MUSC College of Nursing’s
LIFELINES Fall | Winter 2014
Valuing Diversity The importance of words, thoughts and actions
www.musc.edu/nursing
Taking Nursing to a Higher Level
WE’RE BAAAACK! Returning to our renovated building December 2014. TakeNursingHigher.musc.edu
DEAN’S COLUMN
A publication of the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing
DIVERSITY | di·ver·si·ty; di’v rsitē e
MUSC NURSES CHANGE LIVES
T
his is a popular and often used word but, if I may borrow from our hospital colleagues, is there truly “meaningful use?” Or is there even
LIFELINES
a common understanding of what we mean when we talk about
diversity.
Volume XII, Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2014
The pluralistic nature of our American society mandates that clinicians provide care that respects the culture, values
Gail W. Stuart, Dean Jo Smith, Editor Beth Khan, Design & Production Mardi Long, BSN Program & Alumni Services Coordinator Laurie Scott, Director of Development
and beliefs of each individual. We see that written in all of our health care and educational materials. But the question I raise is, “How do we actualize that? How do we make it real?” In this issue of Lifelines we are shining the light on how we, as a College of Nursing, are embedding this into everything we do. If you go to www.musc.edu/nursing you will read that: >> The College of Nursing works closely with the Medical University of South Carolina Office of Student Diversity to promote an inclusive environment that fosters intellectual excellence and the true integration of a
PUBLISHED BY
diverse student body into all aspects of academic life. >> The College of Nursing is committed to embracing and drawing from the unique voices, experiences, and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff and volunteers in all that we do. Our commitment to diversity, health equity and inclusion informs and empowers us to reflect and effectively serve all of
99 Jonathan Lucas Street Charleston, SC 29425 www.musc.edu/nursing
our constituents. >> We strive to attract, recruit, admit, retain and educate a diverse student body, faculty and staff. We firmly believe that an atmosphere that embraces
HAVE FEEDBACK? SEND COMMENTS TO: Jo Smith Lifelines Editor MUSC College of Nursing 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425-1600 smithjo@musc.edu (843) 792-3941
Equity, Inclusion and Access will enhance the educational and cultural experiences of our students, faculty and staff, thus making better world citizens. But words on paper are just the beginning. We realize that making these words real is a journey—a journey of discovery and exploration—of self and others. Done well, it enriches our lives and those for whom we care. I invite you, therefore, to turn the pages and walk with us as we tell our story of valuing diversity and the many rich rewards we have experienced along the way.
POSTMASTER: Send corrections to Lifelines, MUSC College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425-1600. © Copyright 2014 by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without permission from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing.
Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Distinguished University Professor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES DIVERSITY IN WORDS....................................................... 4 Defining the words that reflect our values DIVERSITY IN THOUGHT.................................................. 6 Opening our minds to different cultures DIVERSITY IN ACTION.................................................... 12 Actualizing our respect for others
DEPARTMENTS DEAN’S COLUMN. . ..............................................................1 AROUND THE COLLEGE...................................................16 FOCUS ON FACULTY........................................................18 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT..................................................... 24 ALUMNI CONNECTIONS..................................................27 GIVING BACK. . ................................................................. 35 LINES OF LIFE.................................................................. 36
diversity of
words
Word | werd | noun | a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing,
T
he English language is a beautiful instrument of communication. It can be both complex and simple depending on the task at hand. On these two pages we have captured some of the nuances that emerge as we discuss the language of diversity and its many dimensions.
If we had to select one word that best captures the values of the College of Nursing it
would be “respect”. At the end of the day, respect allows us to make “valuing diversity” a reality. This issue of Lifelines explores this topic from different perspectives of our College life. In the pages that follow we will describe how we have incorporated diversity of thought and diversity of action into the fabric of our College.
RESPECT:
EQUITY:
a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, and should be treated in
fairness or justice in the
an appropriate way.
(Webster-Merriam dictionary)
(Webster-Merriam dictionary)
way people are treated.
DIVERSITY: the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization. (Webster-Merriam dictionary)
INCLUSION: inclusive organizations value the perspectives and contributions of all people, and strive to incorporate the needs and viewpoints of diverse communities into all aspects of the organization. www.legalinclusiveness.org
CULTURAL COMPETENCY:
CULTURAL HUMILITY: the ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is other-oriented (or open to the other) in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the person. It is different from other culturally-based training ideals because it focuses on self-humility rather than achieving a
has a positive effect on patient care delivery by enabling providers to deliver services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices and cultural and linguistic needs of diverse patients. (NIH)
state of knowledge or awareness. (Wikipedia)
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5
“There’s room enough here for science to live. And there’s room enough here for religion to forgive. And try to understand all the people of this land. This is our country.” – John Mellancamp, This is Our Country
6
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diversity in
thought
Thought | THôt | noun | the action or process of thinking or an idea or opinion that is formed by thinking.
I
n the MUSC College of Nursing,
consist of nearly 150 employees repre-
diversity of thought is evident in
senting the university, the MUSC Medical
the way we open students’ minds to
Center, and MUSC-Physicians.
different cultures and prepare them
MUSC also will conduct its first enter-
to provide culturally competent care. It is
prise-wide climate survey this fall. The
particularly evident in our faculty practice
instrument selected was the only one that
and research efforts that focus on serving
met MUSC’s high standards for validity and
vulnerable populations.
reliability, and a survey will be administered to every member of the community (em-
AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL
ployees, contractors, faculty and students).
In 2014, a Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion was developed at MUSC to create
REMOVING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
an academic health care community in
MUSC’s Best Practice Scholars Program,
which every member is respected and val-
sponsored by ARROW (the MUSC initiative
ued by leveraging differences in ways that
for the Advancement, Recruitment, and
allow people to understand and be under-
Retention of Women), launched a universi-
stood, and work together productively to
ty-wide initiative to make faculty, admin-
“change what’s possible.”
istrators and key decision-makers aware
In April, an inaugural retreat for the Stra-
of the phenomenon of unconscious bias.
tegic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion was
Two senior faculty, Elaine Amella, PhD, RN,
held. The day featured large group exer-
FAAN, from the College of Nursing and Le-
cises inspiring diversity and inclusion out-
onie Gordon, MB, ChB, from the College of
comes, along with breakout sessions for the
Medicine, were chosen to speak to search
five Diversity and Inclusion work groups.
committees, college-level appointment,
These work groups meet bi-monthly and
promotion and tenure (APT) committees,
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7
How can I address my biases if I don’t know that I have them?
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORK GROUPS Recruitment & Pipeline Development >> Helps to determine mechanisms for increasing the diversity of the applicant pool for students, staff and faculty, and identifies areas of need where applicant pipeline development will be required to achieve the desired applicant pool. Education & Training >> Focuses on identifying key curriculum content for all students, determining orientation and ongoing development needs for faculty and staff, and designing a plan for developing and maintaining cultural competence. Engagement & Inclusion >> Assesses the current climate among the various constituencies, identifies key opportunities such as organizational policies for building a strong climate of inclusion, and recommends action plans designed to address the key strategies. Communication, Community Relations & Outreach >> Supports other groups in identifying and disseminating key information and helps identify mechanisms for communication of efforts and achievements to both internal and external constituencies, as well as determines opportunities to build linkages in the external community. Performance & Outcome Metrics >> Supports other groups in identifying and gathering measureable data and outcomes, such as compiling diversity and inclusion goals and designing dashboards for tracking progress over time, determining data gaps and recommending corrective actions.
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and the university tenure committee
Since its inception, the Diversity
about this concept, and discuss data
Committee has created a Cultural In-
reflective of this phenomenon.
clusion Calendar highlighting different
Unlike prejudice, which is an
cultural celebrations and provided a
opinion not based on reason, fact or
link so that faculty, staff and students
actual experience, unconscious bias is
can download these events into their
unknown to the individual. It is some-
personal calendars. The committee also
thing acquired through subtle pattern-
established and organizes an annual
ing and a very deep survival need that
“Cooks Around the World” potluck
is almost instinctive – to distrust ‘the
lunch and invites all faculty and staff to
other’ in a fight or flight situation.
prepare a dish that represents their cul-
This concept has been validated by
tural heritage for all to enjoy. The group
research from social scientists from the
further facilitated the re-establishment
best universities and can be evaluated
of the Multicultural Student Nurses
by individuals using the highly re-
Association and “Mentoring Magic”
garded Implicit Association Test (IAT).
was created to link underrepresented
College of Nursing faculty and both the
minority students with professional
College’s search and APT committees
organizations, such as the Tri-County
recently received a presentation on
Black Nurses Association.
unconscious bias led by Dr. Amella.
The Diversity Committee surveys faculty, staff and students annually
AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL
regarding their perceptions of diver-
In July 2012, the College of Nursing
sity in the College. In 2014, the com-
formalized our commitment to diversi-
mittee developed the MUSC College
ty with the establishment of a standing
of Nursing Strategic Plan and Logic
Diversity Committee that is part of the
Model from the results of the survey. By
faculty governance structure. Mem-
providing a forum for the creation, pro-
bership includes representation from
motion, and maintenance of activities,
faculty, staff and students. The group is
programs, and policies, the Diversity
charged with promoting an environ-
Committee furthers our understanding
ment of respect, teamwork, and mutual
of individual and group inclusion in all
understanding.
areas of the College of Nursing.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN COURSES
MUSC College of Nursing Cultural Competence Model
An important curriculum revision activity this year was driven by a funded Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) grant received by Gail Gilden, ScD, RN. One of the HRSA grant objectives is to graduate a DNP and PhD
EQUITY
workforce who are 100 percent culturally competent and who represent the diversity and social and economic profile of the populations they serve. A key strategy to accomplish this objective was to integrate cultural competency learning in the PhD and DNP programs and among
Evaluation
Assessment
EDUCATION > Representativeness > Inclusive of behavioral, social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health > Communications as mutual exchange
• Evaluating outcomes
CON faculty, students, and staff. A HRSA grant task force, led by Tiffany Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNPPC, developed a conceptual model (see Figure 1) to guide the inclusion of the
• Identifying concerns and needs
concepts important to include in the curriculum.
RESEARCH
PRACTICE > Community and client partnerships > Client centered > Promote accessible and affordable care
Further, the
> Promote health disparities research in nursing > Promote interventions to eliminate health disparities > Translate research to practice
SAFETY
effectiveness
QUALITY
variety of health equity and cultural
group compiled standardized Williams
definitions of terms and refer-
ences for continued education for use by
Implementation
Plan
• Caring and services
• Marketing shared decisions
faculty. A decision was made to expand this activity to all graduate and undergradu-
PERFORMANCE MONITORING
ate programs of study. Thus, in March 2014, an all-school faculty workshop was held to begin implementation of this robust model. The faculty revised all course descriptions, objectives, and core content to include health equity and diversity as visible concepts, using the conceptual model as a guide. Faculty incorporated learning objectives into their courses that explore the nature and impact of discrimination, harassment and victimization because of disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, religion or belief, age, or socioeconomic status. These revisions in each course moved the college from the sporadic practice of teaching equity and diversity in courses to being a visible priority in each course
NURSING • respect • communication • advocacy • therapeutic intervention • critical thinking • health promotion • leadership • evidence-based practice • continuing ed. • professional development • quality information • safety
HEALTH • health promotion • risk reduction • illness prevention & management • physical comfort • education • accessibility • coordination of care • shared decision making • active involvement in care • health literacy • promote affordability • active involvement
CLIENT • power • health disparities • life span • individual/family efficacy & management • community • diversity • genetics • spirituality • respect values & beliefs • adequate resources
ENVIRONMENT • empowerment • health equity • community • social determinants of health • organization • social-political milieu • collaboration • Center for Community Health Partnerships • ethical dilemmas • promoting community based healthy living
with common usage of terms. Fall | Winter 2014
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9
At this same workshop, faculty identified future learning needs for ongoing development related to this work. These topics will form the base for future workshops and guest speakers. The evolution towards a culturally competent nursing workforce remains an ongoing challenge and priority of the College of Nursing in learning and better caring for multicultural communities.
MSNA MISSION STATEMENT • To create a climate of caring and inclusion for all students. • To aid in the professional development and success of all students in the College of Nursing. • To enhance the retention and graduation rates of under represented minority students. • To increase student awareness focusing on diversity issues and health equity. • To uplift and support surrounding communities by sharing knowledge about health and wellness.
AT THE STUDENT LEVEL The Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNA) serves as a platform
• To act as a resource for cultural exchange, socialization, and mentoring.
of cultural exchange inclusive of all students in the College of Nursing regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socio-economic status, with specific emphasis on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students. Their actions are wide-ranging in scope. To meet one of the aims, MSNA members volunteer to serve in community health fairs and events (see
photos at right). In February, members enlisted to check cholesterol, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and administer flu shots at the Delma Wood and Aleta McLeod Bryant Health Fair which served hundreds of community members. At the Multiple Sclerosis Walk held in March, MSNA members provided valuable foot care to walkers. Massages and bandaging feet gave students an opportunity to hear participants’ inspiring stories and render much needed care. The group also supports the MUSC Kids Run, held the day before the Cooper River Bridge. According to MSNA member Shyronda Knotts, “the Kids Run really allows children to be active and get moving while having a blast.” The MSNA helped with a variety of needs at the event, including organizing packets for runners, distributing t-shirts, and managing a safe environment. “The children who participated had a safe day filled with fun and fitness,” said Toya Williams, MSNA president. 10
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
• To promote mentorship by encouraging study groups and the buddy system. • To enhance basic nursing skills by providing volunteer opportunities, such as health fairs/health screenings to surrounding communities. • To promote professionalism by interacting with professional organizations. • To collaborate with on campus student organizations and local organizations within the Tri-County area.
In the Spotlight: TOYA WILLIAMS
By Mikie Hayes, MUSC Public Relations
I
magine working on a bachelor of science in nursing at MUSC and finishing a practicum at the same time you’re pursuing a master’s in health exercise and sports sciences at The Citadel. If that schedule doesn’t seem challenging enough, add to it working in the MUSC Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), teaching Zumba classes at the Wellness Center, spending dozens of volunteer hours helping others in the Charleston community, serving in MUSC student government and presiding over the Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNA). High achiever would hardly begin to describe Toya Williams, a graduate of the College of Nursing class of 2014 and MUSC Presidential Scholar. That being said, pursuing the field of nursing was far from the original path she was on. Growing up in Sumter, SC, Williams and her family had other plans for her future. The eldest of three children, she was an entertainer. Since she was 3 years old, she progressed through tap, ballet, point, jazz, and lyrical dance, spending countless hours in lessons, practice, and recitals. Ultimately, dreams of becoming a TopCat dancer for the Carolina Panthers fueled her passion to exceed in the set of qualities necessary to capture a highly prized spot on the prestigious cheerleading squad: personality, showmanship, dance skills, professionalism and physical fitness, all of which she had in abundance. Her ambitions continued while attending Winthrop University where she studied exercise science. Williams made the university’s elite dance team her freshman year and they performed regularly during basketball season, making an appearance at an NCAA tournament game that provided a similar experience to that of an NFL or NBA dance squad. She began narrowing down her audition list of professional dance teams. But life had other ideas for Williams. After graduating from Winthrop, she was selected for an internship in exercise science at the MUSC Wellness Center where she worked with Janis Newton and the Healthy Charleston Challenge (HCC). She loved helping people transform their lives and health and reach their goals. “Toya is a very special person and a most impressive student. The Wellness Center was fortunate to have her involved in the HCC and with Zumba classes. She has a special gift when working with people and instantly earns their trust, respect, and admiration,” said Newton. After her internship, she was hired as a patient care technician on the CTICU. Although the work was entirely different from what she was accustomed to doing, it suited her thirst for knowledge and her love of people. Noticing her proclivity for delivering compassionate and appropriate care to patients, people told her she should consider becoming a nurse. At first she didn’t see it, but eventually she came around to the idea. “After a while, I thought to myself, wait a minute, I like what these nurses do. I like how they relate to patients, how they interact with each other, the autonomy they have in their environment, and the impact they make every day. I realized nurses are vital to the process,” Williams said.
