Nursing grads lead regional campuses in Peoria, Springfield

Elaine Hardy, director at Peoria

Two College of Nursing graduates were named directors of the college’s regional campuses in Peoria and Springfield.

Elaine Hardy, the new director at the Peoria campus, received a Ph.D. in nursing in 2011. Cynthia Reese, new head of the Springfield campus, received a master’s degree in medical surgical nursing in 1995.

Both come to UIC from Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing.

Hardy is clinical assistant professor of health system science. Her community-based clinical practice focuses on outreach and mentoring women of color in community groups.

At Illinois State, she was faculty evaluator for a Health Resources and Services Administration nursing workforce diversity grant, focusing on recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups.

Cynthia Reese, director at Springfield

Reese is clinical associate professor of biobehavioral health science. She was associate dean of nursing at Lincoln Land Community College from 2009 to 2014, serving as nurse administrator for the associate degree and practical nursing programs.

At Lincoln Land, she led curriculum revisions and the implementation of a standardized testing program throughout the associate degree curriculum. Her research concerns clinical simulations, inter-professional education and instrument development.