Clarkson College is proud to announce that students Mitchell Doke, Rachel Finnell, Rona Johnson, Allison Martinez and Vincent Muma are the 2016 recipients of the esteemed Alice Friedlander Scholarship in the amount of $5,000. Funded by the Nebraska Medicine Guild, the scholarship honors the late Alice Friedlander, director of volunteer services at UNMC from 1972 to 1990.
To be eligible for the Alice Friedlander Scholarship, students must:
- have completed their first year in a nursing or applied health program;
- be enrolled full-time;
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher;
- be active volunteers in the community;
- and demonstrate a need for financial aid.
Mitchell Doke, Master’s in Health Care Administration major
Educational & Career Background
Mitchell Doke is a second-year student in the Master’s in Health Care Administration program. He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa where he attended a technical high school and studied communications, electronics, computers and industrial electricity. He moved to Omaha in 1993 for a job promotion with Johnson Controls, Inc. Previous degrees include an Associate’s of Applied Science of Electronic Technologies degree from Des Moines Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from Bellevue University.
Doke currently works as the Energy/FAC Engineering Lead at Nebraska Medicine in the Biologics Production Facility. His team processes bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells and stem cell-based products for Nebraska Medicine and other clinical facilities across the country. Doke is responsible for maintaining the automation and the environmental integrity of the 20,000 square foot facility to facilitate researchers’ focus on stem cell collection and processing, cellular-based vaccines and therapies, tissue-based therapies and regenerative medicine therapies, as well as the emerging field of Nano medicine.
Strategy for Success
Doke says, maintaining a 4.0 GPA requires “hard work, achieved by understanding the class expectations, personal commitment, believing in myself and preserving a positive attitude full of faith and never-ending perseverance.” Challenges include balancing a full-time job with full-time study at night, as well as other life needs and recreational activity. “The good side of all this is that the reward is very much worth it—the way it makes you feel, the respect, the knowledge gained, the ability to lead and make a difference in people’s lives!”
Volunteer Experience
Since enrolling at Clarkson College, Doke has volunteered various times at Angel Guardians Inc. and the Sienna Francis House in Omaha. He donates blood regularly and is registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. He is also a member of the Clarkson College Sigma Alpha Pi Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Impact of Alice Friedlander Scholarship
Doke plans to graduate in spring 2018 and says his education and the financial assistance he has received inspire and equip him to better serve his organization, Nebraska Medicine, and its patients. “I believe in the mission of Nebraska Medicine, our culture and the path we are on, serving an ever-changing health care environment. We must prepare great leaders to operate the organization effectively. I am preparing to be that leader, serving our mission with genuine purpose, a compassionate heart, wisdom and integrity.”
Career Goals
Doke hopes to drive further success at Nebraska Medicine. Whether in his current position in the Biologics Production Facility or in a different leadership he is called on to fulfill in the future, he believes his education, extensive experience in management, systems and serving the customer will garner greater profitability and compliance.
Rachel Finnell, Bachelor of Science in Nursing major
Rachel Finnell grew up on a farm outside of Hamburg, Iowa. After graduating from Sidney Junior and Senior High School in 2013, she attended the University of Kansas to complete her prerequisites. In spring 2015, she enrolled in the Clarkson College BSN program. She is currently works as a certified nursing assistant at the Ambassador Health in Sidney, Iowa.
Strategy for Success
“Maintaining an “A” average in nursing school brings about a few challenges, including waking up before the sun studying and staying up late studying,” says Finnell. “My education is very important to me, and I strive to always do my best. Luckily, I have an amazing support system back home that is cheering me on throughout the process.”
Volunteer Experience
Finnell began volunteering with Pathways to Compassion Hospice in Omaha this past fall. While attending the University of Kansas, she regularly volunteered to help with activities on the Lawrence campus through her membership in the pre-nursing club.
Impact of Alice Friedlander Scholarship
“Getting an education can be very expensive, and I am grateful to receive this scholarship that will allow me to continue pursuing my dreams of becoming a graduate of Clarkson College with my BSN degree,” says Finnell. The additional funds will also allow her to spend more time focusing on her studies and volunteering in the community and less time on work.
Career Goals
After graduating in December 2017, Finnell would like to obtain a registered nurse position in a hospital and is currently undecided on an area of specialization.
Rona Johnson, Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner major
Rona Johnson was born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised in Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula. She has a BSN degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) and has taken graduate classes in Public Health at UAA and in Palliative care at George Washington University. She enrolled in the MSN program at Clarkson College in fall 2014. She is on track to graduate in spring 2017—“fingers crossed,” she says.
She works full-time at the Alaska Native Medical Center as a palliative care nurse in the Outpatient Oncology Clinic. “I have the best job on the planet. I love the mission and vision of our organization, the people I work with, and the patients I care for.”
Strategy for Success
Johnson says one major challenge she faces in upholding her academic excellence is a lack of time. “I have an incredibly busy life with many balls in the air,” she shares. “Trying to keep them all off the ground is exhausting, but adrenaline keeps me going!”
Volunteer Experience
Finnell began volunteering with Pathways to Compassion Hospice in Omaha this past fall. While attending the University of Kansas, she regularly volunteered to help with activities on the Lawrence campus through her membership in the pre-nursing club.
Impact of Alice Friedlander Scholarship
Johnson is very active in volunteering and has a passion for teaching. She currently serves as co-chair for the Alaska Palliative Care Network, which is a new education and resource group for palliative care providers/champions throughout the state of Alaska. She remains active as an advisor and mentor for novice nurses in her organization’s Clinical Practice Program. She is also active in her local Oncology Nursing Society Chapter, sits on the Ethics Committee and teaches presentations throughout the community on advanced communication skills in palliative care.