In December 2013, Ms. Williams traveled to Uganda, Africa to participate in a mission trip with Palmetto Medical International with fellow BSN students. (L to R): Hannah Bradley, Kasey Henderson, Toya Williams, Daisy Smith, Carrie Prescott
She was accepted to the College of Nursing but because she was also taking classes at The Citadel, she was not able to qualify for more financial aid that semester. One day at work she received an email informing her she had been selected as a Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholar. The scholarship would pay for her entire semester of school. That was just the sign she needed. “If I was unsure about whether I was making the right choice about pursuing nursing, this scholarship removed all doubt about my place in nursing and confirmed my decision was the right one,” Williams said. In July she entered the new graduate nurse residency program in the Duke Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU. Once she completes the residency she will have a permanent position there. “I love this area. I love how fastpaced CT is and how much critical thinking it takes. Even though we’re dealing primarily with heart and lungs, those two organs are so vital they have some sort of contribution to every other organ. I love how quickly the patient can have a significant turnaround.” At the College of Nursing, Williams earned a reputation as willing and dependable. She represented the college in the MUSC student government and served on the service committee that manages MUSC’s student volunteer outreach throughout the community. She was extremely proud to be an MUSC Presidential Scholar. Her scholar group was paired with the Harvest Free Medical Clinic where they created a community resource guide for the patients and community at large. “We learned that what the academic community thinks the community needs and what the community itself actually needs are really two incredibly different things. You have to listen to the true needs of a community,” Williams said. Williams knows she is a different person today than she was when she started. “I never realized how capable I was. I think I really downplayed my abilities and truly didn’t think I had what it took to do it all and to be president of an organization like MSNA. I admire my College of Nursing advisers who forced me to look at myself, to see leadership qualities I never saw before.”
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diversity in
action
Ac•tion | àk-sh n | noun | the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition. e
T
he College of Nursing has put
TEEN HEALTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
commitment to valuing diversity
Funded by the National Library of
in action in every phase of its
Medicine, the Teen Health Leadership
mission. The College strives to
Program (THLP) is a collaboration between
create a safe and supportive climate that
the College of Nursing and St. John’s High
promotes diverse points of view and in
School. The THLP builds capacity in rural
which every person is treated with respect
communities by establishing a core group
and dignity. Here is a small sampling of
of teens as a health information resource
how we actualize our respect of others.
for their peers and their families. As the only public high school on Johns Island, St. John’s High serves a diverse population of students. The program seeks to empower these high school students, providing resources and support for them to assist and serve their community. The project provides health information literacy training as well as leadership development skills, enabling the students to design and implement outreach projects to improve the awareness and use of quality health information in their community. Through a series of experiential opportunities and mentorships, the THLP also seeks to encourage young people of diverse backgrounds to become health professionals.
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
“Imagine all the people, sharing all the world...You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” - John Lennon, Imagine
SURVEY RESULTS OUTCOMES FROM A SURVEY OF THLP PARTICIPANTS WHO GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN 2009 AND 2013.
All but one of the participants went to college after high school graduation
57%
were the first in their families to attend college
30%
chose a major in a health related field
50%
planned to go on to graduate school
33%
were undecided Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars put their nursing skills to use at community health fairs
HISPANIC HEALTH INITIATIVES
health screening and health education
Nursing in 2010 and has been growing
In 2005 Deborah Williamson, DHA,
to the program participants.
ever since. The mission of PASOs is to
MSN, RN, CN, associate dean for prac-
The health promotion program has
help the Latino community and service
tice, established the Hispanic Health
been very successful with documented
providers work together for strong and
Initiatives (HHI), using community
changes in knowledge and behavior.
healthy families. This is accomplished
participatory action to mobilize diverse
The women improved their health lit-
through education, support, and
partners to obtain sustainable solutions
eracy significantly and were connected
grassroots leadership development.
for promoting healthy communities
with needed resources in the commu-
Community health workers, called pro-
in South Carolina, a state with some
nity. During the 2013-14 school year,
motores, help their peers navigate the
of the poorest health outcomes in the
60 Spanish-speaking mothers received
medical/social system and advocate for
nation. Under her leadership, the HHI
weekly health workshops facilitated
Latino family health needs.
mobilized resources from federal, state,
by PASOs, BSN students and com-
and private sectors to increase access
munity speakers. Health knowledge
based program reached an estimated
to primary care services for unfunded
of the mothers increased 35 percent
2,500 individuals through activities and
Latinos, promote health literacy, and
over the course of the year, and focus
informational programs broadcast via
provide resource navigation. Programs
groups revealed that mothers felt more
radio. Seven outreach events were held
initiated by the HHI include:
confident and prepared in their ability
along with 28 appearances on local ra-
to access health services in the future.
dio shows. Community health lessons
> Abazos
Participants also felt grateful for having
on maternal-child health topics were
This is a family literacy program that
made friends in the program on whom
presented and eight community health
promotes school readiness skills in
they can rely for health support in the
workers (promotores) were trained in
3-year olds and provides their moth-
future.
communications and cultural sensi-
ers with ESOL (English for speakers of
In the last year, this community-
tivity. The PASOs program provided
other languages), health, and parenting
> PASOs
resources navigation to 138 individuals.
classes to support immigrant women
This means “steps� in Spanish, and it is
Twenty BSN students in the HHI schol-
in the transition to a new community.
an evidence-based, statewide, organi-
ars group assisted during outreach and
Approximately 276 mothers and
zation that provides a bridge between
health education events.
their 3-year olds have participated
the Latino community and the health
in the Abrazos program since 2006.
care system in order to maximize the
> Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars
Eighty BSN students and 20 students
health of Latino families. The organi-
These Accelerated Bachelor of Science
from other colleges have provided
zation partnered with the College of
in Nursing (ABSN) students are selected
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Over the last eight years, nearly 300 mothers and their children have participated in the Abrazos literacy program
Dr. Deborah Williamson with ABSN students at clinic
based on academic performance, inter-
and the social and civic contexts that
past academic year to 50 patients at the
est in diverse cultures and commu-
influence health and illness. Ten ABSN
non-profit Harvest Free Medical Clinic.
nity participatory action. This model
students are accepted into the HHI
Provision of health care services is pro-
program builds cultural competency,
scholars program each fall and summer
vided to all eligible individuals without
sensitivity to community needs, the
semesters.
regard to faith, nationality, creed, or
ability to tailor care, and the leadership
lifestyle.
skills necessary for our graduates to ad-
FACULTY PRACTICES
dress the social determinants of health
Nurse practitioner faculty work in a va-
> Crisis Ministries
and the elimination of health dispari-
riety of settings that care for the under-
Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNS-BC,
ties. Their immersion with members of
served population in the community.
provides care at Crisis Ministries,
the Hispanic community and providers involved in their care provides insight
Charleston’s largest homeless shelter.
> Harvest Free Medical Clinic
In the past academic year, Dr. Lauerer
into nursing issues of language access,
Annemarie Donato, DNP, FNP-BC,
saw 336 clients for psychiatric evalu-
advocacy, negotiation across agencies,
provided 100 hours of care during the
ation, medication management and
A
lthough the Statue of Liberty’s original intention served as more of a diplomatic gesture, it quickly became a welcoming symbol for immigrant populations. Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, which was later engraved into the pedestal of the iconic statue, presents an American Dream seemingly accessible to all peoples: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The migrant population in today’s America are certainly tired, poor, huddled masses, and yet their breathing remains labored by the injustices they continue to face. I am not unfamiliar with the conditions of the homes in the migrant camp, nor the amount of hours Hispanic immigrants often work in order to provide for themselves and their families. I was, however, struck by the devastating and enchaining legislation that dictates compensation as well as protection of rights for migrant workers. Compensation dictated by weight of crops harvested, without benefits or adequate provision for rest, perpetuates a cycle of oppression in which the migrant population is left with neither a voice, nor an avenue for change. The Farmworker Bill of Rights developed on October 13, 2012 in Raleigh, NC declares the right of the migrant population to live and work in conditions that “meet the standards of human decency,” without fear of reprisal. Though the solutions to this broken farming system are complex and at times seemingly unclear, I believe there are always small steps to take in the right direction. This evening, as I wash the strawberry and dirt from my hands, I have committed to be more aware of the people who provide the fruits and vegetables I consume and share that awareness with others. I have considered switching to organic produce in light of the pesticides used in inorganic farming and the subsequent health effects on migrant workers. I am waiting in hope for the opportunity to meet the faces behind my food. - Alicia Pirrallo, ABSN class of December 2014, Hispanic Health Initiative Scholar
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
Photo by Laura Elizabeth Pohl
In the Spotlight: MIGRANT WORKERS
15
psychotherapy. She also led a children’s support group in Summerville. Crisis Ministries houses up to 120 adults and families on a daily basis. Dr. Lauerer is part of an interdisciplinary team made up of physicians, case managers, and social workers.
> Partners in Healthcare/ECCO
From left to right: Dr. Catherine Durham, Dr. Terri Fowler, Ms. Whitney Smith, and Dr. Shannon Smith provide patient care at Partners in HealthCare
The College of Nursing, in collaboration with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), opened Partners in
service organization, serves more than
and Whitney Smith, MSN, APRN,
HealthCare, a nurse practitioner prac-
4,500 Berkeley and Charleston county
ANP-C. Shannon Smith, DNP, RN,
tice that focuses on the management of
families who are living in poverty.
ACNS-BC, CGRN, provides patient care
uninsured patients with diabetes, hy-
Partners in HealthCare is staffed by
coordination and Dr. Williamson, pro-
pertension, and associated conditions
three CON faculty nurse practitioners,
vides support for clinic development
of hyperlipidemia, obesity, and tobacco
Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-
and management of the integration of
usage. ECCO, a non-profit, community
C; Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C,
the ABSN students.
In the Spotlight: J’VONNE HUNTER
A
graduate of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs, J’Vonne Hunter, DNP, CPNP has brought her life experiences to her work roles. Growing up in Georgetown, SC, Dr. Hunter lived with her mother and two siblings. “My childhood was wonderful, and I always excelled in school and took part in activities such as cheerleading and Navy Junior ROTC. I was, however, frequently in the pediatrician’s office for acute asthma exacerbations and in the nurse’s office at school for nebulizer treatments. In the fourth grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a doctor like my pediatrician – little did I know the plan would be to become to become a nurse, earn my DNP degree and make a difference with the pediatric population.” Prior to her enrollment in the ABSN program, Dr. Hunter earned her bachelor’s from North Carolina State University, where she majored in biology and minored in Spanish. “Spanish was an after-thought, but a professor encouraged me, and it was a great decision to follow-through with his advisement. Although our practice sites have interpreters, I feel being a bilingual provider eases communication for me and allows parents and patients to share concerns without limitation.” Currently practicing in a pediatric practice that is part of the largest community health center in South Carolina, Dr. Hunter works with health care professionals whom she finds inspirational. “Our pediatric population consists of many Spanish-speaking patients. It has been the perfect environment to maintain and perfect my bilingualism while breaking down barriers to health care.” Dr. Hunter took advantage of numerous opportunities while she was a nursing student. She was selected for the Robert Wood Johnson New
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Careers in Nursing Scholars Program, the prestigious MUSC Presidential Scholars Program and the Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars Program. To broaden her perspectives she has studied the Hispanic culture and traveled though Latin America. Dr. Hunter has traveled with the Palmetto Medical Initiative to Nicaragua, and more recently to Uganda. “The trip to Uganda was my first as a licensed health care provider,” said Dr. Hunter. “The advanced practice education and experience allowed me to make an impact. I find it rewarding going into global communities, empowering people with education, and providing a means to improve health care outcomes in local environments.” “When abroad, much of the focus is on what a person can do to help a patient at this moment. The focus is on self-empowerment and education. The same focus is at home as well. The nature of the illness may be different but each visit is an opportunity to equip the patient with a solution to their health concerns. My primary care patients, in addition to wanting their acute health problem addressed, want knowledge and understanding of the illness, and information about prevention. As a nursing student, I was taught each moment of contact with a patient should be a teaching opportunity. I keep that in mind with each sick or well child visit,” shared Dr. Hunter. When asked about the value of diversity in nursing, Dr. Hunter replied, “Diversity can be two-fold. In the nursing profession. It is essential for health care providers to represent different backgrounds and cultures. At the same time, it is important to be able to care for a variety of patients who are reflective of society. Initiatives to promote cultural competence are so critical to providing effective patient care.”
picking something while I was really young, doing a residency and then sticking to it forever. What if I didn’t like it? With nursing, you have flexibility. So if I tire of one thing, I can change to a different part of the profession.” In his last semester in nursing school, he became interested in psychiatric nursing and went on to love working at the MUSC Institute of Psychiatry and being an assistant professor at the College of Nursing. Anderson, who always has been fascinated by why people behave the way they do, found psychiatric nursing a perfect fit. “It’s been a The MUSC Men in Nursing group lend a hand to Habitat for Humanity
great career for me.” Nursing on an acute psychiatric
Recruiting Male Nurses
C
hances are on your next stay
unit is particularly challenging because
By Dawn Brazell, reprinted from The Catalyst Anderson expects the number of
patients typically don’t give much feedback or thanks, given the nature of their illnesses, but he gets enough
in the hospital, you’re likely to
men in nursing to continue to rise.
signs to know he’s making a difference.
encounter a male nurse, and
We have a lot of second-career folks.
He recalls a former patient who came
People have been out there doing
up to him at a restaurant to thank him.
something they don’t like, and they
“It blew me away because first of all
experiencing a rapid change. A US
come into nursing for the versatility
she came up to me and said she was
Census Bureau study released in 2013
and job satisfaction.”
a psychiatric patient, which a lot of
it’s not as likely to be a surprise. The image of men in nursing is
found that the proportion of male
At MUSC, there has been a dramatic
people wouldn’t do because there’s a
registered nurses has more than tripled
increase in the number of men parlay-
stigma involved, and I was with a group
since 1970, rising from 3 to 10 percent.
ing their military experience into the
of people. She said, ‘what you told me
There has been a culture change to
field of nursing. They may have been
made such a difference in my life.’”
support the rising number. Berry
a military paramedic or held another
Anderson would like to see more
Anderson, PhD, RN, assistant profes-
medical job, and have come to the
men in the profession. His two main
sor in the College of Nursing, said
position well-trained. Anderson said it’s
pieces of advice are to have a heart
a good trend.
for the job and to find the right niche.
he’s been a nurse for 17
Anderson
“The diversity pot makes everything
“Follow what you want to do. You may
years and
better. You don’t just have one way
not find it in your first job, but you’ll get
sees a shift
of thinking, you have several ways of
there. Nursing will allow you to do that.
in respect
thinking.”
You can do whatever you want. I can
for men in
The stigma of being a male nurse
the nursing
also is decreasing. It is a profession in
profession.
its own right – not just a career men
“I think that
choose because they couldn’t “make
has come
it” as a doctor, he said. Anderson, who
with the increase in health care tech-
knew he wanted to be a nurse since
nology, competitive salaries, high job
seventh grade, never wanted to be a
satisfaction, and that others are now
physician. His parents were nurses,
recognizing that nursing is a great ca-
and he always enjoyed the sciences. “I
reer. I think people are seeing through
thought nursing had a lot of job oppor-
those stereotypes we’ve had in the past
tunities – the diversity of nursing. I
and welcoming men in nursing.”
couldn’t imagine going to school and
truly say I enjoy what I’m doing and that inspires me to do more.”
