The University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (UW NAO) was founded in 1927 shortly after the first class graduated from the School of Nursing. All School of Nursing graduates become members upon graduation or certificate completion. Current and emeriti faculty are also members. The UW NAO is an independent 501(c)3, the UW NAO promotes fellowship and recognition among alumni
The UW NAO Board of Directors is comprised of alumni who advocate on behalf of all School of Nursing alumni. The UW NAO supports the School of Nursing in advancing opportunities for involvement and engagement.
Signature events and programs include the annual homecoming tailgate; alumni awards; fall career and networking fairs; student scholarships; graduation celebrations and pinning awards.
The UW NAO is looking for alumni to get involved through focused committee work. Please contact us to learn more!
Upcoming Events
The next UW NAO Board meeting will be held on April 5 from 5:30-6:30pm CT. All alumni are welcome to attend. The meeting will be conducted over Zoom.
“I am sincerely humbled to be a University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization pin recipient and to be a part of this 92-year-old tradition. It is a privilege to be in the first UW–Madison accelerated BSN cohort, and this pin signifies what we all strive to be—extraordinary nurses.”
Aniqueka Jamie Scott, BSN, ’19
NAO Committee Information
Alumni Events and Professional Networking Committee
Co-Chaired by Linda Procci, PhD, RN and Andrea Williams, PhD, RN
This committee supports the UW NAO by promoting fellowship among the alumni of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing. This committee is responsible for planning and executing events hosted by the NAO and supporting other initiatives that advance the School of Nursing.
Student Engagement Committee
Chaired by Mary Francois, DNP, RN
This committee was established under the UW NAO to further the high standards of professional nursing education and practice and to support nursing students. This committee collaborates with Academic Affairs within the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing and the Alumni Relations Officer to provide engagement opportunities for current nursing students.
Stay Involved
Celebrate Homecoming
Reconnect with campus and fellow Badger nurses at the annual homecoming tailgate, held by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization.
Honor Outstanding Graduates
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing honors graduates with nursing pin awards during the annual UW NAO Graduation Celebration and Pinning Ceremony. Learn more about recent honorees and pin donors.
Nominate a Nurse
Each year, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization Awards salute alumni who have made significant contributions to the nursing profession. Recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award and the Outstanding Badger Nurse Award exemplify the school’s legacy of excellence in nursing leadership.
Badger Nurse Network
The Badger Nurse Network is a professional group for UW–Madison School of Nursing Alumni, current students, faculty, and staff who are active in the nursing community. The network connects alumni together to share insights, resources, and ideas on healthcare and workforce challenges.
Donate a Pin
The pin of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, designed in 1926, symbolizes a proud tradition of service. Each year, select pins are passed on from a past graduate to a new graduate as a sign of the recipient’s achievement and future promise.
A Shot to Get Connected
The UW–Madison Nursing Alumni Organization in partnership with the School of Nursing hosts “A Shot to Get Connected” as an annual networking event between local Badger nurses and current nursing students.
NAO Board Members
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Ashley Fielek, DNP, RN, CNOR
BSN ’09, DNP ’22
NAO President
Cottage Grove, WI
I completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice degree as an adult/gerontology clinical nurse specialist with nurse educator certificate in Spring 2022. My career background is rooted in the operating room. I worked as a cardiothoracic, heart and lung transplant circulating and scrub nurse for six years, nursing education specialist for two years, and nurse specialist for almost three years.
Mary Francois, DNP, RN
DNP ’16
Brooklyn WI
I worked at UW Health for 35 years as a staff RN and leadership positions. I retired in 2021, but now I teach at the UW–Madison School of Nursing as a clinical assistant professor. This has been a rewarding career focused on educating our future nurses.
Taylor Hayes, BSN, RN
BSN’16
Minneapolis, MN
I am in school at the University of Minnesota pursing a degree in Nurse Anesthesia. Prior to returning to school, I worked at UW Hospital in the Trauma and Life Support Center.
Dana Hendricks BSN, BS, RN, IBCLC, C-EFM
BSN ’ 10
NAO Secretary
Cottage Grove, WI
McKenzie Klipp, BSN, RN
BSN 2020
Madison, WI
I currently work as a nurse at American Family Children’s Hospital on the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant/ENT/Plastics unit. I also serve on the Nurse Well-being Council for UW Health. I love being a staff RN and caring for some incredibly brave kiddos!
Sarah Kruger, DNP, RN
MSN ’00
NAO Treasurer
Verona, WI
I am a retired Clinical Professor and Adult Nurse Practitioner. I am currently working as Nursing Leadership Consultant for Nurses on Boards Coalition (nursesonboardscoalition.org). I also serve on several boards, including a large health insurance organization and a community living organization serving older adults. I continue to co-teach a course in Advanced Diabetes Management.
