We are honored to announce the 2025 recipients of the University of Colorado College of Nursing Alumni Association Awards. These outstanding alumni have made significant contributions to the nursing field and their communities, and it is a pleasure to celebrate them and their achievements.
CU Nursing Alumni Association Awards
Thursday, June 5, 2025
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
The Moss: 200 N. Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80223
Program
Reception
6:00 p.m. Reception Begins
Awards Ceremony
6:40 p.m. Opening Remarks by Katelyn Nolan and Dr. Kelly Stamp
Presentation Emcee: Taylor Santangelo
Maggie Leff
Rising Star Award
Presented by Alison O’Dell
Dr. Jill Marks
Distinguished Alumni Award
Presented by Dr. Jennifer Armstrong
Dr. Fara Bowler
Pathfinder Award
Presented by Dr. Gail Armstrong
Dr. Kathy Boyle
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Dr. Natalie Nicholson
Closing Remarks by Taylor Santangelo
Reception Continues
8:30 p.m. Event Concludes
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kathy A. Boyle, MS, PhD, RN, NEA-BC
Dr. Kathy A. Boyle has dedicated over 50 years to the nursing profession, making significant contributions as an educator, clinician, leader, and administrator. She earned her BSN in 1974 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by an MSN in 1993 and a PhD in 2007 from the University of Colorado College of Nursing.
CU Nursing alumna Kathy A. Boyle, MS, PhD, RN, NEA-BC. |
Dr. Boyle's passion for nursing began at an early age, inspired by childhood experiences and a powerful desire to help others. She often used a stethoscope to check on her doll “patients” and declared her intention to become a nurse at age 7. Her early career included roles in skilled nursing facilities and behavioral health settings, which shaped her understanding of patient and family-centered care. She worked in adult psychiatry at Fort Logan Mental Health Center, where she learned about inter-professional care and experienced a violent attack by a patient; this incident influenced her advocacy for workplace violence prevention. In 1988, Dr. Boyle became University Hospital High Risk L&D nurse manager, joining the team in implementing their vision for a shared governance model.
At the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Dr. Boyle pursued a master’s degree in nursing, conducting qualitative research on "Followership in Nursing" for her master's thesis. Later, her PhD research focused on Nurse-Physician Collaborative Communication and Safety Climate. Her education at CU prepared her for leadership roles, including Women and Children's Nursing Director and eventually Chief Nursing Officer.
One of Dr. Boyle's notable achievements was her role as Senior Director and Clinical Coordinator for planning and leading the University of Colorado Phase 1 Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion replacement hospital. She included patients and families in planning through a Patient and Family Advisory Council and implemented standardized, color-coded scrubs in 2004.
In 2011, Dr. Boyle engaged clinical staff and various leaders in Lean systems design of the Denver Health Graduate Nurse Residency Program to support, educate, and mentor new graduates during their transition into professional practice. This program has become nationally accredited with distinction and is a cornerstone of Denver Health's nursing education.
Dr. Boyle chaired the Vizient national CNO Network and the Colorado CNO Collaborative, focusing on evidence-based nursing practices, succession planning, and advocacy for the importance of nursing in healthcare. Her support for workplace violence prevention led to the creation of the Denver Health Workplace Violence Task Force in 2012. The team successfully backed legislative changes that made assault of emergency department workers a felony in Colorado.
Reflecting on her career, Dr. Boyle states, "My career in nursing has been my passion and privilege. I am fortunate to have spent 50 years in nursing, learning from so many people. During the last 34 years, my late husband Tony was the ‘president of my fan club,’ supporting my nursing achievements and our shared love for our Australian family – his three kids, our ten grandchildren, and four great-grandkids! So, now where do I see my career going? I am not retired from nursing; instead, I am re-inventing myself in this new life adventure.”
Dr. Kathy Boyle's legacy is one of exceptional leadership, innovation and advocacy, leaving a lasting impact on the nursing profession and the CU College of Nursing. Her dedication to mentoring and supporting future nurses continues to inspire and shape the field.
Pathfinder Award: Fara Bowler, DNP, APRN, CHSE
Dr. Fara Bowler is recognized for her pioneering contributions to nursing education and clinical simulation and serves as Associate Professor, Assistant Dean of Clinical Simulation Science, and Senior Director of Clinical Partnerships and Placements at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Dr. Bowler earned her DNP from Johns Hopkins University and her MS in Adult Nurse Practitioner from the University of Colorado Health Science Center.
CU Nursing alumna Fara Bowler, DNP, APRN, CHSE. |
Dr. Bowler's journey in nursing began serendipitously. “I had no idea what I wanted to do or even what nursing truly entailed,” she recalls. “As a first-generation college graduate, I wasn’t aware of the possibilities a professional career could offer. Yet, through life’s twists and turns, nursing found me.” Initially envisioning a career in obstetrics, she instead found her passion in cardiology, dedicating her career to cardiac-focused care. Her extensive experience includes roles as a travel nurse across the United States, which enriched her professional and personal growth.
Since joining the CU College of Nursing in 2008, Dr. Bowler has significantly advanced the use of simulation technology in nursing education, influencing state and national standards. She played a key role in the Colorado State Board of Nursing's decision to allow simulation to replace up to 50% of clinical hours, transforming nursing education.
