The College of Nursing and Health Sciences acknowledged graduating seniors and graduate students’ achievements at its annual Honors Day event on May 17. The following students received awards:
Dean’s Awards
Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Alison Chivers, Medical Laboratory Science '19
Chivers has been involved in cancer research in Dr. Seth Frietze’s laboratory for three years, during which time she received two summer undergraduate research fellowships and conducted research abroad. She is a member of Mortar Board, a national honor society that recognizes college seniors for distinguished ability and achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Chivers was awarded a 2019 Fulbright Fellowship to research cancer suppression genetics at the University of León, Spain.
Outstanding Graduate Student: Katie Zeppetelli, Doctor of Physical Therapy '19
Zeppetelli was a teaching assistant in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, acting as a tutor and mentor to fellow students. She organized "DPT PubNite" as a networking opportunity for DPT students, alumni and physical therapists from the community, and helped lead a student initiative to raise funds for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research.
Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence: Jeremiah Crawford, Doctor of Physical Therapy '20
Crawford is a member of UVM Brotherhood, where he provides mentorship to minority undergraduate students experiencing new cultural situations at UVM. He has volunteered with Jumpstart, America Reads and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. As a DPT student, Crawford participates in multiple community engagement opportunities to work with disabled community members. Upon completing his DPT degree, he plans to work with disabled children.
Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences Awards
Scholastic Achievement in Medical Laboratory Science Award: Alison Chivers, Medical Laboratory Science '19
Chivers maintained a 3.9 grade point average while participating in a range of research and community service projects. She piloted research projects to explore the molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cancer, contributed to publications in this area and presented her work locally and nationally at health and research conferences.
F.W. Van Buskirk Award: Chace Carpenter, Medical Radiation Sciences '19
Clinical Achievement in Radiation Therapy Award: Chace Carpenter, Medical Radiation Sciences '19
Carpenter worked for a physical therapy clinic, tutored numerous courses, became a Licensed Nurse Assistant and worked as a lab assistant in the Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences and as an undergraduate researcher at the High-Risk Breast Cancer Program at UVM Medical Center. Last summer, Carpenter completed a research internship in molecular imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York. She was selected to participate in the 2018 American Society of Radiologic Technologists Student Leadership program.
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Awards
Eleanor M. Luse Graduate Student Award in Communication Sciences and Disorders: Emily Heckler, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19 and Kathryn Howrigan, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Heckler maintained a 3.97 cumulative GPA and produced consistently exemplary work. Her clinical supervisors noted her ability to work collaboratively and exhibit a calm, friendly demeanor that puts clients and families at ease.
Howrigan maintained a 3.97 cumulative GPA and demonstrated exceptional foundational knowledge and professional skills in the clinical setting.
Margaret Kyte Memorial Award: Lydia Sack, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Sack served as a speech language pathology teaching assistant and spent two years doing research on autism spectrum disorder. She participated in several UVM clubs, volunteered to teach adaptive skiing and spent two semesters studying abroad.
Vermont Speech-Language-Hearing Association Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award: Elizabeth O'Donnell, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
O’Donnell is the outgoing co-president of the Communicatiion Sciences and Disorders Honor Society and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She participated in a summer clinical internship at the Eleanor M. Luse Center, creating a back-to-school survival guide that was published nationally by the National Stuttering Association. For her honors senior research thesis project, she used electroencephalography (EEG) to examine narrative processing abilities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Communication Sciences and Disorders Award for Excellence: Shira Habermehl, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Habermehl was an involved student representative of the CNHS Interprofessional Education committee and co-developed a student interprofessional education leadership group. She participated in the Mansfield Hall Fellows program, which provides mentorship to students with diverse learning needs as they transition to college life. Habermehl also researched new caregiver-implemented interventions for children on the autism spectrum.
Department of Nursing Awards
Vermont State Nurses' Association Clinical Excellence Undergraduate Award: Alyssa Miller, Nursing '19
Miller achieved Dean’s List status for her entire academic career. She volunteers at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, a camp for children experiencing cancer and their families. She worked as a student nurse extern at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and served on the board of directors for the Randolph Technical Career Center where she advises the Health Sciences program.
Clarissa Peters Allen Award: Elizabeth "Lizzy" Guido, Nursing '19
Guido served as a leader of the UVM Outing Club, co-president for UVM FeelGood and participated in the Food Insecurity Working Group. She also worked with the UVM admissions department to facilitate the application process for potential incoming students.
Faye Crabbe Award: Caroline Olmer, Nursing '19
Olmer participated in the UVM Army ROTC and earnied many awards for her service. Upon graduating she became a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
Visiting Nurse Association Ann K. Twitchell Community Health Services Award: Charlene Mitchell, Nursing '19
Mitchell facilitated with first-year orientation and admitted student visit days and served as vice president of scholarship for Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Her professors and preceptors describe her as a student with a very caring personality who is empathetic and calm when delivering care to her clients.
