Our experienced faculty members are highly qualified and focused on student success. BSN@Home faculty are always accessible by email or phone.
Meet Our Faculty
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
Catherine (Kitty) Kenney, MSN, DNP, RN
Catherine obtained her Master’s in Nursing Administration in 2010 and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2013 at UW Eau Claire. She is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and the Post-Licensure Admissions Coordinator for the College of Nursing at UW- Eau Claire. Catherine currently teaches in the BSN@Home program teaching the online course “NSG 447-Nursing Leadership and Management”. She started her nursing career working on a general medical floor before transitioning to the ICU, CCU, and ER units. Catherine was also the assistant manager of the PACU unit as she moved into more administrative work. She has also been a Director of Nursing at a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center and the Nursing Manager of a Family Clinic. Outside of the university, Catherine is a member of the Wisconsin Organization of Nursing Leaders and is active on their Professional Development Committee. She is also kept very busy with her 5 children and 6 grandchildren.
Gail Hanson Brenner, MSN, RN, CNE
Gail Hanson Brenner is the Lead BSN Completion Advisor and a Clinical Assistant Professor at UW-Eau Claire. She is a graduate of the BSN@Home program back when it was known as the Collaborative Nursing Program. Like many students in this program, she transferred from a 4-year school as a pre-nursing student to a 2-year program and earned her associate degree in nursing from Rochester Community College. After moving back to Eau Claire and securing a full-time position at Luther Hospital, she began the BSN Completion program at UWEC and graduated in 2000. She continued to work full-time and raised three children as she continued her education at UWEC to earn a master of science in nursing with an emphasis in nursing education. Gail has taught in this program since starting at UWEC in 2005; she has taught the introductory bridge course and the leadership course in this program along with acute care clinical and the foundations theory course in the traditional undergraduate program. She is an active member of the Wisconsin Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association and the Faculty Advisor for the Eau Claire Student Nurses Association. Gail lives in Eau Claire with her teenage daughter and helps care for her elderly parents who still live on the family farm. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, shopping at small businesses/restaurants, and visiting wineries.
Linda Sargent
Dr. Linda Sargent is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Board-Certified Emergency Nurse teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and as adjunct faculty for Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has been a nurse for 40 years, graduating with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Madison Technical College (MATC) in 1982. After finishing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion degree in 1990 from Viterbo University, she served at the rank of 1st Lieutenant and then was promoted to Captain in the United States Air Force Nurse Corp. After leaving the Air Force in 1994, she graduated from Silver Lake College in 2004 with a Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development and from Viterbo University with a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2011. In 2017 she returned to school to earn a terminal degree in nursing, graduating from Viterbo University in May 2020 with her Doctorate in Nursing (DNP).
Research that she has been involved with in her DNP program and currently at UW-Eau Claire is about creating a culture of civility within nursing education and the nursing profession. The years 2018-2020, she worked with an action research team of faculty and students to improve civility within the college of nursing. She is a co-author of a journal article “A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of Interventions to Address Incivility in Nursing” published in 2020. The summer of 2020, she was awarded a grant for a student/faculty research proposal to implement education in the curriculum to ensure nursing students are aware of incivility and to teach effective strategies to cope and manage uncivil behavior encountered in the clinical and work environment. Dr. Sargent has three grown children and lives in Holmen, Wisconsin with her husband, Scott.
Tamara L. Tasseff, PhD, RN, CHPN
Dr. Tasseff is new to the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Fall 2021. Prior to joining UW-EC, she served as a senior nurse leader with the Veterans Health Administration in far western South Dakota. She brings a unique perspective to Nursing combining past business and healthcare experiences from consulting, higher education, research, and the Department of Defense. Her research and practice interests include: Veterans, improving access and health outcomes in rural and highly rural areas, concurrent palliative care, mentor-mentee relationships, and second-victim phenomena in health care. In her free time, Tamara can be found adventuring with her husband, Aaron, a cowboy and retired US Navy Veteran, enjoying family and friends, mentoring nurse leaders, or working on her next manuscript.