Dr. Brian Conner (pictured right) with ABSN student, Ryan Dennis Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
17
AROUND THE COLLEGE
V
RN TO BSN PROGRAM OPENS
T
he College of Nursing accepted
must become part of the innovative
The fully online program can be
the first cohort of 53 students
solutions that will develop the future
completed in one academic year that
in the online Registered Nurse
generations of nurses.
consists of three full-time semesters.
to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN) in August.
“This is an exciting time as we
Students complete 10 courses over 12
embark on new endeavors to advance
months that will provide a foundation
our nurses professionally,” said Dean
for excellence in professional nursing
increase the number of nurses with
Gail Stuart. “With changes in health
practice. This practice-related
the appropriate levels of education
care, we need a nursing work force
experience assists students to integrate
likely to be needed in the future.
that is continually growing, learning
new practice-related knowledge and
Research study findings, including the
and assuming new roles in patient
skills that will transition them from
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s
care; we want to ensure that our
an associate degree or diploma to the
Charting Nursing’s Future, show there are better outcomes when nurses have a BSN or higher degree. To ensure the RN workforce achieves baccalaureate or higher degrees by 2020, colleges
nurses are in optimal positions to
baccalaureate level of proficiency as
deliver on the new expectations and
students gain higher-level skills than
demands of our evolving health care
those already accomplished in their
system.”
RN program.
The program was introduced to
V
NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH LEADER VISITS CON Left to right: Dean Gail Stuart, Mrs. Janelle Othersen, Ms. Virginia Trotter Betts, and Dr. Biemann Othersen
member of a Governor’s Cabinet. During her two terms as president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), she led the ANA/nursing profession’s policy development on health care reform during the 19911994 national debate. As the Senior Advisor on Nursing and Policy to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Betts worked closely with Secretary Donna Shalala and Assistant
F
Ms. Betts’ career has been one of
Secretary of Health David Satcher on
Othersen Visiting Professorship
focused activism that includes seeking
enhancing the health care workforce
on July 23, the College of Nursing
improved access to and quality of
and on a variety of mental health
welcomed Virginia Trotter Betts,
health care services for all; a balance
MSN, JD, RN, FAAN, a nationally and
between health and illness and
initiatives, including development of Mental Health: a Report of the Surgeon
internationally recognized leader in
physical and mental health services;
health and mental health care and
and increased inclusion for practice
policy. During her visit, she consulted
and policy roles for professional
on policy issues with students,
nurses in the health care system.
or the fourth annual Janelle
and faculty, in addition to giving a
From 2003-2011, Ms. Betts served as
campus-wide presentation entitled,
the Commissioner of the Tennessee
“Challenges, Opportunities, and
Department of Mental Health and
Strategies for the Advanced Practice
Developmental Disabilities, and
Nurse: The ACA and Beyond.”
was the first nurse to serve as a
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
General; Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide. In addition to her years in public service, Ms. Betts has had a rich academic career at Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and currently as president and CEO of HealthFutures, Inc.
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TRANSFORMING TRADITIONS
A
nursing tradition was reborn
scope as a tangible tool of their profes-
at MUSC in 2002. It rekindled
sion and listen to words of inspiration
the fire that was originally lit by
about the career they have chosen for
the lamp of Florence Nightingale by
their life’s work. And so a new tradition
transforming the honor of nursing’s
was born.
traditional “Capping Ceremony” into
In 2014, a gift from the Arnold P.
a more contemporary and equally
Gold Foundation allowed the College
important event, as the baccalaureate
of Nursing to expand this ceremony
students were recognized by the new
to include a White Coat Ceremony
tradition of a “Stethoscope Ceremony.”
and the presentation of a Humanism
Most nursing faculty fondly remem-
in Medicine Lapel Pin to the incom-
ber the importance of their own “Cap-
ing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in
ping Ceremony” - a time of recogni-
Nursing students during the August
tion and reflection on the paths they
21st ceremony. Students wore their
were pursing in their chosen career.
white coats and were presented with
Yet times and norms have changed,
the lapel pin that symbolizes the
and nurses stopped wearing caps years
behaviors between nurses and their
ago. Sadly, a ceremony celebrating this
patients that is respectful and com-
academic and professional milestone
passionate. It signifies attitudes that
also stopped, as nurses became fo-
are sensitive to the values, autonomy,
cused on trying to meet the demands
cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of
of their stressful work and school
others. The mission statement of the
environments.
Arnold P. Gold Foundation is “putting
In a renewal of these values and this rite of passage, the MUSC fac-
the care back into health care.”
Board Names New MUSC President After a year-long national search, the MUSC Board of Trustees selected David J. Cole, MD, FACS as president of the university and its affiliated medical centers. Dr. Cole earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York and completed his residency training in general surgery at Emory University. After residency, he completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch in Bethesda, MD. In 1994, Dr. Cole became an assistant professor in the MUSC College of Medicine and his leadership roles have grown through the years. In 2013, in addition to being chairman of the Department of Surgery, he served as president of MUSC Physicians, the faculty practice plan for MUSC. “The College of Nursing welcomes Dr. Cole to his new leadership role and we anticipate actively engaging with him as he refines the vision of MUSC in the years ahead,” said Dean Stuart. “The patient is the heart of what we focus on here at MUSC and I am looking forward to new models of clinical care, education and research that reflect that focus”.
ulty decided to use the power of the stethoscope and words from their colleagues to connote this same tradition of welcoming students into the family of nursing. The campus chapel, with candles flickering and organ music softly playing in the background, captures the air of expectancy among students, families and faculty. In a formal ceremony, the entering baccalaureate students are presented with a stethoFall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
19
FOCUS ON FACULTY
V
BRYANT, FREEMAN SELECTED FOR RWJ FELLOWSHIP
C
ollege of Nursing clinical faculty
poration of America in Nashville, TN.
and alumnae, Debbie Chatman
Prior to that she was the chief nursing
Bryant, DNP, RN and Rebecca
information officer and manager of
Freeman, PhD, RN, PMP, have been
nursing informatics at MUSC.
named two of just 20 Robert Wood
Dr. Freeman worked in information
Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Execu-
technology, focusing on networking,
tive Nurse Fellows for 2014. Drs. Bryant
project management, and supervisory
and Freeman join a select group of
control and data acquisition systems
nurses from across the country cho-
for 15 years before returning to school
sen to participate in the final cohort of
to earn her BSN and PhD in Nursing
this world-class, three-year leadership
degrees. She has overseen the trans-
development program that is enhanc-
formation
ing the effectiveness of nurse leaders
of a nursing
who are working to improve the US
informatics
health care system.
division as
Dr. Bryant is the director of partner-
well as the
ships for health care quality research
implementa-
at MUSC and
tion of an
director of
interdisci-
outreach and
Freeman
Bryant
plinary care record, facili-
community relations at
tating team-building and the creation
Hollings
of interdisciplinary governance struc-
Cancer
tures and task forces. “The landscape
Center. She
of informatics is constantly changing
has extensive
and evolving and mentors are scarce.
leadership
With this fellowship I have the oppor-
experience in community health,
tunity to collaborate with an amazing
focusing on engaging stakeholders,
team of executives and policy-makers
improving processes, and engaging
invested in setting the direction of in-
individuals and organizations. Dr. Bry-
formatics for patients and health care
ant also is recognized for her perse-
workers. These interactions will allow
verance and innovation in executing
me to shape my career in the best
strategies that respect and engage
possible ways, with truly exceptional
diverse communities as active partici-
individuals providing mentorship that
pants in realistic and practical steps to
develops my leadership capabilities,”
improve health and health outcomes.
Dr. Freeman said.
“I’m excited about the collaboration
is a program that strengthens the lead-
ed by this fellowship. I hope to utilize
ership capacity of nurses who aspire
those interactions and the fellowship
to shape health care in their com-
network’s vast collective knowledge
munities, states, and nationally. The
to extend my own career beyond my
program will provide Drs. Bryant and
current role to influence and reform
Freeman with coaching, education,
health policies to address social deter-
and other support to strengthen their
minants of health and public health
abilities to lead teams and organiza-
practices,” said Dr. Bryant.
tions working to improve health and health care.
nurse champion for the Hospital Cor-
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LIFELINES
On September 29, the College of Nursing invited Michael Bridges, PhD, executive director of education at Amber-Allen Publishing, to conduct a day-long faculty development workshop on rubrics to assist faculty to better understand, create, and meaningfully use rubrics in a variety of settings. During the interactive workshop, the types of rubrics, including holistic and analytic, were reviewed and faculty developed rubrics for use in their courses. In a few months, Dr. Bridges will deliver a follow-up webinar to identify problems, answer questions, share lessons-learned and to offer advice about the use of rubrics. Dr. Bridges is a senior academic strategy, assessment, educational technology and faculty development professional with broad expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning and the application of fundamental principles of learning and cognitive science to the development of program architecture and course design. He is co-author of the book, How Learning Works: Seven Research-based Principles for Smart Teaching. What is a “rubric”? It is a document that identifies the expectations for a course, project, program or assignment by listing the criteria of what will be evaluated, describing levels of quality from excellent to poor.
The RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows
and mentorship opportunities afford-
Dr. Freeman is the Epic national
Rubric Workshop Aids Faculty Development
Fall | Winter 2014
Michael Bridges (left) with Elaine Amella
V
DEMONBREUN HONORED BY AWOHNN
K
ahlil Demonbreun, DNP, RNC-OB, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC, instructor, was honored at the
annual convention for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWOHNN) held in Orlando, FL, June 14 - 18. With more than 3,000 people in attendance, he was recognized for taking a career risk to become a male nurse in the area of women’s health. In 1995, Dr. Demonbreun wrote a position statement, Women’s Health,
Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing, that was adopted by the AWOHNN in relation to gender and employment as a nurse in the specialty areas of women’s health, obstetric and neonatal nursing. Nineteen years later, the position statement is still endorsed by the organization today. In addition, Dr. Demonbreun was recognized for his various leadership roles and milestones throughout his
career. In 2012, Dr. Demonbreun
a leader in women’s health nursing
became the first male women’s health
during the opening presidential
nurse practitioner in the US to earn a
speech at the 2014 Annual Convention
DNP degree. He also is the first to be
held in Orlando, Florida,” wrote Dr.
certified as an inpatient obstetrics nurse
Demonbreun on AWOHNN’s facebook
and adult nurse practitioner.
page.
“Words cannot express the immense honor I have for being chronicled as
V
ATZ AWARDED MENTORING FELLOWSHIP
T
eresa Atz, PhD, RN, assistant
ultimate goal of fostering professional
that improve nursing graduates’
professor and assistant director
development and career advancement.
transition from student to registered
of MUSC HealthCare Simulation
“I am extremely honored to receive
nurse. “My goals for this year are to
Center, is the recipient of the 2014-2015
the John R. Raymond Fellowship
develop knowledge and skills related
John R. Raymond Fellowship. Named
that has granted me an opportunity
to simulation education, research and
in honor of Dr. John R. Raymond who
to connect with Dr. Suzan Kardong-
publication and to develop a pilot study
served as provost and vice president of
Edgren, an external mentor in
for situation, background, assessment
academic affairs at MUSC from 2002
simulation education and research
and recommendation skills in
until 2010, this fellowship provides
at Boise State University,” said Dr.
undergraduate simulation education.”
“The College of Nursing is extremely proud that Dr. Atz was selected for this award and I know that it will significantly contribute to her leadership activities in simulation.” - DEAN GAIL STUART
financial support for selected full-time
Atz. The two will work on a project
female faculty members to initiate a
that will advance simulation in
relationship with a mentor who is an
nursing education by developing,
expert in their chosen field with the
implementing, and testing scenarios
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
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FOCUS ON FACULTY
V
SMITH APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMICS
G
eorgette (Gigi) Smith, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, associate professor, was named associate dean
for academics on August 1. Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the College of Nursing in 2004 as the track coordinator of the pediatric nurse creating the MSN/DNP asynchronous online curriculum. She was named the MSN/DNP program director in 2013. A certified pediatric nurse practitio-
ner, Dr. Smith has 30 years of pediatric nursing experience specializing in the care of children with epilepsy. During that time she has gained extensive knowledge of the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, specifically epilepsy, on youth and their families. For the past 10 years, Dr. Smith has also served as co-investigator or co-principal investigator in five funded research projects studying youth with epilepsy and their families. Additionally, she has co-directed numerous professional educational offerings regarding pediatric neurology issues including epilepsy throughout the years. Dr. Smith’s work has been recognized by receiving the South Carolina Nurses Association Excellence in Nursing Practice Award, South Carolina Nurses Foundation Palmetto Gold Award, the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Award, MUSC’s Outstanding Clinician Award, and twice receiving the College of Nursing’s Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.
AMELLA TAKES HELM OF PHD PROGRAM
V
practitioner program and assisted in co-
O
n September 1, Professor Elaine Amella, PhD, RN, FAAN, was named director of
the PhD in Nursing program in the College of Nursing, a position she previously held from 2004-2006. Prepared as an advanced practice nurse in geriatrics, Dr. Amella specialized in nursing and interdisciplinary care of older adults for over 30 years. She received several honors including the Southern Nursing Research Society Hartford Institute Geriatric Nursing Award, and a fellowship at the John A. Hartford Geriatric Nursing Institute. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American Academy of Nurse
V
DURHAM NAMED INTERIM DIRECTOR
C
Practitioners, and the Gerontological Society of America. She presents
atherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, has been appointed interim
nationally and internationally, and is
director of the MSN/DNP program in the College of Nursing. She joined
widely published in peer-reviewed
the faculty as an instructor in the DNP program in August 2012. Since
journals.
that time she has served as the lead faculty for the
Dr. Amella has been funded by
FNP/AGNP students and course coordinator for
the National Institutes of Health for
Advanced Care Management II and Advanced
community and institutionally-based
Clinical Assessment and Reasoning courses.
interventions to help caregivers
Dr. Durham maintains an active nurse practitioner
manage meals for individuals with
(NP) practice and is one of the founding providers
dementia, the USDA for the testing of
at Partners in HealthCare/East Cooper Community
rural nutrition and food safety train-
Outreach, a nurse practitioner practice that focuses
ing programs, and the HRSA Bureau
on the management of uninsured patients. In ad-
of Health Professions for training
dition, she serves as the sole NP providing cervical
undergraduate nursing students in
and breast cancer screenings in conjunction with the Hollings Cancer Center mobile van. She also is a commander in the US Navy Reserves. In that role, she
the concepts of geriatrics. Dr. Amella is active at a national
works closely with the Department of the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and
level in several major nursing orga-
Response office assessing sexual assault in the reserve community.
nizations.
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
V
BRYANT SPEAKS AT CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING
D
ebbie Chatman Bryant, DNP,
the time of her breast cancer diagnosis.
