CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2020 - 17

17

G R A D U AT I O N

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C O N V O C AT I O N 2 0 2 0

C O M M E M O R AT I V E E D I T I O N

perspective and decided to pursue a PhD in Caring
Science. Johnson is the first interdisciplinary graduate
of the program. "For years I didn't think it a possibility, but then a friend asked 'why?'" Reflecting on that
question, Johnson realized she had to be the change
she wanted to be and not rely on others.
Knowing she needed a supportive environment to lift
her up, she chose CU College of Nursing for her degree.
"I felt an immediate connection. I could reconnect to
the child I was to develop into the research and interdisciplinary thinker I am," said Johnson.
Today, Johnson is a full-time researcher in the VA.
She bridges a variety of departments including suicide prevention, opioid abuse, and care coordination.
"Unitary Caring Science teaches that everything is interconnected. It never made sense to me to treat mental
health without considering physical conditions," said
Johnson. With a goal of improving health care by shaping and guiding it to be more caring focused and holistic, Johnson proves that she cannot be "pigeon-holed."
Looking back to where she's come from, "I wouldn't
choose to not go through the pain I did as a young
adult. It made me who I am."

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD)
C A N D I D AT E S F O R D E G R E E
M AY 2 0 2 0
KRISTIANA AVERY
"Ion Channel Genetic Biomarkers: Diagnostic
Capabilities in the Assessment of Bipolar Disorder"

RACHEL JOHNSON
"Stories of the Heart, Illness Narratives of Veterans
Living with Heart Failure"

BARBARA MARTIN
"Examining the Relationship between Nurse
Practitioner Practice Setting, Practice Environment,
Intrinsic Motivation, and Attitudes about Pay-forPerformance Incentive Models in Colorado"

COLLEEN KELLEY MCILVENNAN
"Exploring Stress and Coping in Caregivers of
Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device: A
Mixed Methods Study"

Rachel with
her husband
and daughter
Chris and
Luna Koenke
CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2020
