Lifelines | Fall Winter 2015

MUSC College of Nursing’s

LIFELINES Fall | Winter 2015

The Road Ahead

Expanding community health coverage in SC and beyond

www.musc.edu/nursing

Taking Nursing to a Higher Level

SAVE THE DATE

HOMECOMING

2016

March 11 - 12 Charleston, SC

DEAN’S COLUMN

A publication of the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing

C

ommunity health is nursing and nursing is community health here

TAKING NURSES HIGHER

at MUSC. Our College of Nursing’s road map of health care has continuously expanded over the past decade as our faculty, students

and alumni have extended their clinical practice, research and educational

LIFELINES Volume IX, Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2015

activities across the state, the region, and even the world.

Now community health is not at all new to the profession

Gail W. Stuart, Dean

Jo Smith, Editor

Beth Khan, Design & Production

Josh Goodwin, Photography

Mardi Long,

of nursing. Many of us have known it as “public health nursing,” with images of nurses with their satchels going door to door visiting families in their homes.

Over time, however, most nurses turned off that path and began working in hospitals. The result was that

BSN Program Coordinator & Alumni Services

these neighborhood visits

Laurie Scott,

became less common, to

Director of Development

the detriment of the health

Susannah Netherland,

of individuals, families and

Development Associate

communities.

But those roads back to the

PUBLISHED BY

community are opening up again, and nationally only about 60 percent of nurses now work in hospitals.

So we may be doing a strategic U-turn in health care as we go back to the path of community, and steer our skills toward the destination of health care for all.

99 Jonathan Lucas Street Charleston, SC 29425 www.musc.edu/nursing

I am immensely proud of the outreach and community partnerships we have achieved here in the College of Nursing. So in this issue of Lifelines you will read about how we have gone from an unpaved path to a highway of community care, which reflects our commitment, innovation, compassion,

HAVE FEEDBACK? SEND COMMENTS TO: Jo Smith Lifelines Editor MUSC College of Nursing 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425-1600 smithjo@musc.edu (843) 792-3941

POSTMASTER: Send corrections to Lifelines, MUSC College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425-1600. © Copyright 2015 by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without permission from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

and a firm foot on the pedal as we accelerate forward.

The road ahead also has signposts for the social determinants of heath, population health and greater diversity and inclusion. Each helps us navigate our work and focus our energies. But for us here in the College, it is not necessarily all about the destination but rather the nature of the journey. For us, this is a journey that both defines who we are and reveals why nurses are the essential legend for reading the road maps of health care.

Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Distinguished University Professor Medical University of South Carolina

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURE THE ROAD AHEAD............................................................. 4 The MUSC College of Nursing continues to expand community health care coverage around the state and beyond

DEPARTMENTS DEAN’S COLUMN. . ..............................................................1 AROUND THE COLLEGE...................................................18 FOCUS ON FACULTY....................................................... 22 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT..................................................... 26 ALUMNI CONNECTIONS................................................. 34 GIVING BACK. . ................................................................. 38 LINES OF LIFE.................................................................. 40

The Road Ahead 4

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

{ By the Numbers }

South Carolina

Expanding community health coverage in SC and beyond

4th

highest in the U.s. of adults with diabetes

1in6

African-Americans in SC has diabetes

7th

S

outh Carolina has three major metropolitan areas in

Leading cause of death in SC is diabetes

Charleston, Columbia and Greenville/Spartanburg,

81%

but overall South Carolina is a rural state. The

prevalence of chronic diseases and limited access to care is higher in the rural parts of the state. The United Health Foundation ranked South Carolina 42nd in 2015 as one of

of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure

the unhealthiest states in the country. In April 2014, the

2nd

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designated all or parts of all of South Carolina’s 46 counties as medically underserved areas.

The fall 2012 issue of Lifelines explored how the College of Nursing was working to open the gates of health care by expanding programs and educating advanced practice nurses to meet the needs in these medically underserved areas of our state. In this issue, we will share some of the success stories of our alumni, faculty and students who are “taking nursing higher.”

Leading cause of death in SC is Heart Disease

50,000

Hospitalizations caused by heart disease in 2013, costing $3.1 billion African-Americans are

48%

more likely to die from stroke than the white population African-Americans are

30%

more likely to die from heart disease than the white population

4th

Leading cause of death in SC is Stroke

2015 County & Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson program collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

5th

highest stroke death in the u.S.

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

5

EXPANDING COVERAGE

THROUGH ALUMNI

DNP Grad Opens Private Practice in Hometown

Evelyn Coe, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CFNC is a three time graduate of the College of Nursing receiving her BSN in 1993, MSN in 2002 and DNP in 2013. Dr. Coe specializes in assessing, evaluating and treating a large variety of patients ranging from infancy through older adults. Her nursing career spans over 30 years of experience which includes 10 years of tertiary nursing, 12 years of public health nursing, 12 years of advanced practice nursing as a family nurse practitioner, and clinical rotations in the emergency room.

{ By the Numbers } DARLINGTON COUNTY

42%

Minority population of Darlington Co. (SC = 29%)

33%

population between the ages of 18-44 (53% female; 47% male)

42nd

Ranking out of 46 counties in negative health Outcomes*

41st

Ranking for diabetes mortality in SC from 2010-2012*

2015 County & Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson program collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

6

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES CLINIC OPENED IN DARLINGTON

By Melissa Rollins | Florence Morning News (reprinted with permission)

Pee Dee is considered the buckle of the stroke belt. We have a lot of Dr. Evelyn Coe recently opened the Hypertension and Diabetes cardiovascular disease here.”

Prevention and Treatment Center (HDPT) in Darlington. Her daughter, Dr. Coe’s research on heart disease led to her being published in a Tia Coe, works with her as an administrative assistant. professional medical journal for nurses.

Dr. Coe said she has always been interested in how the body works.

“When I started with my DNP program at MUSC, cardiovascular After seeing how many people in South Carolina are affected by disease was my focus,”Dr. Coe said. “My scholarly project was on cardiovascular problems, Dr. Coe decided to do something about it. peripheral artery disease and screenings in rural settings. I was More than three decades after her first venture into the medical field, published in the Journal of Vascular Nursing for that.”

Dr. Coe has opened her own practice in Darlington.

The HDPT Center provides a range of services including “I have been in health care for a little over 30 years, starting as a preventative measures and treatment, such as the debridement of nursing assistant,” Dr. Coe said. “I have seen a lot of patients who, toenails for diabetics, as well as general practitioner care including even on the sliding pay scale fee, can’t afford to see the doctor. I think pre-employment and school physicals. that is what really set in for me.”

Dr. Coe said she hopes she can help people see that money should Dr. Coe said she has been providing services from a variety of not keep them from taking care of themselves. locations during her time as a nurse and nurse practitioner.

“A lot of people deal with their hypertension or “I have worked in a lot of different places,” their diabetes and they get frustrated,” she said. she said. “I was at the Darlington County “If they don’t have money to go see the doctor, Health Department, in Darlington County they get frustrated. When you have all of those Schools, I did that for about 12 years, and then concerns you don’t want to have them thinking at McLeod Hospital in Florence. As a nurse ‘I would love to go to the doctor but I don’t have practitioner, I worked at Care South Carolina You don’t want to the money’. You can’t stay in business for nothing Rural Health Clinic.” but you can’t have people out there feeling like The HDPT Center opened at the end of have them thinking ‘I there is no help for them either.”

March. The center’s primary objective is would love to go to the The center held a ribbon cutting May 2, which preventing cardiovascular disease, however, doctor but I don’t have was attended by Darlington Mayor Tony Watkins for patients presenting with hypertension the money’. You can’t and state Representative Robert Williams of or diabetes, its goal is to provide medical Darlington. treatment using gold standards of care. Dr. stay in business for The center takes appointments and walk-ins.

Coe said most of the patients she has seen nothing but you can’t It is at 118 N. Main St. in Darlington and can be so far are from Darlington. She is a native of have people out there reached at 843-968-8333.

Darlington herself, and making a difference in the community she grew up in is a special feeling like there is no Editor’s note: Since this article was published in May opportunity. help for them either.”

2015, Dr. Coe reports that the HDPT Center’s clinicians “I have seen quite a few of my family and have been successfully treating patients in an outpatient friends since I’ve been open,” Dr. Coe said. setting thereby avoiding hospitalization and reducing “Darlington has always been home. I still have most of my family here, overall health care costs. In addition, a sliding scale-fee program has been so it is special for me to be working here.” implemented to address indigent patients.

It was a leap into the unknown starting a new practice rather than continuing to work for someone else, Dr. Coe said.

“It has been a little bit difficult to get the clinic started,” Dr. Coe said.

“I knew nothing about finding a location or being a business person and how to advertise. All I knew was how to be a provider. My brother helped me find this location and my son has been my backbone, calling people about supplies and things like that. Since he is a lawyer, he has always been helping me with things from the legal aspect.”

Having a focus on heart-related medical problems is important anywhere, Dr. Coe said, but is especially vital in the Pee Dee Region.

“I was doing ABI testing (Ankle-Brachial Index Test, to find peripheral artery disease) at all of the Care South Carolina sites,” Dr. Coe said. “I saw a lot of cardiovascular disease and I felt like a Dr. Evelyn Coe in front of the new Hypertension and Diabetes Prevention lot needed to be done as far as screening and testing, education. and Treatment Center in Darlington, SC. South Carolina is considered one of the states in the stroke belt; the

“

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

7

EXPANDING COVERAGE -------Dr. Carolyn Jenkins is the Ann Darlington Edwards Endowed Chair in Nursing and co-director of Community Engagement for SCTR.

for the health care provider. In 2014, the screenings were offered in Bamberg County, a predominantly rural area where nearly 15 percent of its residents have diabetes (a rate over 1.5 times the national average). In 2015, screenings were expanded to Georgetown and other SC areas.

Screening activities are staffed by a combination of trained community volunteers, MUSC nursing students, Sanofi employees, and staff from MUSC’s SC Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR), College of Nursing, in addition to

Telehealth Provides Free Screenings to Rural SC

MUSC Medical Center nurses.

MUSC with a grant from Sanofi US, a global health care

as well as provide onsite counseling. “In high-risk com-

leader, is providing free diabetes screenings to rural areas

munities, the challenge is linking the patients who need

of South Carolina. This program, led by Carolyn Jenkins,

follow-up with health providers,” Dr. Jenkins said. “So far,

DrPH, APRN, FAAN, research professor, focuses on areas

we have been successful in accomplishing the linkages, but

with the highest rates of obesity and diabetes by collaborat-

sometimes lots of calls or visits to providers are required.”

According to Dr. Jenkins, the screening sites have the manpower and capacity to screen about 16 people per hour,

Currently, she is working with UNC-Chapel Hill to ex-

ing with churches, schools, worksites, community centers

pand their P30 grant, which is focused on diabetes health

and other locations.

This program is significant in that it is one of the first

disparities, to the Carolinas Center and Bamberg. “Our team

community programs that is comparing capillary blood

is working with Regional Medical Center to improve diabe-

glucose results with A1C testing; developing a direct linkage

tes care across Bamberg County,” she said.

Partnering organizations have included but are not

to primary care through a mobile technology program and participant contract to encourage follow-up for screening

limited to the Bamberg Diabetes Coalition, Vorhees College,

results that indicate IGT, diabetes, high blood pressure, or

Bamberg Office of the Mayor, Regional Medical Center, and

other abnormal results. The automated data collection and

the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Jenkins, a nurse scientist, has

communication method is sending screening results directly to the patient’s health care providers from the screen-

addressed diabetes and diabetes education in SC. Through

ing site and in turn improving efficiency and data quality

private-public partnerships, MUSC continues the develop-

that can be used for future research purposes.

ment of technologies and methods, such as this telehealth

Especially in rural areas, this enhanced telehealth com-

diabetes screening capability, to overcome barriers, improve

ponent is essential to translating diabetes screening results

efficiency, and advance the diabetes management and

in the community into immediate actionable information

health outcomes in rural SC.

{ By the Numbers } Bamberg COUNTY

62%

minority population (SC = 29%)

33%

population aged 18-44 (52% female; 48% male)

17%

Elderly population

41st

Ranking out of 46 SC counties in health Outcomes*

12th

diabetes mortality Ranking in SC from 2010-2012*

2015 County & Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson program collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

8

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

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THROUGH FACULTY RESEARCHERS

Community-Based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance After Stroke

brain health and population science; and communitybased interventions.

