2012 UCF NURSING MAGAZINE, vol. 7

Nursing

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Volume 7 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

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COLLEGE OF NURSING

Interprofessional

Medical Mission

Providing Care Abroad to Better Serve at Home UCF nursing and med students put their skills to the test in the rural mountains of the Dominican Republic, during a tropical storm.

UCF Daytona nursing student Leah White in the tropics

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ORLANDO, FLORIDA

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www.nursing.ucf.edu

INSIDE this Issue Nursing

FEATURES

magazine

Interprofessional medical mission: PAG E S 4 – 5

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Orlando health nursing lecture: PAG E s 6 –7 Nurse Executives Pursue Doctorates: PAG E s 8– 9 Ph.D. student receives Pegasus Award: PAG E 1 6 Dr. Wink Appointed Endowed Chair in Nursing Education: PAG E s 2 0 – 2 1

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Susan Chase, Ed.D., FNP-BC, FNAP Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs and Professor Linda M. Hennig, Ed.D., RN Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs Endowed Chairs / Professors Karen Aroian, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Chatlos Endowed Professor in Nursing Angeline Bushy, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, PHCNS-BC Bert Fish Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Nursing

Class of 1981 gather for 30-year reunion: PAG E 3 6

Diane Wink, Ed.D., FNP-BC, ARNP, FAANP Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing

Also in this Issue:

Dean’s Message: PAGE 3

Students at a Glance: PAGE S 1 4 –1 7 Research at a Glance: PAGE S 1 8–1 9 Faculty at a Glance: PAGE S 2 0 – 2 9 Giving at a Glance: PAGE S 3 0 –33

Become Faculty: PAG E 39

University of Central Florida

Jean D’Meza Leuner, Ph.D., RN, CNE, FAAN Founding Dean and Professor

Mary Lou Sole, Ph.D., RN, CCNS, CNL, FAAN, FCCM Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing

Alumni at a Glance: PAGE S 3 4 –39

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College leadership

Endowed Scholarship Honors Memory of Marlie kai Dodson: PAG E 3 1

Academics at a Glance: Pages 4 –1 3

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2012—Volume 7

UCF Nursing Magazine is published annually by the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida for alumni, friends, national nursing leadership, community partners, students, faculty, staff and the media.

Send correspondence to: UCF College of Nursing Attn: Editor, UCF Nursing Magazine 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300 Orlando, Florida 32826 For address changes, alumni notes, story ideas or photo submission, e-mail: nursing@ucfalumni.com Editor / Designer Carolyn M. Petagno Contributors Courtney Gilmartin, Lindsay Holmes, Linda Howe, Katie Korkosz, Zenaida Kotala, Gene Kruckemyer, Angie Lewis, Kathleen Sakowicz, Zack Shields, Susan White, Heather Williams, and Suhtling Wong-Vienneau.

Message from our Dean

Focused - O n O ur -

Future

Staying focused and determined to lead by example, ​the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida has embraced the 2010 published landmark report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.”

This report, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative at the Institute of Medicine (IOM), has identified four key messages that provide direction for nursing’s future: 1.

Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training;

2.

Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression;

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Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the U.S.; and

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Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and information infrastructure.

Imperatives such as increasing the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% and doubling the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020 have sparked curriculum changes and new partnerships in the UCF College of Nursing. This issue of UCF Nursing Magazine includes an article on our newest Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. partnership with Lake-Sumter Community College in Leesburg. The Concurrent programs at UCF are innovative, unique partnerships that offer seamless academic progression to the baccalaureate degree. Concurrent partnerships are already well-established with Seminole State College in Altamonte Springs and Valencia College in west Orlando, and serve as an excellent model for nursing education that can be replicated throughout the nation.

An Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program commenced in January with a unique format that has garnered much excitement and praise from both students and the community. At the beginning of the spring and fall semesters, a nationally prominent guest speaker is invited to campus to engage in an open dialogue with our community of nurses. The following day, the guest

speaker meets with our Executive D.N.P. students for a day-long intensive seminar, and the remainder of the semester is comprised of online coursework. The face-to-face kickoff event fosters collegial relationships among peers, while the online format provides the flexibility and convenience our doctorate students want and need.

A newly endowed chair in the UCF College of Nursing, whose purpose is to prepare the next generation of nurse faculty members, is not only timely — but critical. There is a well-documented shortage of nurse faculty to teach at all levels; however, there is also a need to promote lifelong learning for all nurses. It is most fortunate that The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation selected the UCF College of Nursing to establish the Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing. Dr. Diane Wink has made educating nurses and nurse leaders her passion, and she is well positioned to address the IOM report’s recommendation to “ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning.” Dr. Wink’s appointment to this endowed chair is an example of a partnership that goes beyond preparing nurse educators today, it is directly related to ensuring that the nurse workforce of tomorrow is well prepared to advance the profession and lead the change to improve healthcare.

In the UCF College of Nursing, we remain focused on the future of healthcare and the pivotal role for nursing. We will continue to embrace the IOM’s recommendations — advancing them will transform nursing and improve patient care. With more than 2,500 students enrolled in the UCF College of Nursing, I am extremely grateful to the dedicated faculty, staff, administration, donors and community partners for their on-going commitment to excellence in nursing education, practice, and research.

It is an honor and privilege to serve as your founding dean.

Jean D’Meza Leuner, Ph.D., RN, CNE, FAAN Founding Dean and Professor UCF College of Nursing College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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Providing Care abroad to better serve at home UCF nursing and med students put their skills to the test in the rural mountains of the Dominican Republic, during a tropical storm.

(left to right) Alexis Marano, Leah White, Amanda Hermida, Amanda Oyola, Dr. Laura Gonzalez and Ariana Gross

The Medical Missi on During 2011-12, the UCF College of Nursing traveled to the Dominican Republic twice to participate in interprofessional medical mission trips with the UCF College of Medicine. This is the first time the two colleges have worked together on a joint project.

The medical missions are part of an ongoing relationship the UCF College of Medicine established with the Universidad Católica Nordestana (UCNE) of San Francisco de Macorís in the Duarte province.

Medical and nursing students, led by UCF faculty, set up health clinics in the impoverished Cibao region during a three-day trip in December 2011 that laid the groundwork for the second trip in July.

For the six-day July mission, the 25-person interprofessional team traveled to six distinct rural communities on the outskirts of San Francisco de Macorís. They set up makeshift health clinics at local schools with each classroom assigned a particular specialty, such as pediatrics, triage, and internal medicine. They also set up a temporary pharmacy where they dispensed basic medicines for common problems, such as diabetes and hypertension. The medicines were donated prior to the trip, and sorted on-site. Additionally, the group set up an electronic medical records system so each patient’s care can be followed on return trips.

I n t er p r o f e ssi o n a l T e ams

“One unique aspect of the July trip was The UCF College of Nursing sent two fac- that we worked with senior medical students ulty members, Laura Gonzalez, Ph.D., ARNP, from UCNE,” said nursing instructor Ariana CNE, and Ariana Gross, M.S.N., ARNP, and Gross. “Every UCF nursing and med student two undergraduate stuwas paired with an UCNE dents, Alexis Marano (UCF medical student to enhance Orlando) and Leah White “Medical missions allow the learning process.”

(UCF Daytona) on the July Dr. Laura Gonzalez, an healthcare providers mission. Gross was also part assistant professor in the to work together in less of the December team where UCF College of Nursing, she supervised two other than optimal conditions, explains the significance of undergraduate nursing stuthe interprofessional teams, which is important dents, Amanda Hermida and “For many years, nursing Amanda Oyola (both UCF for team building and medicine have practiced Orlando). The students were in silos, and there hasn’t and interprofessional selected based on essays been a lot of interchange understanding.” they submitted on why they and exchange. The goal should be chosen. All are flu—Dr. Gonzalez moving forward is for nurses ent in Spanish.

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and physicians to work together and to learn from each other.”

Alexis Marano enjoyed the collaboration with the medical students, “It’s been great!

We’ve been throwing out ideas with each other. As a nursing student, I bring something different, but I’ve been learning a lot from the medical students, both from the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.”

Leah White concurred, “It’s been a really good opportunity because the med students are the same year as us with similar experience and backgrounds.”

Dr. Gonzalez said the UCNE students provided a different perspective on how patients are cared for, and they were really eager to chip in and do whatever they needed to do, which was helpful.

Marano says working in rural healthcare is a humbling experience. “Everyone works as a team for the same cause. Professional titles do not exist.”

R u r a l H e a lthca r e “Many of our students have never had an opportunity to see rural healthcare, what we have in the United States versus what other countries don’t have,” said Dr. Gonzalez, who has a doctorate in nursing with emphasis on healthcare disparities.

Her mindset is that patients deserve the same level of care and the same amount of respect, no matter where you are delivering care. “I want our students to come away

with an appreciation of all different types of patients, of all different types of care; to recognize how much they have and how much they can give,” she said.

from a tropical storm threatened to cut their clinic day short. Despite all this, the small team was still able to see more than 800 patients in just six days.

From an academic perspective, Gross says these trips are excellent venues to teach and hone students’ skills. They have to rely on their effective communication and assessment skills to help patients.

“It made me realize the true gift is in providing the best care possible, regardless of what supplies you may have,” said Marano.

“It’s great to know that with limited manpower and supplies, we can still make a difference in so many lives.”

“Resources are scarce and there’s no fancy equipment. Students learn to be creative and resourceful,” said Gross. “It also helps to build cultural competence as we learn to meet people halfway in meeting their healthcare goals. It is important not to impose our views and practices, but to assess their needs and resources,” she said.

Dr. Gonzalez agrees and says, “Medical missions allow healthcare providers to work together in less than optimal conditions, which is important for team building and interprofessional understanding.

It forces you to think on your feet. Every student should have the opportunity to go on a medical mission.”

The Benefit, here a n d abr oa d The group had limited medical supplies and each site presented its own unique challenges. Their work was made more difficult at a mountain location where there was no electricity, no running water, and flooding

White, who has been on a medical mission before to Guatemala, says it helped her feel a lot more confident in her nursing abilities.

“It’s also given me the opportunity to really grow in what I am able to do.”

Marano said she was happy to have the opportunity to practice her Spanish in the field. “Just trying to figure out the questions was the biggest thing; it’s been a great experience seeing the different cases, and hearing about different cases.”

Gross, who was born and raised in a thirdworld country, was not surprised by what she saw in the Dominican Republic and was happy she could use her skills as a nurse practitioner to help her fellow Latinos. “With every trip I make, the more I want to help my own community. The opportunities to help here and abroad are endless.”

For Dr. Gonzalez, it was a very humbling experience as well, and reinforced the fact that she loves to care for patients. “The

patients we saw were so grateful. It makes you appreciate all the things we have in our country, yet take for granted.”

Marano summed things up well when she said this medical mission has forever changed her. “Each experience opened up my eyes to a world that I had never seen.

Each day, I realized how much our work, seeming ‘minimal’ to many Americans, made such a difference to these people of the Dominican Republic. Interacting with the children, I saw happiness and a sense of wonder. Overall, this trip made me reflect on being able to experience true happiness and joy, both as a nurse and a person.”

G lo bal H e a lth E d u cat io n Fund The college aims to make a greater impact by sending more faculty, more students, and more supplies on future trips. “We want to do more, but we need community support,” said Jean D’Meza Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing. “Our long-term goal is to establish relationships with medical and nursing schools in other countries as well.”

A Global Health Education Fund has been established for private donations. The cost of providing care for hundreds of patients, including medical supplies, medications, and transportation of care providers, requires approximately $1,000 per student. To learn how you or your organization can help, contact Katie Korkosz at 407.823.1600. •

ACADEMICS at a Glance

Orlando Health and UCF College of Nursing collaborate on an annual nursing lecture series.

Dr. Daleen Aragon Penoyer and Anne Peach from Orlando Health, Guest Lecturer Dr. Martha Curley, and Dean Jean D’Meza Leuner and Dr. Mary Lou Sole from UCF College of Nursing (left to right)

Dr. Curley discusseS Nightingale metrics >>>

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everal hundred nurses converged on the University of Central Florida campus Oct. 16 to hear Dr. Martha A.Q. Curley, a pediatric critical care nursing expert, author and nurse scientist, speak on Nightingale Metrics. The presentation, hosted by UCF College of Nursing, was part of the annual Orlando Health Nursing Lecture series, established through a $250,000 gift to the UCF College of Nursing.

It’s an interesting time in health care with an emphasis on quality, safety and efficiency, Dr. Curley said. “Yet to be true to the legacy of Florence Nightingale, contemporary measurement in nursing should also call upon nursing-care processes that contribute to optimal patient outcomes.”

Dr. Curley discussed the importance of linking what nurses do to improve patient outcomes, how nursing is typically measured within health care organizations, and how the Nightingale Metrics process works to engage bedside nurses in the identification and measurement of unit-specific, patient-centered outcomes.

“Dr. Curley's inspiring message emphasized the importance of measuring outcomes to more fully understand the impact of their practice,” said Daleen Aragon Penoyer, director, Center for Nursing Research at Orlando Health. “In her lecture, she was able to relate research and measurement to the clinical practice of nursing.”

Dr. Jean D’Meza Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing, is grateful for the vibrant and longstanding academic-practice partnership with Orlando Health. “We are working together to heighten awareness of nursing research and how it directly relates to improving patient outcomes,” she said. “Thanks to Orlando Health’s generous gift, we are able to bring in world-renowned nurse scientists to share their expertise and enrich the entire nursing community through education and research.”

Dr. Martha A.Q. Curley

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University of Central Florida

Dr. Curley is the Ellen and Robert Kapito Professor in Nursing Science at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in Philadelphia. She holds a joint appointment in anesthesia and critical care medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and is a nurse scientist in the cardiovascular and critical care nursing program at Children’s Hospital Boston (Mass.).

Her transdisciplinary collaborative efforts have enriched multiple programs of research in pediatric critical care. Her work has informed the practice of caring for critically-ill pediatric patients supported on mechanical ventilation, has provided better tools to measure important phenomena of concern in pediatrics, and has illuminated relationship-based care when partnering with parents of critically-ill children. Dr. Curley is also the primary architect of the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care, a framework that strongly bases nursing care on patient and family needs, and has co-authored the textbook, “Critical Care Nursing of Infants and Children.”

The free lecture, sponsored by Orlando Health, was open to the public and attendees earned one contact hour of continuing education credit. This was the second annual lecture in the Orlando Health Nursing Lecture series. In 2010, Dr. Barbara Balik, a nationally renowned speaker and author, was brought in to lecture on “Maximizing Your Nursing Power: When Good Isn’t Good Enough.” •

<<< Orlando Health Endowed Fund

E Dr. Mary Lou Sole

stablished in 2009, the Orlando Health Nursing Endowed Fund supports three imperatives at the UCF College of Nursing: an annual lecture with topics addressing nursing trends; scholarships for students enrolled in the research-focused Honors in the Major program; and the Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing, held by UCF professor Dr. Mary Lou Sole, who is an internationally recognized acute and critical care researcher and a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the American College of Critical Care Medicine. •

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ACADEMICS at a Glance

(left to right) Inaugural Executive D.N.P. cohort: Shezel O’Neal, Melissa Bogle, Judy Ryan, Tracy Decker, Christopher Mortorella and Maria Stahl

Executives pursue doctorates Unique D.N.P. Format provides the flexibility nurse executives need

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new doctoral degree track at UCF prepares nurses in a leadership role to succeed at the highest level of advanced practice by becoming “change leaders.”