RN, director of partnerships
Her care was delayed because her
for healthcare quality research
Medicaid coverage for family planning
at MUSC, director of outreach and
did not cover other conditions at the
community relations for Hollings
time. “My navigation team was with
Cancer Center, and instructor in the
Melissa through the birth of her baby
College of Nursing, was an invited
and cancer treatment, but unfortunately
speaker at a Congressional briefing on
we did not reach her in time. The
rising mortality rates in women in the
cancer was aggressive and her
US, July 15 in Washington, DC. At the
condition deteriorated. My team could
event, sponsored by Women’s Policy
only offer support to Melissa and grieve
Inc., Dr. Bryant shared experiences
with her family when she passed away,”
from her outreach efforts and addressed
laments Dr. Bryant.
the disparities she witnesses every day in health care in South Carolina. Growing up in rural South Carolina Dr. Bryant saw the daily struggles that women faced. These women often
For other patients, Dr. Bryant’s team has had to address the intersection of
humid summer,” explains Dr. Bryant. Following surgery, Mary was released
poverty combined with physical and
from the hospital into temporary
mental illness.
housing with four surgical drains from
Mary, a 51-year old homeless
her mastectomy site. The hospital stay
put their own health care needs on the
woman, was diagnosed with locally
is more often two to three days in these
back burner because they didn’t have
advanced breast cancer. In addition
cases, but only for the insured. Mary’s
the time, money, or access to health
to her own history of mental illness,
recovery continues and Bryant’s team
care. As a result, many succumb to
Mary was responsible for the care
connects with her often. Without their
preventable and manageable diseases.
of her adult son who suffered from
help, Mary’s story would have turned out much differently. Despite these challenges, Dr. Bryant believes that by building a culture of
“Many of the stories I encounter are heartbreaking and frustrating, but all underscore the challenges facing women today and the need to provide practical solutions for women in need.”
health, positive outcomes are within reach. “We have abundant evidence of the value of our navigation program. The program has decreased the number of at risk patients who do not return for care following an abnormal mammogram from 11 percent in 2009
bipolar disorder and several learning
to fewer the 5 percent since 2010,”
heartbreaking and frustrating, but all of
disabilities. She was unwilling to go to
reports Dr. Bryant.
the stories underscore the challenges
a shelter because she would have been
facing women today and the need to
separated from her son, and she feared
is multifaceted. “However,” Dr. Bryant
provide practical solutions for women
for his safety. Coordinating health
explains, “my experience has taught
in need. The lives of the women in my
care was just one piece of the puzzle
me that improved results are not only
program are real. Their faces represent
of ensuring that Mary received the
possible, but likely, when adequate
an inescapable public health crisis of
treatment she needed. Basic needs such
infrastructures designed to address
our time. Our job is finding solutions,”
as food, shelter, and clothing needed
unique situations and challenges are in
says Dr. Bryant. In her program, highly
to be addressed for both Mary and her
place. I believe that we are in a position
trained “lay” navigators experienced in
son. “We arranged a hotel room prior to
to make a difference in the lives of
local ethnic and rural cultures and low
surgery, but all of our careful planning
women like Melissa and Mary.”
health literacy help clients overcome
was nearly ruined when Mary and her
contextual and systemic barriers to
son overslept and missed her initial
health care.
surgery time. It had been some time
“Many of the stories I encounter are
Melissa, a 35-year old, uninsured
The context of women’s mortality
since they took a hot shower and slept
African-American woman, was six
in a bed in an air-conditioned space
months pregnant with her fifth child at
protected from South Carolina’s hot, Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
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FOCUS ON FACULTY
V
CON WELCOMES NEW FACULTY TO THE FOLD
STEPHANIE ARMSTRONG Instructor
ELIZABETH JENSEN Instructor
PATRICIA MILLER Instructor
KENNETH RUGGIERO Professor
JOY VESS Instructor
> Stephanie Armstrong, MSN, RN
> Patricia Miller, MSN, RN, instructor,
the development and evaluation of
is an instructor in the College of
has been selected to serve as director
technology-based interventions for
Nursing’s undergraduate program. She
of the RN to BSN program. She
traumatic stress populations. Most of
received both her Bachelor of Science
received an associate degree in
his early research focused specifically
in Nursing and a Master of Science
nursing from Villa Maria College
on brief behavioral self-help interven-
in Nursing as an advanced clinical
in Erie, PA, a BSN from Penn State
tions designed for disaster victims and
specialist in women’s and infants’
University, and a MSN with a focus
Operations Enduring and Iraqi Free-
health from George Mason University.
in nursing education from Drexel
dom Veterans. Over time, this work
University.
evolved into the use and evaluation of
Ms. Armstrong’s clinical experience includes practice at one of the
Ms. Miller’s diverse clinical
wholly technology based stepped care
nation’s largest birthing hospitals,
experience includes staff nursing,
approaches for victims of disaster and
as well as several community-based
management and administration
serious injury. A second major line
hospitals. She has served in numerous
for inpatient, community, and home
of research focuses on the develop-
leadership and management positions,
health settings, with extensive
ment and evaluation of tablet-based
and in 2004, Ms. Armstrong lead a
experience as OB/GYN department
resources to improve quality of care
project in which a children’s book
director. As a non-profit program
in child mental health treatment. This
titled, Do you know a nurse, was
director, she co-authored a federal
work aims specifically to improve child
developed to help promote nursing.
grant which was funded for five
engagement and provider fidelity in
years to promote character education
delivery of best practices.
Ms. Armstrong’s areas of interest
Dr. Ruggiero has had years of con-
include cultural awareness, outcomes,
in grades 5 through 12. Ms. Miller’s
and the obstetric health care needs of
interests include the future of nursing,
tinuous extramural funding from the
vulnerable populations.
bridging the classroom/clinical gap,
National Institutes of Health, the VA
student success, and online education
Health Services Research and Devel-
in nursing.
opment, the Department of Defense,
> Elizabeth Jensen, PhD, APRN-BC is
the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
an instructor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the College of
> Kenneth Ruggiero, PhD, professor,
the Department of Homeland Security,
Nursing. She earned a BSN from
is co-director of the Technology
and the Substance Abuse and Mental
George Mason University, an MSN
Applications Center for Healthful
Health Service Administration.
from San Diego State University, an
Lifestyles (TACHL). He is also associate
FNP certificate from University of
director of the Health Services Research
> Joy Vess, DNP, ACNP-BC joined
California, San Diego, and a DNP
and Development Center of Innovation
the faculty full-time in August as
from MUSC. She has over 14 years
at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical
an instructor in the DNP program.
experience as a board certified family
Center. Dr. Ruggiero received his BA
She earned a BSN from Clemson
nurse practitioner and is also certified
from the State University of New York
University, as well as MSN and DNP
by the National League for Nursing as
at Buffalo and his MA and PhD from
degrees from the University of South
a nurse educator. Her interests include
West Virginia University. He completed
Carolina.
health promotion, disease prevention,
his internship and NIMH-funded
and the effects of mental health on
postdoctoral fellowship at MUSC.
comorbid chronic disease outcomes. 24
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Dr. Ruggiero’s research centers on
Board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an acute care nurse practitioner
College of Nursing faculty celebrate at Johnson & Johnson’s Promise of Nursing Gala in November 2013
Palmetto Gold is a statewide nursing recognition program that both showcases the valuable contributions nurses make to patient care in South Carolina and raises funds to endow scholarships for registered nurse students.
for both adult and pediatric populations, Dr. Vess’ clinical experience and interests include emergency medicine, cardiology, occupational health, chronic disease management, and program development and implementation. Her areas of interest include advanced practice roles and issues, polypharmacy, and evidence-based practice.
V
FACULTY WINS
Brian T. Conner, PhD, RN, (pictured center) assistant professor and director of the Accelerated BSN program, was honored for teaching excellence at MUSC’s annual faculty convocation held August 19. Dr. Conner was honored in the Educator-Mentor: ClinicalProfessional category. This award is presented to a faculty member for teaching excellence in non-traditional roles with individuals or small groups, specifically those who teach, mentor, or serve as role models in their clinical and professional development.
Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, instructor, was selected for the Maralynne D. Mitcham Interprofessional Fellowship for 2014-15. The fellowship’s purpose is to prepare university faculty and staff to successfully assume new roles in interprofessional education, research, practice, and/or administration. Jane Zapka, ScD, (pictured center) research professor, was awarded the Peggy Schachte Research Mentor Award at MUSC’s Faculty Convocation ceremony held August 19. This award is given to a faculty mentor or other colleague who is widely recognized as an outstanding research mentor who encourages and supports the advancement of others as successful, extramurally funded investigators.
The 13th Annual Palmetto Gold Gala was held in April at the Columbia Convention Center. College of Nursing faculty recognized during the gala included Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNSBC, (pictured third from left) assistant professor and Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, (pictured far right) instructor.
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
25
FOCUS ON FACULTY
V
NEW BEGINNINGS FOR DEPARTING FACULTY Gail Gilden, ScD, RN, associate professor and director of the PhD in Nursing program, retired from her full-time faculty role in September. Since joining the faculty in 1990, Dr. Gilden has held
After 27 years at MUSC, Robin Bissinger,
many leadership roles in the
PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, is ready for a new
College of Nursing including
adventure. On August 1, she retired from
department chair, director of
the College of Nursing and assumed the
online education, and asso-
role of executive director of the National
ciate dean for academics.
Certification Corporation, the national
During her most recent
certification organization for health
tenure as director, the PhD
professionals certified in the obstetric,
program has grown in size
gynecologic and neonatal specialties.
from nine students in 2001
Dr. Bissinger’s MUSC journey began
to the current enrollment of
in 1988 as a neonatal nurse practitio-
68 students. Dr. Gilden re-
ner (NNP) and later an NNP manager in
ceived two HRSA grants to further the growth and success of the PhD
MUSC’s neonatal intensive care unit. In
program. By moving it to an online delivery format it has become one
1994, she was hired as a clinical instructor
of the largest and most outstanding PhD in nursing programs in the
in the College of Nursing and progressed
country, with students now residing in 21 states, one in Germany and
to the rank of professor. She held the
one in the US Virgin Islands. To acknowledge her outstanding contri-
positions of NNP program coordinator,
butions to the program, the PhD students created a dedicated scholar-
MSN/DNP programs director and finally
ship fund for the program and presented her with a special giclée from
associate dean for academics.
a local Charleston artist.
She won’t completely leave the halls of
Dr. Gilden will remain involved with the PhD program serving on
MUSC. She will continue working part-
dissertation committees. In her spare time she plans to explore her
time in the Department of Pediatrics as a
artistic talent, travel, become fluent in the Italian language, and enjoy her grandchildren.
After 26 years of teach-
Sheila Smith, PhD, RN, associate
ing, Sharon Bond, PhD,
professor, didn’t slow down after
CNM, FACNM, left her
her departure from the College of
faculty role as associate
Nursing in August. Immediately
professor so that she
after retiring she traveled with
can engage more fully
her husband, children and
to her midwifery and
grandchildren to Puerto Rico and
women’s health practice
St. Martin. After enjoying the warm
at MUSC Women’s
Caribbean, they made the journey
Health at Cannon where
to the annual polar bear “migration,”
she has been practicing since 2000. Dr. Bond
which occurs along the Hudson
will continue her efforts to strengthen midwifery
Bay coast in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, crossing the tundra
and advanced practice nursing in South Caroli-
in search of the Northern Lights – an item on her husband’s
na, and work with the state’s cervical cancer pre-
bucket list. After traveling and defrosting, she plans to continue
vention efforts. She treasures her relationships
her research activities with the MUSC Wellness Center Healthy
with College of Nursing students and faculty
Charleston Challenge before heading out again in the spring to
that she has developed over the years. You can
visit her daughter in Europe.
reach her at bondsm@musc.edu.
26
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
V
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS THANK LPW FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUPPORT
O
n September 23, the College
Along with traditional BSN students,
of Nursing was pleased to
the LPW Foundation has also expanded
welcome Ms. Carrie Conway, the
their scholarship funding for students
Senior Program Officer from the Lettie Pate Whitehead (LPW) Foundation
pursuing graduate degrees. A reception was held at The
in Atlanta, Georgia to Charleston for
Old Village Post House Inn in Mt.
her first visit to MUSC. The Lettie Pate
Pleasant where students and faculty
Whitehead Foundation was established
gathered to welcome Ms. Conway
in memory of Lettie Pate Whitehead, a
to the MUSC community. Dean Gail
benevolent business woman who not
Stuart welcomed all of the attendees
only managed the expansion of her
and provided an update on the
family’s Coca-Cola bottling business
College. Dean Stuart also spoke of the
in the early 1900’s but also oversaw the
significance of the LPW Foundation’s
family’s real estate investments.
support for the College of Nursing to
She served as Chairman of the Board of the Whitehead Holding Company and as President of the Whitehead
attract the best and brightest students to our programs. MUSC President David Cole, MD,
Real Estate Company. Ms. Whitehead
FACS, attended the event to thank Ms.
became one of the first women to serve
Conway for the LPW Foundation’s
on the board of directors of a major
exceptional generosity as well as to
American corporation as she served as
address the students. Of the 30 local
a director of the Coca-Cola Company
scholarship recipients, 27 attended
for almost 20 years beginning in 1934.
the event. Aminah Fraser-Rahim, DNP
The LPW Foundation awards
Candidate Class of 2018, also addressed
scholarship grants in higher education
the group to express her thanks to
to female students throughout the
the Foundation for the opportunity to
southeast. Since 1990, the LPW
pursue her dream of a PhD in Nursing.
Foundation has awarded over $1.2 million to 750 College of Nursing students. In the past year, the LPW Foundation donated $200,000 to the College of Nursing - up from $100,000 the previous year, therefore making the LPW Foundation the College of Nursing’s largest scholarship donor. Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
27
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
V
BORDERS NAMED AMBROSE SCHOLAR
Two Students Selected for MUSC Leadership Society Current DNP student, Richard Hill (BSN ‘11) and Toya Williams (BSN ‘14), were selected for the prestigious MUSC Leadership Society. The purpose of the MUSC Leadership Society is to recognize those students who have made notable contributions to the university through their character, service and commitment to enhancing the
V
irginia Borders, MSN-NE, RN, (DNP student, class of 2015) was named a Paul Ambrose Scholar
interdisciplinary approaches to care. This award is supported and endorsed by the Association for
for 2015. Ms. Borders was one of only
Prevention Teaching and Research
three graduate nursing students
and the Office of Disease Prevention
selected from across the United States
and Health Promotion within the US
to receive this award.
Department of Health and Human
Fellowship recognition and grant funding was awarded to students
Services. As a Paul Ambrose Fellow, Ms.
from a variety of academic programs
Borders will use her grant to launch a
including, medicine, dentistry,
non-partisan public health initiative
nursing, pharmacy, physicians
in the spring of 2015 that is focused
assistant, and health care policy. All
on helping to decrease disparities in
participants were chosen based on
health education and increase access
their academic achievement, teacher
to quality health care in socially
recommendation, community service,
and economically disadvantaged
and community based research
areas of Georgia. Her mission is to
proposal designed to support Healthy
promote health prevention education
People 2020 objectives.
and coordinate a variety of services
Recipients attended a leadership
university environment or in their actions and activities that reflect positively on the university. Students selected for the Society personify the ideals of the university as being caring, compassionate, ethical, proficient and creative individuals who have demonstrated the qualities needed to be effective leaders and members of interprofessional teams.
through local partnerships committed
symposium in June held in
to lifelong healthy behaviors and
Washington, DC. Students received
improving their communities.
intensive instruction, and mentoring
Hill
from some of the nation’s top leaders in health care delivery, policy, and research design. The highlight of the program featured an empowering address from Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak, the US Surgeon General and leader of the US Public Health Services charging the group to seek leadership opportunities and advocate for disease prevention and health promotion. Additional activities included site visits to federally funded inner city clinics dedicated to serving their community through collaborative, innovative, and 28
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Photo: A roof top garden at Bread for the City clinic in Washington , SC. From left to right: Eugene Kim (University of California-Los Angeles; Virginia Borders (MUSC College of Nursing); Joan Swanson (Emory University); Gerald Sabb (public health nurse at Bread for the City clinic); Leia Franchini (Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences; Katy Hamlin (administrator with the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research); Zachary Hemes (Emory University)
Williams
V
PhD PROGRAM RECEIVES AWARD FROM RWJF
T
he PhD in Nursing program is one of only 14 schools of nursing nationwide to be among the first
to receive a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholars program to increase the number of nurses holding a PhD degree. “We were the only online PhD program to be selected, and our approach to the program was highly regarded by the reviewers,” noted Gail Gilden, ScD, RN, former program director. RWJ’s Future of Nursing Scholars program is designed to dramatically increase the number of PhD-prepared nurses in the US. Currently, however, less than 1 percent of the nursing workforce has a doctoral degree Dr. Gail Gilden welcomes PhD students to campus for Residency Week
in nursing or a related field. An investment in creating more PhD
“We are the only online PhD program to be selected, and our approach to the program was highly regarded by the reviewers.” - DR. GAIL GILDEN
prepared nurses will pay dividends over
of the Virgin Islands and MSN in
time. The program will create a large
Nursing Education from Midwestern
and diverse cadre of PhD-prepared
State University.
nurses who are committed to long-
Ms. Bertrand is currently an assistant
term leadership careers that advance
professor of nursing at the University
science and discovery, strengthen
of the Virgin Islands. Her research
nursing education, and bring
interests are women’s health, health
transformational change to nursing
disparities and
and health care. The program will
intimate partner
provide scholarships, mentoring, and
violence. She
leadership development activities, as
also has a joint
well as postdoctoral research support,
appointment
to build the capacity of this select
with the
group of future nurse leaders.
