Lifelines Fall | Winter 2014

MUSC College of Nursing’s

LIFELINES Fall | Winter 2014

Valuing Diversity The importance of words, thoughts and actions

www.musc.edu/nursing

Taking Nursing to a Higher Level

WE’RE BAAAACK! Returning to our renovated building December 2014.

TakeNursingHigher.musc.edu

DEAN’S COLUMN

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

DIVERSITY | di·ver·si·ty; di’v rsitē e

MUSC NURSES CHANGE LIVES

T

his is a popular and often used word but, if I may borrow from our hospital colleagues, is there truly “meaningful use?” Or is there even

LIFELINES

a common understanding of what we mean when we talk about

diversity.

Volume XII, Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2014

The pluralistic nature of our American society mandates that clinicians provide care that respects the culture, values

Gail W. Stuart, Dean Jo Smith, Editor Beth Khan, Design & Production Mardi Long, BSN Program & Alumni Services Coordinator Laurie Scott, Director of Development

and beliefs of each individual. We see that written in all of our health care and educational materials. But the question I raise is, “How do we actualize that? How do we make it real?”

In this issue of Lifelines we are shining the light on how we, as a College of Nursing, are embedding this into everything we do. If you go to www.musc.edu/nursing you will read that: >> The College of Nursing works closely with the Medical University of South Carolina Office of Student Diversity to promote an inclusive environment that fosters intellectual excellence and the true integration of a

PUBLISHED BY

diverse student body into all aspects of academic life. >> The College of Nursing is committed to embracing and drawing from the unique voices, experiences, and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff and volunteers in all that we do. Our commitment to diversity, health equity and inclusion informs and empowers us to reflect and effectively serve all of

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

our constituents. >> We strive to attract, recruit, admit, retain and educate a diverse student body, faculty and staff. We firmly believe that an atmosphere that embraces

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

Equity, Inclusion and Access will enhance the educational and cultural experiences of our students, faculty and staff, thus making better world citizens.

But words on paper are just the beginning. We realize that making these words real is a journey—a journey of discovery and exploration—of self and others. Done well, it enriches our lives and those for whom we care.

I invite you, therefore, to turn the pages and walk with us as we tell our story of valuing diversity and the many rich rewards we have experienced along the way.

POSTMASTER: Send corrections to Lifelines, MUSC College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425-1600. © Copyright 2014 by the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without permission from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing.

Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Distinguished University Professor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURES DIVERSITY IN WORDS....................................................... 4 Defining the words that reflect our values DIVERSITY IN THOUGHT.................................................. 6 Opening our minds to different cultures DIVERSITY IN ACTION.................................................... 12 Actualizing our respect for others

DEPARTMENTS DEAN’S COLUMN. . ..............................................................1 AROUND THE COLLEGE...................................................16 FOCUS ON FACULTY........................................................18 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT..................................................... 24 ALUMNI CONNECTIONS..................................................27 GIVING BACK. . ................................................................. 35 LINES OF LIFE.................................................................. 36

diversity of

words

Word | werd | noun | a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing,

T

he English language is a beautiful instrument of communication. It can be both complex and simple depending on the task at hand. On these two pages we have captured some of the nuances that emerge as we discuss the language of diversity and its many dimensions.

If we had to select one word that best captures the values of the College of Nursing it

would be “respect”. At the end of the day, respect allows us to make “valuing diversity” a reality.

This issue of Lifelines explores this topic from different perspectives of our College life.

In the pages that follow we will describe how we have incorporated diversity of thought and diversity of action into the fabric of our College.

RESPECT:

EQUITY:

a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable, important, and should be treated in

fairness or justice in the

an appropriate way.

(Webster-Merriam dictionary)

(Webster-Merriam dictionary)

way people are treated.

DIVERSITY: the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization.

(Webster-Merriam dictionary)

INCLUSION: inclusive organizations value the perspectives and contributions of all people, and strive to incorporate the needs and viewpoints of diverse communities into all aspects of the organization. www.legalinclusiveness.org

CULTURAL COMPETENCY:

CULTURAL HUMILITY: the ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is other-oriented (or open to the other) in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the person.

It is different from other culturally-based training ideals because it focuses on self-humility rather than achieving a

has a positive effect on patient care delivery by enabling providers to deliver services that are respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices and cultural and linguistic needs of diverse patients.

(NIH)

state of knowledge or awareness.

(Wikipedia)

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

5

“There’s room enough here for science to live. And there’s room enough here for religion to forgive.

And try to understand all the people of this land. This is our country.”

– John Mellancamp, This is Our Country

6

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

diversity in

thought

Thought | THôt | noun | the action or process of thinking or an idea or opinion that is formed by thinking.

I

n the MUSC College of Nursing,

consist of nearly 150 employees repre-

diversity of thought is evident in

senting the university, the MUSC Medical

the way we open students’ minds to

Center, and MUSC-Physicians.

different cultures and prepare them

MUSC also will conduct its first enter-

to provide culturally competent care. It is

prise-wide climate survey this fall. The

particularly evident in our faculty practice

instrument selected was the only one that

and research efforts that focus on serving

met MUSC’s high standards for validity and

vulnerable populations.

reliability, and a survey will be administered to every member of the community (em-

AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL

ployees, contractors, faculty and students).

In 2014, a Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion was developed at MUSC to create

REMOVING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

an academic health care community in

MUSC’s Best Practice Scholars Program,

which every member is respected and val-

sponsored by ARROW (the MUSC initiative

ued by leveraging differences in ways that

for the Advancement, Recruitment, and

allow people to understand and be under-

Retention of Women), launched a universi-

stood, and work together productively to

ty-wide initiative to make faculty, admin-

“change what’s possible.”

istrators and key decision-makers aware

In April, an inaugural retreat for the Stra-

of the phenomenon of unconscious bias.

tegic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion was

Two senior faculty, Elaine Amella, PhD, RN,

held. The day featured large group exer-

FAAN, from the College of Nursing and Le-

cises inspiring diversity and inclusion out-

onie Gordon, MB, ChB, from the College of

comes, along with breakout sessions for the

Medicine, were chosen to speak to search

five Diversity and Inclusion work groups.

committees, college-level appointment,

These work groups meet bi-monthly and

promotion and tenure (APT) committees,

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

7

How can I address my biases if I don’t know that I have them?

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORK GROUPS Recruitment & Pipeline Development >> Helps to determine mechanisms for increasing the diversity of the applicant pool for students, staff and faculty, and identifies areas of need where applicant pipeline development will be required to achieve the desired applicant pool.

Education & Training >> Focuses on identifying key curriculum content for all students, determining orientation and ongoing development needs for faculty and staff, and designing a plan for developing and maintaining cultural competence.

Engagement & Inclusion >> Assesses the current climate among the various constituencies, identifies key opportunities such as organizational policies for building a strong climate of inclusion, and recommends action plans designed to address the key strategies.

Communication, Community Relations & Outreach >> Supports other groups in identifying and disseminating key information and helps identify mechanisms for communication of efforts and achievements to both internal and external constituencies, as well as determines opportunities to build linkages in the external community.

Performance & Outcome Metrics >> Supports other groups in identifying and gathering measureable data and outcomes, such as compiling diversity and inclusion goals and designing dashboards for tracking progress over time, determining data gaps and recommending corrective actions.

8

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

and the university tenure committee

Since its inception, the Diversity

about this concept, and discuss data

Committee has created a Cultural In-

reflective of this phenomenon.

clusion Calendar highlighting different

Unlike prejudice, which is an

cultural celebrations and provided a

opinion not based on reason, fact or

link so that faculty, staff and students

actual experience, unconscious bias is

can download these events into their

unknown to the individual. It is some-

personal calendars. The committee also

thing acquired through subtle pattern-

established and organizes an annual

ing and a very deep survival need that

“Cooks Around the World” potluck

is almost instinctive – to distrust ‘the

lunch and invites all faculty and staff to

other’ in a fight or flight situation.

prepare a dish that represents their cul-

This concept has been validated by

tural heritage for all to enjoy. The group

research from social scientists from the

further facilitated the re-establishment

best universities and can be evaluated

of the Multicultural Student Nurses

by individuals using the highly re-

Association and “Mentoring Magic”

garded Implicit Association Test (IAT).

was created to link underrepresented

College of Nursing faculty and both the

minority students with professional

College’s search and APT committees

organizations, such as the Tri-County

recently received a presentation on

Black Nurses Association.

unconscious bias led by Dr. Amella.

The Diversity Committee surveys faculty, staff and students annually

AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL

regarding their perceptions of diver-

In July 2012, the College of Nursing

sity in the College. In 2014, the com-

formalized our commitment to diversi-

mittee developed the MUSC College

ty with the establishment of a standing

of Nursing Strategic Plan and Logic

Diversity Committee that is part of the

Model from the results of the survey. By

faculty governance structure. Mem-

providing a forum for the creation, pro-

bership includes representation from

motion, and maintenance of activities,

faculty, staff and students. The group is

programs, and policies, the Diversity

charged with promoting an environ-

Committee furthers our understanding

ment of respect, teamwork, and mutual

of individual and group inclusion in all

understanding.

areas of the College of Nursing.

CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN COURSES

MUSC College of Nursing Cultural Competence Model

An important curriculum revision activity this year was driven by a funded Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) grant received by Gail Gilden, ScD, RN. One of the HRSA grant objectives is to graduate a DNP and PhD

EQUITY

workforce who are 100 percent culturally competent and who represent the diversity and social and economic profile of the populations they serve. A key strategy to accomplish this objective was to integrate cultural competency learning in the PhD and DNP programs and among

Evaluation

Assessment

EDUCATION > Representativeness > Inclusive of behavioral, social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health > Communications as mutual exchange

• Evaluating outcomes

CON faculty, students, and staff.

A HRSA grant task force, led by Tiffany Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNPPC, developed a conceptual model (see Figure 1) to guide the inclusion of the

• Identifying concerns and needs

concepts important to include in the curriculum.

RESEARCH

PRACTICE > Community and client partnerships > Client centered > Promote accessible and affordable care

Further, the

> Promote health disparities research in nursing > Promote interventions to eliminate health disparities > Translate research to practice

SAFETY

effectiveness

QUALITY

variety of health equity and cultural

group compiled standardized Williams

definitions of terms and refer-

ences for continued education for use by

Implementation

Plan

• Caring and services

• Marketing shared decisions

faculty.

A decision was made to expand this activity to all graduate and undergradu-

PERFORMANCE MONITORING

ate programs of study. Thus, in March 2014, an all-school faculty workshop was held to begin implementation of this robust model. The faculty revised all course descriptions, objectives, and core content to include health equity and diversity as visible concepts, using the conceptual model as a guide. Faculty incorporated learning objectives into their courses that explore the nature and impact of discrimination, harassment and victimization because of disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, religion or belief, age, or socioeconomic status.

These revisions in each course moved the college from the sporadic practice of teaching equity and diversity in courses to being a visible priority in each course

NURSING • respect • communication • advocacy • therapeutic intervention • critical thinking • health promotion • leadership • evidence-based practice • continuing ed.

• professional development • quality information • safety

HEALTH • health promotion • risk reduction • illness prevention & management • physical comfort • education • accessibility • coordination of care • shared decision making • active involvement in care • health literacy • promote affordability • active involvement

CLIENT • power • health disparities • life span • individual/family efficacy & management • community • diversity • genetics • spirituality • respect values & beliefs • adequate resources

ENVIRONMENT • empowerment • health equity • community • social determinants of health • organization • social-political milieu • collaboration • Center for Community Health Partnerships • ethical dilemmas • promoting community based healthy living

with common usage of terms.

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

9

At this same workshop, faculty identified future learning needs for ongoing development related to this work. These topics will form the base for future workshops and guest speakers. The evolution towards a culturally competent nursing workforce remains an ongoing challenge and priority of the College of Nursing in learning and better caring for multicultural communities.

MSNA MISSION STATEMENT • To create a climate of caring and inclusion for all students.

• To aid in the professional development and success of all students in the College of Nursing.

• To enhance the retention and graduation rates of under represented minority students.

• To increase student awareness focusing on diversity issues and health equity.

• To uplift and support surrounding communities by sharing knowledge about health and wellness.

