Clinical Assistant Professor Nico Osier, PhD, BSN, BS, RN, and Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Gayle Timmerman, PhD, APRN-CNS, FNAP, FAAN, were named among the Texas Nurses Association's (TNA) Outstanding 25 Texas Nurses for 2024. Osier and Timmerman were recognized during TNA’s Annual Conference May 31 through June 1 in San Antonio, Texas.
This annual award recognizes the contribution of nurses who create a culture of care, support healing, health and wellness, as well as innovate improvements and contribute to their communities. Nominations are made by peers, community members, friends, family and employers.
Osier designed and taught a highly acclaimed health care cultural humility course, recognized as a freshman signature course that attracted diverse students to the nursing program and received exceptional student ratings. Osier made significant efforts to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities and became a University Open Education Fellow. In this role, they continue developing an open-access textbook, showcasing a strong commitment to affordable resources for nursing education. Through mentorship, Osier empowered nursing students to submit their capstone projects to scholarly conferences, facilitating their professional development and enhancing the visibility of the nursing profession.
Timmerman was recognized for her innovative contributions to nursing education, particularly through spearheading a project aimed at expanding the pipeline for nursing faculty. Under her leadership, the project developed an online Clinical Teaching Toolkit to enhance the skills of clinical educators and preceptors. This initiative successfully increased interest in clinical teaching and diversified the nurse faculty pipeline. Completed within a tight timeline, the project has garnered significant engagement, as evidenced by its wide utilization and positive feedback. Timmerman’s exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing nursing education in Texas are demonstrated through this impactful work.