Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship Recipients

Catherine Harpst, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CCNS, is a third-year PhD student in the Nursing-Data and Systems Science program at the University of Arizona. She also works full-time as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Northern Arizona University. Her clinical and academic career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, nurse leader, and professor focuses on adult acute and critical care, quality improvement, evidence-based practice, informatics, and patient safety. Her dissertation aims to develop measurement standards for inhaler technique in adult asthma and COPD patients. As an emerging nurse leader in academia, Catherine desires to focus her efforts on developing academic-practice partnerships, inquiry-based pre-licensure learning opportunities, and transition to practice programs. Catherine is excited to develop skills and connections to advocate for change in academic nursing to facilitate effective academic-practice partnerships and student involvement in translational research.

Sintya Sintya, BSN, RN, PHN, DNP-s, is a DNP student specializing in Family Nurse Practitioner studies at Loma Linda University, with an anticipated graduation in June 2025. She has extensive clinical experience in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic care and has received numerous scholarships, including the Sigma Gamma Alpha Graduate Student Scholarship and the Deloras Jones RN Award. Her DNP project focuses on improving self-care for heart failure patients to reduce hospital readmissions through enhanced discharge education. A passionate advocate for global health, Sintya has participated in mission trips to underserved communities worldwide. As a first-generation college graduate, she aims to inspire future nurse leaders through mentorship, cultural competence, and patient-centered care, with aspirations to advance nursing education and practice.

Amit “Mickey” Dhir, MBA, MSN, NP-C, AAHIVS is an Infectious disease Nurse practitioner and a PhD student at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. His clinical practice specializes in HIV/STI management and prevention, and primary care for LGBTQIA+ populations. As a leader and community advocate, he has partnered with local organizations like Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) and U equals U (Undetectable equals untransmissible) campaign to deliver messages to inform the communities in Maryland about HIV disease management and prevention. In his PH.D. studies, Mickey is exploring the Acceptability and Impact of Long-acting (LA) Injectable PrEP among same gender loving men in Baltimore. In addition to his research endeavors, Mickey takes on a leadership role with the goal of addressing health disparities. He actively involves clinicians in recognizing the significance and implementing evidence-based HIV prevention care models. In addition to his contributions to medicine, education, and community work, he is a commissioner in the Maryland Governor’s office of LGBTQIA+ affairs, where he is working to address issues of access to HIV medication and prevention services. Embracing his leadership journey in academia and clinical medicine, Mickey stands humbled and honored to be the recipient of the prestigious Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship and looks forward to further refining his leadership skills under the mentorship of Dr. Deborah Trautman.   

Karla Kerkove is a first-year Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She received her master’s in nursing education and holds two national certifications as a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Critical Care Nurse (CCRN). Karla has served as a change agent, introducing diverse teaching strategies to promote the growth of newly licensed registered nurses and enhanced collaboration amongst expert nurses. She has integrated innovative classroom teaching strategies for in-person and virtual learning across a diverse student body. Additionally, she has assisted in helping to advance students through service-learning experiences that have guided a deeper understanding of how social determinants of health impact health disparities, bias, and health outcomes. Recent leadership experiences have introduced her to the needs and challenges within the profession and have strengthened her ability to advocate for nurses at all academic levels. Karla is honored to receive the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship. This scholarship and experience opportunity will support her area of research in correlating social determinants of health, structural competency, and health equity within nursing curriculum. Additionally, she looks forward to newfound opportunities for advocacy in healthcare policy, academic policy, and fostering visionary leadership.

Nkemdilim “Kelly” Diaz is a DNP student at Winona State University with a focus in Family Practice. After graduating with honors from her baccalaureate program Kelly began serving as an instructor and preceptor for new graduates and student nurses. Her work focused on helping refugee and immigrant community members access affordable training toward certified nursing assistant licensure. In 2019, she served on an interdisciplinary medical mission team in Central America. Kelly is a member of AACN's Graduate Nursing Student Academy (GNSA), which has sparked her interest in healthcare policy, advocacy, and professional development. As the recipient of the AACN’s Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader scholarship, Kelly is thrilled for the opportunity to further develop her leadership skills and continue to champion the nursing profession while inspiring others to do the same. 

Rika Win Kemp is in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. Rika's background is in labor and delivery, postpartum, and women's surgical nursing, and she is committed to providing holistic and integrative psychiatric care. Prior to attending nursing school at Emory University, she studied international health and Spanish at Clemson University and continues to immerse herself in community health settings. As a refugee herself, she found her skill in caring and advocating for underserved and underrepresented populations. While at Emory University, Rika was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Leadership Award and strives to create meaningful change that supports her nursing colleagues. Her journey to her DNP sprung from her love of educating patients and serving as a mentor for nursing students. Rika believes that shared knowledge is power and is honored to be learning from Dr. Trautman this summer.

Madalyn Baczkowski is in the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the University of Michigan located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has worked as a registered nurse for five years primarily in cardiology with a focus on cardiothoracic surgery post-operative care. She worked for two years as a travel nurse and enjoyed working across the country, meeting different providers and hospital staff, and seeing how different units ran and treated patients. She has been working at a local community college as a clinical instructor and greatly enjoys education, especially for undergraduate nursing students. She began her journey towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree because of the opportunities to advance within her career as well as share her experiences through education. Madalyn looks forward to her future career paths and is expected to graduate in May of 2023. Madalyn looks forward to working with Dr. Trautman this summer and advancing her leadership skills.

Amy Hu, MSN, RN, CCRN is a second-year DNP student at San Jose State University (SJSU). Amy’s evolution into nursing was not a traditional one. In 1999, Amy obtained her first degree in Business Administration from SJSU and started her career in Marketing. Realizing a deeper need to help others, she went back to school to obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing from Ohlone College. In 2012, while working full time and raising a family, Amy obtained her MSN in Nursing Education from Sonoma State University graduating with honors. After 13 years of medical-surgical and critical care experience and 7 years of academic teaching experience, Amy transitioned to the role of Professional Development Specialist. Currently, she coordinates John Muir Health’s Nurse Residency and Simulation programs. During her time at John Muir Health she was awarded the Nightingale Award for Learning and Development (2019), Magnet Nurse of the Year (2019), and most recently the Nightingale Award for Innovation and Evidence Based Practice (2022). Amy was also an EBP Fellow and implemented a “Quiet Room to Reduce ICU Nurse Burnout” (2018). Amy’s DNP project is focused on evaluating the impact of EBP curriculum in a Nurse Residency program. Amy is passionate about nursing education and developing the nurses of tomorrow. With experience in clinical and academic education, she is eager to develop stronger collaboration between academia and practice. Amy is humbled and honored to receive the Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship. The leadership experience will be one that Amy carries throughout her career.