2014 Excellence in Nursing

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B-Metro Presents

2014

Excellence in Nursing Meet the men and women who go above and beyond to make the Birmingham region a healthier place to live. So many lives have been touched by the nurses featured on this list. Their hard work, sharp minds, and easy bedside manners earned them a spot in our Excellence in Nursing Awards.

Yet another lead a team that created a free, downloadable smartphone application to help healthcare providers and cancer patients identify more than 500 valuable community resources for people in North Central Alabama battling cancer.

One nurse developed a passion for Kenya after a medical mission trip there; she turned her passion into action by organizing the first Kenya Relief Race 5K, raising more than $6,000 for the organization. Another developed a Bereavment Cart to provide support of family members at the time of death.

We’re lucky to have these nurses in our city. We hope you enjoy their stories.

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Children’s of Alabama

Jimmi Amick, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Staff Nurse, NICU Jimmi Amick is a noted advocate for her patients and their care. Patient families, as well as her coworkers, describe her as always considering the patient’s needs, listening to concerns, and taking actions that lead to better patient outcomes. Jimmi takes extra time with patients and families to explain details of the patient care and to ensure that the care plan is understood clearly.

Ashley Cleary, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Staff Nurse, NICU Ashley Cleary is recognized not only for her attention to safe, quality care, but for the compassionate, encouraging, and empathetic way in which she delivers that care. Ashley demonstrates daily that her coworkers and patients can trust her to be there for them and to find innovative ways to provide nursing care that proves her commitment to the profession and to the children who are on the unit.

Alyssa (Lisa) Cooper, MSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Advanced Unit Educator Lisa Cooper oversees all of the educational needs of the pulmonary unit staff and facilitates staff attendance at house-wide requirements. In the last two years, she has assisted in the development and design of an evidenced-based, bedside nursing tracheotomy educator’s class and had much input into the design and content of the material used by staff during teaching. The book has been published by the Patient Health and Safety Information Center at Children’s and is sent home with families as a reference and guide.

Robin Greer, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Liver Transplant Coordinator, Transplant Center Robin Greer has worked tirelessly as part of the team to build the liver transplant program at Children’s of Alabama. Robin is pursuing graduate level professional education (MSN/PNP program at UAB) that will enhance her practice, improve patient outcomes, and

keep the transplant center at Children’s of Alabama at the forefront of care innovation. She is a member of Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT), a group that analyzes information required to advance the science of pediatric liver transplantation.

Amber J. Martin, MSN, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Hematology-Oncology Commitment is a word, and Children’s of Alabama value, that epitomizes Amber Martin.

Amber shows commitment to every patient and family on her unit whether or not they are assigned to her care. She can often be seen giving a smile and a high-five to the patients strolling the halls on the hematology-oncology unit.

She truly understands that excellent nursing practices and healing medicine are made even better when accompanied by encouragement and inspiration.

Jamelle Maxwell, MSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Coordinator, Infusion Clinic Jamelle Maxwell consistently demonstrates leadership in her role as Infusion Clinic Coordinator at Children’s of Alabama. She has worked to significantly improve productivity in an area that has experienced a 5.5 percent increase in patient volume and a reduction in staffing over the past year. Jamelle developed an infusion “no-show” project which has proven to be effective, showing a decrease in the number of no-shows in the clinics. She also has revised the new patient/parent information packet, resulting in an increase in patient satisfaction.

Jennifer Nall, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama Staff Nurse, Emergency Department Jennifer Nall reflects Children’s values of compassion and trust. Patient families often comment on how she provides nursing care that shows how much she cares. One recent patient’s mom sent this message in response to her child’s recent experience: “ The best compliment I could give Jennifer is that I was able to leave and not feel as though I was abandoning him because I knew she was there with him, she could mother him through what I couldn’t. I knew someone in the room saw him as more than a patient, but almost as her own son.”

