Inaugural DNP Cohort Completes Program

DNP closing ceremony

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, Closing Ceremony Dec. 12, 2019

The first cohort of the UCSF School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program completed their studies and marked the achievement at a closing ceremony. The degree program was the first of its kind to launch in the UC system.
The first cohort of the UCSF School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program completed their studies and marked the achievement at a closing ceremony. The degree program was the first of its kind to launch in the UC system.
Faculty member Deborah Johnson speaks with graduates and their families at the reception at the DNP program's closing ceremony.
Faculty member Deborah Johnson speaks with graduates and their families at the reception at the DNP program's closing ceremony.
Jyu-Lin Chen, director of the DNP program, welcomes faculty, staff, graduates and their families to the DNP closing ceremony.
Jyu-Lin Chen, director of the DNP program, welcomes faculty, staff, graduates and their families to the DNP closing ceremony.
Summer Thompson delivered the cohort's student address at the DNP program's closing ceremony.
Summer Thompson delivered the cohort's student address at the DNP program's closing ceremony.
DNP graduate Bryan Chin, seated with peers from his cohort, applauds after colleague Summer Thompson's remarks.
DNP graduate Bryan Chin, seated with peers from his cohort, applauds after colleague Summer Thompson's remarks.
DNP graduate Cheryl Catalan hugs faculty member Marianne Hultgren at the DNP closing ceremony.
DNP graduate Cheryl Catalan hugs faculty member Marianne Hultgren at the DNP closing ceremony.
DNP graduate Angelita Barrios, who also teaches MEPN courses at the School, is surrounded by MEPN students who came to celebrate her achievement.
DNP graduate Angelita Barrios, who also teaches MEPN courses at the School, is surrounded by MEPN students who came to celebrate her achievement.
Faculty member Marianne Hultgren (left) with DNP graduate Sara Hunt.
Faculty member Marianne Hultgren (left) with DNP graduate Sara Hunt.
DNP Associate Director Annette Carley (left) with graduate Susan Diaz.
DNP Associate Director Annette Carley (left) with graduate Susan Diaz.

 

Amid cheers and applause, the School of Nursing marked a milestone as it celebrated the first cohort to complete its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program at a closing ceremony on Dec. 12. 

Launched in spring 2018, the School's DNP program was the first in the University of California system and was established to meet the growing need for doctorally prepared nurses. DNP-prepared nurses emerge with the skills to lead within health organizations, implement and evaluate quality improvement initiatives, and participate in translational research that addresses complex health needs. 

"The hope is that we can take the wisdom that we have gained from this experience with us – to where we practice now, and in the future – and apply it in a way that is meaningful, and, in some way, positively impacts the way health care is delivered in the future,” said Summer Thompson, DNP graduate.

As part of the program, the students completed the following quality improvement projects: 

  • Assessing HIV Patient Satisfaction and Perceived Medication Adherence Through Telemedicine in Maui County:  A Quality Improvement Project (Bryan Chin)
  • Revising an Organizational Readiness Tool for DNP Projects Using PDSA Cycles (Milan Chavarkar)
  • The Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Primary Care Providers in the Management of Antidepressant Induced Hyperhidrosis (Summer Thompson)
  • Interprofessional Collaboration Within Obstetric Emergency Simulation Education:  Team Performance Outcomes in Rural Kenya (Morgan Aurelio)
  • Improving Adherence to Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Guidelines:  An Intervention for Hospitalists (Cheryl Catalan)
  • Center for the Undiagnosed Patient:  Use of a Checklist to Support Perceived Provider Efficiency (Jennifer Elad)
  • Behavior Change Through Self-Empowerment After Diabetes Group Education (Robin Sanderson)
  • Enhancing Role Knowledge to Support Successful Role Transition in Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing Students (Legina Garrett)
  • Medical Alert Cards: Improving Continuity of Care for Children with Complex Congenital Heart Disease (Kun Lu)
  • The Development of Adolescent and Young Adult Healthcare Transition Workshops to Increase Liver Transplant Providers’ Knowledge and Self-Efficacy (Susan Diaz)
  • A Standardized Weekly Assessment Checklist to Assist MEPN Clinical Instructors (Angelita Barrios)
  • Improving Emergency Severity Index Accuracy by Emergency Department Triage Providers (Merry Taheri)
  • The Impact of Integrating Health Policy Content Into a Non-Health Policy Course (Sara Hunt)