Lappe and Kirkpatrick on research and mentorship in College of Nursing
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Joan Lappe, PhD, MS’85, RN, (above, left) recently retired professor and associate dean of research in the College of Nursing, is recognized for her groundbreaking research on bone health and vitamin D—and she paved the way for the next generation of national leaders at Creighton.
Lappe’s mentee, Mandy Kirkpatrick, PhD, BSN’05, RN, (above, right) associate dean for research and innovation and professor of nursing, has a joint appointment with CHI Health and is nationally recognized for her research in palliative care. She is committed to mentoring Creighton’s next group of pathbreaking researchers.
Here, we talk with them about their meaningful mentorship and research.
Q: Joan, can you describe the role of mentorship in your career? How has mentorship influenced you as an individual?
A: Lappe: Mentors have been critically important to me. They’ve helped me to develop risk-taking, self-confidence, resilience and the ability to think strategically.
Professors emeriti Robert P. Heaney, BS'47, MD'51, and Robert R. Recker, MD'63, my primary mentors, taught me how to conduct research and introduced me to other researchers in our field. My mentors encouraged me to reach out to scientists throughout the world if I thought they could help with my work.
I hope I have the same type of impact on the people I mentor. The most important thing is to give mentees the confidence to take risks and set their goals high—and to recognize you don't always meet them. That's where that resilience comes in.
We all need someone who demonstrates confidence in our ability and inspires us to take on new challenges.
— Joan Lappe, PhD, MS’85, RN, FAAN, Professor Emeritus
Q: Joan and Mandy, what did the mentor-mentee relationship look like for you?
A: Lappe: Mandy would often ask me to review her proposals. Sometimes, she just needed confirmation that she was on the right track. At other times, I suggested changes or referred her to someone who could help her with a specific aspect of her work. As a mentor, I encourage individuals to set lofty goals, and I expect them to follow through on their efforts to attain them. We all need someone who demonstrates confidence in our ability and inspires us to take on new challenges.
I've watched Mandy grow as a professor of research and researcher with an impressive portfolio, an advocate for faculty and students and as a person. Now, I'm looking forward to seeing how she grows as the associate dean for research and innovation.
A: Kirkpatrick: I have so much gratitude for Joan. She has been an amazing mentor to me. She purposefully encouraged me, and her mentorship helped me consider my own role as a champion and cheerleader for scholarship. She has made a lasting impact on the College of Nursing.
Joan purposefully encouraged me, and her mentorship helped me consider my own role as a champion and cheerleader for scholarship.
— Mandy Kirkpatrick, PhD, BSN’05, RN, FAAN
Q: Mandy, how do you think about helping train the next generation of high-achieving Creighton nursing researchers?
A: Kirkpatrick: I meet with all faculty one-on-one to support them in achieving their goals. With research, that might mean connecting them with grant-funding mechanisms, providing guidance on writing for publication or helping them develop leadership skills. I help them articulate small goals and chart their larger path.
Watch the full interview.
To learn more about the impact of mentorship on research and scholarship in the College of Nursing, Mandy Kirkpatrick’s goals as the associate dean of research and innovation—including increased collaboration with Creighton’s clinical and educational partner CHI Health—and heartwarming moments from Joan Lappe, watch the full interview below.
