Distinguished Alumni Awards 2003 |
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Kimberly A. Olszewski Crawford
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| 1978 | 2003 |
Kimberly A. Olszewski Crawford received a B.A. in sociology and criminal justice from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota in 1982. Following graduation, she was a Residential Housing Coordinator and Program Director for Proviso Family Services in Melrose Park, Illinois. In 1985, Kim began working with juvenile offenders as well as conducting pre-adoption in-home studies for the Court as a probation officer with the DuPage County Probation Department. After 1990, she worked in the adult court system, providing judges with information to appropriately adjudicate felony and misdemeanor cases. Presently, she is Family Literacy Program Coordinator at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. Kim herself wrote, "I entered my field because I was inspired by the life and work of Jane Addams. I remain in the field because I believe I can make a difference." At St. Mary’s, Kim graduated "Egregia Cum Laude," a distinction for Honors Program participants who graduate Summa Cum Laude, and was admitted to Delta Epsilon Sigma and Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Societies. In addition to her academic honors, she received a Volunteer Service Certificate from St. Mary’s University/Minnesota Department of Corrections. Also, Kim was a recipient of the Line Staff Recognition Award, which recognizes exemplary Probation Officer performance, from the Illinois Probation/Court Services Association. Because Kim’s family is so important to her, she indicated that she strives to bring balance to her roles as mother, professional woman and wife. She feels that it is extremely challenging and satisfying to create and maintain an effective, loving family environment in today’s society. Currently, Kim resides with her husband Paul and daughter Brigid in Sycamore, Illinois.
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Denise M. Shields-Kirsten |
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| 1976 | 2003 |
Denise M. Shields-Kirsten graduated from the University of Evansville, in Evansville, Indiana in 1981 with a B.S. in Nursing. Upon graduation, she began working in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Lutheran General Hospital. In 1994, Denise obtained her nursing doctorate degree from Rush University, certifying her to be a neonatal nurse practitioner. During graduate school, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, a nursing scholastic society. In the neonatal nursing field for 22 years, Denise has worked in a variety of roles: Staff Nurse, Unit Educator, Transport Nurse, and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialist. She currently is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, acting as a specialist monitoring the daily management of the care for critically-ill infants. Denise has been actively involved in and has served as secretary, vice-president, and president of her local professional organization, the Chicago Area Association of Neonatal Nurses. In 2000, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses awarded Denise its highest honor, the Advanced Practice Sig Award. She has authored two articles published in the The Neonatal Network and has lectured extensively on many neonatal topics, both academically and professionally. Denise helps to train neonatal nurse practitioner students during their clinical rotation and teaches graduate courses at Rush University. Her current research involves mothers of preterm infants who are breastfeeding. Her love of running has led to her participation in several Chicago Marathons. Her commitment, leadership capabilities and passion for neonatal intensive care have inspired other neonatal nurses in the field. Besides being an inspiration to others, Denise is busy with her family, her husband Rick and son Bryan, her "proudest and greatest achievement."
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