Lenny Grant, PhD, MA, MAT

Lenny Grant is Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University, where he teaches courses in technical writing and the Health Humanities. His research on the social, political, and medical discourses of psychological trauma focuses on finding localized solutions to systemic problems, such as mitigating distress in health care professionals. As a Catholic practitioner of the humanities, he is committed to applying insights from literature and the art of writing to promote human flourishing in clinical and community settings. In 2021, he founded the Resilience Writing Project to help health care professionals across specializations use writing as a means of processing the traumas and adversities experienced while providing care to others. Since then, he has facilitated more than fifty Resilience Writing Project workshops for healthcare professionals across disciplines.

Bill Lydiatt, MD, EMBA

Dr. Bill Lydiatt is the current CEO of Clarkson Regional Health Services, and prior to this position was the Chair of Surgery at NE Methodist Hospital. He completed his undergraduate studies at Standford University, medical school at UNMC, and a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Lydiatt is also a Clarkson College board of directors member, an active educator at multiple institutions, a scholar, and advocate for quality patient care. He has had a long-standing interest in the prevention of depression for his patients and was the driving force behind the creation of the Bridges to Mental Health Program that he will introduce us to today as we all work together to support initiatives in being and creating a healthier workforce.

Ada Walker, JD

Ada Walker, JD, is Nebraska Medicine’s Vice President for People Development and Culture and Chief Inclusion Officer.  Most recently, Walker served as Assistant Vice President for Access and Inclusive Excellence for Auburn University’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity.  In her role, she advised senior leadership on strategies for advancing a holistic framework for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).  Prior to joining the Auburn team, Walker served as Director of Inclusive Student Excellence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Walker has been active in creating, developing and implementing comprehensive DEI strategies for the past ten years.  As a seasoned administrator, Walker uses her legal training and insight from her former law practice to have a meaningful, and measurable, impact on outcomes for historically underrepresented populations.

With Motivated Awareness and Inclusive Integrity as foundational principles, Walker examines the intersection of systems that impact various forms of identity while empowering organizations to actualize their strategic goals for inclusive excellence, organizational culture and leadership development.

Walker’s expertise resides in identifying the complex needs of an organization and building tangible pathways for equity-based shifts in organizational climate and culture. With a strengths-based vision for success grounded in a growth mindset, Walker seeks to strengthen organizational acumen for individual identity and, ultimately, shape environments where everyone can thrive. 

Walker continues this commitment to equity in the community through board service with  I Be Black Girl, Saving Grace Food Rescue, the Women’s Center for Advancement and Film Streams.

Walker received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Jenette Smith, EdD, DipACLM, MS

Jenette L. Smith, Ed.D., DipACLM, M.S., is an assistant professor in the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Healthcare Education and Leadership and the Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership programs at Clarkson College, Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Smith is a health care educator who specializes in conflict management, leadership, disabilities, lifestyle medicine, and learning theories, including publishing and presenting in the areas of stress management, grit and resilience, burnout, difficult conversations, disabilities, and global health. Dr. Smith currently serves as vice president on the Clarkson College Alumni Board of Directors, and she serves Clarkson College in committee work, including chairing dissertation research committees, Doctoral Comprehensive Examinations (COMPS), and interprofessional education, among others.

In 2022, Dr. Smith established the Dr. Jenette Smith Endowed Scholarship to support Clarkson College Ed.D. students. Dr. Smith was recently recognized as a nominee for the 2024 Dr. Patricia Book Perry Faculty of the Year Award from Clarkson College. In addition, Dr. Smith has devoted over 35 years to serving as an educator, ally, and advocate for individuals with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers, continually serving on Boards of Directors, Advisory Boards, and in fundraising to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and the elderly. Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Healthcare Education and Leadership degree from Clarkson College, a certified Doctoral Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM) from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and a Master of Science degree in Health Education/Studies in Aging from the University of North Texas. As a firm believer in the merit and durability of continuing education, Dr. Smith recently completed course certifications from the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation in Mediation and Conflict Management (2023), Difficult Conversations (2024), and Overcoming Resistance in Negotiation (2024).

