As Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate Program at Seattle Pacific University’s School of Health Sciences, I have had the opportunity to teach Jen in several classes and also to function as her Faculty Clinical Assessor. Ms. Casebeer exemplifies excellence in nursing, especially in regards to her advocacy and commitment to caring for the homeless population in our society. Jen is a firm believer that the homeless are some of the most resilient clients that nurses will have the opportunity to care for, and we must treat them with respect. Despite being financially challenged, victims of crime, and often burdened by mental health and substance use disorders, these clients learn how to adjust and adapt quickly in order to survive on the streets – and they have a lot to teach us. Jen shared approaches to promote health in the homeless that she has learned in her years working as a nurse in street shelters. These include multiple unique strategies to establish trust with the patient, focusing on the long term, and being satisfied with harm reduction rather than cure. I was quite moved by Ms. Casebeer’s vision when she shared her thoughts on coping with the high recidivism rates. She believes that one must hold an attitude of “never give up,” because “there are endless tries.” She shared that “the smallest wins are huge,” giving an example of a patient requiring ongoing care for leg wounds and how each time he comes in for care is a cause for celebration. With her upcoming graduation from the SPU Family Nurse Practitioner program, Ms. Casebeer plans to continue working with the homeless population. She strongly believes that society has a responsibility to help the vulnerable and the helpless, including the homeless and those with mental illness. Although some in our culture opine that the homeless are less than human, Jen strongly and firmly believes that “they count!” She is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to this vulnerable and disenfranchised population. She is a true “unsung hero” for her commitment and passion to help this destitute population. For this reason, Jen Casebeer stands out as an exemplary example of the true heart of nursing.

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Jen has shown an intense passion for meeting patients where they are at and developing culturally sensitive and comprehensive care plans. Her experience working with disadvantaged populations at Harbor View has enabled her to deeply connect with the patient population of the Seattle Indian Health Board, and even in her short time here, she has played a critical role in several individuals' progression to wellness. She understands that wellness and health extend outside of the exam room, and she has consistently provided creative and insightful plans to reach out to patients and boost their engagement in their own healthcare. I believe that Jen is an exceptional nurse practitioner student who is worthy of recognition for her work serving the natives of Seattle.