Rush College of Nursing faculty and students attended the 50th Midwest Nursing Research Society Conference, which took place in St. Louis, Mo., this year. They left with high awards and achievements for their contributions to nursing research, highlighting Rush University’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Amy Schloss, a recent graduate of Adult Gerontological Primary Care DNP program, earned first place in the DNP Student Poster Award during the conference. Schloss’s project involves a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative to conduct postoperative radiation therapy within the recommended six weeks of surgical resection in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
“I had the privilege of celebrating this achievement alongside my incredible academic advisor, co-author, and friend, Angela Moss,” Schloss says. “With this award, I was able to disseminate my project’s methods and outcomes to nurses from a variety of disciplines and outline the important role nursing science can play in the improvement of cancer care delivery.”
Generalist Entry Masters Alum Anna Footerman, MSN, RN, and Katie Miller, MSN, RN, were able to display their capstone project during student poster presentations at the conference. Their project contributed to a broader research initiative led by Sarah H. Ailey, PhD, APHN, professor, Community, Systems, and Mental Health Nursing, that is aimed at identifying and reducing diagnostic overshadowing in vulnerable populations.
Chuka Emezue, PhD, MPH, assistant professor and Kellogg Faculty Endowed Scholar, alongside Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner DNP student, Tara Wilkes, RN, and Jasmine Jackson were also selected to present their abstract during the event’s paper presentations. Their abstract was selected as one of 13 Distinguished Abstracts at this year’s conference.
“MNRS was an invaluable experience connecting with nurses, nurse researchers and students all over the Midwest,” Wilkes says about her experience at this year’s conference. “The networking opportunities were endless with such a great community of professionals, and the research presented was both relevant and cutting edge.”
College of Nursing faculty were also recognized during the conference.
Manju Daniel, PhD, MSN, professor, won the Best Faculty Paper Award. Daniel’s study, co-written by Pamela Semanik, PhD, CNP, associate professor, focused on developing a virtual, 12-week, culturally relevant physical activity program with input from community stakeholders for first-generation South Asian Indian immigrant women.
“I am grateful to MNRS for this award and for its longstanding commitment to providing a strong research platform that elevates the visibility and recognition of its members’ scholarly contributions in advancing nursing science,” Daniel reflects.
This year’s conference also included faculty leading the launch of the new Research and Implementation Interest Group on Disabilities and Multiple Chronic Conditions. The RIIG was inspired by conversations with attendees at last year’s conference who shared a common passion for advancing disability inclusive research and education.
“This new RIIG positions Rush faculty as leaders in shaping a more equitable, disability inclusive future for nursing scholarship and practice,” says Ailey.
The college’s success at this year’s conference was a shining example of Rush’s commitment to excellence and discovery that ultimately leads to better health outcomes.
“Rush College of Nursing faculty and students disseminated research findings that were scientifically rigorous, scalable and addressed vexing clinical issues,” says Barbara Swanson, PhD, RN, associate dean for Research. "In short, the work at MNRS embodied the Rush value of doing high-impact science.”
