A four-man team of South Dakota State University mechanical engineering students has designed a wearable sleeve that will allow aspiring nurses to practice intravenous (IV) injections.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators celebrates nursing educators who inspire their students. The 2023-24 recipient of that award from South Dakota State University certainly fits that description. Theresa Garren-Grubbs was honored at the College of Nursing’s retirement and awards reception May 8 at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center.
Jo Voss, an associate professor at the South Dakota State University College of Nursing’s site in Rapid City, wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Conversations with her family, however, led her to pursue a career in the nursing profession. After all, her mother was also a nurse. Her passion and interest in education put her on the path to being named the 2024 Teacher of the Year for the college.
A passion for South Dakota State University motivates Susie Leahy in her role as a professional academic advisor and recruiter for the College of Nursing in Rapid City. Leahy’s efforts in working with nursing students in Rapid City and traveling the western United States to recruit future students has earned her the 2024 College of Nursing Professional Staff Award for Excellence.
With the lamp of learning as her guide, it’s not surprising Cindy Elverson followed the path of academia as she advanced in her nursing career. The Missouri native began practicing nursing in 1979 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Through seven years as a staff nurse, 10 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner and 28 years as an educator, some of that overlapping, a desire to grow her knowledge has guided her career path.
After 53 years as a nurse and more than 30 as a nurse educator, Tom Stenvig is ready to retire and nurse nothing more than the vegetables in his garden — at least for now. Stenvig, who has been a well-known persona and leader in South Dakota nursing since 1979, retired May 21 from the College of Nursing at South Dakota State University as associate professor and Ph.D. program director.
For a nurse who loved teaching, being named the college’s teacher of the year in her final year of teaching is truly the cherry on top. “As I leave, this was a wonderful gift to give to me, to just verify that I've made a difference,” said Jo Voss, who retired from the South Dakota State University College of Nursing May 21 after a 29-year career at State.
Some people garden. Some people bowl. For Sue Fierstine, her hobby is sewing, and she uses the hobby to help others. The organization currently benefitting from Fierstine’s seamstress skills is Delivering Hope.
Formed in February 2014 by Rachel Schuldt of Sioux Falls, Delivering Hope delivers tangible messages of hope to cancer patients using oncology services at the Avera and Sanford hospitals in Sioux Falls and the Sioux City, Iowa, hospital.
South Dakota State University's Exercise is Medicine program has been recognized with gold status by the American College of Sports Medicine — the largest sports medicine and exercise organization in the world.
The Population Health Evaluation Center at South Dakota State University has been recognized by the South Dakota Department of Health as its 2023 outstanding Partner in Health.
