A daylong visit to the Indiana Statehouse during the legislative session was transformative for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student Kate Kollman.
“It was one of the most exhilarating days of my life,” said Kate, who graduated from the IU School of Nursing DNP program in May 2023. “I remember going home and thinking that spending the day at the statehouse was one of the best things I’d ever done.”
The up-close look at Indiana policymaking in action was part of a policy and leadership course taught by Sharron Crowder, Ph.D., R.N., A.T.S.F., special assistant to the dean for healthy policy initiatives and clinical associate professor. During the visit, Dr. Crowder introduced Kate to Ambre Marr, state legislative director for AARP Indiana. That meeting paved the way for Kate to be named the first IU School of Nursing AARP Legislative Fellow.
“I was already an activist by nature; I'm a letter writer, and I go to meetings hosted by the League of Women Voters and other organizations,” Kate said. “In my evolution as a nurse, I’ve worked hard to be well-rounded and serve my community with the brains of a nurse and the passion of an activist. The fellowship was a nice match for me, and of course, a lot of the things AARP stands for, such as advocating for the underserved, are in alignment with the things that nurses care about.”
The fellowship lasted for one legislative session—January through April—and during that time, Kate was a member of AARP’s volunteer legislative advocacy team. She also shadowed Ambre at the statehouse during several visits and attended statewide coalition meetings.
“Ambre and her whole team at AARP were really welcoming, and the experience taught me so much,” Kate said. “I learned about groups and coalitions in Indiana that are working for things like fair housing, safer streets, and access to better health care—all things that enable Hoosiers to live healthier lives.”
Addressing the needs of vulnerable populations has always been a priority for Kate, who followed in the footsteps of her mother, Ruth Wukasch, Ph.D., R.N., in becoming a nurse. A recipient of the 2023 IUPUI William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion, Kate is an active volunteer for several organizations, including Food Finders Food Bank in her hometown of Lafayette. This summer, she participated in a month-long volunteer medical trip to Chuuk, Micronesia, as part of a tuberculosis (TB) detection and prevention initiative organized by Richard Brostrom, M.D., M.S.P.H., of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chuuk Department of Health Services and the Federated States of Micronesia National Government. In the island state, Kate worked alongside other healthcare professionals to screen residents for TB, as well as diabetes and leprosy, and to provide appropriate treatment.
An advocate for TB prevention and detection, Kate focused her DNP research project on the disease. Collaborating with the infection control teams at Eskenazi Health and the Marion County Health Department, she facilitated a project evaluating computerized clinical decision support of TB detection in hospital settings.
While earning her DNP degree and studying active tuberculosis in the Indianapolis area, Kate volunteered at Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc., to learn more about the refugee experience in Indiana.
Kate’s decision to pursue a DNP degree was largely based on a desire to integrate evidence into nursing practice. As she continues her work in primary care, she is interested in improving the effectiveness of interdisciplinary healthcare teams and promoting both trauma-informed care and health equity.
“Because of my experiences with Dr. Crowder and the AARP fellowship, there were things I had no idea I would learn through the DNP program,” Kate said. “It helped me to realize how important it is to have a voice and be active, especially as nurses who know so much about the needs of families and communities.”