To address these complex issues, an innovative, coordinated approach is required that considers patient, fam-

Stroke is the leading cause of severe disability in Ameri-

ily, and community level factors, both to explain disparate

cans, and African-Americans (AA) are at the highest risk

stroke recovery rates and to design and implement effica-

for stroke with rates approximately twice those of whites.

cious interventions for post stroke recovery in community

Also concerning, stroke in AA occur at a younger age, and

residing AA patients.

with higher severity than whites. Despite being affected

“We have designed and successfully implemented pre-

at younger ages, AAs are less likely than whites to return

cisely such an approach with diabetes belt communities,”

to equivalent functional status and are more likely to die

Dr. Magwood said. “We propose to do the same for stroke

following stroke. This disparity cannot be explained by ac-

belt communities through CINGS.” She believes that the

cess to acute care or rehabilitation, but may relate to other

intervention group will significantly improve along impact

personal, familial, and community factors that remain

and outcome measures of interest as compared with the

understudied. Because diabetes and hypertension are more

usual care group.

prevalent among AA relative to whites, and because both are significant risk factors for stroke, complex factors underlying these chronic diseases very likely also contribute to increased rate and relatively poor outcome of stroke found in AA. A team of MUSC researchers, including College of Nursing’s Gayenell Magwood, PhD, RN, Alumnus CCRN, associate professor and department chair, were awarded a $4 million grant from the American Heart Association to study why stroke has a more devastating effect on AfricanAmericans and rural South Carolinians than whites and people in larger communities.

The work will be part of the American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network on Disparities in Heart Disease and Stroke. The network also includes investigators from Morehouse School of Medicine, Northwestern University and the University of Colorado-Denver. The

MUSC leaders celebrate with a symbolic check in the amount of $4 million from the American Heart Association. These funds will be used to study why stroke has a more devastating effect on African-Americans and rural South Carolinians.

network will explore the differences that exist and improvements that need to be made when it comes to treating culturally diverse patients.

Nearly half of all African-American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease—48 percent of women and 46 percent of men, according to the American Heart Association.

Dr. Magwood is the principal investigator for the population science project called Community-Based Intervention Under Nurse Guidance After Stroke, or CINGS. CINGS is a 12 week, nurse-coordinated, community health worker-delivered home-based intervention, and one of the three projects that make up the Wide Spectrum Investigation of Stroke Outcome Disparities on Multiple Levels (WISSDOM) Center at MUSC, a multidisciplinary collaborative research and training center. The team of investigators will collectively work to investigate stroke disparity through basic science— metabolic determinants; clinical science—quantification of

Dr. Gayenell Magwood (left), Ms. Brittany Bryant and Dr. Suparna Qanungo will look for ways to improve stroke recovery for African Americans. They’ll interview people who have had strokes along with their families, community leaders and public health experts. Then, they’ll use that information to create new ways of helping people recover from stroke and put the new methods to the test in a pilot study.

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

9

EXPANDING COVERAGE -------PARTNERS IN HEALTHCARE Dr. Beth Jensen (center) with DNP students, Ms. Ellen Gallman (left) and Ms. Mary Shearer at the ECCO Clinic.

services, the community leaders were very ambiguous about their suggestions for what they would like to see at BCC. However, starting and ending this and all of their meetings with prayer, led by Rev. Love, they asked

ECCO Expands Health Services to Huger

for guidance in all aspects of the collaboration that would provide what the community needed. Dr. Jensen, Ms.

By collaborating with communities in

erend Stephen Love, a pastor of three

Pruitt and the ECCO staff proposed

providing health care, nurse practi-

African Methodist Episcopal (AME)

community health strategies, based on

tioners can provide care to those who

churches in the area.

previously obtained population-based

would otherwise not have care and

data, and recommended to the com-

enhance care for those who do have

tive director of ECCO, members of the

munity leaders what could be offered.

health care. One such collaboration

community approached him about

After several meetings, the BCC leaders

took place in the Baldwin-Carson

the need for services in the Cainhoy/

began to articulate their perceived

community (BCC) in Huger, SC. The

Wando/Huger area. ECCO’s service

needs, which gave the College of Nurs-

partnership emerged with East Cooper

area measures about 1500 square miles

ing nurse practitioners a solid founda-

Community Outreach (ECCO), MUSC

- from the Ravenel bridge to McClel-

tion from which to plan.

College of Nursing Partners in Health-

lanville to Huger.

care, and Operation Home to offer

“This lower corner of Berkeley

While meeting with community leaders, Dr. Jensen and Ms. Pruitt,

community building services and pro-

County is a stark contrast from the rest

learned of an opportunity to hold

vide quality health care to uninsured

of the county. The area is isolated from

a health fair in conjunction with a

members of the community.

the rest of the county and is 20 miles

Huger-Wando 5K event. The event,

The clinic, located in Huger, is

away from where public services are

held at Cainhoy Elementary School,

based on a community participatory

provided,” Mr. Little said. “No human

was a fundraiser to support a sum-

model and offers individual chronic

assistance services are located in their

mer enrichment program that would

and acute illness appointments to the

immediate community and transpor-

enhance reading and math skills for

uninsured. The facility opened in July

tation is a major obstacle for residents.”

school-aged children and headed by

and provides health coaching and

College of Nursing Partners in

Rev. Love.

Additionally, the health fair allowed

disease management to all members

Healthcare is a cornerstone of ECCO’s

of the community. College of Nursing

involvement within the community.

an opportunity for undergraduate

instructors Beth Jensen, DNP, APRN,

The leaders of the Baldwin-Carson

nursing students in the population-

FNP-BC, CNE and Charlene Pruitt,

community called a meeting in April

health program to practice their skills,

MSN, RN, both family nurse practi-

to brainstorm with ECCO community

under the guidance of Carol Opeikun,

tioners, maintain their practice by

outreach workers, Dr. Jensen and Mrs.

MSN, RN, CON clinical faculty.

collaborating with ECCO Partners in

Pruitt, with the aim of identifying

Healthcare Clinic and run the clinic.

A faith-based community, Huger has a strong generational and matriarchal presence. At the forefront of the Baldwin-Carson community is Rev10

According to Jack Little, execu-

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

During the planning phase the

types of services that could be provid-

health fair became known as the

ed and which of those services served

Health Village. Dr. Jensen, Ms. Pruitt

an interest to the community.

and Ms. Opeikun attended numerous

Given the novelty of the new building and the yet to be defined roles and

community meetings in order to build a trust with the community.

--------

THROUGH FACULTY PRACTITIONERS

Building trust in the community

as well as, cholesterol and glucose

and demonstrating their competence

screenings. Dr. Jensen and Ms. Pruitt

and capabilities were the paramount

interpreted the findings and provided

expected outcomes that Dr. Jensen

consultation as needed.

and Ms. Pruitt had for the health village.

Intent on including an interprofes-

Participants were able to consult with the nurse practitioners about general health and medication ques-

sional approach, Dr. Jensen invited

tions. Surveys taken at the health

MUSC’s College of Pharmacy, College

village revealed that the community’s

of Health Professions and the Depart-

interest was to increase their knowl-

ment of Physical Therapy to partici-

edge of self-managing hypertension

pate.

and diabetes.

One of the benefits of the health

The clinic opened July 15 with 22

village was the opportunity to survey

visitors and was staffed by Dr. Jensen,

the community about their perceived

Ms. Pruitt, Ms. Opeikun and two un-

health needs and the role they would

dergraduate nursing students.

like the Partners in Healthcare Clinic to play.

Due to Dr. Jensen, Ms. Pruitt and Mrs. Opeikun’s participation in com-

Since the nursing students were

munity events, they were able to send

providing much of the manpower for

a message to the public that the clinic

the health village, they researched

is well equipped and ready to provide

Huger’s demographics and prepared

quality health care the community

health pamphlets for the adults and

desperately needed.

health activities for the children. The

Berkeley COUNTY - HUGER, SC -

110

Square Miles

14,500

Total Population

66%

African-American

Interprofessional education and the

students also created signage for each

opportunity for scholarly publications

of the various stations so that partici-

are on the horizon as one of the many

pants could easily identify the differ-

benefits of the faculty’s clinical prac-

ent stations.

tice with the community. Dr. Jensen

The students performed biomet-

{ By the Numbers }

31%

Caucasian

11%

and Ms. Pruitt are excited for the com-

rics, such as blood pressure readings,

munity partnership and are looking

height, weight, and BMI calculations.

forward to serving the community’s

They also provided vision screening,

needs.

Of population older than 65 years of age

21%

Of population school aged with an average household size of 3

8th

Ranking out of 46 SC counties in health Outcomes*

25th

diabetes mortality Ranking in SC from 2010-2012*

BREAKING GROUND IN HUGER, SC Ms. Charlene Pruitt (left) and Dr. Beth Jensen welcome the Baldwin-Carson community to the new health clinic.

2015 County & Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson program collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

11

EXPANDING COVERAGE -------COMMUNITY DAY AT ONE80 PLACE (photo left) The SNA hosted a community fun day at two One80 Place homeless shelters. Students provided children with activities at the Summerville location, while students promoted health education and held bingo games for the adult residents at the Charleston facility. Prizes and supplies were donated by the students.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAY ONE80 PLACE (photo right) Dr. Joy Lauerer believes in the importance of play to support childrens’ emotional development and needs at One80 Place. When her students noticed an absence of an outside playground for the children living at the shelter, she advocated that a playground be constructed. In 2015, the play structure was built through funding from SCE&G.

Making a Difference at One80 Place In 2014, the estimated number of

have the opportunity to co-facilitate

homeless people in America, defined as

this group since June,” said Ms. Atad-

finding food and shelter takes higher

those sleeping outside and in home-

janova. “It has been a rewarding experi-

priority over personal growth and

less assistance programs, was around

ence to learn about and help to address

development, including counseling.

578,000 with nearly 50 percent suffer-

unique needs of the residents of One80

Their focus is present day. Many of the

ing from substance abuse compared

Place.”

residents have become estranged from

However, for most homeless people,

with eight percent of the total popu-

Weekly, they see firsthand how the

lation. In addition, homeless people

effects of compounding factors such as

network to help them recover from

have disproportionately higher rates of

mental illness and substance abuse lead

substance addiction. Making life even

mental health conditions.

to homelessness and social isolation.

more difficult is remaining sober while

“We are learning the value of empathy

living on the street where drugs and

downtown Charleston provides food,

and acceptance,” Ms. Hugie explained.

alcohol is widely available.

shelter, and supportive services to help

“The group members come from all

individuals, veterans, and families to

walks of life and each has a different

understanding the importance of sup-

turn their lives around. Breaking an ad-

experience with substance abuse. We

porting an often neglected part of the

diction is difficult for anyone, especially

are measuring their progress, providing

community.

for those who are homeless. One of

positive reinforcement, and adjusting

the services One80 Place offers shelter

goals when necessary.”

The newly renovated One80 Place in

residents suffering from substance

One80 Place, has been attending

recovery group.

weekly substance abuse group ses-

rissa Hugie and Nazokat Atadjanova,

remained clean.

Julie, who has a history of crack

and humanitarian work respectively,

cocaine addiction, recently delivered

thought bringing their counseling

her first child and is really motivated to

experience to the substance recovery

stay clean so that she can take care of

group would be a good tie-in with their

her baby.

“This group is helping me stay sober

class, taught by Joy Lauerer, DNP,

and clean while I learn new coping

assistant professor.

skills,” said Julie. Both students have of-

“We both have an interest in psychiatric nursing and were fortunate to LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

As future nurses, these students are

sions for the past six months and has

who have backgrounds in social work

psychiatric and mental health nursing

their families and are without a support

Julie, a 28-year old resident of

abuse is participation in a substance A couple of ABSN students, Cer-

12

by Cerrissa Hugie & Nazokat Atadjanova

fered to provide Julie and her newborn with additional support.

Guests of One80 Place are provided with medical, counseling, legal and employment services. MUSC’s undergraduate nursing program provides assistance with many health related services at the shelter, in turn providing 250 student clinical experiences last year.

One80 Place has dedicated space and programs for veterans and operates two family centers, one in Summerville and one in Charleston, designed exclusively for women and children. The shelters house approximately 120 adults and children.

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THROUGH STUDENTS Student Responds to Emanuel Church Tragedy

On June 17, 2015 the community of Charleston, SC experienced unfathomable tragedy as a young, white man consumed by hate walked into a historic African-American church and murdered nine innocent people and forever altered the lives of three survivors. This act shook every member of the community to their core. But no one could have envisioned the reaction of the people of Charleston to this senseless act.

With the eyes of the world watching, Charleston chose to stand strong and come together to share love and not hate. College of Nursing students participated in numerous ways to

{ By the Numbers }

show their respect to the lives lost and to help heal a community.

Homelessness

Elizabeth Willis, an Accelerated BSN student, was among those students

6,035

Homeless men, women, & Children living in SC in 2014

1,026

of SC’s homeless are children; 405 are under the age of 5

14%

of SC’s homeless Population are veterans

425

Homeless men, women, & Children living in charleston Co. in 2014

489

homeless people received health care at One80 Place in 2014

1,573

number of homeless who were provided medical visits from One80 Place in 2014 Source: SC Coalition for the Homeless; One80 Place

Photographer John Nettles captured this powerful moment between his 3-year-old son and Taylor Willis. Elizabeth Willis pictured right.

who felt the need to heal the pain everyone was feeling. Her efforts were captured in a photo taken by a father of a young boy who ran over to re-

ceive his “hug” from Ms. Willis and her friend Taylor who were giving out free hugs near the church where the tragedy occurred. The photo went viral and was featured by numerous news agencies and even the Today Show on NBC. Lifelines asked Ms. Willis to share her reaction to the attention she received.