The degree track, a post-master’s Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), is the most recent example of the College of Nursing’s efforts at creating cutting-edge programs that give its graduates the ability to adapt and lead during challenging times in healthcare. The track will prepare students to shape practice, and their scholarly projects will make a difference in improving care for patients where they work.

“For busy nurse leaders, the program promotes out-of-the-box thinking to shake up what they are already doing, to support them in becoming change leaders,” said Susan Chase, Ed.D., RN, FNAP, professor and associate dean for graduate affairs. “They’re not just responding to new policies, but informing the policy and putting into practice the evidence that is there.”

The federal Institute of Medicine and other groups are calling for more advanced educational programs as the nation’s healthcare environment grows ever more complex and demands of nurses a higher scientific knowledge and practice expertise. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing and its member schools also support the growth of practice-based doctoral degrees to address national concerns about quality of care and patient safety. UCF’s program will prepare nurses to use the latest technologies, trends and research to address changing regulations and anticipated nursing shortages over the next decade.

Designed for working professionals, the part-time, flexible degree consists of online courses and an intensive multi-day seminar at the start of each semester. The seminar brings together theory and practice to round out the comprehensive program.

Curriculum focuses on areas such as decision making, leadership, and organizational analysis. In addition to opportunities for online collaboration with peers, the seminar will allow students to meet

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their professors and develop deeper relationships with faculty members and their colleagues. Nationally recognized leaders in healthcare will share their best practices during the seminars, and in an evening lecture open to the community.

The first group of students, who will stay together for the required nine semesters, began in January 2012.

As nurse leaders and administrators plan for policy changes, the Executive D.N.P. will provide them with analytic skills they can use to actively impact the environments in which they work, be it acute care, clinics, community health programs, Magnet preparation, strategic planning or overall interprofessional leadership. Through study and testing of evidence-based practice strategies, students will learn how to evaluate and apply existing research to improve practice innovations and outcomes.

“It’s a new opportunity to prepare nurse executives from different backgrounds to change practice in ways which reflect their professional and personal interests,” said Diane Andrews, Ph.D., RN., assistant professor and Executive D.N.P. program coordinator Led by UCF’s outstanding practicing faculty who have been on the front lines of change, students will put what they learn to work.

The degree culminates with a project that is completed during residency, which allows nurse executives to examine how to improve patient care and safety.

“We want them to think about the whole system of care, such as how to guarantee quality outcomes, while letting people on their teams be creative,” said Dr. Chase.

Nurse executives who hold a M.S.N. in nursing leadership and management are encouraged to apply. However, registered nurse leaders with a non-nursing master’s degree are also invited to apply.

To learn more about the Executive D.N.P. program, visit nursing. ucf.edu or contact Dr. Diane Andrews at diane.andrews@ucf.edu. •

In their words…

Maria sTAHL M.S.N. (N.Ed.), RN Nursing Services Director Brevard County Health Department

The main reason I chose UCF’s Executive D.N.P. program is the flexibility of the online, part-time format, and I appreciate a D.N.P. program that is not nurse practitioner focused.

The program will develop my knowledge base in exploring innovative research that can be applied to practice and enhance my use of evidence-based practice methods. As a member of the executive team, I will be able to strategically plan for the changes in healthcare and the future of my agency. As a community leader, I hope to make a greater impact on the health issues affecting the Brevard community. • Shezel R. O’Neal, M.S.N. (NLM), RNC-OB, C-EFM Director of Women’s and Children’s Services Celebration Health, Florida Hospital

This doctorate program is critical in providing an evidence-based approach to nursing practice, specifically focused around areas that provide leadership and mold practice standards.

I hope to use what I learn to grow other nurses into leadership, contribute more to transformational leadership strategies and successes, and grow our current service line to include a broader range of care for women and children on their healthcare continuum, all while improving processes in a unique, systematic, and evidenced-based way. •

Distinguished Lecture brings together students, national nurse leaders >>> The University of Central Florida College of Nursing kicked off the fall semester with an evening lecture on how to better use electronic health records to improve health care.

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haron McLane, chief nursing informatics officer and director of clinical transformation at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, shared her knowledge and expertise on the subject, and discussed the impact of electronic records on nursing workflow and

how to manage all the information available. McLane earned her Ph.D. in Healthcare Informatics at the University of Texas, Houston, and previously was director of nursing informatics at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The free lecture “Beyond Implementation: Informaticians & Meaningful Use” was open to the public and attended by healthcare administrators, clinical nurse leaders, community partners, prospective and current students, and nursing faculty. One attendee even traveled two hours from Tampa to attend the event.

Nurses had the opportunity to earn one contact hour of continuing education credit.

McLane said, “We are just beginning to become aware of the possibilities in using information to improve quality in healthcare,” adding that managing the increasing amount of information will be needed even more in the future.

The Aug. 23 event supported by Florida Blue, formerly Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, was part of the college’s semiannual Distinguished Lecture Series where a national leader is invited to discuss current nursing leadership topics.

The series spans two days, including the evening community lecture, followed by a day-long intensive seminar with the visiting professor and faculty and students in the Executive Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Launched this past January, the Executive D.N.P. is an online program, but the college brings faculty and students together at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters to discuss thought-provoking leadership topics with a national nursing leader.

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or the inaugural lecture, the college welcomed Donna HerrinGriffith to speak on “Leading for the Future: Planning for the New Healthcare Environment.” She is the senior vice president / administrator and chief nursing officer for Martin Memorial Health

Systems in Stuart, Fla. and the 2009 president of the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

Herrin-Griffith emphasized the importance of nursing leadership within the framework of healthcare reform, and said nurse administrators still function as nurses when they lead care.

“Their influence on practice may be more indirect,” she said, “but it still contributes to quality patient care.”

She shared strategic priorities that healthcare administrators and executive leaders should be cog-

nizant of in their leadership roles. And she emphasized that all nurses and healthcare administrators are working in a leadership role, and charged them with the responsibility of shaping the future of our healthcare industry.

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he next Distinguished Lecture for the community will be held Jan. 10 to welcome the second cohort of Executive D.N.P. students and kick off the spring semester. •

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ACADEMICS at a Glance

UCF’s Concurrent Program >>> A national model for success Data shows increased G.P.A., decreased attrition, higher NCLEX pass rates, and more.

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he U.S. is projected to have a nursing shortage that is anticipated to intensify as baby boomers age, nurses retire and practice demands become more complex. By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 1.2 million additional RNs will be needed. To meet this demand, the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are calling for nursing schools to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% and doubling the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020.

These imperatives, they say, are critical to advancing the health of our nation and the future of nursing.

Even with the critical need, nursing schools across the nation are forced to turn away qualified applicants due to a shortage of faculty members, budget constraints, insufficient clinical teaching sites and insufficient classroom space. Despite these challenges, the UCF College of Nursing is employing an innovative approach to achieve higher levels of education and training for nurses by providing a seamless progression to the B.S.N. degree, and in turn, promoting life-long learning in nurses.

An In n ovative Pa r t n er ship is F or m ed UCF initiated its Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program in 2003 with ten students at Seminole Community College, now Seminole State College. The program, a first of its kind, allows simultaneous enrollment in both associate and baccalaureate nursing programs. Today, the program has grown to 240 students enrolled at Seminole State College (Altamonte campus), and is now offered in partnership with Valencia College (West campus) since 2010 and at Lake-Sumter State College (Leesburg campus) since August. Discussions are currently underway with other state colleges to add more locations.

“At the UCF College of Nursing, we have doubled enrollment in the baccalaureate program over the past eight years by opening new programs and developing new community-based partnerships,” said Jean D’Meza Leuner, founding dean and professor at the UCF College of Nursing. “To increase the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees in the Central Florida community, we developed an innovative concurrent nursing program that provides qualified A.S.N. nursing students with a seamless articulation to the B.S.N. degree.”

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courses are held live at the state college. The B.S.N. courses, taught

by UCF faculty, are held initially live at the state college, but gradually transition to online as the program progresses. A tremendous amount of coordination happens between the two programs to ensure students meet all requirements and classes don’t overlap.

Depending on the location, the concurrent program takes four to six academic semesters to complete. Once the student completes the A.S.N. degree, they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam, and seek employment. After passing the NCLEX exam and becoming a licensed Registered Nurse (RN), the student can complete the remaining UCF courses for the B.S.N. in just one to three semesters, which is much faster than the traditional RN to B.S.N. program.

Th e B e n e f i ts The B.S.N. has become the standard level of education expected in the nursing field, and local hospitals give hiring preference to nurses with a B.S.N. degree. The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report, “The Future of Nursing”, states that higher levels of education and training are necessary for nurses to deliver safe and effective health care in this continuously evolving industry. UCF’s concurrent program aids in achieving this goal and significantly increases the supply of baccalaureate prepared nurses in the Central Florida community.

Additionally, initial outcome data for students who have completed the program at Seminole State College shows an increase in the average overall G.P.A. (from 2.74 in 2003 to 3.49 in 2011), an increase in nursing school entrance exam scores, a decrease in attrition rates at the state college level, and an increase in NCLEX pass rates for the A.S.N. student (from an average of 83.5% for 20002004 before the concurrent program began to an average of 91.4% for 2007-2011, once concurrent students started taking the exam).

H ow it works

Currently, approximately 380 nursing students are enrolled in UCF’s concurrent program across the three locations. Studies show that nurses who earn just an A.S.N. are less likely to pursue graduate degrees than are nurses with a B.S.N. Graduates of the concurrent program often return to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), which is the gateway to increasing the number of nurses with a doctorate by 2020. Graduate programs at UCF prepare nurses for leadership positions, research and faculty positions.

The Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program provides a dual-enrollment opportunity, allowing students to seek their Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) from the state college and their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from UCF — simultaneously. The A.S.N.

“Nurses with graduate degrees will be able to replenish the nurse faculty workforce, advance nursing science, and provide the leadership necessary to redesign healthcare systems and practice,” said Dr. Leuner. “Innovative programs like these are the future of nursing.” •

University of Central Florida

Donor Awards $25,000 to support UCF, Lake-Sumter Nursing Scholarships

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new $25,000 scholarship made possible by The Hans & Cay Jacobsen Charitable Foundation is supporting several students in the inaugural class of UCF’s concurrent Associate of Science in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which began in August at LakeSumter State College in Leesburg Fla. Each scholarship is helping to offset the tuition, fees and other costs associated with the B.S.N. courses.

Because of the rigorous academic schedule and clinical placements for the concurrent-degree program, students are typically unable to work at outside jobs.

“Scholarship support is a critical component of providing high quality education for

this community’s future nurse leaders,” said Jean D’Meza Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing. “These scholarships will not only help alleviate the financial costs of their higher education, but more importantly, they will enable the nursing students to focus on their academic successes.”

Teresa Borcheck, board member and president of The Hans & Cay Jacobsen Charitable Foundation, said the board is pleased to continue the legacy Cay Jacobsen established for nurses at LSSC by funding UCF’s inaugural class of B.S.N. students at LSSC. “Mrs. Jacobsen was a nurse and during her lifetime encouraged many young nurses to advance their education,” she said. “We are excited to know this program will produce

highly skilled nurses to serve the residents of Lake and Sumter counties,” she added.

Until now, students in Lake and Sumter counties interested in obtaining a B.S.N. degree would need to first complete their A.S.N. degree at LSSC and then enroll in UCF’s online R.N. to B.S.N. program (which takes 30 credit hours to complete) or travel to one of UCF’s campuses where the B.S.N. program is offered.

The UCF College of Nursing has been working hard to increase the number of nurses with a B.S.N. degree through partnerships established with five state colleges in Brevard, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, and now Lake-Sumter. •

Two Seminole State Concurrent Students first to achieve Honors in the major Aurea Middleton and Katherine Allen are the first students enrolled in a concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program to complete UCF’s researchfocused Honors in the Major (HIM) program. Both have recently completed their A.S.N. degree requirements at Seminole State College, passed their NCLEX exams to obtain their RN license, and defended their theses at the UCF College of Nursing. They are on course to graduate in May from UCF with their B.S.N. degrees.

As part of their HIM research requirements, both students have been working with Dr. Mary Lou Sole on research related to aspiration in mechanically-ventilated patients. Middleton’s thesis is entitled, “Biomarkers of Microaspiration in Oral and Tracheal Secretions

I saw HIM as a means of becoming more involved with UCF and as a starting point for learning how to actively participate in examining current standards of care. I have been able to further advance my interest in research while examining an area of great interest, the care of mechanicallyventilated patients.

Aurea Middleton

of Intubated Patients.” Allen’s thesis is entitled, “Pepsin and Amylase in Oral and Tracheal Secretions of Patients with Standard versus Continuous Subglottic Suctioning Endotracheal Tubes.”

They will be co-presenting with Dr. Sole in January at the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Annual Congress in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Their related abstracts have also been accepted for presentation in February at the Southern Nursing Research Society’s Annual Congress in Little Rock, Ark. Allen’s abstract was identified as one of the top scored student posters. “The majority of presenters at SNRS are doctoral students,” said Dr. Sole. “Having a top-scoring abstract is a wonderful acknowledgement of the quality of her work!” •

Honors in the Major has been an opportunity to stretch myself, experience creating and participating in original research while still an undergraduate. I saw it as an opportunity to work closely with experts in nursing research and learn more about the career. Eventually, I can imagine myself teaching and mentoring students.

Katherine Allen

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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ACADEMICS at a Glance

UCF Community nursing coalitions: Serving 16 underserved communities across five counties, providing countless care interventions to the most needy, Enriching the community through service-learning. conducting life skills classes for homeless families

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amilies with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, 1.6 million children (or one in 45 children) experience homelessness each year. This equates to more than 30,000 children each week, and more than 4,400 each day.

“Any extra skills we can provide for our families while they are in our program will help them when they become financially independent again.”

—Mary Alice Fish, Family Promise of Greater Orlando

In Central Florida, more than 9,500 children were identified as homeless in the 2011-12 academic year in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties (Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Student Assistance, 2011-12 Final Survey Homeless Counts).

That’s a 50% increase in the number of homeless children in the tri-county region since the 2008-9 academic year.

Children experiencing homelessness often suffer from hunger, poor physical and emotional health, and missed educational opportunities. With the current economic crisis, more and more families with children are forced into homelessness each day.

By partnering with the Family Promise of Greater Orlando, the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Nursing aims to assist the growing homeless population across the region. Twice a month, UCF nursing students conduct classes on differ12

University of Central Florida

ent life skills topics such as: nutrition, personal health, hygiene, and creating a safe and healthy home environment for children.

