CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2022 - 8

8
COL L EG E
Continued - Marilyn Krajicek
Continued - In the Words of Friends and Co-workers
It allows students to earn a doctor of
nursing practice from the College and
simultaneously earn a master of public
health from the Colorado School of
Public Health. Until recently, Marilyn
co-chaired the program with Dr. Harpin.
Early in her career, Marilyn mastered
the art of writing and obtaining grants
to conduct new research and encourage
nursing students to enter the field of
caring for people with disabilities.
In 2015, she earned a grant and became
program director for the Achieving a
State of Healthy Weight report for the
National Center for Health, Behavioral
Health and Safety at the Department of
Health and Human Services.
PUSHING FOR PROGRESS
In other various roles, Marilyn also led
efforts to care for children with special
health needs, further pediatric nursing
leadership, promote good oral health
care for children, implement child care
research, study the health and education
needs of children with disabilities and
chronic conditions, and improve the
quality of life for at-risk infants.
" I've had wonderful experiences and I
would never trade it. It was all part of my
life. I learned a lot from physicians, nursing
colleagues and faculty. I'll miss them. "
For students entering nursing school,
she offers some advice.
" Nurses and practitioners need to work
with families and children with disabilities
and develop a knowledge base.
That's a real strength. We need more
people in the field who have a passion
for them, " Marilyn said. " You also need
to learn how to write grants and get
funding. "
What's next? Maybe some traveling,
maybe not. She's not sure. Marilyn does
know she still has more to contribute.
" Marilyn was always innovative. She was never
stuck in the 'Well, we don't do it that way.' For
Marilyn, it was always, 'How are we going to
make this work?'
I wish her well, will miss her, and hope we
stay in touch as we both move into retirement. "
-Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, PhD, RN former executive director of JFK Partners, The
University of Colorado Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
From Dr. Skiba - In 1989, I was recruited to the University of Colorado
College of Nursing. Marilyn was my division chair. It was a difficult
transition moving here from the East coast and from a different academic
environment. I contemplated leaving but Marilyn suggested we go to dinner
and chat. She gave me the best advice. " Find your niche, develop it by
getting grant money, stay focused, and choose your battles at work. " It
guided my academic life.
Marilyn was my mentor when it came to grant writing. She was quite
successful at securing funding. She was my guide to writing successful
grants and because of her guidance, I was successful in bringing in millions
of grant dollars to fund my health care informatics projects.
Marilyn started as my division chair, then became my mentor and friend.
Marilyn's impact has been her constant commitment to child care
especially her work with children with disabilities. Marilyn always brought
together interdisciplinary teams. She did this way before the trend of team
science. One of her most impactful contributions was the establishment
of the NRC. She is known nationally and internationally because of her
commitment to child care.
" Marilyn's impact has been her constant
commitment to child care, especially her work
with disabilities. "
-Diane J. Skiba, PhD, FACMI, ANEF, FAAN, professor and
coordinator of Healthcare Informatics at the University of
Colorado Denver
From Ruth O'Brien - I was a faculty colleague of Marilyn's at the College of
Nursing since 1989. Although I am retired, I continue to keep in touch with
her on a monthly basis.
Dr. Marilyn Krajicek is a nationally known educator for children and
families with disabilities and chronic conditions. She consistently sought
and attained federal funding to establish the NRC at the College. Her
expertise in this area will be greatly missed.
" Wishing her the very best in retirement. "
-Ruth O'Brien, professor emeritus, University of Colorado College of Nursing
CU College of Nursing | Spring/Summer 2022
CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2022

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