Golden Grads

Class of 1975

Louise D'Amour

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

My favorite clinical memory was during the Pediatric rotation. I was assigned to a four-year-old girl named Angelica, who had leukemia. Her infectious smile and curly hair melted my heart! When it was time for her medication, I asked her if she was ready for her special drink. She promptly said “no” and turned away. My instructor, Libby Mead, told me that I had to respect her decision. I quickly learned a valuable lesson – always respect your patient's decision, regardless of age. 30 minutes later, I approached Angelica again, and this time I gave the directive without a choice involved. Some of my closest friendships were formed in nursing school. Barbecues while studying together created bonds that have been a special part of my life.

Where did your nursing career take you?

I started my career at Presbyterian Hospital in the Recovery Room, caring for general surgery patients along with open heart patients. Three years later, as an expectant mom, I decided to try school nursing. My first baby was due in May of 1978. Although I enjoyed school nursing, I decided to take a couple of years off while enjoying my two sons through their early childhood. I returned to Presbyterian Hospital in the new Intensive Recovery Room. I loved working with the open heart patients and the trauma patients. I admitted and cared for the first heart transplant patient and continued to learn from my colleagues. In 1990 I was approached by a Canossian Sister to work at Casa Angelica, a home for children and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. I was the administrator for 29 years and retired in 2019.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

Helping the Canossian Sisters develop a family-centered program at Casa Angelica with personalized treatment plans designed to enhance each individual's unique gifts through spiritual, educational and social development. The vision was to enable the children to grow up in an environment that is loving, safe and supportive, a reflection of the traditional family.

What advice would you give future nurses?

Nursing has so many choices that enable one to find what is rewarding for them. Experience different areas and find the specialty that feeds your soul.

Quote

Always take time for yourself!

Barbara Fallon

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

Going to Taos County with Nancy Frye for Public Health rotation.

Where did your nursing career take you?

I became a Nurse Practitioner and having a varied and successful career.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

I truly enjoyed helping people, either at the bedside or ensuring quality care by navigating and advocating forWorking independently as a NP.

What advice would you give future nurses?

Try it all! Find your passion and remember that everyone has a story!

Nancy FryeWeaver

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

The first semester of Senior year (Fall 1974), I was part of the first group of nursing students to complete our psychiatric and community health requirements in an off-site rural setting. I was assigned to do outreach to patients of Centro Campesino de Salud Clinic in the very rural area of Taos County, based in Penasco, NM. It was an eye-opening, challenging and even exciting experience into the benefits of nursing care for people in their daily lives. My roommate, whom I had never even met before, became my lifelong friend and we both took similar career paths. In many ways, pursuing my education through UNM College of Nursing was one of the best choices I have made, The Golden Grads celebration was a real opportunity for me to realize just what an effect the UNM College of Nursing had on my life & I'm very grateful.

Where did your nursing career take you?

For two years, I worked in rural public health in Sandoval County, NM. The opportunity to become a nurse practitioner through UNM became available in 1977 and I quickly took advantage of that. I have been a nurse practitioner in women's outpatient care since that time, and I've worked in various settings, from public clinics to private practice and finally at the VA. I was able to do direct patient care, be a program manager, and work in applications of IT to population medicine for women.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

The field of nursing just kept growing and I could grow and change along with it. It is a way for me to help people with some specific needs.

What advice would you give future nurses?

Get your degree! Get another one! Help people. Advocate for the field of nursing.

Sally Gomez

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

I learned so much from my nursing instructors.

Where did your nursing career take you?

Panama Canal Zone - Gorgas Hospital L&D/NYS – NICU/PP&Gyn Every week I had to rotate to these areas and rotate all 3 shifts!

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

Being a patient advocate

What advice would you give future nurses?

Try the night shift! Listen to the patient. Follow your instincts.

Maribeth Frink Kilgore

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

My favorite memory was spending my senior year in Penasco, New Mexico for clinicals. Another student and I lived in a small trailer that got really cold in the winter. We worked with the clinic staff doing home visits in a very rural area. Many homes used wood stoves for heat and cooking. Diabetic care was especially challenging due to cultural practices and limited food access. I learned how to respect cultural traditions while providing care – it was exciting, challenging and quite the learning experience.

Where did your nursing career take you?

After graduation in 1975, I moved to New York without a license or job. I eventually started in the ER at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx. This was exactly what I wanted. I taught myself EKGs and got pretty good at it. I cared for patients with gunshot wounds. I got to do open heart massage on a patient. It was an experience like no other. My mentor and boss was Lois Alberigi. I'll never forget her. In 1977, I moved back to Albuquerque for two years and worked at Presbyterian Hospital. In 1979, I joined the Navy. I had always wanted to join the military. Both my parents had served in the Air Force. I was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, where I worked in oncology and ICU during a flu epidemic. I met my husband, Brian, and eventually left the Navy when we started a family. After a 10-year break, I returned to nursing, later earning a master’s in nursing administration. I worked as a nurse manager at St. Joseph’s and then as director of critical care at OHSU in Portland during a nurses’ strike. In 2003, I moved to Reno to manage three units at Washoe Medical Center. In 2005, I opened a bridal shop – one of my dreams – but it closed due to city construction. I returned to nursing as a case manager for 7 years, and now volunteer at the Reno VA.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

First, the opportunity to always keep learning – early on, I taught myself critical skills and later took formal courses. In the 50 years since graduation, there has been an explosion of knowledge. My second part was working as a nurse manager and mentoring my staff to achieve their best, whatever that might have been. My staff at Renown Hospital nominated me twice for a Leader of the Year Award. That meant the world to me. I also won Northern Nevada Nurse Achievement Award in Innovation in 2004.

