2024-2025 Preceptor of the Year Awards Announced
The University of Michigan School of Nursing’s (UMSN) Office of Professional Graduate Studies proudly announces the winners of the 2023-2024 Preceptor of the Year Awards. These distinguished awards recognize preceptors who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to mentoring students transitioning to advanced practice providers. The honorees are selected based on student nominations and faculty evaluations.
This year, six awards were presented in the following categories:
- Family Nurse Practitioner / Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
- Nurse-Midwifery Program
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation MSN Program
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Please see the winners of each award below!
Family Nurse Practitioner/Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program
- Winner: Abby Weiler, FNP-BC, Michigan Medicine
- About Abby: Abby Weiler operates out of the University of Michigan's West Ann Arbor Health Center, where she has dedicated her career to adult primary care for the past seven years. A University of Michigan alumna, Abby holds a Bachelor of Science in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing. Her diverse clinical interests include mental health and orthopedic care within primary settings, and she is passionate about providing enriching clinical experiences for students. Abby has mentored four UMSN students, totaling over 750 hours, and is praised for her profound knowledge, compassion, and dedication to student development.
- Quote from Abby’s students: “I am honored to nominate Abby for Nurse Practitioner Preceptor of the Year. Throughout my clinical rotation, Abby exemplified the very best qualities of an exceptional preceptor and primary care provider. Her profound knowledge, compassion, and dedication to patient care, as well as her unwavering commitment to my professional development, have made a lasting impact on me as a student Nurse Practitioner.
“Abby is an outstanding clinician, offering exemplary care to her patients with a level of expertise and kindness that truly sets her apart. Her patients trust her not only because of her clinical proficiency but also because of the genuine compassion she consistently demonstrates. Abby is an incredible role model for both her patients and colleagues, and it’s clear that she is deeply respected in her practice. As a result, she fosters an environment of trust and openness, which allowed me to feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new areas of learning, and growing professionally.”
- About Abby: Abby Weiler operates out of the University of Michigan's West Ann Arbor Health Center, where she has dedicated her career to adult primary care for the past seven years. A University of Michigan alumna, Abby holds a Bachelor of Science in Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a Master of Science in Nursing. Her diverse clinical interests include mental health and orthopedic care within primary settings, and she is passionate about providing enriching clinical experiences for students. Abby has mentored four UMSN students, totaling over 750 hours, and is praised for her profound knowledge, compassion, and dedication to student development.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
- Winner: Andrew Seiler, MD, Liberty Pediatrics
- About Dr. Seiler: Dr. [Andy] Seiler, a pediatrician at Liberty Pediatrics in Ann Arbor, finds joy in patient care and precepting students. His connection to UMSN involves guiding students through complex clinical scenarios and fostering an engaging learning environment. Over the past five years, he has mentored seven UMSN students for more than 1,800 hours. His students applaud his supportive nature and ability to integrate family-centered care into his practice.
- Quote from one of Dr. Andy Seiler’s students: “Dr. Andy is an exceptional physician and preceptor. He has the ability to make any patient or family feel comfortable and important as soon as they step into his room. He incorporates shared decision-making and family-centered care into all aspects of his practice. As a preceptor, Dr. Andy is knowledgeable in evidence-based practices and always willing to answer questions. He pushes students out of their comfort zone with total support and confidence. He understands the role of a PNP and values it highly. It was an absolute honor and privilege to work with Dr. Andy and all providers at Liberty Pediatrics.”
- About Dr. Seiler: Dr. [Andy] Seiler, a pediatrician at Liberty Pediatrics in Ann Arbor, finds joy in patient care and precepting students. His connection to UMSN involves guiding students through complex clinical scenarios and fostering an engaging learning environment. Over the past five years, he has mentored seven UMSN students for more than 1,800 hours. His students applaud his supportive nature and ability to integrate family-centered care into his practice.
Nurse-Midwifery Program
- Winner: Shelly Betancourt, WHNP-BC, MSN, MHA, RNC-OB, LNC, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at U-M Health-Sparrow
- About Shelly: With over 25 years of experience in OB/GYN, Shelly provides comprehensive care at the University of Michigan Sparrow Medical Group and actively contributes to UMSN by precepting students. Her organized and inclusive teaching style has benefited 18 UMSN students over the past five years. Shelly's students commend her for creating a supportive environment that encourages questions and exposes students to a wide range of clinical experiences.
- Quotes from Shelly’s students: “She is so knowledgeable and also deeply cares for her patients and the community, and it shows. She treats such a wide variety of complaints that many other women's health providers choose not to, such as mental health disorders, weight loss medication, menopause concerns, interstitial cystitis, pessary fittings, and hysteroscopy. She does not hesitate to admit if she does not know something and needs to look it up or consult one of her colleagues.
“She was open for me to jump in and ask questions or add to what she was talking to patients about. I had to drive over two hours each way to work with Shelly, and it was well worth the drive. Shelly had a positive attitude, put me at ease, allowed me to lead patient visits, but was always there if I needed assistance, and taught me so much about women's health care. I loved working with her and consider myself extremely fortunate to have been assigned to her. I hope I can be like her one day.”
