Roseman University spectRUm magazine by Roseman University of Health Sciences

FALL 2021 • Publishing Semiannually | VOLUME 5 • Issue 1

November 15 – 19 INSIDE: EMPOWERED Moms PG. 6 Inaugural Hero Scholars PG. 8 Student Spotlight: Danielle Valls PG. 12

Roseman University of Health Sciences A Nevada Non-Profit Corporation 11 Sunset Way Henderson, NV 89014-2333

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PUBLISHER Jason Roth

DESIGNER Eric Jones

EDITORS Jason Roth Candace Smith

PHOTOGRAPHERS Loretta Campbell Francia Garcia Jason Roth

GUEST CONTRIBUTORS Brenda Griego Emelia Enquist

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Letter from the PRESIDENT What a year it has been! Despite the challenges we’ve all faced, Roseman University has continued to fulfill its mission, grow, and prosper. As the end of the year draws near, I send my sincere best wishes to all Roseman University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, with the hope that you have all navigated 2021 with good health and remarkable success.

I welcome you to the fall issue of Roseman University’s spectRUm magazine in print. In this issue we proudly introduce our inaugural Hero Scholars. The program was created to identify and nurture students who have demonstrated heroic attributes in their everyday lives. Every hero needs a chance to realize their dreams and the Hero Scholars program awards those with aspirations to become part of the next generation of healthcare professionals. I’m very proud of this program and look forward, with your support, to its continued growth. In this issue, you’ll also learn about EMPOWERED, a grant supported program that is now part of Roseman University College of Medicine. The program supports pregnant and postpartum mothers who use or have used opioids or stimulants for any reason. It is designed to empower mothers to be prepared for the birth of their babies, and to thrive as a mother, caregiver, and woman. It supports them with the resources and services they need to become healthy and resilient. We’re excited to have EMPOWERED as part of the University and we look forward to expanding its services in southern Nevada and beyond. Recently, Roseman University announced the creation of our new College of Graduate Studies, offering master’s degrees in biomedical sciences and pharmaceutical sciences. Our inaugural cohort of students are now enrolled and fully immersed in the programs. In this issue, we share the story behind one of these students and share how she’ll use what she learns in the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program to enter the next chapter of her life. Finally, as many of you may know, Roseman University is rich in diversity, bringing students together from many races, nationalities, cultures, and experiences. Likewise, this diversity is reflected in our faculty and staff. Roseman’s diversity enhances the learning experience for all students, offering different perspectives, fostering understanding, and promoting acceptance. In this issue, we explore why the education and training of health care professionals in a diverse and inclusive environment is so important to better health outcomes in our communities. These articles highlight what makes Roseman great. Of course, there is always so much more we can share. I invite you to follow us on social media. From Roseman faculty experts educating the public on important and timely healthcare to extraordinary student, faculty, and alumni achievement to giving back to our communities, Roseman University is a dynamic institution driven by intention, determination and, most of all, heart. Best Wishes,

Renee Coffman President

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TAKING

THE LEAD in the race for diversity, equity & inclusion

By Candace A. Smith

How Roseman University’s Dr. Cheryl Brewster Plans to Bridge the Gap Cheryl Brewster, EdD, joined the Roseman University College of Medicine in 2020. She is the Senior Executive Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and ensures Roseman is a learning and working environment welcoming for all students, faculty, and staff. To address the current disparities in the healthcare field, Brewster is tasked with developing a healthcare force adequately prepared to work with communities of color, low-income families, and low socioeconomic status (SES) households. “The top 10 health professions have changed very little with the level of diversity in regard to students and faculty,” she said. Through virtual and in-person instruction, she will create a safe space for Roseman’s community to understand all the nuances of working with vulnerable populations. Brewster’s training is in communitybased Public Health, and she has over 15 years of experience teaching health education and public health courses. Her work focuses on researching the factors that determine both the positive and negative outcomes for medically underserved populations. Before joining Roseman, Brewster served as the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and was an Associate Professor at Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. It was at FIU that Brewster was nominated for the Presidential Award on Diversity that she won in 2017. 4 |

