CU Nursing - Fall/Winter 2021 - 30

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A L UMNI
the University of Colorado School of
Medicine.
Yilma was born in Ethiopia, on the Horn
of Africa. While there, she witnessed
many people going without adequate
medical care. While she had planned
to be a veterinarian, she realized she
needed to focus on people instead. She
chose to study at the institution where
the nurse practitioner role was invented.
While in school, Yilma worked as a
scribe and grew to admire the nurses
she worked alongside who provided
extraordinary patient care.
" Doctors rely upon nurses, patients rely
on nurses, and families rely on nurses, "
she says. Her respect for nurses eventually
led her to pursue her BSN.
As a board member, Yilma plans to promote
diversity in the nursing profession.
" There is not much ethnic diversity in
medical field. I want patients and students
to have nurses that they identify
with. It is important that we better
represent the communities we serve, "
says Yilma.
Michelle Dabdoub
BSN, RN
ichelle Dabdoub, BSN, RN, has known
since kindergarten she was interested in
medicine. That led to her becoming a staff
Registered Nurse at Presbyterian St. Luke's.
" Nursing can be the most rewarding career, " she says. " Finishing nursing school and starting
my career are my two biggest accomplishments in my life. "
Dabdoub earned a Bachelor of Science degree at CU College of Nursing with its accelerated
nursing program called UCAN. The intense courses allow students to get their diploma in
one year.
" Nursing programs are all intense, but any accelerated program does pack in a lot more
content with a very limited amount of time to learn it all, " says Dabdoub. " That prepared
me for the real world. "
Now a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Dabdoub wants to give back
to the college for all it gave to her.
" Joining the Board is my opportunity to help students have a wonderful experience at the
College. I loved CU and I'm so excited to reconnect. "
Dabdoub has also been volunteering with Donor Alliance since 2013 encouraging people to
register as organ and tissue donors.
M
Robyn Moon
BSN, CCRN
R
obyn Moon, BSN, CCRN is a critical
care nurse at Rocky Mountain
Regional VA Medical Center on
the Anschutz Medical campus doing
exactly what she loves; providing care
for military veterans.
" I love working and interacting with
this population, " she says. " Face-to-face
interaction is a key element of veteran
health care. I love engaging with others and making a difference in their lives. "
Moon graduated from CU College of Nursing's traditional BSN program in 2008. She interned
at the Veterans Administration, which led to a job after graduation.
" I felt prepared for my position, " Moon recalls. " The faculty were incredible - laying the
foundation for the clinical experiences. So much of nursing is learned on the job that you
must be open to acquiring skills in person. We don't have all the answers, but we were taught
to listen and absorb. "
In her new role on the CU Nursing Alumni Association Board of Directors, Moon says she'll
support students in any way possible, including mentoring them.
" Students and young alumni need encouragement. It can be overwhelming to enter a nursing
career, especially with the competitiveness of the field right now. I want to help create
opportunities for us to connect and build supportive relationships, " Moon says.
CU College of Nursing | Fall/Winter 2021

CU Nursing - Fall/Winter 2021

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