GW Nursing Magazine 2014

FACULTY + STUDENT NEWS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39
who has practiced in primary care settings in
Northern Virginia since 1991.
Ms. Rilko earned an adult nurse
practitioner Master of Science in Nursing
(MSN) from George Mason University in
1991, a program then offered in conjunction
with the George Washington University.
She returned to GW for a post-graduate
certificate as a family nurse practitioner in
1998.
“We are so pleased to be able to
provide this opportunity for our DNP
students. Ms Rilko exemplifies the type
of student that this scholarship was
designed for. She is an expert clinician
who is pursuing her doctorate to advance
herself professionally and to develop the
knowledge and skills needed to become a
nursing educator,” says Associate Dean for
Graduate Studies Christine Pintz.
In her more than 30 years of nursing
experience, Ms. Rilko has worked at the
Heart Transplant and Heart Failure Program
at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and volunteered
at the Fauquier Free Clinic where she cared
for a wide variety of medical issues in this
underserved population. She currently runs
an occupational walk-in clinic for a campus
of 1,300 employees.
“It is such a great honor to have been
awarded this scholarship,” says Ms. Rilko.
“I hope to one day teach at the GW School
of Nursing and assist in providing the
exceptional educational opportunities that I
have experienced at this university.”
Two DNP
Students Named
Jonas Scholars
Two GW School of Nursing Doctor of
Nursing (DNP) students were named
Jonas Scholars, a prestigious national
recognition. Tara Brandner was selected
as the Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar, and
Joe Smith was named the Jonas Veterans
Healthcare Scholar.
Both Ms. Brandner and Mr. Smith are
DNP family nurse practitioner students
who began their studies at GW in the fall of
2013. As Jonas Scholars, they each received
a $20,000 School of Nursing institutional
grant that includes matched funds from
the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans
Healthcare. The Jonas Center, a leading
philanthropic funder for nursing, is pursuing
a national effort to stem the nursing
faculty shortage and prepare future nurse
educators and leaders.
“We are pleased these students are
part of the Jonas Program. They receive
scholarship funds and participate in a
leadership development program through
which they meet doctoral students across
the country. Tara Brandner and Joe Smith
are outstanding students academically and
will go on to be future leaders in nursing,”
says Christine Pintz, associate dean for
graduate studies.
Ms. Brandner is in Ashley, ND, and works
as a nurse practitioner in a rural community
clinic. She says her “passion for patient care
started in high school when she worked as
a member of the local volunteer ambulance
squad.” Ms. Brandner earned her BSN at
the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Her
work background consists of rural hospital,
oncology, plastic surgery, travel work,
and float pool (ICU, telemetry, surgical,
ER). As a nurse, she has served on several
committees such as nursing cabinet,
rounding committee, Lean Six Sigma, and
the professional practice committee. She
is a member of the GW Golden Key Honor
Society and Phi Epsilon Chapter of Sigma
Theta Tau.
“As a Jonas Scholar, my research interest
stems back to my community which is
in an under-served area in rural North
Dakota,” says
Ms. Brandner.
“The majority
of the patient
population
here are elderly
people with
chronic health
conditions.
A major
contributing
factor to
these health conditions is a lack of patient
education and guidance in healthy lifestyle
modifications while living in a rural setting.”
Ms. Brandner’s research and patient care will
focus on the impact of lifestyle modifications
on chronic diseases, and work towards
bridging the gap between patients and
available education.
Mr. Smith earned his BSN from
Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. He
has worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital
in Seattle for four years, three of which were
in oncology. “I find absolute joy in helping
nurse veterans back to health, and even
more so, I find it an honor that I can serve
those who have served,” he says. Mr. Smith’s
interest in nursing derives from his faith
and he says he seeks “to be an extension of
God’s love to
humanity, and I
do that through
nursing, which
is more than
simply treating
symptoms…the
special reward
of my practice
is the ability
to be with
someone on
hospice in their
final moments.”
“Veterans have a special place in
my heart for myriad reasons, ranging
from my father being a 20-year veteran
to the acts of heroism and bravery they
have demonstrated. This grant gives me
an opportunity to enhance the care for
veterans, improve outcomes, and give back
as an educator,” says Mr. Smith.
40 2014