Bonny Kulick, BSN, RN
BSN 1972
Watervliet, Michigan
My first six years as an RN were on medical/surgical units at Methodist Hospital in Madison and community hospitals in Stoughton and River Falls. I retired from my 40+ year nursing career in 2014 when South Haven Health System closed their OB department where I had worked for 32 years. Since then, I have stayed busy with volunteer activities and have taught a few childbirth education classes 1:1 for young moms.
Grace Long, BSN, RN
BSN ’19
Madison, WI
I am currently working at the American Family Children’s Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as a staff nurse, chair of the unit Social Committee, member of Unit Council, and intermittently as a preceptor. I have no immediate plans to return to school or make any career changes, as I very much enjoy working at the bedside with my tiny humans and their families!
Cara MacKenzie, BSN, BS, RN
BSN ’10
NAO Vice President
Waunakee, WI
Katie Martzke, BSN, RN
BSN ’18
New London, WI
I worked at UW Health in the Cardiac ICU for 3 years prior to graduate school. I am currently a full-time student at Rosalind Franklin University in the Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Anesthesia program and will graduate in 2024.
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Nadine Nehls, PhD, RN
BSN ’75, MSN ’78
Madison, WI
I retired from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing having served as a Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Programs. My clinical and research foci were psychiatric mental health nursing and nursing education. I was especially interested in the lived experience of women with borderline personality disorder and the development of new models of nursing education.
Linda Procci, PhD, RN
BSN ’72, MSN ’74
Pasadena, CA
I had 39 years of progressive leadership and management experience in complex, academic, tertiary, and integrated healthcare organizations before retiring in 2013 after 17 years at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles as VP of Service Line Operations. Chaired the capital campaign for Signe Skott Cooper Hall. Member of the Board of Visitors for the School of Nursing, and co-chair Alumni Engagement Committee. Board Member, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association and Wisconsin Alumni Association LA Chapter Board Member.
Emily Schumacher, DNP, RN
BSN ’10, DNP ’18
Sun Prairie, WI
I am a pediatric nurse practitioner in developmental pediatrics at UW Health. While working towards my Doctor of Nursing practice degree (DNP), I had the opportunity through UW to participate in an advanced training program for graduate students in different health care disciplines called LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities). I enjoy mentoring nursing students and have served as a clinical preceptor.
Elisha Smith, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC
BSN 2014
DNP 2021
Board certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Charlotte, NC
After graduating from the UW SoN DNP program, Elisha completed an advanced practice cardiovascular medicine fellowship in Charlotte, NC. After the completing the fellowship, Elisha continues to work in Charlotte as a general cardiology nocturnist nurse practitioner. In this role he provides comprehensive cardiovascular care throughout all cardiology subspecialities including general cardiology, advanced heart failure, interventional cardiology, and electrophysiology.
Kayla Van Boxtel, BSN, BS, RN
BSN ’21
Baltimore, MD
I am a recent UW-Madison School of Nursing alum and brand-new nurse working in the float pool at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I hope to remain at the bedside for a few years while pursuing a master’s in public health or a Master of Science in Nursing before eventually earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice!
Andrea Williams, PhD, RN
BSN ’76, MSN ’81
Madison, WI
Dr. Andrea Williams is a three-time Badger graduate from the University of Wisconsin. Her PhD was awarded in Continuing Adult Vocational Education, with a Nursing Minor. Andrea spent the majority of her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Manager in trauma, burn, critical care and clinical research related areas at UW Health and Clinical Associate Professor for undergraduate and DNP students at the UW-Madison School of Nursing. Since 2003, she has served as an ATLS Regional Educator & Coordinator for the American Academy of Surgeons-Committee on Trauma and UW Health/AFCH Level One Trauma Centers. She is a UW Madison Teaching Academy Fellow. In 2009 Andrea joined the UW Emergency Education Center team.
Meghann Wilson, MSN, RN, ACCNS-BC, CCRN, CEN
BSN ’09
Norfolk, VA
I am a U.S. Navy Nurse Corps Officer, currently stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Portsmouth, Virginia. I work in the adult ICU as a clinical nurse specialist. I oversee patient care, process improvement, evidence-based practice implementation and orientation.
Peggy Zimdars, NP, RN
BSN ’73
Madison, WI and Door County, WI
I worked with the University of Wisconsin Hospital Pediatrics ICU, as well as a private practice in allergy and immunology. I have served as a Patient and Family Advisor since 2011, including the UW Health Patient and Family Advisory Council from 2011-2017, serving as co-chair from 2014-2015. I have also served on the MyChart PFAC, the Discharge Collaborative, and the planning group for UW Health at the American Center. I co-chair the Alumni Engagement Committee under the Board of Visitors for the UW–Madison School of Nursing.