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She definitely has her work cut out for her out West. As part of Roseman University's monthly Neighborhood Health Series, Brewster presented, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Health Professions" on September 16. During that talk, she highlighted that Nevada ranks 45th in the overall physician/patient ratio and 48th overall in the nursing/patient ratio. She remarked that Nevada and Utah had the lowest number of general surgeons per 100,000 population, with Nevada ranking 48th for the number of primary care physicians. Brewster believes that with an increase in outward-facing efforts, Roseman University can attract more students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented backgrounds. She pushed for what is now Roseman’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, pulling in faculty and staff from different units within the University. “We are not going to address the elephant in the room if we don’t have people who are willing to talk about the elephant in the room,” she said. The battle to recruit Black, Latino, and Native American faculty members is uphill, she says. Because of their own negative experiences with toxic learning environments as students, many skilled medical professionals are now hesitant about the idea of reentering medical academia. “If you’re only graduating between five and six percent Black and Latino, and less than one percent Native American, there’s not a large pool from which to pull,” said Brewster.

Brewster has developed and implemented a number of pipeline programs through Roseman’s College of Medicine. One of them, ASPIRE, is a multi-tier approach to pathways for middle and high school students. She wants to increase opportunities for underserved and underrepresented students to engage with the College of Medicine while introducing them to a potential career in health care. “I don’t want to be comfortable,” she said. “I want to go places where kids don’t see people who look like me. I want them to see people who look like them and speak their language and communicate in a manner in which they are used to.” Brewster also reaches students through Roseman University’s SPARK program, an interprofessional program designed to spark interest in the health professions for high school students. “We’re looking for those first-gen students who sometimes fall through the cracks or don’t have the perfect GPA or the perfect MCAT score,” she explained. “It’s not about the numbers for me. Have I inspired you to reach for something you didn’t think you could reach for? That’s all I care about.” Brewster plans to further elevate Roseman’s already diverse culture by implementing comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that interface intimately with hiring practices, faculty development, university-wide policies and procedures, and student recruitment. She is encouraged by the College of Medicine’s leadership team, members who all work collaboratively to uphold Roseman’s mission. Brewster looks toward the future and will continue to strengthen ties within the community in both Nevada and Utah. “We have to show them that we are different. We have to really be different,” she said.

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EMPOW

helps new mo

It’s no secret. The use and misuse of opioids has had a devastating impact on American society. Each year millions of Americans use opioids to manage pain. Doctor-prescribed opioids are appropriate in some cases to relieve pain, but the reliance on opioids has led to the worst drug crisis in our nation’s history, affecting people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses. Pregnant women and new mothers are no exception.

Pregnant women and new mothers who find themselves using opioids or stimulants need support. EMPOWERED, a program at Roseman University’s College of Medicine’s Roseman Medical Group, develops and unleashes the power of expectant and recent mothers with opioid and stimulant use disorders to be active in managing their health and partnering in their care, from recovery through stabilization to resilience.

According to the CDC, opioid exposure in pregnancy increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as maternal cardiac arrest, intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption, preterm labor, stillbirth, premature rupture of membranes, need for transfusion, oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), and longer length of hospital stay. For the infant, neonatal abstinence syndrome – withdrawal from certain substances, including opioids – and birth defects (including neural tube defects and congenital heart defects) can occur.

EMPOWERED was created in 2018 by Roseman College of Pharmacy Class of 2008 alum Andria Peterson, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist who serves as its Executive Director, and Deepa Nagar, MD, a neonatal medicine specialist, in response to an exponential increase in infants admitted for withdrawal to the newborn intensive care units (NICU) in Southern Nevada hospitals.

