From rural Wisconsin to the heart of Chicago’s refugee community, Autumn Henze’s nursing path is a story of courage, cultural connection, and unwavering commitment to mental health.
Alumni
Rising Star
A first-generation college graduate, Dayne Krachey chose the BSN@Home program at UW–Madison for the flexibility, networking, and leadership development it offered. Today, he’s a Rising Star at Grant Regional Health Center, leading across inpatient, emergency, and charge nurse roles.
From Battlefield to Clinic: Brenda Coupar’s Path from Combat Lifesaver to DNP
Brenda Coupar ’09, DNP’18, knows the true meaning of service. “I didn’t choose nursing. Nursing chose me,” she says.
From the Archives
Where Are They Now? Catching Up with David Ensch ‘73 and Julia Ensch ’10.
Meet Rachel Stanek: CTEN Clinical Assistant Professor
Two-time Badger Rachel Stanek shares her journey from BSN student to assistant professor.
Small Victories: Bringing Compassionate Care to Disadvantaged Populations
Matt Meskan, DNP’25, RN, CCHP, brings a passion for practical, patient-centered care to his work as a registered nurse and certified correctional health professional.
Nursing Through a Different Lens
For Will Joyce ’25, the nursing journey wasn’t linear. But after years in the classroom and time spent traveling through Europe, he had what he calls an “epiphany” which led him to UW–Madison’s accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program.
Kids Explore Nursing at Grandparents University
This year, the School of Nursing welcomed a group of kids and elders for a session examining the critical role nurses play in patient care, exploring places where nurses work, and learning more about what nurses really do.
A Badger Nurse Bond Built Through Mentorship
In a world that often feels disconnected, the Badger Nurse Mentorship Program is fostering a community of connection — one conversation, one coffee, one shared story at a time.
Where are they now? Alumni Feature: Olivia Gonzalez ’20
Olivia Gonzalez shares about her journey post-BSN, including a global health nursing career in Malawi, and pursuing a PhD in health behavior.