Vermont Nurses Association Award for Clinical Excellence Award: Nancy Ann Kelly, Doctor of Nursing Practice '19
Kelly managed her preceptor’s patient panel, conducting thorough assessments and formulating her plan of care in conjunction with the patients, demonstrating an ability to engage patients in decisions about their care.
University of Vermont Medical Center Award for Innovation in Clinical Practice: David Segel, Doctor of Nursing Practice '19
Segel created an educational program for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and medical office staff about terminology and health care issues specific to patients who identify as LGBTQ+ and verified a link between increased knowledge, improved patient communication and better health outcomes.
University of Vermont Medical Center Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice: Kelsey Reed, Nursing '19
Reed served as vice president of member education for Kappa Delta sorority, was named 2018 University of Vermont Fraternity and Sorority Life Scholar of the Year and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She tutored organic chemistry and abnormal psychology and worked as a clinical care associate for UVM Medical Center Primary Care.
Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science Awards
Leadership Award in Athletic Training: Kimberly Buckholts, Athletic Training '19
Buckholts achieved the highest cumulative GPA in her major. For her senior year clinical with UVM Athletics, she collaborated with health care providers to diagnose and manage injuries She served as vice president of the Student Athletic Medicine Society and volunteered in the medical tent at the Vermont City Marathon, at community events for wounded veterans and with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports. She is a member of the board of directors for the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont and a Taekwondo instructor. She also received the Edwardo “Chico” Hernandez Scholarship Award, the highest award given to an athletic training student in Vermont.
Rebecca Ryan Future Professional Award: Beth Lewis, Athletic Training '19
Lewis won the Quiz Bowl competition at the 2019 Eastern Athletic Trainers Association annual conference, qualifying her to attend the national association meeting to represent District 1 for the national title. She passed the National Athletic Training Board of Certification exam and completed requirements to sit for the emergency medical technician exam.
Isola Braun Award: Katie Zeppetelli, Doctor of Physical Therapy '19
Zeppetelli served as a teaching assistant and tutor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and is an active member of American Physical Therapy Association. She organized a networking opportunity for DPT students, alumni and physical therapists from the community, and helped lead a student initiative to raise funds for the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research.
Margaret B. Corbin Award: Lee Karlsson, Doctor of Physical Therapy '19
Karlsson maintained a 4.0 GPA and helped facilitate discussions in both the classroom and laboratory that encouraged classmates to participate in advocacy efforts. She participated in research on fall risk screening that was published in a peer-reviewed journal and publicized by national and local media.
Outstanding Student in Exercise Science Award: Casey Little, Exercise Science '19
Little maintained a 4.0 GPA and served as a research assistant in the Emergency Medicine Research program, the Department of Orthopedics and the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science. For her Honor’s College thesis, she studied the effects of axial loading on postural control in adults with multiple sclerosis. Little worked as a supplemental instructor and tutor in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology and biology classes and worked in the UVM Tutoring Center. She volunteered in a therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities, a fall prevention program for adults with multiple sclerosis and the CNHS Links peer mentorship program.
Outstanding Future Professional in Exercise Science: Narissa McCarty, Exercise Science '19
McCarty was a rower on the UVM Crew team. She served as a teaching assistant in the exercise physiology laboratory and as a research assistant on a project examining health behavior in people with multiple sclerosis. While completing her senior capstone experience in the exercise physiology laboratory, McCarty led classes and worked with junior students. She plans to study integrative physiology and participate in research at University of Colorado Boulder.
College Recognition
Class of 2019 Commencement Banner Bearer: Sarah Clements, Medical Radiation Science '19
University Honors
Honors College Scholars:
Annik Buley, Nursing '19
Dakota Dione, Exercise Science '19
Ani Harlan, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Julia Hurd, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Casey Little, Exercise Science '19
Sarah Lubic, Exercise Science '19
Kristen Mackie, Exercise Science '19
Colin Murphy, Nursing '19
McKenna Neeb, Exercise Science '19
Elizabeth O’Donnell, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Reba Salton, Exercise Science '19
Kelly Walton, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society Inductees
Lily McAdams, Medical Laboratory Science '19
Elizabeth O’Donnell, Communication Sciences and Disorders '19
Lizzy Guido, Nursing '19
Military Studies ROTC Awards
Nicholas Jon LeBeau, Medical Laboratory Science '19
Caroline Olmer, Nursing '19
Peter Owen Smetanka, Athletic Training '19
Tyler McGinnis Triquet, Exercise Science '19