Leadership, service, advocacy honored with SNAHP distinction awards

KOKOMO, Ind. - The Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) recognized five leaders who have distinguished themselves with exemplary teamwork, clinical expertise, leadership, and collaborative partnership, its annual Alumni, Rising Stars and Friends Distinction Celebration Tuesday (March 3).

Honoring Excellence - A Night to Give Back, showcased the service and dedication of Levi Ingram, clinical supervisor and certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) at Elite Therapy Corp., Kokomo; Lucy Calhoun, BSN and RN at Wellbrooke of Kokomo; Paige Cramer, house supervisor at Community Howard Regional Health; Crystal Vice, manager patient care services at Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital, Ascension St. Vincent; and John Hughey, professor emeritus of radiologic science.

Dean Angela Opsahl commended the recipients, adding that their commitment, compassion, and excellence inspire those around them.

"This evening is not only a celebration of achievement, it is a celebration of generosity, of service, and of the profound impact one person can have when they choose to give back," she said.

The guest speaker was Dr. Richard Gunderman, chancellor's professor of radiology, pediatrics, medical education, philosophy, liberal arts, philanthropy, and medical humanities and health studies at Indiana University, where he also serves as John A. Campbell Professor of Radiology and served as Bicentennial Professor.

Levi Ingram, B.G.S. '12, was honored as a Distinguished Friend of the School, in honor of his commitment to the occupational therapy assistant program. He graduated from IU Kokomo after completing the U.S. Army's COTA program and deployment with the 55^th Medical Detachment combat stress control team, providing behavioral health services to deployed serve members throughout the country.

Christina Douglas, director of the OTA program and clinical assistant professor of OTA, said he joined the program's advisory council when it started in 2022 and has been beneficial in providing feedback for its development.

"Levi continued to support the OTA program in its growth by helping the program establish community connections that enable students to complete fieldwork placements and fine capstone partners," she said, adding that he's served as a mentor for capstone projects and fieldwork students, and was integral to on-site accreditation visits.

Lucy Calhoun, BSN '24, received the Rising Star Award, which highlights professionals who demonstrate exceptional clinical performance, critical judgement, and care coordination within the first five years of practice. She was commended for her passion for nursing and dedication to mentoring students.

"Her ongoing mentorship of IUK students at Wellbrooke has created a lasting impact, helping them grow in confidence, skill, and compassion," said Dea Kent, director of the family nurse practitioner track and assistant professor of nursing. "Lucy's dedication to teaching, collaboration and professional excellence reflect her deep commitment to nursing and strengthening the bridge between education and practice."

Distinguished Alumni Award recipients were Paige Cramer, ASN '08, BSN '09; Crystal Vice, ASN '04, BSN '13, MSN '25; and John Hughey, AS '76, BS '81.

Cramer was commended for her extensive volunteer service, including serving as co-leader and chief medical officer of Girl Scout Troop 560 for more than 10 years, and volunteering as camp nurse for Girl Scouts of Howard and Tipton County camporees of more than 100 girls. She's also planned and led First Aid badges, as well as nursing-related service projects.

"She's been a mentor to older girls in the troop who are interested in health care as well," Kent said, adding that Cramer also has volunteered as a coach for girls' basketball and soccer at Eastern Howard School Corp. and the Carver Community Center.

"She balances all of this service with her career at Community Howard Regional Health, where she's been an emergency room nurse, a quality nurse, and recently took on a new role as a house supervisor."

Vice was honored for her support for bedside nurses, which has made her one of the most respected leaders at Lucas Family Brain and Spine Hospital Ascension St. Vincent - evidenced by her promotion to nurse leader even before she completed her MSN.

Kent noted Vice has been a strong advocate for IU Kokomo, including sending her own children there to earn their degrees.

"She talks about how the IUK faculty were supportive of her, despite the odds, as a single mother with limited income," Kent said. "It is a heartwarming story of how the faculty helped her succeed."

Hughey was nominated unanimously by the radiologic science faculty and staff for the award, which Heidi Sebastian, program director of radiologic science, called "a true reflection of the respect and admiration he has earned throughout his career."

She said his passion for medical imaging and radiation therapy inspired decades of dedicated service and leadership, as he mentored students, technologists, and hospital department leaders statewide, leaving a lasting and meaningful impact on the profession. He also served in leadership for the Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists.

"He worked tirelessly to reestablish the Associate of Science in Radiography degree at IU Kokomo and played an integral role in establishing the Medical Imaging Technology degree program," she said. "Even after retiring in 2019, John's commitment never wavered. His guidance remained instrumental in supporting the radiography program's strong ARRT first-time pass rate. From his graduation in 1976 until health challenges limited his involvement in the summer of 2025, John has been a steadfast advocate for this profession, demonstrating unwavering dedication, leadership, and service."

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.