University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions

🌍⚽ Our resident infectious disease expert—and World Cup super fan—Dr. Erin Reynolds will be featured on WEHT evening news tonight, breaking down how global events like the World Cup shape public health here and around the world.

You really knocked this one in the back of the net, Erin! 🙌

🎉 Meet the 2026 recipients of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Scholarships! Their work today is helping build a healthier tomorrow. At the end of the Spring Semester, we celebrated these outstanding students at a special scholarship luncheon with Anthem representatives.🏆

Seated, from left, are Jessica, Health Services/Gerontology; Brylee, Nursing/Gerontology Minor; Ashtyn, Health Services/Gerontology Minor; and Amanda, Health Administration/Gerontology Minor.

💡Student POV: Growing up, Amanda helped care for her grandparents, both of whom lived with dementia, which sparked a deep passion for serving older adults and gave her firsthand insight into the realities of long-term care. These experiences led her to pursue a career in healthcare, with the goal of becoming a nursing home administrator specializing in memory care and improving quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families.

Thank you, Anthem, for investing in USI students and supporting the future of healthcare for Indiana’s aging population. ✨

Check out USI's gerontology academic programs at https://www.usi.edu/health/gero-curriculum

Anthem Medicaid
USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

Breaking News: USI’s Respiratory Conference on June 17 and 18 is switching to an all-virtual format so you can experience the same content from the comfort of your home or office!

Our experts will address critical topics that influence patient care and clinical decision‑making, including:
• Advanced Vent Modes from Neo to Adult
• Endobronchial Valve Therapy
• Neo COPD
• Pulmonary Rehab
• Brain Death Criteria
• Ethical Considerations

This event equips respiratory therapists, nurses and other healthcare professionals with up‑to‑date knowledge, practical skills and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Register now for this live, online event: https://www.usi.edu/rt/conference

Join us at USI in our OT Program! 💙❤️

🎉 The opportunity is still here! 🎉

The University of Southern Indiana Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) application remains open for Fall 2026 admission.

Imagine starting your journey in a program designed to prepare the next generation of occupational therapy leaders through hands-on learning, meaningful community engagement, innovative practice experiences, and close faculty mentorship.

Why choose USI OTD?

✨ Occupation-centered, evidence-based curriculum
✨ Faculty committed to your success
✨ Early and meaningful clinical experiences
✨ Strong community partnerships and emerging practice opportunities
✨ A supportive cohort experience that helps you grow as a practitioner and leader

📅 Classes begin August 2026

If you're ready to take the next step toward a rewarding career helping individuals, groups, and communities participate in the occupations that matter most, we invite you to learn more.

👉 Apply today: usi.edu/graduatestudies

📩 Questions? Contact Dr. Jessica Mason at [email protected].

Your future in occupational therapy starts here. 💙

Dulcebelle Pearson, who is completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree this summer, presented her DNP project, "Implementing a Web-Based Cancer Survivorship Care Portal," at the 2026 Nursing Knowledge: Big Data Science Conference, held June 3-5 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In March, she also shared her quality improvement project at the 2026 American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) Annual Conference in Boston.

Originally from the Philippines, she currently lives in northern Wisconsin where she works remotely for Elsevier, leading the evaluation of generative AI solutions for nursing and healthcare.

“One of the things I have enjoyed most about the USI DNP program is the opportunity to complete projects that I could immediately apply in my professional role,” she says. “The experience reinforced my belief that nurses should have a voice wherever healthcare decisions are being made so that the needs of patients and frontline clinicians remain represented.”

Read more about Dulcebelle's nursing journey at https://www.usi.edu/spotlight/pearson

📨 🌍 Postcards from Croatia!

Dr. Kristi Hape, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, recently visited Opatija, Croatia, to present at the MIPRO 49th ICT and Electronics Convention. The presentation included research supported by a grant from the USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness on the topic, "Advancing Student Skills in Therapeutic Use of Self and Gerontology Using Artificial Intelligence and Biometric Feedback." This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Chad Milewicz and the Biometrix Discovery Lab in the Romain College of Business.

Dr. Hape and Dr. Milewicz will have their work published in the ISSN-registered conference proceedings. Dr. Hape was able to collaborate with professionals from across the world specializing in the human-AI connection.

The trip required 23 hours of travel from Evansville to Croatia, ending where the Adriatic Sea meets Mount Učka. ✈️ 🌊 ✨

🩸Reminder: Today is blood drive day at USI! Come on over to Carter Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

🩸 Mark your calendars for the next blood drive at USI:

✅ Monday, June 8
✅ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
✅ Carter Hall, University Center West

This is your chance to make summer shine for patients in need, plus all donors will receive a $15 e-gift card! 🩸 ➡️ 🎁

Remember to get a good night's sleep, drink extra liquids and bring your ID!

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code USIEagles, or just click this link: https://conta.cc/3NJsaO8

Looking for flexible and affordable continuing education opportunities?We've got you! Plus, learn all about the upcoming Mid-America Institute on Aging and Wellness - MAIA! Details below! 👇

Healthcare providers, this one's for you! 👇

The USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning is offering an array of healthcare conferences and workshops this summer, ending with MAIA on August 6-7.

Interested in learning more and registering? Do so here: https://bit.ly/3RNlqEc.

We’re proud to recognize two members of our Clinical Simulation Center team for advancing their expertise and enhancing the student experience through continued professional growth.

👏 Carly Andrews, Coordinator of Simulations, has earned the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSO) credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. This nationally recognized certification reflects a deep commitment to excellence in simulation operations and quality learning environments.

👏 Megan Ivy, Instructor in Nursing, has completed the INACSL Simulation Education Program (ISEP), a rigorous six‑month professional development credential focused on best practices in clinical simulation teaching and learning.

Ongoing education like this strengthens our simulation programs, supports innovative teaching and ensures our students benefit from realistic, high‑quality clinical learning experiences every day. 🎓✨