Cassandra Warner Frieson (’11, DNP, Nursing) Recipient: 2018 UAH Alumni of Achievement Award

Dr. Cassandra Warner Frieson 2018 UAH Alumni of Achievement recipient

Courtesy Photo

UAH alumna Cassandra Warner Frieson has established an innovative nursing practice in healthcare: fall prevention for the growing geriatric population.

Frieson is the President and Founder of Fall Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Services, LLC. Her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from UAH further specializes Frieson in geriatric safety, chronic illnesses, and evidence-based fall prevention programs. Her unique clinic, located in Birmingham, AL., focuses on the prevention and management of chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease and the prevention of injuries due to a fall.

She was drawn to the UAH College of Nursing (CON) because of the caring atmosphere, the professors and instructors, and the comprehensive curriculum and specialties in nursing.

"The CON’s academically rigorous program of studies served as a great foundation for my future as an entrepreneur and the establishment of my own center, where I put my scholarly project into real-life clinical practice in the establishment of a community-based fall prevention clinic for older persons."

Frieson said the professional and personal relationships established between faculty and students, staff and students, and fellow students encompassed some of her favorite experiences at UAH.

"The comprehensive core curriculum taught within the UAH CON, be it evidence-based research, population health, or my final doctoral-prepared scholarly project, was quite relevant to my work history as an advanced practice nurse practitioner," she said.

Before opening the fall injury prevention center in 2014, Frieson was a Family Nurse Practitioner in Cullman, AL. She was also employed as an adjunct faculty member in the UAH Graduate Nursing Program. In addition, she worked as a nurse practitioner in pediatric infectious disease in a Wetumpka, AL, pediatric clinic.

A professional speaker, Frieson has addressed local and international meetings concerning the care of older persons. In addition, Frieson is a member of the UAH College of Nursing Advisory Board.

A prolific writer and editor, she also serves as editor-in-chief and editor for The Journal of Perioperative & Critical Intensive Care Nursing, Gerontology & Geriatrics: Research, and is a guest associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health.

As a caring mentor, Frieson offers encouragement for young people interested in the nursing profession.

"Be passionate about your endeavors. Stay focused, open-minded, determined, and goal-oriented," Frieson advises. "Seek out and stay connected with mentors, as it was my clinical advisor at UAH that truly guided me toward succeeding in my courses. Most of all, though, believe in yourself and your goals. Your determination to succeed will take you far."