Fox Cities News

Nancy (Lien) Korom, a University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO) nursing alumna, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Korom currently serves as vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s Wisconsin, where she oversees more than 2,000 nurses and manages areas including surgical services, family services, and the emergency department/trauma center.

Seon Yoon Chung, dean of the College of Nursing, Health Professions and STEM at UWO, nominated Korom for the award. “Nancy has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to nursing care since 1997. Her long-standing role has been pivotal in maintaining high standards within the organization. Under her guidance, Children’s Wisconsin has achieved Magnet (excellence in nursing and patient care) recognition since 2004, reflecting the quality of nursing care and the positive work environment she has fostered.”

Korom is recognized not only for her professional achievements but also for her community involvement. She served as former president of the American Lung Association–Wisconsin during the Smoke Free Wisconsin initiative and has worked with organizations such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She also contributes to advisory boards at Concordia University–Wisconsin, The Milwaukee School of Engineering, and UWO’s School of Nursing.

Korom previously received a UWO Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1996. Her other honors include being named Sophia Schroeder Endowed Chair for Nursing in 1999 and induction as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2013. Internationally, she has contributed to projects with Project Hope in China and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Foundation in South Africa.

Stacy Wenner, director of Nursing Systems and Magnet at Children’s Wisconsin, described Korom as someone who “defined nursing excellence—in clinical practice, leadership and advocacy” since starting her career at Children’s Wisconsin after earning her BSN. Wenner added: “My best characterization of Nancy is that she is a builder of people, infrastructure and programs in service to kids and their families. Her motivation has been to be a pioneering transformer, who by leading by example, has helped to define the prevailing nursing culture at Children’s Wisconsin while elevating staff engagement and patient experience.”

Scott Turner, president and chief operating officer at Children’s Wisconsin Hospitals; and executive vice president of Children’s Wisconsin said: “The greatest impact a leader can have is their ability to enable the growth and success of others. Nancy excels in this capacity as a leader and educator where she warmly and freely offers mentorship, friendship and important insight to others.” He continued: “Whether as a nurse, administrator, educator or community leader, she has been motivated and driven to see people be healthier, organizations stronger and professional colleagues better.”

Korom earned her bachelor’s degree from UWO in 1984 before completing her master’s degree at Marquette University in 1993. She resides in Wauwatosa with her husband John Korom; they have three children and five grandchildren.

The university will recognize Korom along with ten other alumni during Homecoming 2025 this October. Five graduates will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards for accomplishments in their fields; five will be honored with Outstanding Young Alumni Awards for achievements within fifteen years post-graduation; one will receive an Alumni Outstanding Service Award for contributions supporting UWO through volunteerism or philanthropy.

Further details about UW–Oshkosh Homecoming are available on its website.

More information about all eleven honorees can be found on UWO's announcement regarding the Alumni Awards Celebration during Homecoming weekend.