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OWERED

new mothers achieve resilience By Jason Roth

“These infants were truly suffering as they withdrew from various substances abused by their mothers during pregnancy. I consider them to be the most innocent victims of the opioid epidemic,” said Peterson. “As I helped develop treatment plans for these very fragile infants, I realized how difficult it was for their mothers to navigate treatment for their substance use disorder during pregnancy and the postpartum period.” Initially, EMPOWERED operated under the umbrella of the Dignity Health hospital system and provided care coordination services where enrolled women would meet with a licensed clinical social worker for a formal assessment to develop a care plan. They would then work with the social worker and a peer in recovery to access various resources in the community to obtain the services they needed. These services typically included prenatal care, treatment, housing, employment and classes such as baby basics, and CPR training. Now part of Roseman’s College of Medicine and supported by the Overdose Data to Action Grant through the Southern Nevada Health District and the State Opioid Response Grant through the State of Nevada, EMPOWERED has expanded to also provide care coordination, individual therapy, group therapy and household centered home visitation during pregnancy and one year postpartum. “Dignity Health was a wonderful partner in supporting the EMPOWERED program and in helping the program find a new home where it could expand and develop a plan for long term sustainability,” said Peterson. “EMPOWERED aligns perfectly with the mission, vision and values of Roseman’s College of Medicine, which focus on the social determinants of health for individual, household and population health.” Peterson adds that relocating to Roseman represents an expansion of services to address the needs of the entire household of the pregnant mother. “The opportunity to partner with the College of Medicine’s new and growing GENESIS program provides household-centered care to participating women, their infants, and their entire household. Blending these two programs creates a natural and comprehensive approach for supporting the entire family unit,” she said. The growth of EMPOWERED comes during a time when substance use disorder is increasingly impacting pregnant and postpartum women, with drug-induced deaths identified as the leading cause of death in women of reproductive-age. This has been exacerbated by the opioid epidemic, with the CDC recently reporting 93,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2020. This represents a 29 percent increase from 2019 to 2020, the largest year-to-year jump since 2016. “This is an enormous problem in our society. Roseman University of Health Sciences sees the enormity of this issue and has embraced the concept of focusing on pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder and infants at risk of withdrawal,” said Peterson. “EMPOWERED will continue to serve this vulnerable population in Southern Nevada and will eventually expand the service region to encompass Roseman’s Northern Utah campus and its surrounding communities.” roseman.edu/spectrum | 7

ROSEMAN UNIVERSITY Recognizes Its First Hero Scholars

By Jason Roth

What does it mean to be a hero? Is it the superhuman abilities that are portrayed in movies, like that of our favorite Marvel characters? Sure, they’re heroic as they battle equally superhuman villains. Their extraordinary physical abilities and powers are always awe-inspiring and spark imagination. In the real world, our heroes are more unassuming. What they lack in superhuman abilities, they make up for in character – courage, passion, integrity, honesty, confidence, patience, selflessness, caring, humility, and support. A hero is anyone who uses these character traits to rise up and make a positive impact on others. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, in part it was the people who possess these characteristics – our frontline healthcare workers – that inspired the creation of Roseman’s Hero Scholars program. At a Hero Scholars awards luncheon held concurrently at the Roseman’s Henderson and South Jordan campuses on September 21, Vice President for Strategic Implementation and Engagement and Designer of the Hero Scholars program Vanessa Maniago shared that the program was developed to identify and reward future frontline healthcare professionals who have selflessly provided care to communities in need.

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“When we began to talk about the notion of heroism – and what our Hero Scholar should represent – we saw your heroism as multidimensional – after all, heroes are rarely simple,” said Maniago. “First, Academic Promise. We looked for candidates with a strong academic record that would thrive in our accelerated programs. Second, Community Volunteerism. We looked for candidates who at their core were dedicated to service and giving back. Third, we looked for candidates with demonstrable leadership skills. Leaders lead but they also encourage and lift others around them to lead. Finally, financial need. These four criteria were used to evaluate the numerous candidates who applied for this scholarship.” Last spring students applying for admission into Roseman’s Colleges of Pharmacy and Nursing had the opportunity to apply to the Hero Scholars program, which awards $10,000 scholarships supported by donors. More than 100 applications were received and evaluated by a committee of Roseman administrators, faculty and staff.

“With this scholarship, the financial burden to fund my education would be alleviated, allowing me to focus more on being a successful pharmacy student,” said Manzanillo. “But, the HERO scholarship is not about me at all; rather, it is about the journey of how one gives back to the community that supported them since day one.” Manzanillo’s Pharmacy Hero scholarship was supported by the Estate of Robert Stolman in memory of his brother who was an esteemed community pharmacist. Manzanillo thanked Stolman, saying “My family and I are deeply grateful for the investment the late Mr. Stolman and his family are making in me as I pursue a career as a pharmacist. I am truly blessed and honored to be called a Hero Scholar, but I firmly believe that the best recognition that someone earns is to do selfless acts and having that heroic vision in helping shape humanity.”