Nursing and Health Studies
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311-7001
Christine Vandenhouten PhD, RN
Christine Vandenhouten PhD, RN has extensive experience as a nurse educator at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her areas of expertise include community/public health nursing, health policy and economics, medical/surgical, and perioperative nursing. As a nurse researcher, Dr. Vandenhouten has published with nursing and interdisciplinary colleagues regarding factors impacting student learning, emotional intelligence in nurse leaders, and high impact teaching/learning practices. She has mentored numerous graduate students and is particularly proud of her expertise with survey development and psychometric testing. She has conducted numerous national, multisite studies including most recently with colleagues from the Association of Vascular Access (AVA) who sought to better understand how schools of nursing and health systems ensure nurses ongoing vascular access skill and knowledge. She has and continues to serve on a number of boards of directors including Bellin Health Systems, Northeast Wisconsin Area Health Center Board of Directors and the Brown County United Way Community Investment Committee. She received the 2018 Community Impact Award from the Brown County United Way for her work to ensure access to oral health services for uninsured adults and children.
Janet Reilly DNP, APNP-BC, RN
Education/Credentials: I earned my DNP at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 2008, and my master’s degree in nursing at Concordia University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My undergraduate degree in nursing with an adult education minor is from Alverno College, also in Milwaukee.
Professional Experience: I began teaching at UW Green Bay in 2004. Since 2013, I have been an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Chair of the MSN Leadership & Management program, and teach online graduate and undergraduate courses in health assessment, pharmacology, and community health nursing (online and abroad in Brazil and central Europe). I provide national service as a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Volunteer On-site evaluator and team leader. I am also certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Family Nurse Practitioner and continue to practice in telehealth urgent care, after years in family practice and urgent care. For two decades, I taught at Fox Valley Technical College; was licensed as a School Nurse and Health Teacher working in the K-12th grade school systems and private schools; and worked as public health nurse.
Professional and Research interests: My research and publications include topics in public health nursing (communicable disease, childhood obesity, breastfeeding); nursing leadership and management (emotional intelligence, leadership competencies, nursing professional development); online nursing education (strategies and sense of community amongst students); and advanced practice (nurse practitioners and telehealth).
Personal Interests: Family time (great hubby, three sons & their wives, seven grandchildren); travel; skiing (water & snow), snowshoeing, boating, “Pound” fitness
Myunghee Jun PhD, RN
I was born, raised, and educated in Seoul, Korea. I received my MS and Ph.D. in nursing from Seoul National University. I had taught nursing students in graduate and undergraduate program in Korea for 30 years before moving to the U.S. My research interests include health behavior in cultural diversity, women’s health, nursing education, organizational commitment, etc. I am an assistant professor at UW-Green Bay, and I have taught numerous classes including MSN Leadership Project, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Leadership and Management, Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, Synthesis for Nursing Practice, Global Aspects of Health Care, and Women’s Health. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Nicole Gouin
Patricia Kleba DNP, MSN, RN
Dr. Kleba has worked in a variety of roles in health care settings, including over 30+ years in hospice and palliative care, and several years as a staff nurse on hospital units focusing on trauma, renal transplant, gerontology, cardiology, diabetes, and dialysis. She received her BSN from UW-Green Bay, her PCNP, MSN in Leadership & Management, and MSN in End-of-Life Care from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was also completed at The George Washington University with a focus on nursing education. Her research and clinical interests include identifying and reporting elder abuse, geriatrics, hospice/palliative care, end-of-life/ethical issues, orthopedics/trauma, and online learning/technology. Her doctoral project involved examining the effects of web-based education on healthcare provider knowledge of identifying and reporting elder abuse. She enjoys spending time with her family, rowing her scull, fishing, horse jumping, quilting, riding her bike, and teaching nurses!
Rebecca Hovarter DNP, PHN-A RN-BC, CPH
Rebecca Hovarter, DNP, PHN,A, RNBC, CPH is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Nursing and Health Studies program. Becky received her Bachelor of Nursing Science from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay; Master of Science in Nursing, Public Health Nursing track and Doctor of Nursing Practice, Public Health Nursing track from the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities. She also received a Certificate in Public Health Core Competencies from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. In addition, she is certified as an Advanced Public Health Nurse through the American Nurse Credentialing Center and Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Becky has been a nurse for 44 years, working in community and public health for most of that time. She has worked full time at UWGB since 2013 and teaches courses to undergraduate and graduate students including community health nursing theory, community health nursing practicum, evidence-based practice, and transformed the traditional chronic disease course focusing on disease to a prevention focus across the life span based on risk factors and determinants of health. She has served as a public health nurse, public health nursing supervisor, health officer, and regional public health nurse consultant. Becky has served on numerous local, regional, state, and national committees and associations, including the Wisconsin Public Health Association.