The homeless families in the Family Promise program move from church to church each week. To address this need, the UCF nursing students conduct classes in various locations throughout Orlando.

“We believe this collaboration with the UCF College of Nursing will take our program to the next level,” stated Mary Alice Fish, Family Promise’s executive director. “Any extra skills we can provide for our families while they are in our program will help them when they become financially independent again.”

In addition to this program, the child enrichment program was added about two years ago. “Adding programs such as these have made Family Promise a much more all-inclusive program,” said Fish.

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Orlando is to mobilize volunteers in the faith community to help homeless families achieve and sustain independence and selfsufficiency by providing them with homeless service programs that include: safe haven shelter, food, transportation, case management, life skills, employment assistance and to advocate for adequate housing. •

Dean Leuner and members of the VNA Foundation present Barone's wife, Carol, with a special certificate honoring her late husband.

Gift Honors Legacy Strengths community health

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hrough a $5,000 annual gift, the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Foundation has honored a former founding board member by naming the Winter Park Community Nursing Coalition (CNC) after him. The Armand Barone Winter Park CNC recognizes the late Barone for his dedication to service in the Central Florida community.

The Armand Barone Winter Park CNC partners with area schools, Boys and Girls Club of America, senior centers, clinics and health centers to provide health screenings, deliver meals and teach health education programs.

The annual support of the VNA Foundation helps underwrite the cost of providing these needed services to the community.

“Armand was a steadfast supporter of the community and we are pleased to partner with the UCF College of Nursing to honor his legacy,” stated Bob Wheeler, VNA Foundation treasurer. •

Providing Health Programs in Area Schools

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he UCF College of Nursing brings health programs to k-12 students across the five-county region through its partnerships with Central Florida schools. Groups of 12 nursing students and a faculty supervisor are assigned to Community Nursing Coalitions (CNCs). The 16 CNCs focus on primary and secondary prevention activities, such as health education and screenings.

The community benefits as the recipient of these programs. For the student nurses, the CNCs provide opportunities to observe, develop and practice competencies that are indispensable to nursing practice. Most of the educational initiatives are derived from evidence-based curricula developed by national leading organizations.

Through the American Lung Association’s “Open Airways for Schools” (OAS) program, UCF provides asthma education to children ages 8 to 11 about the disease, proper use of medication and how to prevent episodes. OAS’ 40-minute segments, which are presented at local schools and other community centers, educate students about self-management techniques. One grandmother shared how the program made a difference for her grandson when he prevented a full-blown asthma attack using the skills he learned from UCF nursing students.

Additionally, UCF nursing students provide several screenings in public schools, including vision, hearing, body mass index (BMI), and scoliosis, among others. Recently, the Oakridge CNC completed more than 1,200 vision tests at Palmetto Elementary. “Our students visited the school twice a week for one month, and screened every grade,” said Norma E. Conner, Ph.D., RN, coordinator of UCF’s CNC program. “Similar programs were carried out simultaneously by other CNCs across the region.”

Dean Jean D’Meza Leuner added that many of the k-12 students have limited to no access to healthcare. “When a problem is identified, the school often refers the student for further evaluation,” she explained. “Without access to screenings and interventions, these young students could develop larger health issues over time.”

Thanks to a one-time $50,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation and the college’s strong community nursing curriculum, UCF nursing students are able to provide these valuable services and make a positive impact — all while practicing their nursing skills in the community. “We continually need private support to enhance these services and reach more children,” said Dean Leuner. To learn how you or your organization can help, contact Katie Korkosz at 407.823.1600. •

partnering with Our whole community

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ur Whole Community (OWC) and the College of Nursing at the University of Central Florida have entered into a three-year agreement to offer local health assessments as faith-based organizations continue to take the lead on community health initiatives.

OWC will act as an agency of the UCF College of Nursing’s Community Nursing Coalition program. UCF provides more than 46,000 nursing interventions annually, via 16 Community Nursing Coalitions made up of undergraduate nursing students who provide service-learning curricula through partnerships in Central Florida.

“We will be working with pre-licensure nursing students in their Basic B.S.N. pro-

gram, as well as experienced, licensed registered nurses in their R.N. to B.S.N. program,” says Lavon Williams, OWC President/CEO. “The students will provide health assessments at events and programs put together

by OWC. It’s a perfect partnership.”

community, and OWC has the means for that to happen as they work toward promoting healthy living and wholeness for their collective parishes and congregations.” With this partnership, the college hopes to reach more seniors and residents of all ages.

Norma E. Conner, Ph.D., RN, coordinator of UCF’s Community Nursing Coalitions, says the college’s nursing students help prevent disease by applying classroom knowledge with health screenings, teaching wellness, and implementing community-service projects that empower community members to make healthier choices.

UCF College of Nursing has also agreed to be part of the OWC Health Expo to be held March 9, and one or more students will be joining the OWC Planning Committee for that event.

“The goals of these two groups are truly intermingled,” she adds. “The students require field work and experience in the

OWC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian corporation, comprises a group of faith-based organizations collaborating on community health initiatives to produce intergenerational wholeness and healthy lifestyle outcomes in the Central Florida area. • College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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STUDENTS at a Glance

twin nurses

– P ay it–

Forward

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or identical twins Kathia and Katrina Skinner, nurses didn’t just help save their grandmother’s life — they inspired them to pay forward the qualities they saw in those good nurses.

“We saw some great nurses who took time to ask how she was feeling, to just do little things,” said Katrina Skinner. “And we saw some really bad examples. We decided we wanted to do for families what the good nurses did for us — provide comfort.”

It was the girls’ experience watching their grandmother in and out of hospitals battling the late stage of Parkinson’s disease that destined the twins’ future.

The twins became one step closer to that dream when they earned their Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Nursing from the University of Central Florida on May 4.

Time Apa rt Originally from New York, Kathia and Katrina went to high school in Tampa, where they spent their teenage years running track, participating in school clubs and working hard to earn good grades.

At home their grandparents kept tabs on them, while mom called from New York multiple times a day. The twins were raised in large part (during their high school years) by their grandparents while their mom stayed in New York where she earned a higher wage so she could send both daughters to college. Then in the girls’ senior year of high school their grandmother began having health issues and the twins starting keeping tabs on them.

“It wasn’t until we came to college that her health issues really became significant,” said Katrina. “And our mother felt bad about us having to help with them, but she didn’t need to. We are who we are because of them and because of her. It’s the least we could do after all the sacrifices they made for us.”

It’s been a long journey for the family. Initially, the family was supposed to move to Florida together so the

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girls could have access to a good high school and their grandparents could benefit from the warm weather. So the family moved, but mom stayed behind until she could land a comparable job in terms of pay. She was a vice president at a medical company, and taking too big of a pay cut would impact her ability to care for her daughters and aging parents while saving enough for college. That comparable job never happened. Wages in Florida just couldn’t compare to New York and the family made the decision to stay apart.

“It was the most difficult time of my life,” said Margaret Cornelius, the twins’ mother. “I constantly questioned if I made the right decision moving them to Tampa during their teenage years when they needed me the most and I couldn’t be there for them on a full-time basis. In the beginning I cried a lot.”

But the girls thrived and Cornelius visited frequently, sometimes flying to Tampa four times a month to make sure she didn’t miss the big things. Even today the three talk up to four times a day on the phone.

At UCF, the girls ran track their first two years, but once they entered the nursing program, they hung up their spikes and dug into the College of Nursing’s demanding program.

S e pa r ati o n Wo r th th e P r ice Eventually they plan on opening up their own clinic, which will cater to their individual interests in medicine.

“Our big dream is to open a clinic where one half would incorporate holistic medicine, what I’m really into,” Kathia said.

“The other half would focus on pregnant women and babies, what I really love,” finished Katrina.

Their concentrations are not whims. As part of their nursing education, the girls were exposed to a range of opportunities through their hospital clinical rotations and experiential learning courses.

Kathia said the most touching experience that also made her angry was an opportunity to help veterans with some basic needs.

It was an open house of sorts in conjunction with other organizations to help veterans get health referrals and other basic needs such as a shower and clean clothes.

“One vet told me people had spit on him when he came back from Afghanistan,” Kathia said. “He told me about how hard it’s been coming back. That made me mad. Here’s someone who got hurt protecting us and people treat him like that. It was disturbing. At the end of the day I didn’t help him as a nurse, but he was so grateful

Students Travel to Pittsburgh <<< for NSNA Convention

The Skinner twins earned their B.S.N. degrees in May.

because I took time to listen — to connect as a human being.”

Katrina spoke about events at school where they helped children with good basic healthy habits. And they praised several professors and instructors.

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pril means National Convention for student nurses across the United States. It is when new national officers are elected and resolutions are heard and voted on in the House of Delegates. It is where students learn how professional organizations operate, as well as attend educational sessions, meet national nursing leaders, and interact with other nursing students and exhibitors from all over the United States.

“They helped us want more from ourselves than we thought we could do,” Katrina said.

“They are exceptional and I know I will be ready, having been through the program here.”

Their personal experience has prepared them too. The twins moved their grandmother to their Orlando apartment their last semester at UCF after she fell and broke several ribs. Two weeks before commencement their grandmother suffered a stroke.

To g e ther agai n The twins have since passed their NCLEXRN exams and are back in New York working as critical care nurses for Bronx Lebanon Hospital. They're on separate units — so not to confuse any patients and/or staff.

They are also living once again with their mother, and their grandparents are just three minutes away. They couldn't be happier!

In the House of Delegates resolution hearing, Ricardo San Jose, a UCF/Seminole Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. student, presented a resolution to make nursing textbooks, tests and lectures gender neutral. The resolution passed with overwhelming support.

The nursing students of the UCF/Seminole A.S.N. to B.S.N. Concurrent program also created a poster identifying that nurses are not just SHE.

They were at their grandmother’s side day and night to ensure she was OK. They experienced the anxiety of not knowing for sure what was going on even though they are medically competent. They became frustrated at not being told what was going on and not having a clear diagnosis.

“It was frustrating,” Kathia said. “But again, the nurses were great. They helped my grandmother and us get through it.”

life-size figure of Franco Harris in Steeler uniform. The convention kicked-off with a welcome party the first night. The following day, the educational sessions and House of Delegates opened. Florida, in general, was very well represented, and so was the UCF College of Nursing.

This April was no exception. The venue was Pittsburgh. A city nestled in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, framed by the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, connected by 29 bridges, and home of the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, to name a few. It is a multicultural city, filled with ethnic restaurants and music. The convention was held downtown at the convention center, along the river.

“We are blessed,” Katrina said. “And we’re so excited about our future. It’s been such an incredible journey so far.”

Several UCF nursing students had the opportunity to attend the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) Convention this year, thanks to an anonymous donor and the group’s fundraising efforts.

Her sister smiled. And they both said, “We can’t wait to make our mom so proud.” •

The group arrived in the city and were greeted at the Pittsburgh airport by a

The UCF group attended the house activities, visited more than 100 exhibitors and chose from dozens of educational offerings.

In addition, they heard many nursing leaders of today and past speak on key topics in breakout sessions, a keynote address, and a panel discussion. They even had the opportunity to meet the president of the American Nurses Association. New officers were elected, and the new president is from Florida!

On the final day, the group spent their free time atop Mt. Washington.

In all, it was a very successful convention. The students appreciated the opportunity and thanked the college for its support both financially and academically!

Next year, Charlotte, the Queen City!

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

•

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STUDENTS at a Glance

>>> Order of Pegasus The Order of Pegasus recognizes exemplary performance by UCF undergraduate students in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership, and community service. Graduate students are selected separately based on academic achievement, professional or community service, leadership, and publication or research experiences. Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this award, the Order of Pegasus is the most prestigious and significant student award that can be attained at the university.

2011: Sylvia Torres-Thomas, M.S.N., RN

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ylvia is a Ph.D. nursing candidate in the College of Nursing. She received her M.S. in nursing from UCF and her B.S. in nursing from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Sylvia is the recipient of the Drs. Linda M. and E. Glenn Hennig, Jr. Endowed Scholarship. She has served as the vice president of the Organization of Doctoral Students in Nursing at UCF and holds memberships in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Delta EpsiSylvia Torres-Thomas lon Iota, and Phi Kappa Phi. Service to her community includes Ph.D. Nursing Candidate work as a volunteer nurse for Shepherd’s Hope and extensive involvement in family and children’s ministries in her church. Sylvia has presented her work at a national conference in Washington, D.C. and has participated in National Institute of Health funded research.

Sylvia’s UCF Experience: My educational experience at UCF intensified my passion for scholarship, magnified my commitment to community service, and heightened my desire to achieve excellence. Having gained more than 20 years of hands-on direct patient care experience prior to beginning graduate studies, I originally envisioned my formal education would terminate with a master’s degree and teaching nursing at a community college. During my master’s education, I was inspired to expand my educational goals to include a much broader vision for my future. Pivotal in my education was encouragement from UCF nursing professors who urged me to pursue a doctoral degree. As a doctoral student, I have had the privilege of participating in NIH funded research and developed creative strategies for working with middle school girls. My commitment to scholarship and excellence resulted in an invitation to present at the 35th annual meeting of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses in Washington, D.C. My 16

University of Central Florida

community service contributions have significantly impacted the lives of others providing health services for the uninsured, extensive leadership service and involvement with families and health outreach programs in my church. UCF has provided me with tremendous educational opportunities to expand my vision of scholarship and excellence while contributing to the local and national communities.

Future Plans: As a nurse educator, I plan to teach and mentor nursing students; as a nurse researcher, I plan to make contributions to nursing science in the area of Hispanic health issues.

Sylvia was recently awarded a $6,000 grant from Sigma Theta Tau's Theta Epsilon Chapter to evaluate a community-based diabetes prevention program for Puerto Ricans. •

2010: Andrea Long, B.S.N., RN

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ndrea graduated from UCF with a B.S.N. degree in May, 2010. As a student, Andrea frequently made the Dean’s List, and was a recipient of the Mary G. Hitt Scholarship and the Walter Komanski Scholarship. She is a former LEAD Scholar, Housing and Residence Life resident assistant, member of the Student Nurses Association, and vice chair of the President’s Leadership Council. Andrea was a referee at the Recreation and Wellness Center and Andrea Long a crew member for the UCF Women’s Registered Nurse III Crew Team. She planned and particiIntermediate Critical Care pated in Cycling +1, biking 1,000 miles Orlando Health through China, Vietnam and Lao to raise money for Save the Children Foundation. Andrea has given back to her community by serving as a volunteer with Hope in Hand, Boys and Girls Town, Heart Walk, UCF Relay for Life, Give Kids the World, and participated in an Alternative Spring Break with Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair. •

Founders’ Day >>>

Each college selects a student to honor for their commitment to excellence in academics, leadership and community service at the university’s Founders’ Day ceremony held annually in April.

2012: William Crosby, B.S.N., RN William Crosby is a 14-year veteran of the Air Force. As a student, he was assigned to UCF’s ROTC program as part of the Air Force Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program. He collaborated with Dr. Mary Lou Sole, a Pegasus Professor, and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on his undergraduate Honors in the Major thesis, which focused on tracheostomy education for caretakers of patients with head and neck cancer.

