeys. To accomplish this, I rely on real-world examples as applicable to demonstrate how the concepts relate to current conditions or events. Mentorship has been an influential aspect of my journey; to support students through mentorship, I make myself available through office hours as well as appointments. As a life-long learner, I request feedback from students about all aspects of my teaching to continue learning and improving. I truly believe that each interaction is an opportunity to not only teach, but to learn from students to become a better educator.

Where are you from originally?

I was originally born in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. I moved to Tucson, Ariz. in 1992 and have been living here ever since. I completed middle school and high school in Tucson; my first undergraduate degree is from UArizona. I definitely consider Tucson my hometown.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife Krista and our two dogs Shadow and Luna, reading, learning electric guitar and bass, and playing golf.

Alumna Rita Meadows’ Passion for Nurse Leadership Leads to Influential Public Policy Position

Dec. 16, 2021

The decision to pursue a career in nursing was a natural one for Rita Meadows, PhD, FNP-BC. “I come from a family of nurses,” she says, citing her mother and her aunts, all of whom are part of the profession. “I practically grew up in a hospital. I would go there on weekends while my aunt was working as a supervisor. I grew up with the sights and sounds and smells of health care, and I grew up learning how to network with other nurses, physicians, and ancillary staff.”

That formative experience served Dr. Meadows well as she navigated her way to the pinnacle of her profession, earning a bachelor’s degree from The University of Maryland School of Nursing, a master's degree from Troy University, and a PhD from the University of Arizona College of Nursing in 2020.


“My major focus is on the health and wellness of vulnerable populations. I want to work toward more value-based health care delivery for them," ~ Rita Meadows, PhD, FNP-BC


Inspired by the example of her aunt Betty Falter, RN, MS, NEA-BC, an experienced nurse leader who helped develop the Arizona Health Care Leadership Academy, Dr. Meadows actively sought out experiences that would lead her to influence health care policy development and reform. Her passion for public service recently earned her an appointment by the state governor to the Delaware Primary Care Reform Collaborative, where she is the only nurse who sits on the committee.

The two-year-old Collaborative was established by the Delaware legislature to require commercial health insurance companies to make meaningful investments in primary care, including price increases for hospitals and non-professional services and requirements that health insurance companies work to improve health care value and increase the primary care investment.

We caught up with Dr. Meadows recently to learn more about her nursing journey, her experience in the UArizona Nursing PhD program and what she hopes to achieve in her new role.

What inspired you to pursue your PhD?

My aunt Betty was hugely influential in that decision. I’ve always done clinical preceptorship, so the educational role has always been ancillary to my clinical role. But we realized that my main interest was in developing an understanding of the theoretical foundation of my nursing career and who I was as a nurse and expand it into policy and research development. That’s what compelled me to choose the rigorous PhD program.

What was your experience like in the UArizona Nursing PhD program?

I interviewed at other places but from the day I first set foot in the college, it was the most nurturing and comfortable environment. It helped build me as a human being, and my human presence in the nursing world, and how my personal philosophy of life has become part of my practice of nursing. I connected with other likeminded and intellectual beings as colleagues. I was mentored by probably the most brilliant and nurturing individuals for four years of my life. Every single aspect of me was filled with thoughtfulness, expansion and growth. I have lifelong friends as a result, and I have mentors that I can always access if I need them in the future.

What were your primary research interests during the program?

Self-management of adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. For years I’ve volunteered as medical staff at a summer camp for children with Type I diabetes. In that environment, I identified a lot of needs for these kids, so when I went to pursue my PhD, it was my volunteer work rather than my work as a FNP that took precedent. My research was in the facilitators and inhibitors of independent self-management of adolescents with Type I diabetes.  It’s a unique population. It was exciting to build on that – not only to build on our present body of knowledge but also to implement it in the camp setting into a leadership program for adolescents with Type I diabetes.

What led to your appointment to the Delaware Primary Care Reform Collaborative?

After earning my PhD, I decided to pursue health policy versus research because I’m so embedded in my community as an NP. So rather than move to a career in pure research, I chose to maintain my practice and look for opportunities in advocacy. It really started when I was put on the Government Advocacy Committee for the Delaware Nursing Association. I had a background of volunteer work. I mentor between three and 10 nurse practitioner or doctoral students per year as a clinical preceptor. I’ve also worked on Doctoral student projects for students at a multitude of nursing programs that I have mentored NP students in. It’s a matter of evolution and my role has just evolved because I really took the plunge into policy development versus research. I was also the JDRF Government Advocacy Team leader for the state of Delaware for a couple years, which helped prepare me for a role as a government advocacy leader, where I was very quickly able to network, to show what I can do and what I’ve done for the community. They put the recommendations in and referred me for this position.

