University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

04/21/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2025 14:21

Titans among UW-Oshkosh 2025 Nightingale nursing excellence award winners

From left, Heather Evenson, UWO alumna; and Renee Weier, who teaches at UWO; were honored with a College of Nursing 2025 Nightingale Nursing Excellence Award. In addition, UWO alumna Erin Barden, received a Nurse Leader Award. (Lois Kuehl an alumna who was not present, earned a Nursing Excellence Award.)

In the spirit of Florence Nightingale, the UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing and its Board of Visitors recognize registered nurses for excellence in clinical nursing practice during the 2025 Nightingale Awards on April 10. Nominees and winners-all registered nurses in Wisconsin, and several of them Titans-were congratulated for their expertise, dedication and commitment to excellence and inspiration to colleagues.

Check out photos here from the evening celebrating nursing excellence.

The nurses nominated for a UW-Oshkoshj 2025 Nightingale Award, recognizing excellence and leadership, take a moment for a photo at the annual awards dinner.

2025 Nightingale Nursing Excellence Award

Nominees: Heather Evenson, Sheri Freymiller, Lois Kuehl, Stacey Lamoureaux, Vicky Merzlicker, Katie Mix, Hannah Schreiber, Theresa Troestler, Renee Weier and Amanda Wheeler

Winners are as follows:

Heather Evenson

Evenson of Fond du Lac, is a UWO alumna and is an MSN registered nurse at SSM Health's St. Agnes Hospital at the Fond du Lac campus. She has 25 years of expertise and is committed to the next generation of nurses through her work as an educator at Moraine Park Technical College and Marian University. She is noted for improving patient experience.

"Heather goes beyond meeting minimum standards by seeking to understand the unique expectations of each patient and identifying innovative ways to enhance their experience," said nominator Indira Husic, who is one of Evenson's peers. "She actively listens to patients and their families, ensuring their voices are central in developing and managing care plans. She fosters collaboration and creates a supportive environment where patients feel empowered and valued."

Husic said Evenson takes additional steps to offer personalized education, emotional support and follow-up care, helping families navigate illness with compassion and understanding. She pointed out that Evenson is involved in extensive volunteer work in her community, including volunteering for the Salvation Army and service on a medical flight for the Old Glory Honor Flight, accompanying a veteran to Washington, D.C. She has established four scholarships in support of nursing students. She honors her grandmother, a late co-worker, and a former nursing faculty member as well as creating her own named scholarship.

"Her clinical expertise as a bedside nurse for 25 years is complemented by her commitment to nurturing the next generation of nurses," Husic said.

Lois Kuehl

Kuehl of Shiocton, a UWO alumna who has 43 years in nursing, is lead at ThedaCare's Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education clinic. A sign of her commitment, she stepped up when the department was without a director and help lead staff and served to guide the interim directors. She arranged education to staff on a new product that allowed nurses to speak confidently about different continuous glucose monitoring systems and teach patients on them.

"Lois uses her knowledge every day to serve as a resource to providers, educators and patients…and is highly respected" said primary nominator Laura Seefeld, who said Weier is her lead. "Lois puts patients first, even those patients that she is not directly working with.

"Talking to many of the patients that Lois works with, it is clear that she is well respected, loved and admired for her caring, compassion and knowledge.

"Lois is considered an expert in her field. She keeps current on diabetes technology and updates. She reads industry journals to keep updated on the latest diabetes related information; she shares that with members of her team. She works with many patients that have an insulin pump. She guides them from the starting process and often continues to work with them regularly to help achieve their A1c goal and reduce long-term complications."

Weier, of Fond du Lac, is a nursing administrative supervisor at Ripon Community Hospital-SSM Health. She earned her BSN from Marian University and her MSN from Grand Canyon University, and has been in nursing for 27 years.

Renee Weier

Jennifer Bunker, Weier's supervisor, said Weier's greatest qualities are the depth of experience she brings to the bedside.

"She is a well-rounded nurse, able to adapt to any care setting. Her personal dedication to excellence, innovation and growth is reflected in all she does."

Bunker said in critical situations, she is quick to take charge and ensure everyone is working as a team in the most effective manner. She said Weier is diligent to "care for the caregivers in providing a debrief session and providing emotional support, building team confidence and resilience."

Weier has worked in a variety of areas: med/surg, ICU, preop/PACU and emergency department, before her current role as nursing supervisor. Her achievements include leading emergency management, SANE programs and an innovative surge plan when the hospital she was the director of, experienced the first COVID patient in the state. She earned her master's in nursing and added clinical instructor to her roles. She works with second semester junior students and "considers it a critical last clinical opportunity to challenge and build knowledge in the nursing students," Bunker said, "so she takes great ownership in ensuring they are ready for their future careers."

2025 Nightingale Nurse Leader Award

Nominees: Erin Barden, Loraine Carley, Tammi Cavazos, Rebecca Gretschmann, Emily Kosterman, Kari Northern and Chelsea Rens

Barden named recipient

Erin Barden

Barden, a resident of Waupaca with over 20 years in health care, is an RN perioperative manager with ThedaCare Waupaca, received a 2025 Nightingale Nurse Leader Award. Barden earned her BSN degree from UW-Oshkosh and her MSN online from University of Phoenix.

Meghan Ruffalo, RN team leader, nominated Barden, said she is a positive, composed, well-spoken and supportive nurse manager who leads by example -maintaining professionalism and integrity in stressful situations.

"She advocates for her team, solving challenges creatively; securing funding for new anesthesia and RN offices to improve communication, safety, productivity and education. Erin is dedicated to staff development, mentoring RNs and creating opportunities for recognition and engagement.

Erin has fostered a strong, cohesive team built on trust, high standards and accountability, contributing to no surgical site infections in 2023-2024. She chairs committees and is involved in policy review and best practice guidelines. Ruffalo said Barden's leadership has improved team dynamics, staff retention and patient outcomes. She added that her innovative mindset, problem-solving skills and dedication create a positive environment for staff and patients.

"She advocates for work-life balance, such as adjusting call response times and creating call-only positions. Erin nurtures a culture of physical and psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue and addressing tough issues. This has led to increased energy, trust and enthusiasm."

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