Caribbean
The College of Nursing selected Desiree Bertrand from the 2014 cohort as the first recipient of the Future of
Exploratory Bertrand
Research Center,
An Integrated Risk Reduction Intervention for Abused African Caribbean and African American Women in the US Virgin Islands. Her previous nursing experience includes acute care, nursing education, travel nursing, home health care and military nursing (honorably discharged as a Captain). “It is a honor to be a recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program award. This is award will play a key role in molding me into an excellent nurse scientist, researcher and educator,” Ms. Bertrand said.
University of
Nursing Scholar award. Ms. Bertrand is
the Virgin Islands, School of Nursing,
a native of the US Virgin Islands. She
where she is co-principal
received her BSN from the University
investigator on a major study:
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
29
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
V
PhD PROGRAM WELCOMES 2014 COHORT Cheryl Conway is an assistant
She received her MSN and BSN from
professor at Western Carolina
MUSC. Her research interests include
University. She received her MSN
how nurses care for psychiatric
degree from Western Carolina
patients committed in the emergency
University and her BSN from UNC
room. She chose the PhD program
Chapel Hill. Her research interests
because she loves learning and
include health literacy and promotion
research and MUSC is known for
Desiree Bertrand is an assistant
in adults with hypertension and
research.
professor of nursing at the University
diabetes. She chose the PhD program
of the Virgin Islands. She received her
because of the quality of the online
Anna C. Fisk is a staff nurse at Boston
MSN from Midwestern State University
program and relative proximity of the
Children’s Hospital. She received
and BSN from the University of the
area.
her ADN from Phoenix College and
The College of Nursing welcomed an impressive cohort into the PhD program in 2014 during the Residency Week in July. Learn more about each of them below.
Virgin Islands. Her research interests
BSN from Grand Canyon University.
include women’s health, intimate
Matt Couture is an OR Nurse at the
Her research interests include
partner violence and health disparities.
Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs
identifying the factors associated
She chose to study at MUSC because
Medical Center in Charleston. He
with cardiovascular collapse during
the program is offered online.
received a BS degree in Information
endotracheal tube suctioning in
Systems and Management from
neonates with single ventricle disease
Cordelia Bright is a registered nurse
USC and his BSN from MUSC. His
following stage I palliation. She chose
at Northern Virginia Mental Health
research interests include information
the PhD program because it was
Institute. She earned a Master of
technology and electronic medical
online, research focused and well
Philosophy in Health Administration
records. “The accelerated BSN program
respected.
from the University of Ghana Business
was excellent at MUSC and I felt the
School and a BSN from the University
PhD program would be the same.”
of Ghana School of Nursing. Her
Michelle Gilbert is an RN coordinator at Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
research interests include comparative
Karenmarie Davis is a nursing
She received her BSN, MSN and post-
analysis of psychiatric patient care.
instructor at Francis Marion University
graduate certificate in education from
She chose the PhD program because it
and a PRN emergency room nurse
the University of Texas in El Paso.
is intensive, focused and online.
at Carolinas Hospital in Florence, SC.
Her research interests include early intervention in premature infants. She chose the PhD program because it is listed as one of the best online graduate programs. Ann-Marie John is an assistant professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She received her MSN degree from the University of Rochester and BSN from Suny Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Her research interests include a retrospective evaluation of the prevalence of initial non-traumatic lower extremity amputation compared to lower limb salvage as the first treatment option for veterans with advanced peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremity. Ms. John chose
From left to right: Tahitua Timmons, Michelle Gilbert, Enia Zigbuo-Wenztel, Desiree Bertrand, Anna Fisk & Emily Nelson. Back row: Maryellen Potts, Karenmarie Davis, Elizabeth Krueze, Cheryl Moseley Conway, Cordellia Bright, Mary Beth McCloud, Ann-Marie John, & Matthew Couture
30
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
the PhD program because it is the top rated PhD nursing program in the
country. “I was also very impressed
Hospital and adjunct faculty at
is focused on pain management.
with Dean Stuart’s level of engagement
Gaston College and Central Piedmont
She chose the PhD program for its
and passion for nursing leadership,
Community College. She received
convenience and reputation.
research and patient advocacy.
a Master of Science in Nursing
Another major attraction for me was
Education from Gardner-Webb
Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler is a school nurse
the variety of expert nurse faculty with
University, a BSN from East Carolina
at Frankfurt International School,
health care disparity research focused
University, and a graduate certificate
Germany. She received a Master of
on improving health outcomes of
in gerontology from UNC Charlotte.
Science in Nursing from MGH Institute
vulnerable populations.”
Her research interests include diabetes
of Health Professions in Boston, a
education and management, end-
master’s degree in public health from
Elizabeth Kreuze is a home health
of-life, and the elderly population. “I
the University of Massachusetts, a
registered nurse. She received a
wanted to attend a program committed
Bachelor of Science in psychology and
Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from
to quality, academic excellence,
a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the
Hope College and a BSN from MUSC.
nursing and the community we serve.”
University of Vermont. Her research
Her research interests are adolescent
interest is focused on nutritional
violence and suicide. She chose the
Maryellen Potts is an English professor
disparities related to food insecurities
College of Nursing’s PhD program
at William Penn University. She
globally. “MUSC-CON was my college
because “it encourages collaboration,
received her BA in English with a
of choice because the college has
allowing one to develop personal
minor in biology from Connecticut
a distinguished faculty covering a
and professional relationships with
College, an MA in English from the
range of diverse and intellectually
other nurse scientists, precipitating
University of Rochester, and a PhD
challenging research topics. In
the expansion of nursing innovation
in English from Union Institute and
particular, those focused on the area
nationally. I was especially attracted
University. Her research interests
of health disparities and vulnerable
to the smaller number of students
include health literacy and professional
populations coincides with my own
per cohort and the personal attention
communications in patient centered
research interest. In addition, as an
faculty provides students. Moreover,
care. “I chose to pursue this PhD in
American nurse currently living in
the research interests of faculty, and
the College of Nursing because my
Germany with a desire of furthering
the very active role they assume in
colleague, Lori Vick (2010 CON PhD
my nursing education, a web-based
discovery, are inspiring and align with
cohort), at Iowa Wesleyan College
PhD program offered the only viable
my interests. I very eagerly anticipate
encouraged me to change the
option of pursuing these goals.
the journey ahead.”
direction of my career as nursing and
Reputation was also a criterion for
nursing education becomes broader
me and given that MUSC College of
Mary Beth McCloud is an assistant
in emphasis. Specifically, I chose
Nusing is ranked as one of the best
professor of nursing at Frostburg State
MUSC because of Lori, the online
online nursing programs it became
University and an RN IV at Western
nature of the program, and the goal
even more desirable as the place I
Maryland Health System. She received
of three publications by graduation.
wanted to pursue a PhD in Nursing.”
an Associate of Arts in Nursing from
Clinching my decision was my positive
Allegany College of Maryland, a
experience with faculty, staff, and
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from
students during residency week. To top
West Virginia University, and Master
it off, my fellow students in the 2014
of Science in Nursing from Western
cohort are inspiring and dedicated. I
Governors University. Her research
look forward to learning with them.”
interests include obesity related complications in pregnant women.
Tahitia Timmons is education
She chose the PhD program because of
coordinator at Cancer Treatment
the flexibility of an online program and
Centers at Eastern Regional Medical
the focus on community health.
Center. She received her MSN in Nursing Education from Drexel
Emily Nelson is a staff nurse and relief
University and her BSN from Rutgers
charge nurse at Carolina Specialty
University. Her research interest
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
31
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
V
CON STUDENTS GO TO WASHINGTON
L
ast spring, Lee Horton, PhD, APRN, BC, CNM, course coordinator, brought her Advanced Health Policy and Advocacy course alive when she escorted 61 doctoral students
to Washington, DC to participate in the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program. One hundred and forty-one registered nurses or nursing students from all over the country participated in the three day program that provided nurses the opportunity to learn how to
This conference left me with feelings of honor, hope, and empowerment— knowing that my voice as a nurse can be heard and will ultimately impact the future of nursing and health care.
influence health care through the legislative and regulatory processes. Participants learned from health policy experts and government officials, network with other nurses, and gain hands-on experience through scheduling visits and meeting with their members of Congress.
Jennifer McCrudden
NIWI program coordinators took notice of the large MUSC contingent and were quite impressed with the group. Rose L. Horton, MSM, RNC, a member of the coordinating team, wrote, “During our final planning meeting is when I first noticed that 61 of our attendees were from MUSC. Words cannot express my level of respect and appreciation for the significant undertaking of supervising such a large group. Your students were amazing! The energy that this team had was really contagious!” Students remarked that the NIWI conference was a great experience and provided them with skills that will carry them throughout their nursing careers. Sponsored by the Nursing Organization Alliance, NIWI is open to any RN or nursing student that
The NIWI experience was a life-changing experience. Panelists shared their knowledge to improve our understanding of the politics of Capitol Hill. Consequently, this preparation enabled us to make the most of our brief visits, accomplishing our agenda completely for each visit. This would have been unlikely without the preparation of NIWI. I firmly believe that a nurse at every level would benefit from such an experience.
is interested in an orientation to the legislative process. The program teaches them how they can become involved and influence policy at the local and national level.
Valerie Clary Muronda
This internship afforded me a powerful opportunity to advocate for my profession directly to my representative in Congress. Nurses have been, and to some degree, are still somewhat reticent to claim the spotlight and advocate for themselves, yet, at the same time, they have no problem advocating for their patients. Nursing is positioned to make a tremendous difference in the way health care is delivered in the US, and it is imperative that we do not miss this opportunity to become politically involved by relinquishing our usual place as spectators in the political arena.
Novelette Prosper
The NIWI was a wonderful experience. I was truly immersed in the political, economic, and legislative process of health care policymaking during the internship. The lessons I learned from this experience are invaluable and can be utilized in future advocacy activities as a nurse leader and nurse practitioner in the health care arena.
Pia Biason-Webb
Capitol Hill Visits During their visit, students had the the opportunity to meet with Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. Students from South Carolina met with their respective representatives. > Representative Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) Students: Charlotte Grecco, Hang Linda Hoang, Carrie Hoshour > Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC) Students: Cheryl Allen, Christina Bagwell, Valorie Barret, Elizabeth Batten, Pia Biason-Webb, Lauren Bowers, Katlyn, Tyler Cole, Sarah Didow, Jennifer Elrod, Anne Goforth, Journey Henderson, Morgan Jackson, Suzi Lahr, Lori Lee, Jennifer McCrudden , Suzanne Poole, Monica Riley, Mary Shearer, Marie Thomas > Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) Students: Sabrina Hilbert, Allison Porter, Andrena Zeigler > Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC) Students: Lai Chaim, Ana Anaya, Denise LePage, Katherine Luckett, Kim Moran, Gary Szeto , Carol Waiboer > Representative James Clyburn (D-SC) Students: Jennifer Berry, Margaret Conway-Orgel, Valerie Clary Muronda, Lan Nguyen, Novelette Prosper, Tonya Wagner > Representative Tom Rice (R-SC) Students: Mary Beth Byrd, Amanda Gerrald, Patricia Handley, Kelley Jacobs, Tasha Lee, Casey Miller, Sunshine Rearden > Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC) Students: Sherrie Dansby, Gigi Lattimore > Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) Open to all students in SC
Lisa Klasek-Gray, DNP student, was the recipient of the student registration scholarship. She is a member of the Alliance member organization, Sigma Theta Tau International.
> Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Open to all students in SC
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
33
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
V
CON AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NURSING STUDENTS
Helene Fuld Trust Scholarship
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarships
Jessica Seaver, Accelerated Bachelor
The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation
Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship. Mr. Couture is a graduate of the
of Science in Nursing (ABSN) student,
is a charity dedicated to the support
ABSN program and past-president of
was selected to receive the Helene Fuld
of women in nine southeastern states.
the Student Nurses Association. Since
Health Trust Scholarship based on her
These students were selected for a
graduating, he has been employed
outstanding academic performance.
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship
by the MUSC Medical Center as an
A Dean’s List student, Ms. Seaver
for the fall 2014 semester: Tramecya
operating room nurse.
earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts
Beale, Meghan Behlmer, Jackie Boyle,
Ms. Carter is magna cum laude
University where she was co-president
Sadie Burke, Amanda Burnette,
graduate of the ABSN program and a
of the Habitat for Humanity Club.
Megan Chestnut, Baylie Coldsmith,
graduate of Clemson University with a
Presently, she serves as the student
Kelly DeGraffenried, Christina
major in health sciences. Her goal is to
representative on the Undergraduate
Evangelista, Aminah Fraser-Rahim,
become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Program Committee, providing
Stacy Gaillard, Sally Gallman, Jessica
student feedback to faculty to improve
Gardner, Georgette Gilman, Crystal
University of South Carolina-Aiken
the educational process.
Graham, Tiffany Jamerson, Chyrese
BSN program where she was named
Jenkins, Justyn Lamb, Erin LaMoria,
“outstanding BSN student.”
Ted and Joan Halkyard Scholarship
Marcelline Lankford, Anh Lee,
Ms. Nettles is a graduate of the
Ms. Staten is a graduate of the
Bary Kemble, ABSN student, is the
Kimberly Leslie, Jessica Litchfield,
University of Science and Arts of
recipient of a Ted and Joan Halkyard
Brandy Mangum, Lawana Mark,
Oklahoma with a major in chemistry.
Scholarship. Mr. Kemble earned a
Monica Moore, Katherine Norlander,
bachelor’s degree in psychology from
Nicole Olive, Morgan Parrish,
Coastal Carolina University and a
Shivani Patel, Barbara Reeves, Mary
master’s dgree in clinical psychology
Rion, Elizabeth Roberts, Marjorie
from Francis Marion University. He
Schondelmaier, Julie Scruggs, Jillian
worked as a behavior specialist for
Sealy, Salome Seraphin, Daisy Smith,
Horry County School District and
Louise Smunk, Solange Marcel, Nicole
an alcohol and drug counselor at
Stasko, Tiffany Stephens, Emily
Shoreline Behavioral Health Services.
Wallace, and Ashley Williams.