AT THE STUDENT LEVEL The Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNA) serves as a platform

• To act as a resource for cultural exchange, socialization, and mentoring.

of cultural exchange inclusive of all students in the College of Nursing regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or socio-economic status, with specific emphasis on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students. Their actions are wide-ranging in scope.

To meet one of the aims, MSNA members volunteer to serve in community health fairs and events (see

photos at right). In February, members enlisted to check cholesterol, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and administer flu shots at the Delma Wood and Aleta McLeod Bryant Health Fair which served hundreds of community members.

At the Multiple Sclerosis Walk held in March, MSNA members provided valuable foot care to walkers. Massages and bandaging feet gave students an opportunity to hear participants’ inspiring stories and render much needed care.

The group also supports the MUSC Kids Run, held the day before the Cooper River Bridge. According to MSNA member Shyronda Knotts, “the Kids Run really allows children to be active and get moving while having a blast.” The MSNA helped with a variety of needs at the event, including organizing packets for runners, distributing t-shirts, and managing a safe environment. “The children who participated had a safe day filled with fun and fitness,” said Toya Williams, MSNA president.

10

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

• To promote mentorship by encouraging study groups and the buddy system.

• To enhance basic nursing skills by providing volunteer opportunities, such as health fairs/health screenings to surrounding communities.

• To promote professionalism by interacting with professional organizations.

• To collaborate with on campus student organizations and local organizations within the Tri-County area.

In the Spotlight: TOYA WILLIAMS

By Mikie Hayes, MUSC Public Relations

I

magine working on a bachelor of science in nursing at MUSC and finishing a practicum at the same time you’re pursuing a master’s in health exercise and sports sciences at The Citadel. If that schedule doesn’t seem challenging enough, add to it working in the MUSC Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), teaching Zumba classes at the Wellness Center, spending dozens of volunteer hours helping others in the Charleston community, serving in MUSC student government and presiding over the Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNA).

High achiever would hardly begin to describe Toya Williams, a graduate of the College of Nursing class of 2014 and MUSC Presidential Scholar.

That being said, pursuing the field of nursing was far from the original path she was on.

Growing up in Sumter, SC, Williams and her family had other plans for her future. The eldest of three children, she was an entertainer. Since she was 3 years old, she progressed through tap, ballet, point, jazz, and lyrical dance, spending countless hours in lessons, practice, and recitals.

Ultimately, dreams of becoming a TopCat dancer for the Carolina Panthers fueled her passion to exceed in the set of qualities necessary to capture a highly prized spot on the prestigious cheerleading squad: personality, showmanship, dance skills, professionalism and physical fitness, all of which she had in abundance.

Her ambitions continued while attending Winthrop University where she studied exercise science. Williams made the university’s elite dance team her freshman year and they performed regularly during basketball season, making an appearance at an NCAA tournament game that provided a similar experience to that of an NFL or NBA dance squad. She began narrowing down her audition list of professional dance teams.

But life had other ideas for Williams.

After graduating from Winthrop, she was selected for an internship in exercise science at the MUSC Wellness Center where she worked with Janis Newton and the Healthy Charleston Challenge (HCC). She loved helping people transform their lives and health and reach their goals. “Toya is a very special person and a most impressive student. The Wellness Center was fortunate to have her involved in the HCC and with Zumba classes.

She has a special gift when working with people and instantly earns their trust, respect, and admiration,” said Newton.

After her internship, she was hired as a patient care technician on the CTICU. Although the work was entirely different from what she was accustomed to doing, it suited her thirst for knowledge and her love of people.

Noticing her proclivity for delivering compassionate and appropriate care to patients, people told her she should consider becoming a nurse.

At first she didn’t see it, but eventually she came around to the idea. “After a while, I thought to myself, wait a minute, I like what these nurses do.

I like how they relate to patients, how they interact with each other, the autonomy they have in their environment, and the impact they make every day. I realized nurses are vital to the process,” Williams said.

In December 2013, Ms. Williams traveled to Uganda, Africa to participate in a mission trip with Palmetto Medical International with fellow BSN students.

(L to R): Hannah Bradley, Kasey Henderson, Toya Williams, Daisy Smith, Carrie Prescott

She was accepted to the College of Nursing but because she was also taking classes at The Citadel, she was not able to qualify for more financial aid that semester. One day at work she received an email informing her she had been selected as a Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholar. The scholarship would pay for her entire semester of school. That was just the sign she needed. “If I was unsure about whether I was making the right choice about pursuing nursing, this scholarship removed all doubt about my place in nursing and confirmed my decision was the right one,” Williams said.

In July she entered the new graduate nurse residency program in the Duke Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU. Once she completes the residency she will have a permanent position there. “I love this area. I love how fastpaced CT is and how much critical thinking it takes. Even though we’re dealing primarily with heart and lungs, those two organs are so vital they have some sort of contribution to every other organ. I love how quickly the patient can have a significant turnaround.”

At the College of Nursing, Williams earned a reputation as willing and dependable. She represented the college in the MUSC student government and served on the service committee that manages MUSC’s student volunteer outreach throughout the community.

She was extremely proud to be an MUSC Presidential Scholar. Her scholar group was paired with the Harvest Free Medical Clinic where they created a community resource guide for the patients and community at large. “We learned that what the academic community thinks the community needs and what the community itself actually needs are really two incredibly different things. You have to listen to the true needs of a community,” Williams said.

Williams knows she is a different person today than she was when she started. “I never realized how capable I was. I think I really downplayed my abilities and truly didn’t think I had what it took to do it all and to be president of an organization like MSNA. I admire my College of Nursing advisers who forced me to look at myself, to see leadership qualities I never saw before.”

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

11

diversity in

action

Ac•tion | àk-sh n | noun | the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition. e

T

he College of Nursing has put

TEEN HEALTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

commitment to valuing diversity

Funded by the National Library of

in action in every phase of its

Medicine, the Teen Health Leadership

mission. The College strives to

Program (THLP) is a collaboration between

create a safe and supportive climate that

the College of Nursing and St. John’s High

promotes diverse points of view and in

School. The THLP builds capacity in rural

which every person is treated with respect

communities by establishing a core group

and dignity. Here is a small sampling of

of teens as a health information resource

how we actualize our respect of others.

for their peers and their families. As the only public high school on Johns Island, St. John’s High serves a diverse population of students. The program seeks to empower these high school students, providing resources and support for them to assist and serve their community.

The project provides health information literacy training as well as leadership development skills, enabling the students to design and implement outreach projects to improve the awareness and use of quality health information in their community.

Through a series of experiential opportunities and mentorships, the THLP also seeks to encourage young people of diverse backgrounds to become health professionals.

12

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

“Imagine all the people, sharing all the world...You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”

- John Lennon, Imagine

SURVEY RESULTS OUTCOMES FROM A SURVEY OF THLP PARTICIPANTS WHO GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN 2009 AND 2013.

All but one of the participants went to college after high school graduation

57%

were the first in their families to attend college

30%

chose a major in a health related field

50%

planned to go on to graduate school

33%

were undecided Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars put their nursing skills to use at community health fairs

HISPANIC HEALTH INITIATIVES

health screening and health education

Nursing in 2010 and has been growing

In 2005 Deborah Williamson, DHA,

to the program participants.

ever since. The mission of PASOs is to

MSN, RN, CN, associate dean for prac-

The health promotion program has

help the Latino community and service

tice, established the Hispanic Health

been very successful with documented

providers work together for strong and

Initiatives (HHI), using community

changes in knowledge and behavior.

healthy families. This is accomplished

participatory action to mobilize diverse

The women improved their health lit-

through education, support, and

partners to obtain sustainable solutions

eracy significantly and were connected

grassroots leadership development.

for promoting healthy communities

with needed resources in the commu-

Community health workers, called pro-

in South Carolina, a state with some

nity. During the 2013-14 school year,

motores, help their peers navigate the

of the poorest health outcomes in the

60 Spanish-speaking mothers received

medical/social system and advocate for

nation. Under her leadership, the HHI

weekly health workshops facilitated

Latino family health needs.

mobilized resources from federal, state,

by PASOs, BSN students and com-

and private sectors to increase access

munity speakers. Health knowledge

based program reached an estimated

to primary care services for unfunded

of the mothers increased 35 percent

2,500 individuals through activities and

Latinos, promote health literacy, and

over the course of the year, and focus

informational programs broadcast via

provide resource navigation. Programs

groups revealed that mothers felt more

radio. Seven outreach events were held

initiated by the HHI include:

confident and prepared in their ability

along with 28 appearances on local ra-

to access health services in the future.

dio shows. Community health lessons

> Abazos

Participants also felt grateful for having

on maternal-child health topics were

This is a family literacy program that

made friends in the program on whom

presented and eight community health

promotes school readiness skills in

they can rely for health support in the

workers (promotores) were trained in

3-year olds and provides their moth-

future.

communications and cultural sensi-

ers with ESOL (English for speakers of

In the last year, this community-

tivity. The PASOs program provided

other languages), health, and parenting

> PASOs

resources navigation to 138 individuals.

classes to support immigrant women

This means “steps� in Spanish, and it is

Twenty BSN students in the HHI schol-

in the transition to a new community.

an evidence-based, statewide, organi-

ars group assisted during outreach and

Approximately 276 mothers and

zation that provides a bridge between

health education events.

their 3-year olds have participated

the Latino community and the health

in the Abrazos program since 2006.

care system in order to maximize the

> Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars

Eighty BSN students and 20 students

health of Latino families. The organi-

These Accelerated Bachelor of Science

from other colleges have provided

zation partnered with the College of

in Nursing (ABSN) students are selected

14

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Over the last eight years, nearly 300 mothers and their children have participated in the Abrazos literacy program

Dr. Deborah Williamson with ABSN students at clinic

based on academic performance, inter-

and the social and civic contexts that

past academic year to 50 patients at the

est in diverse cultures and commu-

influence health and illness. Ten ABSN

non-profit Harvest Free Medical Clinic.

nity participatory action. This model

students are accepted into the HHI

Provision of health care services is pro-

program builds cultural competency,

scholars program each fall and summer

vided to all eligible individuals without

sensitivity to community needs, the

semesters.

regard to faith, nationality, creed, or

ability to tailor care, and the leadership

lifestyle.

skills necessary for our graduates to ad-

FACULTY PRACTICES

dress the social determinants of health

Nurse practitioner faculty work in a va-

> Crisis Ministries

and the elimination of health dispari-

riety of settings that care for the under-

Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNS-BC,

ties. Their immersion with members of

served population in the community.

provides care at Crisis Ministries,

the Hispanic community and providers involved in their care provides insight

Charleston’s largest homeless shelter.

> Harvest Free Medical Clinic

In the past academic year, Dr. Lauerer

into nursing issues of language access,

Annemarie Donato, DNP, FNP-BC,

saw 336 clients for psychiatric evalu-

advocacy, negotiation across agencies,

provided 100 hours of care during the

ation, medication management and

A

lthough the Statue of Liberty’s original intention served as more of a diplomatic gesture, it quickly became a welcoming symbol for immigrant populations. Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, which was later engraved into the pedestal of the iconic statue, presents an American Dream seemingly accessible to all peoples: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The migrant population in today’s America are certainly tired, poor, huddled masses, and yet their breathing remains labored by the injustices they continue to face.

I am not unfamiliar with the conditions of the homes in the migrant camp, nor the amount of hours Hispanic immigrants often work in order to provide for themselves and their families. I was, however, struck by the devastating and enchaining legislation that dictates compensation as well as protection of rights for migrant workers. Compensation dictated by weight of crops harvested, without benefits or adequate provision for rest, perpetuates a cycle of oppression in which the migrant population is left with neither a voice, nor an avenue for change.

The Farmworker Bill of Rights developed on October 13, 2012 in Raleigh, NC declares the right of the migrant population to live and work in conditions that “meet the standards of human decency,” without fear of reprisal. Though the solutions to this broken farming system are complex and at times seemingly unclear, I believe there are always small steps to take in the right direction.

This evening, as I wash the strawberry and dirt from my hands, I have committed to be more aware of the people who provide the fruits and vegetables I consume and share that awareness with others. I have considered switching to organic produce in light of the pesticides used in inorganic farming and the subsequent health effects on migrant workers. I am waiting in hope for the opportunity to meet the faces behind my food.

