AlumniFocus
Suzanne S. Prevost ’82VMC, Ph.D., R.N., CNAA by Erin Gaydos ’08 Compassionate nurse, caring professor, community supporter—all of these describe alumna Suzanne Shimmons Prevost ’82VMC, Ph.D., R.N., CNAA. Whether she is mentoring future nurses or actively helping to improve her neighborhood, Dr. Prevost embodies the Gannon University spirit of teaching, learning and service. Since graduating from Villa Maria College with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, Dr. Prevost has gained a considerable amount of clinical experience throughout her 15 years as a critical care staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, nursing administrator and consultant. Currently, she devotes her career to academia and instructing students in the nursing profession as a nursing professor at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro, Tenn., which boasts more than 1,700 students enrolled in the program. Name
Suzanne Shimmons Prevost
Education
Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University – 1992 M.S.N., Medical University of South Carolina – 1986 B.S.N., Villa Maria College – 1982
Academic/Clinical Areas Critical Care Nursing Geriatrics Advanced Practice
Research Interests
End-of-Life Care Evidence-Based Practice Outcome Evaluation Pain Management
Family
Husband, Frank Daughters, Elizabeth and Emily Granddaughters, Caroline and Lauren
“Get as much education as possible, as soon as you can; it will accelerate your career.” 18
In addition to her work at MTSU, Dr. Prevost serves as a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. “I am very honored to be teaching here (as well), since they have one of the first Doctorate of Nursing Practice programs in the country,” she said. Like many alumni, Dr. Prevost cites community involvement as a high priority in her life. “I am actively involved with the United Way and have chaired our university’s charitable giving campaign twice. I also serve on the Family Selection and Family Support Committees for our local office of Habitat for Humanity and teach a Sunday school class for college-age women at Belle Aire Baptist Church,” she said. Dr. Prevost has many vivid memories from her years at Villa, including English classes with John Young and piano lessons with Vienna Cocuzzi. She cites the late Dr. Dorothy Novello, vice president of Academic Affairs at Villa Maria College, as a significant role model, and also recalls playing volleyball and bowling with her close friends. As a professor, Dr. Prevost encourages all students to be proactive in their educational careers and goals. “Get as much education as possible, as soon as you can; it will accelerate your career. Don’t put off going to graduate school,” she said. Dr. Prevost is excited about Gannon’s new state-of-the-art Patient Simulation Center, scheduled to open in 2009, and explained how important recent technology and tools are to nursing education. “Simulation is definitely the future direction for nursing and health professions education. As editor for Nursing Clinics of North America, I am currently working on a whole issue of the journal devoted to the use of technology in nursing education,” she said. Dr. Prevost and her husband, Frank, will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this summer and have two daughters and two granddaughters. Although her career has given her many awards and honors, Dr. Prevost’s proudest moment involved her family. “One of my proudest professional accomplishments is the fact that my eldest daughter, Elizabeth, has followed me into the nursing profession,” she said.