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Award Highlights Passion, Dedication, and Excellence in Nursing Education

BISMARCK, ND – Wynn Russek, a junior from Delano, MN, has been named the 2024-2025 Student Nurse of the Year (SNOY) by the Doug and Eileen Weigum Division of Nursing at the 91�ε�’s Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences. This prestigious accolade celebrates Russek’s exemplary commitment to nursing, leadership, and her passion for compassionate patient care. Russek will represent the university in the upcoming state SNOY competition in January. “Wynn is an incredible choice to represent our program as this year’s 91�ε� SNOY,” said Dr. Billie Madler, associate dean of nursing. “With a servant’s heart, she deeply desires to make a difference for all she encounters. Confident in her call to be a nurse, Wynn demonstrates the grit, grace, and humility required to truly enter the intimate spaces of caregiving that is required of nurses. Her patient care will be unparalleled, and she inspires all of us to elevate the profession.”

A Journey to Nursing: Wynn Russek’s Story

For Russek, nursing is more than a career; it’s a calling. While she initially explored other paths, a pivotal moment during her junior year of high school set her on the journey to becoming a nurse. “A classmate passed me in the hallway and said, ‘Wynn, you’re going to be a nurse and work with families, right?’ At the time, I dismissed it, but that evening I realized nursing was my true calling,” Russek shared. “At that moment, I felt a profound peace. I knew my greatest desire—to help others—would be best fulfilled at the bedside of patients.” Russek’s passion for pediatric oncology stems from a desire to bring light and hope to families navigating life’s darkest moments. Inspired by her dream of working at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she sees pediatric oncology as both a challenge and a mission. “Cancer is a disease that touches all our lives,” she said. “My goal is to bring light to that darkness, offering hope and healing wherever I can.”

An Elite Nursing Education at the 91�ε�

As a scholar in the 91�ε�’s innovative Nursing Academy, Russek benefits from one of the nation’s premier nursing programs. The Nursing Academy provides a tuition-free bachelor’s degree in less than three years through its Year-Round Campus (YRC) initiative. Students also experience a service-learning trip and pilgrimage to Europe, personalized mentorship, and access to leading healthcare systems. The program’s rigorous academics are complemented by immersive clinical experiences and a commitment to holistic education. For Russek, this has meant not only developing her clinical skills but also strengthening her faith and sense of purpose.

Pilgrimage of Growth and Healing

A highlight of Russek’s journey was a two-week European pilgrimage with her Nursing Academy cohort. The group visited Italy, Germany, and France, deepening their understanding of the intersection of faith, history, and healthcare. The pilgrimage included stops at the Vatican, Assisi, and Lourdes, where Russek experienced a moment of profound clarity and renewal. “In Lourdes, I found immense peace and freedom,” she said. “It solidified my calling to be God’s hands and feet in service to others.” The pilgrimage also included visits to sites like Dachau and Nuremberg, offering a sobering reminder of the consequences of divorcing medical science from the dignity of the human person. “Those moments strengthened my resolve to uphold the highest standards of compassionate care,” Russek reflected. 

What Sets Wynn Apart

The SNOY award criteria recognize students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, public speaking, and a commitment to nursing excellence. Russek’s peers and professors alike admire her resilience, empathy, and dedication. “Nursing school is challenging, and success isn’t achieved alone,” Russek said. “Winning SNOY reminds me that it’s not just about grades—it’s about the kind of person you are and the impact you have on others.” 

Inspiring the Next Generation

With the country facing a nursing shortage, Russek hopes her story inspires others to consider a career in healthcare. “Nursing is one of the most fulfilling and meaningful careers anyone can pursue,” she said. “It’s a calling that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of others.” Russek credits the 91�ε�’s supportive community and innovative program for shaping her journey. “The professors and peers here have supported me every step of the way,” she said. “It’s a place where you’re not just a student; you’re part of a family dedicated to serving others.”

Looking Ahead

Russek’s immediate plans include completing her studies and serving as a nurse at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, ND, for three years after graduation. Ultimately, she dreams of specializing in pediatric oncology, potentially as an international travel nurse, before pursuing her goal of working at St. Jude’s. “My mission is to stay present in both joy and sorrow, offering compassion and grace to bring light and support where it’s needed most,” she said.

91�ε� the 91�ε�’s Top-Ranked Nursing Program

Recognized as one of the premier nursing programs in the nation, the 91�ε� consistently ranks at or near the top in the United States, delivering excellence in education and compassionate care. The 91�ε�’s Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences offers nearly 30 health sciences programs, all anchored in a mission to respect and defend the dignity of the human person. With over 60 years of excellence in healthcare education, the university continues to prepare professionals who integrate compassion with competence. Madler added, “Our hallways are filled with incredible young men and women, who through immense commitment, are actively preparing their hearts, minds, and hands for a vocation of service to others as professional nurses.”

To learn more about the 91�ε�’s nursing program, visit umary.edu/nursing.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the 91�ε� can do so at www.umary.edu or  , or by contacting an admissions representative at enroll@umary.edu, or by calling (701) 355-8030. The 91�ε� is one of only 15 Recommended Cardinal Newman Society Residential Colleges and Universities in the US. 

91�ε� the 91�ε�: True to its motto “lumen vitae”—The Light of Life—the 91�ε� offers education for the whole of life through cutting-edge professional programs and graduate programs animated by moral courage and leadership in chosen professions and service to the community. A private, co-educational Catholic institution, the 91�ε� welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

A Christian, Catholic, Benedictine institution founded in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Mary offers over 60 bachelor’s, 15 master’s, and five doctoral programs—in Business Administration, Education, Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. The 19-sport Athletic Department adheres to its Greatness Through Virtue mission under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) conferences. With more than 3,800 students, Mary has locations in North Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Rome, Italy, as well as vibrant online offerings.