The 2016 Miss Indiana, USA titleholder is Morgan Abel, daughter of Pete and Sarah Abel of North Vernon. Morgan is a 2014 of graduate of the Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) nursing program. Currently, Morgan is a registered nurse in the Mental Health Unit at Columbus Regional Hospital.
Her career ambition is to pursue a Master’s degree at Indiana University to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She also wants to partner with the Crisis Hotline to help those who need immediate assistance due to their perceived crisis, as well as continue integrating the HOPE program into local schools in order to prevent suicide related deaths.
Beth Sharer is the Division Head of Nursing at IUPUC. She remembers Morgan as a student in the nursing program at IUPUC and shares, “This is something that Morgan has always wanted. Her dedication to her pageant work is second only to her care and concern for her patients. She has worked diligently to find a way to combine both of her loves into a mission to improve mental health in the State of Indiana. Congratulations Morgan from the IU School of Nursing at IUPUC faculty and staff!”
“Morgan began her career at Columbus Regional Hospital (CRH) as an IUPUC nursing student,” explains Kristi Snyder, Mental Health Manager at CRH. “Later, Morgan transitioned into the Mental Health RN role. Within the first year of this transition, she was nominated by her peers and received a Nightingale Award. She is an integrate part of our unit and has always demonstrated true professionalism, kindness and empathy for our patients. Morgan’s goals are to become a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, increase public awareness and acceptance of persons with mental illness and highlight the need for improved mental health services. We are proud to have Morgan as a member of our CRH Mental Health team and will support her in the upcoming year to reach her goals.”
In addition to her career endeavors, Morgan describes herself as a thrill seeker who enjoys racing, snow skiing, knee boarding, exploring and singing on stage as a vocalist. Her school and community activities include: National Alliance of Mental Illness, Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter, Red Cross, Hospice, HOPE, CHAMP Camp, and AYS.
Crowned by Gretchen Reece, MISS INDIANA USA® 2015, Morgan will represent Indiana at the 2016 MISS USA® Pageant.
Additionally, of the pageants participants, Morgan was named Miss Photogenic.
The Miss Indiana USA® and Miss Indiana Teen USA® Pageants are independently produced by Sanders & Associates, Inc. for the Miss Universe Organization.