“Our candidates provided video submissions as well, which helped tell their individual and moving life stories,” said Maniago. “I can say that many tears were shed in hearing the journeys of our candidates.” Thanks to the generous support of the Valley Health System, Cure 4 The Kids Foundation, The Estate of Robert Stolman, and Roseman University Trustees Annette Logan-Parker, Carlene Walker and Mary Grear, six students were selected as Roseman’s inaugural Hero Scholars.

REBECCA HOWARD

DWAYNE KARLO MANZANILLO

Dwayne Karlo Manzanillo, Las Vegas, Nevada - Born in the Philippines, Dwayne Manzanillo immigrated to Hawaii and eventually made his way to Las Vegas. For the past four years, he has been a high school biology teacher and performing arts advisor. He has dedicated his life to healthcare volunteer service, helping with homeless outreach and medical education, serving as a counselor at a muscular dystrophy summer camp and more. Manzanillo earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Language and Literature from University of Hawaii at Manoa, as well as a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University. He is now earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Roseman’s Henderson, Nevada campus.

Rebecca Howard, South Jordan, Utah - From a very young age, Rebecca Howard dedicated herself to the service of others, donating time and money to youth causes, and serving as an organizer of various fundraising and educational initiatives as president of the Pre-Pharmacy club at Salt Lake Community College, including organizing an on-campus flu shot clinic and raising money for Intermountain Specialized Abuse Treatment Center and Primary Children’s Hospital. Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and an Associate of Science in Pre-Medical from Salt Lake Community College. Previously a Pharmacy Technician and currently a Pharmacy Intern, Howard is now enrolled in Roseman’s Doctor of Pharmacy program at the university’s South Jordan, Utah campus.

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aniago

In accepting her Pharmacy Hero scholarship supported by Roseman Trustees Carlene Walker and Mary Grear, Howard said, “This scholarship is an acknowledgement of the role that pharmacists play in our healthcare community, and that those in healthcare have ministering to the larger community. I am committing to pharmacy as a career, not just as an investment in my own future, but also as an investment in my community. More personally, the Hero Scholarship means financial freedom for me to explore this new pathway, really throwing myself into opportunities to stretch and grow.”

MEHRI DOLATI

Mehri Dolati, Las Vegas, Nevada - Originally from Orange County, California, Mehri Dolati relocated to Las Vegas in 2020 where she works as a veterinary assistant. She has worked in veterinary medicine for the past eight years and aspires to become a leading veterinary pharmacist to help expand pharmacy services and patient counseling to a field of medicine where the profession is under-represented and under-utilized. Dolati is a graduate of Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa where she earned an Associate of Science in Chemistry and University of California, Irvine where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science. She is now earning her Doctor of Pharmacy at Roseman’s Henderson, Nevada campus.

RAVEN-JOIE REYES

nizations. Volunteering in community clinics taught her that there was a large population of people in her community and across the US who are underserved and without healthcare because their families earn a low income or have a language barrier. As a result, she has dedicated her time to learning and practicing the Spanish language. Reyes earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Biology from University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is currently pursuing an associate degree in Foreign Language - Spanish from Community College of Rhode Island. She is enrolled in Roseman’s Doctor of Pharmacy program at the Henderson, Nevada campus. “The Hero Scholarship provided me with an extra support group in my time of need and reminded me that there are people who believe in me to succeed. This scholarship also allows me to feel less financial burden while I focus on the most important thing of all: my education,” said Reyes. “The Hero Scholarship highlights the time and effort that I have put into community volunteerism and leadership–my actions, my professionalism and my voice matter to the community. All of this gives me confidence to be successful in reaching my goals.” Reyes’s Pharmacy Hero scholarship was supported by the Valley Health System.

She added that the Hero Scholarship means that she can finally pursue higher education without an overbearing financial burden to hold her back. She will be able to work fewer hours and focus on studying.

