UWO nursing alumna, Korom, named Distinguished Alumni Award winner

For her many years of exceptional leadership and dedication to nursing as well as for significant contributions to the community, Nancy (Lien) Korom '84, '93 MSN, has earned a UW-Oshkosh 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award.

The vice president and chief nursing officer for Children's Wisconsin said she is proud to have the honor of caring for children and families, leading teams and mentoring others.

Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the College of Nursing, Health Professions and STEM, nominated Korom for the Distinguished Alumni honor.

"Nancy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to nursing care since 1997. Her long-standing role has been pivotal in maintaining high standards within the organization. Under her guidance, Children's Wisconsin has achieved Magnet (excellence in nursing and patient care) recognition since 2004, reflecting the quality of nursing care and the positive work environment she has fostered."

Korom has responsibility for more than 2,000 nurses across the Children's Wisconsin system, as well as responsibility for multiple areas including surgical services, family services and emergency department/trauma center.

In addition to her professional achievements, Korom, a Wauwatosa resident, said she is proud of her volunteer roles, especially as former president of the American Lung Association-Wisconsin when the Smoke Free Wisconsin initiative was championed, and work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Her commitment to community service extends to advisory boards for Concordia University-Wisconsin, The Milwaukee School of Engineering, and the UW-Oshkosh School of Nursing.

Korom's professional recognition includes being named the Sophia Schroeder Endowed Chair for Nursing in 1999 and her induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2013.

Internationally, she's influenced nursing care with her work with Project Hope in China; and the Nelson Mandela Children's Foundation in South Africa.

Korom earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1983 from UWO and her master's degree in nursing in 1993 from Marquette University.

Korom earned a UWO Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1996 and a Distinguished Alumna of the Year-nursing at Marquette.

She is married to John Korom, with three children and five grandchildren. Her hobbies include vocal and piano music, fencing and travel.

She said she is a pediatric nurse at heart, as she was influenced by an interim course, High Risk Neonatal Nursing that influenced her interest in pediatrics.

High regard

Stacy Wenner, director, Nursing Systems and Magnet at Children's Wisconsin, said Korom, has "defined nursing excellence-in clinical practice, leadership and advocacy" since beginning her career at Children's Wisconsin upon earning her BSN.

"My best characterization of Nancy is that she is a builder of people, infrastructure and programs in service to kids and their families," Wenner said in a letter of nomination. "Her motivation has been to be a pioneering transformer, who by leading by example, has helped to define the prevailing nursing culture at Children's Wisconsin while elevating staff engagement and patient experience."

Scott Turner, president and chief operating officer at Children's Wisconsin, Hospitals; and executive vice president of Children's Wisconsin, said Korom is most deserving of the distinguished alumni honor.

"The greatest impact a leader can have, is their ability to enable the growth and success of others," he said in a nomination letter. "Nancy excels in this capacity as a leader and educator where she warmly and freely offers mentorship, friendship and important insight to others."

Turner said Korom takes time to get to know and care for others.

"Whether as a nurse, administrator, educator or community leader, she has been motivated and driven to see people be healthier, organizations stronger and professional colleagues better."

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will celebrate the talents and successes of 11 alumni during Homecoming 2025 this October. Korom is among five top graduates to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award for their accomplishments in their professional fields; five will be honored with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award for their professional and civic accomplishments within 15 years of receiving their degrees, and one will receive the Alumni Outstanding Service Award for making exemplary contributions to support UWO through volunteer efforts, energy, leadership and/or philanthropic donations.

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UW-Oshkosh Homecoming

Eleven UWO alumni to be honored at Alumni Awards Celebration Homecoming weekend