Ruth Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and Margaret Ann Kerr Scholarship
Elizabeth Stringfellow Scholarship Cordelia Bright, PhD student, has been
program is a national program of
Marie Beck, ABSN student, is the
awarded the Elizabeth Stringfellow
RWJF and the American Association
recipient of two scholarships: the Ruth
Scholarship in honor of Ms. Marguerite
of College of Nursing. The prestigious
Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and the
Andell, class of 1913, and a College of
program is designed to help alleviate
Margaret Ann Kerr Scholarship.
Nursing faculty member and School of
the national nursing shortage, increase
Nursing director.
the diversity of nursing professionals,
Ms. Beck was elected president of the Student Nurses Association
Relocating to the US in 2010, Ms.
RWJ New Careers in Nursing Recipients Selected Five first semester ABSN students have been selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship. Recipients are: Sharnice Boulware, Anne Chan, Donna Luu, Romina McCandless, and Tiffani Smalls. The RWJF NCIN scholarship
expand capacity in baccalaureate
and selected for the Hispanic Health
Bright is from Ghana and graduated
and graduate nursing programs, and
Initiative Scholars Program. She
from the University of Ghana School
enhance the pipeline of potential nurse
represents the College of Nursing
of Nursing and Business School. She
faculty.
on the MUSC Student Government
has a master’s degree in health services
Association (SGA) where she was
administration.
selected as the “outstanding MUSC
Reba Carter O’Keeffe Scholarship Mary Butler, DNP student, was
selected for the Presidential Scholars
Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship
Program for 2014-15, which has a
Matthew Couture, PhD student,
her BSN at the University of South
competitive applicant pool from each
Rebecca Carter and Megan Nettles,
Carolina-Upstate and her Associate
of the six colleges that comprise MUSC.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Degree in Nursing (ADN) from
students, and Cara Staten, ABSN
Midlands Technical College. She also
student, have been awarded the
holds a previous bachelor’s degree
SGA representative.” She has also been
awarded the Reba Carter O’Keeffe Scholarship. Ms. Butler completed
from Columbia College. 34
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Left to Right: CON scholarship donors, Sunny and Samuel Steinberg with Tamara Trainor, ABSN student, recipient of the Samuel Steinberg Nursing Scholarship in spring 2014, as well as the Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship in fall 2013
Left to Right: CON Development Committee member, Connie Conner, with Brian Daigle, ABSN student, recipient of a Provost’s Scholarship
Barbara Sutton Pace Scholarship
Jean P. Wilson Scholarship
Juliet Brown, ABSN student, has been
Dannen O’Keefe, ABSN student, and
selected to receive the Barbara Sutton
Brandi Knight, DNP student, have
Pace Scholarship. Ms. Brown is a cum
been awarded the Jean P. Wilson
MSN from the MGH Institute of Health
laude graduate of North Carolina A&T
Scholarship for academic excellence.
Professions in Boston, MA, and is a
with a degree in animal science.
Ms. O’Keefe has worked with many
family nurse practitioner. She also has
volunteer organizations including the
a master’s of public health from the
St. Thomas of Canterbury Food Pantry
University of Massachusetts.
Provost’s Scholarship
the first in her family to graduate from college. Ms. Zigbou-Wenzle earned her
Brian Daigle, ABSN student, and
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She is
Sunshine Rearden, MSN student,
a dean’s list student. Ms. Knight earned
Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship
have been selected to receive the
a BSN from the University of North
The Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship
Provost’s Scholarship for the fall 2014
Carolina-Wilmington.
semester. Both were selected for their academic strengths and contributions to community. Mr. Daigle is a dean’s list student
student. Ms. Coates is a magna cum
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Stewart Scholarship The recipients of the Mr. and Mrs.
and has been active in the MUSC
Stephen Stewart Scholarship are Alicia
Student Government Association.
Garland, DNP student, and Elizabeth
He completed the National Coalition
Kreuze, PhD student.
Institute Train the Trainer program
was awarded to Taylor Coates, DNP
Ms. Garland is a summa cum laude
laude graduate of the ABSN program. She is currently employed by Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, SC.
Marianna Stuart Mason Scholarship Adrena Ziegler, DNP student, was awarded the Marianna Stuart Mason
and has been designated a “Diversity
graduate of the ABSN program and is
Scholarship. Ms. Ziegler is nurse
Champion.”
interested in family health, allowing
manager at Sterling Sharp Pediatrics
her to impact the greatest range of
and Eau Claire Adult and Internal
patients and their families.
Medicine.
Ms. Rearden earned her BSN from the University of South Carolina-Aiken and is a nurse leader at Inlet Pediatrics in Murrells Inlet, SC.
Marie LePrince Farmer Scholarship Michelle Gilbert, PhD student, is
Ms. Kreuze is also a graduate of the ABSN program. Her goal is to become
Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship
a teacher at the university level and
Tamara Trainor, ABSN student, is the
develop expertise in research.
recipient of the Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship. Ms. Trainor works as a
Farmer scholarship. As a single mother
Izant Family Foundation Scholarship
working full-time, Ms. Gilbert earned
The Izant Family Foundation
selected as the Patient Care Technician
her ADN, BSN and MSN degrees. She
Scholarship was awarded to Enia
of the Year.
recently completed her post-graduate
Zigbou-Wenzler, PhD student, who
certificate in education and is studying
was born and raised in the West
for the certified nurse educator
African nation of Liberia. Her father
examination.
sent her to the US when she was 12-
Robert Wolfrom, ABSN student, is
years old for her education and she is
the recipient of the Marvin and Cleo
the recipient of the Marie LePrince
patient care technician at the MUSC Medical Center. In 2012, she was
Marvin and Cleo McAlhany Scholarship
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
35
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
McAlhany Scholarship. A College of
Ms. Assiria, a former phlebotomist,
was awarded the Betty Kelchner
Charleston graduate, Mr. Wolfrom also
is fluent in Arabic, and also can speak
Scholarship. She is a dean’s list student
was selected for the Veterans Affairs
and understand many dialects of the
who has demonstrated an interest in
Learning Opportunity Residency
Middle East including Egyptian, Syrian,
interprofessional education.
Program at the Ralph H. Johnson
and Jordanian.
Veteran’s Hospital. He is a Dean’s List
Ms. Campbell earned an associate’s
J. William Thurmond Scholarship
student and a Robert Wood Johnson
degree in applied science in nursing
ABSN student, MaryRose Bugbee
New Careers in Nursing Scholar.
from Southern Virginia Community
is the recipient of the Dr. J. William
College and her BSN from Kaplan
Thurmond Scholarship. Ms. Bugbee
University.
is the “breakthrough to nursing”
Betty Bundrage Murray Kinard Scholarship
Ms. Mills is a graduate of Wake
coordinator for the Student Nurses
Allexandra Raeder, ABSN student, was
Forest University with a major in
Association. Her background includes
awarded the Betty Bundrage Murray
Spanish, who has an interest in and
extensive volunteering in health
Kinard Scholarship. Current secretary
exposure to different cultures. She was
care, including completion of the
of the Student Nurses Association, Ms.
recently selected for the prestigious
New Visions Medical Program, where
Raeder grew up in a small, rural town
MUSC Presidential Scholars Program.
students from various school districts
and joined the US Navy.
Thomas J. Wiscarz Scholarship Matthew Sotiroglou is the second recipient of the Thomas J. Wiscarz
Marianne T. Chitty Scholarship Three students were awarded a Marianne T. Chitty Scholarship. Laura Bodine, DNP student, is
were selected to participate in handson clinical experiences.
Carmen’s Cardinal Scholarship Natalia Davilia, DNP student, is the
Scholarship. Mr. Sotiroglou, a
a graduate of the Oregon Health
recipient of the Carmen’s Cardinal
veteran of Kuwait where he was an
Sciences University who also has a
Scholarship. Ms. Davilia, a graduate
infantryman and squad leader for the
master’s in public administration from
of the ABSN and MSN programs, is
US Army National Guard, received
the University of Maryland University
currently employed in the MUSC
honors as the Army National Guard
College.
Children’s Care Clinic.
Best Warrior for completing events
Amanda Jar, ABSN student, is a
focusing on battlefield medical tasks,
magna cum laude graduate of Western
leadership under stress, physical
Michigan University. Allison Munn, PhD student, earned
fitness, and land navigation.
Alumni Association Student Scholarships Four outstanding students beginning
a BSN from Clemson University. She
their nursing education in the
has a clinical background in neonatal
ABSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs
nursing, and she has been involved in
were awarded scholarships by the
Nadia Assiria, ABSN student, Brianna
teaching clinicals in Francis Marion
MUSC College of Nursing Alumni
Campbell, DNP student, and Jessica
University’s BSN program.
Association. Three of the recipients
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter, III Scholarship Mills, ABSN student were awarded the Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter III
Betty Kelchner Scholarship
Scholarships.
Mattilyn Williams, ABSN student,
Sadie Burke, DNP student, (pictured center) recipient of the Irene Dixon scholarship, and Diane Hazelrigg (pictured right), CON scholarship donor 36
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
are previous graduates of the College who are returning to advance their education and career trajectories.
L to R: Dean Stuart, with Karenmarie Davis, PhD student, recipient of the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship
The Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,
the Good Neighbors Women and
named for a former College of Nursing
Children’s Center which raised
dean, was awarded to PhD student,
$10,000.
Karenmarie Davis. A graduate of the BSN and MSN programs, her passion
Maude Callen Scholarship
for research and advancing the field of
In addition to being chosen to receive
nursing is her ultimate goal. Ms. Davis
the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,
is currently nursing faculty at Francis
Karenmarie Davis, PhD student, has
Marion University where she instructs
been also selected for the Maude Callen
first semester nursing students in
Scholarship.
Professional Nursing and Nursing Practice. Sadie Burke, DNP student, received
Faith Jefferson Hohloch Scholarship
the Irene Dixon Scholarship. As a CON
Four nursing students have been
undergraduate student, Ms. Burke
honored with the Faith Jefferson
worked nearly full-time as a patient
Hohloch Scholarship.
care technician at the MUSC Medical
is a graduate of the ABSN program
summa cum laude and was inducted
and earned a master’s in business
into Sigma Theta Tau, the International
administration from Strayer University
Nursing Honor Society.
before enrolling in the DNP program.
Laura MacKinnon, a graduate
Ms. Chinnis has had a variety of roles
of the College of Charleston and
in nursing, including being part of an
current ABSN student, has received
interdisciplinary research team. Wesley Jacobs, DNP student, is a
completed the Emergency Medical
graduate of the BSN program at Francis
Technician Program at Trident
Marion University. His plans are to
Technical College, participated in the
become a family nurse practitioner.
SCRUBS Mentoring Program at Roper-
He is employed at McLeod Health as a
St. Francis Hospital, and served as the
Hospitalist RN Rounder.
President of the College of Charleston Nursing Club.
Elizabeth Mills Scholarship
RN to BSN and MSN programs. She currently teaches in the nursing
awarded to Kerri Evans who began
Technical College and also is a critical
the MSN program this fall. Ms. Evans
care and acute care dialysis nurse for
graduated summa cum laude and
Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. Crystal Graham, PhD student, is
the International Honor Society of
a graduate of the MSN program and
Nursing.
currently teaches in the Department of
Corrine Mole, ABSN student, is the recipient of a scholarship from the Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club. Ms. Mole has volunteered for the Hilton Head Regional Hospital, the College of Charleston Alumni Chapter – Hilton Head/Bluffton Chapter, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She participated in a fundraiser for
Celebration
a graduate of the College of Nursing’s
program at Horry-Georgetown
Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club Scholarship
50th Anniversary
Kimberly Mouzon, DNP student, is
The Elizabeth Mills Scholarship was
was a member of Sigma Theta Tau,
1965 CLASS OF
Simone Chinnis, DNP student,
Center, yet still managed to graduate
the Elizabeth Jones Scholarship. She
MUSC
COLLEGE of NURSING
Nursing at Francis Marion University. She is the simulation lab coordinator, and has earned certification as a HIPAA security expert.
2015 MAY 13-15
Mark your calendar! Details to come.
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
37
ALUMNI CONNECTIONS
V
Q & A WITH CATHY LANDIS, FORMER ALUMNI BOARD PRES. Lifelines spoke with Cathy Landis (BSN ’74) before she completed her term as the president of the College of Nursing’s Alumni Board.
Lifelines: What is your current job description? CL: I have been appointed as president/chief nursing officer
at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, NC. I have the dual role of chief executive officer responsible for leading the operations of the hospital and participating in the development and operations of the regional network of care for Mission Health. I am also responsible for providing clinical leadership for nursing and all clinical services. What do you consider your greatest accomplishments from your time as president of the CON alumni board?
It has been an honor to serve on the CON Alumni Board. Each member is engaged, proud of the College and very interested in connecting with alumni at large. I believe our greatest accomplishment under my leadership has been the commitment to regionalize our efforts by reaching out to alumni and arranging socials throughout the state. Our goals are to provide a forum for our nursing alumni to network and to get direct feedback regarding how to re-engage alumni. We also share the great things happening at the College.
perception of care and the financial impact of patient care relative to the patient’s stay. What has it been like transitioning from nursing to management?
The transition from direct patient care to management was a little awkward at first. I was so proud to be a bedside nurse, loved caring for my patients and was a little embarrassed to introduce myself as a manager. But I very soon realized that I could either take what I thought was excellent care of my six to seven patients any given day, or I could influence the care received by the 42 patients on my nursing floor every day. It has been very rewarding to be a positive influence on young nurses and to work collaboratively with professional nurses at the bedside. Collectively, professional nurses working together provide excellent care and advance the practice of nursing. What advice would you give to incoming nursing students?
The greatest advice I share with incoming nursing students, or individuals expressing an interest in nursing, is to be sure that you love what you do. Nursing is both tremendously rewarding and tremendously challenging -- emotionally and physically. You encounter people at some of their most vulnerable times. Your reaction is critical to their response to treatment and, often, to their acceptance of the self-care education.
Why do you stay involved with CON alumni?
I stay involved with the CON Alumni Board because the individuals I work with really care about our mission to reconnect with our graduates. The board members are proud of our College, our education and training and our fellow graduates. The staff members in the alumni office are very supportive and committed to giving back. We can learn from one another and share ideas. What better way to do this than through our alumni association? How has nursing changed during your career?
So very much has changed in nursing during my career. A significant change has been the increase in the respect for nurses as professionals at the bedside. Nurses are much more clearly seen as the primary caregiver at the bedside, and the professional relationship with the medical staff is critical to the care of the patient. Nursing care is no longer seen as an “expense” to our hospitals, but nursing care now is critical to the success relative to outcomes, patients’
38
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
MUSC Hires Alumni Director The College of Nursing joins MUSC’s other colleges in welcoming Sallie Hutton as the executive director of Alumni Affairs. Ms. Hutton comes to MUSC from North Carolina where she served her alma mater, Elon University, for nine years in a number of roles, including the director of alumni engagement. She will work with each of MUSC’s six colleges to advance and support their alumni networks. You may reach her by calling 843-792-3433 or email hutton@musc.edu.
V
CLASS OF ‘64 GOLDEN GRAD INDUCTION AND REUNION
Each year MUSC Alumni are invited for a two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of their graduation and induction into the Golden Grad Association. A reunion dinner is held followed by the Golden Grads donning caps and gowns and participating in the University’s commencement exercises. Laurie Scott, director of development, received the following notes thanking her and the Office of Alumni Affairs for their efforts in coordinating the Class of 1964 reunion and the Golden Grads events during the 2014 spring commencement.