Crosby was also recognized in February as the Undergraduate Researcher of the Month by UCF’s Office of Undergraduate Research and presented his research at the Southern Nursing Research Society conference in New Orleans. Crosby graduated in May with his B.S.N. degree and is now serving as a commissioned officer in the Air Force where he is a medical-surgical nurse at Langley AFB in Virginia. •

2011: Kelli Lipscomp, B.S.N., RN As a student, Kelli Lipscomb was a true leader at UCF’s Daytona Beach campus. She served as vice president for the Student Nurses Association in her junior year and then president during her senior year. Lipscomb created, organized and implemented community outreach projects, including an orientation and mentorship program for the incoming class of nursing students. She represented UCF nursing at the Florida Nursing Student Association State Convention and at the national meeting. In addition to being a full-time student, Lipscomb juggled other responsibilities as the mother of two children, a Sunday school teacher and a volunteer at local public schools and with the Girl Scouts.

Lipscomb graduated in August 2011 with her B.S.N. degree and works as an intensive care nurse at Florida Hospital Orlando. •

Research Grant Awards And other Student news >>>

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The Spring 2010 Dissertation Seminar cohort collectively received $16,250 in research grant funding. They are noted with an asterisk below.

Vicki Montoya*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $5,000 research grant from the American Nephrology Nurses Association. Montoya also received a $1,000 Florida Nurses Foundation grant and a $500 research grant from Sigma Theta Tau’s Theta Epsilon Chapter.

Christina Amidei received a competitive $10,000 Philips Medical Systems Clinical Outcomes grant from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. She earned her Ph.D. in nursing in August.

Kandis Natoli, a Ph.D. candidate, received a competitive $7,000 research grant from the International Lactation Consultant Association. The ILCA awards one grant per year. Natoli also received a Florida Nurses Foundation Imogene King Research Fund Grant.

Kristi Campoe, a Ph.D. student, passed her boards and is now a certified professional in health care quality.

Suzanne Pickens, a B.S.N. student, was awarded a $1,000 Lupus Foundation of Florida’s Martha Manuel Emerson Research Grant.

Valerie Danesh*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $500 Katie Brush Research Scholarship from the Society for Critical Care Medicine.

Deborah Saber*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $750 grant from the Florida Nurses Association.

Patty Geddie*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $1,000 research grant from the Lupus Foundation of Florida.

Cheryle Smith, a M.S.N. nursing leadership and management student, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives.

Sigrid Ladores*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $1,000 research grant from the Philippine Nurses Association of America and a $500 research grant from Sigma Theta Tau’s Theta Epsilon Chapter.

1 Carol Lawrence*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $5,000 HillRom/Celeste Phillips Family-Centered Maternity Care Research Award from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses.

Clelia Lima was accepted as a Scholar in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Invitational Health Policy Fellowship held in Oct. 2011 in Washington, D.C. Her D.N.P. project on sleep apnea was also featured in a June 13, 2011 eScience News article entitled, “Screening high-risk employees for sleep apnea could save a corporation millions of dollars.” Lima earned her D.N.P. in May.

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Susan Quelly*, a Ph.D. candidate, received a $500 Florida Nurses Foundation grant and a $500 research grant from Sigma Theta Tau’s Theta Epsilon Chapter. Quelly has since successfully defended her dissertation.

Candace Eden and Randy Miller, both Ph.D. candidates, and Debra Hunt, a Ph.D. graduate (‘11), each received a $500 research grant from Sigma Theta Tau’s Theta Epsilon Chapter.

Elizabeth Janke and Christine Townsend presented their respective posters at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Convention in 2012. Both students graduated in May with their M.S.N. degrees in CNS. •

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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RESEARCH at a Glance From the Director of Nursing Research

Making an Impact by Forging Innovative Research Partnerships “Great things happen when productive research partnerships are created and sustained. Below is an overview of two of the college’s ongoing research partnerships and why they are important.”

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n existing research partnership with Florida Hospital continues to flourish, generating clinically relevant research studies. Florida Hospital has funded a number of Scholar Awards for faculty-initiated research studies that address topics of mutual interest. Two new Florida Hospital Scholar Awards are for studies led

by Assistant Professors Linda Gibson-Young and Norma Conner.

Dr. Gibson-Young is studying family management difficulties that lead to hospitalization for childhood asthma. Dr. GibsonYoung’s study is an initial step in her plan to develop and test more effective interventions to assist families with the complex task of caring for a child with asthma.

Dr. Conner is studying what predicts nurse referral to pediatric palliative care services for eligible children. Dr. Conner’s study addresses an expanded definition of pediatric palliative care that includes new eligibility requirements for children. Her study findings will identify and provide the knowledge needed to remove referral barriers for children who could benefit from newly expanded pediatric palliative care services.

The funding model generated by the UCF College of Nursing Research Office for these two, as well as earlier Scholar Award studies, was showcased in a symposium at the

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Southern Nursing Research Society meeting in New Orleans. If palpable enthusiasm from an audience with “standing room only” is a good indicator, the funding model is likely to spread, making the UCF College of Nursing a pathfinder for others seeking to forge strategic alliances to advance clinical nursing research.

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et another vanguard for how the college is making an impact through research partnerships comes from deepening our existing interdisciplinary partnership with the UCF Institute of Simulation and Training (IST).

We are actively working with IST partner and computer engineer, Dr. Gregory Welch, to develop a unique technology for healthcare simulation training and research. The nursing research team includes Dr. Kelly Allred (principal investigator), Dr. Susan Chase, Ms. Erica Hoyt, Dr. Anne Norris, Dr. Mary Lou Sole, Dr. Steven Talbert, Dr. Patricia Weinstein, and myself. The project is funded through a Simulation for Healthcare Education and Learning Laboratory (SHELL) grant.

The technology offers high fidelity clinical assessment data that closely duplicates subtle patient physiologic responses and non-verbal communication cues through the use of a modified hospital bed with a modu-

Karen Aroian, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Chatlos Endowed Professor in Nursing and Director of Research, UCF College of Nursing

lar rear-projection physical virtual patient simulator. Also included are interchangeable full-body patient “shells” that physically represent different sized virtual patients, as well as sophisticated software that adjusts projections to modify patient features like gender and ethnicity. The software also operates optical touch sensors at different simulated body locations to provide appraisals of the virtual patient’s condition.

This innovative technology lays the foundation for a program of research about healthcare training to improve clinical assessment and critical problem solving.

Producing knowledge about training technologies for clinical assessment and critical problem solving is key to national efforts to reduce response time to life-threatening conditions and improve patient outcomes.

We anticipate that research about the innovative patient simulator we have developed through our partnership with IST and Dr. Welch will contribute greatly to these national efforts.

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dditionally, our faculty are engaged in other nursing research projects, spanning topics like rural health, faith community nursing, breast cancer, and airway management.

Dr. Angeline Bushy, co-investigator “Rural Health Clinics in Accountable Care Organizations” Funded by the National Institutes of Health Dr. Bushy is collaborating with principal investigators Drs. Thomas Wan and Judith Ortiz in the UCF College of Health and Public Affairs on this longitudinal study (01.01.12 – 12.31.15). Together, they are investigating the care provided by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to older adults in the Southern region of the U.S., as well as the costs of that care. A critical component of the Affordable Care Act (“Obama Care”), Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) offer potential opportunities to RHCs despite several rural constraints to ACO participation. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services defines an ACO as “an organization of health care providers that agrees to be accountable for the quality, cost, and overall care of Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the traditional fee-for-service program who are assigned to it.”

cess of the initiative through surveys and qualitative research methods. Her findings will help guide the development of future programs that will describe in detail the processes used by FCNs and measure outcomes of the practice. The evaluation plan will include aggregate reporting for the purpose of project refinement and sharing lessons learned and successes achieved with a broader audience so that sustainable models of FCN will continue to evolve.

Dr. Victoria Loerzel, principal investigator “Cognitive Representation of Treatment-Related Side Effects in Older Women with Breast Cancer” Funded by the UCF Office of Research and Commercialization Older women with breast cancer are part of an age cohort that is less likely to report treatment-related side effects (SE) than younger women with cancer and may forgo active management of these SE, choosing to live with them instead. Left untreated, these SE can have a serious negative impact of overall health, putting the older woman at risk for increased physical and functional limitations which lead to frailty.

Little is known about how the ACO model accommodates the unique challenges of RHCs, and the impact of RHC participation on the health disparities of rural older adults including those of minority groups. RHCs face numerous challenges such as serving The aim of this study is to understand cognitive representations communities with higher rates of chronic of SE and SE self-management strategies disease compared to urban communiof older breast cancer survivors. A mixed ties, and attracting and retaining qualified method study using descriptive design and professional staff. In analyzing how RHCs’ a grounded theory approach will be used. participation in ACOs affects their perforTwenty women within four weeks of completmance, this study will assist policy leaders Active Grants & Contracts ing radiation therapy for breast cancer will be in making decisions that will strengthen the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 invited to participate. Quantitative surveys health care safety net in rural America. will be used to assess demographic (includAs a co-investigator, Dr. Bushy will use ing functioning), disease and treatment characteristic, and cognitive her extensive experience and expertise in rural nursing research to representations of SE. Grounded theory and semi-structured intercollaborate with Drs. Wan and Ortiz in developing survey tools, con- views will be used to further explore cognitive representations and SE ducting site visits, and contributing to the analysis and interpretation self-management strategies used by older women. of qualitative research and statistical results across all survey years.

Findings from the study are critical to the development and future testing of SE self-management strategies for older women based on Dr. Susan Chase, principal investigator how they think about their SE. “Winter Park Health Foundation Faith Community Nursing

$2.1 M +

Evaluation Project” Funded by Florida Hospital’s Healthy 100 Program According to the International Parish Nurse Resource Center, Faith Community Nurses, also known as Parish Nurses, are licensed, registered nurses who practice “wholistic health with the intentional care of the spirit, assisting members of the faith community to maintain and/or regain wholeness in body, mind and spirit.”

In 2010, the Winter Park Health Foundation launched a comprehensive $500,000 Faith Community Health initiative to support faith communities interested in promoting whole person health in Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville by establishing Faith Community Nursing (FCN) programs. Grants have been awarded to programs that foster health promotion and support Mind-Body-Spirit care for individuals, families and communities in the designated congregations and surrounding community. Specifically, the programs support nurses new to FCN and provide leadership for sustainable programs that will continue after the grant is completed.

As principal investigator of the evaluation study, Dr. Chase will use her extensive knowledge of faith-based nursing to evaluate the suc-

Dr. Mary Lou Sole, principal investigator Dr. Steven Talbert, co-investigator “Characteristics and Airway Management of Patients who Undergo Tracheostomy (CAMP-TRACH)” Funded by Sage Products, Inc. Many hospitalized patients require a tracheostomy to manage the airway. The tracheostomy is often performed in patients who are intubated and require prolonged mechanical ventilation and/ or an artificial airway for secretion management. Limited nursing studies on this growing patient population (critically ill patients who undergo a tracheostomy) provide an opportunity to identify characteristics and needs of this population.

A retrospective analysis of characteristics and related nursing care needs will provide baseline data to identify issues that are potentially amenable to nursing interventions. Data will be analyzed with frequencies, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics specific to the research questions with the overall goal of improving outcomes in the patient with a tracheostomy. •

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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FACULTY at a Glance

Dr. Diane Wink with her symbolically engraved chair.

College Appoints First Endowed Chair in Nursing Education

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iane Wink, a professor and coordinator of the M.S.N. nurse educator program, has been appointed the Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing. With this prestigious endowment, Dr. Wink will further her work as a nationally recognized nurse educator and scholar, with expertise in service-learning and creative clinical teaching methods in both undergraduate and graduate programs.

Dr. Wink was recognized at an evening reception Aug. 24 on the UCF campus, followed by a UCF Theatre performance.

“Endowed chairs are essential to a university as it seeks to enhance the quality of teaching, research and service,” said UCF President John C. Hitt. “We are fortunate to have a highly valued and respected professor of national stature to occupy this exciting new endowed chair at UCF.” The shortage of nurses in the U.S. is no secret. Lesser known is the shortage of nursing faculty. Each year, several thousand qualified applicants are turned away nationwide,

in large part, because nursing schools don’t have enough professors. To help address this issue and to encourage nursing students to consider academic careers, the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation awarded the UCF College of Nursing $760,000 to fund this endowed chair and scholarships for students who aim to become nurse educators.

Jean D’Meza Leuner, professor and dean of the UCF College of Nursing, said it’s a great honor and a privilege to congratulate Dr. Diane Wink on her appointment as the Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing. Several national and international

There is a saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’

Well, It also takes a village to educate a nurse!

—Dr. Diane Wink

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University of Central Florida

nurse leaders submitted letters in support of Dr. Wink’s nomination for the endowed chair.

Of note are the comments from the Editor-in Chief for the journal, Nurse Educator.

Dr. Suzanne P. Smith wrote, “Dr. Wink has made many significant contributions to the quality of nursing education on a national level and in her writing, she clearly transmits the importance of always remembering the core of our work as teachers of nursing is helping students and nurses provide up to date, high-quality, evidence-based nursing care. Dr. Diane Wink exemplifies excellence in teaching and scholarship. She is an inspiring role model for faculty and students.”

Harold A. Ward, III, president of the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation, was unable to attend the reception but sent his congratulations in an e-mail. He wrote, “Dr. and Mrs. McKean were strong supporters of health care for our community, and I know they would be pleased.” Dean Leuner presented Richard Strauss, executive vice president and trustee of the foundation, with a certificate of appreciation.

Dr. Wink thanked the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation, her students, family and UCF for their support in awarding her the endowment. “I look forward to collaborating with our nursing faculty and students to obtain more grant funding to support the development of more nurse educators and increasing the national presence of UCF in organizations committed to the preparation of nurse educators.”

Dean Leuner shared a few of her accomplishments, “Dr. Wink was a pivotal architect for our community-based nursing education curriculum, a signature aspect to our program today. She helped develop the initial nurse educator certificate and she has coordinated the family and adult nurse practitioner tracks and now the nurse educator track in the graduate program at UCF.” Her friend, colleague and former student Dr. Christopher W. Blackwell, associate professor and coordinator of the nurse practitioner program, shared, “Dr. Wink is not only an extraordinary expert educator; she is also an amazing mentor. She has provided invalu-

able guidance throughout my career in academia; and I am forever grateful for all she’s done for me in my life. This endowment will greatly extend her reach.”

Dr. Wink has been a faculty member in the UCF College of Nursing since 1987 and was awarded tenure in 1995. She holds a B.S. in nursing from Adelphi University, an M.A. in counseling and guidance from Rollins College, an M.S.N. from Villanova University, and an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from UCF. She was also a Kellogg Faculty Fellow at East Carolina University, where she completed post-doctoral study to become a family nurse practitioner. Dr. Wink’s own active clinical practice allows her to incorporate examples from real life that enrich the material that students learn from books and papers.

