Spotlight

The Office of Nursing Programs (ONP) will shine a monthly spotlight on compelling stories and the latest developments in the world of nursing in Michigan.

October 2026 spotlight- Linda Bos and her three daughters — Lydia Hollemans, Naomi Palmbos, and Anika Bos — all of whom are nurses at University of Michigan Health-West. To read the full story, go to A family calling: Meet the Bos nurses of UM Health-West - University of Michigan Health-West.
September 2026 spotlight- Siena Heights School of Nursing at Cleary University is addressing a critical gap in local health care education and workforce development in Livingston County. To read the full story, visit Siena Heights to bring nursing programs to university north of Ann Arbor - mlive.com.
August 2026 spotlight- Grand Valley State University and six of their engineering students who are building a medication dispensing cabinet, similar to a Pyxis, to immerse health professional students into clinical practice. To read the full article, go to Collaborative innovation engineers a solution for transforming healthcare education - GVNext.
July 2026 spotlight- Ferris State University online nursing program was recently ranked among the top 10 nationally and recognized as the top online nursing program in Michigan. To read the full article, go to Ferris State’s RN to MSN online nursing programs ranked best in Michigan, top 10 nationally.
June 2026 spotlight- Covenant HealthCare and had six Nursing Excellence Awards recipients: Mary Bader, Macy DeGroff, Angela Mackenzie, Devon Myers, Laura Parson, and Todd Fields who were all honored during National Nurses Week 2026. To read the full article, go to Covenant HealthCare Announces 2026 Nursing Excellence Award Winners | News | News Center | Covenant HealthCare.
May 2026 spotlight- Western Michigan University graduate student, Samuel Marseille, has secured $100,000 in funding for an artificial intelligence system designed to break down language barriers in medical settings. To read the full story, go to This WMU student just won $100,000 for an AI that could revolutionize how doctors talk to patients - mlive.com.
April 2026 spotlight- nursing student Margie Dziurka, age 63, for her inspiring pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Davenport University’s Midland campus. For the full article, go to At 63, this Mid-Michigan woman is pursuing her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse - mlive.com.
March 2026 spotlight- Doris Whorley, a registered nurse (RN) with 57 years of dedicated service, and Hillsdale Hospital for renaming a scholarship program in her honor. To read the full story, go to Hillsdale Hospital Awarding Up to $50,000 in Educational Support to High School Seniors Pursuing Nursing Careers | News | Hillsdale Hospital.
February 2026 spotlight- Two University of Michigan School of Nursing faculty, Dr. Michelle Aebersold and Dr. Barbara Medvec, have developed a free course series called Leadership for Healthcare Professionals. For more information on the course, go to Leadership for Healthcare Professionals | Michigan Online.
January 2026 spotlight- Michigan State University, College of Nursing assistant professor John Mailey and staff at the JAR Primary Care and Wellness clinic in Detroit for assisting in the reduction of patient transportation barriers. Read the full article here Detroit clinic battles chronic disease as transport issues persist – Planet Detroit.

If you have a nursing story deserving of a spotlight, please submit via email to Kaylen Brooks at brooksk22@michigan.gov.

2025 Spotlight
December 2025 spotlight- The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Michigan (MI) Chapter, honored this summer for their advocacy and equity work in Southeastern MI. Their recognition by the DAISY Foundation highlights the chapter's commitment to advancing nursing excellence and promoting health equity across the region. To see the event details go to, NAHN Michigan Chapter | DAISY Foundation.

November 2025 spotlight- Davenport University nursing student, Julianna Scherzer, assisted a family in delivering their baby in the parking lot of a hospital. To read the full story, go to "A day she’ll never forget": Davenport nursing student helps deliver baby in hospital parking lot - Davenpost

October 2025 spotlight- The Gladwin Community Foundation Health Improvement Fund and the Clare Community Foundation Community Investment Fund for their donations to Mid-Michigan College’s nursing program that will provide a new simulation lab, more classrooms, and improved technology. To read the full article, go to https://www.9and10news.com/2025/09/18/community-donations-support-mid-michigan-college-nursing-lab-renovation/

September 2025 spotlight- University of Michigan's School of Nursing has started a Nurse Artificial Intelligence Trainer (NAIT) project which empowers nurses to shape future AI technological advancements. To learn more about the project go to https://nursing.umich.edu/about/news-portal/202506-umsn-building-future-ai-health-care

