Madison, Wisconsin — May 2, 2018 — The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing honored four graduates with nursing pins at the Nurses Alumni Organization (NAO) annual senior send-off and pinning ceremony in early May.
A longstanding tradition in nursing education, pinning at UW–Madison has evolved over time from a universal practice to distinguish all registered nurses to a distinct honor for a select group of students chosen by their peers. This year four students received pins, three of which were donated by individual alumni and one of which was given directly from the NAO.
“Pinning is a unique honor at UW–Madison because the students are nominated by their peers and receive pins donated by alumni,” says Dr. Linda D. Scott, School of Nursing dean. “It is a special way to recognize students who make a positive impact on their classmates and to connect this class of graduates to the school’s legacy.”
This year’s recipients include Brooke Briesemiester, who received an alumni pin donated by Pamela Mielke ’71. Mielke dedicated her career to family nursing and briefly worked for the School of Nursing as a clinical instructor.
Known among her School of Nursing cohort for her compassion and positive energy, Briesemiester enrolled in the undergraduate nursing program expecting to work in mental health upon graduation. A leader on campus as well as the classroom, she served as the UW–Madison chapter president for Best Buddies, a program that fosters friendship as well as employment and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Upon graduation, the South Milwaukee native will begin a nurse residency program at Aurora Psychiatric Hospital in Wauwatosa.
Annie Rosebear-Ace received a pin donated by Kathleen Netteshiem Engel ’76, a retired nurse consultant for the State of California Department of Corrections. A longtime supporter of the School of Nursing, Netteshiem Engel has donated to the Signe Skott Cooper Hall building project, the NAO, and the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE), which operates out of the School of Nursing.
Rosebear-Ace chose her career in nursing after witnessing the care her mother received during a long bout with cancer, which eventually claimed her life. Multiple classmates nominated the senior, citing her compassion, kindness, and ability to maintain excellent grades while also working two jobs and voluntarily caring for an elderly woman with dementia. Rosebear-Ace hopes to work in women’s health.
Tararinsey Seng made her way to UW–Madison with the Posse program, a scholarship program that funds clusters of students from the same urban area who attend college in the same university. Originally from Cambodia, Seng moved to California as a young girl. She learned English while going to school and serving as a healthcare advocate for her father. An active leader in the school and on campus, Tara plans to eventually pursue a graduate degree in public health policy, focusing on health equity and social justice. First, though, she will return to California and begin work as a nurse resident at Scripps Health in San Diego.
Seng received a pin donated by Elizabeth Brehm ’70. Brehm worked at University Hospital, in critical care in Portland, Maine, and in the surgical ICU at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston.
Natalie Kustner received the BOV pin, which is donated by the organization to recognize leadership.
Kustner excelled in all aspects of her nursing education and served as an official school ambassador to promote nursing programs and recruit students. Known among her classmates for her kindness, gratitude, and spirit of service, she was also highly regarded among faculty for her desire to contribute to research and interest in advancing nursing practice and effecting policy change.
Inspired by her brother with Down’s Syndrome, Kustner aspires to infuse his positive spirit into nursing practice and all of healthcare. She plans to work in critical care before returning to graduate school for an advanced degree in nursing.
“We are immensely proud of these four students and of all of our graduates,” Scott says. “We look forward to following their careers and witnessing the positive impact they make on the profession and all of healthcare.”
##
For more information, please contact Jen Garrett at (608) 263-5160 or jegarrett@wisc.edu.