On Saturday, June 27, during my walk home from work, a friend and I decided to pay our respects and observe the beautiful memorial that had been built for the victims of the shooting at Emanuel AME Church. I didn’t know what to expect as many news programs had recently aired people’s negative reactions to tragedies in other U.S. cities. However, when we arrived at the church’s front steps what I saw was breathtaking.

There was a sense of community and fortitude that I had not expected. On my walk home from the church I recalled an article I had read about a free hugs campaign in Australia. So, I decided that was what Charleston needed, free hugs.

I called a friend, Taylor Willis, from Columbia, SC and explained to her my idea. I told her how much it would mean to have us, an African-American and a Caucasian, doing this together, as a united team. She thought it was a phenomenal idea. We met Sunday morning to walk around Marion Square and give out hugs. The day started out slow. At first people were apprehensive and just wanted to take pictures, but within minutes there was a line forming to hug us. We walked up and down Calhoun and King Streets for three and half hours just hugging people and praying with them. The response was overwhelming.

I had no idea one of the photos taken that day by John Nettles, Jr. was going to become viral on the web. It was just a small way for my friend and I to show our support for everyone effected by the tragedy. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Fall | Winter 2015

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13

EXPANDING COVERAGE -------Shakira Lynn, MSN, APRN, FNP-C (pictured second from the right) is a student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

An Inside View of Medical Mission in Honduras On May 16, 2015, I began my journey back to Olancho, Honduras on my third mission trip with Mercer on Mission.

by Shakira Lynn

community before receiving their license.

There are no emergency response teams that work in

As the nurse practitioner with this group my primary role

rural areas surrounding San Esteban, Honduras and the

is to assist with the assessment and treatment of patients;

closest health department that can handle urgent cases is in

however, I also work with students to help guide the flow

the town of San Esteban which is more than two hours from

of clinic and patient care. This year our group consisted of

the remote areas of Vallecito or Toro Muerto. The closest

nursing, pharmacy, medical, undergraduate and Spanish

hospital with an emergency department is more than six

students from Mercer University. I was also blessed on this

hours away from these villages in Jutigalpa. Access to care

particular trip to work alongside other advanced practice

is especially challenging for pregnant women, as the closest

nurses, family practice physicians, a pediatrician, a Spanish

maternity clinic with labor and delivery capability services

instructor and a family marriage counselor.

is in San Esteban, which is a two hour drive from Vallecito.

Mercer on Mission provides students with experiences

Most newborns are born at this clinic if the parents are able

throughout developing countries to provide medical care to

to plan a trip down several days before the expected delivery

patients who would otherwise be unable to receive access to

date. However, some obstetric emergencies unfortunately

adequate health care.

end in either maternal or fetal mortality.

There is a need for both health education and preventive

Since most people who live in remote areas are unable

medicine in each of the villages we visited in Honduras.

to visit a health care provider, they usually purchase

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there

medications at a pharmacy in town. Pharmacies carry a

are only about six physicians for every 10,000 people in

wide variety of medications for patients to purchase without

Honduras, therefore nurses typically manage community

a prescription including antibiotics, oral contraceptives,

health centers and provide care. According to German

hypertension medications, non-narcotic pain medications,

Jimenez, MD, a physician with more than 20 years

and injectable insulin. Since taking medications without a

experience working in Olancho, most nurses in Honduras

health care provider can lead to negative patient outcomes

have not received any formal education or teaching beyond

patients were advised to seek medical attention.

high school. Those nurses who are professionally trained

Most of the roads are unpaved dirt roads with deep

receive one to four years of education at the college level

potholes and steep banks alongside them. While traveling

and complete a year of public service training in the

in Toyota Land Cruisers to Vallecito, there was a single

14

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

--------

THROUGH STUDENTS

razor wire fence separating the road from the steep mountainside. The road was only wide enough for one vehicle to pass and was frequently blocked either with oncoming motorcycles or stray horses and cows walking across them. The nurses there may visit each clinic once or twice a month to see patients and they travel by motorcycle or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Our team saw a total of 692 patients in just nine clinic days and we were challenged with seeing conditions that aren’t frequently encountered in the United States. We had a full formulary of medications and patients were typically given only a two-week supply of medications, as they were available. Many of the school-aged children were treated for intestinal parasites, which they had acquired due to poor sanitation. We screened all patients aged 18 and older for diabetes mellitus and found that less than 10 percent of those patients actually had the disease.

Each of my educational experiences thus far has prepared me to be a leader in health care. While obtaining my MSN degree at Mercer University, I took courses in leadership and global health nursing which has prepared me with skills such as cultural sensitivity and recognition of environmentally driven diseases. I am currently in the DNP program at MUSC, and learning to practice at the terminal degree level in nursing while promoting health equality in an effort to eliminate health disparities in the communities I serve. It is my goal to continue making a career investment in the global community of nurse training, mentorship and leadership while striving to impact changes in health systems.

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

15

EXPANDING COVERAGE ------by Dawn Brazell | MUSC News Center

So Dr. Treiber’s group has developed a pill bottle cap that integrates with smartphones to provide a series of alerts when it’s time to take the medicine. Even better, the cap “talks” when it is opened with recorded messages providing support and encouragement for taking the pills. The patient may hear from his grandson who looks forward to fishing with him or hear his dog barking and someone

There’s a Health App for That

saying “Rocky just said - ‘glad you are

When it comes to knowing the right

investigative teams are developing

walk today?’” The med-adherence

secret sauce that goes into making a

several mobile applications that

health app, researchers at a technology

integrate with wireless biofunction

application center at the College of

devices, such as salivary biomarkers of

Nursing know just how to flavor the

stress and breath-based monitoring of

mix.

alcohol and smoking exposure.

Frank Treiber, PhD, is a professor

development and testing customized

State Endowed Chair. He is also the

pill bottles to encourage medication

director of the Technology Application

adherence, a common problem among

Center for Healthful Lifestyles (TACHL).

patients. Studies show that half of all

He said there are all kinds of pretty

patients do not take their medications

apps with fancy bells and whistles,

as prescribed and more than 1 in 5 new

however, many are not easy to use and

prescriptions go unfilled.

haven’t been validated, especially when

Their research suggests there are

it comes to monitoring health issues.

three domains that are really important

Fewer still have been designed to keep

in people’s lives when it comes to

someone motivated to use them day in

adhering to a medical regimen, he said.

and day out for the rest of their lives.

“They are the three F’s: faith, family

“Our secret sauce is to find out what

and friends. What motivates a 65-year-

are those things more internal to you

old African-American man with

that will motivate you or encourage

uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes

you to use it,” he said, explaining how

and high cholesterol is not his spouse’s

software programmers at the center

or provider’s frequent reminding. It’s

apply behavioral change theories to

getting feedback related to him being

make apps easier to use.

able to enjoy his grandchildren and

For example, thanks to multiple

16

Another creative invention involves

in the College of Nursing and a Smart

other family members, attending Bible

grants funded by the National Institutes

study, fishing with friends or even

of Health, TACHL and its collaborative

walking his dog.”

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

getting stronger; how about a short technology has been licensed to a startup biotech company that is further enhancing and refining the technology.

While Dr. Treiber and colleagues at the center are excited about the potential use of health apps, they are alarmed that many of them are not based on evidence-based research and some that they’ve tested are actually inaccurate.

“There are about 150,000 apps that are health care or fitness related.

There are around 260 apps related to hypertension alone. The question is – are they empirically sound and do they work?”

The goal at TACHL is to develop, find and test technology-assisted methods that work and then get them tied into a medical infrastructure so patients have medically sound direction in interpreting what they are finding.

How these methods can be applied is exploding as fast as the technology they’re using.

The group is targeting key areas such as medication adherence, stress reduction, smoking prevention and

--------

THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

cessation, physical activity and diet that can positively impact a wide

proper dosages at the right time.”

to improve their understanding of

Medication adherence is harder

treatment for veterans and firefighters

range of health care conditions and

than it may seem. Take the area of

with posttraumatic stress disorder and

keep patients out of the emergency

kidney transplant, for example, where

depression.

department. Hospitals do a great job

premature graft loss is a problem.

with emergency care, but then patients

Kidney transplant patients take 13 to 15

developed in partnership with the

go back to their home environment,

medications three to four times a day,

National Center for PTSD and the

which can set the stage for gaps in

he said.

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

routine daily care, he said.

“This is where mobile health

These patients’ medications have

These training courses were

and are freely accessible to providers

to be taken within a small window of

nationally. Several thousand providers

technology really has an advantage – in

time to maintain proper blood levels. A

have already used these courses.

the day to day management, we need

patient who forgets to take medication

to make sure you don’t need to come

in the morning will sometimes double

the iPad into the mental health clinic

back into the hospital,” Dr. Treiber

up in the afternoon or evening without

by developing apps that are designed to

said, citing a wide range of patients

realizing that it is dangerous to do

help providers keep children engaged

who are being helped by TACHL’s

this. “Now, he’s in a cycle of under

in treatment after traumatic events.

mobile technology tools. That includes

and overdosing that results in kidney

These apps are currently being tested.

people suffering from hypertension,

damage and potentially eventual loss

Dr. Ruggiero’s team also has developed

heart failure and diabetes, along

of the kidney. Neither the patient nor

web-based and smartphone resources

with transplant recipients. Another

doctors will be aware of this until it’s

that help adolescents and adults after a

advantage is the health care team

often too late to save the kidney.”

traumatic experience.

receives timely feedback on patients’

Research is showing many of

More recently, his team has brought

Another project the team is proud of

conditions and how well they are able

their programs, such as the ones

is a self-help resource called “Bounce

to follow their doctor’s orders. “The goal

that use medication trays to help

Back Now” that was used to improve

is to prevent further decline that might

patients and a Tension Tamer app to

the emotional recovery of adolescents

lead to ER visits or hospitalization.”

combat hypertension, are working.

after their communities were affected

That translates to saving money. Dr.

It’s one reason the center has

by the spring 2011 tornadoes that struck

Treiber said costs for a hypertension-

grown significantly since it was first

Joplin, Missouri and northern Alabama.

related visit can be around $5,000,

established in 2010.

versus someone being monitored by

When Sachin Patel, senior

“Stigma is a big issue in mental health. Many adults and adolescents in

an app integrated with a wireless blood

programmer and director of the

need of mental health care will never

pressure monitor and pill cap device

center’s systems architecture and

receive it, and those who do often put

costs around $1,900 per year. “This

director of technology at the College,

treatment off for months or years. It is

way, doctors can bring their patients

arrived three years ago, he was the

important that we create and carefully

to an outpatient clinic when they are

only developer. Now he has a team

test resources that they can use to

experiencing problems versus waiting

of 10. “That shows the new growth

address their needs or motivate them to

to discover it at the next appointment

in this area, driven by increasing

seek formal help,” Ruggiero said.

or - even worse - in the ER.”

opportunities to create better outcomes

Stroke is another critical area. Dr. Treiber said state data from 2013 shows

through technology.”

Ken Ruggiero, PhD, a professor in

Dr. Treiber’s best advice for the general population: “Do what works for you in helping to follow your doctor’s

6.5 percent of stroke patients are back

the College of Nursing, joined TACHL

prescribed regimen. If you have a

in the emergency department within

as co-director in April 2014, expanding

chronic health condition, research

a month. Within three months, that

the center’s focus to encompass mental

what’s available. There’s probably

number is up to 20 percent. “The

health issues.

an app for that. Look for those with

number one issue with chronic disease

Dr. Ruggiero sees technology’s

management is non-adherence to the

power in being able to improve the

medications and other aspects of the

quality of mental health care. His

medical regimen. Only 50 percent of

team has created online training

people are taking medications at the

courses for mental health providers

research supporting their use. Then talk to your health care provider about it.”

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

17

AROUND THE COLLEGE

V

JANELLE OTHERSEN ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP LECTURE

F

or the fifth annual Janelle Othersen Endowed Professorship Lecture held July 22, the College of Nursing

welcomed Pamela Roshell, PhD, regional director of region IV of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Her campus-wide presentation was titled, “Shaping the Future of Health Care Delivery: The Impact of the Affordable Care Act and Heath Policy for Nurse Leaders.”

Prior to her appointment as regional director, Dr. Roshell served in a variety of leadership roles at AARP including State Director in Georgia and South Carolina.

