Student Spotlights
DNP student lands internship at Genentech
Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate Sarah Howard landed an intensely competitive one-year internship at Genentech, one of America’s leading biotech companies. She’s working in Genentech’s unit focusing on patient access to medications and will rotate through three departments in the Access Solutions group.
When applying for the internship, Howard said Genentech representatives often told her she was the only DNP student the interviewer had ever encountered. Interviewers were intrigued, and especially liked that DNP students at WSU can achieve a graduate certificate in nursing leadership along with their degree. In addition, they valued Howard’s years of nursing experience, which is the case with many DNP students.
Said Sarah Fincham, a clinical associate professor in the DNP program at WSU and Howard’s faculty advisor, “Sarah is representing our profession and degree in a new landscape. This shows tremendous leadership. I’m proud of Sarah’s accomplishments and thrilled for her to have this opportunity she worked so hard to earn.”
Crimson Scrubs named Student Organization of the Year
The Crimson Scrubs, the nursing service club at WSU Tri-Cities, was named the 2021 WSU Tri-Cities Student Organization of the Year.
The award recognizes a student organization for their contributions to the campus and to its members.
The nomination for Crimson Scrubs said nursing students were uniquely affected by the pandemic, yet the club was able to support students and help them stay connected throughout. Also, the club works hard to connect the College of Nursing building with the rest of the WSU Tri-Cities campus, though they’re in separate locations.
Said Bevan Briggs, academic director for the College of Nursing at WSU Tri-Cities, “The leadership council of Crimson Scrubs has done some amazing work during the pandemic. This award reflects their creativity and work. Congratulations!!”
WSU and Kadlec partnership helps local nonprofits
Grace Clinic and the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, nonprofits that provide free medical and social services in the Tri-Cities region, have iPads to help expand access to translation and interpreting services thanks to a partnership of WSU Tri-Cities nursing students and the Kadlec Foundation.
Both nonprofits serve individuals whose primary language is one other than English, yet it can be challenging to find volunteers who can interpret medical terminology. In a class focusing on community health practices, WSU Tri-Cities nursing students noticed the need for translation for patients who don’t speak English.
Students came up with the idea to use iPads to provide the service, and instructor Jennifer Larson came up with the idea to submit a proposal to the Kadlec Foundation to pay for them. The foundation donated money to buy two refurbished iPads for the nonprofits.
Chariss Warner, of the Tri-Cities Union Gospel Mission, said, “I would just like to thank (WSU Tri-Cities nursing students) for seeing a need and then meeting the need.”
–Story by Maegan Murray