Dr. Wink serves on the editorial boards of three national peer-reviewed nursing education journals and is an active member of several prestigious nursing organizations, including the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitio-

ners (AANP), in which she was inducted as a Fellow in 2010. In addition, she was recently invited by NONPF to participate as co-editor/writer in the revision of their major teaching document, Guidelines for Distance Education and Enhanced Technologies in Nurse Practitioner Programs.

“The Genius Foundation’s foresight and passion for helping combat the nursing faculty shortage — both from an immediate need and future need perspective — has been an amazing tribute to the McKeans and an innovative approach to solving a community challenge through philanthropy,” Dr. Leuner said.

Dr. Wink concluded, “There is a saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Well, it also takes a village to educate a nurse. I have been able to accomplish a lot in my years as a nurse educator because of the help, assistance and support to all of us in our village.

With this endowment, I hope to accomplish a great deal more.”

Scholarships will be awarded to qualified graduate students in spring 2013. •

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FACULTY at a Glance Associate Professor Julee Waldrop coordinates the M.S.N. to D.N.P. program and teaches graduate courses in the UCF College of Nursing. She also provides health care to children at a local community health center.

Why Walk When I can Run? Faculty profile: Julee Waldrop, D.N.P., ARNP, PNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE

J

ulee Waldrop wasn’t just on time for our 3 p.m. interview, she was early.

Knowing Dr. Waldrop, this should hardly come as a surprise. She has a history of getting where she wants to go — fast. Usually, it’s a finish line. As a former division 1 cross-country runner, elite road racer and triathlete, she never seems to tire of pushing her body to go faster. After all, Dr. Waldrop, associate professor, College of Nursing, has been running, racing and moving fast for 37 years, and shows no signs of slowing down.

“I can’t even remember when I started; it just seems like I was always running wherever I went.

Even today, if I just have to go across campus, I think, ‘Why walk when I can run?’” Dr. Waldrop says.

It’s that drive and attitude

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that have propelled Dr. Waldrop to excel — on the track, in her career, and in life in general.

When asked who it was that influenced and motivated her to chase her dreams, Dr. Waldrop sits back, gazes out the window at the crystal blue sky and thinks for a moment. Then, seemingly from nowhere, “Nadia Comaneci,” she says. Dr. Waldrop recalls watching the Romanian gymnast earn three gold medals and the first perfect score at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. “That was the first time I remember seeing someone truly striving to be her best, someone so driven to do what no one had ever done before,” she says.

As a runner, professor and nurse practitioner, Dr. Waldrop has certainly put the lessons of Comaneci into practice. She is driven, relentlessly so, to raise

University of Central Florida

the standards and the stature of the nurse practitioner profession.

And she is a tireless advocate for parental education, newborn safety and health, pediatric care, and the early prevention of obesity. The way she sees it, her professional, academic and athletic pursuits are not mutually exclusive. “When the body moves, the mind opens up,” she says.

“Running is my private time, a time to figure out problems. It definitely helps me write.” Her pages-long list of publications, including a provocative biweekly blog for The Clinical Advisor, are evidence that all those miles, all those hours of running have helped Dr. Waldrop achieve more than an enviable level of fitness and a plethora of medals.

She has earned the respect of students and colleagues. •

Professor Anne Norris, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, recently installed a treadmill desk in her office. A gift from her husband, he purchased the desk to keep her active while working on her NIHfunded avatar research. As well documented, sitting for prolonged periods of time can cause leg clots and other cardiovascular issues, but Dr. Norris hates to take breaks once she dives into a project. So now, she walks up to 12 miles per day while working. She says, “It is so easy! I can talk on my phone, write, type, send e-mail, drink water, etc. — everything I could do before while sitting!” •

How a Nurse Scientist Makes A DIFFERENCE Faculty Profile: Victoria W. Loerzel, Ph.D., RN, OCN

O

utside of her teaching and faculty research responsibilities as an assistant professor in UCF’s College of Nursing, Dr. Vicki Loerzel is also a Nurse Scientist for Orlando Health.

Within this role, Dr. Loerzel serves as a resource and mentor to nurses conducting clinical nursing research within the organization. Although her primary area of research is in oncology, she works with nurses in a variety of specialty areas.

As both a consultant and co-investigator on several studies within the organization, she has helped nurses with a desire to conduct clinical research to develop research ideas and problems, prepare research proposals, and conduct and coordinate their research studies.

Dr. Loerzel has a particular interest in qualitative research and also serves as a consultant for novice researchers who are

interested in asking open-ended questions or interviewing their study population.

Research can be very intimidating to many staff nurses who have identified clinical issues on their units but do not have the skills to formally study the problem and investigate ways to implement change. Having access to a Nurse Scientist is important as it allows novice researchers to share their ideas, discuss different ways to examine the issues, and realize their own potential as a research scientist.

Dr. Loerzel feels her role as a Nurse Scientist is very rewarding because she gets to see the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in nurses empowered to find solutions to issues on their units that they encounter every day.

Dr. Loerzel’s broad research interests include: illness representation, symptom experience and management, and quality

Dr. Norris works from her treadmill desk

of life in older cancer survivors; and nursing student and lay population knowledge of ovarian cancer.

In the UCF College of Nursing, Dr. Loerzel also coordinates the undergraduate Honors in the Major program, where students research, write, defend and publish an original honors thesis, and teaches courses in the undergraduate department. •

UCF Awards Dr. Jean Kijek Emerita status

J

ean Kijek, an associate professor emerita, retired in 2010 after a 25-year career at UCF. She served as chair for the Department of Nursing, hired faculty members, provided oversight for the curriculum and established partnerships and outreach.

Orlando Regional Medical Center, now Orlando Health, and Florida Hospital. Dr. Kijek secured grant funding for many college and university initiatives. In addition, she served as co-director of the Florida Eastern Europe Linkage Institute at UCF.

Dr. Kijek led the transition from department to school to the College of Nursing. Most recently, she held the position of associate dean of graduate affairs. She provided the vision and strategic plan to develop a master’s and two doctoral programs in nursing. She also helped establish nursing research committees at

Faculty and administrators who earn emeritus status have worked at the university for at least five years. Emeritus status grants them a lifetime link to UCF and honors the major professional contributions and distinction that they achieved in their careers at the university. •

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FACULTY at a Glance News Highlights >>> Dr. Christopher W. Blackwell promoted in 2012 to associate professor and now coordinates the post-baccalaureate nurse practitioner programs. He was recently elected to a three-year term as vice-chair of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Content Expert Panel for the national adult nurse practitioner certification exam. In 2011, he became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) after successfully passing the National League for Nursing’s board certification exam.

Dr. Angeline Bushy was invited to serve as a committee member for the state’s first Health Disparities Research Agenda. The agenda is a partnership with the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health, The Florida Center for Universal Research to Eradicate Disease, and the Biomedical Research Advisory Council, along with 31 of Florida’s health disparities researchers, including Dr. Bushy, whose expertise is in health promotion and disease prevention for rural residents.

Drs. Jacqueline Byers and Karen Dennis retired in 2012. Dr. Byers joined the faculty in 1998 as associate professor and promoted to full professor in 2006.

During her tenure, she coordinated the M.S.N. leadership and management track, taught and mentored master’s and doctoral students, and received numerous teaching awards.

Dr. Dennis joined the faculty in 2000 as full professor. During her tenure, she served as principal investigator on two R01 research grants

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University of Central Florida

($2.1 million and $1.3 million respectively) from the National Institutes of Health, and received numerous awards for her contributions to nursing research and graduate teaching. Both are fellows in the American Academy of Nursing.

Ms. Rachel Dailey joined the faculty in August 2012 as a visiting instructor in the Basic B.S.N. program on UCF’s Daytona campus. Her research interests include sustainability of healthcare intervention in developing countries, family practice and critical care; and teaching nursing students to use evidence-based practice. She has completed the M.S.N. courses for a family nurse practitioner B.S.N. to D.N.P. bridge program and expects to graduate in April 2013.

Ms. Dailey is a staff nurse in the surgicaltrauma intensive care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach where she precepts new staff and nursing students.

Ms. Krisann Draves received the 2011 Florida Nurses Association Heather Scaglione Award recognizing her significant and outstanding contributions to support the work of the Florida Nursing Students’ Association and nursing students as a whole. Ms. Draves is an instructor in the Basic B.S.N. program on UCF’s Cocoa campus and serves as the faculty adviser for the Student Nurses Association chapter for that campus.

Dr. Lori Forlaw joined the faculty in August 2011 as a clinical assistant professor. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, a certified business coach and a Feng Shui consultant. Her research interests include resilience, including genomics/health promoting genes, in active duty personnel, veterans, and leaders in clinical settings; traditional Chinese medicine approaches to weight management; and Feng Shui in healthcare environments. Most recently,

Dr. Forlaw served as an executive staff officer in the Office of the Army Nurse Corps.

Dr. Linda Gibson-Young joined the faculty in August 2011 as an assistant professor. She is a family nurse practitioner and her research interests include chronic childhood conditions, including family management of childhood asthma; maternal caregiving; smoking cessation; school-based interventions; and promoting evidence-based practice in novice nurses.

She is currently working with area hospitals to develop interventions for family management of childhood asthma in order to decrease child asthma morbidity.

Dr. Laura Gonzalez joined the faculty in December 2011 as an assistant professor in the undergraduate department. She is a certified nurse educator, an advanced registered nurse practitioner, and holds a Ph.D. in nursing from UCF. Her interests include simulation for training and translation to clinical settings, health disparities, and qualitative research methods. She is the chair of the college’s simulation committee, and is a steering committee member of the Florida Health Simulation Alliance and education chair for the International Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning.

She is bilingual in Spanish/English.

Dr. Carolyn Hix joined the faculty in August 2012 as a visiting lecturer in the graduate department, but has been teaching graduate courses as an adjunct lecturer since January 2011. Dr. Hix holds a D.N.P. in nursing administration from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. During her career, she has served in several nursing leadership positions at various hospitals and medical centers, and has taught at several nursing programs, throughout N.J., Tenn. and Texas. Additionally, she was certified in critical care for more than 20 years and an

advanced-board certified nurse executive for 15 years. Her nursing interests include implementation of evidence-based practice and quality initiatives in clinical settings.

Dr. Linda Howe joined the faculty in December 2011 as an associate professor. She teaches in the undergraduate program and in the nurse educator M.S.N. program. She also serves as faculty adviser to the Student Nurses Association chapter on UCF’s Orlando campus. Dr. Howe is a certified nurse educator and holds a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina.

She is a member of the Board of Governors for the National League for Nursing. Her research interests include nursing and institutional history, nursing education strategies, deep tissue injury prevention and healing, and pharmacogenomics. Prior to UCF, Dr. Howe held a tenured associate professor position at Clemson University’s School of Nursing.

Dr. Jean D’Meza Leuner was recently inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing for her outstanding contributions and achievements in nursing. Her alma mater, Seton Hall University College of Nursing, also recently inducted Dr. Leuner into their 2012 Hall of Honor.

In 2011, she was elected to represent the state of Florida and serve on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) through 2013. AACN is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, each of whom represents a member institution.

Ms. Geraldine Luzincourt joined the faculty in August 2012 as a visiting instructor for the Basic B.S.N. program on UCF’s Orlando campus. She holds a M.S.N. from Barry University and a post-master’s nurse educator certificate from Florida International University.

As a family nurse practitioner, she practices at Vitas Hospice. Her

research interests include cultural influences on health promotion and end-of-life decisions, and family practice.

Ms. Sherry MacDonald joined the faculty in August 2011 as an instructor in UCF’s Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. Her office is located on Valencia College’s West campus. Ms. MacDonald is a certified family nurse practitioner in primary care and volunteers at a local no-cost clinic. She has served as a quality management coordinator and manager of staff development at a local community hospital.

Her research interests include transition of student nurses to clinical practice, management of risk and quality outcomes in nursing, and illness prevention and health promotion in vulnerable populations.

Dr. Anne Norris received the 2011 Florida Nurses Association Mary Cash Award in recognition of her significant contributions to promote cultural diversity in nursing and healthcare through her research in the community and work with UCF nursing students.

Ms. Angela Ritten was honored recently with a new faculty adviser award from the National Academic Advising Association. Additionally, the Florida Nurses Foundation awarded her an Evelyn McKnight research grant towards her work on healthy living. Ms. Ritten is a nursing instructor and adviser for UCF’s Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program. Her office is located on Lake-Sumter State College’s Leesburg campus.

Kudos & Welcome !

Ms. Susan Ricci rejoined the faculty in August 2012 after a year’s leave as an instructor and adviser for UCF’s Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program.

Her office is located on Seminole State College’s Altamonte campus. She is the author of two nationally utilized nursing textbooks on maternal health. Her research interests are in women’s health, including childbearing throughout the life cycle and women’s rights (e.g., accessibility and equity of health services, violence against women).

Dr. Mary Lou Sole was nominated by her peers and recognized by the Florida Nurses Association with the 2012 Nursing Research Award that honors a nurse who has produced research of scientific merit with relevance to the practice of nursing.

Dr. Julee Waldrop is a regular contributor of pediatric topics for “Waiting Room” — The Clinical Advisor blog. Dr. Waldrop has served on the editorial board for The Clinical Advisor since 1998. You can follow her tweets @PedsTeacher on Twitter. In 2011, Dr. Waldrop became a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) after successfully passing the National League for Nursing’s board certification exam. She was also appointed coordinator of the college’s postmaster’s D.N.P. program.

Dr. Sharon Wright joined the faculty in August 2012 as a visiting lecturer assigned to UCF’s Concurrent A.S.N. to B.S.N. program at Seminole State College in Altamonte Springs. She is a certified nurse educator and holds a D.N.P. from Chatham University. Her research is focused on the impact of nurse residency and mentor programs on retaining new graduate nurses. • College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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FACULTY at a Glance

Publications

2011-2012

Dr. Mary Lou Sole and Ms. Susan Ricci published updates to their textbooks.

Diane Randall Andrews, Ph.D., RN Andrews, D.R., Richard, D.C.S., Robinson, P., Celano, P., & Hallaron, J. (2012). The influence of staff nurse perception of leadership style on satisfaction with leadership: A cross-sectional survey of pediatric nurses.

International Journal of Nursing Studies.

Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j. ijnurstu.2012.03.007 Andrews, D.R., Burr, J. & Bushy, A. (2011).

Nurse’s self-concept and perceived quality of care: A narrative analysis. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 26(1), 69-77.

Karen Aroian, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Chatlos Endowed Professor in Nursing & Director of Nursing Research

Aroian, K.J., (in press). Adapting a large battery of research measures for immigrants.

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi: 10.1007/s10903-012-9628-0

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Aroian, K.J., Khatutsky, G., & Daskevskaya, A. (2012). People of Russian heritage. In L. Purnell (Ed.) Transcultural healthcare: A culturally competent approach (4th ed.).

Philadelphia: F.A Davis.

Aroian, K.J., Templin, T.N., Hough, E.E., Ramaswamy, V., & Katz, A. (2011). A longitudinal family-level model of Arab Muslim adolescent behavior problems.

Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(8), 996-1011. doi: 10.1007/s10964-010-9615-5 Norris, A.E., Aroian, K.J., & Nickerson, D. (2011). Pre-migration persecution, postmigration stressors and resources, and post-migration mental health: A study of severely traumatized U.S. Arab immigrant women. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 17(4), 283-293. doi: 10.1177/1078390311408900

Christopher W. Blackwell, Ph.D., ARNP, ANP-BC, CNE

Loerzel, V. & Aroian, K.J. (in press). A bump in the road: Older women’s views on surviving breast cancer. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.

Blackwell, C.W., & Waldrop, J.B. (2012).

Certification in nursing education: Implications for nurse practitioner faculty.

International Journal of Nurse Practitioner Educators, 1(1). ISSN: 2161-0053.

Aroian, K.J., (2012). Discrimination against Muslim American Adolescents. Journal of School Nursing, 48(3), 206-213. doi: 10.1177/1059840511432316

Blackwell, C. W. (2012). Addressing alcohol abuse in gay men. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6(1), 90-91. doi: 10.1177/ 1559827611402595.

Aroian, K.J., Peters, R.M., Rudner, N., & Waser, L. (2012). Hypertension prevention beliefs in Hispanics. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 23: 134-142. doi: 10.1177/1043659611433871

Blackwell, C.W. (2011). Reducing alcohol abuse in gay men: Clinical recommendations from conflicting research. Journal of Social Service Research, 38(1), 29-36. doi: 10.1080/01488376.2011.583836.

Loerzel, V. & Aroian, K.J. (2012). Posttreatment concerns of older women with early stage breast cancer. Cancer nursing: An international journal for cancer care, 35(2), 83-88. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e31821a3843

Blackwell, C. W. & Dziegielewski, S.F. (2011).

Using the Internet to meet sexual partners: Research and practice implications. Journal of Social Service Research, 38 (1), 46-55. doi: 10.1080/01488376.2011.583842.

University of Central Florida

Blackwell, C.W. & Eden, C. (2011). Human papilloma virus and anorectal carcinoma knowledge in men who have sex with men.

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 22 (6), 444-453. doi: 10.1016/j. jana.2011.08.004.

Joyce Burr, M.S.N., RN, AHN-BC Andrews, D.R., Burr, J. & Bushy, A. (2011).

Nurses’ self-concept and perceived quality of care: A narrative analysis. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 26(1), 69-77.

Angeline Bushy, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, PHCNS-BC Bert Fish Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair

Ortiz, J., & Bushy, A. (2011). Focus group study of rural health clinic performance.

Family and Community Health, 34(2), 111-119.

Bushy, A. (2011). Rural Nursing: Practice and Issues. American Nurses Association On-line Continuing Education Program. Retrieved from http://nursingworld.org/mods/mod700/ rurlfull.htmhttp://www.nursingworld.org/ mods/mod700/rurlfull.htm Melhado, L. & Bushy, A. (2011). Exploring uncertainty in advance care planning in African Americans. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 28 (2), 495-500.

Andrews, D.R., Burr, J., & Bushy, A. (2011).

Nurses’ self-concept and perceived quality of care: A narrative analysis. Journal of Nursing Quality Care, 26(1), 69-78.

Molinari, D. & Bushy, A. (Eds.). (2012). The rural nurse: Transition to practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (in press). Community health nursing in rural areas. In C. Smith & F. Maurer (Eds.), Community health nursing: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders.

Bushy, A. (in press). Health care ethics in rural public health. In J. Warren (Ed). Rural public health. New York: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (in press). Connecting the dots: Nursing workforce development, clinical practice, research and theory. In C. Winters (Ed.) Rural nursing: Concepts, theory and practice (5th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (in press). Risk, vulnerability, social determinants and health disparities in rural populations. In C. Winters (Ed.) Rural nursing: Concepts, theory and practice (5th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (2012). Health issues of women in rural United States: An overview. In B. Leipert (Ed.). Rural women’s health in Canada. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto Press.

Bushy, A. (2012). The rural context and nursing practice. In D. Molinari & A. Bushy (Eds.). The rural nurse: Transition to practice.

New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (2012). Simulation in nursing continuing education: The wherefores’ and how to’s. In D. Molinari & A. Bushy (Eds.). The rural nurse: Transition to practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (2012). Program evaluation and outcomes measurement. In D. Molinari & A. Bushy. (Eds.). The rural nurse: Transition to practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co. Bushy, A. (2012). Population-centered nursing in rural and urban environments. In V. Stanhope & J. Lancaster (Eds.) Community health nursing (8th ed). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Publishers.

Susan K. Chase, Ed.D., FNP-BC, FNAP Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs

Dyess., S. & Chase, S.K. (2012). Sustaining health and connecting to faith. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 26(4), 221-227. doi: 10.1097/ HNP.0b013e318258527c Liang, H. & Chase, S.K. (2011). Online health information seeking by people with physical disabilities due to neurological conditions.

International Journal of Medical Informatics, 80, 745-753.

Newlin, K., Dyess, S.M., Allard, E., Chase, S., & Melkus, G. (2011). A Methodological review of faith-based health promotion literature:

Advancing the science to expand delivery of diabetes education to Black Americans.

Journal of Religion and Health. doi: 10.1007/ s10943-011-9481-9 Chase, S.K. (2011). The art of diagnosis and treatment. In L.M. Dunphy, J.E. WinlandBrown, and D. Thomas, (Eds.), Primary care: The art and science of advanced practice nursing (3rd ed., pp. 43-61). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Chase, S.K. (2011) Faith Oriented Communities. In R. Demarco and G. Harkness (Eds.). Community and Public Health Nursing: An Epidemiological Approach. (pp.

451-464). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Norma E. Conner, Ph.D., RN Conner, N.E. (2012). Predictive factors of hospice use among Blacks: Applying Andersen’s Behavioral Model. American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 29(5), 368-374. doi:10.1177/1049909111425227.

Conner, N. (2011). Threading Healthy People 2020 and health education through an undergraduate nursing program. Association of Prevention Teaching and Research.

Retrieved from: http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/ www.aptrweb.org/resource/resmgr/sp_ nursing/ucf_connor_cs.pdf?hSearchTerms=t hreading+and+healthy+and+people

Maureen M. Covelli, Ph.D., RN Covelli, M.M. (in press). A review of long term effects of low sodium diet versus high sodium diet on blood pressure, renin, alsodeterone, catecholamines, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Journal of Evidence Based Nursing.

Covelli, M.M., Wood, C.E., & Yarandi, H. (2011).

Biologic measures as epidemiological indicators of risk for the development of Hypertension in an African American adolescent population. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. doi:10.1097/JCN. 0b013e31822f7971

Leslee A. D’Amato-Kubiet, M.S.N., ARNP Kubiet, L.A. (in press). Chapter 16: Health and Wellness. In B.L. Yoost & L.R. Crawford (Eds.), Fundamentals of Nursing: Building Blocks for Practice. Chicago, IL: McGraw-Hill.

Jon W. Decker, Ph.D., ARNP, FNP-BC Decker, J.W., & Dennis, K.E. (in press). The Eating Habits Confidence Survey: Reliability

and validity in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. Journal of Nursing Measurement.

Beal, J., Decker, J.W., & Gibson-Young, L.M. (2012). Should families be present during pediatric resuscitation? Maternal Child Nursing, July/August, 37(4), 216-217. doi: 10.1097/NMC.0b013e318254a904 Decker, J.W. (2012). Initial development and testing of a questionnaire of parental self-efficacy for enacting healthy lifestyles in their children. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 17(2), 147-158.

Paul L. Desmarais, Ph.D., RN, CCRN Desmarais, P. (2012). Instructor manual and test bank to accompany Potter & Perry clinical nursing skills and techniques (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

Linda Gibson-Young, Ph.D., ARNP Beal, J., Decker, J.W., & Gibson-Young, L.M. (2012). Should family be present during pediatric resuscitation? Maternal Child Nursing, July/August, 37(4), 216-217. doi: 10.1097/NMC.0b013e318254a904 Saintsing, D., Gibson, L.M. & Pennington, A.W. (2011). The novice nurse and clinical decision-making: How to avoid errors.

Journal of Nursing Management, 19, 354359. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2834.2011.01248.x

Laura Gonzalez, Ph.D., ARNP, CNE Gonzalez, L. & Giddens, J. (in press). The use of innovative technologies as a strategy to ensure Hispanic nursing student success.

In A. M. Villarruel & S. Torres (Eds.), Hispanic Voices: Progreso, Poder, y Promesa. New York, NY: National League for Nursing.

Gonzalez, L. & Fenske, C.L. (2012). Use of a virtual community to contextualize learning activities for nursing education.

Journal of Nursing Education, 51(1), 38-41. doi:10.3928/01484834-20111130-04.

Gonzalez, L. (2012). Simulation workshop in Pan-America: Lessons learned. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 8(5), e177-180.

Stephen D. Heglund, Ph.D., ARNP Heglund, S.D. & Wink, D. (2011). Impact of double testing on student knowledge in a professional issues course. Journal of Nursing Education, 50(5), 278-280.

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FACULTY at a Glance Linda Howe, Ph.D., RN, CNS, CNE

Anne E. Norris, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

Samples, T. & Howe, L. (in press). African American nursing students’ perceptions about mentoring.

Nursing Education Perspectives.

Norris, A.E., Aroian, K.J., Warren, S., & Wirth, J. (in press). Interactive Performance and Focus Groups with Adolescents: The Power of Play. Research in Nursing and Health.

Jacqueline LaManna, M.S.N., ARNP-BC, ADM, CDE LaManna, J. & Amidei, C. (in press).

Endocrine alterations. In M. L. Sole, D. G. Klein & M. J. Moseley (Eds.). Introduction to critical care nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Norris, A.E., Hughes, C., Hecht, M.L., Peragallo, N.P., & Nickerson, D. (in press). A randomized trial of a peer resistance skill building game for Hispanic early adolescent girls: Impact and feasibility of DRAMARAMA. Nursing Research.

LaManna, J. (in press). QSEN best practice exemplars. In M. L. Sole, D. G. Klein & M. J. Moseley(Eds.). Introduction to critical care nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Wright, K., Byers, J., & Norris, A.E. (in press, 2012). Factors related to birth transition success of late preterm infants. Newborn & Infant Nursing Reviews.

LaManna, J. (in press). Endocrine alterations. In M. L. Sole, D. G. Klein & M. J. Moseley (Eds.). Instructor manual to accompany introduction to critical care nursing (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Norris, A.E. (2012). Path analysis. In S.B. Plitcha’s & E. Kelvin’s Munro (Ed.), Statistical methods for health care research (6th ed., pp. 399-418). Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott Company.

Victoria Wochna Loerzel, Ph.D., RN, OCN

Norris, A.E. (2012). Structural equation modeling. In S.B. Plitcha’s & E. Kelvin’s Munro (Ed.), Statistical Methods for Health Care Research (6th ed., pp. 419-444). Philadelphia, PA: J.B. Lippincott Company.

Loerzel, V.W. (In Press). Assessing baccalaureate students’ knowledge of ovarian cancer over time. Nursing Education Perspectives.

Loerzel, V.W., & Aroian, K. (in press).

A bump in the road- Older women integrating breast cancer into life. Journal of Pyschosocial Oncology.

Loerzel, V.W., & Aroian, K. (2012). Posttreatment concerns of older women with early stage breast cancer. Cancer Nursing 35(2), 83-88.

Loerzel, V.W. (2012). Bleeding.

In M. Hickey and S. Newton (Eds.), Telephone triage for oncology nurse (2nd ed.). (pp.8386). Pittsburg, PA: Oncology Nursing Society Press.

Loerzel, V.W. (2012).

Fever with neutropenia. In M. Hickey and S. Newton (Eds.), Telephone triage for oncology nurses (2nd ed.). (pp.143-145). Pittsburg, PA: Oncology Nursing Society Press.

Loerzel, V.W. (2012). Fever without Neutropenia. In M. Hickey and S. Newton (Eds.), Telephone triage for oncology nurses, 2nd ed.). (pp.146-149). Pittsburg, PA: Oncology Nursing Society Press.

28

University of Central Florida

Norris, A.E., Saber-Moore, D., Morrison, D., Morrison, D. & Trompeter, G. (2011).

Quantifying Intuitions about risk: Comparing public accounting firm partners perceived as “Risky” and “Non-risky.” Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research, 14, 67-90.

Ahern, N. & Norris, A.E. (2011). Examining factors that increase and decrease stress in adolescent community college students.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 26(6), 597-8.

Wirth, J., Norris, A.E, Mapes, D., Ingraham, K., & Moshell, M. (2011). Interactive Performance: Dramatic Improvisation in a Mixed Reality Environment for Learning. In R. Shumacker’s Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Vol. 6774). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, p. 110-118.

Susan Scott Ricci, M.S.N., M.Ed., ARNP Ricci, S. (2013). Essentials of maternity, newborn & women’s health nursing (3rd ed.).

Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Ricci, S. & Kyle, T. (2013). Maternity & pediatric nursing (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Ricci, S. (2013). Infant. In Edelman, C.L. & Mandle, C.L. (Eds.) Health promotion throughout the lifespan (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

Ricci, S. (2013). The prenatal period. In Edelman, C.L. & Mandle, C.L. (Eds.) Health promotion throughout the lifespan (8th ed.).

St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

Mary Lou Sole, Ph.D., RN, CCNS, CNL, FAAN, FCCM Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing Sole, M.L., Guimond, M.E., & Amidei, C.S. (In Press) An analysis of simulation resources, needs, and plans in Florida.

Clinical Simulation in Nursing.

Sole, M.L., Klein, D.G., & Moseley, M. (Eds.).

(2012). Introduction to Critical Care Nursing.

6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Burfield, A.H., Wan, T.T.H., Sole, M.L., & Cooper, J.W. (2012) A study of longitudinal data examining concomitance of pain and cognition in an elderly long-term care population. Journal of Pain Research, 5, 61-70.

Burfield, A.H., Wan, T.T.H., Sole, M.L., & Cooper, J.W. (2012). Behavioral cues to expand a pain model of the cognitively impaired elderly in long-term care. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 7, 1-17.

Sole, M.L., Penoyer, D.A., Bennett, M., Bertrand, J., & Talbert, S. (2011).

Oropharyngeal secretion volume in intubated patients: The importance of oral suction. American Journal of Critical Care, 20(6):e141-e145.

Guimond, M.E., Salas, E., & Sole, M.L. (2011).

Getting ready for simulation-based training: A checklist for nurse educators. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(3), 179-85.

Sole, M.L., Su, X., Talbert, S., Penoyer, D.A. Kalita, S., Jimenez, E., Ludy, J.E., & Bennett, M. (2011). Evaluation of an intervention to maintain endotracheal tube cuff pressure within therapeutic range. American Journal of Critical Care, 20, 109-119.

Vollman, K., & Sole, M.L. (2011).

Endotracheal tube and oral care. AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care. 6th ed.