What excites you most about the work you’ll be doing?

Policy is where you can really push nursing interests and therefore the community’s interests as far as primary health goes. Right now, this is a big issue for Medicare. Reimbursement for nurse practitioner services is 80% of what a physician receives even though we’re giving the same services. This is all part of the reform bill. Not just nursing but primary care is one of the lowest reimbursed services, yet we are still poorly reimbursed comparatively. One thing we’ll be working on is increasing the investment in primary care from the insurance perspective.

During your two-year term, what do you hope to achieve?

My major focus is on the health and wellness of vulnerable populations. I want to work toward more value-based health care delivery for them. My health care practice is part of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), but we’re already working in my practice to coordinate high quality care and preventative management in the Medicare population to ensure that they have access to health care.

What is the most meaningful part of your work as an NP?

My patients think I’m part of their family. I’m embedded not just in the community but in the lives of the people in this community, and I can influence them and their health and their wellbeing without judgement. The trust and respect that they have in me Is probably reflective of my desire to help them.

Big picture, what are your hope for the future?

My whole career, every time I’m given an opportunity, I say ‘Yes.’ Some of those shifts were really bad shifts, but I learned, and I grew from them. I take every opportunity to advance my career, advance me as a human, advance me as a person, and I see this is as a steppingstone. It is a state appointed position and I just wonder if there’s more that I can do on a national level one day. I’m going to use this time in the next two years to listen, to find out where the needs are, to do an assessment of the primary care needs in Delaware and how they compare to the national needs. I think maybe I do have a role in policy formation in a bigger way, but I’m open to every opportunity that lands on my lap. Perhaps I’ll go in another direction but in general I think policy is where I can make the most impact on the most people’s lives.

Town Council Vote Supports UArizona Nursing Expansion in Gilbert

Dec. 15, 2021

The University of Arizona College of Nursing received the green light to expand its educational offerings in Gilbert, Arizona, thanks to a favorable vote by the Gilbert Town Council last night.

With the council’s approval of a lease agreement with UArizona, the College of Nursing will move its Master of Science in Nursing – Entry to the Profession (MEPN) program from the downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus to the University Building in Gilbert in the fall of next year. The MEPN program retrains students with university degrees in other fields to become nurses, while simultaneously earning a master’s degree.

The move will significantly increase the occupancy of the College of Nursing’s programs in Gilbert, where the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Integrative Health Care (BSN-IH) program already resides. Since its launch in Gilbert in November 2019, the BSN-IH program has tripled in size from 24 to 72 students per cohort. The most recent class will graduate with the college’s convocation in Tucson on Dec. 16.


“We are excited to expand upon our partnership with the Town of Gilbert to bring our MEPN program to the area so it can join our already successful BSN-IH in the same building. Both programs will help educate and train new generations of Wildcat Nurses, who are desperately needed in communities across Arizona due to an ongoing nursing shortage," ~ UArizona Nursing Dean Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN


The University Building is equipped with an eight-bed skills lab and a nursing simulation suite designed to replicate a hospital patient-care setting, which was a major factor in the College of Nursing’s decision to expand in Gilbert. The College of Nursing has invested more than $300,000 to update the third floor of the University Building with speaker systems, technical infrastructure and state-of-the-art simulation equipment.

"We are proud of the success that the University of Arizona's nursing program has had at their Gilbert campus and are thrilled to support the expansion of this master's program," said Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson. “Education is a pillar of any strong community and it’s a sign of progress that Gilbert is able to continue to offer higher education programs while contributing to the training of nurses who are sorely needed today, tomorrow, and into the future.”

BSN students in a skills lab

“It is anticipated that by 2030, there will be a shortage of almost a million nurses across the country, and the University of Arizona College of Nursing is dedicated to reducing the effects of this shortage in our state,” said College of Nursing Dean Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are excited to expand upon our partnership with the Town of Gilbert to bring our MEPN program to the area so it can join our already successful BSN-IH in the same building. Both programs will help educate and train new generations of Wildcat Nurses, who are desperately needed in communities across Arizona due to an ongoing nursing shortage.”