, ernigan , Toni J e is W i r Gra ds S ha r Golden ” to you, u u o o , y e ie k r k a u n a y om “tha Dea r L you did t spec ia l limen ta r o sa y a so c omp ork tha t n w e e e ere b th s ll e I wan t t e ha for a n t. W w e s taff E ver yon din g e ve ir l. n t a u t f n e s s t s e e u no ucc u s. and th e d with ia l and s t week a so spec c ele bra t ak e tha s m d t n a ine d o n t a e r s v r e t e have em e ffor n dinn 4 e io n ‘6 th u f ll e o a r s g ou r la s re r ega rdin came to om the c rsin g we o f u s fr t you a ll y a n th a e o f Nu d m g la , e ll d o e o ther a s s C so g s h e c u t for ea ave disc a rs in th c h e e e y e p e s w e e r s r A tu r e. W and u r th g a d ven amwork n ta c t. O in e o t it c c d x in e e n e d r r e an e lea gis te d c lose an y wa s lik in g a r e a for u s. W m d o s y c e r e e b im v t g and s. E c han gin ha llen ge ce s s fu l, me life c o be suc o t s d r d e a c h k in g we fa d to wor u t s tand a t we ha u s. for the o l o t u f t e it ha s t n k new th t a a os t gr ie s tha impor t m it o n s m u a t s I r a , r ppo nu r s e w y ca r ee a ll the o nitie s in lec t on m SC, and oppor tu U t the M a e t r A s I re f a g ive d tion and some y e duca a t I r ec e ave ha d m th h o I t n . io d s s t e s u a t lu m ucce e duc I gra du a andin g a e tha t s me sinc e e ou t s t and I ow , th g d su r e. in e s d r r afforde d r a ys t ea s awa s o f nu a lw a w a e I r ill 1, a w 1 I t ma s, In 20 tha t differ en u rie Tho MU SC. and one a , t L r a , o d t n n o n h a e p rsin g ou s hu s b yea rs I s tan t nu t r emend he n m y r w a o o p s g a im a w s w ho ha t yea r e k new llege o f awa rd. T u t t wo k emia. H r the Co n til a bo u o u f le d ip id e h lo k s e r I wo e my te d to c hola r ith a c u t I c ommit hin g a s , w s s li d t b e n a s e t o v s n g se ry ed e wa s dia I fel t ve en Gra d disc u s s rie and u r Gold and we o u , a r e o L f m . o n th t o a t wa s y de e this Cha rle s ge a t m gh to se . While in the Colle n g e nou r lo o f d e Nu rsin g v ip li h ha d ola rs tha t he we d sc h n a c tive d I wish an endo n a is th i to be a t n u m o lu b a a g an s t ron gly f Nu rsin ba ck to r givin g College o e w id . s llo d n e e o f z c and fina li h of my c ia tion, a ge ea c e yea rs. ni A s so m I enc ou r lu por t, rough th A th C h S c U u and su p m M lp o e e s h th s r f u u o d fite o f yo member , ME d a s be n e u for a ll n tha t h ma s, R N hank yo o io T h t T u s it e t ins Jon Franc e s
La urie,
The Golden Grads and Cla ss of 1964 reu nions wer e wonder ful. The events wer e fun and rela xin g and I fel t so car ed for. It wa s awe some to go through the gra dua tion proces sional and be rec ognize d. The Cla ss of 1964 wa s specia l and fun. We wer e a close group tha t sta y in touch and love eac h other. Thanks to ever yone involve d Regards, Br enda Ba rwick
Dear Laurie, Just thinking abou t our 50th Reunion is exciting. On Wednesday nigh t we had dinner at the Holiday Inn and it was great catching up. On Thursday we headed to The Countr y Club of Charleston for lunch and presentation of our 50-year medallions. Thursday nigh t we enjoyed dinner in the beau tiful setting at the Mount Pleasant Water front Park. Friday morning, after breakfast together at the hotel we donned our caps and gowns and left for graduation at The Citadel. It was simply amazing to see all of the graduates and learn of their degrees. A lot of schools have been added since we received our pins in ’64. Makes me ver y proud! I cannot say enough abou t the staff of the Office of A lumni Affairs and the College of Nursing. They treated us like VIPs – all we needed to know was a time – they took care of the rest. It was a truly wonder ful experience. -Royce Steele Cook, Class of 1964
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
39
ALUMNI CONNECTIONS
V
CLASS NOTES
[ 1977 ]
Board of Directors for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor
Cynthia Jones Norris has been a nurse for 42 years and has witnessed many changes in health care. She worked in the VA Medical Center in Charleston from 1972 until 1979. For the next 34 years she worked for Carolinas Hospital of Florence. In 1996, she completed the WOC Nurse Program at Emory University and currently serves on the Southeast Region Wound, Ostomy, Continence board. Ms. Norris has two daughters and five grandchildren. In 2013, she received a Palmetto Gold award.
Society for Nursing.
[ 1999 ] In July, Danielle Isbell Cluver (BSN, ‘99) took a position as a certified nurse midwife in Gallup, NM for Indian Health Services.
[ 2002 ] April Vanderveer (BSN,‘02) is a certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. In May, she joined
[ 1982 ] Lynette M. Gibson is the director of research in nursing at the University of South Carolina-Upstate. In this role, she mentors faculty in their research and scholarly endeavors. Ms. Gibson also continues her own research involving breast health disparities in African-American women.
[ 1991 ] Jearldine Gainey Tolson retired in 2008 after 27 years in coronary care at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC.
the staff of Gifford Medical Center in Vermont where she divides her time between Gifford OB/GYN and Midwifery in Randolph and the Gifford Health Center in Berlin. Previously, she worked for 11 years at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, VT as a birthing center nurse. She is board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.
[ 2003 ] Dawn Heyward (BSN ‘03, MSN ‘08) is a nurse practitioner providing care in the cardiology clinic at MUSC where she assists in developing a program for advanced stage heart failure patients to receive a
[ 1993 ]
left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Lennie M. Austin is a volunteer nurse at a free clinic.
Patients are implanted with a heart pump that provides the ability to
Tara Hulsey (MSN ‘93, PhD ‘98), is dean and the E. Jane
have normal cardiac output for their
Martin Professor of the School of Nursing at West Virginia
weak heart. Ms. Heyward also is a
University. She previously served as dean and professor
reviewer with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare for
at Charleston Southern University,
the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
College of Nursing and Allied Health. Dr. Hulsey has held numerous
program. She travels around the country to review other
leadership roles at the local, state,
VAD programs for compliance with Joint Commission
national, and international levels,
standards, a position she had held for the past three years.
most recently as the chair of the United Nations and Global Health Advisory Council for the International
[ 2004 ]
Honor Society for Nursing. She has
Kim Scott, FNP, AE-C, CORLN, (MSN ‘04) is working for
served as a curriculum consultant in the US and China for
Eastern Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists in Chesa-
her practice and education specialty of perinatal nursing.
peake, VA. She recently published her first book titled, Quick
Securing more than $2 million in grant funding, Dr. Hulsey
Reference for Otolaryngology: Guide for APRNs, PAs, and Other Healthcare Practitioners.
was principal investigator for one of the 15 pilot schools nationally for the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing initiative. She is a grant reviewer for HRSA and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Nursing
[ 2005 ]
Education. Dr. Hulsey is a Robert Wood Johnson Executive
Since retiring from the MUSC College of Nursing faculty,
Nurse Fellow and a Fellow in the American Academy of
Phyllis Bonham (PhD ‘05) has completed her term as presi-
Nursing. Currently, she is serving a four-year term on the
dent of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN)
40
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
Society and remains an active member. Today, Dr. Bonham is the clinical editor for WOCN, and chair of the wound guidelines task force. She also is
[ 2014 ] Valorie Barrett (DNP ‘14) announced the birth of her daughter, Vivienne “Vivie” L. Barrett on August 19, 2014.
involved in the society’s new online continuing education program, the
Brittany Phillips (BSN ‘14) works in an ICU in a south Geor-
Wound Treatment Education (WTA)
gia hospital. She expresses how grateful she is to have been
program. This program is designed to
educated at MUSC. “I personally believe, now so more than
empower wound, ostomy continence
ever, that the College of Nursing does a fantastic job of really
nurses to improve patient outcomes
encouraging young nurses to further their education and
by enhancing their wound team. Ad-
ultimately further the nursing profession. I really cannot
ditionally, Dr. Bonham co-authored
adequately express just how thankful I am to have gone to
the 2014 Guideline for Management of Patients with Lower-
a nursing school in an institution that challenges their stu-
Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD) and is authoring a chapter on lower-extremity arterial disease for a wound management textbook to be published in 2015 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins for the Society. In 2012, Dr. Bonham receive the President’s Service Award from the WOCN Society. She also received the South Carolina State Recognition Award at the Southeast Region WOCN meeting in 2013.
dents to move past the “status quo” and be proud to do so.”
Let Us Hear From You Have a new job, a promotion, an award or even a new family member? Let us know and we’ll include it in our next issue. Submit a Class Note at www.bit.ly/CON-class
PASSAGES Mary Helen Thompson, BSN ‘83
Sandra Cheryl Petty Brown, Diploma ‘66, BSN ‘73
December 31, 2013 | Wadmalaw Island, SC
July 15, 2014 | Charleston, SC
Tammy Renee Hall Hagerman, BSN ‘88
Norma Pacenta, Faculty member
April 17, 2014 | Charlotte, NC
July 20, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC
Jeannine G. Dymock, Diploma ‘62
Ann Harling Quattlebaum Blanton, Diploma ‘52
April 26, 2014 | Cayce, SC
July 24, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC
Donna Burke-Howes, BSN ‘93, MSN ‘02
Thomasine “Tommie” Gatlin Shuler, Diploma ‘56
June 25, 2014 | Waterford, CT
August 15, 2014 | West Columbia, SC
Francine Margolius, EdD, MS, RN, FAAN, professor emerita, passed away on August 6, 2014. in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Dr. Margolius joined the College of Nursing as an instructor in 1974, progressed in rank to associate professor with tenure in 1983, and served as department chair from 1995-2000 before retiring as professor emerita in 2005. She also was appointed as a member of the graduate faculty in the College of Graduate Studies in 1994. Among her many honors during her long career in nursing, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 1999. To honor their parents, both of whom worked for many years at MUSC, the Margolius children have established the Drs. Harry and Francine Margolius Memorial Fund at MUSC. Donations in their memory can be sent to: MUSC Foundation | 18 Bee St., MSC 450 | Charleston, SC 29425 (Please write, Drs. Harry and Francine Margolius Memorial Fund, in the memo line of the check.)
Fall | Winter 2014
LIFELINES
41
GIVING BACK
V
BSN RECEPTION BRINGS TOGETHER DONORS, RECIPIENTS
T
he College of Nursing’s innaugural BSN Scholarship Reception, held May 13, 2014, was a great success. Thirty scholarship donors and recipients gathered in the Pearlstein Healing Garden of the Hollings
Cancer Center. During the reception, scholarship recipients and donors had the opportunity to meet one another, many for the first time. During the reception, a brief awards ceremony took place to recognize each of the recipients, and tell the story behind each scholarship. Kay Chitty, a scholarship supporter and longtime friend of the College, briefed the audience on the current cost of tuition and the necessity of financial aid and scholarships for most of the nursing students. In addition, six new Legacy Society members were recognized for making a gift in their wills to support the College of Nursing. These new members are: Frances Thomas, Jacob and Jade Fountain, Bull and Dottie Halsey, and Renee Black. The ripple effect of the reception was felt within 24 hours as four individuals expressed an interest in making a planned gift to the College, and two people shared that they had already made a gift in their will. The College of Nursing would like to thank event sponsors, Renee Black and Gale Messerman, as well as everyone who attended and helped to make the event such a success. Congratulations once again to our student recipients! We look forward to next year’s reception.
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
V
AGE ISN’T A PREREQUISITE FOR LEGACY SOCIETY
M
eet Jacob Fountain, BSN, ‘14, and his wife, Jade, who recently were inducted as the newest
members of the College of Nursing’s Legacy Society. Shortly after Mr. Fountain’s
New Scholarships Established The College of Nursing is pleased to announce that two scholarship funds have been established that will provide funding to educate future generations of nurses.
graduation in May, the couple decided to make a provision in their will that would provide funds for a new nursing scholarship. In doing so, they became the College’s youngest planned-giving donors. The Fountains are very passionate about giving back to students in need, as they both received integral scholarship support at their respective schools. “We wanted to know how we could make a positive impact on future nursing students at MUSC because we both realize how fortunate we have been in completing our own degrees,” said Mr. Fountain, who today is a nurse on MUSC’s Total Joint Replacement Unit. “We really believe in the outstanding education that the MUSC College of Nursing provides to students through its dedicated and caring instructors, and we know that it
(Left to right): The newest members of the College of Nursing’s Legacy Society, Jacob and Jade Fountain, accept a token of appreciation from Toni Jernigan, MUSC’s director of planned giving.
produces highly qualified and talented nurses. It’s important to us to support the College of Nursing and its students now and in the future so that the tradition of excellence is continued.” Many people assume only the elderly join a Legacy Society, but this couple has shown that anyone can make such a gift through their estate plans, a gift that will change the lives of other nursing students for many generations.
WHAT IS THE LEGACY SOCIETY? The Legacy Society is composed of donors who have thoughtfully planned a gift to the MUSC Foundation as part of their will or estate plans for the benefit of MUSC. If you are interested including the College of Nursing in your will or estate plans, please contact Laurie Scott, director of development, at 843-792-8421 or scotlk@musc.edu.
Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing Scholarship Renee M. Black, College of Nursing Development Committee Co-chair, has established the Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing Scholarship in honor of her grandmother. Ms. Black is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional whose career began in nursing. She credits her nursing background with providing her with the skills and education necessary to create a unique professional niche in the business world. This scholarship will be awarded to a hardworking nursing student who is the first in their family to go to college, financially disadvantaged, from a rural or impoverished area, or a single parent who would otherwise be financially unable to enroll in a nursing program at MUSC.
Izant Family Foundation Scholarship Fund James R. Izant II and Natalie M. Izant established this scholarship to fund the education of graduate students in the College of Nursing. Mr. Izant was a patient at the MUSC Medical Center for many years and sadly passed away in 2013. His wife recently wrote, “The nurses of MUSC have meant so much to our lives over the past 11 years. My husband, Jim, received the best care possible and always had a good relationship with his nurses at MUSC. While I miss him terribly, knowing that this gift will help educate another health care professional gives our family great comfort.”
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GIVING BACK
The MUSC College of Nursing relies on the generosity of the many individuals, foundations and organizations that provide us with philanthropic support. We are pleased to share the list of donors from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. We hope that next year we may be able to add your name to the list.
>> $25,000 +
Dr. Laurine T. Charles
Ms. Renee M. Black
Dr. Kay K. Chitty and Mr. Charles B. Chitty
David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cumbie
Izant Family Foundation
Dr. Deborah C. Williamson and Dr. David R. Garr
Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation
Johnson Controls Foundation
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Betty C. Kelchner and Mr. A. B. Kelchner
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Mrs. Gale Messerman and Mr. Gerald Messerman
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Anonymous NMF Fund of Coastal Community Foundation
Sanofi-Aventis US, LLC
The O’Brien Family Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Mary E. Swain and Mr. David C. Swain, Jr.
Mr. Michael C. Pace
Mrs. Frances J. Thomas
Mrs. Susan F. Payne
Trident United Way
Mrs. Corinne V. Sade and Dr. Robert M. Sade Dr. John J. Schaefer III and Dr. Carol L. Simmons
>> $10,000 - $24,999
Dr. Gail W. Stuart
Mrs. Caroline W. Davis
Mr. Michael R. Sudzina and Dr. Mary R. Sudzina
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Evans
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Carl O. Falk, Jr.