Philadelphia: Saunders. Procedure 4, pp.

31-38.

Steven R. Talbert, Ph.D., RN Sole, M.L., Penoyer, D.A., Bennett, M., Bertrand, J., & Talbert, S. (2011).

Oropharyngeal secretion volume in intubated patients: The importance of oral suction. American Journal of Critical Care, 20(6):e141-e145.

Sole, M.L., Su, X., Talbert, S., Penoyer, D.A. Kalita, S., Jimenez, E., Ludy, J.E., & Bennett, M. (2011). Evaluation of an intervention to maintain endotracheal tube cuff pressure within therapeutic range. American Journal of Critical Care, 20, 109-119.

Julee Waldrop, D.N.P., ARNP, PNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE Page, R., Bently, M. & Waldrop, J. (in press, 2012). People Live Here. Maternal and child Health on Isla Isabela, Galapagos. In Stephen J. Walsh & Carlos F. Mena (Eds).

Social, terrestrial & marine interactions in the Galapagos Islands: Frameworks and perspectives. Springer.

Merchant, N. & Waldrop, J. (2012). The safety advantages of pentavalent vaccines.

The Nurse Practitioner, 37(4), 48-53.

Blackwell, C. & Waldrop, J. (2012).

Certification in nursing education: Implications for nurse practitioner faculty.

International Journal Nurse Practitioner Educators, 1(1) epub.

Waldrop, J. (2012). http://www.clinical advisor.com/the-waiting-room/section/1627/ Waldrop, J., Anderson, C., & Brandon, D.H. (2011). Guideline-based educational intervention to decrease the risk for readmission of newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. doi: 10/1016/j.pedhc.2011.09.002.

Houston, K., Waldrop, J. & McCarthy, R. (2011). Evidence to guide primary care providers in counseling Latino parents on feeding their infants and young children.

Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 7(4), 1-6.

Diane M. Wink, Ed.D., FNP-BC, ARNP, FAANP Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing

Knestrick, J., Resick, L., & Wink, D. (Ed.) (2012). Guidelines for distance education in nurse practitioner programs. 2nd ed.

Washington, D.C.: National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty.

Journal Editors & Editorial Boards Kelly Allred, Ph.D., RN-BC Editorial Board, Pain Management Nursing, since 2008

Karen Aroian, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Chatlos Endowed Professor in Nursing

Editorial Board, International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, since 2012 Editorial Board, The Scientific World Journal, since 2011

Christopher W. Blackwell, Ph.D., ARNP, ANP-BC, CNE Editorial Board, American Journal of College Health, since 2012

Angeline Bushy, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, PHCNS-BC Bert Fish Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair in Nursing

Editorial Board, Family and Community Health, since 1991 Editorial Board, Journal of Nursing Quality Care, since 1987 Editorial Board, Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, since 2001

Linda Howe, Ph.D., RN, CNS, CNE Editorial Board, Nursing Education Perspectives, since 2011

Jean Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Meza Leuner, Ph.D., RN, CNE, FAAN Editorial Board, Journal of Information Fluency, since 2010

Victoria Wochna Loerzel, Ph.D., RN, OCN Editorial Board, UCF Undergraduate Research Journal, since 2011

Anne E. Norris, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Statistical Reviewer, Nursing Research, since 1998

Mary Lou Sole, Ph.D., RN, CCNS, CNL, FAAN, FCCM Orlando Health Distinguished Professor in Nursing

Editorial Board, AACN Advanced Critical Care (formerly AACN Clinical Issues), since 2006 Editorial Board, American Journal of Critical Care, since 2000 Editorial Board, Heart & Lung, since 1992

Julee Waldrop, D.N.P., ARNP, PNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE Editorial Board & Contributing Editor, The Clinical Advisor, since 1998

Diane M. Wink, Ed.D., FNP-BC, ARNP, FAANP Hugh F. and Jeannette G. McKean Endowed Chair in Nursing Editorial Board, Nurse Educator, since 1994 Editorial Board, Journal of Nursing Education, since 2000 Editorial Board, Advance for Nurses, Florida Edition, since 2000

Weinstein, P.K. & Wink, D.M. (2012).

Technology Corner: Beyond Google Docs.

Nurse Educator, 37(2), 45-47.

Wink, D.M. (2012). Technology Corner.

Cloud Computing. Nurse Educator, 37(1), 3-5. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0b013e3182383371 Wink, D.M. (2011). Technology Corner.

Digital Books. Nurse Educator, 36(6), 233235. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0b013e3182333ff8 Wink, D. (2011). Teaching with technology: Optimizing use of Course management Systems. Nurse Educator, 36, 4-6.

Heglund, S. & Wink, D. (2011). Evaluation of knowledge retention from double testing.

Journal of Nursing Education, 50, 278-280. doi: 10.3928/01484834-20110131-06.

Smith-Stoner, M., & Wink, D. (2011). Technology Corner: Free web resources for teaching and learning. Nurse Educator, 36, 137-139.

Killingsworth, E., & Wink, D. (2011). Teaching with technology: Optimizing use of Library Technology. Nurse Educator, 36, 48-51. â&#x20AC;˘

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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giving at a Glance Getting to know Katie…

I

am delighted to have joined the College of Nursing in August, 2011. I have worked at the University of Central Florida since 2007 and my passion for higher education will prove beneficial to advance the college’s development efforts. As a proud UCF alumna and supporter, working for my alma mater is a dream job.

I am working very closely with Dean Jean Leuner and the UCF Foundation to identify, cultivate and solicit donors for a range of college priorities and needs, including programs, faculty research and scholarships.

My goal over this next year is to reach out to alumni, corporations and friends of the college to strengthen our relationship and engage you in the great work of the college.

The college encourages you, and all alumni, to get involved with your UCF family and invest your time, talents and treasure in the College of Nursing. I hope you will connect with us today!

To discuss investing in the college or ways you can get involved, please contact me at:

  

407.823.1600 katiek@ucf.edu 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32826

Ways to

Give

Join the Knightingale Society Founded in 2007 and named in honor of Florence Nightingale — the revered mother of modern nursing — the Knightingale Society provides donors with the opportunity to invest in nursing at the University of Central Florida. With the university’s mascot being the Knight, it only seemed appropriate to link UCF’s nursing society to her name with a “K.” Annual contributions of $1,000 or more will help the college lead the way in health care and provide scholarship funds to support our students.

Support Nursing Scholarships An endowed scholarship is a gift that the College of Nursing holds into perpetuity.

Endowed scholarships can honor classmates, faculty members, caregivers and relatives who have impacted your life. With this gift, you are touching the life of the honoree while helping to ensure that new generations of UCF nurses improve health and healing in our community. Gifts to existing scholarships are also welcome.

Leave your legacy with a Planned Gift A variety of giving methods are available that allow a donor to maximize their investment, increase their current cash flow and provide tax savings. The advantages a donor can receive from making a planned gift are enhanced by the knowledge that their gift will provide support for future generations of nurses. • 30

University of Central Florida

Katie Korkosz, M.S.

Development Officer UCF College of Nursing

M o re Gi ving Sto rie s • Aetna Foundation, page 13 • Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation, pages 3, 20–21 • Florida Blue, page 9 • Global Health Education Fund pages 4–5 • Hans & Cay Jacobsen Foundation, page 11 • Orlando Health, pages 6–7 • VNA Foundation, page 12

Marlie Kai Dodson 11.4.03 - 12.31.11

Shining Spirit A new endowed scholarship honors the memory of a little girl with big dreams.

A

little girl will have a big impact on countless lives thanks to the Marlie Kai Dodson UCF Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship.

After losing her eight-year-old daughter Marlie to brain cancer on Dec. 31, 2011, Sarah Dodson (‘01) reached out to UCF to establish a permanent tribute to her little girl who wanted to be a UCF Knight.

Because Marlie’s generous spirit made such an impact on those who cared for her while she was in the hospital, Sarah knew that the UCF College of Nursing would be the perfect home for Marlie’s memory.

The scholarship gift agreement was signed April 26 and will become endowed once it reaches the $25,000 mark. Dr. Jean Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing, presented Marlie’s family with a framed certificate honoring Marlie at the ceremony.

While touring the classrooms and labs at the college, Sarah told Dean Leuner about the thoughtful UCF nursing students who visited with Marlie when she was in treatment at Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Some even brought her gifts at the end of their shifts, Sarah said.

including her aunts, Jennifer Agnew (‘94), April Agnew (‘97), and Rebecca Dodson (‘11), and her uncle, Robert Agnew (‘99), who would buy Marlie a new UCF cheerleading uniform every time she outgrew the last.

“She was a complete ray of sunshine,” says April. “The sunny smile was a constant even during her lifelong battle with brain cancer.”

Through this endowed scholarship, the little girl who worried about others will get to help more people than she could have ever imagined. Marlie’s mother, a teacher in the Polk County School where her daughter was only able to complete the first grade, notes that she learned a lot from her daughter, “more than she did from me.” She said, “Marlie taught us about patience and being there — and love.”

The Marlie Kai Dodson UCF Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship will support future caregivers. Once fully funded, the scholarship will exist in perpetuity and be open to any nursing student who is committed to making an impact on others’ lives.

To celebrate Marlie by making a donation in her memory, contact Katie Korkosz at 407.823.1600 or katiek@ucf.edu. •

It’s easy to see why Marlie became an instant fan of all things UCF. In addition to her mom, four other family members are alumni, College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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giving at a Glance

D onors

Honored

T

he College of Nursing honored its 2011-12 student nurse scholarship recipients and their donors at the annual scholarship luncheon in March. This celebration serves to connect scholarship recipients with the donors who have positively impacted their academic experience.

Dr. Jean Leuner, dean of the College of Nursing, welcomed the donors and spoke about the importance of being able to recruit and retain the best and brightest students who will be the nurse leaders of the future. “Scholarship support is a critical factor that helps our students focus on their studies and the demands of a rigorous nursing education,” Leuner said.

Forty-seven scholarships totaling $65,000 were awarded to students, who average a 3.8 overall G.P.A. and are actively involved in the community. Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Jonathan Decker, Ph.D., ARNP, FNP-BC, impressed upon the audience how well-deserving each recipient is, given the fact that 602 scholarship applications were received this year.

Two Basic B.S.N. students, junior Samuel Foarde and senior Alyssa Ausnehmer, shared their appreciation with the audience.

Ausnehmer explained, “Through the donors’ kindness and commitment to rewarding hard work, the recipients of these scholarships are able to continue on with their education and pursue their dreams.” Ausnehmer graduated with honors in May. Foarde said, “Receiving these scholarships reaches far beyond our own thanks, rather the thanks of our future patients and their families.”

One highlight of the luncheon was the unveiling of a commissioned watercolor painting by local artist Dan Tilstra. The artwork hangs in the College of Nursing in honor of the generous scholarship supporters. It features the red clover, a flower recognized for its medicinal effects. Each year the college will commission a new commemorative piece.

Donors should save-thedate for the next luncheon in March 2013. •

32

University of Central Florida

Fa s h i on fo r N u r s i n g > > >

I

n March, the college hosted its first Fashion Show Fundraiser at Bella Winter Park, a women’s clothing and accessory store.

Store owner, Susan Johnson (far right), wanted to give back and agreed to donate 10 percent of purchases made over a fourday period to the college.

“My mother is a retired nurse and I know the commitment it takes in today’s world to become such a highly skilled medical professional,” she said.

The fundraiser featured four models, three faculty and one staff member in the College of Nursing, and raised more than $600 for the college’s scholarship fund. Dean Leuner thanked Johnson and her staff for hosting the event, and looks forward to the next event in March 2013. •

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Awards $40,000 for Nursing Scholarships

A

bout 20 students in the UCF College of Nursing will benefit from a new $40,000 scholarship grant made available by the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation.

The scholarships will be awarded to students based on academic accomplishments and financial need. Applications are accepted annually in September with awards issued the following spring semester.

“

As we prepare

the next generation

of nurse leaders, it is

reassuring to know that funds are available to support our students,

allowing them to focus on their studies and

tion, medical education and the allied health field.

More than 200 institutions participate annually in the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship program.

Lettie Pate Whitehead married Joseph Brown Whitehead, who secured an exclusive contract from The Coca-Cola Company in 1899 to bottle and sell the drink. After her husband’s death in 1906, Mrs. Whitehead assumed responsibility for the family’s business affairs, and became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors of a major American corporation.

clinical work.

“As we prepare the next generation of nurse —Dean Jean Leuner leaders, it is reassuring to know that funds are available to support our students, allowing them Mrs. Whitehead contributed to a number of to focus on their studies and clinical work,” said Jean Leuner, Ph.D., charities in Georgia and Virginia during her lifetime. Her oldest son RN, CNE, FAAN, dean of the College of Nursing. created the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation as a memorial to his father. Mrs. Whitehead established the Lettie Pate Evans FoundaThe Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation is a charity dedicated tion before her death in 1953. Through the benevolence of these two to supporting women in nine southeastern states. The Foundation foundations, the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation was formed and devotes most of its resources to its scholarship program, which procontinues her legacy. • vides scholarships to schools and colleges for deserving female students. The Foundation maintains a special interest in nursing educa-

Dean’s Knightingale Society Establishes Scholarship

T

he Knightingale Scholars Endowed Fund provides financial assistance to students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing programs.

“These students are our future nurse scientists, researchers, and faculty members,” said Dr. Jean Leuner, dean of the College of

Nursing. “Financial assistance for doctoral students is limited, so private support is crucial to their success.”

The first scholarships were awarded to Jacqueline LaManna, M.S.N., ARNP-BC, ADM, CDE, and Sigrid Ladores, M.S.N., ARNP, both Ph.D. students and full-time nursing instructors in the UCF College of Nursing (see photo above with Dean Leuner).

Dean Leuner with some of the new members of the Knightingale Society.

“I am very grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of this year’s Knightingale Scholarship,” said Ladores. “The scholarship allowed me to register for the threecredit hour Dissertation Research course and helped offset the cost of transcription services required for my data collection and analysis.”

LaManna is equally grateful. She used the scholarship to hire a research assistant and dedicated phone line to support her diabetes study, which has yielded a 70% response rate so far.

She attributes the positive response to her dedicated research assistant, who just happens to be her mother, a retired RN. “My mom is the reason I decided to become a nurse and she has been amazing in engaging patients to complete the survey,” LaManna said.

Founded in 2007, the Knightingale Society is a select group of generous supporters, made up of community members, faculty and staff, all of whom give annual donations of $1,000 or more to the UCF College of Nursing. •

College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

33

Alumni at a Glance

>>> Professional achievement 2011: David R. Hanke David Hanke (B.S.N. ‘81) is the vice president of global accounts for Thermo Fisher Scientific, a Fortune 300 organization that offers analytical instruments, laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents through three premier brands: Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific and Unity™ Lab Services. Prior to this, he worked as a nurse in ICU and trauma centers and as an administrator and executive in the hospital boardroom. With Thermal Fisher Scientific, he’s working in the field developing new ways to advance medical care for some of the world technology and innovation giants, and providing end-to-end laboratory solutions in clinical, drug discovery, and manufacturing laboratories globally.

