PEDIATRICS: NON-NEONATAL
TORI BOYER
ST. LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Boyer graduated summit cum laude from her nursing program, earned her doctor of nursing practice degree at age 25, and served on the Alumni Advisory Council at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. Today, Boyer works as ahospitalist pediatric nurse practitioner at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Why nursing is rewarding: “Nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding but an incredibly meaningful and very rewardingjob. Nurses have the opportunity to make a difference in patients' lives every day. With pediatrics, specifically, you have the opportunity to make the most of a really frightening experience, to make it a little less daunting for them.” What she learned as a nurse: “You play a vital role. We've been named throughout the pandemic as one of the ‘health care heroes,' and nurses can serve in a variety of capacities. So regardless of your specialty or field, you have the opportunity to connect with patients and build trusting relationships. It's more than just aiding those who are unwell or doing certain tasks—it's building a partnership and providing patient- and family-centered care.”
EDUCATOR
KAREN CUVAR
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING
“Mama Karen” is how some students refer to Cuvar, the coordinator of the traditional undergraduate nursing program at SLU School of Nursing. As she says, “Students need that loving support where they can feel comfortable to come and talk about anything that's bothering them.” In recent years, Cuvar has been instrumental in helping students struggling with mental health issues. She is known for providing “excellent nursing education and holistic caring support beyond the call of duty for undergraduate nursing students.” “The nursing profession is not what they see on social media and television. It is truly a loving, caring, compassionate profession. It's truly an art form. And nurses work really hard and are exceptionally
