Contributions in Nursing
Nurses play a vital role in promoting health and preventing disease, serving as advocates for patients and their families with a foundation of care, compassion, and clinical expertise. Through ongoing training and education, nurses are empowered to deliver evidence-based care, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the risk of harm. Their proactive involvement in health education, early intervention, and coordinated care makes them indispensable to the healthcare system.
Nursing Involvement
UMC proudly supports and collaborates with dedicated volunteers engaged in non=paid, community health-affiliated projects. These individuals work alongside local organizations to address pressing health needs, promote wellness, and support underserved populations. Their efforts-ranging from health education and outreach to direct service and advocacy-enhance our collective impact and strengthen our mission to improve community wellbeing through compassionate, grassroots involvement.
Our volunteers and team members play an essential role in advancing UMC Health System’s mission through active participation in internal projects designed to enhance the health, safety, and professional development of our staff. These initiatives support a culture of continuous improvement and well-being, focusing on employee wellness, workplace safety, clinical excellence, and innovative care practices. By contributing to these efforts, participants help strengthen our health system from within, promoting a thriving, knowledgeable, and resilient workforce.
Empowering Nurses Through Research and Evidence-Based Practice
At UMC, Magnet® nursing leaders recognize the vital contributions of staff nurses and actively involve them in shaping research-driven, evidence-based practice. Our nurses are committed to exploring the latest clinical evidence to ensure the highest quality of care, improve patient outcomes, and advance nursing excellence. By promoting a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and continuous learning, UMC fosters innovation and the dissemination of best practices-creating a win-win for patients, nurses, and the entire healthcare team.
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2025 Poster Presentations
Alex Schulle Compassion Under Fire: The Epidemic of Under Reported Violence in Healthcare Alexandra Garibay Improving Healthcare Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Pediatric ICU Alyson Wilburn Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Amanda Cole Compassion Under Fire: The Epidemic of Under Reported Violence in Healthcare Amy Soderstrum Early Identification & Treatment of Sepsis Saves Lives Arianna Laymon Implementation of a Dedicated Case Manager Improves Patient Outcomes Ashley Martin Cole Sleep On It: Eye Masks and Ear Plugs for Sleep Promotion in the Adult Inpatient Hospital Setting Bre Clifton Improving Healthcare Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Pediatric ICU Breonne Luna Evidence Based Nurse Residency Program Improves New Graduate Nurses’ Confidence in Communicating and Working with Members of the Healthcare Team Caitlynn Caballero Reducing Pediatric Diabetic Readmissions Casey Swindell Adolescent E-Cigarette Use: How to Help Our Youth Kick the Habit Cherry Ann De Guia Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Darla Trammel Implementing a Specialized Nursing Program in the EC to Improve Patient Outcomes Deandra Samdahl The Effects of Ambulation and Position Changes on the Duration of the First Stage of Labor: An Integrated Research Review Emily Martinez Compassion Under Fire: The Epidemic of Under Reported Violence in Healthcare Erla Diane Fernandez Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Feliden Villanueva Staff Badge Tracker in Fall Prevention Geraldine Gerales Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Gillian Blackwell Outbreak Management in Acute Care Settings Hannah Cunningham Improving Healthcare Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Pediatric ICU Heather DeVore Pressure Injury Prevention Through Aggressive Moisture & Microclimate Management Hillery B Phillips Reducing Pediatric Diabetic Readmissions Hillery B Phillips Improving Healthcare Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Pediatric ICU Iris Roselle Dauz Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Jae Atchley Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Jennifer Clary Outbreak Management in Acute Care Settings Jerica Lara Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Jessie Alexander Transforming Care, Elevating Outcomes: The Perinatal Collaborative Committee in Action Kacie Monforte Evidence Based Nurse Residency Program Improves New Graduate Nurses’ Confidence in Communicating and Working with Members of the Healthcare Team Katherine Ayala Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the Medical ICU (MICU) Katy