- Alicia Pirrallo, ABSN class of December 2014, Hispanic Health Initiative Scholar

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

Photo by Laura Elizabeth Pohl

In the Spotlight: MIGRANT WORKERS

15

psychotherapy. She also led a children’s support group in Summerville.

Crisis Ministries houses up to 120 adults and families on a daily basis.

Dr. Lauerer is part of an interdisciplinary team made up of physicians, case managers, and social workers.

> Partners in Healthcare/ECCO

From left to right: Dr. Catherine Durham, Dr. Terri Fowler, Ms. Whitney Smith, and Dr. Shannon Smith provide patient care at Partners in HealthCare

The College of Nursing, in collaboration with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), opened Partners in

service organization, serves more than

and Whitney Smith, MSN, APRN,

HealthCare, a nurse practitioner prac-

4,500 Berkeley and Charleston county

ANP-C. Shannon Smith, DNP, RN,

tice that focuses on the management of

families who are living in poverty.

ACNS-BC, CGRN, provides patient care

uninsured patients with diabetes, hy-

Partners in HealthCare is staffed by

coordination and Dr. Williamson, pro-

pertension, and associated conditions

three CON faculty nurse practitioners,

vides support for clinic development

of hyperlipidemia, obesity, and tobacco

Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-

and management of the integration of

usage. ECCO, a non-profit, community

C; Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C,

the ABSN students.

In the Spotlight: J’VONNE HUNTER

A

graduate of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs, J’Vonne Hunter, DNP, CPNP has brought her life experiences to her work roles. Growing up in Georgetown, SC, Dr. Hunter lived with her mother and two siblings. “My childhood was wonderful, and I always excelled in school and took part in activities such as cheerleading and Navy Junior ROTC. I was, however, frequently in the pediatrician’s office for acute asthma exacerbations and in the nurse’s office at school for nebulizer treatments. In the fourth grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a doctor like my pediatrician – little did I know the plan would be to become to become a nurse, earn my DNP degree and make a difference with the pediatric population.”

Prior to her enrollment in the ABSN program, Dr. Hunter earned her bachelor’s from North Carolina State University, where she majored in biology and minored in Spanish. “Spanish was an after-thought, but a professor encouraged me, and it was a great decision to follow-through with his advisement. Although our practice sites have interpreters, I feel being a bilingual provider eases communication for me and allows parents and patients to share concerns without limitation.”

Currently practicing in a pediatric practice that is part of the largest community health center in South Carolina, Dr. Hunter works with health care professionals whom she finds inspirational. “Our pediatric population consists of many Spanish-speaking patients. It has been the perfect environment to maintain and perfect my bilingualism while breaking down barriers to health care.”

Dr. Hunter took advantage of numerous opportunities while she was a nursing student. She was selected for the Robert Wood Johnson New

16

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Careers in Nursing Scholars Program, the prestigious MUSC Presidential Scholars Program and the Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars Program.

To broaden her perspectives she has studied the Hispanic culture and traveled though Latin America. Dr. Hunter has traveled with the Palmetto Medical Initiative to Nicaragua, and more recently to Uganda. “The trip to Uganda was my first as a licensed health care provider,” said Dr. Hunter.

“The advanced practice education and experience allowed me to make an impact. I find it rewarding going into global communities, empowering people with education, and providing a means to improve health care outcomes in local environments.”

“When abroad, much of the focus is on what a person can do to help a patient at this moment. The focus is on self-empowerment and education.

The same focus is at home as well. The nature of the illness may be different but each visit is an opportunity to equip the patient with a solution to their health concerns. My primary care patients, in addition to wanting their acute health problem addressed, want knowledge and understanding of the illness, and information about prevention. As a nursing student, I was taught each moment of contact with a patient should be a teaching opportunity. I keep that in mind with each sick or well child visit,” shared Dr. Hunter.

When asked about the value of diversity in nursing, Dr. Hunter replied, “Diversity can be two-fold. In the nursing profession. It is essential for health care providers to represent different backgrounds and cultures. At the same time, it is important to be able to care for a variety of patients who are reflective of society. Initiatives to promote cultural competence are so critical to providing effective patient care.”

picking something while I was really young, doing a residency and then sticking to it forever. What if I didn’t like it? With nursing, you have flexibility. So if I tire of one thing, I can change to a different part of the profession.”

In his last semester in nursing school, he became interested in psychiatric nursing and went on to love working at the MUSC Institute of Psychiatry and being an assistant professor at the College of Nursing. Anderson, who always has been fascinated by why people behave the way they do, found psychiatric nursing a perfect fit. “It’s been a The MUSC Men in Nursing group lend a hand to Habitat for Humanity

great career for me.”

Nursing on an acute psychiatric

Recruiting Male Nurses

C

hances are on your next stay

unit is particularly challenging because

By Dawn Brazell, reprinted from The Catalyst Anderson expects the number of

patients typically don’t give much feedback or thanks, given the nature of their illnesses, but he gets enough

in the hospital, you’re likely to

men in nursing to continue to rise.

signs to know he’s making a difference.

encounter a male nurse, and

We have a lot of second-career folks.

He recalls a former patient who came

People have been out there doing

up to him at a restaurant to thank him.

something they don’t like, and they

“It blew me away because first of all

experiencing a rapid change. A US

come into nursing for the versatility

she came up to me and said she was

Census Bureau study released in 2013

and job satisfaction.”

a psychiatric patient, which a lot of

it’s not as likely to be a surprise.

The image of men in nursing is

found that the proportion of male

At MUSC, there has been a dramatic

people wouldn’t do because there’s a

registered nurses has more than tripled

increase in the number of men parlay-

stigma involved, and I was with a group

since 1970, rising from 3 to 10 percent.

ing their military experience into the

of people. She said, ‘what you told me

There has been a culture change to

field of nursing. They may have been

made such a difference in my life.’”

support the rising number. Berry

a military paramedic or held another

Anderson would like to see more

Anderson, PhD, RN, assistant profes-

medical job, and have come to the

men in the profession. His two main

sor in the College of Nursing, said

position well-trained. Anderson said it’s

pieces of advice are to have a heart

a good trend.

for the job and to find the right niche.

he’s been a nurse for 17

Anderson

“The diversity pot makes everything

“Follow what you want to do. You may

years and

better. You don’t just have one way

not find it in your first job, but you’ll get

sees a shift

of thinking, you have several ways of

there. Nursing will allow you to do that.

in respect

thinking.”

You can do whatever you want. I can

for men in

The stigma of being a male nurse

the nursing

also is decreasing. It is a profession in

profession.

its own right – not just a career men

“I think that

choose because they couldn’t “make

has come

it” as a doctor, he said. Anderson, who

with the increase in health care tech-

knew he wanted to be a nurse since

nology, competitive salaries, high job

seventh grade, never wanted to be a

satisfaction, and that others are now

physician. His parents were nurses,

recognizing that nursing is a great ca-

and he always enjoyed the sciences. “I

reer. I think people are seeing through

thought nursing had a lot of job oppor-

those stereotypes we’ve had in the past

tunities – the diversity of nursing. I

and welcoming men in nursing.”

couldn’t imagine going to school and

truly say I enjoy what I’m doing and that inspires me to do more.”

Dr. Brian Conner (pictured right) with ABSN student, Ryan Dennis Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

17

AROUND THE COLLEGE

V

RN TO BSN PROGRAM OPENS

T

he College of Nursing accepted

must become part of the innovative

The fully online program can be

the first cohort of 53 students

solutions that will develop the future

completed in one academic year that

in the online Registered Nurse

generations of nurses.

consists of three full-time semesters.

to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN) in August.

“This is an exciting time as we

Students complete 10 courses over 12

embark on new endeavors to advance

months that will provide a foundation

our nurses professionally,” said Dean

for excellence in professional nursing

increase the number of nurses with

Gail Stuart. “With changes in health

practice. This practice-related

the appropriate levels of education

care, we need a nursing work force

experience assists students to integrate

likely to be needed in the future.

that is continually growing, learning

new practice-related knowledge and

Research study findings, including the

and assuming new roles in patient

skills that will transition them from

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s

care; we want to ensure that our

an associate degree or diploma to the

Charting Nursing’s Future, show there are better outcomes when nurses have a BSN or higher degree. To ensure the RN workforce achieves baccalaureate or higher degrees by 2020, colleges

nurses are in optimal positions to

baccalaureate level of proficiency as

deliver on the new expectations and

students gain higher-level skills than

demands of our evolving health care

those already accomplished in their

system.”

RN program.

The program was introduced to

V

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH LEADER VISITS CON Left to right: Dean Gail Stuart, Mrs. Janelle Othersen, Ms. Virginia Trotter Betts, and Dr. Biemann Othersen

member of a Governor’s Cabinet.

During her two terms as president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), she led the ANA/nursing profession’s policy development on health care reform during the 19911994 national debate.

As the Senior Advisor on Nursing and Policy to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Health of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Betts worked closely with Secretary Donna Shalala and Assistant

F

Ms. Betts’ career has been one of

Secretary of Health David Satcher on

Othersen Visiting Professorship

focused activism that includes seeking

enhancing the health care workforce

on July 23, the College of Nursing

improved access to and quality of

and on a variety of mental health

welcomed Virginia Trotter Betts,

health care services for all; a balance

MSN, JD, RN, FAAN, a nationally and

between health and illness and

initiatives, including development of Mental Health: a Report of the Surgeon

internationally recognized leader in

physical and mental health services;

health and mental health care and

and increased inclusion for practice

policy. During her visit, she consulted

and policy roles for professional

on policy issues with students,

nurses in the health care system.

or the fourth annual Janelle

and faculty, in addition to giving a

From 2003-2011, Ms. Betts served as

campus-wide presentation entitled,

the Commissioner of the Tennessee

“Challenges, Opportunities, and

Department of Mental Health and

Strategies for the Advanced Practice

Developmental Disabilities, and

Nurse: The ACA and Beyond.”

was the first nurse to serve as a

18

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

General; Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide.

In addition to her years in public service, Ms. Betts has had a rich academic career at Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and currently as president and CEO of HealthFutures, Inc.

V

TRANSFORMING TRADITIONS

A

nursing tradition was reborn

scope as a tangible tool of their profes-

at MUSC in 2002. It rekindled

sion and listen to words of inspiration

the fire that was originally lit by

about the career they have chosen for

the lamp of Florence Nightingale by

their life’s work. And so a new tradition

transforming the honor of nursing’s

was born.

traditional “Capping Ceremony” into

In 2014, a gift from the Arnold P.

a more contemporary and equally

Gold Foundation allowed the College

important event, as the baccalaureate

of Nursing to expand this ceremony

students were recognized by the new

to include a White Coat Ceremony

tradition of a “Stethoscope Ceremony.”

and the presentation of a Humanism

Most nursing faculty fondly remem-

in Medicine Lapel Pin to the incom-

ber the importance of their own “Cap-

ing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in

ping Ceremony” - a time of recogni-

Nursing students during the August

tion and reflection on the paths they

21st ceremony. Students wore their

were pursing in their chosen career.

white coats and were presented with

Yet times and norms have changed,

the lapel pin that symbolizes the

and nurses stopped wearing caps years

behaviors between nurses and their

ago. Sadly, a ceremony celebrating this

patients that is respectful and com-

academic and professional milestone

passionate. It signifies attitudes that

also stopped, as nurses became fo-

are sensitive to the values, autonomy,

cused on trying to meet the demands

cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of

of their stressful work and school

others. The mission statement of the

environments.

Arnold P. Gold Foundation is “putting

In a renewal of these values and this rite of passage, the MUSC fac-

the care back into health care.”

Board Names New MUSC President After a year-long national search, the MUSC Board of Trustees selected David J. Cole, MD, FACS as president of the university and its affiliated medical centers.

