Remembering Mickey Knutson Mickey Knutson, PA (BSN '58, FNP '78), founder and former director of the Physician Assistant (PA) and Nurse Practitioner programs, died Jan. 2, 2007 at Orlando, Fla. She was 70. In the early 1970s, she was instrumental in the development of the physician assistant and nurse practitioner programs at the UND medical school. She served as director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program from 1972 to 1977 and as co-director of the PA Program from 1982 to 1998. A native of Grafton, N.D., Knutson earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing at UND and a master's degree in nursing at the University of Washington in 1961. She completed the Family Nurse Practitioner Program in 1978 at UND. In 1963, she joined the UND College of Nursing faculty where she served for three years before being named director of St. Francis School of Nursing in Minot. In 1972, she was named director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the UND medical school where she wrote numerous grants which brought more than $2 million to UND. During her career, she held many leadership positions with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (including president in 1982), Association of Physician Assistant Programs, North Dakota Academy of Health Practitioners, among others, and wrote extensively on the education of family nurse practitioners and related topics. She received the UND President's Award for Outstanding Service in 1990. She is survived by her husband, Larry Knutson, Orlando; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James and Theresa Knutson and grandson, Cole Knutson, all of Sioux City, Iowa. A memorial service will be at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1515 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, Fla., at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3. A lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the service. Memorials may be sent to The Mickey Knutson Scholarship Endowment, UND Foundation, PO Box 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202 or the Dakota Boys Ranch in Minot. A block of rooms is reserved for Feb. 2, 3 and 4 under the name "Mickey Knutson Memorial" at $99 per night at the Wingate Inn, 5750 Hazeltine National Drive, Orlando, FL 32822, 407-826-5258 or 1-800-228-1000.