Before being named state director for AARP South Carolina, she performed health policy education, program design and implementation activities for AARP’s

Dr. Pamela Roshell (left) and Mrs. Janelle Othersen and Dean Gail Stuart.

Southeast Region. Committed to the belief that healthy aging requires a holistic and collaborative approach, Dr. Roshell assisted policy-makers and state and communitybased organizations serving older adults to develop and implement evidence-based health promotion/disease prevention programs.

A native of South Carolina, Dr. Roshell is a graduate of Columbia College, and received a master of social work degree with a specialty in administration from the University of South Carolina. She has built on that specialty with the completion of a PhD in social policy analysis, planning and administration from Clark Atlanta University.

After the presentation, College of Nursing faculty member, Amy Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, interviewed Dr. Roshell and shares that interaction with Lifelines.

Dr. Amy Williams: You urge nurses and nursing students to think of themselves as a leader by discussing the need to seek out leadership positions and act as a leader in current roles. How have you been able to embrace this recommendation in your career?

Dr. Pamela Roshell: The first thing I had “Real stories about to do is transform my thinking to actually see myself as a leader now. The luxury of real people whose lives seeing yourself as a leader “next” doesn’t have been changed, give you the sense of urgency that you need whose lives have been to act now as a leader. I’ve done that over the course of my career by transforming my saved, have kept me thinking and seeing myself as a leader in my going in this role.” current position, regardless of where that was or at what level of the organization. I had to find the courage to share my voice, my ideas, and my feedback. I would then seek opportunities to lead and serve through committees or special projects.

AW: If, as nurses, we are all leaders in health care and we embrace this role, what are some recommendations related to leadership in health care that you have for us?

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LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

PR: I have two recommendations. First, we must always think about leadership as moving the dial forward. Leaders are responsible for progress. Leaders cannot sustain and maintain the status-quo. Second, we must have a commitment to excellence and regular measures of performance.

When we measure our performance, we are focusing on measures that affect outcomes.

AW: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is shaping the way that health care is delivered in the US. What are some major themes of the ACA that nurses need to be aware of related to health care delivery?

PR: One key goal, and something that I think is an important provision, is the promotion of prevention in primary care. I think that is a critical element of the law and a critical element of implementation. Nurses have a key role in educating, screening and assisting patients with an understanding of how to take preventative measures, particularly in primary care. Another major provision is improving quality and health outcomes.

The third major goal is expanding access to health care coverage. Nurses play a key role because they are such

trusted resources in the community. Nurses don’t have to be experts on the ACA or even the market place, but they can leverage the trust that patients have in them to share the knowledge that care and coverage are available.

AW: Realistically, the ACA has undergone a lot of scrutiny but recently won another Supreme Court challenge and it is believed to have cleared its last hurdle to being cemented into our permanent health care landscape. Are there days that were tough for you to continue working to advocate for and refine this legislation? Where did you find the strength and leadership to continue your important work of ensuring more Americans had access to health care?

PR: My strength came from the consumers. For example, in SC, people have gained access to coverage and now have peace of mind that they don’t have to worry about going bankrupt with medical bills that they can’t pay. I also saw the faces of relief among consumers who had not been able to get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition. For example, Sally from Greenville had been suffering through treatments for breast cancer. She and her husband had exhausted most of their resources and were about to lose their home. Because of the cap on her old insurance policy, Sally had exhausted her coverage. But the ACA allows affordable coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, and thus she was able to get the additional coverage she needed. She no longer had to worry or make choices about seeking the wonderful care that is provided by so many nurses in SC. She now had coverage that she could afford and coverage that wouldn’t run out. Stories like that—real stories about, real people whose lives have been changed, whose lives have been saved, have kept me going in this role.

AW: I’m sure it must be very interesting to hear stories from people whose lives have been truly transformed by this legislation.

PR: Yes, absolutely. It definitely keeps you going because when you look at the paper, the legislation itself, you’re reading through policy. Its different when you see that policy in the form of a real person and a real family and real children and real women and men and older adults. When you see that policy come to life in the form of everyday people it makes a difference. It gives you a lot of strength to carry on and it fuels my passion.

AW: One of the things you mentioned that was so striking to me when you spoke to our students was when you talked about Secretary Burwell’s commitment to this being a fluid process and the need to recognize changes that need to occur to the legislation as it is being rolled out and implemented. That resonated with us as faculty members and health care providers.

Dr. Pamela Roshell (left) and Dr. Amy Williams

PR: I think nurses and nursing students can play a critical role as we continue to make advances in not only the ACA, but in health care policy in general because nurses actually see what the implementation of policy looks like in the lives of people and bringing that voice and expertise to bear in the conversation around policy is invaluable. Also nurses need to think about their ability to affect macro change, change in a systemic way. Nurses are accustomed to the care they provide to a patient in a very micro setting. But they also can have a major impact when they use their skills, knowledge and influence to affect macro practice or macro change because it has the ability to impact the lives of millions of patients.

AW: That’s such an important point. In our DNP program we talk a lot about nurse practitioners educated at the doctoral level being responsible for helping carry out macro change—it’s a very common theme throughout our programs.

PR: When we are reviewing policy, and “The administration before we get the final rule on policy, understands the value of there are many opportunities to provide public comments. Taking advantage and nurses. We know that they sharing the knowledge and expertise are critical in not only that nurses have as practitioners during the new access to care the public comment period is really that many consumers will important. Nurses can also monitor implementation of policy and then talk realize, but as a critical about changes that need to be made part of the health care because they have had a chance to see infrastructure.” how a policy actually impacts care and outcomes.

AW: Can you talk about how the ACA and the administration view the role of nurses, specifically as agents in prevention?

PR: One of the major provisions and opportunities in the implementation of the law is around prevention in primary care and that’s definitely an opportunity for nurses. We’ve made an $11 billion investment in our federally qualified Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

19

health center structure. We’ve added 4,500 nursing positions since 2009, 18,000 nurses in nurse centers, 700 nurse practitioners, 500 certified nurse midwives, and we’ve expanded school-based health centers and home visiting programs.

In SC, we’ve made investments of over $141 million for hiring more providers, extending hours, and expanding primary care services. There is definitely opportunity in the primary care structure and the prevention structure for nurses. We’ve also provided funding for nurse managed health clinics. The administration understands the value of nurses. We know that they are critical in not only the new access to care that many consumers will realize, but as a critical part of the health care infrastructure.

AW: You discussed the need to innovate health care and that we can’t solve today’s problems with yesterday’s solutions. Can you discuss the types of innovations necessary to increase patient access to care and provide high quality care that is accountable for outcomes?

PR: How do we design new payment models that really look at the value of care and care outcomes and not just volume? How do we design new care delivery systems that really coordinate care and integrate all aspects of the patient so that we can reduce hospital readmissions?

With the bright minds that are coming out of your College of Nursing, there are delivery models that are yet to be discovered and I think that the value that nurses bring to innovation is that they are seeing some aspects of disease, aspects of care and prevention and the desire of patients to be cared for in different settings. Putting all that together, what does that ideal care model look like?

Having the opportunity through, for example, the CMS innovation center, to test some of those models and be at the forefront of what some of those models look like. Designing real evidence-based preventions.

Also, how do we integrate some of that evidence into these new delivery care models? Then, of course, how do we use technology in care delivery? We already have telemedicine and different types of technology, but how will we use apps, for example, to care for younger patients. How do we use robots? How do we use all types of technology to integrate that into how we care for patients? How will we transfer information among all of the care delivery team? How do we use technology to have patients communicate? The opportunity is just so exciting and we all have a role to play and nurses in particular can bring so much to what the future of nursing and what the future of health care will look like.

AW: We are so thankful for your expertise and time.

You have taken a very complicated piece of legislation and really made it understandable and highlighted the aspects that are so crucial and important to nurses.

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LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

5 YEARS LATER

How the Affordable Care Act is working for South Carolina As of Feb. 2015, 210,331 SC consumers selected or were automatically re-enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage through the Marketplace. Nationwide, nearly 11.7 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically enrolled in Marketplace coverage.

88% of SC consumers who were signed up qualified for an average tax credit of $278 per month through the Marketplace.

69% of SC Marketplace enrollees obtained coverage for $100 or less after any applicable tax credits in 2015, and 92 % had the option of doing so.

This year SC consumers could choose from 5 issuers in the Marketplace – up from 4 in 2014.

An average of 59 health plans were available to SC consumers in their county for 2015 coverage – up from 25 in 2014.

71,407 consumers in SC under the age of 35 are signed up for Marketplace coverage (34 % of plan selections in the state).

58,806 of those consumers are between the ages 18 to 34.

SC has received $1,000,000 in grants for research, planning, IT development, and implementation of its Marketplace.

BETTER VALUE Providing better value for your premium dollar through the 80/20 Rule: 205,229 South Carolinians with private insurance coverage benefited from $13,187,815 in refunds from insurance companies, for an average refund of $92 per family because of the ACA. Scrutinizing unreasonable premium increases: The state has received $1,000,000 under the new law to help fight unreasonable premium increases.

Removing lifetime limits on health benefits: 1,458,000 people in SC, including 566,000 women and 397,000 children, are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage.

Ending discrimination for pre-existing conditions: Nearly 2 million non-elderly adults have some type of pre-existing health condition, including 256,200 children.

Increasing support for community health centers: Health Center grantees in SC have received $141,193,957 to offer a broader array of primary care services, extend their hours of operations, hire more providers, and renovate or build new clinical spaces.

Preventing illness and promoting health: Through Fiscal Year 2013, SC received $33,363,298 in grants from the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This fund was created by the health care law to support effective policies in SC and nationwide, such as tobacco cessation initiatives, obesity prevention, and increasing the primary care and public health workforce, so that all Americans can lead longer, more productive lives.

YOU DID IT!

You have achieved Magnet™ status.

Congratulations to all the exemplary nurses at MUSC Health.

You have achieved an extraordinary milestone that places MUSC among the nation’s elite.

The College of Nursing is proud to partner with you in “taking nursing to a higher level.”

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

TWO FACULTY RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

Left to right: Drs. Catherine Durham and Deborah Williamson

n 1994, MUSC established the Teaching Excellence Awards

I

Dr. Williamson, associate professor and associate dean for

program to recognize faculty who have made outstanding

practice, received the Clinical-Professional/Educator-Mentor

contributions to the University’s teaching mission. The

Award.

a time-honored tradition that symbolically marks the formal

member of the MUSC faculty. MUSC and the community

introduction to the new academic year. This year, two

in which it serves are celebrating this fact: the university,

College of Nursing faculty were presented with Teaching

because of the hundreds of health care providers affected

Excellence awards: Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC,

by her wise counsel and guidance; and the community,

and Deborah Williamson, DHA, MSN, RN.

because it is a partner in this learning mission, allowing

awards are presented annually during Faculty Convocation,

Dr. Durham, assistant professor and director of graduate programs, received the Developing Teacher Award.

“I do not pretend to teach her how, I ask her to teach herself, and for this purpose I venture to give her some hints.” - Florence Nightingale, 1859 Some things are so true they are literally ageless,

unaffected by changing times, cultural mores or technology.

In establishing her philosophy of teaching, Dr. Durham turned to the bedrock of truth in the art of nursing, Florence Nightingale, whose revolutionary concepts laid the foundation for modern nursing education and practice. “Her statement champions the teaching attributes of facilitation, mentoring, encouragement and role modeling,” Dr. Durham states in her philosophy. “These attributes describe my philosophy of teaching and form the framework for the type of educator that I strive to be.”

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LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

This year, Dr. Williamson is marking three decades as a

providers to gain insight into the social and environmental factors which impact health, that subsequently lead to improved health policies and practices.

“

The recognition of two of our College of Nursing faculty, Drs. Durham and Williamson, with these MUSC Excellence in Teaching Awards reflects on their individual commitment to our education mission, as well as the striving of our College to excel on every level.

Dean Gail Stuart

V

HONORS AND ACCOLADES SISTER SUMMIT LEGACY AWARDS Left to right: Dean Gail Stuart, Dr. Tiffany Williams, Dr. Ida Spruill and Dr. Gayenell Magwood celebrate Dr. Spruill’s achievements.

the recipient of the James E. Clyburn Health Disparities Leadership Award.

On September 17, Dr. Spruill was presented with the Sister Summit Legacy Award for being a trailblazer in health. The

SPRUILL RECEIVES ACCOLADES FOR COMMUNITY WORK Ida Johnson Spruill, PhD, RN, LISW, FAAN, associate

Sister Summit Legacy Awards were established to recognize the hard work, unselfish acts, and unwavering commitment of women to the community.

The Sister Summit Foundation is a nonprofit organization

professor, has received numerous awards and accolades

committed to the social, cultural and economic

over the years for her community-based genetic research

empowerment of women and girls through programs

of African Americans with diabetes and her promotion of

that promote education, entrepreneurship, the arts, and

health literacy.

opportunities for personal and professional development.