Shabnum Hamidi, Hayward, California - Shabnum Hamidi’s experience with the Global Medical Brigades in Honduras contributed to her goal to become a pediatric nurse. While in Honduras, she provided health services such as taking vitals, triaging patients, and shadowed medical professionals serving a remote community. In addition to helping treat hundreds of patients, Hamidi and other volunteers spent a lot of time with the community’s children, hosting workshops about basic hygiene and diet. Upon her return home, she continued volunteering at Stanford Children’s Hospital and set out on her pursuit to become a nurse. Hamidi received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz and is now enrolled in Roseman’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the South Jordan, Utah campus.

Raven-Joie Reyes, Las Vegas, Nevada - Raven-Joie Reyes has been an active volunteer in Las Vegas for more than a decade, serving Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, Three Square, American Cancer Society, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, and many more orga-

In thanking Trustee Annette Logan-Parker who supported her Nursing Hero scholarship, Hamidi said, “I can’t even begin to express my gratitude towards being chosen for the Hero Scholarship. This scholarship not only means so much to me, but it also means a lot to my

Dolati, whose Pharmacy Hero scholarship was supported by The Estate of Robert Stolman said, “I am aspiring to be a Veterinary Pharmacist. I envision becoming one of the leading veterinary pharmacists and bringing light to a field that I feel has been somewhat neglected in the past. I believe it is imperative to educate pet owners on their dog's or cat's medications. I hope to be an advocate and leader in bringing this manner of thinking to many animal hospitals that need it.”

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Je’na Givens, Las Vegas, Nevada - Je’na Givens of Las Vegas worked as an educator in the Clark County School District and Las Vegas area private schools for five years before becoming a nutritionist with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada WIC. Previously, Givens worked as an intern at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Immunology Research Laboratory, working closely with principal researchers to finalize clinical studies for a pharmaceutical drug that targets treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. She also served as a research assistant at Tuskegee University’s Nutrition Department where she helped facilitate a college campus project that recruited Tuskegee University students to volunteer and attend free nutrition health screenings. Givens earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Food Nutrition Science from Tuskegee University. She is now enrolled in Roseman’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Henderson, Nevada campus. SHABNUM HAMIDI

family. This scholarship has allowed me to focus on my studies and be more involved with the Roseman nursing community which has only grown my passion for nursing day by day.” Hamidi also shared that coming from a low income, single parent household she hopes to give back to her community and other communities to help those adversely affected by health care disparities. She said, “This current pandemic has deterred many from the nursing profession, but it has only motivated me even more to be on the frontline and help those that need nurses the most right now.”

“I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of the esteemed Cure 4 The Kids Foundation Nursing Hero Scholarship,” said Givens. “This award has truly made a difference in my efforts towards becoming a nurse.” Givens shared that the Hero Scholars program was critical to her ability to pursue her nursing degree. She said, "I have made several personal sacrifices that I know will pay off overtime. At the beginning of the program, I was devastated and struggled with thoughts of uncertainty regarding maintaining a livelihood to raise and support my son. I planned to put off my acceptance because I didn’t have enough financial aid to cover the cost of attendance; I was close to meeting the federal aggregate loan amount from my two previous undergraduate degrees in both biology and food nutrition science.” At the Hero Scholars luncheon, Henderson campus Chancellor Dr. Eucharia Nnadi said, “We are very proud of each and every one of these students who were selected as our first Hero Scholars based on their academic promise, financial need, community volunteerism, and leadership skills.” South Jordan campus Chancellor Jeremy Wells added, “We’re very proud of each of you and we’re also excited for what you bring to the University and our academic programs.”