Hanke says UCF prepared him well for his career. “I knew that I wanted to be a hospital administrator, and I felt the nursing labor budget was the largest and most complex part of the hospital organization,” he said. “So, I minored in business finance while obtaining the B.S.N. degree to differentiate myself as a hospital administrator.”

Throughout his career he remained focused on improving patient care — and now he’s in a position to invent new products that improve patient care. “We're doing things with mass spectrometry, where we’re actually mapping the human genome with our products,” said Hanke. “Being involved with that has been one of the most exciting things about my career!” •

David R. Hanke

Vice President,Global Accounts Thermo Fisher Scientific

Rising Star 2011: Jocelyn J. Mueller, M.S.N., RN Jocelyn Mueller (B.S.N. ‘06, M.S.N. ‘09) is a clinical nurse leader for the trauma step-down unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center, the area’s only level-one trauma center and a facility of the Orlando Health hospital system.

Jocelyn Mueller

Clinical Nurse Leader Trauma Step-down Unit Orlando Health

34

In this role, she closely follows 21 critical care burn and trauma patients, directing continuity, critical issues, communication and patient education. Mueller also works with other members of the interdisciplinary team to decrease length of stay and improve patient outcomes, provides specialized burn and wound care to patients, and directs performance improvement and nursing research initiatives.

Additionally, she serves on multiple committees and councils throughout the organization.

In her spare time, she volunteers at Shepherd’s Hope, collaborating with physicians to provide orthopedic and casting needs to the uninsured, and is also involved in community service activities through her church. •

University of Central Florida

2012 awards P r o f e ssi o n a l A chi e v e m e n t :

Lt. Col. MeLisa Gantt, U.S. Army (Ph.D. ‘10) r isi n g s t a r :

Kate Hughes, ARNP (M.S.N. ‘10) MeLisa and Kate were recognized at the Black & Gold Gala Nov. 3. To read their stories, visit ucfalumni. com/nursing.

Past Recipients >>> Professional Achievement

Rising Stars

2010:

2010:

Capt. Ginny Giroux, M.S.N., FNP-BC

Josh Harman, B.S.N., RN

Deputy Director, Training, FDA/Center for Drug

Previously a surgical intensive care nurse at

Evaluation and Research

Georgetown University Hospital, now a student

2009:

in the nurse anesthetist program at the Virginia

Maj. Edie Ruiz, M.S.N., RN

2009:

Education and Training Officer, Human Resource

Brian Ligad, B.S.N., RN, PCCN, CCRN

(B.S.N. ‘89)

(B.S.N. ‘95)

Command, Army Nurse Corps Branch

(B.S.N. ‘09)

Commonwealth University.

(B.S.N. ‘08)

2008:

Cardiothoracic intensive care nurse at Duke

Bucky Boaz, M.S.N., ARNP-C

student at Duke University School of Nursing.

(B.S.N. ‘94, M.S.N. ‘98)

Co-founder of The miniER Adult and Pediatric Urgent Care Center in Orlando, Fla.

2007: Kenneth W. Dion, M.S.N./M.B.A., RN

University Hospital in Durham, N.C. and CRNA

2008: Brandie Hollinger, B.S.N., RN (B.S.N. ‘07)

Pediatric intensive care nurse at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. and

(B.S.N. ‘91)

student in the USCF School of Nursing master’s

Founder and CEO of Decision Critical, Inc. in

program in health policy nursing.

Austin, Texas

nurses Week ‘12

In May, staff from the UCF College of Nursing and UCF Alumni Association visited select hospitals in the area to applaud nurses for their dedication and commitment to the health and well-being of the community.

The hospitals included: Florida Hospital, Halifax Medical Center, Orlando Health and Parrish Medical Center.

The college had a table at each facility to connect with alumni and friends. To show appreciation, all nurses who stopped by received a small UCF giveaway — and had the opportunity to win a UCF gift basket.

If you’d like UCF College of Nursing to visit your facility next, please ask your HR representative to e-mail nursing@ucfalumni.com. • College OF NURSING MAGAZINE

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Alumni at a Glance

class of 1981 thirty-year

Reunion The UCF College of Nursing Alumni Chapter hosted a 30-year reunion for the Class of 1981 on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. The class, made up of 28 students, was the first class in the nursing program.

Thirty years later, they returned to UCF with their families to join in the Homecoming festivities.

The group received a tour of the college, saw the resources currently available for students, caught up with their peers, received a college update from Dean Leuner and enjoyed an afternoon BBQ prior to kick-off. Those in attendance also received special ticket pricing for the football game to cheer on the Knights.

ReUKnight

Return Reconnect Remember

All UCF nursing alumni are invited to SAVE-THE-DATE for the next reunion to be held during homecoming week, fall 2013. Alumni from classes 1983, 1993, 2003 will be recognized. To ensure you receive your invitation, please update your contact information online at ucfalumni.com/nursing. â&#x20AC;˘ 36

University of Central Florida

>>> Class Notes <<< MILITARY NURSE? We want to recognize our nursing alums who currently serve — or have served — our country.

Please share your personal story online at ucfalumni.com/nursing or e-mail nursing@ucfalumni.com. •

1981:

1991:

2007:

Linda Davidson (B.S.N. ‘81) is employed at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, Fla. as director of case management.

Kenneth Dion (B.S.N. ‘91) ran the San Francisco Half Marathon in 2011 to fundraise and raise public awareness for Eileen Bowden, a school nurse who died suddenly in the spring of 2009 after saving the life of a softball coach who collapsed.

Brandie Hollinger (B.S.N. ‘07) interned as a health policy analyst for the National Coalition on Health Care in Washington, D.C., as part of the Paul G. Rogers Scholars Program. She writes, “I’ve been intensely involved in the most recent health care debate and was in front of the Supreme Court when the decision was announced! It was a wonderful experience.” Brandie began her final year at USCF in September 2012 and expects to graduate in June 2013 with her master’s degree in health policy. She is currently working as an RN in the PICU at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco, Calif.

Loreen (Caldwell) Hand (B.S.N. ‘81) is working as a clinical specialist in the CICU/ MICU at Florida Hospital Orlando. She works with Bob Rice.

David Hanke (B.S.N. ‘81) is vice president of global accounts at Thermal Fisher Scientific, a Fortune 300 organization. Read more about him on page 34.

Bob Rice (B.S.N. ‘81) is a staff nurse in the CICU/MICU at Florida Hospital Orlando. He works with Loreen (Caldwell) Hand.

Patricia (Alford) Schmidt (B.S.N. ‘81) is employed part-time as a nurse consultant to The Mayflower Retirement Community in Winter Park, Fla. She offers this advice to nursing students, “be open to new opportunities and to accept whatever challenges that nursing offers… you never know where it will lead… and, it just may lead to a career that you find that you love.”

1982: Dawn Milstead (B.S.N. ‘82) was appointed in 2011 to vice president of health services for HealthAmerica and is based in their Harrisburg, Pa. office. In this position, she oversees HealthAmerica’s statewide prior authorization, concurrent review, case management and appeals operations. She is also responsible for managing all utilization management activities, as well as coordinating NCQA accreditation and HEDIS reporting.

Shirley King Lynch (B.S.N. ‘91) is a CRNA for the VA in Orlando. After graduation from UCF, she served in the Navy for 20 years and then graduated from Barry University’s nurse anesthetist program.

1997: Mary Hammock (B.S.N. ‘97) obtained her M.S.N. from Emory University in 1999 and in 2011 opened her own pediatric practice, Healthy Steps Pediatrics, in Marietta, Ga. She is the author of six children’s books: “My Name is Jacob and I am Autistic” and “Little Lamb Lily Wakes with an Ear Ache” were published in January 2012, “Matthew Moose Goes for a Check Up” and “Princess Reagan and the Paci Fairy” were published in August 2012, and “Kangaroo Kate Has Asthma” and “Caterpillar Cole Breaks a Leg” are expected in late 2013.

2001: Louise Kaigle (B.S.N. ‘01) was nominated by her peers and recognized by the Florida Nurses Association with the 2012 Nursing Administration Award that honors an outstanding administrative leader in nursing.

Louise is the chief nursing officer at Arnold Palmer Medical Center, Orlando Health, where she oversees both hospitals bearing the Palmer name.

2008: Amanda (LaFontaine) Hughes (B.S.N. ‘08) works at Palm Bay Hospital in critical care. She is a CCRN and started studying for her CRNA in January 2011.

2009: DeAnna Beverly (M.S.N. ‘09), a graduate of the M.S.N. nursing leadership and management program and adjunct instructor, has recently been appointed administrator of Chiefland Haven Care, overseeing their in-home service line, their care center and the in-facility care service line. Chiefland Haven Care is part of Haven Hospice, which serves 17 counties across the state of Florida. Previously, DeAnna served as assistant administrator of Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center in Crystal River, Fla. where she was responsible for all clinical operations and maintained accountability for the oversight of quality and risk management. (continued on page 38)

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Alumni at a Glance

In the spring, our chapter participated in the Simply Speaking HBV Lecture Series by hosting continuing education dinners in Melbourne, Daytona and Orlando. Alumni and friends learned about HBV screening, baseline testing, preferred treatment options and considerations for ongoing patient care. Participants earned one contact hour.

Josh Harman (B.S.N. ‘09) recently completed his first year of the nurse anesthesia program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. He anticipates earning his M.S.N.A. in December 2013 and his D.N.A.P. in 2014. He returned to the D.C. area in August to finish out the program in the Inova Hospital System. He and his wife celebrated their first wedding anniversary in July.

Irena (Rodriguez) Jaglal (B.S.N. ‘09) and husband, Anthony, welcomed their first child, Elijah Vijay, on July 29, 2012. He weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and measured 21 inches.

The Jaglal’s were married in May 2011 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico and honeymooned in Barcelona, Spain. Irena is an assistant nurse manager in the progressive care unit at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Orlando Health.

Brian Ligad (B.S.N. ‘09) was recently accepted into Duke University’s M.S.N. nurse anesthesia program, commencing January 2013. He became a CCRN in 2011 and works in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C.

2010: Lisa Bowman (B.S.N. ‘02, M.S.N. ‘10) was named the Orlando Business Journal’s 2011 Nurse Hero of the Year.

As Chief Nursing Officer for Florida Hospital for Children, Lisa led the hospital in its three-year pursuit of the coveted Magnet Designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Lisa has an M.S.N. in nursing leadership and management.

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University of Central Florida

2011: Cody Hudgens (VALOR student, B.S.N. ‘11) traveled to Guatemala in 2011 to participate in a medical mission at a rural health clinic. Before her clinic work began, she attended an intensive language school and lived with a local family for full emersion. She documented her experience on her blog, thegreatexchange.blogspot.com.

Cody writes, “Within a little less than four days, 125 Mayans received prescription eyeglasses, and 26 patients received cataract surgery. These surgeries will forever change their lives. Mayans traveled from all over the country to come to our clinic, and received the gift of sight. It is so humbling to be a part of something like this.”

Mary Stump (B.S.N. ‘08, M.S.N. ‘11) has accepted a teaching position at the Health Academy at Seminole High School in Sanford, Fla. She writes, “I feel confident that my M.S.N. nurse educator degree from UCF has prepared me for this opportunity to work with young people as they consider a career in the medical profession.” Additionally, Mary was recognized as the 2012 Florida School Health Association Nurse Educator of the Year and presented her evidence-based practice research, “Breakfast and Academic Performance”, at the Florida Association for School Nurses conference in Orlando, Fla.

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UCF College of Nursing Alumni Chapter

Molly Wilhelm (B.S.N. ‘11) was recently published in the University of Central Florida Undergraduate Research Journal. During her undergraduate studies, she pursued a rigorous course of research through the university’s Honors in the Major program, which resulted in the peer-reviewed publication of her article, “Understanding Older Women’s Experience of Being Diagnosed with Breast Cancer.” Dr. Vicki Loerzel served as Molly’s research mentor.

2012: Jennifer Konowitz (B.S.N. ‘08, M.S.N. ‘12) recently graduated with her M.S.N. and is board certified as a family nurse practitioner. She is a long time UCF supporter, having previously earned undergraduate degrees from both the Nicholson School of Communications (Ad/PR ‘00) and College of Nursing (B.S.N. ‘08). Jennifer accepted the position as nurse practitioner with Sebastian River Medical Center in their cardiac cath lab with Dr. Charles Croft, a leading interventional cardiologist.

Alysa Angel (B.S.N. ‘09, Nursing Education Certificate, ‘12) was the recipient of a $3,000 Army Nurse Corps Association Memorial Scholarship in 2011.

The scholarship was awarded in memory of the three Army Nurse Corps Officers who gave their lives at the Fort Hood (Texas) Readiness Center in November 2009. Alysa was one of just 15 recipients chosen for this scholarship.

In Memoriam: Lisette Del Valle (B.S.N. ‘08) lost her battle with brain cancer in July 2011. Lisette attended UCF’s Basic B.S.N. program in Daytona and was diagnosed with cancer shortly after passing the NCLEX-RN exam in 2008. Lisette was a gentle, caring individual, especially with her patients. She touched the lives of many and is sorely missed by her family, friends, and the faculty and staff at the UCF College of Nursing. •

Join Us! Get I nvolved Our chapter focuses on bringing grads together to renew friendships and professional connections that benefit alumni and the university. Our chapter is the perfect way to connect and stay tuned in to UCF and the endless opportunities available throughout our community. If you would like to learn more about volunteer leadership opportunities, please e-mail nursing@ucfalumni.com.

Footba ll tai lgat i ng

Rem e mbe r yo u r co l l e ge days?

Maybe it was years ago or maybe it was last year or just yesterday. Your time at UCF is part of our history and we want to hear about it from you.

Remember the classmates, roommates and friends? Remember your first day and your last day on campus? Remember your challenges, successes, milestones and accomplishments?

Faculty and staff join together prior to each home football game for a tailgate party in the softball lot. Stop by and join us next season, and reconnect with the college. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Blackwell at christopher.blackwell@ucf.edu.

CEU opp ortunitie s Our chapter hosts continuing education dinners in several locations during the fall and spring. Visit ucfalumni.com/nursing, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for dates and more information.

We want to know and we want you to help tell us the history of UCF.

Update us

Share it at ucf.edu/50 and learn more about UCFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and upcoming celebration events.

Share your professional and personal announcements with us at ucfalumni.com/ nursing or e-mail nursing@ucfalumni.com.

We welcome your high-resolution, printer quality photos as well.

become Faculty

In the fall, our chapter offered additional continuing education dinners as part of the Simply Speaking HIV Lecture Series.

Visit jobswithucf.com to view employment opportunities available for undergraduate, graduate, and adjunct faculty. We are also conducting a national search for an Endowed Chair in Simulation and an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs. To learn more about faculty opportunities, contact Deanna at deanna.williams@ucf.edu or 407.823.3079.

For preceptor opportunities, contact Carola at carola.stephens@ucf.edu or 407.823.0697.

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