Dr. Cole earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York and completed his residency training in general surgery at Emory University. After residency, he completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch in Bethesda, MD. In 1994, Dr. Cole became an assistant professor in the MUSC College of Medicine and his leadership roles have grown through the years. In 2013, in addition to being chairman of the Department of Surgery, he served as president of MUSC Physicians, the faculty practice plan for MUSC. “The College of Nursing welcomes Dr. Cole to his new leadership role and we anticipate actively engaging with him as he refines the vision of MUSC in the years ahead,” said Dean Stuart. “The patient is the heart of what we focus on here at MUSC and I am looking forward to new models of clinical care, education and research that reflect that focus”.

ulty decided to use the power of the stethoscope and words from their colleagues to connote this same tradition of welcoming students into the family of nursing. The campus chapel, with candles flickering and organ music softly playing in the background, captures the air of expectancy among students, families and faculty. In a formal ceremony, the entering baccalaureate students are presented with a stethoFall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

19

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

BRYANT, FREEMAN SELECTED FOR RWJ FELLOWSHIP

C

ollege of Nursing clinical faculty

poration of America in Nashville, TN.

and alumnae, Debbie Chatman

Prior to that she was the chief nursing

Bryant, DNP, RN and Rebecca

information officer and manager of

Freeman, PhD, RN, PMP, have been

nursing informatics at MUSC.

named two of just 20 Robert Wood

Dr. Freeman worked in information

Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Execu-

technology, focusing on networking,

tive Nurse Fellows for 2014. Drs. Bryant

project management, and supervisory

and Freeman join a select group of

control and data acquisition systems

nurses from across the country cho-

for 15 years before returning to school

sen to participate in the final cohort of

to earn her BSN and PhD in Nursing

this world-class, three-year leadership

degrees. She has overseen the trans-

development program that is enhanc-

formation

ing the effectiveness of nurse leaders

of a nursing

who are working to improve the US

informatics

health care system.

division as

Dr. Bryant is the director of partner-

well as the

ships for health care quality research

implementa-

at MUSC and

tion of an

director of

interdisci-

outreach and

Freeman

Bryant

plinary care record, facili-

community relations at

tating team-building and the creation

Hollings

of interdisciplinary governance struc-

Cancer

tures and task forces. “The landscape

Center. She

of informatics is constantly changing

has extensive

and evolving and mentors are scarce.

leadership

With this fellowship I have the oppor-

experience in community health,

tunity to collaborate with an amazing

focusing on engaging stakeholders,

team of executives and policy-makers

improving processes, and engaging

invested in setting the direction of in-

individuals and organizations. Dr. Bry-

formatics for patients and health care

ant also is recognized for her perse-

workers. These interactions will allow

verance and innovation in executing

me to shape my career in the best

strategies that respect and engage

possible ways, with truly exceptional

diverse communities as active partici-

individuals providing mentorship that

pants in realistic and practical steps to

develops my leadership capabilities,”

improve health and health outcomes.

Dr. Freeman said.

“I’m excited about the collaboration

is a program that strengthens the lead-

ed by this fellowship. I hope to utilize

ership capacity of nurses who aspire

those interactions and the fellowship

to shape health care in their com-

network’s vast collective knowledge

munities, states, and nationally. The

to extend my own career beyond my

program will provide Drs. Bryant and

current role to influence and reform

Freeman with coaching, education,

health policies to address social deter-

and other support to strengthen their

minants of health and public health

abilities to lead teams and organiza-

practices,” said Dr. Bryant.

tions working to improve health and health care.

nurse champion for the Hospital Cor-

20

LIFELINES

On September 29, the College of Nursing invited Michael Bridges, PhD, executive director of education at Amber-Allen Publishing, to conduct a day-long faculty development workshop on rubrics to assist faculty to better understand, create, and meaningfully use rubrics in a variety of settings.

During the interactive workshop, the types of rubrics, including holistic and analytic, were reviewed and faculty developed rubrics for use in their courses.

In a few months, Dr. Bridges will deliver a follow-up webinar to identify problems, answer questions, share lessons-learned and to offer advice about the use of rubrics.

Dr. Bridges is a senior academic strategy, assessment, educational technology and faculty development professional with broad expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning and the application of fundamental principles of learning and cognitive science to the development of program architecture and course design. He is co-author of the book, How Learning Works: Seven Research-based Principles for Smart Teaching.

What is a “rubric”?

It is a document that identifies the expectations for a course, project, program or assignment by listing the criteria of what will be evaluated, describing levels of quality from excellent to poor.

The RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows

and mentorship opportunities afford-

Dr. Freeman is the Epic national

Rubric Workshop Aids Faculty Development

Fall | Winter 2014

Michael Bridges (left) with Elaine Amella

V

DEMONBREUN HONORED BY AWOHNN

K

ahlil Demonbreun, DNP, RNC-OB, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC, instructor, was honored at the

annual convention for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWOHNN) held in Orlando, FL, June 14 - 18. With more than 3,000 people in attendance, he was recognized for taking a career risk to become a male nurse in the area of women’s health.

In 1995, Dr. Demonbreun wrote a position statement, Women’s Health,

Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing, that was adopted by the AWOHNN in relation to gender and employment as a nurse in the specialty areas of women’s health, obstetric and neonatal nursing.

Nineteen years later, the position statement is still endorsed by the organization today.

In addition, Dr. Demonbreun was recognized for his various leadership roles and milestones throughout his

career. In 2012, Dr. Demonbreun

a leader in women’s health nursing

became the first male women’s health

during the opening presidential

nurse practitioner in the US to earn a

speech at the 2014 Annual Convention

DNP degree. He also is the first to be

held in Orlando, Florida,” wrote Dr.

certified as an inpatient obstetrics nurse

Demonbreun on AWOHNN’s facebook

and adult nurse practitioner.

page.

“Words cannot express the immense honor I have for being chronicled as

V

ATZ AWARDED MENTORING FELLOWSHIP

T

eresa Atz, PhD, RN, assistant

ultimate goal of fostering professional

that improve nursing graduates’

professor and assistant director

development and career advancement.

transition from student to registered

of MUSC HealthCare Simulation

“I am extremely honored to receive

nurse. “My goals for this year are to

Center, is the recipient of the 2014-2015

the John R. Raymond Fellowship

develop knowledge and skills related

John R. Raymond Fellowship. Named

that has granted me an opportunity

to simulation education, research and

in honor of Dr. John R. Raymond who

to connect with Dr. Suzan Kardong-

publication and to develop a pilot study

served as provost and vice president of

Edgren, an external mentor in

for situation, background, assessment

academic affairs at MUSC from 2002

simulation education and research

and recommendation skills in

until 2010, this fellowship provides

at Boise State University,” said Dr.

undergraduate simulation education.”

“The College of Nursing is extremely proud that Dr. Atz was selected for this award and I know that it will significantly contribute to her leadership activities in simulation.” - DEAN GAIL STUART

financial support for selected full-time

Atz. The two will work on a project

female faculty members to initiate a

that will advance simulation in

relationship with a mentor who is an

nursing education by developing,

expert in their chosen field with the

implementing, and testing scenarios

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

21

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

SMITH APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMICS

G

eorgette (Gigi) Smith, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, associate professor, was named associate dean

for academics on August 1.

Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the College of Nursing in 2004 as the track coordinator of the pediatric nurse creating the MSN/DNP asynchronous online curriculum. She was named the MSN/DNP program director in 2013.

A certified pediatric nurse practitio-

ner, Dr. Smith has 30 years of pediatric nursing experience specializing in the care of children with epilepsy. During that time she has gained extensive knowledge of the psychosocial impact of chronic illness, specifically epilepsy, on youth and their families. For the past 10 years, Dr. Smith has also served as co-investigator or co-principal investigator in five funded research projects studying youth with epilepsy and their families. Additionally, she has co-directed numerous professional educational offerings regarding pediatric neurology issues including epilepsy throughout the years.

Dr. Smith’s work has been recognized by receiving the South Carolina Nurses Association Excellence in Nursing Practice Award, South Carolina Nurses Foundation Palmetto Gold Award, the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Health Care Hero Award, MUSC’s Outstanding Clinician Award, and twice receiving the College of Nursing’s Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

AMELLA TAKES HELM OF PHD PROGRAM

V

practitioner program and assisted in co-

O

n September 1, Professor Elaine Amella, PhD, RN, FAAN, was named director of

the PhD in Nursing program in the College of Nursing, a position she previously held from 2004-2006.

Prepared as an advanced practice nurse in geriatrics, Dr. Amella specialized in nursing and interdisciplinary care of older adults for over 30 years. She received several honors including the Southern Nursing Research Society Hartford Institute Geriatric Nursing Award, and a fellowship at the John A. Hartford Geriatric Nursing Institute. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the American Academy of Nurse

V

DURHAM NAMED INTERIM DIRECTOR

C

Practitioners, and the Gerontological Society of America. She presents

atherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, has been appointed interim

nationally and internationally, and is

director of the MSN/DNP program in the College of Nursing. She joined

widely published in peer-reviewed

the faculty as an instructor in the DNP program in August 2012. Since

journals.

that time she has served as the lead faculty for the

Dr. Amella has been funded by

FNP/AGNP students and course coordinator for

the National Institutes of Health for

Advanced Care Management II and Advanced

community and institutionally-based

Clinical Assessment and Reasoning courses.

interventions to help caregivers

Dr. Durham maintains an active nurse practitioner

manage meals for individuals with

(NP) practice and is one of the founding providers

dementia, the USDA for the testing of

at Partners in HealthCare/East Cooper Community

rural nutrition and food safety train-

Outreach, a nurse practitioner practice that focuses

ing programs, and the HRSA Bureau

on the management of uninsured patients. In ad-

of Health Professions for training

dition, she serves as the sole NP providing cervical

undergraduate nursing students in

and breast cancer screenings in conjunction with the Hollings Cancer Center mobile van. She also is a commander in the US Navy Reserves. In that role, she

the concepts of geriatrics.

Dr. Amella is active at a national

works closely with the Department of the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and

level in several major nursing orga-

Response office assessing sexual assault in the reserve community.

nizations.

22

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

V

BRYANT SPEAKS AT CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING

D

ebbie Chatman Bryant, DNP,

the time of her breast cancer diagnosis.

RN, director of partnerships

Her care was delayed because her

for healthcare quality research

Medicaid coverage for family planning

at MUSC, director of outreach and

did not cover other conditions at the

community relations for Hollings

time. “My navigation team was with

Cancer Center, and instructor in the

Melissa through the birth of her baby

College of Nursing, was an invited

and cancer treatment, but unfortunately

speaker at a Congressional briefing on

we did not reach her in time. The

rising mortality rates in women in the

cancer was aggressive and her

US, July 15 in Washington, DC. At the

condition deteriorated. My team could

event, sponsored by Women’s Policy

only offer support to Melissa and grieve

Inc., Dr. Bryant shared experiences

with her family when she passed away,”

from her outreach efforts and addressed

laments Dr. Bryant.

the disparities she witnesses every day in health care in South Carolina.

Growing up in rural South Carolina Dr. Bryant saw the daily struggles that women faced. These women often

For other patients, Dr. Bryant’s team has had to address the intersection of

humid summer,” explains Dr. Bryant.

Following surgery, Mary was released

poverty combined with physical and

from the hospital into temporary

mental illness.

housing with four surgical drains from

Mary, a 51-year old homeless

her mastectomy site. The hospital stay

put their own health care needs on the

woman, was diagnosed with locally

is more often two to three days in these

back burner because they didn’t have

advanced breast cancer. In addition

cases, but only for the insured. Mary’s

the time, money, or access to health

to her own history of mental illness,

recovery continues and Bryant’s team

care. As a result, many succumb to

Mary was responsible for the care

connects with her often. Without their

preventable and manageable diseases.

of her adult son who suffered from

help, Mary’s story would have turned out much differently.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Bryant believes that by building a culture of

“Many of the stories I encounter are heartbreaking and frustrating, but all underscore the challenges facing women today and the need to provide practical solutions for women in need.”

health, positive outcomes are within reach. “We have abundant evidence of the value of our navigation program.

