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A passion for South Dakota State University motivates Susie Leahy in her role as a professional academic advisor and recruiter for the College of Nursing in Rapid City. Leahy’s efforts in working with nursing students in Rapid City and traveling the western United States to recruit future students has earned her the 2024 College of Nursing Professional Staff Award for Excellence.

With the lamp of learning as her guide, it’s not surprising Cindy Elverson followed the path of academia as she advanced in her nursing career. The Missouri native began practicing nursing in 1979 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Through seven years as a staff nurse, 10 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner and 28 years as an educator, some of that overlapping, a desire to grow her knowledge has guided her career path.

After 53 years as a nurse and more than 30 as a nurse educator, Tom Stenvig is ready to retire and nurse nothing more than the vegetables in his garden — at least for now. Stenvig, who has been a well-known persona and leader  in  South Dakota nursing since 1979, retired May 21 from the College of Nursing at South Dakota State University as associate professor and Ph.D. program director.

For a nurse who loved teaching, being named the college’s teacher of the year in her final year of teaching is truly the cherry on top. “As I leave, this was a wonderful gift to give to me, to just verify that I've made a difference,” said Jo Voss, who retired from the South Dakota State University College of Nursing May 21 after a 29-year career at State.

Listening to patients’ concerns and taking them seriously are key factors for nurses to gain patients’ trust and increase their sense of security. That, in turn, will prevent harm and reduce risks in hospitals. Patricia Groves, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa, offered that message in her lecture “Hospital Safety Communication: Working Together to Create Patient Safety and Sense of Security” on the South Dakota State University campus April 18.

Babe Ruth: “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.” Chinese proverb: “Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” Ben Sweetland: “Success is a journey, not a destination.”

Some people garden. Some people bowl. For Sue Fierstine, her hobby is sewing, and she uses the hobby to help others. The organization currently benefitting from Fierstine’s seamstress skills is Delivering Hope. Formed in February 2014 by Rachel Schuldt of Sioux Falls, Delivering Hope delivers tangible messages of hope to cancer patients using oncology services at the Avera and Sanford hospitals in Sioux Falls and the Sioux City, Iowa, hospital.

South Dakota State University's Exercise is Medicine program has been recognized with gold status by the American College of Sports Medicine — the largest sports medicine and exercise organization in the world.

The Population Health Evaluation Center at South Dakota State University has been recognized by the South Dakota Department of Health as its 2023 outstanding Partner in Health.

In an effort to support health sciences and future workforce building, Avera has made a generous gift to the South Dakota State University Foundation of its property at 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue, expanding ������Ƶ’s presence in Sioux Falls and providing a permanent home for its Sioux Falls-based programs in nursing and pharmacy at the ������Ƶ Metro Center.