Laura Needham, BSN, RN Children’s of Alabama CVICU Laura Needham is recognized for her leadership and for her innate ability to critically analyze a problem and promptly develop solutions that focus on what is best for the patient. Laura worked with a multidisciplinary team to develop a Bereavement Cart for the CV Division. This cart was developed based on an identified need of staff ability and inconsistency in providing adequate support of family members at the time of death. Laura and the team recognized that the care the families receive at this critical time can have a lasting impact on families and is therefore imperative that family needs are met.

Sally Smith, MSN, RN, FNP-C, CCTC Children’s of Alabama Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Coordinator, Transplant Center Sally Smith is a nurse practitioner in the role of Mechanical Circulatory Support I Heart Transplant Coordinator. Sally identified a need for a formalized process to transition heart transplant patients from pediatric to adult care. She performed a literature search for existing processes and outcome data and validated the need.

Sally organized a multidisciplinary team to work toward development of the heart transplant transition program and led the team in development of a policy, a registry, readiness questionnaire, action plan, educational materials, and outcome measure tools.

Alecia Spurlock, ADN, RN Children’s of Alabama Staff Nurse, NICU Alecia Spurlock works with families to see them through some of the hardest days they may face—even when those days may mean the loss of a child. One recent patient mom has this to say about Alecia: “She did everything she could to help us. She took great care of our daughter and helped me give her last bath and prepared her for our final goodbye and even attended the memorial service. Alecia handled everything with grace and let me know that she really cared for our baby and us.”

Vikki Vodosia, BSN, RN, ENPC, SANE, SANE-P Children’s of Alabama SANE Nurse, CHIPS Center

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Vikki Vodosia is a member of the CHIPS (Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services) Team, which provides services for children who have suffered physical and/ or sexual abuse. Vikki is one of the primary medical providers, interacting daily with children who have been sexually abused and in need of a medical exam. She is a leader with regard to curriculum for SANE training, serves on the Human Trafficking committee, and has helped many disciplines providing service to Human Trafficking victims and helped to establish protocols for this issue.

Jacksonville State University

Betsy D. Gulledge, PhD, RN, CNE Jacksonville State University; Associate Dean of College of Nursing Dr. Gulledge currently serves as the Associate Dean at Jacksonville State University. She achieved national certification in 2012 as a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing. Education: B.A., Psychology, Auburn University (1992); A.D.N., Southern Union State Community College (1995); B.S.N., Jacksonville State University (2002); M.S.N., Jacksonville State University (2005); PhD, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010).

Davis is a collaborative partner with Jacksonville State University and is always eager to assist in providing the best educational experience for all students and faculty that enter the facility. Education: B.S.N/M.S.N. Jacksonville State University Charlotte Butler, PhD, MSN, RN Bureau of Primary Health Care, Central Southeast Division, Atlanta, Georgia; Public Health Analyst, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) Since obtaining her master’s degree in nursing from Jacksonville State University, Dr. Butler has become a leader in shaping healthcare in the United States. As a Healthcare Policy Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, she has conducted comprehensive assessments of clinical programs and quality of services being delivered in today’s healthcare system. Currently, Dr. Butler manages health care organizations in North Carolina that receive grant funding for the operation of federally qualified community health centers. Education: Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL, 2010 Masters of Science, Nursing; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 2005 Ph.D. Public Policy; Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, AL, 1994, M.S. Public Administration.

Marilyn Bougere, MSN, RN, CNS Jacksonville State University; Distinguished Lecturer, Instructor of Nursing Marilyn Bougere has been a faculty member at JSU for 20 years. During her time at JSU, Marilyn has been a staple faculty in the Childbearing Families course. Marilyn just recently obtained the prestigious distinction at JSU of Distinguished Lecturer. Education: B.S.N., Jacksonville State University; M.S.N., Jacksonville State University.

