BYU Nursing Students Take First Place in Wasatch Cup Healthcare Case Competition
By Kira Hoggan
In September 2023, the BYU Healthcare Leadership Association hosted the first ever Wasatch Cup Healthcare Case Competition. Teams from five different universities competed to present solutions to real-world healthcare issues and win the $5,000 grand prize. Their task was to create a plan that aligned with the St. Mark’s Hospital mission statement: “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life.”
Under the guidance of Dr. Marie Prothero (MS ’96) and Dr. Denise Cummins (AS ’83), a team of exceptional BYU Nursing students won first place, presenting their proposal before judges and hospital representatives. The BYU team, the only all-women team, included nursing students Breanna Hall, Stephanie Hacking, and Jane Pearson as well as pre-med student Alisa Morrell. They crafted an innovative plan with a laser focus on enhancing mental health services. Their proposal was so impressive that St. Mark’s Hospital expressed their readiness to implement it immediately.
Graduate Students Assist with Pediatric Dental Screenings in Moab
By Eliza Carlson
In March, BYU College of Nursing faculty members Dr. Craig Nuttall (MS ’11) and Dr. Janelle Macintosh took graduate students and other faculty from the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program to Moab, Utah, to provide healthcare for the rural community of Grand County. The project aimed to provide support to the Grand County School District. The district nurse and superintendent identified pediatric dental issues within their community and asked for assistance due to staffing shortages. During the three-day visit, BYU College of Nursing helped screen 71 first-grade children.
Watch the video here.
Research Conferences Expand the Student Experience
By Candra Probert
BYU College of Nursing students and faculty have regular opportunities to participate in research conferences nationwide. During the 2023–24 academic year, 36 undergraduate and 8 graduate students co-presented their research with faculty members at 48 conferences. Their research is often shared through poster presentations.
One such poster was presented by a team of four: Dr. Matt Anderson (BS ’13) and nursing students Calvin Reed, Pyper Schmutz, and Rylie Rasmussen. The poster conveyed their research on a mass casualty simulation on BYU campus. The large-scale interdisciplinary simulation is held twice a year, in the fall and winter semesters, and simulates emergency scenarios such as an active shooter, an earthquake, a chemical explosion, or a fire. The team researched student experiences, sharing the importance of simulations in offering hands-on practice to healthcare workers who provide essential care during disaster responses. One student participant reflected, “I learned that I am able to remain calm in busy environments, and I would like to continue training this same way for future events.” Another participant commented, “I learned that 90% of the effectiveness of the response comes down to leadership, delegation, and strong infrastructure.”
View this poster and see other presentations from BYU College of Nursing.
Dr. Corinna Trujillo Tanner’s
Culture of Caring
Videos for Nurses and Caregivers
By Kira Hoggan
Since it was first uploaded to YouTube in November 2023, Dr. Corinna Trujillo Tanner’s Culture of Caring video series has accumulated more than 12,000 views. The series provides practical suggestions for nurses, CNAs, and other caregivers to preserve dignity and enhance care for older adults residing in long-term care settings. Through her gentle guidance and practical tips, Dr. Trujillo Tanner demonstrates how simple adjustments in approach and environment can significantly improve the experience of all involved.
