In addition to helping moms through the labor and delivery process, she’ll also work in the antepartum and triage units, as well as the Mercy Natural Birthing Center.
Stories by Heather Riske
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Dr. Angel Novel Simmons named associate dean of student services and alumni relations for the College of Optometry
She is focused on supporting students and also building up the college’s alumni presence, including reinstating a quarterly newsletter showcasing alumni achievements and hosting the annual August Academe.
UMSL Optometry graduates Mariah Strahm and Kevin Pizarro-Miller reinvigorate passion for humanitarian work in El Salvador
The recent graduates joined Associate Clinical Professor Dr. Linda Marks for an I Care International clinic in San Alejo in March.
Mathematics graduate Afina Fayez hopes to help diversify the architecture field
An Opportunity Scholar, Fayez is headed to the College of Architecture at Washington University in St. Louis this fall.
‘Beyond the Buildings’ course encourages Honors students to connect with Hungarian, Afghan communities across St. Louis
Students developed projects for the St. Mary of Victories Catholic Church, Afghan Community Center and Afghan Chamber of Commerce including resource pamphlets, newsletters, artwork and a cookbook.
Nursing graduate Celeste Haefner starting position in hemoncology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital
She’ll be working with leukemia and lymphoma patients receiving bone marrow transplants and chemotherapy.
UMSL student-athletes recognized by Tritons United
The students participated in bystander intervention training this spring.
The College of Nursing’s new Community-Based Clinical Education program enables future nurses to deliver health care in a variety of settings
The program is designed to show students how health care is delivered in a variety of settings outside of the traditional acute care hospital experience.
Biology graduate and 2024 Women Trailblazers recipient Nora Stith heading to dental school this fall
Stith was a 2019 Opportunity Scholar and served in leadership for multiple organizations across campus.
Five questions with Monica Treviño, PhD clinical psychology student
She’s been strengthening her linguistic and clinical skills to better serve the growing Latinx community.
College of Nursing’s Spring Research Day highlights students’ efforts to engage with the community
Students shared electronic poster presentations recapping their work in the Community-Based Clinical Education Program.
UMSL names Norma Hall-Thoms new dean of the College of Nursing
Hall-Thoms, who formerly served as dean of the University of Indianapolis School of Nursing, will assume her new position on July 1.
Yuan Chen, Candace-Rae Davis and Bob Ross receive UMSL Hero Awards
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
Author David Treuer headlines 31st annual Primm Lecture
Treuer is the bestselling author of “Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life” and “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee.”
2024 Women Trailblazer Awards celebrate ‘women who advocate for all’
This year’s awards honored Kimberly Baldus, Maria A. Ellis, Channon Peoples, Nora Stith, Kimberly Werner and Patricia Zahn.
Blake Sutter, Lynn Navin and Carol Smith receive UMSL Hero Awards
The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
DNP student Stephanie Faulkingham combines her passion for karate with experience in psychiatric mental health
Faulkingham, who is studying in the College of Nursing’s DNP program, owns and operates Gateway Shidokan Karate in Maryland Heights.
Third-year Optometry student Hannah Bollig wins national scholarship from Heart of America Eye Care Congress
Bollig received a $4,250 scholarship, in addition to a $750 travel grant to attend the Heart of America Eye Care Congress last month.
Honors College’s Audri Adams named National Academic Advising Association’s Region 7 award winner for Excellence in Advising
Adams was recognized in the New Advisor category, for advisors who have been in their role for less than three years.
College of Optometry Student Services partners with vendors in Anchor Action Network footprint
The network seeks to advance opportunity and equity across the St. Louis region.
2020 Optometry grad Dr. Kelly Deering finds her passion serving those in need
Deering works as an optometrist at Premier Eyecare Associates in northern Missouri and recently traveled to Kenya to provide patients with glasses and treat eye disease.
Optometry PhD graduate Linda Fine Hunt publishes historical fiction novel about growing up in University City
Spanning from 1954 to 1966, the story follows 16-year-old Linda, a quirky individualist who sets out to learn more about the culture and history of her neighbors.
Second-year Optometry student Megan Corcoran named to Women In Optometry’s student advisory board
The online publication offers insight from licensed optometrists about their work and lives.
Assistant Professor Julie Bertram aims to help meet the mental health needs of youth in foster care through Wrap Around Wellness Program
Bertram, a faculty member in the College of Nursing, has focused much of her research and clinical work on the mental health outcomes of children and adolescents in foster care.
As practice excellence coordinator at the VA, Nursing PhD graduate Maureen Falcone combines her passions for taking care of veterans and improving patient safety
Falcone’s PhD research focused on adverse event reporting, including a comprehensive review of literature on the topic published in the Journal of Patient Safety.
Four-time College of Education graduate Howard Fields strives for inclusion and equity in schools
Fields’ work as a speaker and thought leader focuses on inclusion and student performance disparities.
