CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2021 - 3

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G R A D U AT I O N

Like Granddaughter,
Like Grandmother
IRIS HEIDENFELDER FOLLOWING HER GRANDMOTHER'S EXAMPLE

F

By Dana Brandorff

THE DEAN'S

Commencement
Message

E

xtraordinary and memorable are two words
that come to mind to
describe this past year.
2020 - 2021 will be remembered as unique.
We know it's been challenging,
and you and your classmates have
stepped up during these extraordinary times. Your resilience will
serve you well in the years to come.
While we continue to adhere to
social distance requirements, and
celebrate graduation via Zoom,
let's take a moment to shine a
spotlight on you and share stories about some of your fellow
classmates. We know it's not even
possible to highlight all of the
amazing things that you and the
Class of 2021 have done, but this
is a time to showcase you.
As you flip through this commemorative edition of CU Nursing/
Commencement program, take
a moment to learn about what
makes you and your fellow classmates exceptional.
Best,
Elias Provencio-Vasquez
PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP

or Iris Heidenfelder, nursing is in her
blood. Her maternal grandmother,
Katherine Peterson (now known
as Katherine Enloe-Miller), was a
diploma nurse and graduated from
the Mercy Hospital Program in the 1960s.
Encouraged by a physician, Enloe-Miller applied
twice to the University of Colorado School
of Nursing's Nurse Practitioner program and
graduated in 1971.
" Medicine was a closed club then, but
eventually the physicians started to accept me, "
Enloe-Miller recalled. During her career, she
even taught medical school residents and was
a faculty member at CU School of Medicine. In
2006, she retired, but the lure of nursing drew
her back. " I failed retirement, so six months
later I went back and worked in mental health
nursing, " said Enloe-Miller.
In addition to her grandmother being a
nurse, Heidenfelder's mother is a medical
transcriptionist. So, medicine has been a fixture
in her life. " Ever since I can remember, I wanted

to do something in healthcare, " said
Heidenfelder. In fact, she got her first set
of scrubs at the age of 5 and practiced
on stuffed animals. Her family called her
" Dr. Season. "
" CU was the only school I wanted. I
wanted to come here so bad. And now
I'm graduating! " said Heidenfelder.
" It's true that my grandmother
influenced me. She has such a passion
for what she does, but it's the incredible
history of the College that is also part of
the draw. The research is amazing, and
the reputation speaks for itself. "
Heidenfelder's enthusiasm is
contagious. " At CU, all the things I
was waiting to learn about I've been
learning. " Moreover, for Enloe-Miller,
the thrill of seeing her granddaughter
following in her footsteps and
graduating is a moment she will never
forget. " I am so proud, " said EnloeMiller.

Five-year-old Heidenfelder
in her scrubs
CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CU Nursing - Commencement Spring 2021
