In the spring of 2022, Char Patterson ‘01, ‘23 was working toward her school nurse licensure through Ashland University’s online program. But an impending health crisis would threaten to derail her goal–and then show the edges of a connective thread of compassion weaving through the Ashland University experience and creating an environment where the best nurses can learn and thrive.
Her doctor would eventually diagnose her with reactive hyperglycemia. But at the time, all Patterson knew was she was exhausted all the time and couldn’t see any other choice but to quit the required class she was taking. When she emailed her professor, Dr. Kim Stanislo, to explain why she couldn’t continue, she expected a standard level of empathy but was preparing for the worst. To her astonishment, there was nothing standard about Stanislo’s response.
“Before you do anything,” Stanislo said, “call me.”
Patterson did– and received a level of support she didn’t expect, a reaction that would make all the difference.
Stanislo assured Patterson that while the coursework would still be due, she could take as long as needed to complete it, even if it extended beyond the semester. Feeling the pressure lift, Patterson regained her health within a month and submitted all her assignments on time, eventually graduating in December 2023.
“Knowing that I had the love and support of Dr. Stanislo made all the difference,” Patterson says. And while there tends to be a significant level of empathy, understanding and selflessness inherent in the nursing profession, Patterson’s experience was extraordinary enough to stand out. As an expression of her gratitude, when the opportunity presented itself, she nominated Stanislo for an Academic Mentor Award at Ashland University with a heartfelt letter recounting her story.
The Academic Mentor Awards honor those who have made an exceptional impact through mentoring, and in an online course setting, this recognition is particularly significant. In fact, when it came time for the committee to vote, Stanislo received a rare unanimous decision. While online programs can feel impersonal, Stanislo’s approach bridged the gap and made a substantial difference in her students’ lives.
Dr. Kim Stanislo’s career is rich with both experience and service. An adjunct professor of nursing at Ashland University, she is also the Research Education and Practice Director at the National Association of School Nurses (NASN). Having started her teaching journey at Ashland in 2015, she became a full-time faculty member and program director for the school nurse certificate program. Though she left full-time work at Ashland in August 2022 to take up her current position at the NASN, she continues teaching two courses (including SNP 518 – Health Determinants and Academic Indicators, the course Patterson took during her health crisis). Dr. Stanislo’s extensive background as a school nurse since 2005 and her role as a pediatric nurse practitioner made her a perfect fit for Ashland’s emerging Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
Both nurses agree: Ashland University plays a critical role in addressing the growing shortage of nurses at all levels nationwide. The nursing program at Ashland prepares students to meet these pressing healthcare needs.
“We are equipping the next generation to fill those roles and address needs that are only getting more urgent by the day,” says Stanislo. This program is vital as many nurses working full-time cannot commute to larger cities like Cleveland or Columbus for the required further education. Maintaining this program at Ashland, known for its quality and compassionate approach, is crucial for the area’s healthcare infrastructure.
Ashland’s nursing program challenges its students but offers substantial support, says Patterson, ensuring they don’t just become better nurses and leaders but also better people. “Ashland expects a lot from its students but does it with compassion and support,” Patterson says. “For me, that’s made all the difference. And what Dr. Stanislo did for me encapsulates the entire experience.”
With her newfound perspective, Patterson now imparts the same compassion and support to the students she interacts with as a school nurse in the Hillsdale school district. “When kids come in sick, I try to give them that same compassion and support so they can return to school and finish. They can’t go home every day because they have a sore throat; they have to try to tough it out. I try to teach kids how to be resilient, just as Dr. Stanislo did for me. She truly made a lasting impact on my career and my approach to nursing.”
Compassion is at the heart of the nursing profession. It’s also at the core of Ashland’s nursing program. It should be no surprise that when tomorrow’s nurses and medical professionals find the support they need to thrive during their education it translates directly into even better patient care.
Contributions to Ashland University’s nursing program not only help continue this legacy of excellence but ensure more stories like Patterson’s can be told in the future. Supporting this local initiative fosters a robust pipeline of dedicated, well-prepared nurses ready to meet the healthcare challenges of tomorrow, much the same way Stanislo and her students are doing today.
