Nicole Beckmann PhD, APRN-CPNP-PC DNP Director, Associate Professor Dr. Beckmann is the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. She is a nurse scientist and practicing PNP with clinical expertise in neonatology, pediatric hospital medicine and stem cell transplant. She is… read more
Josie Christian DNP, RN, PHN Associate Professor Josie Christian, DNP, RN, PHN, PHN joined St. Catherine University in 2022. She completed her Masters of Nursing Education at Walden University in 2008, and is a proud DNP “Katie” graduate from St. Catherine University in… read more
Teresa Cyrus DNP, APRN, CNP Post-Master's Coordinator, Associate Professor Teresa is an Assistant Professor in the NP-DNP program and has been teaching at St. Catherine since 2019. She earned her MSN from St. Joseph's College of Maine and DNP from St. Catherine University. She is a certified family… read more
Grace Gao PhD, DNP, RN-BC, LHIT-HP Associate Professor Grace Gao earned her DNP degree in Nursing Informatics and Integrative Health, and PhD in Nursing from University of Minnesota. In addition, Grace is a public health nurse, ANCC certified Informatics Nurse, a Robert Wood… read more
Jennifer Kluck MS, RN Assistant Professor Jen is a Katie Alum from 2011. She has her masters degree in Nurse Midwifery. She has worked at Regions in Med/Surg and Cardiac/telemetry, Abbott in high risk antepartum care, and worked with sexual health care in outpatient… read more
Kathryn Mercado Assistant Professor Neonatal NP Option Coordinator Dr. Kathryn Mercado joined St. Catherine University in 2023 as an Assistant Professor and coordinator of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program. She began her career in neonatal nursing in 2007 and has actively… read more
Kathryn Smith DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AHN-BC, CNE, PHN Family Nurse Practitioner Option Coordinator, Assistant Professor Kat Smith, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AHN-BC, CNE, PHN serves as the Family Nurse Practitioner Program Coordinator and faculty member in the School of Nursing. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education and clinical… read more
Gay Varecka PhD, APRN, CNP Associate Professor Gay M. Varecka, PhD, APRN, CNP is an Assistant Professor of Nursing in the DNP program. She obtained a BS in Nursing from D'Youville College, an MS in Nursing from the State University of New York, and a PhD in Higher… read more
Lori Winchell DrPH, APRN, CNP-FNP Associate Professor Lori Winchell, DrPH, CNP-FNP has been a provider of health and wellness services for over 40 years. She is a licensed Advanced Family Practice Registered Nurse in Minnesota. Lori has extensive background and experience in… read more
Katrice Ziefle PhD, RN, CNE Professor Katrice Ziefle is a Professor of nursing at St. Catherine University. She completed her Masters of Nursing Education at Bethel University and PhD in Nursing Education at Capella University. Dr. Ziefle’s research interests… read more
