West Chester University Nursing

CHS Summer Newsletter As we wrap up another successful spring semester, I want to thank our students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their hard work, dedication, and many accomplishments throughout the year.

Congratulations to our incredible West Chester University School of Nursing Daisy Faculty Award winner, Dr. Julie Kurkowski!
Your dedication, compassion, and commitment to shaping the next generation of nurses inspire excellence every day. Thank you for the lives you impact, the knowledge you share, and the difference you make in healthcare and education. 💛💜🌼

Congratulations to our DNP & MSN/ Nurse Educator graduates! 💜💛

Congratulations to the winners of the Spring 2026 Decorated Mortarboard Contest!

The College of Health Sciences is proud to celebrate the incredible creativity, talent, and spirit of our graduating students. From inspiring messages to beautiful artistic designs, this year’s mortarboards truly captured the heart of CHS!

Congratulations again to all of our graduates, we wish you a joyful commencement celebration and continued success in your next chapter!

🎉🌟 Celebrating Excellence in Teaching at WCU School of Nursing! 🌟🎉
Today, we proudly recognize our outstanding faculty honored at the Celebration of Teaching event for their dedication, innovation, and commitment to student success! 🐏
🏆 Faculty Fusion- Dr. Nancy Barker, Dr. Michelle DaSilva, & Dr. Eunice Park-Clinton
💡 CELT Development Fund Award Winners- Dr. Julie Kurkowski, Dr. Danielle Yocom, Dr. Kasey Trill, Dr. Michelle DaSilva, & Dr. Nancy Barker
🌱 Faculty Mentoring Program- Dr. Christina Hays (Mentee)
🤝 New Faculty Orientation Committee- Dr. Christina VonColln-Appling, Dr. Nancy Barker, Dr. Daniel Bileth, Dr. Michelle DaSilva, & Dr. Adrienne Wharry
📚 Teaching Circle Participants- Dr. Nancy Barker & Dr. Jean Herb
💻 Quality Matters Course Certification- Dr. Cheryl Schlamb
🌐 Online Faculty Development Program- Dr. Michelle DaSilva & Dr. Christina VonColln-Appling
🎙️ ODLI on Air Podcast Guest- Dr. Kasey Trill
🏅 ACUE Certificate in Effective Teaching- Dr. Nancy Barker, Dr. Jackie Owens, & Dr. Danielle Yocom
🎤 Teaching Excellence Showcase Presenters- Dr. Nancy Barker, Dr. Jean Herb, Dr. Jackie Owens, Dr. Julie Kurkowski, Dr. Kasey Trill, & Dr. Danielle Yocom
👏 Congratulations to all of our incredible faculty members for your passion, leadership, and dedication to excellence in nursing education! Your impact inspires students, colleagues, and the future of healthcare every day. 💛💜

Happy 2026 National Nurses Week!

We proudly celebrate the compassion, skill, and dedication of our incredible nursing faculty. From the classroom to clinical settings, you inspire the next generation of nurses while delivering exceptional care to our communities every day!

Your commitment to excellence, leadership, and patient-centered care does not go unnoticed.

Pictured are senior nursing students with Nursing faculty, Dr. Jean Herb at Penn Medicine Senior HealthLink. Senior HealthLink serves adults aged 55 and older, with a focus on health promotion, early identification of concerns, and prevention of avoidable hospitalizations. Upper-level nursing students, under the supervision of faculty and clinical staff, conduct home visits that include health assessments, medication reviews, home safety evaluations, patient education, and social support.
Students also collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team with Penn Medicine at Home clinical social worker Erica Neff and West Chester University MSW student Emily Dunn. This team-based approach to community care provides nursing students with valuable insight into interprofessional collaboration, including understanding distinct scopes of practice, making appropriate referrals, and connecting patients with community-based resources.
Also pictured is Marsha Grantham-Murillo, Associate Director of Health Equity and Community Engagement and manager of the Senior HealthLink program.