University of Iowa Office of Innovation

Patients cannot wait for policy updates, redesign committees, or budget cycles.

When something doesn’t quite function in the way care requires, a nurse finds a practical adjustment using the materials available.

That isn’t just being resourceful.

That is rapid prototyping.

Read how we’re redefining innovation:
https://iowanurseinnovators.substack.com/p/you-are-an-innovator-even-if-no-one

For nurses, innovation doesn’t start with permission – it starts with the simple idea that something could work better.

A nurse develops a simple way to track delays, labs, or priorities because existing systems don’t fully support what the team needs in real time.

That isn’t just teamwork.

That is designing an information system.

Read more: https://iowanurseinnovators.substack.com/p/you-are-an-innovator-even-if-no-one

Innovation in nursing depends on adapting, adjusting, and problem solving.

After making multiple trips during a procedure, a nurse reorganizes supplies or creates an informal kit system so everything is ready next time.

That isn’t just preparation.

That is workflow engineering.

Read more about the innovations nurses create every day: https://iowanurseinnovators.substack.com/p/you-are-an-innovator-even-if-no-one

A supply was missing.

A process didn’t make sense.

Documentation took five extra clicks.

While they may not think of themselves as innovators, nurses are constantly adapting, bridging the gaps, and creating solutions when things don’t go to plan – because patients can’t wait.

Think innovation isn't part of your job? Think again. 👉https://iowanurseinnovators.substack.com/p/you-are-an-innovator-even-if-no-one

Across Iowa, nurses are innovating in powerful ways. These moments don’t always look like big initiatives or formal projects. More often, they begin with a nurse noticing that something isn’t working as well as it should and caring enough to ask, “What if there’s a better way?”

As we celebrate Nurses Month, we’re honoring dedication, compassion, clinical excellence and the power of nurse innovation and the Iowa nurses who bring it to life every day.

Read more: https://iowanurseinnovators.substack.com/p/celebrating-the-power-of-nurses-in?r=7isbv2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Meet Alissa McEndaffer and Kate LeFleur, two of our Iowa Nurse Innovators!

At the Iowa Nurse Innovators Pitch Competition in November, Alissa and Kate presented their idea: a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) Securement Device. After evaluating existing securement options, they identified a clear gap—no device adequately meets the specific needs of CRRT.

As a team, they are in the process of designing a device to allow safe and dependable securement for CRRT to improve patient comfort, reduce infection risk, and reduce incidences of catheter dislodgment.

We’re proud to support Alissa and Kate through the Iowa Nurse Innovators program and look forward to following their progress.

Congratulations to Deanna Daugherty on graduating from the Iowa Nurse Innovators Program!

Deanna, an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies at University of Iowa Health Care, developed the Scrotal Sling, which provides patients experiencing scrotal swelling with a hands-free, inconspicuous, and low-cost support system that allows them to ambulate safely while keeping their hands free for assistive devices such as canes or walkers.

What’s next? Deanna is producing 20 slings, which will be used for pilot testing and feedback.

Congratulations, Deanna! We are proud of your progress and are excited to continue supporting the development and testing of the Scrotal Sling.

Meet In Won Heo, a Nurse Innovator and Registered Nurse at University of Iowa Health Care.

At the Iowa Nurse Innovators Pitch Competition in November, In Won Heo presented her invention Caresure, an external catheter system for both women and men, designed to improve comfort, suction reliability, and skin protection. Its body-conforming design, breathable materials, and advanced wicking technology help reduce leaks, skin injury, and the need for frequent reapplication.

We’re excited to support In Won Heo through the Iowa Nurse Innovators program. Stay tuned for more updates on her progress!

Meet Mendy Collum, the third-place winner of the 2025 Iowa Nurse Innovators Pitch Competition! Mendy won $2,000 to advance her idea, the Collum Clip.

The Collum Clip is a tool designed to streamline newborn resuscitation by keeping essential resuscitation tools visible, accessible, and sequenced, minimizing cognitive load, and lowering the risk of contamination or selection errors.

Congratulations, Mendy, on this achievement!

Meet Deanna Daugherty, the second-place winner of the 2025 Iowa Nurse Innovators Pitch Competition! Deanna won $5,000 to advance her idea, the Scrotal Sling.

The Scrotal Sling provides patients experiencing scrotal swelling with a hands-free, inconspicuous, and low-cost support system that allows them to ambulate safely while keeping their hands free for assistive devices such as canes or walkers.

Congratulations, Deanna, on this achievement!