bookends

It is a bittersweet time as I enter my retirement. 
My nursing career began upon graduation from Morningside college and I was able this spring to attend their Maud Adams Research Day, named in honor our our first nursing professor who has remained a voice in my head at every patient and student encounter for 45 years.
I've worked at the bedside at The University of Iowa, Rush University, and several hospices, for a nursing association, and have taught as adjunct at Oakton College for nearly 20 years and adjunct and full time at Northern Illinois University for nearly 15. I am grateful for my colleagues.
A phrase I have often used in lecture is, "Your identity as a nurse is not tied to a paycheck. You are a nurse in your family, in your community, and in the voting booth."
Now it is my time to focus on those places.

Oakton's 104 team

Oakton's 103 team

I was honored at half court at NIU this winter

Morningside faculty and guests attending the Maud Adams Research Day
Their new chair of undergraduate studies, Amanda Haverhals (on my left), is a cousin of mine! 

I never wore my cap in practice, but we did wear them as students. I donated mine to my high school theater's props/costume department upon graduation

My final end-of-life lecture

Morningside Class of 1980