NMC Alumni Rollcall

Rose (Keen) Brown ’77

Rose retired from the Methodist ICU in 2016 but continues to serve the unit part-time as a unit secretary.

Denise (Hardisty) Edelman ’76

Denise retired from surgery in 2020 after serving as a service line leader for urology, bariatrics and general surgery.

Mary (Lindburg) Hamilton ’76

Mary is enjoying retirement.

Linda (Peters) Hofmann ’79

Linda spent 26 years working in a hospital, followed by 10 years in family practice and seven years in an OB-GYN clinic. She has now been retired for three years and is loving it.

Toni (Prince) Hughes ’74

Toni is enjoying retirement.

Veta (Jilq) Hungerford ’72

Veta retired in 2018 after a rewarding career in public health.

Karen (Bergen) Jackson ’76

Karen serves as a NICU clinical educator at Children’s Minnesota.

Peggy Sue (Mumm) Kennedy ’75

Peggy Sue is happily retired after a rewarding 43-year career.

Deb (Bridenbaugh) Lesyk ’72

Deb retired in 2022 after a fulfilling nursing career in Canada that included long-term care, teaching and work as a nurse practitioner. She remains deeply grateful to Nebraska Methodist for the excellent education, dedicated faculty and lifelong friendships she gained there.

Kathie Matsumura ’76

Kathie is blissfully enjoying retirement.

Mary (Olnhausen) Rhone ’79

Mary has been retired for two years after a fulfilling nursing career. She still misses caring for her patients.

Coni Rinaker ’76

After graduating from Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing in 1976, Coni began a nearly 39-year career at Good Samaritan Hospital. She served in roles including staff nurse, charge nurse and director of pediatrics and the float pool. Coni also earned a bachelor’s degree from Bellevue University and a master’s degree in health care management from the University of Phoenix before retiring in 2015.

Vickie (Pullen) Schmall ’76

Vickie’s career included medical-surgical nursing, service as director of nursing at a skilled nursing facility in her hometown and work in a progressive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic. She retired from bedside nursing in 2021 and now works from home completing discharge follow-up calls for her hospital.

Susan (Wilhelm) Stogdill ’77

Susan’s career included medical-surgical nursing, long-term care, management and many years in the emergency department. She later worked in cardiac rehabilitation and as a diabetes educator before retiring four years ago. Susan remains grateful for the education she received at Methodist.

Marcy (Fusselman) Wilcke ’72

Marcy retired after 46 years in hospital nursing in Clinton, Iowa, including 36 years in the emergency department. She continues to keep her nursing license active and has volunteered with her local ambulance service for more than 30 years. Marcy and her husband still live on their farm, which they now rent out, and their two adult sons also live in Iowa.

Linda (Frost) Winkelman ’73

After 50 years of service in rural hospitals, Linda is now semi-retired and continues to work part time in surgery and the outpatient clinic. Her wide-ranging career has included obstetrics, medical-surgical nursing, infection control, emergency care, surgery and management. After retiring from leadership three years ago, she returned just two months later in a PRN role. Nursing continues to keep her active and happy.

Linda (Rozmajzl) Wotherspoon ’77

Linda continues to work PRN at a pediatric urgent care and still loves nursing. She hopes to reach 50 years in the profession before fully retiring.

Melanie (Muller) Beumer ’85

Melanie works as a radiation oncology nurse at Central Care Cancer Center in southwest Missouri.

Deb Fickel ’89

Deb’s nursing career has been in a hospital setting.

John Hansen ’81

John is enjoying retirement.

Lisa (Rupiper) Loeffelholz ’82

Lisa began her career in critical care before spending most of her nursing career in home infusion pharmacy. She recently retired after many rewarding years in the profession.

David May ’80

Career Areas: Hospital, Leadership/Administration, Other

David retired in 2017 from Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he served as an assistant nurse manager in the emergency department. He now volunteers with a local food bank and enjoys traveling throughout the mainland in his motorhome.

Cristi (Bengston) Munter ’84

After graduating from Nebraska Methodist College in 1984, Cristi worked in Wyoming and southeast Nebraska before returning to her hometown in northeast Nebraska in 2000. She spent five years in hospital settings and more than 35 years with Good Samaritan Society and plans to retire soon. Cristi and her husband have three married children and five grandchildren. Their daughter also graduated from NMC in 2016.

