UM-Flint nursing graduate finds purpose in loss, charts path to nurse anesthetist

Lani Manners' journey into health care started with a tragedy she barely remembers—but one that changed the course of her life.

"I was probably four or five when my grandfather passed away," said Manners, a 2025 University of Michigan-Flint graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. "It was due to a heart issue that could've been prevented. Even though I was young, seeing the effect it had on my family made me want to be that person in the hospital who explains things, brings comfort, and makes it less scary."

Recently, Manners, a Linden native, served as a student speaker at one of UM-Flint's four spring commencement ceremonies, thereby stamping her time at the university. This included time as a campus leader and peer mentor who embodies the values of nursing both in and outside the classroom.

A Leader Among Peers

Manners' time in the nursing program was defined by involvement and service. From being elected president of her cohort during her first semester to leading the campus's Student Nurses Association, she took on key roles that connected students, faculty and the wider Flint community.

"I wasn't very involved in high school, so I wanted to challenge myself," she said. "Getting involved in organizations helped me build relationships and better understand what others were going through. Tutoring especially let me connect with students even before they entered the program."

Manners volunteered at community events, including the Genesee County Free Medical Clinic's annual 5K and supported dental outreach programs, all while maintaining academic excellence. She also received first-place honors at the 2024 Zillion Solutions competition, a campus wide event where students of all levels and majors pitch their unique ideas for a new product or service that will solve a problem. Manners won the competition with her concept for color-changing dressings that health care providers could use to treat IV complications.

Manners' dedication was recently recognized with one of the university's highest honors for students, the Maize and Blue Scholar—a distinction she called the biggest accomplishment she's ever achieved.

"It was a moment of reflection and celebration," she said of the honor. "I didn't expect it. It meant so much to know my work and my heart for helping others were being seen."

Overcoming Early Struggles

Despite her success, Manners is candid about the challenges she faced, especially in her first semester at the university.

"I had no health care experience coming in, and I wasn't performing how I wanted academically," she said. "So I adapted. I changed how I studied after every exam. Eventually, I figured out what worked for me, and I finished with an A."

That same persistence carried her through rigorous courses like Medical-Surgical Nursing and Mental Health, where time management and resilience became essential tools.

Mentors Who Made a Difference

Manners credits several faculty members with guidance and inspiration throughout her academic career.

"Professor Libby Bell was my first-semester instructor, and she always treated us with so much respect—even though we were just starting out," Manners said. "She listened to my ideas and supported me."

She also praised Deborah Filos, clinical assistant professor of nursing, who helped her grow as a speaker and student leader, and Carman Turkelson, professor of nursing, whose teaching style inspired Manners to consider advanced practice nursing.

"Dr. Turkelson made such an impression on me. I hope to one day explain concepts as clearly as she does. She inspired me to dream bigger."

A Vision for the Future

Manners' future goal is ambitious: becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She's already landed a coveted spot in an intensive care unit at a major hospital in Genesee County—one of the first major steps toward this path—and plans to take biochemistry this winter before applying to CRNA programs.

"It's a long road, but I'm excited," she said. "It's something I've really set my heart on."

A Message to Her Classmates

As she reflected on the past few years, Manners took pride not only in her academic success but also in the connections she'd made and the growth she'd experienced.

"We've all worked so hard to get here," she said. "I want my classmates to know that even though we've made it through, this is just the beginning. Keep striving, keep growing. It's going to be worth it."