At the 8th Annual James E. Clyburn Health Disparities

Since 2011, nearly 4,000 women and 500 girls have benefited

Lecture, held April 27, Dr. Spruill’s Project DIABETES was

from Sister Summit programs.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS WILLIAMS TO FIRST STEPS BOARD

SMITH SELECTED FOR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Governor Nikki Haley appointed

Shannon Smith, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNE, CGRN, assistant

Amy Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNP-

professor, was selected by the

PC, instructor, as the only medical

Executive Committee of the Society

provider on South Carolina’s First

of Gastroenterology Nurses and

Steps to School Readiness Board

Associates, Inc. (SGNA) for their

of Trustees. Other members of

2015 SGNA Scholars Program.

this 25-seat board include the state superintendent of education,

The purpose of the program is to educate and train appropriately prepared GI and endoscopy

state legislators, state directors of the Departments of

nurses in order to build a repository of evidence applicable

Social Services, Disabilities and Special Needs, Health and

to the GI and endoscopy setting.

Environmental Control, Health and Human Services, and Head Start, among others.

South Carolina’s First Steps to School Readiness is the state’s comprehensive early childhood education initiative. The focus is to ensure that South Carolina’s children are

MUSC College of Nursing proudly ranks No. 1 among online graduate nursing programs for

VETERANS

ready for school success by providing early intervention, strengthening families, improving children’s health and well being, increasing the quality of early care and education and helping transition rising kindergarteners to school.

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

23

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

NEW FULL-TIME FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

PROFESSOR Julie Barroso, PhD, ANP, RN, FAAN, has been an educator since 1989, teaching in BSN, MSN, and PhD programs. She has mentored numerous PhD students and junior faculty, and has sponsored three funded NRSA grant applications. An internationally recognized expert in qualitative research, Dr. Barroso has taught qualitative research methods and qualitative data analysis to doctoral students.

Catherine Garner, DrPH, MSN, MPA, RN, FAAN has been appointed lead faculty in the DNP in Executive Leadership Program. Prior to joining the College, she served as the executive director for nursing and academics for the eight-hospital Greenville Health System. She has extensive health care leadership experience spanning home care, ambulatory care, and a position as vice president of clinical operations for one of the country’s first Medicare Managed Care Organizations. In education she has held senior

BSN — Florida State University MSN — University of South Florida PhD — University of Texas at Austin

BSN — Vanderbilt University MSN — Vanderbilt University MPA — Tennessee State University/ University of Tennessee DrPH — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

leadership positions as dean and provost of several schools.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Emily Johnson, PhD has taught at the undergraduate

Robin Matutina, PhD, RN-BC, CPN, CPON, CNE has

and graduate level at MUSC and Ohio University. She has

been a nurse for more than 20 years. She is a National

teaching experience in the areas of organizational theory,

League for Nursing Ambassador and a member of several

research design and statistics, comparative effectiveness,

major nursing organizations including Oncology Nursing

and epidemiology. She also has served as a student men-

Society, and the American Academy of Ambulatory Care

tor in the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels for

Nursing. She is currently a fellow in the Amy V. Cockcroft

capstone projects, research design, data collection, statis-

Leadership Program at the University of South Carolina.

tical analysis, and dissemination of results.

BSN — Furman University MHA — Medical University of South Carolina PhD — Medical University of South Carolina

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LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

BSN — Medical University of South Carolina PhD — Medical University of South Carolina

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Michelle Nichols, PhD, RN has joined the College’s research faculty. Her research interests include reducing health disparities through health promotion and disease prevention in underserved populations, the use of community-based participatory research methods, prevention and treatment of chronic diseases locally and globally, and clinical research ethics.

BSN, BA (French) — University of Maine MSN — University of Phoenix PhD — Medical University of South Carolina

INSTRUCTOR Jamie Carter, DNP, MS, AG-ACNP is an experienced emergency and trauma nurse, with additional experience in ambulatory care.

She is interested in emergency care, access to care, and the growing geriatric population.

She is certified as an adult-geriatric acute care nurse practitioner and plans to continue her

BS (biology) — High Point University MS (CNL); MS (adult gerontology) — University of Maryland, Baltimore DNP — University of Maryland, Baltimore

clinical role serving this population.

Kari Mau, DNP, APRN-BC is certified as a women’s health nurse practitioner and also has received certifications in electronic fetal monitoring and as a registered nurse first assistant. She is currently a fellow in the Amy V. Cockcroft Leadership Program at the University of South Carolina. Her research interests include perinatal mood disorders, fatigue and pain in hospitalized patients, and diversity in nursing. In addition to teaching in the

BSN — Purdue University MSN — Arizona State University DNP — Arizona State University

undergraduate program, she practices as a nurse practitioner at the Breast Health Center in Bluffton, SC.

Kathy Van Ravenstein, PhD FNP-BC is certified as a family nurse practitioner, and has a diverse background having practiced in the areas of family and internal medicine, urology, orthopedics, cardiovascular surgery, retail and community health. She is teaching in the MSN/DNP program.

BSN — University of Wisconsin Oshkosh MSN — University of Wisconsin Oshkosh PhD — Medical University of South Carolina

For details on MUSC College of Nursing’s faculty, visit www.musc.edu/nursing Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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REVITALIZED STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION MAKING THEIR MARK By Emily Giddens, president and Jo Singleton, vice president | Student Nurses Association SNA EXECUTIVE BOARD Left to right: Loretta Tsu, Andrew Haislip, Caroline Ravenel, Emily Giddens, John Ellis, Jo Singleton, Meghan Davis, Jordan Andrews, Patrick Morgan, Sydney Jones, Kristin Schier, Leonel Bersamina and Julia Levin-Rector (not pictured).

money for the new MUSC Jenkins Children’s Hospital, a clothing drive for the Fetter Health Care Clinic’s migrant outreach program, and meal preparation for families at the Ronald McDonald house.

T

he goal of the Student Nurses’

and fund SNA events. This tactic

One activity that stood out was

Association (SNA) at the College

appears to be a success. As of June,

Family Fun Day at One80 Place.

of Nursing is to sponsor programs

SNA had 96 members.

One80 Place provides safe shelter

and activities, foster the highest

In June, Emily Giddens, SNA

for the homeless in Charleston and

standards of nursing education and

president, and Jo Singleton, SNA vice

Summerville that offers food, and

health care, as well as aid nursing

president, updated Dean Gail Stuart

supportive services to individuals in

students in their professional

on the organizational changes and

need. Joy Lauerer, DNP, SNA academic

development.

presented her with the idea of wearing

advisor, works closely with the One80

SNA cords at convocation. Dean Stuart

Place and suggested an event for

for available executive committee

approved changes and extended an

the residents. SNA provided bingo,

positions and representatives. During

invitation for student representatives

face painting, sidewalk chalk, apple

the first board meeting of the year,

to attend monthly faculty meetings

bobbing, a water balloon toss, and

the group voted to refocus SNA

so that the faculty could be updated

snacks for the residents.

on professional development and

on student activities, fundraisers, and

community volunteer opportunities. It

events, as well as facilitate faculty/

CON Student Government Association

was important for all executive board

student relationships.

on occasion to raise funds, including

In April, elections were held

members to increase the presence of

One of the highlights implemented

Also, the SNA has partnered with the

a percentage night at Fuel restaurant

SNA within the community, as well as

by the SNA was a monthly lecture

and a pizza luncheon for students and

on campus.

series. The first lecture, held in June,

faculty.

In the past, SNA gave free

focused on neurological issues. The

Looking to the future, the SNA’s

membership to all Accelerated BSN

next month, the lecture targeted

goals include leading a letter writing

students at MUSC. Unfortunately,

traumatic events and the importance of

campaign to state representatives

participation in community

family centered care.

regarding human trafficking, a growing

events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities was low. Current board members networked with clinical faculty and other SNA chapters to find

In order to increase the group’s community presence, the SNA participated in bake sales to raise

issue in SC. The SNA is optimistic about the impact it can make on campus, as well on the community and state.

out what they did to gain participation.

Other chapters found that collecting membership dues, along with recognizing members at convocation with designated SNA cords, had proven successful. Therefore, the board voted to charge a one-time membership fee of $15 and require involvement with both SNA sponsored events and volunteer opportunities. Dues will be used to purchase cords for convocation 26

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Fall | Winter 2015

SNA/SGA FUEL PERCENTAGE NIGHT Back row (left to right): Meghan Davis, Beth Willis, Annie Henderson, Kate Phinney, Jo Singleton, Delia Linnemann, Caroline Ravenel, Amy Biffle, Dr. Joy Lauerer, Kelsey van den Heuvel, Kristen Rivers. Front Row: Jordan Andrews, Paige Cox, Emily Giddens, Melanie Carlson.

Compassion oil on canvas

by John Carroll Doyle

This large-scale painting was commissioned by the Falk-Griffin Foundation and given to the MUSC College of Nursing in 2014. Now you can have a giclee reproduction of this beautiful piece of art to hang in your home.

Canvas

11” x 14”

$ 120

24” x 30”

$ 575

16” x 20” 30” x 40”

Framed Canvas

$ 260 $ 975

11” x 14”

$ 300

24” x 30”

$ 875

16” x 20” 30” x 40”

$ 480 $ 1,345

TO ORDER Contact: All Things Good, LLC (843) 884-7266 artsypclark@yahoo.com www.charlestongiclee.com

All proceeds from the sales of the giclees benefit nursing scholarships in the MUSC College of Nursing.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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INAUGURAL RN TO BSN CLASS GRADUATES

By J. Ryne Danielson | MUSC Public Relations

Dr. Schaffner, who adopted a daughter while pursuing her degree, worried whether she would be able to balance being a parent with going to school. “There were no online courses back then,” she explained.

Nonetheless, she said, she made it through that hectic time. “Our daughter was 18 months old when my husband and I graduated on the same day, from the same college, him with an MBA and me with my BSN.” “Each of you will have stories to tell about your hard work to get your BSN. Today is a day to feel proud, but that doesn’t mean you stop here.”

N

ot even a rainy afternoon could dampen the spirits of the College of Nursing’s graduates as dozens of nurses and their families packed into St. Luke’s Chapel August

18 for the 2015 RN to BSN graduation ceremony.

Of the 53 graduates, 46 nurses graduated with honors,

Dr. Schaffner implored the graduates to continue learning, to ask questions and to learn the art of interpersonal relations.

“Feed your mind,” she said. “School has been a gym for your mind this past year, but just like with any exercise program, you must continue to exercise your mind.

including 41 summa cum laude, four magna cum laude and

“Ask questions,” she continued. “Questions promote a

one cum laude. Forty-nine of the graduates were employees

culture in which questions are welcomed, assumptions are

of MUSC Health.

challenged, and new ways to solve problems are explored.

A 2010 report published by the National Academy of Medi-

“Finally, master political savvy. As a young nurse I used to

cine recommended increasing the number of nurses with a

say I hated the politics, until I figured out that the politics of

baccalaureate degree nationwide to 80 percent by 2020, and

interpersonal interaction are vital for career advancement.

MUSC has pledged to meet this goal by offering 30 nurses full

Political savvy is about social awareness and good commu-

scholarships to complete the program.

nication. So, cast your net wide. Develop relationships in all

Andrea Coyle, MSN, MHA, RN, professional excellence

directions. Promote yourself. No one can appreciate what

manager, said the Medical University has committed itself to

they don’t know you’ve done. Find ways to mention your

supporting the lifelong learning of all of its nurses. The BSN

achievements. And, always be respectful and inspire trust.

program provides one way to do that. “As an aspiring Magnet

Filter misleading information and take the high road, even

hospital,” she said, “we must always strive to support profes-

when it is not easy. Be careful with words. Once they’re said,

sional growth and development opportunities in order to

they can only be forgiven, not forgotten.”

improve patient and staff satisfaction and enhance quality through education.”

The graduation culminated with a pinning ceremony. “It’s long been tradition that graduates wear a pin representing

“We’re so very proud of you for achieving this personal and professional goal,” said Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, thunder punctuating her words as she addressed the graduates. “The

their school on their uniform after graduation,” Dr. Stuart explained.

The pin of MUSC’s College of Nursing displays the Medi-

love and support of family and friends have sustained these

cal University’s seal with the inscription “Auget Largiendo,”

graduates through their course of study, and we’re excited

which means “She (MUSC) enriches by giving generously.”

that they have decided to join us in this celebration, even

“Wear these pins with pride,” Dr. Stuart said.

through the stormy weather.”

During the program, four students, Erica Brown, Kathleen

Erica Brown, RN, was the student speaker. “It’s an honor to share this moment with all of you,” she said. “What a differ-

Charpia, Sarah Meany and Holly Smith, were inducted into

ence a year makes. We no longer wonder if we have what it

Sigma Theta Tau, an international nursing honor society.

takes to succeed. We made it.”