Dr. Frank A. Treiber
Falk-Griffin Foundation Mrs. Sylvia D. Steinberg and Mr. Samuel Steinberg
>> $500 - $999
Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation, Inc.
Mrs. Mary B. Decker Dr. Daniel P. Gracie
>> $1,000 - $9,999
Dr. Teresa J. Kelechi and Mr. James R. Kelechi
Dr. Elaine J. Amella
Ms. Deborah S. O’Rear and Mr. Bert E. O’Rear
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Aid to Education Program
Mr. Stephen D. Schaer and Mrs. Sheree A. Schaer
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina
Mrs. Sharon P. Schuler and Mr. Milan R. Schuler
Ms. Alex Caton and Mr. David Contini
Mr. Nirav S. Shah and Mrs. Elaine Stuart-Shah
Bold denotes individuals who are MUSC College of Nursing alumni, faculty or staff.
Mr. T. Grange Simons V
Mrs. Aleta H. Burst and Mr. Thomas L. Burst
Ms. Cynthia B. Teeter
Col. and Mrs. Jack O. Burwell, Jr. Mrs. Patricia L. Bush and Dr. Charles A. Bush
>> $250-$499
Dr. Loretta B. Camarano-Kangas and Mr. Stanley Kangas
Dr. Elizabeth Bear
Mrs. Julie A. Caroff and Mr. Gilbert E. Caroff
Mrs. Shelton Bosley and Mr. William Bosley
Mrs. Penelope Chase and Mr. Chaz Walter
Mrs. Deborah H. Brooks and Mr. Jack J. Brooks
Lt. Col. Janet E. Chisolm-Richard and Mr. Floyd H. Richard
Mrs. Nadine G. Clair and Mr. Robert F. Clair, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Todd Clist
Mrs. Vanette S. Forbes and Mr. William L. Forbes
Dr. Toni E. Coaxum
Ms. Jeanine Gage
Mrs. Costa K. Cockfield and Mr. Flynn W. Cockfield
Mr. Norman P. Harberger
Mrs. Rhonda Collis-Yoder and Mr. John R. Yoder
Hilton Head Christian Academy
Mrs. Roberta H. Cone
Estate of Ms. Florence V. Illing
Dr. Brian T. Conner and Mrs. Connie Conner
Mrs. Beth Khan
Mrs. Patricia A. Cook and Dr. Taylor I. Cook
Mrs. Jane M. McCollum and Dr. Edward E. McCollum
Mrs. Caroline S. Counts and Mr. Henry O. Counts
Dr. Lynne S. Nemeth
Mrs. Betty D. Crowley
Mrs. Anna T. Patton
Mrs. Carolyn L. H. Cuttino and Mr. Edwin C. Cuttino, Jr.
Porsche Club of America Coastal Empire Region
Mrs. Dorothy Y. M. Dangerfield
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ricciardone
Mrs. Joan Y. Daniels and Mr. William L. Daniels
Ms. Laurie K. Scott and Mr. John Leiataua
Miss Margaret R. Danko
Mrs. Yolanda M. Simmons-Long
Mrs. Sylvia C. Davis and Major Edward R. Davis
Miss Ruby I. Tumblin
Dr. Kahlil A. Demonbreun
Mrs. Lori Vick and Mr. William S. Vick
Ms. Franetta L. Dinkins Mrs. Emily DeHay Dixon
>> $100 - $249
Dr. Annemarie S. Donato
Ms. Jean E. Alexander
Ms. Tracy T. Doran
Ms. Alexandra Allen
Mrs. M. Gwyn DuBose-Schmitt and
Mrs. Suzette K. Allen and Mr. Andy Allen
Mr. Heinrick A. DuBose-Schmitt, Sr.
Mrs. Kathy T. Alwahab and Mr. Allen D. Alwahab
Mrs. Gloria H. Dunlap and Mr. Robert L. Dunlap
Mrs. Erica L. Anders and Mr. Matthew D. Anders
Dr. and Mrs. James B. Edwards
Mr. James Antal
Mrs. Lisa K. Floyd and Mr. Chan C. Floyd
Dr. Melissa B. Aselage
Mr. Jacob J. Fountain and Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fountain
Mrs. Valerie H. Assey
Dr. Jenny R. Freeman
Mrs. Jessie D. Atkinson and Col. Harry E. Atkinson
Mrs. Paige W. French and Mr. John E. French III
Dr. Teresa W. Atz and Dr. Andrew M. Atz
Mrs. Eunice D. Fuller and Mr. Richard J. Fuller
Mrs. Katharine DuVal Beard and Mr. Henry E. Beard III
Mrs. Jewell G. Gibbons and Mr. George T. Gibbons
Dr. Janis P. Bellack
Mrs. Kathleen E. Goodwin and Lt. Col. Ronald R. Goodwin
Ms. Dene R. Bellamy
Mrs. Martha M. Gosnell and Mr. Wayne Gosnell
Dr. Pia V. Biason-Webb
Mrs. Mary K. Gwyn and Mr. J. Richard Gwyn
Mrs. Jane E. Biggs and Mr. Robert H. Biggs
Ms. Brenda C. Haile
Dr. Sharon M. Bond and Mr. James C. Blain
Mrs. Marjorie G. Halford
Dr. Phyllis A. Bonham and Mr. Carl N. Bonham
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harrington
Mrs. Beverly S. Bonner and Dr. Walter M. Bonner, Jr.
Ms. Anette Hebebrand-Verner and Mr. James S. Verner IV
Mrs. Deborah L. Boswell
Mrs. Sheralyn S. Heyse and Mr. Frederick H. Heyse
Ms. Jamie C. Bott
Mrs. Karen L. Hiott
Ms. Sarah Branoff
Mrs. Marian E. Hodge and Mr. Sammy O. Hodge
Mrs. Brenda M. Brunner-Jackson
Mrs. Marianne L. Holmes and Mr. Donald J. Holmes
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GIVING BACK
Mrs. Jan K. Howell and Mr. Al W. Howell, III
Mrs. Saranel M. Niver and Mr. James M. Niver
Mrs. Betty J. Howell
Mrs. Theresa L. Olsavsky and Mr. Stephen P. Olsavsky
Ms. Deidra D. Huckabee
Mrs. Ann B. Pachuta and Mr. John D. Pachuta
Ms. Catherine S. Hudak
Mrs. Carolyn F. Page and Mr. John L. Page, Jr.
Mrs. Gladys R. Hudgens
Mrs. Mary C. Perano and Mr. Alan M. Perano
Mrs. Kymberlie C. Huff and Mr. Stanley F. Huff
Mrs. Sandra H. Poulnot and Mr. Capers H. Poulnot
Mrs. Rebecca W. Hutchison and Mr. Steve Hutchison
Dr. Theresa Y. Rashdan and Mr. Ragab Mohamed
Mr. and Mrs. Rob Huth
Dr. Susan E. Reinarz
Mrs. Cindy L. Hyatt and Mr. Stephen D. Hyatt
Mrs. Beth-Ann B. Rhoton and Mr. James W. Rhoton
Dr. Carolyn H. Jenkins and Mr. Warren Jenkins
Dr. Jonathan Riddle
Ms. Zora K. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Rivers, Jr.
Mrs. Frances E. Jones and Dr. Barry N. Jones
Ms. Lori M. Robinson
Mrs. Anne M. Joseph and Dr. Paul T. Joseph, Jr.
Mrs. Catherine T. Rodenberg and Mr. John S. Rodenberg
Dr. Paul T. Joseph, Sr.
Dr. Julia B. Rogers
Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Joseph
Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Schmidt
Joseph Dental Associates
Ms. Sandra J. Schoch
Dr. Julius O. Kehinde
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schwabrow
Mrs. Betty R. Kimbrell and Dr. Fred M. Kimbrell
Ms. Margaret L. Senn
Mr. George Knoske
Dr. Jennifer E. Shearer and Mr. Ronald R. Shearer
Mrs. Mueiel L. Labonte
Mrs. Rebecca L. Sherwood and Mr. Ben Sherwood
Mrs. Barbara S. Laidlaw and Dr. James C. Laidlaw
Mrs. Elaine B. Simpson and Dr. William M. Simpson, Jr.
Mrs. Phyllis H. LaMacchia
Mrs. Donna P. Smith and Mr. David L. Smith
Mr. Rolando N. Landingin and Mrs. Glenda B. Landingin
Dr. Georgette M. Smith
Mrs. Mary Lee D. Lavelle & Mr. John L. Lavelle, Jr.
Mrs. Rebecca H. Smith and Mr. Arnold L. Smith
Ms. Lucinda J. Lewis
Dr. Valeria D. Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Limbaker
Dr. Dianne M. Smolen and Dr. Gerald E. Smolen
Dr. Collette R. Loftin
Mrs. Rosida K. Soriano and Mr. Jose D. Soriano, MD
Mrs. Julie L. Lorris and Mr. Peter H. Lorris
Dr. Ida J. Spruill
Mrs. Karen S. Lukacs and Mr. David W. Wozniak
Mrs. Paula F. Stabenau
M. Gwyn Dubose-Schmitt, Esq.
Mrs. Sue L. Stramm
Dr. Gayenell S. Magood and Mr. Robert L. Magwood, Jr.
Mrs. Patricia Z. Stribling and Mr. John Stribling
Mrs. Ada Faustina C. Mahaffey
Dr. Lya M. Stroupe
Mrs. Linda D. Manning and Mr. Raymond A. Manning
Mrs. Alice F. Summers and Mr. Franklin Summers
Mrs. Laura L. Marshall and Mr. Thomas W. Marshall
Mrs. Allison H. Swingle
Mrs. Marilyn M. Mattice and Mr. Wray W. Mattice
Ms. Nancy F. Tassin
Mrs. Helen A. McInnis
Mrs. Carole F. Taylor and Dr. James T. Taylor, Jr.
Mrs. Mary C. Moon and Dr. David W. Moon
Ms. Paula J. Thomson
Mrs. Kimberly C. Mouzon
Ms. Raquel Vining
Mrs. Caroline G. Mumford
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt O. Wassen
Dr. Carolyn L. Murdaugh
Mrs. Betty S. Whitesell and Mr. Joel Whitesell
Mrs. Julie McCulloh Nair
Dr. Sylvia A. Whiting
Ms. Mary J. Neff
Williams, Jones & Associates, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Nendorf
Ms. Phyllis R. Wilson
Mrs. Nancy E. New and Mr. William F. New, Jr.
Dr. Meredith C. Wood
Dr. Susan D. Newman
Mrs. Suzanne C. Yarborough and Mr. Edwin T. Yarborough
Mrs. Mary Jo B. Nimmo and Mr. Robert S. Nimmo, Jr.
Dr. Janet A. York
Bold denotes individuals who are MUSC College of Nursing alumni, faculty or staff. 46
LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
V
FAMILY FUND HONORS MAN BY SUPPORTING FUTURE By Allyson Crowell, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs MUSC College of Nursing. This spring Natalie honored her late husband by bringing the fund up to $50,000, the amount required to endow the scholarship and make it an ongoing gift. “We set this up, because we wanted our kids to know it’s important to give back,” Natalie said. “I wanted to get it up and running as soon as possible, because I think it’s what Jim would want. It’s my way to honor him. I wanted to know that there is another person out there who is going to start on the path to do something for another family that was so important to our family.”
A
The College of Nursing awarded the
few days after Jim Izant’s heart transplant, he slipped
first Izant Family Foundation Scholarship
away from physical therapy and into the transplant
to Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler, who recently
waiting room, where he found the family of a man
began the College’s online PhD program.
receiving a new heart that day.
A family nurse practitioner, Enia lives in
“He’s going to be fine,” Jim told them. The family saw the
Germany, where her husband works as a
surgical mask on his face and asked if Jim were their relative’s
physicist. She earned master’s degrees in
physician. “Oh no,” he said. “I’m the patient they did a week
both nursing and public health and takes
ago.”
particular interest in vulnerable populations.
That was vintage Jim Izant, according to his wife, Natalie.
Enia grew up in the West African nation of Liberia in the
The retired banker spent his free time racing with the Hilton
midst of civil war. Her parents sent her to live with a family
Head Porsche club and going to jam band concerts. When
friend in Rhode Island when she was 12 so that she could fin-
he died last year at age 55, his family and friends gathered in
ish her education. Enia became the first person in her family
Grateful Dead T-shirts, passing around his helmet to sign.
to graduate from college.
His long curly hair and beard first captured Natalie’s at-
She spent every summer volunteering with rural hospi-
tention when she was a 19-year-old bank clerk. But it was
tals in Liberia, and her master’s thesis focused on nutrition
his booming laugh – she cried when she heard it coming
for children in villages around the world. “I’ve always been
through the intensive care unit after his surgery – that’s what
drawn to nutritional disparities and lack of access to adequate
made her fall in love.
amounts of food,” Enia said.
People at MUSC came to know Jim over the years, during
She decided to pursue a doctoral degree while she has time
his transplant and several hospitalizations. Sometimes Natalie
during her husband’s contract abroad. Online education made
called to check on him while she cared for their two children
sense, since the Wenzlers have a 6-year-old daughter and a
at home in Hilton Head Island, and he asked her to call back,
4-year-old son at home.
because he had visitors.
“What I liked about MUSC was the program had a large mi-
The visitors, invariably, were Jim’s nurses. They made the
nority faculty,” Enia said. “I’ve always gone to school in places
experience tolerable for the whole family, especially on nights
where I was the only minority in class or in the major. I made
apart.
sure that I made an effort to go to a school with more of a mi-
“You see a doctor for maybe 20 minutes a day,” Natalie said. “The nurses are there with you eight to 10 hours a day. They are vital to the patient’s well-being—not just physical, but mental well-being.” Her son, Robert, said his father’s nurses brought empathy to their jobs. “It means a lot to a patient that they’re not just waiting to clean your dirty bed sheets,” Robert said. “They actually care.” The couple established the Izant Family Foundation Scholarship to help attract and retain top graduate students at the
nority presence. MUSC has a huge commitment to vulnerable and underserved populations, and there was a huge diversity.” Enia will complete her degree after returning to the US. She hopes to do research and teach, but she recognizes that her greatest satisfaction came from working at a clinic in Harlem and with orphans in Liberia – with people. “We’ve been told in nursing programs that we should always work at the clinical level, even if it’s only 10 hours a week,” she said. “I love being involved with patients and their families, so I plan to always do that.”
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LINES OF LIFE
“
Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.
�
- John Hume
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LIFELINES
Fall | Winter 2014
We look forward to seeing you! MUSC College of Nursing’s
HOMECOMING 2015
COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE 99 Jonathan Lucas Jan. 24 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.
WELCOME JAN
23-24 2015
LOWCOUNTRY BOIL & OYSTER ROAST Chas. Maritime Center Jan. 24 | 6-9 p.m.
HOME
You are a key to our continued success. All MUSC College of Nursing alumni are invited to return to Charleston for a weekend of reconnecting and remembering. • Catch up with former classmates • Hear the latest college news from Dean Stuart • Take a tour the newly renovated home of the College of Nursing • Enjoy a Lowcountry oyster roast For more information visit www.musc.edu/alumni Email: alumni@musc.edu | Phone: 888-202-9306 or 843-792-7979
NON-PROFIT US Postage
PAID 99 Jonathan Lucas Street MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425-1600
Permit # 254 Charleston, SC
e p n O Hous d n a Gr ANUARY 24th | 9:30 - 11:30 A e J
M
44,000 SQ ION LAB T F A T L O U F M R I S E N W O E V N A | T E D E C S A P 2 NEW C ORS T A V E LASSROOMS L E W | 54 ADDITIONAL WORKSPACES | NE NEW FOYER & ARCHIVES ROOM
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