- About Shelly: With over 25 years of experience in OB/GYN, Shelly provides comprehensive care at the University of Michigan Sparrow Medical Group and actively contributes to UMSN by precepting students. Her organized and inclusive teaching style has benefited 18 UMSN students over the past five years. Shelly's students commend her for creating a supportive environment that encourages questions and exposes students to a wide range of clinical experiences.
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
- Winner: Jason Sysol, NP, Michigan Medicine
- About Jason: Jason's connection to UMSN is rooted in his practice in the advanced heart failure/transplant unit and his commitment to mentoring students. With an extensive career in cardiac intensive care, he has mentored three UMSN students over 700 hours in the past five years. Jason is celebrated for encouraging evidence-based decision-making and providing constructive feedback to his students.
- Quote from one of Jason’s students: “Jason was my preceptor for my first clinical rotation in the program. I think that he was the perfect fit for my first clinical rotation, and I am very grateful that I was placed with him. He was always really good at encouraging while giving helpful feedback. He gave advice on how to make safe, evidence-based decisions as a nurse practitioner. I learned a lot from him and will continue to use what he taught me as I look forward to transitioning into the role of a nurse practitioner after graduation.”
- About Jason: Jason's connection to UMSN is rooted in his practice in the advanced heart failure/transplant unit and his commitment to mentoring students. With an extensive career in cardiac intensive care, he has mentored three UMSN students over 700 hours in the past five years. Jason is celebrated for encouraging evidence-based decision-making and providing constructive feedback to his students.
Leadership, Analytics, and Innovation Program
- Winner: Brian Gammon, MSN, RN-BC, INS, CPHIMS, Nordic Global
- About Brian: An adjunct clinical faculty member at UMSN, Brian is a leader in digital health innovation at Nordic Consulting Partners, Inc. Over four years, he has mentored six UMSN LAI students for over 800 hours through hands-on experiences in emerging technologies. His students appreciate his empowering mentoring style, which fosters autonomy and innovative thinking, inspiring them to explore new possibilities.
- Quotes from Brian’s students: “Brian consistently works with LAI students on innovation and informatics projects that are in development across his collaborating partners. Brian challenges his colleagues to bring great projects forward that LAI graduate students can make a major impact on. Through this process, the LAI students learn the reality of working through new concepts, innovations, and stakeholders, as well as market analysis. Brian, through his years of leadership, has demonstrated excellent coaching and mentoring for the many, many LAI students that he has worked with over multiple years.”
“Brian's profound expertise in health care technology, particularly in the EMR software space, provided me with invaluable insights that have fundamentally shaped my professional trajectory. What truly distinguishes Brian as a mentor is his distinctive leadership approach; one that empowers through thoughtful questioning rather than direct instruction. He consistently encouraged self-management and innovative thinking, allowing me to develop not only technical knowledge but also critical leadership capabilities that will serve me throughout my career.”
- About Brian: An adjunct clinical faculty member at UMSN, Brian is a leader in digital health innovation at Nordic Consulting Partners, Inc. Over four years, he has mentored six UMSN LAI students for over 800 hours through hands-on experiences in emerging technologies. His students appreciate his empowering mentoring style, which fosters autonomy and innovative thinking, inspiring them to explore new possibilities.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
- Winner: Rachel Bowers, DNP, MS, AGACNP-BC, Michigan Medicine
- About Dr. Bowers: Dr. Bowers is a Nurse Practitioner in the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Michigan Medicine and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for UMSN. With a decade of experience, she has precepted six UMSN students over more than 1,100 hours in the past five years. Her students commend her for her intelligence, kindness, and ability to foster a supportive learning environment. Dr. Bowers exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding health care leader and preceptor.
- Quotes from Dr. Bowers’ students: “Dr. Bowers is extremely passionate about her work in the heart failure clinic and improving the care/services her patients receive. From day one, she was supportive and enthusiastic about my project and helped guide me through the process. She was always very easy to communicate with and provided prompt feedback, which I greatly appreciated. Furthermore, she served as a great example for me of how a DNP-prepared nurse practitioner can function in their workplace: Getting involved in hospital projects/initiatives/conferences, looking for ways to improve patient care, and precepting DNP students.”
“Dr. Bowers is an exceptionally intelligent, compassionate, and warm-hearted preceptor. From the very beginning of my clinical experience, she made me feel welcomed and at ease. Her calm and steady presence, paired with her extensive knowledge, created a supportive environment where learning felt both meaningful and inspiring.
- About Dr. Bowers: Dr. Bowers is a Nurse Practitioner in the Advanced Heart Failure Program at Michigan Medicine and an Adjunct Clinical Instructor for UMSN. With a decade of experience, she has precepted six UMSN students over more than 1,100 hours in the past five years. Her students commend her for her intelligence, kindness, and ability to foster a supportive learning environment. Dr. Bowers exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding health care leader and preceptor.
Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable contributions to nursing education and for their dedication to mentoring the next generation of health care providers at UMSN.