More than 240 BSN-IH students are currently studying in Gilbert, with that number expected to quickly reach the program’s limit of 288 students. Including the Tucson and Gilbert campuses, approximately 130 students are expected to enroll in the MEPN program each year.

UArizona Nursing Researcher Funded by $478,000 NIH STTR Grant to Investigate New Stroke Therapy

Dec. 13, 2021

University of Arizona College of Nursing Associate Professor Helena Morrison, PhD, RN has partnered with NuvOx Pharma, a Tucson based biotechnology company, to investigate the drug NanO2TM as a stroke therapy for those with ischemic stroke. Dr. Morrison, co-Principal Investigator, and NuvOx President and CEO Dr. Evan Unger’s project is funded by a $478,000 NIH Phase I STTR grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

The STTR grant will help the team fund mechanistic studies of NanO2TM, in pre-clinical models of stroke with clinically relevant comorbidities, such as age and diabetes. NanO2TM is being developed as a cerebroprotectant in stroke intended to protect the tissues in the brain by maintaining oxygen levels. The preclinical study, which is slated to last one year, will take place in a laboratory setting.


“We hope that NanO2 will be a drug that will successfully provide additional oxygen to parts of the brain region that are at risk, but not yet dead. We hope to provide a much-needed stroke therapy to the stroke population," ~ Helena Morrison, PhD, RN


The benefits for those with ischemic stroke could be substantial. “There is a saying that the American Heart and Stroke Association has adapted from Ben Franklin, ‘Time is Brain,’” Dr. Morrison says, referencing the famous ‘Time is Money’ aphorism. “This means that the more time that the brain does without oxygen, the more damage is done to the brain. We hope that NanO2 will be a drug that will successfully provide additional oxygen to parts of the brain region that are at risk, but not yet dead. We hope to provide a much-needed stroke therapy to the stroke population.”

Helena Morrison, PhD, RN (Right)

Drs. Morrison and Unger hypothesize that the compromised brain tissue will be smaller in a preclinical cohort that receives the NanO2 treatment when compared to the cohort that will not receive the treatment. “In this case, the preclinical model is one of temporary ischemia, meaning that we model not just ischemic stroke but also the reperfusion, or reestablishment of blood flow, that could occur due to pharmacological or surgical interventions,” Dr. Morrison says. “Previous studies have examined the effect of this drug with ischemic stroke without reperfusion and these investigators illustrated a positive effect, meaning that the brain injury was decreased.”

Dr. Morrison joined the study after UArizona Nursing colleague Leslie Ritter, PhD, RN, FAAN, recommended her to Dr. Unger because of her substantial experience and skills with the pre-clinical model necessary for the study. As Co-PI, Dr. Morrison will handle the nuts and bolts of the study, partnering with NuvOx to shape the study design and the drug supply. The bulk of the clinical work will take place in the Morrison Lab located at UArizona Nursing.

Wildcat Nurse Spotlight: BSN-IH Student Colton Hall

Dec. 1, 2021

Meet Colton Hall, Level 4 student in the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Integrative Health (BSN-IH) pathway. Colton is slated to graduate this fall, empowered by a strong desire to help others and a passion for integrative health. With an eye on future nurse leadership positions, he is prepared to enter the profession with enthusiasm and dedication.


“I believe that the Nursing profession is one of the most selfless and noble career paths that one can learn to serve. I also knew that a Nursing career would allow me limitless opportunities to continue to learn, grow and challenge me," ~ Colton Hall, Level 4 BSN-IH Student


Why did you choose to pursue a career in nursing?

My high school’s motto is ‘Enter to Learn, Learn to Serve.’  I’ve always had a passion to help others.  I believe that the Nursing profession is one of the most selfless and noble career paths that one can learn to serve. I also knew that a Nursing career would allow me limitless opportunities to continue to learn, grow and challenge me.

What drew you to apply to UArizona’s BSN-IH program in Gilbert?

I was drawn to the BSN-IH program because of the integrative health aspect.  UArizona’s BSN-IH program is cutting-edge and gives our nursing students a different viewpoint and skill set that is applicable right out of school. Integrative health is a growing aspect of the healthcare industry. With more and more people being open to improving their lifestyle through practices such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, music therapy, I believe integrative health combined with conventional medicine will be prominent in the future of healthcare. 

How would you describe your experience over the course of the program?