Marsha Boswell, MSEd, BSN, RN Alacare Home Health & Hospice, Director of Education Working with Alacare Home Health and Hospice, Marsha Boswell is responsible for the development and implementation of nursing orientation, leadership training, continuing education, and the professional growth of home care and hospice nurses. Currently, Marsha and her colleagues are developing a dementia care program for all clinical staff that includes nurses, healthcare aids, therapists, social workers, and chaplains. Education: MSEd, Education, Jacksonville State University (1989); BSN, Nursing, Jacksonville State University (1983)

Elaine Davis, MSN, RN Regional Medical Center, Anniston; Vice President of Patient Services As a CNO, Ms. Davis is a patient and nurse advocate.

She devotes her time to making the healthcare environment at RMC the best for all consumers and employees. In addition, Ms.

Christie Shelton, PhD, RN, CNE Dean of College of Nursing, Jacksonville State University Dr. Shelton currently serves as the fifth dean of the College of Nursing at Jacksonville State University.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Shelton served in a number of other leadership roles.

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She has published a number of articles focused on environmental exposure. She also achieved national certification in 2012 as a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing. Also, in 2012, she was nominated by faculty and staff to receive the Lamplighter Award from the Alabama League for Nursing. Education: BSN, Jacksonville State University (1996); MSN, Jacksonville State University (2002); PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham (2009).

Susan Morabit, MSN, RN, PHCNS-BC, CIC Infection Preventionist II, Team Lead Susan Morabit is an outstanding graduate of the Masters of Science in Nursing-Community Health program at Jacksonville State University. Susan has achieved leadership positions at Wellstar Health System through hard work, determination, and commitment to the nursing profession and the patients she serves daily. Her commitment to excellence is demonstrated by her achievement of advanced certifications in Infection Prevention & Control (CIC), as well as Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PHCNS-BC). Recognized as a change agent, she was chosen in 2012 to participate in 3M’s Infection Prevention Leadership Summit. Recently focusing on reduction of surgical site infections (SSI), she is spearheading an SSI reduction task force. Education: Jacksonville State University, MSN 2011; Kennesaw State University, BSN, 1998.

Suzanne Knight Brown, MSN, RN Wedowee Hospital; Director of Support Services Suzanne Brown practices in rural Randolph County where she serves as the Director of Support Services at Wedowee Hospital. She is currently leading the implementation of the patient Electronic Health Record for Wedowee Hospital.

She is also pursuing studies in the Nurse Practitioner program at Auburn University. Education: A.D.N, Southern Union State Community College (2006); B.S.N, Jacksonville State University (2008); M.S.N., Jacksonville State University 2012; F.N.P, Auburn University, expected graduation Spring 2017.

Renea Goode The Surgery Center, Oxford; Director of Nursing Mrs. Goode is a two-time alumna of Jacksonville State University, obtaining her undergraduate degree in Nursing in 1996 and graduate degree in Nursing in 2012. She has been with The Surgery Center since

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its opening in 2000, serving as the Director of Nursing since 2003. Mrs. Goode is the current president for the local chapter of the Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN). She is also the clinical leader for the Alabama Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (AAASC). She is nationally certified as a CNOR (Certified Nurse of the Operating Room). She has served in the role of clinical adjunct at Jacksonville State University’s College of Nursing since 2009.

Kevin Callaway RN at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital; Adjunct Faculty at Jacksonville State University, College of Nursing Kevin Callaway’s professional background includes critical care nursing, nurse recruitment, outpatient health teaching and wellness promotion, and nursing education. Kevin is a member of Sigma Theta Tau honor society for nurses and was the recipient of the 2012 Dr. James Sherry Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. Kevin supervises clinical experiences for undergraduate students at the University of North Alabama and remains active in practice as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiothoracic Recovery Unit at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital.

Education: B.S., Emory University (Major: Nursing), 1999; M.S.N, Jacksonville State University, 2009; Associate of Arts, Oxford College of Emory University, 1997.

Melissa Robertson Tanner Medical Center, Carrollton, GA; Director of Nursing Missie Robertson just recently assumed the role of Director of Nursing at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia. Missie has served in a number of leadership roles during her nurse tenure from Nurse Manager of Critical Care to Director of Critical Care Services to Director of Nursing at Tanner, Villa Rica.