The program has decreased the number of at risk patients who do not return for care following an abnormal mammogram from 11 percent in 2009

bipolar disorder and several learning

to fewer the 5 percent since 2010,”

heartbreaking and frustrating, but all of

disabilities. She was unwilling to go to

reports Dr. Bryant.

the stories underscore the challenges

a shelter because she would have been

facing women today and the need to

separated from her son, and she feared

is multifaceted. “However,” Dr. Bryant

provide practical solutions for women

for his safety. Coordinating health

explains, “my experience has taught

in need. The lives of the women in my

care was just one piece of the puzzle

me that improved results are not only

program are real. Their faces represent

of ensuring that Mary received the

possible, but likely, when adequate

an inescapable public health crisis of

treatment she needed. Basic needs such

infrastructures designed to address

our time. Our job is finding solutions,”

as food, shelter, and clothing needed

unique situations and challenges are in

says Dr. Bryant. In her program, highly

to be addressed for both Mary and her

place. I believe that we are in a position

trained “lay” navigators experienced in

son. “We arranged a hotel room prior to

to make a difference in the lives of

local ethnic and rural cultures and low

surgery, but all of our careful planning

women like Melissa and Mary.”

health literacy help clients overcome

was nearly ruined when Mary and her

contextual and systemic barriers to

son overslept and missed her initial

health care.

surgery time. It had been some time

“Many of the stories I encounter are

Melissa, a 35-year old, uninsured

The context of women’s mortality

since they took a hot shower and slept

African-American woman, was six

in a bed in an air-conditioned space

months pregnant with her fifth child at

protected from South Carolina’s hot, Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

23

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

CON WELCOMES NEW FACULTY TO THE FOLD

STEPHANIE ARMSTRONG Instructor

ELIZABETH JENSEN Instructor

PATRICIA MILLER Instructor

KENNETH RUGGIERO Professor

JOY VESS Instructor

> Stephanie Armstrong, MSN, RN

> Patricia Miller, MSN, RN, instructor,

the development and evaluation of

is an instructor in the College of

has been selected to serve as director

technology-based interventions for

Nursing’s undergraduate program. She

of the RN to BSN program. She

traumatic stress populations. Most of

received both her Bachelor of Science

received an associate degree in

his early research focused specifically

in Nursing and a Master of Science

nursing from Villa Maria College

on brief behavioral self-help interven-

in Nursing as an advanced clinical

in Erie, PA, a BSN from Penn State

tions designed for disaster victims and

specialist in women’s and infants’

University, and a MSN with a focus

Operations Enduring and Iraqi Free-

health from George Mason University.

in nursing education from Drexel

dom Veterans. Over time, this work

University.

evolved into the use and evaluation of

Ms. Armstrong’s clinical experience includes practice at one of the

Ms. Miller’s diverse clinical

wholly technology based stepped care

nation’s largest birthing hospitals,

experience includes staff nursing,

approaches for victims of disaster and

as well as several community-based

management and administration

serious injury. A second major line

hospitals. She has served in numerous

for inpatient, community, and home

of research focuses on the develop-

leadership and management positions,

health settings, with extensive

ment and evaluation of tablet-based

and in 2004, Ms. Armstrong lead a

experience as OB/GYN department

resources to improve quality of care

project in which a children’s book

director. As a non-profit program

in child mental health treatment. This

titled, Do you know a nurse, was

director, she co-authored a federal

work aims specifically to improve child

developed to help promote nursing.

grant which was funded for five

engagement and provider fidelity in

years to promote character education

delivery of best practices.

Ms. Armstrong’s areas of interest

Dr. Ruggiero has had years of con-

include cultural awareness, outcomes,

in grades 5 through 12. Ms. Miller’s

and the obstetric health care needs of

interests include the future of nursing,

tinuous extramural funding from the

vulnerable populations.

bridging the classroom/clinical gap,

National Institutes of Health, the VA

student success, and online education

Health Services Research and Devel-

in nursing.

opment, the Department of Defense,

> Elizabeth Jensen, PhD, APRN-BC is

the National Institute on Drug Abuse,

an instructor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the College of

> Kenneth Ruggiero, PhD, professor,

the Department of Homeland Security,

Nursing. She earned a BSN from

is co-director of the Technology

and the Substance Abuse and Mental

George Mason University, an MSN

Applications Center for Healthful

Health Service Administration.

from San Diego State University, an

Lifestyles (TACHL). He is also associate

FNP certificate from University of

director of the Health Services Research

> Joy Vess, DNP, ACNP-BC joined

California, San Diego, and a DNP

and Development Center of Innovation

the faculty full-time in August as

from MUSC. She has over 14 years

at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical

an instructor in the DNP program.

experience as a board certified family

Center. Dr. Ruggiero received his BA

She earned a BSN from Clemson

nurse practitioner and is also certified

from the State University of New York

University, as well as MSN and DNP

by the National League for Nursing as

at Buffalo and his MA and PhD from

degrees from the University of South

a nurse educator. Her interests include

West Virginia University. He completed

Carolina.

health promotion, disease prevention,

his internship and NIMH-funded

and the effects of mental health on

postdoctoral fellowship at MUSC.

comorbid chronic disease outcomes.

24

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Dr. Ruggiero’s research centers on

Board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an acute care nurse practitioner

College of Nursing faculty celebrate at Johnson & Johnson’s Promise of Nursing Gala in November 2013

Palmetto Gold is a statewide nursing recognition program that both showcases the valuable contributions nurses make to patient care in South Carolina and raises funds to endow scholarships for registered nurse students.

for both adult and pediatric populations, Dr. Vess’ clinical experience and interests include emergency medicine, cardiology, occupational health, chronic disease management, and program development and implementation.

Her areas of interest include advanced practice roles and issues, polypharmacy, and evidence-based practice.

V

FACULTY WINS

Brian T. Conner, PhD, RN, (pictured center) assistant professor and director of the Accelerated BSN program, was honored for teaching excellence at MUSC’s annual faculty convocation held August 19. Dr. Conner was honored in the Educator-Mentor: ClinicalProfessional category. This award is presented to a faculty member for teaching excellence in non-traditional roles with individuals or small groups, specifically those who teach, mentor, or serve as role models in their clinical and professional development.

Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, instructor, was selected for the Maralynne D. Mitcham Interprofessional Fellowship for 2014-15. The fellowship’s purpose is to prepare university faculty and staff to successfully assume new roles in interprofessional education, research, practice, and/or administration.

Jane Zapka, ScD, (pictured center) research professor, was awarded the Peggy Schachte Research Mentor Award at MUSC’s Faculty Convocation ceremony held August 19. This award is given to a faculty mentor or other colleague who is widely recognized as an outstanding research mentor who encourages and supports the advancement of others as successful, extramurally funded investigators.

The 13th Annual Palmetto Gold Gala was held in April at the Columbia Convention Center.

College of Nursing faculty recognized during the gala included Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNSBC, (pictured third from left) assistant professor and Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, (pictured far right) instructor.

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

25

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR DEPARTING FACULTY Gail Gilden, ScD, RN, associate professor and director of the PhD in Nursing program, retired from her full-time faculty role in September.

Since joining the faculty in 1990, Dr. Gilden has held

After 27 years at MUSC, Robin Bissinger,

many leadership roles in the

PhD, APRN, NNP-BC, is ready for a new

College of Nursing including

adventure. On August 1, she retired from

department chair, director of

the College of Nursing and assumed the

online education, and asso-

role of executive director of the National

ciate dean for academics.

Certification Corporation, the national

During her most recent

certification organization for health

tenure as director, the PhD

professionals certified in the obstetric,

program has grown in size

gynecologic and neonatal specialties.

from nine students in 2001

Dr. Bissinger’s MUSC journey began

to the current enrollment of

in 1988 as a neonatal nurse practitio-

68 students. Dr. Gilden re-

ner (NNP) and later an NNP manager in

ceived two HRSA grants to further the growth and success of the PhD

MUSC’s neonatal intensive care unit. In

program. By moving it to an online delivery format it has become one

1994, she was hired as a clinical instructor

of the largest and most outstanding PhD in nursing programs in the

in the College of Nursing and progressed

country, with students now residing in 21 states, one in Germany and

to the rank of professor. She held the

one in the US Virgin Islands. To acknowledge her outstanding contri-

positions of NNP program coordinator,

butions to the program, the PhD students created a dedicated scholar-

MSN/DNP programs director and finally

ship fund for the program and presented her with a special giclée from

associate dean for academics.

a local Charleston artist.

She won’t completely leave the halls of

Dr. Gilden will remain involved with the PhD program serving on

MUSC. She will continue working part-

dissertation committees. In her spare time she plans to explore her

time in the Department of Pediatrics as a

artistic talent, travel, become fluent in the Italian language, and enjoy her grandchildren.

After 26 years of teach-

Sheila Smith, PhD, RN, associate

ing, Sharon Bond, PhD,

professor, didn’t slow down after

CNM, FACNM, left her

her departure from the College of

faculty role as associate

Nursing in August. Immediately

professor so that she

after retiring she traveled with

can engage more fully

her husband, children and

to her midwifery and

grandchildren to Puerto Rico and

women’s health practice

St. Martin. After enjoying the warm

at MUSC Women’s

Caribbean, they made the journey

Health at Cannon where

to the annual polar bear “migration,”

she has been practicing since 2000. Dr. Bond

which occurs along the Hudson

will continue her efforts to strengthen midwifery

Bay coast in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, crossing the tundra

and advanced practice nursing in South Caroli-

in search of the Northern Lights – an item on her husband’s

na, and work with the state’s cervical cancer pre-

bucket list. After traveling and defrosting, she plans to continue

vention efforts. She treasures her relationships

her research activities with the MUSC Wellness Center Healthy

with College of Nursing students and faculty

Charleston Challenge before heading out again in the spring to

that she has developed over the years. You can

visit her daughter in Europe.

reach her at bondsm@musc.edu.

26

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS THANK LPW FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUPPORT

O

n September 23, the College

Along with traditional BSN students,

of Nursing was pleased to

the LPW Foundation has also expanded

welcome Ms. Carrie Conway, the

their scholarship funding for students

Senior Program Officer from the Lettie Pate Whitehead (LPW) Foundation

pursuing graduate degrees.

A reception was held at The

in Atlanta, Georgia to Charleston for

Old Village Post House Inn in Mt.

her first visit to MUSC. The Lettie Pate

Pleasant where students and faculty

Whitehead Foundation was established

gathered to welcome Ms. Conway

in memory of Lettie Pate Whitehead, a

to the MUSC community. Dean Gail

benevolent business woman who not

Stuart welcomed all of the attendees

only managed the expansion of her

and provided an update on the

family’s Coca-Cola bottling business

College. Dean Stuart also spoke of the

in the early 1900’s but also oversaw the

significance of the LPW Foundation’s

family’s real estate investments.

support for the College of Nursing to

She served as Chairman of the Board of the Whitehead Holding Company and as President of the Whitehead

attract the best and brightest students to our programs.

MUSC President David Cole, MD,

Real Estate Company. Ms. Whitehead

FACS, attended the event to thank Ms.

became one of the first women to serve

Conway for the LPW Foundation’s

on the board of directors of a major

exceptional generosity as well as to

American corporation as she served as

address the students. Of the 30 local

a director of the Coca-Cola Company

scholarship recipients, 27 attended

for almost 20 years beginning in 1934.

the event. Aminah Fraser-Rahim, DNP

The LPW Foundation awards

Candidate Class of 2018, also addressed

scholarship grants in higher education

the group to express her thanks to

to female students throughout the

the Foundation for the opportunity to

southeast. Since 1990, the LPW

pursue her dream of a PhD in Nursing.

Foundation has awarded over $1.2 million to 750 College of Nursing students. In the past year, the LPW Foundation donated $200,000 to the College of Nursing - up from $100,000 the previous year, therefore making the LPW Foundation the College of Nursing’s largest scholarship donor.

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

27

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

BORDERS NAMED AMBROSE SCHOLAR

Two Students Selected for MUSC Leadership Society Current DNP student, Richard Hill (BSN ‘11) and Toya Williams (BSN ‘14), were selected for the prestigious MUSC Leadership Society. The purpose of the MUSC Leadership Society is to recognize those students who have made notable contributions to the university through their character, service and commitment to enhancing the

V

irginia Borders, MSN-NE, RN, (DNP student, class of 2015) was named a Paul Ambrose Scholar

interdisciplinary approaches to care.

This award is supported and endorsed by the Association for

for 2015. Ms. Borders was one of only

Prevention Teaching and Research

three graduate nursing students

and the Office of Disease Prevention

selected from across the United States

and Health Promotion within the US

to receive this award.

