UC College of Nursing Professor Awarded National Teaching Award
After developing interactive case studies for her Differential Diagnosis course, the University of Cincinnati's Christine Colella received the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Excellence and Innovation in Teaching award.
The annual award is presented to a faculty member with more than five years of teaching experience in didactic or clinical settings at AACN member schools. Now, Colella, associate professor and director of Nurse Practitioner programs, continues to ensure the Nurse Practitioner program for distance learners is equally as robust as the on-site version.
We want to teach people to be active learners no matter where they are, Colella said.
No matter where students are in their careers and whether or not they take their courses on campus, Colella said the College of Nursing aims to give all students the education they need and the tools to be lifelong learners.
From the interactive case studies that distance learners say is the best hands-on experience they have ever had to lectures that students can listen to on the go, Colella uses technology to open new horizons for her students.
Technology makes information more accessible, portable and it puts everyone on an even playing ground in terms of education, Colella said.
The number of interactive case studies has grown from two to 15, which is credited in part to a $900,000 grant from Advanced Nursing Education Health Resources. The case studies range from simple to complex and include pediatric, adult and geriatric patients.
While the case studies currently cover patient diagnostics, Colella said they will expand to teach telehealth, management of diseases, patient education and planning care.
Colella said distance learning helps further UCs Third Century goals through opening up education opportunities to more people. As increasing numbers of students receive rigorous, interactive and engaging nursing educations, more patients will have access to healthcare.
Tags
Related Stories
Donor support of UC and UC Health reaches historic level
July 30, 2026
This summer, every law student at the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law who applied for a Summer Public Interest fellowship will receive a fully funded real-world learning experience, expanding opportunities for University of Cincinnati students wishing to pursue real-world experience in public service. This 30% increase in fully funded fellowship participation is a direct result of transformative philanthropy.
Four outstanding preceptors recognized for shaping the next generation of nurses
July 28, 2026
Every nursing student’s journey includes a mentor who helps transform theory into practice. In hospitals, clinics, and community settings, preceptors provide hands-on guidance that helps students build confidence, refine clinical judgment, and develop the skills needed to care for patients independently. Each year, the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing recognizes outstanding clinical educators through its Outstanding Preceptor Awards. Nominated by the students they mentor, the awards honor two prelicensure preceptors and two advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) preceptors — one from the Greater Cincinnati region and one from outside the region —whose commitment to teaching has made an extraordinary impact on student learning and professional development.
How a UC nurse practitioner turned a clinical problem into digital innovation
July 23, 2026
Nurses spot what others miss. They notice gaps in care, recurring patient questions, and inefficiencies baked into the system, but most never think to turn those observations into something they can build University of Cincinnati College of Nursing alumna Nicole Homan, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC, did. Through years in maternal newborn care and women's health, Homan kept meeting women who wanted more than a routine office visit could give them.