News

The life of a local firefighter and WSU nursing student changed in a matter of seconds Feb. 17, 2025.

After finishing a grueling 48-hour shift with the Pullman Fire Department, Pita Lopez was involved in a devastating head-on collision with a semi-truck.

The accident left her with catastrophic injuries: an open femur fracture, shattered tibia and fibula, spinal vertebrae fractures, facial fractures and an internal abdominal tear that caused life-threatening hemorrhaging.

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With three young children at home and a full-time job, Kim Hoover wasn’t sure she could manage nursing school again. “Failure wasn’t necessarily an option,” she said. Through WSU’s Concurrent Enrollment Program and a clear semester-by-semester roadmap from her advisor, Hoover earned her BSN and gained the confidence to bring stronger evidence-based practice to the bedside at Legacy Health.

Washington State University and Spokane Public Schools (SPS) are partnering to create the Logan Family Clinic, a new community-based primary care clinic located inside Logan Elementary School. Opening March 2, the clinic is intended to increase community access to health care by delivering services right where young people and their families need them most — in our public schools.

Washington State University’s College of Nursing will transition its Yakima-based undergraduate and graduate students to the WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Spokane campuses for degree completion at the end of the spring 2026 semester. The College will continue to work closely with healthcare partners in the Yakima Valley for clinical rotations and to support the nursing workforce needs in the region.

The WSU College of Nursing welcomed its Spring cohort of BSN students with a two-day orientation focused on academic readiness, clinical preparation, and connection across campuses. Students gathered in Spokane, Yakima, and Tri-Cities to begin their journey as the Class of 2028.

Adam Richards (MBA ‘15, BSN ‘02, RN) and Chief Nursing Officer for Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, is a self-described “through and through Coug.” He and his wife, Meredith (BSN ‘02), built careers in nursing while raising a family. Their niece, Taylor Richards (BSN ‘25), continues the Coug Nurse legacy. Richards advocates for new nurses, emphasizes being confident, because nursing is a lifelong calling you “don’t get to turn off.”

In 2025, the stories that resonated most from Washington State University College of Nursing were rooted in people. From first-generation students and proud graduates to nurses stepping in during real-world emergencies, these moments reflected why nursing matters—and why our community continues to show up, share, and celebrate together.

After 100 days as interim dean, Dr. Anne Mason reflects on coming home to WSU, celebrating more than 13,700 Coug Nurses serving communities nationwide. She highlights new programs, research growth, student success, and the partners and donors who make this work possible. The focus ahead stays clear. Educate nurses. Strengthen communities. Serve Washington and beyond.

After a thoughtful national search to replace former director Chris Sogge, the WSU College of Nursing welcomes Dr. Lesley Hernandez-Silva, ’17, as the new director of the Center for Student […]

Charlene Clark helped build Washington State University College of Nursing from its earliest days. She and her husband, Bob, continue that commitment through monthly support of the Charlene E. Clark Simulation and Practice Center Endowment. Their giving strengthens a lab environment where students practice skills, build confidence, and learn with structure and support. Charlene encourages others to join them: give consistently, stay engaged, and help future nurses thrive.

Carol Huebner, Professor Emerita of Nursing and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, served 31 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a full Colonel and Chief Nurse Executive of the Army Medical Command. Her career in critical care, research, and education has shaped nurses across clinical and academic settings. Carol and her husband, Michael, continue that commitment through annual giving and a legacy gift supporting future Coug Nurses.

Tammy Powers, BSN, MBA-HCM, CEO of Sutter Roseville Medical Center, WSU ICNE 1997, has always embodied the mission-driven spirit of Coug nursing. Now as CEO of Sutter Roseville Medical Center, […]

Becky Miner, BSN ’81, credits scholarships for helping her become a nurse and now pays that forward by supporting future Coug Nurses. Her gift to WSU College of Nursing focuses on rural students and reflects her belief in education’s power to change lives.

Dr. Angie Bailey’s journey from bachelor’s degree nurse to DNP graduate and nursing leader at WSU Vancouver highlights her resilience and commitment to nursing education. She played a key role in developing a cutting-edge program linking Clark College and WSUV nursing pathways, opening doors for students across southwest Washington.

When Colonel William “Bill” Dick, a newly graduated Coug and soon-to-be officer in Vietnam, filled out his “dream sheet” upon entry into the Air Force in the mid-1960s, he had no idea it would change the trajectory of his life. “I was surprised they honored it,” said Bill, having graduated with a degree in general studies from WSU in 1965. Despite his choice of field of study, Bill had always been passionate about the medical field. “I knew that health care was the best way to help people, and as a fluke, I was picked to serve on the medical field team.”

The Fall 2025 WSU College of Nursing Graduation and Pinning Ceremony celebrated a new class of Coug Nurses as they stepped into the profession. Dean Anne Mason and Provost Chris Riley-Tillman honored the dedication and resilience shown by graduates across all programs. The ceremony featured student speaker Erik Rotness, Honors College recognition, student awards, Sigma Theta Tau inductees, and the traditional pinning of BSN graduates. Surrounded by family, faculty, and friends, the Fall 2025 class joined the proud community of Coug Nurses shaping care across Washington.

The Delta Chi-at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International welcomed a new group of nurse leaders during the Fall 2025 Induction and Research Meeting. Representing Washington State University College of Nursing, Gonzaga University, and Eastern Washington University, the ceremony honored students and nurses committed to advancing excellence in practice, scholarship, and service. The event featured a research presentation by Dr. Tullamora Landis Giardino and the formal induction of new members who pledged to uphold the values of Sigma throughout their careers.

Rural communities are home to an estimated 1 million Washingtonians, just over 16% of the population. However, as the landscape of rural America has evolved, so has rural healthcare, with many communities facing significant issues accessing high-quality care. Multiple data sources project significant gaps in healthcare access over the next decade, with fractures already appearing in many of Washington’s 39 counties.

Dr. Marian Wilson co-authored a national call to action urging nurses to address disparities in rural pain care. The article emphasizes nurses’ role in delivering equitable, evidence-based treatments — both in person and via telehealth.

WSU College of Nursing marks Rural Health Day by highlighting initiatives that strengthen care in rural Washington. Efforts include pain care research, maternal health partnerships, and new pathways that prepare students to work in rural communities.