Department of Health and Human

Fellowship recognition and grant funding was awarded to students

Services.

As a Paul Ambrose Fellow, Ms.

from a variety of academic programs

Borders will use her grant to launch a

including, medicine, dentistry,

non-partisan public health initiative

nursing, pharmacy, physicians

in the spring of 2015 that is focused

assistant, and health care policy. All

on helping to decrease disparities in

participants were chosen based on

health education and increase access

their academic achievement, teacher

to quality health care in socially

recommendation, community service,

and economically disadvantaged

and community based research

areas of Georgia. Her mission is to

proposal designed to support Healthy

promote health prevention education

People 2020 objectives.

and coordinate a variety of services

Recipients attended a leadership

university environment or in their actions and activities that reflect positively on the university. Students selected for the Society personify the ideals of the university as being caring, compassionate, ethical, proficient and creative individuals who have demonstrated the qualities needed to be effective leaders and members of interprofessional teams.

through local partnerships committed

symposium in June held in

to lifelong healthy behaviors and

Washington, DC. Students received

improving their communities.

intensive instruction, and mentoring

Hill

from some of the nation’s top leaders in health care delivery, policy, and research design. The highlight of the program featured an empowering address from Rear Admiral Boris D. Lushniak, the US Surgeon General and leader of the US Public Health Services charging the group to seek leadership opportunities and advocate for disease prevention and health promotion.

Additional activities included site visits to federally funded inner city clinics dedicated to serving their community through collaborative, innovative, and 28

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Photo: A roof top garden at Bread for the City clinic in Washington , SC. From left to right: Eugene Kim (University of California-Los Angeles; Virginia Borders (MUSC College of Nursing); Joan Swanson (Emory University); Gerald Sabb (public health nurse at Bread for the City clinic); Leia Franchini (Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences; Katy Hamlin (administrator with the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research); Zachary Hemes (Emory University)

Williams

V

PhD PROGRAM RECEIVES AWARD FROM RWJF

T

he PhD in Nursing program is one of only 14 schools of nursing nationwide to be among the first

to receive a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Future of Nursing Scholars program to increase the number of nurses holding a PhD degree. “We were the only online PhD program to be selected, and our approach to the program was highly regarded by the reviewers,” noted Gail Gilden, ScD, RN, former program director.

RWJ’s Future of Nursing Scholars program is designed to dramatically increase the number of PhD-prepared nurses in the US. Currently, however, less than 1 percent of the nursing workforce has a doctoral degree Dr. Gail Gilden welcomes PhD students to campus for Residency Week

in nursing or a related field. An investment in creating more PhD

“We are the only online PhD program to be selected, and our approach to the program was highly regarded by the reviewers.” - DR. GAIL GILDEN

prepared nurses will pay dividends over

of the Virgin Islands and MSN in

time. The program will create a large

Nursing Education from Midwestern

and diverse cadre of PhD-prepared

State University.

nurses who are committed to long-

Ms. Bertrand is currently an assistant

term leadership careers that advance

professor of nursing at the University

science and discovery, strengthen

of the Virgin Islands. Her research

nursing education, and bring

interests are women’s health, health

transformational change to nursing

disparities and

and health care. The program will

intimate partner

provide scholarships, mentoring, and

violence. She

leadership development activities, as

also has a joint

well as postdoctoral research support,

appointment

to build the capacity of this select

with the

group of future nurse leaders.

Caribbean

The College of Nursing selected Desiree Bertrand from the 2014 cohort as the first recipient of the Future of

Exploratory Bertrand

Research Center,

An Integrated Risk Reduction Intervention for Abused African Caribbean and African American Women in the US Virgin Islands. Her previous nursing experience includes acute care, nursing education, travel nursing, home health care and military nursing (honorably discharged as a Captain).

“It is a honor to be a recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program award. This is award will play a key role in molding me into an excellent nurse scientist, researcher and educator,” Ms. Bertrand said.

University of

Nursing Scholar award. Ms. Bertrand is

the Virgin Islands, School of Nursing,

a native of the US Virgin Islands. She

where she is co-principal

received her BSN from the University

investigator on a major study:

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

29

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

PhD PROGRAM WELCOMES 2014 COHORT Cheryl Conway is an assistant

She received her MSN and BSN from

professor at Western Carolina

MUSC. Her research interests include

University. She received her MSN

how nurses care for psychiatric

degree from Western Carolina

patients committed in the emergency

University and her BSN from UNC

room. She chose the PhD program

Chapel Hill. Her research interests

because she loves learning and

include health literacy and promotion

research and MUSC is known for

Desiree Bertrand is an assistant

in adults with hypertension and

research.

professor of nursing at the University

diabetes. She chose the PhD program

of the Virgin Islands. She received her

because of the quality of the online

Anna C. Fisk is a staff nurse at Boston

MSN from Midwestern State University

program and relative proximity of the

Children’s Hospital. She received

and BSN from the University of the

area.

her ADN from Phoenix College and

The College of Nursing welcomed an impressive cohort into the PhD program in 2014 during the Residency Week in July.

Learn more about each of them below.

Virgin Islands. Her research interests

BSN from Grand Canyon University.

include women’s health, intimate

Matt Couture is an OR Nurse at the

Her research interests include

partner violence and health disparities.

Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs

identifying the factors associated

She chose to study at MUSC because

Medical Center in Charleston. He

with cardiovascular collapse during

the program is offered online.

received a BS degree in Information

endotracheal tube suctioning in

Systems and Management from

neonates with single ventricle disease

Cordelia Bright is a registered nurse

USC and his BSN from MUSC. His

following stage I palliation. She chose

at Northern Virginia Mental Health

research interests include information

the PhD program because it was

Institute. She earned a Master of

technology and electronic medical

online, research focused and well

Philosophy in Health Administration

records. “The accelerated BSN program

respected.

from the University of Ghana Business

was excellent at MUSC and I felt the

School and a BSN from the University

PhD program would be the same.”

of Ghana School of Nursing. Her

Michelle Gilbert is an RN coordinator at Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

research interests include comparative

Karenmarie Davis is a nursing

She received her BSN, MSN and post-

analysis of psychiatric patient care.

instructor at Francis Marion University

graduate certificate in education from

She chose the PhD program because it

and a PRN emergency room nurse

the University of Texas in El Paso.

is intensive, focused and online.

at Carolinas Hospital in Florence, SC.

Her research interests include early intervention in premature infants.

She chose the PhD program because it is listed as one of the best online graduate programs.

Ann-Marie John is an assistant professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She received her MSN degree from the University of Rochester and BSN from Suny Health Science Center at Brooklyn.

Her research interests include a retrospective evaluation of the prevalence of initial non-traumatic lower extremity amputation compared to lower limb salvage as the first treatment option for veterans with advanced peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremity. Ms. John chose

From left to right: Tahitua Timmons, Michelle Gilbert, Enia Zigbuo-Wenztel, Desiree Bertrand, Anna Fisk & Emily Nelson.

Back row: Maryellen Potts, Karenmarie Davis, Elizabeth Krueze, Cheryl Moseley Conway, Cordellia Bright, Mary Beth McCloud, Ann-Marie John, & Matthew Couture

30

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

the PhD program because it is the top rated PhD nursing program in the

country. “I was also very impressed

Hospital and adjunct faculty at

is focused on pain management.

with Dean Stuart’s level of engagement

Gaston College and Central Piedmont

She chose the PhD program for its

and passion for nursing leadership,

Community College. She received

convenience and reputation.

research and patient advocacy.

a Master of Science in Nursing

Another major attraction for me was

Education from Gardner-Webb

Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler is a school nurse

the variety of expert nurse faculty with

University, a BSN from East Carolina

at Frankfurt International School,

health care disparity research focused

University, and a graduate certificate

Germany. She received a Master of

on improving health outcomes of

in gerontology from UNC Charlotte.

Science in Nursing from MGH Institute

vulnerable populations.”

Her research interests include diabetes

of Health Professions in Boston, a

education and management, end-

master’s degree in public health from

Elizabeth Kreuze is a home health

of-life, and the elderly population. “I

the University of Massachusetts, a

registered nurse. She received a

wanted to attend a program committed

Bachelor of Science in psychology and

Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from

to quality, academic excellence,

a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the

Hope College and a BSN from MUSC.

nursing and the community we serve.”

University of Vermont. Her research

Her research interests are adolescent

interest is focused on nutritional

violence and suicide. She chose the

Maryellen Potts is an English professor

disparities related to food insecurities

College of Nursing’s PhD program

at William Penn University. She

globally. “MUSC-CON was my college

because “it encourages collaboration,

received her BA in English with a

of choice because the college has

allowing one to develop personal

minor in biology from Connecticut

a distinguished faculty covering a

and professional relationships with

College, an MA in English from the

range of diverse and intellectually

other nurse scientists, precipitating

University of Rochester, and a PhD

challenging research topics. In

the expansion of nursing innovation

in English from Union Institute and

particular, those focused on the area

nationally. I was especially attracted

University. Her research interests

of health disparities and vulnerable

to the smaller number of students

include health literacy and professional

populations coincides with my own

per cohort and the personal attention

communications in patient centered

research interest. In addition, as an

faculty provides students. Moreover,

care. “I chose to pursue this PhD in

American nurse currently living in

the research interests of faculty, and

the College of Nursing because my

Germany with a desire of furthering

the very active role they assume in

colleague, Lori Vick (2010 CON PhD

my nursing education, a web-based

discovery, are inspiring and align with

cohort), at Iowa Wesleyan College

PhD program offered the only viable

my interests. I very eagerly anticipate

encouraged me to change the

option of pursuing these goals.

the journey ahead.”

direction of my career as nursing and

Reputation was also a criterion for

nursing education becomes broader

me and given that MUSC College of

Mary Beth McCloud is an assistant

in emphasis. Specifically, I chose

Nusing is ranked as one of the best

professor of nursing at Frostburg State

MUSC because of Lori, the online

online nursing programs it became

University and an RN IV at Western

nature of the program, and the goal

even more desirable as the place I

Maryland Health System. She received

of three publications by graduation.

wanted to pursue a PhD in Nursing.”

an Associate of Arts in Nursing from

Clinching my decision was my positive

Allegany College of Maryland, a

experience with faculty, staff, and

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from

students during residency week. To top

West Virginia University, and Master

it off, my fellow students in the 2014

of Science in Nursing from Western

cohort are inspiring and dedicated. I

Governors University. Her research

look forward to learning with them.”

interests include obesity related complications in pregnant women.

Tahitia Timmons is education

She chose the PhD program because of

coordinator at Cancer Treatment

the flexibility of an online program and

Centers at Eastern Regional Medical

the focus on community health.

Center. She received her MSN in Nursing Education from Drexel

Emily Nelson is a staff nurse and relief

University and her BSN from Rutgers

charge nurse at Carolina Specialty

University. Her research interest

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

31

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

CON STUDENTS GO TO WASHINGTON

L

ast spring, Lee Horton, PhD, APRN, BC, CNM, course coordinator, brought her Advanced Health Policy and Advocacy course alive when she escorted 61 doctoral students

to Washington, DC to participate in the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) program.

One hundred and forty-one registered nurses or nursing students from all over the country participated in the three day program that provided nurses the opportunity to learn how to

This conference left me with feelings of honor, hope, and empowerment— knowing that my voice as a nurse can be heard and will ultimately impact the future of nursing and health care.

influence health care through the legislative and regulatory processes. Participants learned from health policy experts and government officials, network with other nurses, and gain hands-on experience through scheduling visits and meeting with their members of Congress.

Jennifer McCrudden

NIWI program coordinators took notice of the large MUSC contingent and were quite impressed with the group. Rose L. Horton, MSM, RNC, a member of the coordinating team, wrote, “During our final planning meeting is when I first noticed that 61 of our attendees were from MUSC. Words cannot express my level of respect and appreciation for the significant undertaking of supervising such a large group. Your students were amazing! The energy that this team had was really contagious!”

Students remarked that the NIWI conference was a great experience and provided them with skills that will carry them throughout their nursing careers.