Michael Ehrecke, BA

Michael Ehrecke (he/him) is the People and Culture Administrator at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska. In his role, Michael leads the development, implementation, and assessment of policies and initiatives that enrich the experiences of all Clarkson College constituents. He is a Qualified Administrator (QA) of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and leads an internal team of QAs that is responsible for conducting individual and group debriefs after respondents complete their IDI assessments. Michael plans and facilitates intercultural learning experiences through his involvement in many committees on campus, including as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and Co-Chair of the Wellness Committee. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and continues to imbue creativity in everything he does.

Lina Bostwick, EdD, RN, CNE

Dr. Bostwick (she/her/hers) is from Nebraska; her 40 years of nursing experience has ranged from acute care management to nursing education. She holds a Doctorate in Education, a Certification in Nursing Education, and is a Fellow of the American Nurses Association Institute. Her current workload includes teaching graduate-level nursing courses at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, where she also chairs graduate student research dissertation committees.

An advocate, Dr. Bostwick is active in several civic and professional nursing organizations, and most recently has been involved with preparing and giving legislative testimony on behalf of the Nebraska Nurses Association. Research interests include the use of EBP in the undergraduate clinical setting, the educational needs of RNs and APRNs practicing in the rural communities of Nebraska, and faculty burnout.

Melinda Bentjen, EdD, MSN, RN-BC

Dr. Melinda Bentjen, RN-BC, has been a Registered Nurse since 2003 and has been teaching nursing students since 2012 at Bryan College of Health Sciences. She is passionate about her work, especially the opportunity to witness students grow and learn while maintaining patient care contact. Dr. Bentjen finds great satisfaction in observing students make connections between the classroom and clinical settings and in seeing their confidence increase.

Her clinical experience includes 10 years on a renal/med-surgical unit. She earned her RN diploma from Bryan School of Nursing and later obtained her BSN, MSN, and doctorate in nurse education from Bryan College of Health Sciences. Dr. Bentjen holds certifications in medical-surgical nursing and Geriatric NICHE, reflecting her deep passion for geriatric care.

Jeff Schwehm, PhD

Dr. Jeff Schwehm received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1999 from the University of Arkansas. He is originally from New Orleans, LA and has taught at higher education institutions in Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan. He has been teaching chemistry at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, NE since 2019. He has research interests in chemical education, protein chemistry, and has served as the Coordinator of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he was involved in developing faculty development opportunities.

Michelle Summers, EdD, MSN, RN

Dr. Michelle Summers is an Associate Professor of Undergraduate Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Dr. Summers has been a Registered Nurse for over 26 years, specializing in psychiatric mental health.  Her background includes didactic and clinical education, with an emphasis in adolescent and senior mental health.  Dr. Summers' dissertation, entitled "The Lived Experience of College Faculty Following Student Suicide:  A Phenomenological Inquiry", allowed her to raise awareness of the impact of suicide in post-secondary education.  Past presentations include podium, poster, and webinar presentations; most notedly for the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), as well as twice serving as an Item Writer for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and multiple other local, national, and international presentations.

Ashley Kennedy, EdD, RN

Dr. Ashley Kennedy serves as a Professor of Undergraduate Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences. With nearly 20 years of experience as a registered nurse specializing in medical-surgical nursing, she brings a wealth of clinical expertise to her teaching. Dr. Kennedy has dedicated close to a decade to educating future nurses in both didactic and clinical settings.

Currently, she teaches across undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, fostering an engaging and dynamic learning environment aimed at enhancing students' clinical judgment and promoting safe nursing practices.

Dr. Kennedy is also deeply passionate about the relationship between exercise and mental well-being. As an advocate for physical activity, she has personally experienced its positive effects in alleviating stress and mitigating burnout, insights she incorporates into her professional and educational endeavors.