REBECCA HOWARD & CARLENE WALKER JE'NA GIVENS

If you would like to support future Hero Scholars, please contact Brenda Griego at bgriego@roseman.edu or 702-802-2830, or visit roseman.edu/hero-scholars. roseman.edu/spectrum | 11

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

DANIELLE VALLS In the Pursuit of Science By Jason Roth

“It seems like destiny has been pulling me towards a career in pharmaceutical sciences for a while,” exclaims Danielle Valls, a student enrolled in the inaugural cohort of students in the College of Graduate Studies’ Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program. Originally from Warwick, New York, a small farming town 50 miles north of New York City, Valls has always been a self-proclaimed math nerd who discovered a love of science. “I was part of our math honor society in high school,” said Valls. “Science and math have always spoken the same language, so I knew eventually it would be a natural fit for me.” Her true love for the sciences was sparked by a biology professor at Dominican College of Blauvelt where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. “Dr. Madeline Mignone saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and that was my potential for great success in the science world,” Valls recalls fondly. “Without her, I don’t think my love for the sciences could have ever matched my love of math.” 12 |

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With Mignone as a mentor and while earning her undergraduate degree, Valls landed a position as a laboratory assistant at pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, in Pearl River, New York. After her two-year contract was up, Valls and her family relocated to Las Vegas where she joined Roseman University as a laboratory research assistant for the College of Pharmacy, helping facilitate faculty and student research projects at the Henderson campus. During her time at Roseman, Valls played a critical role in organizing the University’s COVID-19 vaccination PODs, helping order and manage vaccination supplies and volunteering at POD events. “I’ve never been part of such a community-driven workplace environment,” said Valls. “And, it feels good to know that I work for a university that is always striving to give back, especially during this ongoing pandemic.” As Valls began to think about applying to graduate school, Roseman University was in the process of establishing its College of Graduate Studies with two program offerings – a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MBS) and a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS). The timing was perfect. Valls said, “After exploring my options, it appeared that the MSPS was the next logical step on my road of professional development.” She applied and was accepted into the inaugural class, which began in early September. Valls recognizes the significance of being part of the first cohort of students in the program, explaining, “Being the inaugural class of a brand new program in a brand new college is both exciting and terrifying. Everything we do as students, from our accomplishments to our failures will guide future cohorts.” She adds that the teaching and learning model

Danielle Valls and her family - Husband James and stepchildren Abigail and Jonathan

created by Roseman challenges students to always be their best, while also fostering a community of cooperation and learning. “Roseman truly holds its students to high standards, which I feel sets us up to achieve great success,” she said. Adding to her educational experience in the MSPS program, Valls was also offered a fellowship with Henderson-based ProCaps laboratories, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements. The Student Research Fellowship program sponsors two graduate student fellows during the 2021-2022 academic year to collaborate with ProCaps in graduate-level education and research endeavors. Valls, along with another student research fellow, will have the opportunity to explore and hone their professional skills as they rotate through the various areas of Quality Control, Research, and Product Development. “The Student Research Fellowship program brings together the College of Graduate Studies’ and ProCaps Laboratories’ shared mission to advance healthcare through discovery and research,” said Jeffery Talbot, PhD, dean of Roseman University’s College of Graduate Studies. “We are excited about this opportunity to offer a program to graduate students that provides financial and mentoring support as well as research-orientated activities that will enhance their education and training as scientists.” Earning her MSPS at Roseman, combined with the ProCaps Student Research Fellowship, has Valls optimistic about her future. “I’m interested in continuing my career advancement at Roseman University and growing as an intellectual.” For more information about the College of Graduate Studies, visit roseman.edu/graduate-studies.

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WELCOME TO ROSEMAN

Welcome

MICHELE BROCK

Roseman Medical Group’s newest MSN/FNP By Emelia Enquist

Michele Brock, RN, BSN, MSN, AGNP-C joins Roseman Medical Group from Michigan. She grew up in a town of 1,200 in southwest Michigan, where her parents were factory workers by day and farmers by nights and weekends. They raised hay, strawberries, chickens and cows, with some horses and donkeys in the mix, along with quite a few dogs. “My parents were great educators. You be kind. You don’t steal. You don’t cheat. You love each other. You work hard. You wanna eat?” she adds in a testament to the grueling culture of agriculture. “You get up.” When Michele was in her early twenties, her mom passed away due to a contaminated needle used in a cortisone injection. She’d been sick throughout Michele’s childhood, struggling with inflamed joints and using a wheelchair. Michele says her death acted as personal motivator and driver. Michele earned her Associate of Science degree in Science, and another in science and nursing, from a junior college in Michigan. While she was spending time with a friend whose son was in the pediatric ward, she 14 |