Missie recently worked in conjunction with medical staff and front-line clinicians to implement Best Practice Standards resulting in Tanner Health Systems listed as one of 15 top performing hospitals in the nation. Education: M.B.A, American Intercontinental University (2007); B.S.N, Jacksonville State University (1989).

Angela Bennett Gadsden Regional Medical Center; Assistant Chief Nursing Officer Angela Bennett is a recognized leader in the northeast Alabama area. For the past five years, she served as the Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Education, Assistant Privacy Officer, Clinical Nurse Liaison for Meaningful Use Project, and Clinical Nurse Liaison for MedHost at Cherokee Medical Center (CMC).

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Recently, Ms. Bennett was promoted within the CHS company to the position of Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Gadsden Regional Medical Center where part of her new responsibilities includes oversight of emergency services. Her clinical practice background is emergency nursing and she holds advanced certifications in PALS, ACLS, CPI, and NIMS. Education: Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jacksonville State University, 2006–2008; M.S.N. Major: Community Health (Cum Laude) 2005–2006 Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing, Jacksonville State University, B.S.N. (Magna cum Laude); Northeast Alabama Community College Rainsville, AL 1996–1999, Associate Degree in Nursing.

Samford University Ida B Moffett School of Nursing

Rosemary Cox Bamberg, RN Samford University Retired, Princeton Baptist Medical Center For 47 years, Rosemary Cox Bamberg emulated Mrs. Moffett’s commitment to patient centered care as a registered nurse at Princeton Baptist Medical Center. Bamberg served medical surgical patients, in intensive care units and in the post-anesthesia care unit. Bamberg was a caring and compassionate nurse. She worked diligently to ensure that even as technology evolved and hospitals were able to offer much more to patients, humane loving care, consideration, and attention to the human needs of patients were always central to nursing practice.

Following her retirement in 1998, she teaches English as a second language, volunteers with her church, and is an active member and officer for the Baptist Retiree Organization. Diploma 1957.

Roxane Cobb, BSN, RN Samford University Palliative Care Coordinator, Princeton Baptist Medical Center Roxane Cobb has dedicated most of her nursing career to serving patients entering the most vulnerable point in their lives, many of whom only have a short time to live. Initially Cobb pursued this passion as a registered nurse for New Beacon Hospice. She consistently treated patients and their

families with great care, compassion, and expertise. It was this excellence that led Princeton Baptist Medical Center to tap Cobb for the Palliative Care Coordinator position. Her involvement has helped grow the program to serve more than 50 patients per month.

A.D.N., 1985; B.S.N., 1995.

Yvonne H. Harper, BSN, CCRN Samford University Trinity Medical Center For more than 35 years Yvonne H. Harper has served patients and their families at Trinity Medical Center. Currently, Harper serves as the charge nurse of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) where she is responsible for recovering post open-heart and thoracic surgical patients. Throughout her career, Harper has mentored hundreds of nurses and her encouragement causes others to seek advancement. She has received many awards and has often served as interim nurse director for her unit, but she is always led back to the bedside.

She leads selflessly, expecting nothing in return, and would never ask a staff member to perform a work function that she herself is not willing and able to do.

A.D.N., 1979; B.S.N .,1986.

Robbie Smith Heaton, BSN, RN Samford University Princeton Baptist Medical Center Robbie Smith Heaton began her career at Princeton Baptist Medical Center more than 40 years ago and since her first day on the job, she has served as a shining example of excellence in nursing. She spent 36 years serving in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), 15 of which she was charge nurse, and recently, she accepted a new position as a clinical educator.

Heaton’s leadership, knowledge, and proactive approach to nursing have greatly impacted the lives of countless patients and their families. Diploma 1973.

Lisa A. Jones, RN Samford University Trinity Medical Center Lisa A. Jones is charge nurse in the main Operating Room (OR) at Trinity Medical Center. She demonstrates sincere empathy and compassion when dealing with patients, employees, and physicians.