Sharon Gajeski
I earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UW-Green Bay and my Master of Science in Nursing, Educator Emphasis from UW-Oshkosh. I started my nursing career in 1983 as a staff nurse and have been in nursing education since 1990. My nursing experience includes medical/surgical, orthopedics, cardiac and diabetes education. I started at UW-Green Bay as an advisor for the nursing program in 2007. I have taught online BSN@HOME courses, including Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice and the capstone nursing course, Synthesis for Nursing Practice. I teach fundamentals, medical/surgical, pathophysiology, skills and clinical courses in the traditional BSN program at UWGB. I am an active member of Sigma, Kappa Pi at-Large Chapter, serving in a variety of leadership roles.
School of Nursing
Signe Skott Cooper Hall
701 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
David Dwyer, MSN RN NE-BC
David Dwyer, Clinical Professor of Nursing at UW-Madison, believes that all nurses should work to the limit of their license and be full partners in the decisions made to improve care at every level of the health care system. David has managed multiple hospital units, including an acuity adaptable Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery/Heart and Lung Transplant unit, Heart and Vascular Progressive Care unit and Burn unit. He has been a Nursing Supervisor/Patient Placement Coordinator and worked as an RN at the acute care bedside in ICU, Intermediate Care and General Care units, as a school district nurse, and in the home of a ventilator dependent adult. David earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee studying the experiences of adults with Ventricular Assist Devices. He also earned MSN and BSN degrees from Marquette University and a BS in Political Science from UW-Oshkosh. Before he became a nurse, he worked in real estate banking and merchant credit card systems.
Katie Pavek, MSN, RN
Katie Pavek, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, obtained her BSN at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her MSN in nursing education at Concordia University, and her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Katie worked as a Registered Nurse in general medicine and geriatrics, in GI procedures, and as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Digestive Health. She has pursued advanced management training and works to develop leadership opportunities and promote professionalism within the field of nursing. Her teaching experience includes clinical, didactic (classroom and virtual), and simulation settings.
Katie enjoys exposing students to the diverse practice areas and career options available to nurses and is committed to fostering each student’s development. Katie believes in the power nurses have to promote health and improve the well-being of not only their patients but also the community at large. Katie’s overall research goal is to improve the health and wellness of nurses, including nursing students, faculty, and staff. By doing so, she hopes to mitigate the negative outcomes associated with stress to reduce burnout, aid in successful transitions to the nursing workforce, and retain nurses in the profession.
Lori S. Anderson, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, NCSN
Lori Anderson’s work is focused on children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and their care in the school setting. She is the director of eSchoolCare, an online resource that provides educational materials and resources to school nurses to support the care of CSHCN in the school setting. Funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, eSchoolCare is now part of the UW-Madison School of Nursing’s technology supported outreach initiative. Dr. Anderson received her PhD from UW-Madison in 2006 and spent three years as a postdoctoral scholar at the UW-Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, a multi-disciplinary clinical research training program, before joining the faculty at the UW-Madison School of Nursing. She is a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a nationally certified school nurse. Dr. Anderson has practiced as a school nurse and public health nurse and served as the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nursing Consultant. She consults nationally on projects related to the school-based care CSHCN receive. Dr. Anderson has extensive experience with technology-enhanced nursing education including designing online courses, assisting with the development and teaching of interdisciplinary, distance learning courses for the UW Pediatric Pulmonary Center, and has completed the UW-Madison TeachOnlIne@UW course. Dr. Anderson teaches in the undergraduate and graduate programs at the UW-Madison School of Nursing.
Tammy Bonkamp, MSN, RN
Tammy M. Bomkamp, Clinical Instructor II. Obtained her BSN at Edgewood College and MSN at University of Phoenix in Nursing Education and Administration. She worked as a Registered Nurse in pediatric oncology, labor and delivery, NICU, and nurse educator at UW-Oshkosh and Herzing University BSN Nursing Programs. As Lead Clinical Coordinator, at Herzing University, she orchestrated clinical placements for nursing students, developed and revised clinical policies and procedures, and trained new clinical faculty. She has served as a volunteer for Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Special Olympics, and Home Health United Hospice. Her achievements included the Daisy Award of Nursing Excellence from Unity Point-Meriter Hospital, and two-time Faculty of Excellence Award from Herzing University. Currently she is the course instructor for CNP519: Capstone Practicum for Registered Nurses in the RN-BSN program at University of Wisconsin Madison.