Mel Stutzman, MA, LIMHP, LADC

Mel is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor for Bryan College of Health Sciences and Bryan Health. She has provided therapy services since 2004 to adolescents, adults, and elders in a variety of settings. Mel believes everyone has the ability for positive change and promotes resiliency by utilizing therapy approaches that are person-centered, strength-based, solution focused, and centered in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Heidi Little, EdD, RN

Dr. Heidi Little holds a robust educational background in nursing, healthcare leadership, and business administration. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Bryan College of Health Sciences in 2022, where her research focused on innovative approaches to nursing education. In 2018, she completed dual Master’s Degree in Nursing Leadership and Business Administration at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007 from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Diploma in Nursing from Bryan College of Health Sciences in 2000. Dr. Little has a diverse professional background spanning over two decades in clinical practice, education, and leadership roles. Currently, Dr. Little is an Associate Professor of Undergraduate Nursing at Bryan College of Health Sciences. Dr. Little is a dedicated scholar whose research explores innovative educational methodologies in nursing. Her dissertation, Exploring Prelicensure Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Lived Experiences of Engagement in Synchronous Online Learning (2022), provides valuable insights into modern nursing education and student engagement.

Katie Sladky, EdD, MSN, RN

Dr. Sladky has over 15 years of experience in the nursing profession, including 13 years in nursing education. She holds an EdD with an emphasis in nursing education from Bryan College of Health Sciences and serves an Associate Professor of Nursing at her alma mater in the baccalaureate nursing program. Dr. Sladky has taught a variety of nursing topics including health assessment, pharmacology, issues & trends in nursing, and a clinical judgment course. She currently facilitates a senior-level capstone course and is a clinical instructor in the acute care hospital setting. With a definite passion for nursing education, her scholarly interests have included the recruitment and retention of early career nursing faculty, assessing student preparedness in the flipped classroom, multi-patient simulation in nursing, and developing resilience in students, and she has delivered professional presentations at the local, regional, and national levels. Dr. Sladky is a member of the National League for Nursing (NLN), the American Nurses Association, the Nebraska Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society and is actively engaged with the NLN Planning Committee. As a recognized leader within her own institution, she has chaired several committees, currently sits as the Faculty Senate Chair, and was the recipient of the 2017 Professional Development Award. Dr. Sladky was also awarded one of the top 40 Under 40 Nurses in Nebraska awards in 2024.

Rachel Holm, EdD, LCSW, MSW

Rachel Holm serves as the Academic Travel & Mission Administrator at Clarkson College. In this role, she oversees the Academic Travel Abroad (ATA) program and leads various mission and service initiatives, including local and international mission trips. She was instrumental in establishing the Maltese Mission Week of Service during Spring Break and in creating the Clarkson College Cupboard & Closet, a pantry supporting the college community. Rachel also assists in the administration of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) at Clarkson, fostering cultural competence across the institution.

With a background as faculty at Clarkson College, Rachel has taught courses on cultural competence, end-of-life, and community health. She continues to teach Death and Dying, drawing on her extensive experience as a licensed social worker specializing in hospice. Rachel holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and a Doctorate in Healthcare Education and Leadership from Clarkson College.

Amy M. Clark, PhD

Amy M. Clark, PhD, serves as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), where she oversees academic operations, faculty, and strategic initiatives that have driven enrollment growth and enhanced retention efforts. With a PhD in Sociology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Dr. Clark specializes in health and family studies and has contributed to impactful research, including the Dementia Care Ecosystem Project, a $10 million initiative supporting Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers.

Dr. Clark's leadership at NMC includes spearheading core curriculum realignment, securing multiple program accreditations, and implementing innovative micro-credentialing strategies. Prior to this role, she served as Dean of Health Professions, successfully launching programs such as the Master of Occupational Therapy. Her academic career spans institutions like Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she developed the Master of Social Work program, and Clarkson College, where she designed and taught courses in health and social sciences.

An advocate for community engagement, Dr. Clark has served on various boards, including the Calvins Legacy Foundation, Ashland-Greenwood Public Schools Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter. She is also a prolific presenter and researcher, contributing to journals like JAMA Internal Medicine and Alzheimer's & Dementia. Her dynamic leadership and scholarly work underscore her commitment to advancing healthcare education and improving lives.