Her role presents unique challenges, but Jones manages to maintain constant control in the busy OR environment. She is a valuable mentor for new nurses as well as seasoned

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professionals throughout the hospital. Jones leads selflessly and always puts the patient above self. Her tenacity and tolerance for nothing but exceptional patient care is what sets her apart from other nurses.

A.S.N., 1993.

Lisa Kuntz, MSN, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, RNFA Samford University Alabama Weight Loss Surgery As a nurse practitioner at Alabama Weight Loss Surgery, Lisa Kuntz provides compassionate care and support to her patients who are facing life-changing gastric surgery. Her role extends from evaluation before surgery to serving as first assistant to providing post-operative care and support for months following the procedure. Serving as a clinical adjunct faculty member for students in the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner program, Kuntz’s dedication to the nursing profession extends outside of patient care. Post-Master’s of Science in Nursing, 2009.

Ann Hughes McEntire, MSN, RN Samford University Citizens Baptist Medical Center, Talladega Ann Hughes McEntire began her career as a staff nurse at Princeton and rose to the Director of Medical/Cardiovascular/Emergency Nursing. In 2013, McEntire was named Chief Nursing Officer at Citizens Baptist Medical Center in Talladega. She cares deeply about the people around her, concerned with the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of employees and colleagues.

M.S.N., 2013.

Pennie Nichols, CRNA, MSN Samford University Kenya Relief In 2012, Pennie Nichols took her first medical mission trip with the Kenya Relief organization. She was devastated by the poverty and need for health care, and as a health care professional, she immediately began sharing with coworkers about the need. In 2012, Nichols organized the first Kenya Relief Race for Hope 5K. More than 240 people participated in the inaugural event and raised more than $6,000 for the organization. M.S.N., 2010.

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Rebecca Dick Peinhardt, DNP, RN, CNE Samford University Jacksonville State University Rebecca Dick Peinhardt is an exemplar nurse, nurse educator, mentor, and leader. She currently serves as associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing at Jacksonville State University. Her leadership in transforming nursing education and nursing practice is evident in her 39 years of practice, teaching undergraduate and graduate students, giving professional presentations at the local and national levels. and conducting faculty development workshops.

D.N.P., 2009.

Molly Shaw, CRNA, RN Samford University Brookwood Medical Center In 2012, Molly Shaw participated in her first medical mission trip with the Kenya Relief organization. She returned from the trip with a fire in her heart and it was quickly obvious that she would soon become a vital part of Kenya Relief. Shaw gladly offers her time, experience, and knowledge for the betterment of Kenya Relief as she volunteers as the organization’s Medical Missions Coordinator. In this pivotal role, she contacts missionaries, assesses their strengths and specialties, and works to make sure all of the teams are equipped with the necessary personnel to complete the mission assigned. In 2013, 20 teams will travel to Kenya under leadership.

M.S.N., 2009.

UAB Medicine

Debra Brewton, RN UAB Debra has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years. She has been in the UAB System for 12 years, beginning in Mother/Baby. From there, she moved to The Kirklin Clinic as the Traveler’s Health Nurse and Procedure RN in Pulmonary. While there, she was promoted to Nursing Supervisor of the Pulmonary Clinic. In 2008, she was offered a position as Clinical Trials Manager at the UAB Lung Health Center doing Pulmonary Research. After two years, she realized how much she missed direct patient care, and in 2011, she returned to The Kirklin Clinic in the Urology Department. There, she holds the position of Procedure RN, Team Leader, and for the last year has held the position of Interim Clinical Manager as well.

Karen Harris, RN, MSN, OCN, CCM UAB Karen has had an exciting and productive 15-year nursing career to date. She is a proud graduate of The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing Class of 1997 and 2001. She began her career at UAB as a staff nurse with Level 1 Trauma and Burn ICU patients. Two years later, she continued on to care for post Cardiac Surgical ICU patients at DCH Regional Medical Center and progressed to Charge Nurse. She completed her M.S.N. at UA with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Honorary Society. Upon graduation, she progressed to Cancer Screening and Early Detection, Cancer Education Coordinator, and Case Manager for CV Services at Baptist Princeton Medical Center. Karen returned to UAB in 2008 to the Trauma/Burn Care Management staff. She returned to the bedside as ENT, Plastics, Urology. and Oral Surgery Nurse Manager in 2010.