Cindy Myers ’80

Cindy’s varied nursing career included work in small rural hospitals, where she cared for patients in emergency, cardiac and obstetric settings. She also worked with an Area Agency on Aging, in chemotherapy and school nursing, and on ambulance transfers between rural and urban hospitals. Married for 48 years, Cindy now enjoys country life, including her trees, flowers and wildlife, as well as time with her three children and six grandchildren.

Tammy (Hartwig) Narducci ’89

Tammy’s nursing career has been in a hospital setting.

Wanda (Hoffmann) Neuman ’87

Wanda began her career in orthopedic-neurological nursing and later worked in acute rehabilitation at Methodist. She now serves patients at Methodist Physicians Clinic, specializing in care for individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries.

Alice (Lautenschlager) Osborn ’87

In April 2025, Alice became a SANE-A certified forensic nurse, expanding her nursing career to include specialized care for survivors of sexual assault.

Diana (Gladman) Rankin ’87

Diana’s career has come full circle since graduating in 1987. She began at MU Health Care on a cardiac and general surgery unit, then worked in home health, hospice and infusion care. She has since returned to MU Health Care, where she works in medical oncology clinics. Diana describes her nursing career as deeply rewarding and says she would not change a thing.

Teresa (Johnson) Roberts ’87

Teresa has built her entire nursing career at Nebraska Medicine, serving in hospital, clinic and leadership roles.

Kim (Komarek) Thompson ’83

Kim retired in 2023 following her husband’s terminal cancer diagnosis. During the final 20 years of her career, she served a free clinic—first as nursing director for 17 years and then as executive director for three and a half years.

John Thornton ’83

John spent the first 10 years of his career working in intensive care. He later entered ministry and has served as a pastor ever since.

Beth (Berndt) Barr ’93

Beth has served as a school nurse in Flower Mound, Texas, for the past 17 years.

Layne (Horst) Bartch ’99

Layne serves as a high-risk pregnancy nurse case manager for Aetna, helping coordinate care for expectant mothers with complex medical needs.

Linda Bartlett ’92

After graduating in 1992, Linda's career included critical care, medical-surgical nursing, service in the U.S. Air Force and graduate studies to become a family nurse practitioner. She also worked in private practice, conducted research at the National Institutes of Health and served in a walk-in clinic before retiring.

Samantha Beckler ’97

Samantha has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings and specializes as a diabetes educator.

Terri Buckett ’93

Terri manages the endocrinology, diabetes, inpatient diabetes education and bariatric surgery departments for the hospital-based clinics at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Keri (Suhr) Cairney ’95

Keri works in an ambulatory surgery center, continuing her career in surgical patient care.

Autumn (Smith) Colpetzer ’99

Autumn serves as practice manager for Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents, providing leadership and operational support for the practice.

Hilary (Caudillo) Grundmann ’99, '08

Hilary serves as director of patient access at Boys Town, leading efforts to improve patients' access to care.

Natalie (Rasmussen) Haag ’95

Natalie's nursing career has included roles in education and other areas of healthcare.

Marla Kniewel ’93, '05

Marla serves as director of the MSN and RN-to-BSN programs at Nebraska Methodist College and continues to teach online courses, helping prepare the next generation of nurses.

Anne McCarthy ’99

Anne works from home as a government contractor, reviewing Medicare charts.

Steffany Miller ’92

A 1992 graduate of the respiratory care program, Steffany continues her healthcare career in North Carolina.

Stacey Miskie ’97

Stacey has spent her entire career with Methodist, beginning as a bedside nurse on the oncology unit before serving in staff development, genetics and hospice. Today, she works in Colon and Rectal Surgery as the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) program coordinator and nurse navigator. Outside of work, Stacey enjoys spending time with her husband of 35 years and their three energetic grandchildren.

Krista (Meyer) Osmond ’95

Krista has found her passion as a home health and hospice nurse, describing it as the best job ever.

David Owen ’97

David serves as a hospital medicine and emergency department nurse practitioner in Red Oak, Iowa.

Jill (Habrock) Samler ’96

Jill has dedicated her entire nursing career to Methodist Hospital, spending the past 29 years caring for patients at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center in a variety of nursing roles. She credits Nebraska Methodist College with providing the education and foundation for her success. An Omaha native, Jill recently remarried and enjoys spending time with her two adult children, Zachary and Megan, and her Labrador retriever, Goose.

Laura Stang ’94

Laura serves individuals and families through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Angie (Meier) Stott ’98, '05

Angie is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children's Care Today, caring for children and their families.

Michelle Tarantino ’96

Michelle spent her career in home care and hospice nursing before retiring in 2025.

