USI alumna Joanna Emmons helped save not one life, but 40 percent of lives.

The St. Mary’s critical care nurse specialist helped implement an Early Warning Score system to help identify patients who are at risk of going into cardiopulmonary arrest, which is when the heart and lungs stop working. 

“We saw a 40 percent reduction in cardiopulmonary arrests outside the ICUs (since the system was implemented),” she said.

Emmons heard about the system from a physican who read about it in a British article, she said. 

The system takes into account signs that a patient’s condition is worsening so nurses can watch the patient more closely and interven when necessary, she said.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) named Emmons the National Magnet Nurse of the Year for 2012. 

According to the ANCC website, a Magnet hospital is “the most prestigious distinction a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes.” St. Mary’s in Evansville is one of 13 Magnet hospitals in Indiana. 

“It’s very humbling, very exciting,” Emmons said. “It’s definitely not an achievement you receive alone. It was exciting for everyone at St. Mary’s.”

Emmons first received her associate’s degree from Olney Central College (OCC) in Illinois before attaining her bachelor’s degree in nursing from USI in 2005.

“I think my education at USI created a foundation (that helped me) continue (my schooling),” she said. “The curriculum let me understand, as a whole, nursing and the community.”

From USI, Emmons continued on to Murray State University in Kentucky in pursuit of a master’s degree. 

She got the job at St. Mary’s after graduating from OCC, but she continued to work there while studying at USI and Murray, she said. 

“I worked and gained experience that benefited me in the classroom,” Emmons said. “It was difficult managing my time but the experience helped tremendously.”

She said she never stops learning, even after school.

“I learn something every day from my co-workers and from every patient I encounter,” Emmons said. “I love my job – just being able to help patients and families during the most difficult times in their lives.”

The College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean Ann White said she sees more nursing students pursuing higher education after USI.

“We’re seeing more and more of our traditional students (in the nursing program) who start here … go right on to get their master’s or, in some cases, doctorate’s,” White said. 

She said she is excited that Emmons won such an award.

“To win such a prestigious award exemplifies how important it is for our nurses to be involved in activities and improve the quality of patient outcome,” she said. “The health care quality in the tri-state is very good and we’re always looking to improve … We want to get better so we can get better results.”

Clinical Nursing Associate Professor Julie St. Clair said Emmons is a student you don’t forget.

“She was always positive and enthusiastic,” she said. “Besides the academic side, as a student, she was a real leader. We’re all really proud of her.”