UMKC School of Nursing & Health Studies

07/29/2025

Our Ph.D. students are nurse scientists who are advancing the field of nursing through their research. Students like Gabby Stephens, BSN, RN, CPN, a clinic nurse at Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City, who is researching ways to help children with spinal dysraphism and spinal cord injury.

Why did you decide to pursue advanced degrees in nursing?
Helping children with spinal differences is one of my passions, and I knew I wanted to be a part of furthering research to improve care and quality of life for these children.

What interested you in the subject?
I am fortunate enough to interact with amazing families, kids and providers every day. I knew I wanted to give back, and I noticed gaps in the research that are prevalent in this patient population.

Advice for other working nurses thinking of pursuing advanced degrees?
Get out there, explore new opportunities, and just do it. There are so many opportunities in nursing, and having an advanced degree just provides you with even more opportunities. It allows you to be involved in areas you never thought possible.

For more on our Ph.D. program, visit our website.
https://sonhs.umkc.edu/academics/nursing-phd.html

07/18/2025

Congrats to faculty members Kelsey Gardiner, Ph.D., and Amanda Grimes, Ph.D., who were recognized, along with Jenifer Allsworth, Ph.D., from the UMKC School of Medicine, for their work with the University Health initiative, FoodFARMacy. The program, which tackles food and nutrition insecurity among Kansas City residents, was highlighted by America's Essential Hospitals, a national association, during its annual Gage Awards in June.
Well done! We’re so proud of your hard work.

06/27/2025

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our Ph.D. students for the school's Summer Research Institute, where faculty provide a hands-on introduction to becoming a research scientist. Students are immersed in the scientific process, as well as gain the knowledge and skills needed for success in the rigorous program.

06/20/2025

Thank you to all who attended our alumni reunion last weekend! Alumni from the classes of 2000, 2015 and 2020 gathered at the Diastole Scholar’s Center to observe milestone graduation years. We also celebrated our BSN program, which commemorated 20 years of graduates from the program. Dean Joy Roberts was proud to announce that the school’s NCLEX pass rate went up again, now at 100%! Keep an eye out for more fun alumni events coming up.

05/30/2025

UMKC celebrated its recent designation as Kansas City’s first and only Carnegie R1 research university Wednesday at Union Station.

The event included remarks from university and community leaders as well as presentations highlighting UMKC’s groundbreaking research.

The School of Nursing and Health Studies is excited for what this means for healthcare research, collaboration and improved outcomes for our communities.

05/30/2025

Check out this recent video published by University Health KC spotlighting FoodFARMacy—a powerful initiative with participation by BHS faculty members Dr. Kelsey Gardiner (as Principle Investigator) and Dr. Amanda Grimes, in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Allsworth from the Bioinformatics program.

In partnership with University Health Behavioral Health, Nurture KC , KC Care, Guadalupe Centers KC, Maternal and Infant Health Center (MaIH Center), and the University Health Women’s Center, this project is working to build momentum across Missouri to mobilize policy change that supports Food is Medicine initiatives.

💡 Funded by Health Forward Foundation, BioNexus, and Blue KC!

What if eating more fruits and vegetables could help you feel better and stay healthy? 🍎 The foodFARMacy brings fresh food, simple recipes, and hands-on sup...

05/23/2025

Attention all high school juniors and seniors!! If you attend a school that participates in PREP-KC, you have an exciting opportunity to attend our annual Health Sciences District Academy! Held in collaboration with and , you’ll get the chance to spend a few days in Kansas City’s Hospital Hill District on UMKC’s Health Sciences Campus. You’ll get to learn about the many careers in healthcare you can pursue while getting to gain some hands-on experience while you’re there. Sign up at the link in our bio!

05/20/2025

Congratulations to all who took part in our Academic Professional Recognition Ceremony on Friday. Our nursing graduates took part in the pinning ceremony, a tradition that celebrates the transition from student to professional. Our Ph.D. and DNP graduates participated in the hooding ceremony, which recognizes the highest degree awarded by the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies.

05/15/2025

Wishing our School of Nursing and Health Studies Class of 2025 a Happy Commencement! You've studied, served and sacrificed -- and today, we celebrate all you've accomplished. Here are a few of our graduates who will be stepping into their future. Congrats!

05/13/2025

Last Thursday, we took part in STEM Day at the K! Each year, the event draws thousands of kids from the area to come spend a day at and around Kauffman stadium, getting to have fun while interacting and learning about the multitude of jobs and activities that exist in the STEM fields! They saw science experiments, met with STEM professionals, and got to play some fun games and learn with local STEM schools and companies. We had a great time and loved seeing so many kids have a fun experience while learning a little more about what STEM has to offer! And no event is complete without KC Roo! 🦘

05/07/2025

Congratulations to UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies alumna Jani Johnson (MSN ’96), who was named to the Ingram’s magazine 2025 Class of Women Executives-Kansas City. Johnson, president of Saint Luke’s Central Region, is one of 13 named to the list, which honors and highlights outstanding women in leadership roles at high-profile regional companies. Way to go Jani!

05/01/2025

April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and to end the month, yesterday was Denim Day, which always takes place in the last Wednesday of April. Denim Day has its origin in Italy from over 20 years ago, and we encourage our followers to look up the history of the day to learn more about its origins. Denim Day has been instituted worldwide and continues to draw widespread participation in an effort to bring awareness to SA and show support to SA survivors. This year we saw great involvement from students, staff and faculty, and whether Denim Day or not, we will always support spreading awareness for SA and survivors.