Professor Mary Ellen Wurzbach recipient of 2 distinquished teaching awards

Mary Ellen Wurzbach, professor, nursing

Since joining the College of Nursing faculty in 1980, Mary Ellen Wurzbach has impacted countless students with her nationally recognized expertise in ethics and end-of-life care.  Her passion for exploring moral dilemmas in nursing and the ethics of pain management has yielded 19 published articles and an award-winning chapter in the book Nursing and Health Care Ethics: A Legacy and A Vision. Her research has been cited more than 100 times in books and articles around the globe. Wurzbach has taught clinical courses in 20 different hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, day care centers and public health agencies, including every public agency in northeastern and north-central Wisconsin. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Nurses Foundation and has been involved with the American Nurses Association, the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities, the Midwest Nursing Research Society and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Wurzbach earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and master’s degree in primary care nursing at UW Oshkosh and a doctorate in nursing at the University of Minnesota, where she recently was cited as one of the 100 distinguished alums of the School of Nursing.

Rosebush Professorship

The John McNaughton Rosebush Professorship recognizes UW Oshkosh faculty members for teaching, professional achievement and public service. Nominees are considered in a selection process by a panel representing all University governance groups.

Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award

Edward M. Penson Distinguished Teaching Award winners are selected based on their teaching excellence, service, professional commitment and scholarly growth. A committee of faculty, students and staff determines who will receive the honor.