Following the inductions, Marilyn Schaffner, PhD, RN,

Ms. Brown decided to pursue a career in nursing after

chief nursing officer at MUSC Medical Center, congratulated

working for 10 years as an international flight attendant for

all the new graduates. “I cannot help but reflect back to when

Delta Airlines. Being locked inside a metal tube with demand-

I returned to school to earn my bachelor’s degree in nursing,”

ing passengers, she joked, left her well prepared for her future

she said.

in psychiatric nursing.

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LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

RN to BSN Students Make Real Change in Real Settings

Nursing, she said, offers daily personal and intellectual challenges. “Working with patients who struggle with substance–use disorders, I meet patients and families at their most vulnerable. It takes courage to reach out for help with a disease that still carries the weight of shame and judgment, despite our advances in understanding addiction as a brain disease.”

She continued, “This is the great responsibility and honor of nursing — to help patients carry the burden of disease when they are unable to bear it alone.”

“Nurses are the lifeblood of any health care system,” she said. “Our patients’ lives and hopes are in our hands.”

As part of that responsibility, Brown believes that nurses have a duty to continue and advance their education. “In our increasingly complex health care system, we need to be better educated to assist patients in achieving optimal health, as well as to assist patients and families with navigating difficult ethical decisions.”

Ms. Brown said it was her nurse manager, Gene Woodall, who encouraged her decision to return to school for her BSN. “I am forever grateful for managers and mentors along my path who have relentlessly encouraged me to move forward in my nursing career.”

Ms. Brown believes the Magnet program contributed to the decision of many nurses to return to school. “The Magnet journey has assisted nurses in finding their voice and strength within the MUSC hospital system,” she said. “Pursuing higher education elevates our voices and allows us to be heard within the interdisciplinary health care team.”

For Ms. Brown, in the end, nursing is not a job. “It is part of the fiber of my being,” she said. “I don’t work as a nurse, I am a nurse. Nursing transforms you.”

After the ceremony, Brown and the 52 other new graduates gathered up their umbrellas and stepped back into the storm, transformed.

The College of Nursing RN to BSN program culminates in a Capstone Course that is designed to incorporate the student’s academic competencies into a clinical quality improvement (QI) project. Since 48 of the 53 of the students from the inaugural class were from the MUSC Medical Center, the College viewed this as a unique opportunity to give back to its own hospital.

Marilyn Laken, PhD, RN, professor, coordinated the Capstone Course with Ann Hollerbach, PhD, RN, associate professor and Shannon Smith, DNP, APRN, assistant professor. Students shared literature reviews and problem statements with faculty. A series of podcasts helped students identify and lead an interprofessional team on their unit, conduct a root cause analysis of the problem they selected to work on, identify and collect data to measure the problem and its cause(s), and identify either an evidence-based improvement or a process improvement.

All projects required baseline data to measure the problem and post-improvement data to assess if the improvement worked. The final report was submitted describing the project along with a poster.

A few students elected to collaborate on a project, resulting in 42 projects at the Medical Center, including OR, PACU, pediatrics, obstetrics, medical and surgical units, pulmonary, psychiatry, and the Hollings Cancer Center, in addition to the five student projects outside of MUSC. The students worked diligently to complete the program, juggling personal and work schedules. Faculty members look forward to collaborating with the graduates on future research and QI projects and hope the new graduates will consider continuing their education through the online DNP or PhD programs.

Below are a few of the final projects that were presented. >> Policy change to carry blood by Meducare Air has potential to save lives • Team Leader: Julie Jones, RN • Champion: Henry Ward • Team Members: Wade Manaker, MD; Mark Garrick, RN; Mary Springer, RN; Kelly Cleary, RN paramedic; Justin VanDamme, RN paramedic; Robert Dunlap, BSN, RN paramedic >> Reducing the number of patients rescheduled for endoscopic procedures due to taking anti-thrombotic medications • Team Leader: Chiffvon Stanley-Washington, BSN, RN • Champion: Colleen Alcott, BSN, RN, CGRN • Team Members: Gennifer Collins, BSN, RN, Kathy Brandenberg, BSN, RN; Janice Freeman, BSN, RN, CCRC >> NICU pilot on HIPPA rules and Facebook use • Team Leader: Wendy Lindmier, BSN, RN • Champion: Reece Smith • Team Members: Danielle Scheurer, MD; Debra Lambert, NNP; Dawn Pike, RT; Lesley Weick, RNIII; Melissa Fluharty, RN; Tara Lowry, RN

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

NEW ABSN STUDENTS WELCOMED WITH CEREMONY

N

ew baccalaureate students were recognized by the tradition of a Stethoscope Ceremony

on August 26. Two fourth semester students, Edward Lenahan and Billie Jo Singleton, offered their words of wisdom to the newest cohort of Accelerated BSN students.

By Edward Lenahan (above), BSN Candidate, December 2015

So you’ve gotten into nursing school—and a very good one at that—and I’m betting you’ve done so by excelling in previous coursework and exuding some form of confidence at nearly every turn. Well done. For better or worse, though, there’s a good chance that kind of success will be difficult to replicate here and there’s an even greater chance that the days ahead hold for you many, many embarrassing moments.

A year ago I sat exactly where you do, light on sleep, heavy on stress and thinking I was going to be pretty awesome at this whole nursing thing. Then, during clinical, I changed a bed-bound patient, unknowingly acquired a brown substance on my gloved left hand and then transferred the substance—with incredible speed—absolutely everywhere. I was not, as it turns out, pretty awesome. A point further reinforced by a veteran nurse who remained in the relative cleanliness of the hall and said “keep trying, you’ll get it eventually.”

The point of all this is while perfect clinical skills, straight A’s and the gushing praise of veteran nurses are unlikely in any nursing 30

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

student’s first semester, there are two things we can all do today and for the rest of our careers, in the classroom and in the hospital - we can work hard and we can care.

If this past year is any indication, the classroom might see you study harder for a test than you ever have, only to earn a 94 percent (that’s a B here, by the way). The hospital might see you hold in your hands a vigorously crying newborn only months after losing your own, or see you walk into the room of a dying woman so indistinguishable from your late grandmother you find yourself whispering her name.

These are not easy experiences.

But hard work will allow you to perform a thorough and detailed head-to-toe assessment of the baby, document the findings, then clean, clothe, and swaddle him before returning him to his mother’s open arms. Care will sit at the dying woman’s bedside, not to tell her everything is going to be OK, but to hold her hand and listen.

Hard work and care will sit you back down at your desk and open your books, even when you are doubting yourself. And you will doubt yourself.

Better still, hard work and care honor the

“

Embarrassing moments are a reminder that we are just as frail and imperfect as the patients we are fortunate enough to care for. They remind us that we’re human.

Edward Lenahan

needs of our patients when needs are all they have. And they are the rewards we give ourselves in a profession wherein the reward of a positive outcome is never guaranteed.

Which brings us back to embarrassing moments and why I hope each and every one of you experiences many.

After utterly decimating that patient’s room and unsuccessfully attempting to convince a veteran nurse to help me, I returned—somewhat forlornly—to the patient’s bedside, fresh linens and new gown in my now doublegloved hands. But the patient, previously withdrawn and silent, instead looked straight at me, smiled broadly and said “first day?”

For the next 30 minutes or so, extensive cleaning would fill the room with the smell of cavi-wipes while the patient’s voice would fill it with stories of children, a childhood home with a sweeping front yard, and a never-forgotten border collie who—just like mine—willfully ignored voice commands.

Embarrassing moments are a reminder that we are just as frail and imperfect as the patients we are fortunate enough to care for. They remind us and those around us that we’re human.

And this is often the greatest comfort of all.

So when, in the coming days and weeks, you don your white MUSC nursing coats and scrubs, remember that they symbolize not perfection, but your humanity and a profound willingness to work hard and care. And someday, if we should find ourselves in a place where needs are all we have, may we all be lucky enough to find at our bedside a person in white scrubs who says “I’m a nursing student, and I’ll be working with you today.”

By Billie Jo Singleton (right), BSN Candidate, December 2015

Congratulations Class of December 2016 on your acceptance to the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina. You are now a member of a nationally top ranked school of nursing.

You are beginning a new and exciting chapter in your lives. Your journey over the next 16 months will consist of early mornings, hard work, tons of information, and many trips to Starbucks. One year ago, I was sitting exactly where you are. I remember putting on my white coat for the first time and the excitement I felt when my family and friends saw me in it. I imagine some of you are feeling the same way.

But I’m certain many of you are sitting there questioning if you can do this. I know the amount of information that has been thrown at you this week. But, rest assured, you CAN do this! I also questioned my capability of succeeding while sitting in this chapel a year ago.

And I’m here to say, ‘If I can do it, you can too!’

Has it been easy? No. But they say anything worth doing won’t be easy.

I have been asked to give you some helpful advice or recommendations to be successful at MUSC. I strongly urge each of you to listen to the next few minutes carefully. What I’m going to tell you will prove vital to your success.

I have only three recommendations to give: be inspired, get involved, and remember why you started.

Be Inspired.

My own inspiration for pursuing nursing came in the form of a male nurse in an intensive care unit in a small hospital in rural Alabama. His patient, my father, had suffered a massive stroke. This nurse, whose name I don’t remember, not only took care of my father with compassion, but also took the time to spend with my family explaining everything until all of our questions were answered.

Over the next few days as I watched this nurse care for my father, I realized I wanted to give back to others the way he gave to my family.

During your time in nursing school, you will be inspired by many: your teachers, clinical instructors, preceptors, other registered nurses, fellow students, and your patients. Open

yourself to all experiences and you will not be disappointed.

You were chosen for a reason. You have different personalities, which will show in your nursing care. I’ve always been told I am too tender hearted, but I have learned this is a noble characteristic for a nurse to have. Over the past three semesters, this once perceived flaw has allowed me to understand patient care is much more than simply taking care of physical ailments. There is power in a cold washcloth, bathing another with respect, or sitting quietly with a patient who knows they are dying and doesn’t want to be alone. Opportunity for inspiration will be all around you. And I challenge you all to be an inspiration for another.

Get Involved.

I know what you’re thinking. How can I possibly be involved in student organizations and keep up with an accelerated program? I’m proof that you can and I did it while also being a wife, a mother to two wonderful children, and a stepmother to two other amazing children.

Becoming involved not only opens up opportunities for volunteerism, but it also provides a chance to meet other students outside of the College of Nursing. Through many organizations on campus, you can broaden your experience much more than clinical time alone.

While serving on the Executive Committee of the Student Nurses’ Association, I have been able to contribute and share ideas that can potentially make a positive impact. This has allowed me to enhance leadership skills, which will be helpful in my nursing career, and it also has given me an outlet from obsessive studying, which is a necessity.

Remember Why You Started All of us have a reason for wanting to be a nurse. I’ve already spoken about mine. What I failed to mention is that during my first semester, I experienced my first official cry of nursing school. Because Hallmark commercials usually make me cry, my family and friends would be surprised to know that I actually only cried twice over the past three semesters. (This isn’t to say my fourth semester will be tear free.) But in those tearful moments I decided to reach out to someone who would understand my plight - my mentor.

For those of you who aren’t aware, a former College of Nursing student organized a mentor/

mentee program, wherein all new students are assigned a mentor who is a current nursing student. It just so happened on the day when I found myself crying, I texted my mentor and asked how I could possibly complete all of the things being asked of me and how I wasn’t sure I made the right decision. Her response came in the form of a meme. A picture of a black box with white words that read “Remember why you started.”

Those words have carried me through when I didn’t think I was going to make it. Whatever reason you have for wanting to be a nurse, it has brought you to this moment. Over the next 16 months, you will reflect on this reason often and will find self-reflection is a common practice amongst nurses.

In conclusion, I would like to urge you to collectively vow to encourage one another in the classroom, clinical settings, and outside of MUSC. Although some competition is healthy, we are all working towards a common goal.

One day, you and the person sitting beside you may be working on the same floor or even could be your nurse manager. Soon you will cherish the friendships you are building with your fellow classmates and you will lean on them more than you can imagine.

A healthy support system is necessary; mine is here today supporting me while I give this speech. Your fellow classmates, though, will be going through the same things you are.

Help each other as much as possible. Build one another up. And smile when you hear your instructors say what a great class of students you are.

