CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021 - 30

University of Colorado College of Nursing

ALUMNI
The CU College of Nursing Alumni Association is recognizing four incredible alumni for their extraordinary contributions to
the profession and community of nursing. The recipients will be celebrated at the CU Nursing Alumni Association Awards on
June 10, 2021 at 5pm MDT. Join us at this virtual ceremony as we recognize our awardees' remarkable work and careers.

VIRTUAL RECEPTION AND CEREMONY
Register now at: http://cuanschutz.edu/CUNursingAlumniAwards

Rising Star Award
Distinguished Alumni Award
Karen Johnson, PhD, RN, BS '07, FSAHM,
FAAN, is an Associate Professor at the
University of Texas School of Nursing. She was
recently inducted as a Fellow in the Society for
Adolescent Health and Medicine at the American
Academy of Nursing.
Dr. Johnson graduated from the CU College
of Nursing's BS program in 2007. She segued right into the PhD program
at the University of Minnesota, which was an integral step to becoming an
international expert at adolescent health promotion. Dr. Johnson joined the
University of Texas School of Nursing in 2012 as an Assistant Professor in
Public Health Nursing after completing her PhD in Nursing and a four-year predoctoral fellowship in adolescent health at the University of Minnesota.
As a highly regarded educator at the University of Texas, she has developed a very
strong program of interventional school-based research to improve the lives of atrisk youth and has engaged in several policy initiatives to address teen health.

CU College of Nursing | Spring Summer 2021

Etzany Diaz Ocampo earned
her BS in 2018 from the CU
College of Nursing. Ocampo's
journey to nursing began
fifteen years ago when her
younger sister was diagnosed
with cancer. Intimately
involved in her sister's care, Ocampo would interpret health
care instructions for the family. At the time, her sister
recognized Ocampo's skills and said, " One day, you'll be an
amazing oncology nurse! "
Born in Mexico, Ocampo received Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief in the United States.
Throughout her education, Ocampo's parents pushed her
to do well in classes and attend college, even if that meant
they had to work extra hours to afford it. Ocampo was
the first in her family to graduate from high school, go to
college, and ultimately graduate from both.
Today, Ocampo is married with two wonderful children. She
serves as an oncology nurse in honor of her beloved sister,
who Ocampo describes as the " rock and foundation " of her
nursing career.

http://www.cuanschutz.edu/CUNursingAlumniAwards

CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021

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