ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Georgia Arnold, MSN '02, BSN '98 May 7, 1952 - October 17, 2020 Summerville, SC

Mary Roempke Barwick, Diploma ‘63 October 28, 1942 - February 1, 2020 Montgomery, AL

Edna Eugenia Edens Bode, ‘53 June 8, 1931 - June 25, 2020 Temple Terrace, FL

Peggy Griggs Boykin, Diploma ‘65 October 11, 1944 - May 12, 2020 Camden, SC

Marsha Ellen Brown, BSN ‘85 August 10, 1954 - January 17, 2020 Eagle Springs, NC

Vanessa Admiral Collier, BSN ‘97 October 7, 1959 - October 9, 2019 Charleston, SC

Betty Faye Dempsey Crowley, Diploma ‘53 May 12, 1932 - March 17, 2020 Hartsville, SC

Joyce Adele Crum, Diploma ’56 January 27, 1935 - December 19, 2019 Atlanta, GA

Col. Christopher Wade Dabbs, BSN ‘93 January 19, 1966- February 15, 2020 Great Falls, SC

Sylvia Jane Cox Davis, BSN ‘62 July 9, 1942 - April 29, 2020 Kure Beach, NC

Barbara Marie Harrelson Glenn, Diploma ‘54 July 16, 1933 - June 23, 2020 Georgetown, SC Moses Gnanashekar, BSN ‘98 June 1, 1953 – May 28, 2020 West Columbia, SC

Wendy Horne Hatchell, BSN '84 December 29, 1961 - October 14, 2020 Florence, SC

Vivian Doris S. Hayes, Diploma '54 April 2, 1932 - November 5, 2020 Spartanburg, SC

Amelia Hunt, BSN ‘94 February 24, 1954 - May 30, 2020 Earl, NC

Polly Ann Webster Jefferies, Diploma '49 August 28, 1929 - September 23, 2020 Charleston, SC

Brenda Joyce Kennerty, BSN ‘90 July 24, 1947 - September 11, 2020 Charleston, SC

Sharon O'Mara Macon, BSN '83 September 27, 1958 - October 9, 2020 Isle of Palms, SC

Nancy "Elaine" Marshall, BSN '63 October 24, 1946 - September 6, 2020 Irmo, SC

Karen Lynn McGee, BSN ‘96 Oct. 14, 1961- March 21, 2020 Johns Island, SC

Dorothy S. McGuckin, Diploma ‘54 January 30, 1933 - May 13, 2020 Charleston, SC

Edward B. "PD" Mitchell, BSN ‘97 April 6, 1955 - April 7, 2020 Charleston, SC

Patrick Glenn Norvell, BSN '99 March 9, 1961 - November 16, 2020 Columbia, MO

Rondey S. Peake, DNP '12 1973 - March 27, 2020 Boiling Springs, SC

Clarice Smoak Ross, Diploma ‘44 April 1, 1925 - July 20, 2020 Walterboro, SC

Norma C. Smith, Diploma ‘59 October 26, 1938 - July 27, 2020 North Charleston, SC

Patricia Sowell, BSN ‘53 March 25, 1932 - March 7, 2020 Vero Beach, FL

Eva W. Timbrook, Diploma Midwifery March 9, 1940 - December 30, 2019 Cantonment, FL

Easter Elaine Harris Walton, Diploma ‘55 April 1, 1934 - May 23, 2020 Columbia, SC

Eunice Mavis Wilson, midwifery ‘75 December 6, 1941 - Aug. 27, 2020 Pickens, SC

Jerri M. Wingard, Diploma ’54 September 24, 1933 - April 18, 2020 Lexington, SC

Jean Annette Brickle Withers, Diploma ‘53 November 15, 1932 - June 2, 2020 Charleston, SC

IN MEMORIAM

ALUMNI PROFILE: VALERIE ASSEY

In 1991, Valerie Assey, RN, MSN '86, began working in MUSC's Infectious Diseases Division to help build an HIV/AIDS clinic for a population that did not have a lot of support 30 years ago. According to Assey, the clinic saw 50 patients in the first year the clinic was open. Today, the clinic follows more than 1,300 patients. "There wasn't any specialized care in the Charleston area at that time," Assey said. "It's been a joy to see these patients have a place to come for quality care and that we've been able to secure grant funding to continue to expand medical and support services for the past 30 years."

Because of Assey's experience as a nurse administrator in MUSC's Division of Infectious Diseases, she sees first-hand the importance of palliative care nurses and the enormous role they play in their patient's wellbeing. She recently hosted a College of Nursing Alumni reception in her home to highlight the importance of Palliative Care and the exciting work the College is doing to train nurses in this area. Recently, Assey shared some of her thoughts on palliative care with Lifelines.

What role do you feel palliative care plays in infectious diseases? Assey: I think for any specialty dealing with serious illnesses and/or symptoms that impact quality of life, palliative care should be part of that conversation with the patient. It is another resource to help our patients navigate their best health.

Providing care to patients at end-of-life is emotionally challenging. Given your experience, how can we best prepare students to cope and have difficult discussions with families? I think bedside nursing is crucial to gaining the necessary skills to help patients and families during this difficult time. When I was a first-year nursing student, my nursing instructor advised me that to be ready for my role as a nurse; I needed to work whenever possible with patients. Working every weekend as a student nurse with the many nurses who mentored me served as an invaluable experience. I would still recommend the same today in whatever your field of interest.

What advice would you give a student contemplating going into palliative care? Knowing your personality type and having a passion for palliative care nursing is a good start.

How have you used your training and education from the MUSC College of Nursing to do good in the world? During my master's program, HIV/AIDS became my calling. I worked diligently with this population to improve providing care locally. Today, we have a program at MUSC that meets the highest standards of care. We have come a long way since 1991!

Valerie Assey, MSN, R.N., is a nurse administrator at the Ryan White Clinic at MUSC.