Fall | Winter 2015

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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CON AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NURSING STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

MARVIN AND CLEO MCALHANY SCHOLARSHIP

MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. BARTER, III SCHOLARSHIP

MCCLELLAND-PALMER SCHOLARSHIP

Dalia Hloubi Swati Patel Stephanie James

Kelsey Coutsos

Brandi Knight, DNP student

MUSC JOINT ALUMNI BOARD SCHOLARSHIP

RUTH CHAMBERLIN SCHOLARSHIP

MARIANNE T. CHITTY SCHOLARSHIP

NURSE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP

CLAIR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Shannon Elam Satavia Gaston

Jennifer Breeden, DNP student

Kelly Barth Stephanie Krall

DOROTHY JOHNSON CREWS SCHOLARSHIP Brooke Hafer

Carissa Hugie

REBA CARTER O’KEEFFE SCHOLARSHIP BARBARA SUTTON PACE SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Wilson

TED AND JOAN HALKYARD SCHOLARSHIP Krista Dies William Duprey John Ellis

RUTH JACQUI SKUDLAREK SCHOLARSHIP Romina McCandless

ELIZABETH STRINGFELLOW SCHOLARSHIP

VIRGINIA L. HARPER SCHOLARSHIP Alexandra Benson

EARL B. HIGGINS SCHOLARSHIP Satavia Gaston

Katherine Lawrence

NINA ALLSBROOK SMITH SCHOLARSHIP Andrea Bowes

J. WILLIAM THURMOND SCHOLARSHIP

FAITH JEFFERSON HOHLOCH SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Ajagbe Sharnice Boulware Annie Chan Tiffani Smalls Julian Walters

ELIZABETH ANN JONES SCHOLARSHIP Whitney Garland

BETTY KELCHNER SCHOLARSHIP Brittany Whitson

MARGARET ANN KERR SCHOLARSHIP Emily Giddens

BETTY BUNDRAGE MURRAY KINARD SCHOLARSHIP Ashley Anderson

ANTHONY AND JULIE LANZONE SCHOLARSHIP Henry Stokes LIFELINES

Billie Jo Singleton

Kayleigh Radel

HELENE FULD TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

32

Michael Kundert

Paige Cox

LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD SCHOLARSHIP Stormie Albrecht, Nazokat Atadjanova Caitlin Baker, Elizabeth Batten, Crystal Bell, Cordelia Bright, Briana Campbell, Btittny Chabalowski, Megan Chestnut, Simone Chinnis, Sarah Christopher, Meghan Davis, Brenda Duarte, Carleigh Fox, Leigh Irwin, Chyrese Jenkins, Candace Jaruzel, Devan Kuhn, Justyn Lamb, Martha Lee, Kimberly Leslie, Laura Linkowski, Jessica Litchfield, April Misher, Emily Nelson, Michelle Orr, Jeanette Parker, Sabrina Pierce, Novelette Prosper, Kristen Schier, Lindsey Settles, Brianna Smart, Daisy Smith, and Anna Williford.

MAUDE CALLEN SCHOLARSHIP

Alison Adrian, PhD student

DOROTHY JOHNSON CREWS SCHOLARSHIP Patricia Soderlund PhD student Michael Sorrell DNP student

HILTON HEAD SUNSET ROTARY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP Sunshine Reardon, DNP student

IRENE DIXON SCHOLARSHIP Sylva Panos, DNP student

MARIE LEPRINCE FARMER SCHOLARSHIP Aminah Fraser-Rahim, DNP student Michelle Gilbert, PhD student

IZANT FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Jill Murphy, DNP student

MARIANNA STUART MASON SCHOLARSHIP Caroline Yurchak, DNP student

ELIZABETH MILLS SCHOLARSHIP Emily Calaman, MSN student

NINA ALLSBROOK SMITH SCHOLARSHIP Vicki Morton, DNP student

MR. AND MRS. STEPHEN STEWART SCHOLARSHIP Sabrina Blocker, DNP student Lana Sargent, PhD student

ELIZABETH STRINGFELLOW SCHOLARSHIP Mary McCloud, PhD student Amanda Myers, DNP student

JEAN P. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP

JEAN P. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP

Mackenzie Callis

Alicia Garland, DNP student

THOMAS J. WISCARZ SCHOLARSHIP William Haislip

Fall | Winter 2015

GRADUATE & DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS

V

PhD STUDENTS RECEIVE ACCOLADES >> ORR RECEIVES DAISY AWARD

Stephanie Armstrong, MSN, RN

leadership and management

(pictured left) and Marion McRae,

positions.

RN, MScN, ACNP, both PhD in

Ms. McRae is a nurse

Nursing Science students, are

practitioner with extensive

among the second cohort of 46

experience in pediatric and adult

Future of Nursing Scholars selected

congenital cardiac care and

from schools of nursing across the

adult cardiothoracic surgery and

country.

currently works in the Guerin Family

Ms. Armstrong’s scholarship is

Congenital Heart Program at Cedars

funded by the Robert Wood Johnson

Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,

Foundation while Ms. McRae’s

CA. She has published articles in

scholarship is sponsored by Cedars-

numerous peer-reviewed journals.

Sinai Medical Center where she

A prolific speaker, she has been

works as a nurse practitioner. Both

invited to lecture on her areas of

scholarships were awarded by the

expertise at both the national and

MUSC College of Nursing.

international level. Ms. McRae has

“We are so proud of Stephanie

served as reviewer for cardiovascular

and Marion,” said Dean Gail Stuart.

textbooks. She has also served on

“Both will provide

national committees

outstanding

related to specialty

leadership and promote nurse-led science in the health care profession.”

Ms. Armstrong is an instructor in the ABSN program in the College of Nursing. Her areas

“

certification.

Future of

We are so proud of Stephanie and Marion.

Both will provide outstanding leadership and promote nursing science in the health care profession.

of interest include

Dean Gail Stuart

cultural awareness,

Nursing Scholars receive financial support, mentoring and leadership development over the three years of their PhD program. The Future of Nursing Scholars program launched

outcomes, and

last year with an

the obstetric health care needs

inaugural cohort of 16 scholars. The

of vulnerable populations. Her

new cohort brings the number of

clinical experience includes

nurses the program is supporting

practice at one of the nation’s

to 62. Each scholar receives a

largest birthing hospitals, as well as

$75,000 grant from a funder, and an

several community-based hospitals

additional $50,000 from the school

where she has served in numerous

of nursing.

Michelle Orr, MSN, RN, CNE, PhD student, received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in August. She is a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Selected by VCU students and faculty, Ms. Orr received this award because of her role modeling of caring and excellent teaching. Her research in the PhD in Nursing Science program is focused on ways to help families of individuals who are dying in the ICU make decisions about palliative care.

This DAISY award is given by the DAISY Foundation and honors the extraordinary care given by nurses to a dying child. Started in 1999, the award is given in all 50 states and 14 countries.

>> AHEC NAMES PAGUNTALAN OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR John Paguntalan, RN, MS, CCRN-A, APRNBC, PhD student, received the 2015 Upstate AHEC Outstanding Educator Award. A resident of Greenwood, SC, he practices as a nurse practitioner/nursing quality outcomes specialist at Self Regional Healthcare.

Mr. Paguntalan has 15 years of critical care nursing experience. He has taught heart rhythms and 12 lead ECG courses for almost 10 years to staff nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, EMT’s and allied health staff for Upstate AHEC. As a nursing quality outcome specialist, he has developed educational modules on various topics for the graduate nurse residency program, patient quality and safety measures, multi-disciplinary continuing education and core critical care competencies.

His research interests include the role of physical activity in preventing coronary heart disease among high-risk population.

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

33

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

CLASS OF 1965 HONORED AT COMMENCEMENT

The 32nd annual Golden Graduate

accompanied by our husbands, and

allowed two overnight outings a month

event was held May 14-15. MUSC

others by our children who celebrated

to go home and two 12-midnight leaves

Golden Graduates are graduates who

with us. Some of us met for brunch the

for dates. Every Sunday evening we had

are celebrating their 50th anniversary

next day at Kaye Whatley Brown’s Folly

to be in by 10 p.m. On the weekend

and are honored each year at the MUSC

Beach house. What sweet sorrow, saying

nights that we did not have a 12-midnight

Commencement ceremony. This year

goodbye, knowing that the next time we

or an overnight pass, we had to be in by

the celebration began at the Country

meet there will be fewer of us.

10 p.m. Our later night privileges were

Club of Charleston with an awards

Our class is especially close. We

increased incrementally as time passed.

luncheon with university and alumni

literally lived and learned together for

representatives followed by a casual

three full years. We were away from

study habits than we would have today

dinner that evening. The next morning,

home for the first time and we depended

in the unstructured, unrestrained college

Golden Graduates from the College

on each other for friendship, fun, and

life. We also retained 75 percent of our

of Nursing were recognized at the

comfort. We also depended on some

class through graduation. We were all

University’s graduation exercises.

of our housemothers for guidance and

17 and 18 year olds when we started.

A member of the College of

I believe that we did develop better

comfort as well. We had many great

In today’s world there are many older

Nursing’s Class of 1965 and Reunion

instructors and staff - too many to list.

students in school who are more likely

Chair, Marlene Pendarvis Jett, or

The School of Nursing became our home

to complete their program. Ours was a

“Teenie” as she is affectionately known,

away from home. We became a family!

three-year diploma program. In 1965,

shared her memories of her time in

Many of us keep in touch on a regular

the year of our graduation, three- and

school with Lifelines.

basis and we deeply mourn a loss of any

four-year students were accepted so

classmate or one of their loved ones.

that there would not be a year without

First as a member of the planning

I say with confidence that our

graduates from the School of Nursing as

committee, I want to thank the Alumni

children, grandchildren and their peers

Association for their assistance in

will never have this kind of experience.

organizing the 2015 Golden Grads

Colleges and universities no longer

date. We had school dances where the

Weekend. We all felt so honored by

require living in a dormitory together

Citadel cadets and medical students

the luncheon and presentation of the

where you must have the Dean’s

were invited. There was always a big

medallions, as well as the buffet Thursday

permission to marry, and then only if your

turnout. The armed services were also

evening, and to walk as a Golden Grad at

grades were above average.

well represented by the Navy as well

the graduation ceremony itself.

On Friday night we gathered at the

We had enforced study hall from 8:00

they transitioned into the BSN program.

No one lacked the opportunity for a

as the Marines. Many of our class met

to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

their future husbands while receiving an

Town and Country Inn and spent the

during the first six months of school. It

excellent education at MUSC.

evening socializing and catching up

was “lights out” at 11 p.m. If my memory

on each other’s lives. Some of us were

serves me correctly, we were initially

34

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

We worked in the hospital from the very beginning, unlike today’s students.

Many days we worked several hours beginning at 7 a.m. before starting class.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays we had labs in the afternoon that lasted till 5:00 p.m.

That made our day 10 hours long. Then we had to study for the next day’s classes.

GOLDEN GRADS - MAY 15, 2015 (OPPOSITE PAGE) Left to right (back row): Veda Porter Rodriguez, Jeannie Dority Benton, Jewel Cudd Clark, Gloria Jeffers Rosser, Winkie Crouch Ackerman, Mary Brown Farmer, Kaye Carmichael Byers, Gretchen Pope, Gloria Hoff Purcell, Sylvia Evans Peek, Hermione Furr Carter, Carolyn Jones Grimball, and Marie Baker Hanna.

(Front row): Elaine Johns Alcutt, Carol Daniels Davis, Nancy Anderson Umberhandt, Sandy Andrews Noonan, Teenie Pendarvis Jett, Liz Orlando Allen, and Linda Inabinet Hussey.

We had a variety of clubs outside of class, many were faith based and open to other

1

2

3

4

students in the medical complex.

If someone needed something, we tried to provide it, whether a pair of hose, makeup, or a borrowed outfit. There was many an afternoon when there was a call on the hall for a blind date with a friend of another student’s boyfriend.

Sometimes the need was for several girls.

We had great fun. To many of us this was the best time of our lives. If we infringed on the rules that would guarantee a “See Me. RC” note that put terror into our hearts. There was a spindle at the desk in the school of nursing that we were required to check daily for these notes.

Ruth Chamberlain was our Dean and very strict but also fair. She quietly supported some students who were in need. She was very proud of her graduates and many of us became very fond of her. All of us respected her. I am proud to be a graduate, an alumnus of the MCSC-MUSC Class of 1965.

-- Marlene Pendarvis Jett (“Teenie”)

GOLDEN GRAD LUNCHEON 1 Jerry Clark, Jewel Cudd Clark (‘65), Mary Frances Farmer (‘65) and Lanny Farmer 2 Gloria Jeffers Rosser (‘65) and Kaye Carmichael Byers (‘65) 3 English Struth, Gloria Hoff Purcell (‘65), Kay Whatley Brown (‘65) and Annette Stender 4 Elaine Allcut (‘65), Frances Pritcher Gaillard (‘65) and Mildred Rooke Waite (‘65)

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

35

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

CLASS NOTES

Betty (Mudge) Sadaniantz [MSN ‘86], has been named

Sylvia R. Panos [BSN ’12] started the DNP (FNP) program this

dean of the St. Joseph School of Nursing in Rhode Island.

fall. She also gave birth to a baby girl, Meadow Rose, in May.

