Katie DeFries named USI Distinguished Nursing Alumna

Katie DeFries, a neonatal intensive care nurse at Deaconess Women’s Hospital who previously worked as a healthcare missionary in Africa, is the 2014 recipient of the USI Distinguished Nursing Alumna Award. Each year, the USI Nursing Alumni Society presents this award to recognize a graduate who has made outstanding achievements in a career or public service.

DeFries obtained two nursing degrees from USI: She received her associate of science in nursing in 2003 and her bachelor of science in nursing in 2004. In 2008, she earned a Master of Science degree as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.

In 2010, DeFries took her nursing expertise overseas by working as a missionary in Kenya, Africa, for three years with AfricaHope, a ministry of Mission Systems International, based in Fort Myers, Florida. Her work in Africa was focused on holistic health to impact principles of disease prevention and healthy living, including improving access to clean water, sanitation, hygiene and diet.

“I have many fond memories of my time at USI, and I am so thankful for the amazing professors and clinical instructors I had there that gave me a great foundation from which to start my career,” she said. “I am proud to say I’m a nursing alumna of USI, and this award means so much to me!”

DeFries, a native of New Harmony, Indiana, says many different people and instances in her life led her to pursue a career in nursing, including her father who is a physician, two aunts who are nurses, and her participation in the Deaconess Health Science Institute when she was a high school student. Before embarking with AfricaHope, she researched global missions and took several short-term mission trips, including one to Kenya five years before she moved there.

“My time in Kenya, the people I met and the things the Lord taught me changed my life,” said DeFries. “I learned a lot about myself in those three years.”

Linda Evinger, clinical assistant professor of nursing emerita, said DeFries “embodies the best of a USI nursing graduate. I remained in contact with Katie after she completed her baccalaureate in nursing from USI,” she said. “She shared her dream of becoming a health care missionary in Africa. During her months of preparing to leave for Africa, Katie came and spoke to the nursing students about what she was about to do. Her excitement and commitment to helping others left many students inspired to consider the possibility of also becoming a missionary.”