What advice would you give future nurses?

You have so many options today. If what you are doing today isn't working, don't be afraid to try something else. Don't be afraid to reach for your dream. Learn all you can. Don't just do – understand what it is you are doing and why you're doing it.

Allison Kozeliski

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

Most memories center around the wonderful classmates who supported and encouraged each other. My fondest memories were when I did my community nursing clinicals in Hatch, NM through Project Porvenir. We cared for migrant and rural populations, literally in the chili fields, homes and clinic. We had to do it all: meds, lab work, x-ray prep, emergency care, front desk, etc. My home patient was pregnant and delivered before we left – she gave her baby my name as a middle name. That was very special.

Where did your nursing career take you?

Back to my hometown of Gallup, NM, where I practiced rural nursing and became active in local, state and national nursing associations. I testified before Congress to continue the Nursing Education Loan Act. I was a charter member for Relay for Life, and a charter member for both Leadership McKinley and Leadership New Mexico. I was Executive Director for the State Board of Nursing for six years, worked with HMOs, and later provided independent consulting for quality, serving as chair of Sandoval County Health Council, chair for Sandoval Health Collaborative and currently as board chair for Catholic Charities. Though retired, I remain committed to serving. Nursing led me into leadership and stewardship roles that deeply enriched my life.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

Being able to influence health care delivery, policy, education and, most important for me, providing information and support to both individual patients and communities searching for answers and solutions to their health and human service issues. We were addressing Social Determinants of Health before the term even existed.

What advice would you give future nurses?

Take chances. Speak up when something isn’t right and be ready to help fix it. Change only happens when you put words into action. You’ll look back and see the difference you made. Ever onward!

Patricia Montoya

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

It was a hard major, required a lot of studying, but had great faculty. I especially remember fondly, Dr. Laura Martinez, who took many Hispanic students under her wing. She guided and cheered us on. I loved the clinical experiences and had amazing classmates. We motivated each other. I remember lectures were in the condemned ROTC barracks. There was no North Campus yet and our library was a metal building.

Where did your nursing career take you?

I started in Pediatrics at Presbyterian, then school nursing at APS and worked PRN in the ER. That began my policy trajectory. I broadened my health care knowledge as a Director of Nursing in Home Health and then in a Health Plan, while also working political campaigns and advocating at the Legislature. That led me to ANA in DC doing political education for nurses. I returned to NM as the Executive Director of New Mexico Health Resources, then opened a Primary/Urgent Care site at Presbyterian. I was appointed by the Clinton Administration – first as the HHS Dallas Regional Director, then Commissioner for Children, Youth & Families. Back in NM, I served as Secretary of Health under Gov. Bill Richardson. Later, I helped implement electronic health records at the QIO and received an RWJF grant focused on health care innovation. With leftover funds, we established the New Mexico Coalition for Healthcare Value. I attribute my success to the foundation I had in my BSN program at UNM. I completed an MA Degree in Public Administration/Health Administration at UNM in 1983.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

I loved direct patient care – but after losing three pediatric patients, I found it really difficult. There was no Code Lavender then and there was nowhere else in the hospital I wanted to work, thus my move to school health. That was one of my best jobs. Later, I loved my time in the Clinton Administration – shaping policy and meeting incredible people. It was so meaningful to serve as Secretary of Health in my home state where my family had lived for generations. I embrace change, so my last job working in health care innovation was exhilarating. I loved it all.

What advice would you give future nurses?

You don't have to burn out. There is so much you can do with a nursing degree, but you must be willing to take risks! Don't be afraid – nurses take risks everyday!

Nancy Yeomans

What is your favorite memory from when you were at the UNM College of Nursing?

The first injection I gave. The needle literally bounced off of the patient! I was mortified but it's funny now.

Where did your nursing career take you?

After 4 years as a nurse (ER and PICU), I became a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Denver and did that for another 37 years! No regrets.

What was your favorite part of your nursing career?

Being a nurse practitioner. Having my own panel of patients who identified me as their provider.

What advice would you give future nurses?

You will discover your passion.

In Memoriam

Cecilia Begay

Betty Boyle

Marjorie Carlson

Molly Cunningham

Patrick Earl

Laura Francis

Eric Glickman

Missy Hollander

Geraldine Malmstrom

Alfred Paynter

Melissa Rael

Gloria Sandoval

Diane Wood