Kelli Andresen ’06

Kelli currently works in home health nursing. Throughout her career, she has also served in hospital, clinic and education settings.

Abby Andress ’06

Abby works as a pharmaceutical nurse educator, combining her clinical expertise with education and patient support.

Breanne (Block) Bartek ’07

Breanne serves as Children's Surgery Program Manager, leading efforts to develop a comprehensive quality program and achieve the American College of Surgeons' Level I Children's Surgery Verification designation.

Jenny (Wein) Bellamy ’09

Jenny continues to serve Children's Physicians in clinical and leadership roles.

Melissa Bellamy ’06, '16

Melissa is an endocrine nurse case manager with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nichole Bonacci-LeMay ’02

Nichole is beginning her 10th year as a school nurse with Omaha Public Schools. She and her family recently welcomed a new grandson, who spent two weeks in the NICU before heading home healthy and thriving.

Sheila Brown ’04

Sheila has built her career in hospital nursing.

Patricia Cisneros ’08

Patricia's nursing career has focused on clinical practice.

Jynae (Mason) Clapper ’00

Jynae currently serves as an interim nurse executive, combining years of clinical experience with healthcare leadership.

Nina Coughlin ’07

After seven years in hospital nursing and a decade as a head and neck oncology nurse case manager, Nina now coordinates Veterans' community care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Chelsea (Christensen) Craig ’08, '23

Chelsea serves as supervisor of the Emergency Department at Nebraska Methodist Hospital.

Jill (Goddard) Draper ’01, '04

A 2001 graduate of the cardiovascular sonography program, Jill has continued her career in hospital-based care.

Kristin Dulany ’04

Kristin serves as a clinical nurse educator and CNA program coordinator, helping prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Lindsey (Abbott) Eggers ’07

Lindsey is a family nurse practitioner with Syracuse Area Health.

Broc Fuhrman ’07

Broc transitioned from clinical practice into medical sales.

Ahnika (Evans) Gerson ’07

Ahnika is a nursing professional development specialist at Nebraska Medicine.

Rachel (Starr) Jacobs ’07

Rachel continues her nursing career with Methodist Physicians Clinic.

Tim Johnson ’08

Tim is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) serving a critical access hospital in rural Nebraska.

Ashley (Brazeal) Kaipust ’07

Ashley works as a registered nurse in outpatient surgery, specializing in preoperative and PACU care.

Jessica (Muller) Kane ’08

Jessica serves as a clinical educator at a critical access hospital in Clarinda, Iowa.

Amy (Shipley) Kavan ’07

Amy serves as undergraduate level coordinator at Nebraska Methodist College.

Valerine (Sparvell) King ’03, '12

After 13 years as a nurse educator, Valerine now works in home health nursing.

Kellie Kolbe ’07

Kellie provides care in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital Colorado.

Tisa Kreikemeier ’09

Tisa travels throughout the United States as an organ recovery coordinator, facilitating and managing the organ donation process.

Sage Lewis ’08

Sage is a staff RN and aesthetic nurse injector with Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery and Dreams MedSpa.

Jen (Cain) McVey ’08

Jen serves as a radiology nurse at Children's Nebraska.

Keri Morris ’08

Keri has built her nursing career in hospital care.

Kim (Stenwall) Nabity ’07

Kim works as a nurse case manager for an insurance company.

Carissa (Peters) Nielsen ’01, '09

Carissa was recently promoted to director of the Learning Center at Nebraska Methodist College.

Jeff O'Hern ’08

Jeff serves as a circulating nurse on the Head & Neck/Neurosurgery team at Nebraska Methodist Hospital.

Valarie (Harrison) Palacios ’05

Valarie is currently working in hospital nursing after gaining experience in nearly every area of the profession throughout her career.

Vicki (Swinarski) Pennewell ’08

Vicki works as a PACU registered nurse at Ascension St. Vincent in Anderson, Indiana. Now semi-retired, she plans to fully retire in December 2027.

Breanne (Ruh) Pflanz ’06

After working in labor and delivery, Breanne became an entrepreneur and now owns a medical spa.

Ashton (Craig) Popple ’09

Following graduate education, Ashton has spent the past eight years as a chiropractor specializing in pediatric and perinatal care.

Mellisa (Wickwire) Renter ’08, '13

Mellisa serves as Director of Professional Nursing Practice and Magnet Program Director at Children's Nebraska.

Allison (Hare) Ruch ’04

Allison continues her nursing career at Holland Hospital in Michigan.

