Donna joined Hope College in 2006 as an assistant professor in the nursing department. She began by teaching the Adult Medical-Surgical Theory & Practicum course. She became chair of the department in 2014 and continues to teach a variety of course which include:

• Pathophysiology
• Clinical Reasoning
• Nursing Research Practicum
• Health Assessment
• Pharmacology
• Adult Medical – Surgical Theory & Practicum

Her research interest is in the area of cardiovascular nursing, specifically the needs of patients with coronary artery disease and their ability to engage in self-care.

She was a Clinical Nurse Specialist for cardiovascular services in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Cincinnati, Ohio, and was a staff nurse in both surgical and medical intensive care units prior to teaching at Hope College.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., nursing, candidate, Marcella Niehoff College of Nursing, Loyola University Chicago, expected 2018
• M.S., burn and trauma nursing, University of Cincinnati, 1990
• BSN, University of Cincinnati, 1982
• Diploma, nursing, Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing, Dayton, Ohio, 1976

HONORS, GRANTS, & AWARDS

• Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Epsilon, Chapter-at-Large, pre-doctoral nursing research grant, $1,000, 2016
• Hope College Jean Mason Debbink faculty development grant, $4,000, June 2014
• Hope College Natural and Applied Sciences Dean's Funds faculty development grant, $4,000, June 2012 and June 2015
• Excellence in Education – Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Epsilon, Chapter-at-Large, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2013
• Synergy Team Award – Quality in Action for Acute Myocardial Infarction Quality Improvement team, awarded by Spectrum Health, 2004

Published Work

• "For Women Only: Recognizing and Responding to Symptoms of Heart Attack and Stroke," Journal of Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, 2011
• "Tobacco Free for Good Tobacco Cessation Program-vignette," Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Control: A Nursing Perspective, 2002

Why Do You Love Hope? 

Donna loves teaching at Hope College because it allows her to combine her passion of the profession of nursing and her love for students. It is a pleasure for her to be able to connect with students on a personal level and to watch them succeed in their chosen career after graduation.

Outside the College

Donna lives in Byron Center, Michigan, with her husband, Dave, and Molly, their dog. She and her husband have two daughters, Katie ’12 and Kristen ’16, both graduates of Hope College. She is involved in her church, High Pointe Community Church in Byron Center, and enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.