Karen attained three certifications—Oncology Certified Nurse; Certified Professional in Utilization Review; and Certified Case Manager—along the way.

Telana Lewis UAB Telana grew up in Tuscaloosa and graduated with a BSN in Nursing from Tuskegee University, second in her class. Her previous nursing career includes a one-year experience in a step-down cardiac unit, three years at the University of Alabama Student Health Center, and one year part-time at Bryce Hospital Adolescent Unit.

In 2004, she came to UAB’s Continuing Care Nursery, where she has found her home. Definitely a people person, Telana loves to create familial relationships with her coworkers and encourages staff participation and satisfaction. Just as involved as she is at work, she is so at Piney Grove Baptist Church, where her father is the pastor. She is director of all five choirs, participant with the youth council on youth activities, and a member of the drama ministry. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. John W. Lindsey UAB John W. Lindsey graduated in 2008 from the University of Mobile with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and also received the Bedsole Award, which was given to the nursing student that, by vote of the entire faculty, demonstrated the most significant progress as a nursing student while at the university. He began his practice of nursing here at UAB Hospital on the

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Number One. Trinity currently achieves the highest ratings among all hospitals in the Birmingham area in all five major process of care categories reviewed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Trinity is the only hospital in the state to achieve 100% scores in its overall performance, and one of only 21 hospitals nationwide.

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Pulmonary Intermediate Care and Cystic Fibrosis Unit.

Here, he currently serves as a staff nurse and executes varied roles such as preceptor, and shift leader, and is a leader and consultant for quality improvement ideas and unit projects.

Suzanne McNeil UAB Suzanne McNeil received her undergraduate degree from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in 1981.

During her tenure, Suzanne has performed numerous roles, including Surgical Staff Nurse, GYN Oncology Head Nurse, Radiation Oncology Nursing Supervisor, Hospice Nurse, and Clinical Care Coordinator for the Multidisciplinary Gastro-Intestinal (MDGI) Oncology Clinic. Suzanne was instrumental in initiating the MDGI Oncology Clinic with Dr. Marty Heslin in 2001. Suzanne was also a 1989 recipient of the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award while working as a Surgical Staff Nurse.

Sarah Katrina Smith UAB Katrina Smith, CRNP has been a nurse for more than 30 years. She started as staff and a leader in the Intensive Care Unit and then the Manager of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Department. She has spent many years in an Advanced Practice role as a coordinator in the Cardiothoracic Transplant program and worked in Urgent Care, and currently, she is a CRNP in Internal Medicine. Trina also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Instructor in the Nurse Practitioner Program at the UAB School of Nursing. In her spare time she enjoys readings, gardening, and SCUBA diving.

UAB School of Nursing

D’Ann Somerall, DNP UAB School of Nursing UAB School of Nursing Assistant Professor D’Ann Somerall, DNP, provides primary care for the indigent population. Providing care for this category of patient means being creative in management and treatment options due to the reality that this group of patients typically has limited resources. Presently, Dr. Somerall is a member of the team of nurse practitioner’s providing care in the UAB School of Nursing’s nurse-managed clinic at The Foundry Rescue and Recovery Mission in Bessemer.

Somerall is involved in global health nursing through hosting international scholars visiting UAB for various 106

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programs the UAB School of Nursing offers, and has coordinated a workshop on interprofessional global education and collaboration through the Global Health Professional Fellows grant funded by the U.S. Department of State. In addition, Somerall is president of Sigma Theta Tau International/Nu Chapter at UAB. STTI is the only honor society for nursing.