Dr. Bowler is an active member of the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation Learning (INACSL), where she has served on the Standards Committee and has twice been elected to the Board of Directors; her contributions include leading the development of the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice: Professional Integrity. Dr. Bowler's expertise is sought after globally, with presentations at numerous international conferences and contributions to international curricula.
Locally, Dr. Bowler is a prominent figure in the Denver nursing community, co-chairing the Alliance for Clinical Education and participating in the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence Simulation Collaborative. Her innovative approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the integration of virtual simulation products, have ensured that CU nursing students receive cutting-edge education.
Her dedication to nursing education and her leadership in simulation have earned Dr. Bowler several accolades, including the Society of Simulation Certification as a Healthcare Simulation Educator and the AACN Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing fellow. Her ongoing support of the CU College of Nursing through teaching, service, and mentoring exemplifies her commitment to excellence.
“I loved my time at CU, when life unfolded in the most meaningful ways. I am proud to be an alumna, but I am equally proud to be a faculty member.”
Distinguished Alumni Award: Jill Marks, DNP, CPNP-AC
Dr. Jill Marks is an exceptional leader, educator, and acute care pediatric nurse practitioner. She earned her DNP from the University of Colorado in 2019 and now serves at the University of Colorado as a Senior Instructor in Pediatric Neurology and as Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing.
CU Nursing alumna Jill Marks, DNP, CPNP-AC. |
Dr. Marks' journey to nursing was not linear. As a first-generation college student from a small rural town, learning to live in a big city, be successful in academics, and choose a direction for the future were challenges. She explored various majors before finding her passion in nursing. Her curiosity and love of learning took her on a path that included roles in the NICU, pediatric ER and inpatient pulmonary medicine before she discovered her "forever home" in neurology.
As Specialty Director of the University of Colorado Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) program – which she helped create – Dr. Marks is dedicated to educating future advanced practice providers and is a trusted mentor known for her collegiality and patient-centered approach. Dr. Marks blends clinical expertise with a passion for teaching, while providing exemplary care at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO). She has been recognized with awards such as the Patient Family Experience Award and the Scott Turner Excellence in Child Neurology award, and she is a 2025 Colorado Excellence in Nursing award winner. In 2024, she was invited onto the Charting Pediatrics podcast, where she talked about the evolution of advanced practice providers.
Dr. Marks actively participates in professional organizations and has served on a variety of committees and boards. She will serve as the Colorado National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) president for the 2025-2026 term and is a longtime volunteer for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
In addition, Dr. Marks has a long history of volunteering in her children’s school district. She is also involved in her local summer swim community, serving as co-president for several years and as a board member until 2024.
What Dr. Marks values most is the support she has received from her colleagues and mentors through the years, which has been instrumental in her career development. She is grateful to the advisor at Marquette University who recommended she try neonatal nursing; the nurses she worked with over the years; her long-time friends and mentors Jennifer Disabato, DNP, CPNP-PC, AC, and Beth Bolick, MD, who modeled excellence in teaching; and the CHCO Neurology team that nominated her for this award. “I would not be here without the support of those around me. Connecting with, building relationships with and learning from patients, families, other faculty and students has given me so much in not just my career but my life, and for that I am grateful.”
Rising Star Award: Maggie Leff, BSN, RN
Maggie Leff graduated from the University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing (UCAN) bachelor’s program in December 2024. Inspired by her background in behavioral neuroscience and personal experiences with chronic illness, Maggie pursued nursing to make a difference in patient care. Maggie also co-founded the Legacy Fun Group to foster connections among UCAN students, staff and the community, and she continues to mentor new students and advocate for student representation. Her time at CU was transformative thanks to supportive professors, her cohort and the fast-paced ER environment at CU Anschutz.
CU Nursing alumna Maggie Leff, BSN, RN. |
Maggie’s passion for emergency medicine and critical care was nurtured by shadowing in the ER during high school and volunteering as an emergency medical technician in Israel. She aims to continue in critical care, join a rapid response team and potentially become a flight nurse.
Professionally, Maggie has worked as an advanced care partner and nurse in the emergency department at UCHealth Hospital at Anschutz, tutored students in various subjects and worked as a phlebotomist, medical assistant and scribe at Smoky Hill Family Medicine. She holds certifications in phlebotomy, occupational safety, and Red Cross BLS/CPR/AED.
Maggie has volunteered at DAWN clinic to provide free healthcare to the people of Aurora, been involved with STEM Society to help low-income students access educational opportunities, and conducted cystic fibrosis research, which was published in a journal and presented at a conference. She is recognized for her hard work and dedication, always going the extra mile for her patients and colleagues. Maggie is also a strong advocate for finding improvements in best practices and attending conferences like the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition to bring fresh ideas to her practice.
"Living with a chronic illness, I’ve spent a lot of time in hospitals, and the nurses who took care of me—on both my best and worst days—really showed me just how much of an impact they have on a patient’s experience,” shares Maggie. “Even the smallest things can make the biggest difference. Nursing is a perfect example of that, and I love that this field offers so many different opportunities to grow, lead, inspire and make a difference."
Are you a CU College of Nursing alumna/us with a passion for nurse recognition? Learn more about the CU Nursing Alumni Association here or reach out to Katelyn.Nolan@CUAnschutz.edu for more information.