Little Empowering Nurses Through Active Learning: The Impact of Education Fairs Kayla Long Implementation of a Dedicated Case Manager Improves Patient Outcomes Kayla Long Implementing a Specialized Nursing Program in the EC to Improve Patient Outcomes Kendra Carroll Reducing Pediatric Diabetic Readmissions Kerri Smith Outbreak Management in Acute Care Settings Krissi Hart Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the Medical ICU (MICU) Kristi Valdez Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the Medical ICU (MICU) Lena Fuller Implementing the TexasAIM Sepsis Bundle to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Leni Hinojos Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Mallory Foster Implementing the TexasAIM Sepsis Bundle to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Mary Bias Implementing Trauma Informed Care to Strengthen Relationships Mary Grace Grooms Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department McKenzie Bucksath Empowering Nurses Through Active Learning: The Impact of Education Fairs Melissa Gutierrez Improving Healthcare Acquired Pressure Injuries in a Pediatric ICU Mereia Coppage Improving Patient Preoperative Anxiety with the use of a Nurse-driven, Non-pharmacological Intervention Protocol: An Integrative Research Review (IRR) Morgan O’Brien Implementing a Specialized Nursing Program in the EC to Improve Patient Outcomes Myra Burgos Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Nick Saltzman Outbreak Management in Acute Care Settings Rebecca Rodriguez Outbreak Management in Acute Care Settings Roma Atienza Amor Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Sara Prewit Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Susan Wilhoite Implementing Trauma Informed Care to Strengthen Relationships Tamarah Smith Implementing the TexasAIM Sepsis Bundle to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Tara Harbuck Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Tiffanie Armstrong Early Identification & Treatment of Sepsis Saves Lives Vern Pharr Anesthesia ASA Scoring System Veronica Sanchez Implementing the TexasAIM Sepsis Bundle to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Vince Vergara Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Management Strategies at the University Medical Center (UMC) Outpatient Department Viviana Vizcarra Treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the Medical ICU (MICU) Whitney Mapes Transforming Care, Elevating Outcomes: The Perinatal Collaborative Committee in Action -
2024 Podium Presentations
Geraldine Gerales A tailored transition program for Internationally Trained Nurses (ITN) that model inclusion and respect for diversity. Hazel Domingo A tailored transition program for Internationally Trained Nurses (ITN) that model inclusion and respect for diversity. Jill Shanklin Improving Nurse Leader Retention Kayla Long UMC Case Management Luz Navarrette Implementation of a drinking water protocol in burn patients Mary Bias Improving Nurse Leader Retention Teresa Vaughn Safe to Wait: Implementation of a Nurse Assessment Process in Urgent Care Whitney Haugland Safe to Wait: Implementation of a Nurse Assessment Process in Urgent Care -
2024 Poster Presentations
Adonica Hall Pre-operative Blocks: Not Such a Pain for Our Patients: A Retrospective Study Alanna Woodward It’s Snot a Big Deal: Examining the utility of viral respiratory screening in children with burn injuries Alexandra Zaccardo The Effects of Structured Education in Relation to the Prevalence of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: An Integrative Research Review Allison Wyly Pre-operative Blocks: Not Such a Pain for Our Patients: A Retrospective Study Alyson Wilburn Mandatory Outcome-Based Continuing Education has a Positive Impact on Trauma Patient Outcomes Alyson Wilburn Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Amanda Cole Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Amanda Cole Connecting the Dots: Exploring the Relationship Between Unit Acuity, Nursing Workload & Patient Satisfaction Amanda Venable Early Vascular Access Consult in a Burn Center Amanda Venable It’s Snot a Big Deal: Examining the utility of viral respiratory screening in children with burn injuries Amor Atienza The Effectivity of International Trained Nurse (ITN) Class in Role Preparation and Adaptation of UMC Culture Amor Atienza A tailored transition program for Internationally Trained Nurses (ITN) that model inclusion and respect for diversity. Amy Edwards It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Amy Muncy Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Angela Flores Investing in the Progressive Care Nurse: PCCN Bootcamp Development and Implementation Anthony Tijerina Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Ashley Cole Delaying Routing Morning Blood Draws to Promote Sleep in the Inpatient Hospital Setting Bailey Burge