University Colloquium: Dr. Cathy Rittenhouse

Eastern Mennonite University Podcast

Catherine E. Rittenhouse, DNP, MSN, CRNP, RN Associate Professor of Nursing Eastern Mennonite University Based on the most recent data from the CDC, there were 26 million new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the US – almost half of these infections occurred in people aged 15-24 (CDC, 2021). The majority of the undergraduate student population at EMU falls within this age group. Racial and ethnic minorities and gay and bisexual men are also disproportionately affected (CDC, 2021). For students to succeed in their educational endeavors, it is essential for colleges to work to meet health needs. Measures that raise awareness about STIs and reduce barriers to testing are steps in this direction. Catherine Rittenhouse has taught as an Associate Professor in the undergraduate nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University for 15 years, in both the classroom and clinical settings. She recently assumed the position of Director of the Master of Science in Nursing program at EMU. She graduated from (then) Eastern Mennonite College in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in nursing and specialization as a women’s health nurse practitioner, and from EMU with a Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2023. She has clinical experience in critical care nursing and reproductive health in various settings, and a special interest in health promotion in undergraduate students.