During my program experience, I have felt extremely supported. My fellow cohort students and I formed a bond rather quickly. Like a team of nurses at a hospital, we had similar concerns and experiences throughout the program, so we were able to empathize with each other. This tight knit relationship is what helped each of us get through the highs and lows of the program. Just as instrumental was the support of my professors. They listened, cared about my success and reached out to me personally when I needed additional support both academically and emotionally. I have been extremely impressed and feel lucky to be a part of such an amazing program. 

What has been the most meaningful part of your studies?

For me, participating in my preceptorship was a significant part of my nursing education. Textbook learning is very critical in nursing school, but the hands-on aspect of the preceptorship gave me those “aha” moments where a theory or concept was solidified. Being able to interact with the patients was so meaningful to me. Sometimes being a patient in a hospital can be a frightening experience. I felt that what I was doing had meaning and value to others.  

What has been your greatest takeaway from the program?

The University of Arizona BSN-IH program is full of rigor, so I knew it would be demanding. I was accepted into the program at the onset of the pandemic, which brought its own set of challenges. Looking back, I can vividly recall my anxiousness regarding this formidable journey. My takeaway is to always approach new challenges with an intrepid mindset.  Be organized, open to new ideas and have the courage to ask others for help.

Tell us about your post-graduation plans. 

I plan to take and pass the NCLEX right after graduating. My hometown which is in the California-Bay Area have a number of world-class hospitals. My goal is to start working in an ICU unit and obtain a CCRN certification. Within the next 10 years I hope to become a team lead and working my way to a charge nurse position. 

Researchers Receive $3.3M to Study Integrative Health Program to Help People Stop Smoking

Nov. 23, 2021

University of Arizona College of Nursing researcher has received a 5-year, $3.3 million grant from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to study the efficacy of integrative phone-delivered tobacco cessation interventions. 

The study, “Testing the Efficacy of a Scalable, Telephone-Delivered, Guided Imagery Tobacco Cessation Intervention,” focuses on delivering interventions via telephone because almost everyone has access to a phone. 

In addition, the intervention could be easily disseminated by tobacco quitlines, which are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking contributes to numerous diseases and accounts for more than 480,000 deaths each year.


“Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of disease and death in the world. This study will be the first of its kind to test the efficacy of a guided imagery, integrative intervention delivered entirely remotely. There is tremendous potential to reach smokers wherever they are, whenever they’re ready," ~ Judith Gordon, PhD, UArizona Nursing Associate Dean for Research


“Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of disease and death in the world,” said study lead Judith Gordon, PhD, associate dean for research and professor in the UArizona College of Nursing, which is part of UArizona Health Sciences. “This study will be the first of its kind to test the efficacy of a guided imagery, integrative intervention delivered entirely remotely. There is tremendous potential to reach smokers wherever they are, whenever they’re ready.”

An interdisciplinary team of researchers will partner with tobacco quitlines and community organizations in Arizona, New York and West Virginia to recruit 1,200 participants randomized to receive either an integrative intervention or an active control tobacco cessation program. The interventions differ in content, but both programs use nicotine replacement therapy to reduce withdrawal symptoms. 

Judith Gordon, PhD, associate dean for research

The study builds on Dr. Gordon’s previous research, which found that both the integrative and control interventions have potential to be effective. In the prior study, protocols were successfully delivered to participants, who adhered to those protocols and stayed with the intervention throughout the process.

Dr. Gordon’s current team will use the same study procedures, protocols, databases, training materials and surveys to test the efficacy of the integrative intervention in a much larger group of people. The expanded partnerships with quitlines and community agencies also will ensure a more representative sample of smokers in the new study.

“We expanded it to include Arizona, which has a high Hispanic/Latino population, New York and West Virginia. West Virginia has the highest tobacco use rates in the U.S.,” Dr. Gordon said. “New York State is highly diverse and has the largest state-run quitline in the U.S.” 

While generally successful, quitlines reach only a small fraction of smokers nationwide. Dr. Gordon chose to develop and test an integrative approach that could expand the appeal of cessation programs to people who may not be interested in the standard cognitive behavioral method. Dr. Gordon hopes the expanded options will resonate with a greater number of smokers. 

“The directors of the quitlines we’re partnering with are excited about adding another option to their services,” Dr. Gordon said. “They hope it will be a new way to motivate people who wouldn’t normally call a quitline. Given the fact that there are still millions of smokers worldwide, if you can get those people to quit, you’re going to greatly improve not only their health and wellbeing but also the health and wellbeing of people who are exposed to their secondhand tobacco smoke. There’s enormous potential for improving public health.”