Sponsored by the Nursing Organization Alliance, NIWI is open to any RN or nursing student that

The NIWI experience was a life-changing experience. Panelists shared their knowledge to improve our understanding of the politics of Capitol Hill. Consequently, this preparation enabled us to make the most of our brief visits, accomplishing our agenda completely for each visit. This would have been unlikely without the preparation of NIWI. I firmly believe that a nurse at every level would benefit from such an experience.

is interested in an orientation to the legislative process. The program teaches them how they can become involved and influence policy at the local and national level.

Valerie Clary Muronda

This internship afforded me a powerful opportunity to advocate for my profession directly to my representative in Congress. Nurses have been, and to some degree, are still somewhat reticent to claim the spotlight and advocate for themselves, yet, at the same time, they have no problem advocating for their patients. Nursing is positioned to make a tremendous difference in the way health care is delivered in the US, and it is imperative that we do not miss this opportunity to become politically involved by relinquishing our usual place as spectators in the political arena.

Novelette Prosper

The NIWI was a wonderful experience. I was truly immersed in the political, economic, and legislative process of health care policymaking during the internship.

The lessons I learned from this experience are invaluable and can be utilized in future advocacy activities as a nurse leader and nurse practitioner in the health care arena.

Pia Biason-Webb

Capitol Hill Visits During their visit, students had the the opportunity to meet with Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. Students from South Carolina met with their respective representatives. > Representative Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) Students: Charlotte Grecco, Hang Linda Hoang, Carrie Hoshour > Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC) Students: Cheryl Allen, Christina Bagwell, Valorie Barret, Elizabeth Batten, Pia Biason-Webb, Lauren Bowers, Katlyn, Tyler Cole, Sarah Didow, Jennifer Elrod, Anne Goforth, Journey Henderson, Morgan Jackson, Suzi Lahr, Lori Lee, Jennifer McCrudden , Suzanne Poole, Monica Riley, Mary Shearer, Marie Thomas > Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) Students: Sabrina Hilbert, Allison Porter, Andrena Zeigler > Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC) Students: Lai Chaim, Ana Anaya, Denise LePage, Katherine Luckett, Kim Moran, Gary Szeto , Carol Waiboer > Representative James Clyburn (D-SC) Students: Jennifer Berry, Margaret Conway-Orgel, Valerie Clary Muronda, Lan Nguyen, Novelette Prosper, Tonya Wagner > Representative Tom Rice (R-SC) Students: Mary Beth Byrd, Amanda Gerrald, Patricia Handley, Kelley Jacobs, Tasha Lee, Casey Miller, Sunshine Rearden > Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC) Students: Sherrie Dansby, Gigi Lattimore > Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) Open to all students in SC

Lisa Klasek-Gray, DNP student, was the recipient of the student registration scholarship. She is a member of the Alliance member organization, Sigma Theta Tau International.

> Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Open to all students in SC

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

33

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

CON AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NURSING STUDENTS

Helene Fuld Trust Scholarship

Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarships

Jessica Seaver, Accelerated Bachelor

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship.

Mr. Couture is a graduate of the

of Science in Nursing (ABSN) student,

is a charity dedicated to the support

ABSN program and past-president of

was selected to receive the Helene Fuld

of women in nine southeastern states.

the Student Nurses Association. Since

Health Trust Scholarship based on her

These students were selected for a

graduating, he has been employed

outstanding academic performance.

Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship

by the MUSC Medical Center as an

A Dean’s List student, Ms. Seaver

for the fall 2014 semester: Tramecya

operating room nurse.

earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts

Beale, Meghan Behlmer, Jackie Boyle,

Ms. Carter is magna cum laude

University where she was co-president

Sadie Burke, Amanda Burnette,

graduate of the ABSN program and a

of the Habitat for Humanity Club.

Megan Chestnut, Baylie Coldsmith,

graduate of Clemson University with a

Presently, she serves as the student

Kelly DeGraffenried, Christina

major in health sciences. Her goal is to

representative on the Undergraduate

Evangelista, Aminah Fraser-Rahim,

become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Program Committee, providing

Stacy Gaillard, Sally Gallman, Jessica

student feedback to faculty to improve

Gardner, Georgette Gilman, Crystal

University of South Carolina-Aiken

the educational process.

Graham, Tiffany Jamerson, Chyrese

BSN program where she was named

Jenkins, Justyn Lamb, Erin LaMoria,

“outstanding BSN student.”

Ted and Joan Halkyard Scholarship

Marcelline Lankford, Anh Lee,

Ms. Nettles is a graduate of the

Ms. Staten is a graduate of the

Bary Kemble, ABSN student, is the

Kimberly Leslie, Jessica Litchfield,

University of Science and Arts of

recipient of a Ted and Joan Halkyard

Brandy Mangum, Lawana Mark,

Oklahoma with a major in chemistry.

Scholarship. Mr. Kemble earned a

Monica Moore, Katherine Norlander,

bachelor’s degree in psychology from

Nicole Olive, Morgan Parrish,

Coastal Carolina University and a

Shivani Patel, Barbara Reeves, Mary

master’s dgree in clinical psychology

Rion, Elizabeth Roberts, Marjorie

from Francis Marion University. He

Schondelmaier, Julie Scruggs, Jillian

worked as a behavior specialist for

Sealy, Salome Seraphin, Daisy Smith,

Horry County School District and

Louise Smunk, Solange Marcel, Nicole

an alcohol and drug counselor at

Stasko, Tiffany Stephens, Emily

Shoreline Behavioral Health Services.

Wallace, and Ashley Williams.

Ruth Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and Margaret Ann Kerr Scholarship

Elizabeth Stringfellow Scholarship Cordelia Bright, PhD student, has been

program is a national program of

Marie Beck, ABSN student, is the

awarded the Elizabeth Stringfellow

RWJF and the American Association

recipient of two scholarships: the Ruth

Scholarship in honor of Ms. Marguerite

of College of Nursing. The prestigious

Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and the

Andell, class of 1913, and a College of

program is designed to help alleviate

Margaret Ann Kerr Scholarship.

Nursing faculty member and School of

the national nursing shortage, increase

Nursing director.

the diversity of nursing professionals,

Ms. Beck was elected president of the Student Nurses Association

Relocating to the US in 2010, Ms.

RWJ New Careers in Nursing Recipients Selected Five first semester ABSN students have been selected for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship.

Recipients are: Sharnice Boulware, Anne Chan, Donna Luu, Romina McCandless, and Tiffani Smalls.

The RWJF NCIN scholarship

expand capacity in baccalaureate

and selected for the Hispanic Health

Bright is from Ghana and graduated

and graduate nursing programs, and

Initiative Scholars Program. She

from the University of Ghana School

enhance the pipeline of potential nurse

represents the College of Nursing

of Nursing and Business School. She

faculty.

on the MUSC Student Government

has a master’s degree in health services

Association (SGA) where she was

administration.

selected as the “outstanding MUSC

Reba Carter O’Keeffe Scholarship Mary Butler, DNP student, was

selected for the Presidential Scholars

Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship

Program for 2014-15, which has a

Matthew Couture, PhD student,

her BSN at the University of South

competitive applicant pool from each

Rebecca Carter and Megan Nettles,

Carolina-Upstate and her Associate

of the six colleges that comprise MUSC.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Degree in Nursing (ADN) from

students, and Cara Staten, ABSN

Midlands Technical College. She also

student, have been awarded the

holds a previous bachelor’s degree

SGA representative.” She has also been

awarded the Reba Carter O’Keeffe Scholarship. Ms. Butler completed

from Columbia College.

34

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Left to Right: CON scholarship donors, Sunny and Samuel Steinberg with Tamara Trainor, ABSN student, recipient of the Samuel Steinberg Nursing Scholarship in spring 2014, as well as the Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship in fall 2013

Left to Right: CON Development Committee member, Connie Conner, with Brian Daigle, ABSN student, recipient of a Provost’s Scholarship

Barbara Sutton Pace Scholarship

Jean P. Wilson Scholarship

Juliet Brown, ABSN student, has been

Dannen O’Keefe, ABSN student, and

selected to receive the Barbara Sutton

Brandi Knight, DNP student, have

Pace Scholarship. Ms. Brown is a cum

been awarded the Jean P. Wilson

MSN from the MGH Institute of Health

laude graduate of North Carolina A&T

Scholarship for academic excellence.

Professions in Boston, MA, and is a

with a degree in animal science.

Ms. O’Keefe has worked with many

family nurse practitioner. She also has

volunteer organizations including the

a master’s of public health from the

St. Thomas of Canterbury Food Pantry

University of Massachusetts.

Provost’s Scholarship

the first in her family to graduate from college.

Ms. Zigbou-Wenzle earned her

Brian Daigle, ABSN student, and

and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She is

Sunshine Rearden, MSN student,

a dean’s list student. Ms. Knight earned

Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship

have been selected to receive the

a BSN from the University of North

The Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship

Provost’s Scholarship for the fall 2014

Carolina-Wilmington.

semester. Both were selected for their academic strengths and contributions to community.

Mr. Daigle is a dean’s list student

student. Ms. Coates is a magna cum

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Stewart Scholarship The recipients of the Mr. and Mrs.

and has been active in the MUSC

Stephen Stewart Scholarship are Alicia

Student Government Association.

Garland, DNP student, and Elizabeth

He completed the National Coalition

Kreuze, PhD student.

Institute Train the Trainer program

was awarded to Taylor Coates, DNP

Ms. Garland is a summa cum laude

laude graduate of the ABSN program.

She is currently employed by Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia, SC.

Marianna Stuart Mason Scholarship Adrena Ziegler, DNP student, was awarded the Marianna Stuart Mason

and has been designated a “Diversity

graduate of the ABSN program and is

Scholarship. Ms. Ziegler is nurse

Champion.”

interested in family health, allowing

manager at Sterling Sharp Pediatrics

her to impact the greatest range of

and Eau Claire Adult and Internal

patients and their families.

Medicine.

Ms. Rearden earned her BSN from the University of South Carolina-Aiken and is a nurse leader at Inlet Pediatrics in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Marie LePrince Farmer Scholarship Michelle Gilbert, PhD student, is

Ms. Kreuze is also a graduate of the ABSN program. Her goal is to become

Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship

a teacher at the university level and

Tamara Trainor, ABSN student, is the

develop expertise in research.

recipient of the Nina Allsbrook Smith Scholarship. Ms. Trainor works as a

Farmer scholarship. As a single mother

Izant Family Foundation Scholarship

working full-time, Ms. Gilbert earned

The Izant Family Foundation

selected as the Patient Care Technician

her ADN, BSN and MSN degrees. She

Scholarship was awarded to Enia

of the Year.

recently completed her post-graduate

Zigbou-Wenzler, PhD student, who

certificate in education and is studying

was born and raised in the West

for the certified nurse educator

African nation of Liberia. Her father

examination.

sent her to the US when she was 12-

Robert Wolfrom, ABSN student, is

years old for her education and she is

the recipient of the Marvin and Cleo

the recipient of the Marie LePrince

patient care technician at the MUSC Medical Center. In 2012, she was

Marvin and Cleo McAlhany Scholarship

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

35

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

McAlhany Scholarship. A College of

Ms. Assiria, a former phlebotomist,

was awarded the Betty Kelchner

Charleston graduate, Mr. Wolfrom also

is fluent in Arabic, and also can speak

Scholarship. She is a dean’s list student

was selected for the Veterans Affairs

and understand many dialects of the

who has demonstrated an interest in

Learning Opportunity Residency

Middle East including Egyptian, Syrian,

interprofessional education.

Program at the Ralph H. Johnson

and Jordanian.

Veteran’s Hospital. He is a Dean’s List

Ms. Campbell earned an associate’s

J. William Thurmond Scholarship

student and a Robert Wood Johnson

degree in applied science in nursing

ABSN student, MaryRose Bugbee

New Careers in Nursing Scholar.

from Southern Virginia Community

is the recipient of the Dr. J. William

College and her BSN from Kaplan

Thurmond Scholarship. Ms. Bugbee

University.

is the “breakthrough to nursing”

Betty Bundrage Murray Kinard Scholarship

Ms. Mills is a graduate of Wake

coordinator for the Student Nurses

Allexandra Raeder, ABSN student, was

Forest University with a major in

Association. Her background includes

awarded the Betty Bundrage Murray

Spanish, who has an interest in and

extensive volunteering in health

Kinard Scholarship. Current secretary

exposure to different cultures. She was

care, including completion of the

of the Student Nurses Association, Ms.

recently selected for the prestigious

New Visions Medical Program, where

Raeder grew up in a small, rural town

MUSC Presidential Scholars Program.

students from various school districts

and joined the US Navy.