As director of community wellness for A Red Circle, recent UMSL grad Nikki Engelbrecht helps improve healthy food access in north St. Louis County
The nonprofit organization provides access to healthy foods, education and the arts to families in north St. Louis County.
DNP student Yolanda Duncan pays it forward to help hungry students
Duncan matched a young student’s donation to pay off lunch debts at local schools and also enjoys volunteering in the community.
Nursing graduate Abby Crow starting position as labor and delivery nurse at St. John’s Hospital
Crow graduated magna cum laude with her BSN from the College of Nursing and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College.
Psychology graduate Noelle Wisdom earns first Triton Traditions Keeper Medal for completing challenges in and around the UMSL campus
The new Triton Traditions Keeper Challenge features 63 challenges designed to help students explore campus, get involved and connect with UMSL’s history.
Riz Khan uses knowledge gained through UMSL nonprofit certificate to feed the hungry with the Little Angels Foundation
The St. Louis-based nonprofit organization provides nutritious, home-cooked meals to children, refugees, immigrants and the unhoused community.
Economics alum Jordan Franks launches Taste of Jack’s salsa
Franks has been selling his salsa at farmers’ markets and several retail locations across the St. Louis area.
With Goebel & Co. Furniture, UMSL alum Martin Goebel combines old-world craftmanship with contemporary techniques
He’s developed a unique approach to furniture production that harnesses the power of technology while still respecting old-world traditions.
Alum Stephanie Cernicek plays a prominent role in Missouri’s cannabis industry
She oversees production at Mana Supply Company, serves on the board of multiple industry organizations and teaches in SLU’s cannabis certificate program.
With Emerson and Friends, alum Nicole Northway has built a booming business offering custom illustrated bamboo pajamas, books, children’s items and more
Northway, who holds a BFA from UMSL, founded the company with her husband, Cody Kirchner, in 2018.
Giving Tuesday gifts will help Triton Pantry support students dealing with food insecurity at UMSL
Research before the pandemic found that 30% of students nationwide experience food insecurity at some point during their college career, and the challenges have increased since.
College of Nursing students receive scholarships from Black Nurses Association of Greater St. Louis
Scholarship recipients Bisa Adero, Bright Iheme and Hanifa Mohamed, all BSN students, are passionate about improving health in minority communities.
Biology student Alexander Entwistle receives Remington R. Williams Award from University of Missouri Board of Curators
The biology major was recognized for his work as president of the Pierre Laclede Honors College Student Association, among other activities.
UMSL alum Todd Alan honored in St. Louis Business Journal’s 2023 Champions for Diversity & Inclusion Awards
Alan earned a degree in communication and is the founder/producer of Art of PAWS and People and the director of corporate partnerships for Pride St. Louis.
College of Business Administration welcomes 13 new students to DBA program
The three-year, cohort-based program, which started in 2017, is Missouri’s first and only AACSB-accredited DBA program offering research concentrations in all areas of business administration.
Nursing Assistant Teaching Professor Kristine Stewart-Perkins assists passenger in need on plane to Scotland
Stewart-Perkins was traveling on a family trip to Scotland when a passenger on her flight needed help.
College of Optometry hosts optometric skills workshop for Doctor of Nursing Practice students
About 35 students in the DNP program learned to use different equipment including a direct ophthalmoscope and a slit-lamp bio microscope.
Focus on Teaching and Technology Conference returns to UMSL campus for the first time in four years
The conference, which also featured a virtual component, included a variety of workshops, exhibits, speakers, technology, vendors and innovative idea-sharing.
UMSL encouraging 60,000 hours of community service to celebrate university’s 60th anniversary
The initiative both encourages new acts of service and highlights the work that UMSL is already doing out in the community.
Tritons United hosts new campus events and interventions for National Domestic & Dating Violence Awareness Month
A tabling event on Oct. 10 will feature an art exhibit through the Clothesline Project, a national organization that seeks to bring awareness to gender-based violence.
Clinical psych PhD student Monica Treviño spends six weeks in Peru engaging in specialized language and cultural training for mental health professionals
Treviño worked with PASEO, a global mental health organization dedicated to increasing services for the Latinx population across borders.
Fall Internship & Job Fair connects hundreds of UMSL students with potential employers from across St. Louis region
This year’s fair brought 460 students and 85 different companies to the Touhill.
Senior Momo Kikuchi interns on Capitol Hill through UMSL in DC internship program
Over the summer, the political science major interned in U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner’s office and explored D.C. with several UMSL alumni.
Optometry Scholar and 2023 graduate Dr. Jaci Bongard stays on at UMSL for residency in cornea and contact lenses
Her work as a resident involves doing fittings on keratoconus and trauma patients at SLU and working with specialty lenses at a private practice.
Lola Ekwere, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, studies mental health stigmas in UMSL’s PhD Nursing program
Ekwere’s research focuses on mental health stigmas among African and Caribbean people living in the United States.