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noticed a nurse and was “enamored with what she was doing – her grace, her kindness to the baby.” In turn, the nurse told her, “You should go to school and become a nurse. We need more nurses.” Michele went on to get her bachelor’s and master’s degrees online while working full time. She credits the accessibility of online learning as a monumental reason she was able to complete her programs. She’s always been passionate about teaching and is excited to work with Roseman’s patients, students, and providers alike. “As nurses, we’re supposed to be compassionate and kind to the patients,” she says, “so why don’t we bring that over to the people that we’re teaching?” People matter a lot to Michele. She intentionally chose to focus on geriatric care after studying under a gerontologist who lovingly took time to get to know each patient and make care decisions based on their unique situations, no matter how busy his schedule. “He acted like they were the only thing that mattered in that moment,” she recalls. Now, she brings that patience, consideration, and

respect to her work today. “Older people have a voice that can be muffled, and they have so much to offer,” she says. “Not only are they great historians, but we should listen to them for their care options. What’s driving them and why? We can find that out by listening.” She believes comprehensive understanding leads to better patient care. That understanding can only come from taking the time to get to know individual situations and needs. Rural health is especially invigorating for Michele. In Michigan, she serviced four to five different villages, serving people ages 18 to 96. “I feel like it’s not my job. It’s my calling,” she says. She’s looking forward to implementing her experiences, knowledge and compassion at Roseman. “It felt like a family,” she reflects. “Everybody was warm and kind, and this is how teaching should be.” Welcome to RMG, Michele! Michele started in mid-October and is accepting new patients. Please call RMG at (702) 463-4040.

CALLING ALL ROSEMAN SUPERHEROES! The Week of Thanks(Giving) is November 15-19 The Week of Thanks(Giving) is Roseman University’s annual fundraising campaign to support today’s students. Show your roadRUnner pride by making donations from Monday, November 15 through Friday, November 19 in support of student scholarships and the Dental Patient Assistance Fund. Every year, more roadrunner students apply for scholarships to help them achieve their dreams of becoming nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, and healthcare leaders. This year, join your burgundy and gray family in making a gift during the Week of Thanks(Giving)! Every donation counts and adds to the scholarship funding available to students, just as every gift to the Dental Patient Assistance Fund provides care to more patients in need. There’s power in numbers, so let’s flock together and make a difference for current students and their future patients! With your help, Thanks(Giving) will exceed its goal of raising donations from 150+ generous donors!

perhero! When you get your shirt, be sure to snap a pic and tag us on social media at @Rosemanuhs! “We’re excited to invite University alumni, partners, friends, and faculty & staff to be the superhero in this fun and important annual event,” says Interim Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, Dr. Tom Metzger. “More than ever, our communities today need Roseman’s highly skilled graduates. Join with other roadRUnner alums, friends, and fans to help support the future nurses, pharmacists, and dental professionals that our neighbors need.”

In a fun new twist this year, all donors who contribute $75 or more will receive a limited-edition University-logoed t-shirt! Make a generous contribution and you’ll have visible proof to show the residents of your Metropolis that you’re a Roseman su-

Save the date and make a gift! Givetoday.Roseman.edu

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VIRTUAL An Educational Series Focusing on Community Health & Well-Being. Join us monthly for virtual presentations on a variety of healthcare topics featuring expert speakers from Roseman University.

Learn alongside your neighbors, friends and members of Nevada’s healthcare community during these free community events, which are normally in person but will take to a virtual setting to keep guests safe and healthy.

Spring 2022 Lineup

Join us Thursdays at 5:30 – 7pm every month! THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022 Clark County Credit Union Financial Fitness in the New Year: Financial Literacy

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 Dr. Joseph Lasky III Hemophilia and Blood Diseases

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022 Dr. Glen Roberson Improving Nevada’s Dental Health Outcomes Among Children: One Smile at a Time

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022 Dr. Manas Mandal In Celebration of World Health Day: Global Health in 2022 & A Look Around the World at Public Health

2022

Presenting Sponsor

16 | Discovery Drive Spring 2018

roseman.edu | @rosemanuhs

Roseman University spectRUm magazine

Articles inside

Student Spotlight: Danielle Valls

Inaugural Hero Scholars

EMPOWERED Moms