Seven New Faculty Members Make an Immediate Impact
By Megan Hinners
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing appointed seven new faculty members for the 2020-2021 academic year earlier this year. A blend of both tenure track and clinical faculty, these new additions are helping the School expand academic programming and strengthen its research enterprise as it continues to advance healthcare for all.
Seven New Faculty Members
Tenure track faculty
Rachel Gicquelais, PhD, joined the School as an assistant professor. She earned a bachelor of science in biology from Virginia Tech, and a master of public health and a doctor of philosophy in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Most recently, Gicquelais completed a postdoctoral fellowship in HIV epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. Her research is focused on the epidemiology of opioid use and bloodborne virus infections, including HIV and hepatitis C. She teaches health promotion and disease prevention, as well as quantitative research methods content at the graduate level.
Elliot Tebbe, PhD, LP, joined the School as an assistant professor. Tebbe received a bachelor of arts in psychology from UW–Madison, as well as a master of science in psychology and a doctor of philosophy in counseling psychology from the University of Florida. He has held academic positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Minnesota, in addition to practicing as a clinical psychologist. Tebbe’s research centers on LGBTQ+ population health and health disparities, particularly among trans and gender diverse communities and populations. An experienced teacher, Tebbe currently teaches mental health and health care system content at the graduate level.
Clinical faculty
Lacey Alexander, PhD, RN-BC, joined the faculty as a clinical assistant professor. Alexander received a bachelor of science in nursing as well as gender and women’s studies, a master of science in nursing, and a doctor of philosophy in nursing, all from UW–Madison. Alexander brings clinical experience in medical-surgical, hospice, inpatient rehabilitation care, cardiac, transplant, and dementia care. She is experienced in teaching, having developed and taught a course in gender and women’s studies. In a recently completed postdoctoral position, Alexander conducted research and provided professional education on reducing bias in clinical and academic settings. This fall, Alexander joined the strong cadre of faculty teaching experiential/clinical content and skills in the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) program.
Melissa Anibas, EdS, MSN, RN-BC, rejoined the School of Nursing as a clinical assistant professor. Anibas received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from UW–Eau Claire, and an education specialist advanced degree from UW–Stout. Anibas comes to the School with substantial clinical practice experience in general medicine, oncology, and clinical research. Anibas also taught experiential/clinical courses for the School of Nursing from 2014 to 2017. Anibas joined the strong cadre of clinical faculty working with the ABSN students in August.
Angela Baker, MS, RN, NCC,joined the School as a clinical instructor. Baker received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from UW–Madison. She has had a wealth of experiences in nursing practice, as a clinical nurse specialist and as a nurse manager. Her experience has been across the lifespan as well as across the spectrum of care from NICU to outpatient specialty clinical care. Baker joined the School of Nursing faculty in teaching experiential courses in the ABSN program.
Kelli Jones, PhD, RN, CPH, joined the faculty as a clinical associate professor and leader of the new online doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in population health. Jones received a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing and health care systems leadership, and a doctor of philosophy in nursing from Marquette University. Deeply experienced in academic nursing, Jones also has a wealth of practice experience as a local and state-level public health nurse, a program director at the state level, and as an executive director of a non-profit organization. In addition, she holds a certification in public health. Jones will assure currency and relevance of course content, teach courses, and lead the implementation of the DNP in population health, as well as teach health promotion and disease prevention content at the graduate level.
Roberta Pawlak, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, joined the faculty as a clinical professor and leader of the new online doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in systems leadership and innovation. Pawlak earned a bachelor of science in nursing from D’Youville College, a master of science in nursing administration from SUNY at Buffalo, and a doctor of philosophy in nursing from UW–Madison. She holds ANCC certification as a Nurse Executive Advanced, and she has deep experience in nursing education in academic and professional development settings. Pawlak will guide course content and lead the implementation of the new systems leadership and innovation program, as well as mentor DNP students in their scholarly projects.