“I've had to let a few things go as I work through school, but I have my eyes on a couple different projects after graduation,” she says. “I can't sit still for long. I am passionate about nursing and advocating for the best possible palliative care for our patients. I feel driven to not only set an example for other nurses, but to coach and mentor them to find their own best practice. It's a privilege to accompany share their insights and their experiences. I learn just as much from them as I hope they get from me.”
Career Goals
“I am in school to get my advanced practice degree so we can expand our Palliative Care program throughout the State of Alaska,” Johnson says. “I will use my new skills and credentials to increase access to palliative care services, as well as to mentor rural providers to develop their palliative care skills so they can best care for our patients in remote villages.”
Allison Martinez, Bachelor of Science in Nursing major
Allison Martinez was born and raised in Omaha. After high school graduation, she began taking prerequisite classes at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and then transferred to Nebraska Methodist College (NMC). During this time, she became ill and had to withdraw from NMC. “This was a difficult time for me, but I continued to work towards my dream of becoming a nurse,” says Martinez. “I applied to Clarkson College, and when I found out I was accepted, I was excited and grateful. I knew it would not be an easy journey, but it would be worth it in the end.” Since enrolling in spring 2015, Martinez says she has had a great time and really appreciates the support from her instructors. “They all really want you to succeed.”
Martinez expects to graduate in August 2017. For the last two years she has worked as a nanny for a family with two young girls. She recently accepted a position as a patient care technician at Nebraska Medicine on the cardiac progressive care unit.
Strategy for Success
Martinez says maintaining a strong GPA is not easy. “It has taken me awhile to realize that my education is not a joke and that it will take many hours of studying to be successful. Every semester I gather my syllabi from each class and put my assignments on a large wall calendar to keep organized. I learned to do this through my Strategies for Success class I took here at Clarkson College. I also write out my daily schedule, blocking of time to study or do assignments. To keep my grades where I want them to be, I get assignments done early and limit my extracurricular activities.”
Volunteer Experience
Martinez has devoted much of her young adult life to serving families and children various types of illness and diseases. Every Saturday for nearly two months, Martinez volunteered at Munroe Meyer Institute through her Core I class at Clarkson College. During each visit, she paired up with a “buddy” who either had Down Syndrome or Autism. Bonding activities included cooking classes, swimming and time outside or in the gym. “The time spent with my buddy was meant for them to have a fun-filled day, giving their families a break from what can be a busy schedule.”
Martinez is also involved in a nonprofit organization associated with Love Your Melon (LYM), whose mission is to provide beanies for pediatric oncology patient a during their stay in the hospital. “I participate with my classmates by encouraging individuals through advertising to purchase LYM apparel.” Proceeds from these purchases go toward cancer research and support families of children battling cancer.
Martinez also served as a counselor at Camp CoHoLo—a four-day summer camp for cancer victims and survivors ages 6 to 17 years old. Daytime activities included laser tag, circus act training, arts and crafts, trust course, swimming, water sports and cabin time.
One of Martinez’s most meaningful service experiences was through a program called Work the World. As a volunteer intern for the program, she spent five weeks in Mendoza, Argentine working in the NICU, Pediatric Oncology unit, and Labor and Delivery unit of an area hospital. “I was able to give injections to newborn infants, assist with cleaning and dressing newborns after birth, taking vital signs of pediatric oncology patients and preparing a deceased preterm infant for the morgue. This was an amazing experience where I was able to see health care in a different country, which made me appreciate what we have here in the U.S.”
Impact of Alice Friedlander Scholarship
Martinez says the scholarship will help her become the best pediatric oncology nurse she can be. “I have always had the desire to support others when they are having a difficult time,” she says. “One of my goals any time I am in the hospital is to bring a smile to my patients who are having some of the worst days of their lives. Not only do I want to bring joy to my patients but to their families as well. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to pursue my dreams.”
Career Goals
“My dream is to become a pediatric oncology nurse after I graduate. I would like to do that here in Omaha for a couple of years and then become a travel nurse.”
Vincent Muma, Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nurse Anesthesia major
Vincent Muma is originally from Kenya and moved to the U.S. in 2004 to pursue a college degree. He earned a BSN degree from Wichita State University and enrolled at Clarkson College in spring 2014 after applying and being accepted to the nurse anesthesia program in 2013. He began the didactic portion of the program in fall 2014. He currently works as a pro re nata float pool nurse at CHI Bergan Mercy where he has been since 2012.
Strategy for Success
Muma believes maintaining an “A” average in college is no small feat for any student, regardless of their major. “Personally, I have had to sacrifice a lot of my free time that I would be spending with friends and family in order to concentrate on my studies and clinical work. I can say with a great degree of confidence that all my classmates have also had to make a lot of the same sacrifices, and it is especially that much more difficult when you have a family and are not available as needed.”
Volunteer Experience
Muma has not been as active as he used to be with community projects, mainly due to the huge time requirements needed with my studies, clinical work and being with my family. “I, however, have donated my time being a volunteer coach for kids’ sports at the YMCA.”
Impact of Alice Friedlander Scholarship
Muma says receiving this scholarship will help pay tuition expenses as he continue with his goal to successfully graduate this coming fall with my master’s degree.
Career Goals
“To be a nurse anesthetist and eventually become an educator.”