College of Nursing
Cunningham Hall
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Loren W. Galvao, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Galvao is a public health physician with thirty plus years of experience in global health programs and research, with a major focus on HIV prevention and maternal & reproductive health in developing and developed countries. She is a Senior Scientist, Global Health, at the UWM’s College of Nursing (CON)’s Center for Global Health Equity (CGHE). Her educational background includes a M.D. degree for the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (Brazil) and an M.P.H. from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. She was also an Honorary Fellow, Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin (Madison). Before joining the UW system in 2003, she worked extensively in global health, with experience in twenty countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. From 1995-2001 she was National Advisor for the Reproductive Health/HIV/AIDS Program at the Population Council-Brazil and worked at Save the Children-USA (1991-1995). She served as a consultant for several international and academic institutions. She also devoted part of her time to programs in the United States, with a primary focus on population health and community-based research. She held academic appointments as Associate Director for the University of Wisconsin (Madison) School of Medicine and Public Health’s Survey of the Health of Wisconsin Project (Milwaukee site) and Associate Director for Community Partnerships at the Center for Urban Population Health. Dr. Galvao’s is passionate about teaching undergraduate and graduate students with a major emphasis in Global Health (Maternal and Child Health; Ethical and Human Rights; Pandemics; Genetics and Genomics in Healthcare).
Marijo Rommelfaenger
Michele Polfuss, PhD, RN, APNP-AC/PC
Dr. Michele Polfuss is an Associate Professor- in the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee College of Nursing and is the Joint Research Chair in the Nursing of Children between the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and Children’s Wisconsin. Dr. Polfuss received her BSN at the University of Wisconsin -Oshkosh (1996) and her MSN (2000) and PhD (2010) at Marquette University. Her research focus is childhood obesity with particular interest in secondary comorbid conditions, the role of the family, and obesity in children with developmental disabilities. She uses her clinical experience as a pediatric nurse and subsequently pediatric nurse practitioner to inform her research and her teaching. One of her favorite aspects of teaching in the BSN@Home program is the ability to interact with a diverse group of nurses, each who bring unique experiences and questions to the class.
Rachel Henrichs
I became a Registered Nurse after graduating with by BSN from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. I began working neurosurgery units and graduated from St. Louis University in 1996 with an MSN degree, Master of Science in Nursing with Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing specialty. I worked many psychiatric care settings and was certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. My work included the Rogers Hospital System. I have worked in both rural and urban home health nursing and telehealth. I had previously taught for other colleges including the University of South Dakota at Sioux Falls. At UW-Milwaukee, I have enjoyed teaching nursing clinical in over 20 different locations around Milwaukee and the surrounding area since 2008. In 2016, I began teaching nursing in the RN to BSN program at UW-Milwaukee and was recently featured by the UW FLEX System: https://flex.wisconsin.edu/stories-news/uw-mental-health-nursing-instructor-teaches-students-to-hold-on-hope/
Therese Van Male, RN, MSN
Therese is a clinical instructor at UW-Milwaukee in the RN to BSN program and the undergraduate BSN program teaching Information Management & Healthcare Technology and Population Health clinicals. Therese received her Associate Degree in Nursing at Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander, WI and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay. Later, Therese earned her Master of Science in Nursing Informatics at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Therese has over 27 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, including experience in Population Health with experience in local public health and the State of Wisconsin, Division of Public Health Diabetes Prevention and Control program. Therese also has experience as a quality improvement RN in a Health Maintenance Organization. Therese has many years’ experience in long term care practice, regulation and quality improvement, and has provided education regarding the Minimum Data Set as Education Coordinator for WI Department of Health Services. Therese served as the facility practice improvement RN coach for six skilled nursing facilities- three in Wisconsin and three in Pennsylvania, in an AHRQ-funded UW-Madison study: OASIS – Optimizing Antibiotic Stewardship in Skilled Nursing Facilities, led by Dr. Chris Crnich, Infectious Disease MD.
UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing
800 Algoma Blvd.
Oshkosh, WI 54942
Donna J. Hawley DNP-APNP, MSN ed. RN-BC
Teaching at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh College of Nursing since 2013. The teaching load includes courses at the ACCEL, undergraduate, and BSN at Home levels. Previous nursing and nursing assistant instructor at Moraine Park Technical College, 2011-2013. Past Nursing Experiences: Advanced Nurse Practitioner: Ascension Nursing Instructor: UW Oshkosh Registered Nurse: Casual St. Agnes Nursing Instructor: Moraine Park Technical College Registered Nurse: Golden Living Center Director of Education: Mayville Nursing and Rehabilitation Registered Nurse Supervisor: Clearview Nursing and Rehabilitation Registered Nurse: Medical Surgical Beaver Dam Community Hospital.
