With 20 years of experience in higher education leadership and nursing program development, Kertz helped launch UNI’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in fall 2024. She has led a dedicated team of scholars, administrators and facilities managers to develop curriculum, hire faculty, secure candidacy status of nursing accreditation, build partnerships with community hospitals and clinics, and design innovative new facilities for nursing at UNI.

“We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Kertz on receiving this well deserved award,” stated Brenda Bass, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “Thanks to her vision, UNI is now helping shape a new generation of nurses, at this critical time of need for the state of Iowa.”

This is the second time Kertz has received the Great Iowa Nurse award. She joined UNI in November 2022 after serving as the vice president of academic affairs and provost at Mercy College of Health Sciences. She holds both a bachelor’s degree and PhD in nursing from Indiana State University and South Dakota State University, respectively, as well as certification as a family nurse practitioner.

Under Kertz’s leadership, UNI’s BSN program welcomed its second cohort of students in January and is poised to continue to more than double in growth each semester. The second phase of the university’s nursing facility renovations will be completed by the end of the month and feature a medical-surgical lab with two simulation suites, to help students understand more high-intensity situations in nursing.

Great Iowa Nurses was established in 2004 to recognize Iowa nurses who share their experience and knowledge to improve the health of their communities, and take on leadership and mentoring responsibilities, serving as role models for everyone they work with, especially those just entering the profession.

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