She has been a full-time faculty member of the school

She shares, “I’m so excited about these new blessings and

since 2009 and freshman level

wanted to share to good news.”

chairperson since 2013, where her teaching responsibilities included

Lenora Smith [PhD ’14] has accepted a tenure-track posi-

nursing diagnosis, legal aspects of

tion at the University of Alabama

nursing care, and pharmacology.

in Huntsville. A nurse for nearly 30

Dr. Sadaniantz brings experience

years, Dr. Smith includes gerontol-

in management, education, pub-

ogy, palliative care in the elderly, as

lishing, and clinical practice to the

well as people with dementia as her

role of dean. She has served on numerous national and

research interests. She was recently

regional boards, including the American Organization of

named a UAB Geriatrics Education

Nurse Executives, the American Association of Critical

Center Faculty Scholar. This interpro-

Care Nurses, and the American Heart Association. Her

fessional program focuses on training health professionals

diverse clinical practice experience has been in the areas

in the complex care of older adults. Dr. Smith resides in Vale,

of intensive care, coronary care, and medical-surgical

NC and Huntsville, AL.

nursing, as well as labor and delivery.

Rebecca Freeman [BSN ’08; PhD ’13] has been named chief nursing officer for the Office of the National Coordinator

Have a new job, a promotion, an award or even a new family member? Let us know and we’ll include it in our next issue. Submit a Class Note at www.bit.ly/CON-class

for Health IT (ONC). She will spearhead nursing outreach to include development of initiatives focused on health IT enabled nursing practice and research. Prior to joining ONC, Dr. Freeman was the assistant vice president at the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) where she led the strategic and tactical planning, development, and deployment of enterprise-wide Epic software. In 2012, she served as the chief nursing information officer and manager of the nursing informatics program at MUSC. She is also an executive nurse fellow at the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation.

Deborah J. Camak [MSN ’09] is on faculty in the Dishman Department of Nursing at Lamar University. She was recently appointed to the Texas Nurses Association CNE committee, had a publication in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, and was part of a team earning the Texas Board of Nursing Bachelors and Graduate Award for Nursing Education.

Kris Elmore [BSN ’12] is enrolled in the PhD in Nursing program at Duke University. She was selected to receive the prestigious 2015 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program award. Her study will focus on thermoregulation of neonates in third world countries. She currently works as a clinical nurse with Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC.

36

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2015

PASSAGES Sister Margaret Agnes Ferri, Diploma ‘45 Jul. 3, 1924 - Jun. 22, 2015 | Warwick, NJ Dorothy “Dottie” Ballard Bryan, MSN ‘93 1937 - Mar. 7, 2015 | Florence, SC Myra Lee Whatley Wolfe, Diploma ‘54 May 21, 1933 - Apr. 11, 2015 | Lexington, SC Ann Rutledge Colson, Diploma ‘47 May 6, 1925 - Mar. 13, 2015 | Valdosta, GA Jayme Johnson Smith, BSN ‘80 May 29, 1958 - Sep. 2, 2015 | Hendersonville, TN Mary Frances Mitchell, May 18, 1941 - Sep. 8, 2015 | N. Augusta, SC Joan M. “Judy” DiGrazia, MSN ‘88 Dec. 19, 1947 - Sep. 18, 2015 | Green Pond, SC Agnes B. Kleckley, Diploma ‘39 Aug. 16, 1918 - Sep. 21, 2015 | Charleston, SC

Please join us

Looking Toward Tomorrow Spartanburg Thursday, February 25 The Piedmont Club 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Charlotte, NC Rock Hill, SC Thursday, April 21 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Florence Thursday, May 26 6:00-7:30 p.m.

AN E V E N I N G W I T H DAV I D J. C OL E , M D , FAC S The MUSC Alumni Association is pleased to sponsor a series of alumni receptions with MUSC’s seventh president, David J. Cole, MD, FACS. Mark your calendar and join us at the location nearest to you.

Don’t see a city near you on the list?

Stay tuned for future locations.

For more information or to RSVP, call 1.843.792.7979 or visit musc.edu/pres-reception

GIVING BACK

V

SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED IN MEMORY OF 1941 GRADUATE A GOOD FRIEND IS HARD TO FIND

War II with her husband, the couple moved to Greer, SC in 1948, when Dr. Davis was recruited to serve as the community’s only surgeon. Mrs. Davis continued to work as head nurse at Allen Bennett Hospital during the 1950s.

According to her friend of 60 years, Jeanette Anderson Botts of Mt. Pleasant, SC, “Caroline was a very warm, genuine person with a great

L

ewis Marion Davis, Jr., MD,

sense of humor. She was a lot of fun to

of Atlanta has established an

be with. A very social person, she was

endowed scholarship in memory

known by everyone in Greer. Caroline

of his mother, Caroline Westmoreland

had such fond memories of her

Davis (1920-2014).

alma mater, and often referred to her

“It was such a great honor to establish this scholarship in my

experiences in nursing school through the years.”

mother’s memory,” Dr. Davis said. “It

Mrs. Davis was a devoted wife and

would please her greatly to know that

mother, who was committed to public

she has played a part in benefitting

service. She was a loyal donor to the

new generations of nursing students,

MUSC College of Nursing, and even

who, like her, value professional

served as chair of its annual fund.

excellence and want to help others.”

She served as chairwoman of the

The Caroline W. Davis, RN

Spartanburg School of Deaf and Blind

Scholarship Fund will benefit MUSC

and volunteered as a Sunday school

nursing students who are residents of

teacher at First Presbyterian Church.

SC and enrolled in an undergraduate

She was an active member of the Greer

program with a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Garden Club and enjoyed painting for

Mrs. Davis was affectionately

family and friends. According to her

known by her family as “Toot.” Born

family, she especially loved spending

in Woodruff, SC, she graduated from

time with her family and friends in Mt.

MUSC with a degree in nursing in

Pleasant.

1941. She married Lewis Marion Davis,

She also enjoyed camping trips,

Sr., MD, also a graduate of MUSC. The

traveling to Clemson football games,

two met at the Old Roper Hospital

and riding her motorcycle. She and

where he was an intern and she was

Dr. Davis each owned their own

head nurse. According to friends, the

motorcycle, and always transported

two were very devoted to one another,

their cycles on the back of their RV

and made each other stronger as a

whenever they took camping trips.

A life well lived. Thank you Dr. Davis

result.

After serving two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World

38

LIFELINES

When I think back on my friendship of 60 years with Caroline Westmoreland Davis, I remember the value of a good friend. Our friendship spanned years of happiness and sometimes sadness, as our children grew up together. When it was time for our daughter, Jeannie, to attend college, she expressed an interest in a nursing career. We immediately sought advice from Caroline, a 1941 graduate of the MUSC College of Nursing. She steered us in the right direction. Jeannie graduated from MUSC in 1978 with a BSN degree. Today, Jeannie Botts Fell continues in her nursing career and is still active within the MUSC Alumni Association.

In recent years and later in life Caroline spent many happy hours at her home in Mt. Pleasant at Toler’s Cove with her son, Dr. Lewis Davis, Jr. and many of their friends.

Caroline was a people person with many friends. She always showed concern, trust and faith in her fellow man, as evidenced by her expertise in her nursing career at MUSC and later in her many volunteer contributions to her church and her community. Yes – such a good friend is hard to find.

-- Jeanette Anderson Botts

for establishing this scholarship in your mother’s memory!

Fall | Winter 2015

TO MAKE A GIFT TO THE CAROLINE W. DAVIS, RN SCHOLARSHIP FUND ONLINE Go to takenursinghigher.musc.edu.

For designation, choose “Other” and type in the name of the scholarship.

CHECK Payable to MUSC Foundation. Indicate gift is for the Caroline W. Davis RN Scholarship Fund. Mail check to: MUSC Foundation, 18 Bee St., MSC 450, Chas., SC 29425 CALL Call the MUSC Foundation at (843) 792-2677 (M-F; 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

If you have questions, contact Laurie Scott at (843) 792-8421 or scotlk@musc.edu.

V

CHITTYS CREATE ENDOWED CHAIR Mr. Charles Chitty and Dr. Kay Chitty with their son and daughter at a reception held at the Wickliffe House on August 24 in their honor.

the Rape Crisis Center, Dr. Chitty was named one of the “50 Most Influential Chattanoogans of the 20th Century.”

The Chittys, who have been married for 47 years, retired to the Charleston area in 1996. Since that time, Dr. Chitty

T

he end of August can bring about

that would allow the College to recruit a

wistful longing for the lazy days

faculty member with a national reputa-

of summer, but for the College of

tion.”

Nursing, the end of August was a time

Prior to her tenure at UTC, Dr.

of celebration. A reception was held

Chitty held faculty appointments at the

in honor of Kay K. Chitty, EdD, MSN, a

University of South Carolina and the

longtime friend of the College, and her

University of North Carolina at Char-

husband, Charles B. Chitty, to celebrate

lotte. She also has published numerous

the establishment of an endowed chair

articles and chapters for professional

in their name at the College. The recep-

journals as well as authoring a best-

tion included remarks from Dean Gail

selling nursing textbook, Professional

Stuart as well as MUSC President David

Nursing: Concepts and Challenges.

Educating future nurses is not the only way Dr. Chitty has made an impact on the communities she has called home. In 1978, she founded the first independent nursing practice in North Carolina. While living in Chattanooga, Dr. Chitty served on the boards of various not-for-profit agencies, including Family and Children’s Services, Girls, Inc., and the Metropolitan Council for Community Services. As a result of her community efforts as well as her leadership and fundraising roles for the Chattanooga Area Safe Space and

Cole, MD. Dr. Chitty, a nurse for more than 50 years, understands the impact a gift like an endowed chair can have for a college. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Emory University and her doctoral degree from the University of Tennessee. From 1989 until 1995, she served as dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC), where she helped establish the school’s first endowed professorship.

When she retired from UTC in 1995, Chattanooga’s Memorial Hospital established the Kay K. Chitty Professorship in Nursing in her honor to recognize her service to both Memo-

“

gift to MUSC’s outstanding College of

In my career over 50 years, I have seen a lot of schools of nursing. The MUSC College of Nursing is the best nursing school I have been involved with.

Nursing,” she said. “I really wanted to

Dr. Kay Chitty

rial’s board and the board of Women’s East Pavilion.

For her, the gift of an endowed chair makes perfect sense. “For some time I have wanted to make a significant

create an endowed chair in nursing

has been involved with community organizations such as the Coastal Community Foundation, the Florence Crittenton Programs of SC, the MUSC Foundation, and the College of Nursing’s Dean’s Advisory Board, among others.

Dean Gail Stuart was delighted to learn of Dr. Chitty’s interest in the College of Nursing. “First and foremost she is nursing’s advocate, protector, defender and champion in every forum and at every level at MUSC, as well as in the community,” Dean Stuart said.

“She raises our flag, toots our horn and rallies our troops over and over again.

She helps to make nursing – the all too often invisible profession – proudly visible.”

Dr. Chitty believes it is critical to support nursing through philanthropy.

“Nursing is a vastly under-appreciated and under-supported profession. For my philanthropic dollars, I like to give where it makes a real difference,” she said. “Giving to nursing scholarships, programs, professorships, and building campaigns gives me a great deal of pleasure and benefits our entire society.”

The Chittys chose to support MUSC because they feel that every donation, large and small, had been put to good use. “In my career over 50 years, I have seen a lot of schools of nursing,” Dr. Chitty said. “The MUSC College of Nursing is the best nursing school I have been involved with.”

Fall | Winter 2015

LIFELINES

39

LINES OF LIFE

“As nurses, we find ourselves in the middle.

We stand between physicians and patients, between the machine and the bed, between the disease and the person, between the cure and the care, between life and death, between justice and mercy, between what is right and what is good, and between medicine and morality.�

Mavis Tuten

NO ACT OF KINDNESS, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, IS EVER WASTED. Aesop

It’s a great time to consider a CGA! Support the MUSC College of Nursing and receive income for life.

Through a Charitable Gift Annuity, you can leave a legacy with a gift that gives back.

Enjoy fixed income for life regardless of how the stock market performs in the future.

Your gift will not only benefit the MUSC College of Nursing, but also benefit you by giving you...

>> fixed income payments for the rest of your life. >> a permanent income tax savings. >> an immediate income tax deduction.

DONOR

Donor Gives: cash,securities, other property Donor Receives: income tax deductions, fixed payments

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

MUSC Receives: remaining assets

WAYS TO GIVE TO THE MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING Cash | Bequests | Retirement assets | Savings bonds | Life insurance Appreciated stock | Real estate | Payroll deduction (for MUSC employees)

takenursinghigher.musc.edu

FOR MORE INFORMATION Laurie Scott | Director of Development 843.792.8421 | scotlk@musc.edu

NON-PROFIT US Postage

99 Jonathan Lucas Street MSC 160 Charleston, SC 29425-1600

PAID Permit # 254 Charleston, SC

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www.musc.edu/nursing