Lindsay Buttles, MSN, RN
I graduated from Midstate Technical College with my ADN in 2007. I graduated from UWO with my BSN in 2011 and I graduated from Marian University with my MSN in 2015. I have been a nurse for 14 years and have experience in many areas of acute, in-patient care: med/surg, oncology, ICU, transitional care, rehab, psych, and peds. I have worked in skilled nursing facilities, homecare, hospice, and regulatory nursing as a nurse consultant for the Department of Health Services. I have been an educator at UW Oshkosh since 2016 with a focus on medical surgical nursing and pathophysiology. I am working on my DNP/FNP degree at UW Oshkosh with plans to graduate in Spring 2022.
Shelley Strojny PhD, MSN, RN, FPMHNP-BC
Shelley Strojny began teaching for UW-Oshkosh in Fall 2003. As a CNP graduate herself, she shares a unique perspective with her colleagues going through the program. Shelley’s nursing experience includes staff hospital nursing, working in a physician’s private practice, and most recently, working as an occupational health nurse/case manager.
Shelley earned her BSN from UW-Oshkosh, her MSN from the University of Phoenix, and is looking forward to beginning the pursuit of her PhD. She currently teaches in the CNP and acts as the coordinator/advisor for the CNP at UW-Oshkosh. Shelley has a special interest in wellness and health promotion, as well as psychology.
On a personal note, she enjoys spending time with her husband Tom and their four poodles. Recreational activities include swimming, camping, cooking, working in her flower gardens, and motorcycling. She thrives on the expertise the students bring to the program and feels blessed to learn with them.
Terri Blakeslee PhD, RN
Terese Blakeslee holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She is an assistant professor, assistant director, and faculty advisor for BSN@Home at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Her research interests are mental health and prevention of bullying. She has been a registered nurse for 26 years including OB/GYN and pediatric acute care, Maternal Child Public Health, and school nursing. Terese has taught courses online since 2008. Currently, Terese teaches Community Health Nursing for BSN@Home, and Orientation to the Clinical Major, and Clinical Nursing Synthesis at UW Oshkosh.
School of Health Care Professions
Room D124 Science Building
2001 Fourth Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Colleen Kane
Heidi Wincentsen
I discovered my love for teaching during my BSN completion at UW Oshkosh and I am passionate about providing a high-quality educational experience for students to improve patient care and quality of life outcomes for those we care for. While completing a MSN in Nursing Education, I balanced clinical practice in the neuro/spine operating room where I continue to practice. I started at UW-Stevens Point in August 2015 and am nearing completion of my DNP degree from Edgewood College. I hold an Associates in Nursing Degree from Northcentral Technical College and maintain an Orthopaedic Nurse Certification (ONC). My professional interests: Leveraging technology for primary and secondary prevention of various chronic diseases, neuroplasticity and neural reserve in degenerative neurological diseases and self-management teaching in nursing for improved patient outcomes with chronic disease.
Karen M. Mozuch Hugill, MSN, RN, NP-C
Karen M Mozuch Hugill, associate lecturer of nursing, obtained her BSN at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in 2000. She worked as a registered nurse in acute care at Boston Children’s Hospital until completing a Master’s in Nursing degree at the University of Massachusetts in 2005. Her capstone project focused on prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. As a certified family nurse practitioner, Karen has held positions in pediatric neurology, family practice, urgent care, occupational medicine and college health. She is currently an associate lecturer in the RN to BSN program, as well as a practicing clinician at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Student Health Service. Her professional interests include health promotion and disease prevention, community health and nursing leadership and education.
Lorraine M. Bjork-Zoromski, EdD, MSN, RN
Lorraine M. Bjork-Zoromski, Assistant Professor of Nursing, obtained her BSN and MSN at Viterbo University with a major in Community and Public Health and a minor in education. She worked as a Registered Nurse in acute care, home health care as a visit nurse and case manager, and nursing education as a nurse educator in an Associate Degree Nursing Program at a technical college in central Wisconsin. She also was a Captain in the United States Air Force in the Medical Corps. She held leadership positions in nursing education and acquired her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College in Madison, WI. Her dissertation focused on the development of emotional intelligence in nursing students during an intensive clinical experience. She currently is the Program Director for the RN to BSN program at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.