August 2025 spotlight- MyMichigan Health has teamed up Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), Delta College, and Davenport University to provide tuition assistance to nursing students. To learn more visit MyMichigan Health Offers Tuition Assistance to Nursing Students | Saginaw, Michigan | MyMichigan Health

July 2025 spotlight- Saginaw Valley State University and Montcalm Community College (MCC) who have partnered to offer a free ADN to BSN program to current and past MCC students. For more information about the partnership, go to SVSU ADN/RN to BSN | Montcalm Community College

June 2025 spotlight- Michigan Nurses Foundation will offer $6 million in scholarships to nursing students. For more information go to Millions available to help Michigan nurses enter, stay in profession | MI Nurses Association.

May 2025 spotlight- Grand Rapids Community College announced a new collaboration with Davenport University, Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University in the development of a pathway for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through West Michigan BSN Connect. To learn more about this collaboration go to West Michigan colleges team up to address nursing workforce needs in healthcare | Grand Rapids Community College.

April 2025 spotlight- The University of Michigan School of Nursing received a grant from Bedford Falls Foundation- DAF that will provide scholarships for 140 undergraduate nursing students. To learn more, go to 140 University of Michigan nursing students get scholarships with $2M grant - mlive.com

March 2025 spotlight- March 19th is Certified Nurses Day. For more information on the day and the benefits of certification visit Certified Nurses Day | American Nurses Credentialing Center.

January 2025 spotlight- Govenor Gretchen Whitmer issues proclamation instituting January as Social Determinants of Health Month (SDOH) in Michigan. Once formally announced, the proclamation will be available on the governor's page- visit Proclamations.
2024 Spotlights
December 2024 spotlight- The American Hospital Association (AHA) in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has created resources for decreasing violence in hospitals against healthcare workers. Click Mitigating Targeted Violence in Health Care Settings | AHA for more information.

November 2024 spotlight- The American Nurses Foundation launched the National Mental Health and Well-Being Program for Nurses that offers free resources. For more information go to Nurse Well-Being: Building Peer and Leadership Support.

October 2024 spotlight: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has developed a toolkit sponsored by Johnson & Johnson entitled, Developing Nursing Well-Being and Leadership Tool Kit. Go to AACNs site for more information.

September 2024 spotlight: The College of Nursing at Michigan State University has created a healthy eating program that encourages rural youth to increase their intake of fruit and vegetables. To learn more, go to Healthy eating program increases fruit, veggie intake in rural youth | College of Nursing (msu.edu).

August 2024 spotlight- Michigan Technological University received approval and accreditation to start their Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program in October 2023. The program offers access to students previously attending Finlandia to finish their BSN program and retained an essential nursing program in the Upper Peninsula. This fall marks the start of the program’s first full academic year. To read the whole story go to: It’s Official: Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Receives Higher Learning Commission Approval | Michigan Tech News (mtu.edu)

July 2024 spotlight- Western Michigan University nursing students have created an innovative method to improve detection and prevention of pressure wounds at Ascension Borgess Hospital. To view the story, go to WMU nursing students lead hospital study that could change future of pressure-wound monitoring | WMU News | Western Michigan University (wmich.edu).

June 2024 spotlight- Northern Michigan University has partnered with Saginaw Valley State University to improve behavioral health care in the Upper Peninsula by increasing the access to educational opportunities for advanced practice nurses. To read the whole story, go to NMU, SVSU Collaborate on Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program | Northern Today.

April 2024 spotlight- The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation Well-Being First Champion Challenge to facilitate the removal of intrusive mental health questions from licensing and credentialing applications within licensure boards, hospitals, and health systems. To learn more go to Improving Licensure & Credentialing Applications - Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation (drlornabreen.org)

March 2024 spotlight- Central Michigan University (CMU) and their new start-to-finish nursing program aimed at increasing rural Michiganders' access to professional nursing care. To read the whole story, check out CMU launches start-to-finish nursing degree | Central Michigan University (cmich.edu) and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Central Michigan University partner on nursing program | Crain's Grand Rapids Business (crainsgrandrapids.com).

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Spotlight

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2024 Spotlights