It’s Snot a Big Deal: Examining the utility of viral respiratory screening in children with burn injuries Bailey Lindley A tailored transition program for Internationally Trained Nurses (ITN) that model inclusion and respect for diversity. Blaire Chatterton Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research Review Breonne Luna Improving RN Safety with Patient Identification Using the Buddy Sign Brianna Mora Improving Efficacy in Patient Diagnostics by Reducing Nursing Error Brooklyn Edwards Investing in the Progressive Care Nurse: PCCN Bootcamp Development and Implementation Casey Swindell Perioperative Nursing Considerations for Patients Taking Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Casey Swindell It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Cindy Savage The Impact of Prolonged Decelerations on Neonatal Outcomes Cindy Savage Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Cristie Prieto Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Cristita Tygart Excessive Bruising post-Lovenox or Heparin Subcutaneous Injection: An Integrated Research Review Elena Pastusek Pre-operative Blocks: Not Such a Pain for Our Patients: A Retrospective Study Emily Garcia Improving Efficacy in Patient Diagnostics by Reducing Nursing Error Emily Martinez Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Emily Martinez Connecting the Dots: Exploring the Relationship Between Unit Acuity, Nursing Workload & Patient Satisfaction Erla Diane Fernandez In adult patients undergoing joint surgery, what is the effect of implementing the program Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in reducing length of stay visits and reducing post-op complications compared to the non-standard of care? Feliden Villanueva WHY CAREER LADDER? Geraldine Gerales The Effectivity of International Trained Nurse (ITN) Class in Role Preparation and Adaptation of UMC Culture Giselle Garza quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Giselle Garza Management of Enterocutaneous Fistulas Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Hannah Cunningham quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Hannah Cunningham Management of Enterocutaneous Fistulas Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Hazel Domingo The Effectivity of International Trained Nurse (ITN) Class in Role Preparation and Adaptation of UMC Culture Hazel Domingo A tailored transition program for Internationally Trained Nurses (ITN) that model inclusion and respect for diversity. Heather DeVore quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Hillery Phillips Improving RN Safety with Patient Identification Using the Buddy Sign Iris Roselle Dauz In adult patients undergoing joint surgery, what is the effect of implementing the program Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in reducing length of stay visits and reducing post-op complications compared to the non-standard of care? Jae Atchley The PAWS-itive Effects of Pet Therapy on Healthcare Workers in the Hospital Setting Jae Atchley It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Jamie Ferris quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Jana Price Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Jennifer Clary Prevention of Carbapenem Resistant Organisms in the Intensive Care Unit Jennifer Kesey It’s Snot a Big Deal: Examining the utility of viral respiratory screening in children with burn injuries Jessica Alexander The Impact of Prolonged Decelerations on Neonatal Outcomes Jessie Alexander Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Kacie Monforte Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research Review Katy Baker It’s Snot a Big Deal: Examining the utility of viral respiratory screening in children with burn injuries Kayla Gass Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Kayla Long The Use of AI Improves Patient Outcomes While Increasing Cost Savings Kayla Long Multidisciplinary Collaboration and the Use of Artificial Intelligence Improves Length of Stay and Patient Flow Kayla Long Implementing Trauma Informed Care to Strengthen Relationships Kendal Duncan quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Kensey Moore quality time: Secret to decreasing Patient HAPI-ness Kerri Smith See the Difference Kyle Galyean Multidisciplinary Collaboration and the Use of Artificial Intelligence Improves Length of Stay and Patient Flow Lauren Martinez Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Lena Fuller The Impact of Prolonged Decelerations on Neonatal Outcomes Lena Fuller Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Lindsay Bryant It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Loli Reyna See the Difference Malory Foster The Impact of Prolonged Decelerations on Neonatal Outcomes Malory Foster Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Mandy Graves It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Marieta