Alumni

For her unwavering dedication and leadership in the health care sector, Renee Rassilyer-Bomers, ’03, ’06, ’16, is SU's 2024 Outstanding Recent Alumna.

Rassilyer-Bomers has built an exemplary career in health care, highlighted by her critical leadership during a local COVID-19 vaccination response effort that served as a national model. For the past 21 years Rassilyer-Bomers has worked at Swedish, now serving as the Chief Nursing Officer. During the height of the pandemic, she spearheaded vaccination clinics at Seattle University, neighborhoods around Swedish and at Lumen Field.

Major General Barbara (Bonine) Holcomb, ’87, is the recipient of the 2018 Professional Achievement Alumni Award. She credits Seattle University with giving her the opportunities that helped to define her. “Seattle University provided me with a sense of gratitude and service, of being part of something bigger than myself,” she says.

A nationally and internationally recognized innovator, integrating basic scientific research into nursing, Dr. Heitkemper inspires colleagues with her cutting-edge approach to health care.

Heitkemper had the courage to introduce a clinical research program identifying possible symptoms related to IBS at a time little notice was being paid to GI distress. Through her work, IBS patients have adopted ways of living quality lives. Dr. Heitkemper gathered a research team of highly trained nurses to design a practical tool allowing IBS patients to manage their symptoms.

In a career full of successes, Heitkemper is most proud of her work highlighting the importance of women's health and the role gender plays in health and treatment. She says, “The work has impacted many, many people and will in the future as we mentor future generations of scientists.”

Dr. Heitkemper’s contribution to the field of nursing is exceptional. Her quality achievement underwritten by compassion for the suffering of others, truly speak to the Jesuit values she holds.