Alethea Stovall, PhD

Alethea attended Buena Vista College. During her college years, she was invited to be part of an elite women’s group of scholarship and advocacy. Not fully recognizing the advocacy would be a life calling, she was excited to be part of a vital group.

After graduating from Buena Vista University, she attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney to attend graduate school and earned a Master’s degree in Community Counseling while working full time as the Assistant Director of Northeast Upward Bound. After graduating with her Master’s Degree, she moved to Colorado and worked at Community College of Denver as the program coordinator for Student Support Services and was selected as a trainer for Federal TRIO programs. Alethea also established an Educational Talent Search Program (ETS) at Arapahoe Community College. After a year as the project director of ETS, she was nominated and accepted the Colorado TRIO President position.

Alethea felt another calling to education: To earn a doctoral degree in higher education. During this time, Alethea was appointed to the interim Director of Asian/Pacific American Student Services (A/PASS) and worked as a culture center director until she graduated with her PhD in Higher Education.

Alethea currently serves at the Dean of Students at Bryan College of Health Sciences. Alethea oversees a myriad of different offices, advises the college and medical center on Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, challenges and supports students; staff, and faculty, by helping to create transformative change. Currently, Alethea is overseeing the partnership with Tabitha, an intergenerational model that will bring 20 Bryan College students to live in community of 55+ older adults. The project is the first of its kind in the nation and opened in November 2023.

In her free time, Alethea enjoys spending time with her three kids, being connected to Joe, and having downtime with her siblings, her mom, and all of her nieces and nephews. Alethea finds joy in travel adventures, including lake trips to Michigan, all things Disney, and leading study abroad trips for Bryan College.

Vicki Bautista, Ed.D, NBC-HWC

Vicki Bautista, Ed.D, NBC-HWC currently serves as the Program Director for both the Doctor of Education in Healthcare Education & Leadership and the Doctor of Education in Interprofessional Leadership at Clarkson College. She has 15 years of diverse experience in higher education, during which she has held multiple roles such as course instructor, program administrator, instructional designer, curriculum development, and faculty development. She is also a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, through the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. Prior to her career in higher education, she worked in health promotion and wellness across non-profit, government, and research sectors. She has spoken at local and national events on topics related to leadership and well-being, addressing a variety of audiences, including higher education administrators, healthcare providers, K-12 educational leaders, and non-profit executives.

Gretchen Oltman JD, PhD

Gretchen Oltman JD, PhD is an associate professor of organizational leadership at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she serves as a Program Director of a master’s program. She is also an attorney and author with over 25 years working in the field of education, championing the growth of graduate leadership students. Her work focuses on the practical application of scholarship to real-life settings and how everyone is a leader in some capacity – we just need to recognize it and learn how best to put it into practice!

Patricia Weber, MHA, RT, (R), (CT), ARRT

Trish Weber is an Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Radiography, Medical Imaging, and technology at Clarkson College. With 29 years of experience in the Medical Imaging field, including 18 years at Clarkson College, Ms. Weber has worked in various healthcare settings, from clinics to major trauma centers. She specializes in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and medical 3D printing.  Ms. Weber is the visionary behind the groundbreaking Medical 3D Printing Specialist Certificate, revolutionizing the industry by providing structured education to medical AM professionals. She established the state-of-the-art 3D Printing & Training Center at Clarkson College at the ground level, offering innovative resources and education to the region.

Gina Erlandson, BS RT(R), (MR), (CT), ARRT

Gina Erlandson is the Medical Imaging 3D Printing Lab Specialist at the Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center as well as an instructor in the Medical Imaging and 3D certificate programs at Clarkson College. Ms. Erlandson started her professional career as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) technologist at a local pediatric hospital, where she worked for 11 years in the radiology department. She specialized in cardiac and fetal imaging. After being at the patient’s bedside, seeing just how much patients and their families did not understand, she found her passion grow for patient education and advocacy. With her growing new passion, Ms. Erlandson transitioned out of patient care and to the riveting world of 3D printing. She has been working in the 3D field for 2 years and truly believes in bridging the gap between patients and understanding their own healthcare.