Nursing faculty member earns innovation award

Dr. Rebekah Mildenhall, associate department head of nursing at the University of North Georgia (UNG), has earned the 2026 Georgia Association for Nursing Education (GANE) Innovation in Teaching Award. Mildenhall was honored at the GANE Conference held Feb. 12-14 at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Resort on Lake Oconee.

Mildenhall was honored thanks to a trio of efforts:

• Helping create a trauma-informed care simulation for undergraduate and graduate nursing students and graduate counseling students.
• Creating a nursing study abroad program to South Korea with fellow faculty member Dr. Julia Behr.
• Working behind the scenes to create programs that would expand access to nursing education at UNG.

"It makes me feel like what I'm doing is valuable and creative," Mildenhall said. "These are techniques that other educators throughout Georgia can use."

Mildenhall has worked as a faculty member in UNG's Nursing Department since 2016. She began her nursing career as an officer in the United States Navy Nurse Corps. She has over 20 years of experience in women's health and perioperative services. In addition to teaching at UNG, Mildenhall works in the Women and Children's service line for Northeast Georgia Health System.

She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from UNG.

Dr. Carolynn DeSandre, dean of UNG's College of Health & Wellness, wrote a letter of recommendation for Mildenhall.

"Her contributions to UNG over the years have enhanced our students' ability to meet the needs of both the nursing profession and the communities we serve," DeSandre said. "Dr. Mildenhall's ability to engage faculty in these endeavors demonstrates her passion for creativity, teaching excellence and mentorship, and faculty readily identify her as a mentor in creative teaching strategies that advance student confidence and success."

Dr. Heather Harris, department head of nursing, was grateful to see Mildenhall honored.

"Dr. Rebekah Mildenhall is an outstanding educator who consistently incorporates innovative teaching strategies to make a meaningful impact on her students' learning and professional growth," Harris said. "The Department of Nursing is extremely proud of her achievement as the 2026 Georgia Association for Nursing Education Innovation in Teaching Award recipient."

Mildenhall was also part of one of four presentations by UNG nursing faculty at the GANE Conference:

• "Assigning Nature: An Experiential Learning Strategy to Foster Reflection and Awareness in Senior Nursing Students," Hannah Cilli.
• "Introducing Post Intensive Care Syndrome to Nursing Students," Dr. April Mangum.
• "Pediatric Nursing Education Day with South Korean Nursing Exchange Students," Anne Hall, Dr. Lisa Pugsley.
• "Interprofessional Simulation-Based Education to Improve Trauma-Informed Care," Dr. Deidre Harp, Audra Myers, Mildenhall.