Perseverance, Dedication & Compassion

UNM College of Nursing Names Class of 2021 Awardees

Perseverance, dedication and compassion – the three words that define The University of New Mexico College of Nursing Class of 2021. These students completed nursing school during a pandemic, and now they are ready to serve our community and support the health care workforce who have been tirelessly fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year the College honors outstanding graduates with awards based on their achievements in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Awardees are nominated and selected by their faculty. This year we would like to recognize the Spring class of 2021 award recipients: 

Pre-Licensure Academic Achievement Award

Award presented to a pre-licensure BSN student who is a leader and has truly demonstrated the values of the College – Academic Excellence, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity and Respect. 

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Kathryn James

Robin Armell Memorial Award

Award presented to a student based on their overall ability, with particular emphasis on communication skills and leadership potential. 

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Andres Tenorio

Graduate Academic Achievement Award

Award presented to an MSN or DNP student who is a leader and has truly demonstrated the values of the UNM College of Nursing – Academic Excellence, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity and Respect in other ways.

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Karen Nielsen

I appreciate the guidance and support provided by the DNP NEOL faculty and staff these last two years. I plan to continue to teach nursing and to also improve Native American health care and educational opportunities. The education that I obtained from UNM provided me with the nursing leadership skills that I need in order to serve my community!

— Karen Nielsen

Doctor of Nursing Practice Distinction Award

Award presented to the most outstanding Doctor of Nursing Practice scholarly project for that academic year.

2021 Spring Award Recipients: Sheena Ferguson for her project entitled: Measuring Critical Care Registered Nurses’ Self-Perception of Competency in Caring for Chronically Critically Ill Adults with Special Needs in Adult or Pediatric Intensive Care Units, and David Good for his project entitled: Managing Simulated Anesthesia Emergencies with the Use of Clinical Decision Support in a Rural Hospital Setting.

Outstanding New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium Dual Degree Award

Award presented to a NMNEC Community College student who is a leader and has truly demonstrated the values of the UNM College of Nursing – Academic Excellence, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity and Respect. 

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Charlene Drake

My nursing career started at UNM Gallup as a 17-year-old with a determination to improve my life and the life of those around me. Since then, I became an active-duty officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, caring for the underserved and deploying to many of this generation’s greatest health care crises. It is an honor to come full circle in my academic journey by completing my Doctorate of Nursing Practice at UNM’s College of Nursing. I owe a debt of gratitude to the University and to the staff who have supported me from the beginning!

— David Good

Estelle Rosenblum Thesis/Dissertation Award

Award recognizes the best dissertation or thesis in the College of Nursing for that academic year, to be decided by the graduate faculty. Any dissertation or thesis completed since the previous May graduation is eligible.

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Karen Webb  

RN-BSN Academic Achievement Award

Award presented to a RN-to-BSN student who as a leader has truly demonstrated the values of the UNM College of Nursing – Academic Excellence, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity and Respect. 

2021 Spring Award Recipient:
Nnaedozie Ohaegbulam

Nursing Leadership Award

Award presented to a graduating student from any program who has shown outstanding leadership qualities. The awardee is active in developing professional nursing knowledge through membership in professional nursing organizations or participates in college committees or activities and organizations within the community. 

2021 Spring Award Recipient: Lacey Franzen 

The leaders and faculty at UNM’s College of Nursing have guided me along this journey to help shape and define my leadership skills. The Nursing Program not only provides an amazing experience but also an exceptional educational curriculum to shape future nurses and leaders. I am excited to continue as a nurse leader at UNM Hospital!

— Lacey Franzen

All award recipients receive a monetary award made possible by the following UNM College of Nursing Funds, which are currently accepting donations:

• DNP Distinction Award Fund – Supports recognition of the student with the most masterful and significant scholarly project each academic year.
• Estelle Rosenblum Endowment – Recognizes the student with the best PhD dissertation in the UNM College of Nursing each year.
• Robin Armell Endowment – Award presented to a student based on their overall ability, with particular emphasis on communication skills and leadership potential.