Annette (Muller) Schnell ’02

Annette serves as Manager of Clinical Education and Nurse Residency Program Director at Children's Nebraska.

Christine Vendetti-Ellett ’00

Christine serves as Quality and Accreditation Manager for OrthoNebraska Hospital and Clinics.

Jean Bailey ’18

After earning her BSN from Nebraska Methodist College, Jean moved from a medical-surgical unit into intensive care before advancing to a house supervisor role at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Her middle daughter was inspired by Jean’s nursing career and also earned her BSN from NMC. She now works as an emergency department nurse at Nebraska Medicine.

Barbara (Williams) Bartee ’12

Barbara has built her nursing career in a hospital setting.

Jonathan Billings ’17

Jonathan has been named chief executive officer of Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, Vermont. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he also serves on the boards of Spectrum Youth & Family Services and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.

Danielle Brazzle ’10

Danielle serves as a tracheostomy and ventilator program coordinator.

Katie Brunsting ’17

After graduating from NMC’s radiography program in 2017, Katie began working in hospital-based imaging and has remained in that setting throughout her career.

Caitlyn (Hofmaster) Bunten ’19

Caitlyn recently transitioned from healthcare management to the nonprofit sector and now serves as grants and development coordinator at The Durham Museum. She is grateful for the experience she gained in healthcare administration and at NMC, noting that those skills have transferred well to her new career.

Kim (Madsen) Ciurej ’11, ’16

Kim continues her career with Methodist Physicians Clinic.

Katie Doty ’13

Katie works in allergy and asthma care at Nebraska Medicine and also serves patients through Children’s Care Today.

Steph (Kirchhoff) Drogo ’13, ’14

Steph works at Cass Health and serves as a clinical preceptor for radiology students, combining patient care with hands-on education.

Jean Farnham ’10

After earning her MSN in 2010, Jean spent her career teaching nursing students. She recently retired after many years of helping prepare future nurses.

Dyan Frank ’15

Dyan has spent the past 11 years at Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest Internal Medicine and says she still loves her work as much as she did on her first day.

Melissa (Alter) Gittins ’12

Melissa’s son, whom she was expecting during her first year of nursing school, is now preparing to begin his senior year of high school. She proudly describes him as a talented baseball player.

Tressa Greer ’10

Tressa has built her nursing career in a hospital setting.

Tina (Bittner) Hotz ’17

Tina serves as a structural heart coordinator within Methodist Physicians Clinic. She married in 2021, welcomed her third granddaughter in 2025 and is proud that two of her sons joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

Katie (Hergenrader) Jaeger ’13

Katie works full time at Prairie Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgery and also serves PRN at Bryan East. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she coordinates cosmetic consultations and surgical scheduling.

Lisa (Kmiecik) Martinez ’11

Lisa continues her healthcare career with Nebraska Methodist Health System.

Bridget (Huddleston) McMahon ’17, ’18

Bridget works as an inpatient respiratory therapist at Kearney Regional Medical Center and also provides pulmonary function testing and pulmonary rehabilitation services.

Jennifer Merkuris ’13

Jennifer continues her healthcare career with Nebraska Methodist Health System.

Chelse (Smetter) Mitchell ’13

Chelse serves as clinical manager of the cardiovascular operating room, cardiac catheterization lab and cardiac pre- and post-procedure unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She graduated from NMC’s accelerated nursing program in 2013.

Jori Robison ’14, ’20

Jori is an assistant professor of undergraduate nursing and an oncology-certified nurse, combining clinical expertise with nursing education.

Jessica Riley ’15

Jessica serves as manager of inpatient nursing services at a critical access hospital, overseeing medical-surgical and swing-bed care, labor and delivery, and case management. She also continues to assist with bedside nursing and case management as needed.

Lynsey (Rinehart) Schmad ’13

Lynsey has returned to Nebraska Methodist College, where she now works in nursing education.

Liz Schooler ’14

Liz has returned to Nebraska Methodist College to teach and help prepare future healthcare professionals.

Jessica (Graham) Shull ’17

Jessica is primarily a stay-at-home mother and is gradually returning to nursing through part-time school-based work as a one-on-one private-duty nurse. She remains passionate about the profession.

Stacey (Stout) Smith ’12

Stacey serves as a clinical care coordinator at CRCC.

Cassandra (Kessler) Swenson ’18

Cassandra serves as a night-shift core coordinator on 8 North, the orthopedic and neurology unit at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. She earned her orthopedic nurse certification in 2024. That same year, she and her husband welcomed a daughter and are enjoying watching her learn and grow.