Deborah K. Walker, DNP, CRNP, AOCN UAB School of Nursing The rigors of cancer are well understood by Deborah K. Walker, DNP, CRNP, AOCN. At the same time, Walker also knows about treatments and treatment teams that can successfully fight cancer. As a UAB School of Nursing faculty member, Deborah participates in care for breast cancer and lymphoma patients as part of her faculty practice at UAB’s internationally renowned Comprehensive Cancer Center. She also works with the faculty at the University of Malawi Kamuzu College of Nursing to integrate oncology into their curriculum and provide support for oncology nursing education in Malawi.

Some of Walker’s travels to Malawi are as a Fulbright Senior Specialist. In addition, Deborah lead a team of UAB faculty and students that created a free, downloadable smartphone application, with funding and support from the Women’s Breast Health Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, to help health care providers and cancer patients identify more than 500 valuable resources for people in North Central Alabama Karen Heaton, Ph.D. UAB School of Nursing UAB School of Nursing Assistant Professor and Nurse Practitioner Karen Heaton, Ph.D., is working to make the nation’s roads safer for truck drivers and everyone on the roads with them.

Truck drivers are at particularly higher risk for sleep deprivation and access to information about sleep hygiene and health information can be a problem for this highly mobile, remote group of workers. In 2012–2013, Karen recruited 80 truck drivers at trucking industry trade shows throughout the South and Midwest as part of an NIH grant she received to test an online intervention program focusing on sleep and fatigue management among truck drivers. If the model proves to be effective in reinforcing the basics of sleep among participants and encouraging them to modify their behavior, Karen hopes that trucking companies will add it to driver-safety training. The program could even become part of the first healthrelated requirements for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)-regulated training.

Michele Talley, MSN, ACNP-BC UAB School of Nursing UAB School of Nursing Instructor and Nurse Practitioner Michele Talley, MSN, ACNP-BC, practices as part of a local partnership providing health care to those who would otherwise likely go without. Following the tornado that hit the Birmingham area in April 2011, Michele, along with other faculty from the UAB School of Nursing PATH (Providing Access to Healthcare) Clinic at M-POWER Ministries in Avondale, traveled to Pratt City in an RV in order to ensure the community had access to all their heath care needs. Michele has been a nurse practitioner at the nurse-managed PATH Clinic since it opened in 2011 to serve patients who have difficulty obtaining health care. She is the lead nurse practitioner for the one day per week diabetes clinic (two days of the week are designated for chronic care management), with the goal of providing quality nursedriven care and reduced overall costs to UAB Hospital for emergency room and hospitalizations related to diabetes, yielding positive results, a win-win for the patients and the interprofessional team of faculty who are providing care to this at-risk population.

Rhonda McLain, PhD, RN UAB School of Nursing UAB School of Nursing Assistant Dean for Undergraduate and PreLicensure Programs and Assistant Professor Rhonda McLain, PhD, RN, is leading the charge to help veterans with military medical experience get help making the transition into a paying nursing job thanks with a four-year, $1.2 million grant from the federal Health Services Resources Administration (HRSA) that has developed a program called Veterans Career Advancement in Nursing (Veterans CAN!) in the school. The program is targeting recruitment efforts on military units in the Southeast, transfer students from community and four-year colleges in Alabama, current UAB pre-nursing students, and clinical agencies in the local area. Rhonda also is project director for the school’s Enrichment Academy for Nursing Success (EANS) project, which is designed to significantly increase the number of bachelor’s-degree-prepared nurses by providing education and financial assistance to students from diverse backgrounds—including minorities, students from rural areas, and firstgeneration college students—to facilitate academic success and degree completion. Minorities comprise 32 percent of Alabama’s population but only 16.7 percent of the nursing workforce. Alabama’s shortage of minority nurses affects the state’s persistent population health disparities.

When it comes to caring for children, "good enough" is not good enough.

That’s why, at Children's of Alabama, our team has the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric nursing.

Each day, every one of our more than 1,800 nurses makes a promise to the children of Alabama to provide a level of world-class care that leads to better tomorrows.

We are happy for this opportunity to salute our amazing nurses recognized by B-Metro for Excellence in Nursing.

Children's celebrates all of our amazing nurses! www.ChildrensAL.org