Baldos Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Mary Bias Multidisciplinary Collaboration and the Use of Artificial Intelligence Improves Length of Stay and Patient Flow Mary Bias Implementing Trauma Informed Care to Strengthen Relationships Mary Grace Grooms In adult patients undergoing joint surgery, what is the effect of implementing the program Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in reducing length of stay visits and reducing post-op complications compared to the non-standard of care? Melissa Cristan-Foley Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Mereia Coppage Improving Patient Preoperative Anxiety with the use of a Nurse-driven, Non-pharmacological Intervention Protocol: An Integrative Research Review (IRR) Missy Dial Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Myra Burgos Pre-operative Blocks: Not Such a Pain for Our Patients: A Retrospective Study Nicole Bitar Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Rebecca Rodriguez See the Difference Robert Bell It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Rose Torres See the Difference Sara Prewitt Mandatory Outcome-Based Continuing Education has a Positive Impact on Trauma Patient Outcomes Sara Prewitt Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Sonya Diaz It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Stacey Hemby It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Susan Wilhoite Implementing Trauma Informed Care to Strengthen Relationships Tabitha Zachary Pre-operative Blocks: Not Such a Pain for Our Patients: A Retrospective Study Tamarah Smith Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Tara Harbuck Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research Review Tara Harbuck Implementing SBIRT Champions to Increase Intervention Compliance Tonya Chapman Enough Time to Care: A Comparative Review of Acuity-Based Staffing and Nurse Care Hours on a 35 Bed Medical-Surgical Floor Vern Pharr Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) Communication Handoff for the Pre-Operative Surgical Patient Vern Pharr It’s Gettin’ HOT in Herre! A System for Patient Warm-up/Normothermia – a Retrospective Study Veronica Sanchez The Impact of Prolonged Decelerations on Neonatal Outcomes Veronica Sanchez Management Principals of Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy Vince Vergara In adult patients undergoing joint surgery, what is the effect of implementing the program Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in reducing length of stay visits and reducing post-op complications compared to the non-standard of care? Whitney Haugland Safe to Wait: Implementation of a Nurse Assessment Process in a 24-Hour Urgent Care -
2023 Poster Presentations
Allie Grodzicki Mental Health and Wellbeing of the Trauma-Geared Health Care Provider Alyson Wilburn Mandatory Outcome-Based Continuing Education Has a Positive Impact on Trauma
Patient Outcomes.Amanda Venable Early Vascular Access Consult in a Burn Center: An Evidence-Based Practice Project Ashley Valdez Effects of Hypothermia on Trauma Patients Bailey Burge Decreasing Ventilator-Associated Events: A Healthcare Improvement Initiative Blaire Chatterton Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research
Review.Casey Swindell Post Anesthesia Breastfeeding Recommendations for the Trauma and Surgical Patient Cindy Savage Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.Jae Atchley Post Anesthesia Breastfeeding Recommendations for the Trauma and Surgical Patient Jessica Alexander Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.Kacie Monforte Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research
Review.Kalya Long Mental Health and Wellbeing of the Trauma-Geared Health Care Provider Lena Fuller Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.Malory Foster Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.Mary Bias Mental Health and Wellbeing of the Trauma-Geared Health Care Provider Sara Prewit Mandatory Outcome-Based Continuing Education Has a Positive Impact on Trauma
Patient Outcomes.Sonya Diaz Post Anesthesia Breastfeeding Recommendations for the Trauma and Surgical Patient Tamarah Smith Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.Tara Harbuck Examining the Effects on Nurses of Caring for the Dying Patient: An Integrative Research
Review.Vern Pharr Post Anesthesia Breastfeeding Recommendations for the Trauma and Surgical Patient Veronica Sanchez Reducing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality by Early Recognition and Response to
Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department.
Career Ladder Recipients
Our Career Ladder program is a voluntary program recognizing Registered Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses for developing their skills and for their contribution to the improvement of patient care.
To see a list of our Career Ladder Recipients, click the link below!