Lori Thompson ’10

After 22 years with the State of Kansas, Lori retired in May 2026. She is now expanding Lori’s Loft, her home furnishings and décor business, and looks forward to spending more time with her five grandchildren, traveling and enjoying family life.

Kammie Wallace ’13

Kammie’s oncology career has included bedside nursing, infusion-center care and her current role as a leukemia case manager.

Bryan Willis-Reese ’19

Bryan serves as a school principal and also teaches part-time as a professor.

Stephan Baker ’20

After retiring from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2023, Stephan began a new career as a licensed therapist at LifeStance Health. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Nebraska Methodist College in December 2020 and is glad to reconnect with fellow alumni.

Militza (Ortiz) Bianchi ’24

Militza continues to build her career beyond traditional hospital and clinic settings.

Caela (Wheeler) Bidrowsky ’25

Caela works in patient care at Nebraska Methodist Hospital.

Tapha Camara ’20

Tapha serves as a lead nurse at Nebraska Medicine, combining direct patient care with clinical leadership.

Candace Davis ’25

Candace recently became director of Berkshire Health Systems’ new primary care residency program for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The yearlong program will help new graduates transition from academic preparation into clinical practice through structured learning and experienced mentorship. Previously, Candace led a similar program at a federally qualified health center in Maine. She spent 10 months developing the new program’s curriculum and evaluation process using skills gained through NMC’s EdD and DNP programs. The inaugural resident cohort began in July 2026.

Michael Frianeza ’20

Michael serves as a radiologic technology program director and department chair, combining healthcare education with academic leadership.

Heather Hagewood ’20

Heather serves as program manager for the Surgical Oncology Clinic, Breast Care Center and Hereditary Risk Clinic at Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center.

Samantha Hemke ’22, ’23

Samantha has served as an ECMO specialist at Children’s Nebraska since 2022, providing highly specialized care to critically ill patients.

Ethel Leon ’24

Ethel serves as secretary of the Nevada chapter of the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association while continuing her work with the Arizona College of Nursing.

Emma Neely ’21, ’22

Emma works as a traveling radiologic technologist and is currently completing an assignment at Mayo Clinic.

Kimberly (Paul) Pressey ’24

Kimberly married shortly after graduation and completed a nurse residency on the medical-surgical orthopedic trauma unit at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center–Bergan Mercy. She now works in wound care and is pursuing certification in wound, ostomy and continence nursing.

Emily Seevers ’23

Emily continues her healthcare career with Methodist Physicians Clinic.

Katie Sharp ’25

Katie works with Methodist Physicians Clinic and is continuing her education by pursuing a doctoral degree.

Audrey Smejkal ’21

Audrey provides patient care at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals.

Jose Soria Martinez ’22

Jose has spent the past two years with Angels Care Home Health, providing nursing care to medical and behavioral health patients throughout the community. He also helps facilitate community conversations, promote outreach programs and address healthcare disparities in rural areas of Iowa and Nebraska. Jose continues to use the holistic care principles he learned at NMC to advocate for patients and support their overall well-being.

Linda Trainer ’21

Linda became an assistant professor of nursing and family nurse practitioner program coordinator at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, in 2025. She is also helping develop a motherhood support program at Wholehearted Healthcare in Lincoln and continues to support the Healing Gift Free Clinic in downtown Omaha. Linda married Andrew Trainer in 2024. Following the death of her son Riley in May 2025, her family established the Sent to Live Foundation to honor his legacy and inspire others to live fully. She credits her NMC DNP experience with opening doors to her career in graduate nursing education.

Samantha Vosler ’21

Samantha has transitioned into a career with Union Bank & Trust in Nebraska.

Courtney (Leydig) Weaver ’20

Courtney works in a hospital education department, combining her clinical background with staff development and learning.

Kristin Elizabeth

Kristin is an advanced practice registered nurse in the Methodist Breast Care Clinic. Before moving into her current clinic role, she spent many years working in hospital-based care.

Christy Marie

Christy works in surgical services at Glenwood Springs Health Care in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Jill Renee

Jill works at Omaha South High School through Omaha Public Schools.

Ashley Rose

Ashley serves as clinic administrator for CHI’s endocrinology department, overseeing 10 clinics in the Omaha area.

Sandra Williams

Sandra has built her nursing career in a hospital setting.

Amy Zimmer

Amy serves as vice president of patient care services and chief nursing executive at Memorial Community Hospital & Health System in Blair, Nebraska.