Thomas J. Wiscarz Scholarship Matthew Sotiroglou is the second recipient of the Thomas J. Wiscarz

Marianne T. Chitty Scholarship Three students were awarded a Marianne T. Chitty Scholarship.

Laura Bodine, DNP student, is

were selected to participate in handson clinical experiences.

Carmen’s Cardinal Scholarship Natalia Davilia, DNP student, is the

Scholarship. Mr. Sotiroglou, a

a graduate of the Oregon Health

recipient of the Carmen’s Cardinal

veteran of Kuwait where he was an

Sciences University who also has a

Scholarship. Ms. Davilia, a graduate

infantryman and squad leader for the

master’s in public administration from

of the ABSN and MSN programs, is

US Army National Guard, received

the University of Maryland University

currently employed in the MUSC

honors as the Army National Guard

College.

Children’s Care Clinic.

Best Warrior for completing events

Amanda Jar, ABSN student, is a

focusing on battlefield medical tasks,

magna cum laude graduate of Western

leadership under stress, physical

Michigan University.

Allison Munn, PhD student, earned

fitness, and land navigation.

Alumni Association Student Scholarships Four outstanding students beginning

a BSN from Clemson University. She

their nursing education in the

has a clinical background in neonatal

ABSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs

nursing, and she has been involved in

were awarded scholarships by the

Nadia Assiria, ABSN student, Brianna

teaching clinicals in Francis Marion

MUSC College of Nursing Alumni

Campbell, DNP student, and Jessica

University’s BSN program.

Association. Three of the recipients

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter, III Scholarship Mills, ABSN student were awarded the Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter III

Betty Kelchner Scholarship

Scholarships.

Mattilyn Williams, ABSN student,

Sadie Burke, DNP student, (pictured center) recipient of the Irene Dixon scholarship, and Diane Hazelrigg (pictured right), CON scholarship donor 36

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

are previous graduates of the College who are returning to advance their education and career trajectories.

L to R: Dean Stuart, with Karenmarie Davis, PhD student, recipient of the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship

The Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,

the Good Neighbors Women and

named for a former College of Nursing

Children’s Center which raised

dean, was awarded to PhD student,

$10,000.

Karenmarie Davis. A graduate of the BSN and MSN programs, her passion

Maude Callen Scholarship

for research and advancing the field of

In addition to being chosen to receive

nursing is her ultimate goal. Ms. Davis

the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,

is currently nursing faculty at Francis

Karenmarie Davis, PhD student, has

Marion University where she instructs

been also selected for the Maude Callen

first semester nursing students in

Scholarship.

Professional Nursing and Nursing Practice.

Sadie Burke, DNP student, received

Faith Jefferson Hohloch Scholarship

the Irene Dixon Scholarship. As a CON

Four nursing students have been

undergraduate student, Ms. Burke

honored with the Faith Jefferson

worked nearly full-time as a patient

Hohloch Scholarship.

care technician at the MUSC Medical

is a graduate of the ABSN program

summa cum laude and was inducted

and earned a master’s in business

into Sigma Theta Tau, the International

administration from Strayer University

Nursing Honor Society.

before enrolling in the DNP program.

Laura MacKinnon, a graduate

Ms. Chinnis has had a variety of roles

of the College of Charleston and

in nursing, including being part of an

current ABSN student, has received

interdisciplinary research team.

Wesley Jacobs, DNP student, is a

completed the Emergency Medical

graduate of the BSN program at Francis

Technician Program at Trident

Marion University. His plans are to

Technical College, participated in the

become a family nurse practitioner.

SCRUBS Mentoring Program at Roper-

He is employed at McLeod Health as a

St. Francis Hospital, and served as the

Hospitalist RN Rounder.

President of the College of Charleston Nursing Club.

Elizabeth Mills Scholarship

RN to BSN and MSN programs. She currently teaches in the nursing

awarded to Kerri Evans who began

Technical College and also is a critical

the MSN program this fall. Ms. Evans

care and acute care dialysis nurse for

graduated summa cum laude and

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Crystal Graham, PhD student, is

the International Honor Society of

a graduate of the MSN program and

Nursing.

currently teaches in the Department of

Corrine Mole, ABSN student, is the recipient of a scholarship from the Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club.

Ms. Mole has volunteered for the Hilton Head Regional Hospital, the College of Charleston Alumni Chapter – Hilton Head/Bluffton Chapter, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She participated in a fundraiser for

Celebration

a graduate of the College of Nursing’s

program at Horry-Georgetown

Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club Scholarship

50th Anniversary

Kimberly Mouzon, DNP student, is

The Elizabeth Mills Scholarship was

was a member of Sigma Theta Tau,

1965 CLASS OF

Simone Chinnis, DNP student,

Center, yet still managed to graduate

the Elizabeth Jones Scholarship. She

MUSC

COLLEGE of NURSING

Nursing at Francis Marion University.

She is the simulation lab coordinator, and has earned certification as a HIPAA security expert.

2015 MAY 13-15

Mark your calendar!

Details to come.

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

37

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

Q & A WITH CATHY LANDIS, FORMER ALUMNI BOARD PRES. Lifelines spoke with Cathy Landis (BSN ’74) before she completed her term as the president of the College of Nursing’s Alumni Board.

Lifelines: What is your current job description?

CL: I have been appointed as president/chief nursing officer

at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, NC. I have the dual role of chief executive officer responsible for leading the operations of the hospital and participating in the development and operations of the regional network of care for Mission Health. I am also responsible for providing clinical leadership for nursing and all clinical services.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishments from your time as president of the CON alumni board?

It has been an honor to serve on the CON Alumni Board.

Each member is engaged, proud of the College and very interested in connecting with alumni at large. I believe our greatest accomplishment under my leadership has been the commitment to regionalize our efforts by reaching out to alumni and arranging socials throughout the state. Our goals are to provide a forum for our nursing alumni to network and to get direct feedback regarding how to re-engage alumni. We also share the great things happening at the College.

perception of care and the financial impact of patient care relative to the patient’s stay.

What has it been like transitioning from nursing to management?

The transition from direct patient care to management was a little awkward at first. I was so proud to be a bedside nurse, loved caring for my patients and was a little embarrassed to introduce myself as a manager. But I very soon realized that I could either take what I thought was excellent care of my six to seven patients any given day, or I could influence the care received by the 42 patients on my nursing floor every day. It has been very rewarding to be a positive influence on young nurses and to work collaboratively with professional nurses at the bedside. Collectively, professional nurses working together provide excellent care and advance the practice of nursing.

What advice would you give to incoming nursing students?

The greatest advice I share with incoming nursing students, or individuals expressing an interest in nursing, is to be sure that you love what you do. Nursing is both tremendously rewarding and tremendously challenging -- emotionally and physically. You encounter people at some of their most vulnerable times. Your reaction is critical to their response to treatment and, often, to their acceptance of the self-care education.

Why do you stay involved with CON alumni?

I stay involved with the CON Alumni Board because the individuals I work with really care about our mission to reconnect with our graduates. The board members are proud of our College, our education and training and our fellow graduates. The staff members in the alumni office are very supportive and committed to giving back. We can learn from one another and share ideas. What better way to do this than through our alumni association?

How has nursing changed during your career?

So very much has changed in nursing during my career.

A significant change has been the increase in the respect for nurses as professionals at the bedside. Nurses are much more clearly seen as the primary caregiver at the bedside, and the professional relationship with the medical staff is critical to the care of the patient. Nursing care is no longer seen as an “expense” to our hospitals, but nursing care now is critical to the success relative to outcomes, patients’

38

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

MUSC Hires Alumni Director The College of Nursing joins MUSC’s other colleges in welcoming Sallie Hutton as the executive director of Alumni Affairs. Ms. Hutton comes to MUSC from North Carolina where she served her alma mater, Elon University, for nine years in a number of roles, including the director of alumni engagement. She will work with each of MUSC’s six colleges to advance and support their alumni networks. You may reach her by calling 843-792-3433 or email hutton@musc.edu.

V

CLASS OF ‘64 GOLDEN GRAD INDUCTION AND REUNION

Each year MUSC Alumni are invited for a two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of their graduation and induction into the Golden Grad Association. A reunion dinner is held followed by the Golden Grads donning caps and gowns and participating in the University’s commencement exercises. Laurie Scott, director of development, received the following notes thanking her and the Office of Alumni Affairs for their efforts in coordinating the Class of 1964 reunion and the Golden Grads events during the 2014 spring commencement.

, ernigan , Toni J e is W i r Gra ds S ha r Golden ” to you, u u o o , y e ie k r k a u n a y om “tha Dea r L you did t spec ia l limen ta r o sa y a so c omp ork tha t n w e e e ere b th s ll e I wan t t e ha for a n t. W w e s taff E ver yon din g e ve ir l. n t a u t f n e s s t s e e u no ucc u s. and th e d with ia l and s t week a so spec c ele bra t ak e tha s m d t n a ine d o n t a e r s v r e t e have em e ffor n dinn 4 e io n ‘6 th u f ll e o a r s g ou r la s re r ega rdin came to om the c rsin g we o f u s fr t you a ll y a n th a e o f Nu d m g la , e ll d o e o ther a s s C so g s h e c u t for ea ave disc a rs in th c h e e e y e p e s w e e r s r A tu r e. W and u r th g a d ven amwork n ta c t. O in e o t it c c d x in e e n e d r r e an e lea gis te d c lose an y wa s lik in g a r e a for u s. W m d o s y c e r e e b im v t g and s. E c han gin ha llen ge ce s s fu l, me life c o be suc o t s d r d e a c h k in g we fa d to wor u t s tand a t we ha u s. for the o l o t u f t e it ha s t n k new th t a a os t gr ie s tha impor t m it o n s m u a t s I r a , r ppo nu r s e w y ca r ee a ll the o nitie s in lec t on m SC, and oppor tu U t the M a e t r A s I re f a g ive d tion and some y e duca a t I r ec e ave ha d m th h o I t n . io d s s t e s u a t lu m ucce e duc I gra du a andin g a e tha t s me sinc e e ou t s t and I ow , th g d su r e. in e s d r r afforde d r a ys t ea s awa s o f nu a lw a w a e I r ill 1, a w 1 I t ma s, In 20 tha t differ en u rie Tho MU SC. and one a , t L r a , o d t n n o n h a e p rsin g ou s hu s b yea rs I s tan t nu t r emend he n m y r w a o o p s g a im a w s w ho ha t yea r e k new llege o f awa rd. T u t t wo k emia. H r the Co n til a bo u o u f le d ip id e h lo k s e r I wo e my te d to c hola r ith a c u t I c ommit hin g a s , w s s li d t b e n a s e t o v s n g se ry ed e wa s dia I fel t ve en Gra d disc u s s rie and u r Gold and we o u , a r e o L f m . o n th t o a t wa s y de e this Cha rle s ge a t m gh to se . While in the Colle n g e nou r lo o f d e Nu rsin g v ip li h ha d ola rs tha t he we d sc h n a c tive d I wish an endo n a is th i to be a t n u m o lu b a a g an s t ron gly f Nu rsin ba ck to r givin g College o e w id . s llo d n e e o f z c and fina li h of my c ia tion, a ge ea c e yea rs. ni A s so m I enc ou r lu por t, rough th A th C h S c U u and su p m M lp o e e s h th s r f u u o d fite o f yo member , ME d a s be n e u for a ll n tha t h ma s, R N hank yo o io T h t T u s it e t ins Jon Franc e s

La urie,

The Golden Grads and Cla ss of 1964 reu nions wer e wonder ful. The events wer e fun and rela xin g and I fel t so car ed for. It wa s awe some to go through the gra dua tion proces sional and be rec ognize d. The Cla ss of 1964 wa s specia l and fun. We wer e a close group tha t sta y in touch and love eac h other. Thanks to ever yone involve d Regards, Br enda Ba rwick

Dear Laurie, Just thinking abou t our 50th Reunion is exciting. On Wednesday nigh t we had dinner at the Holiday Inn and it was great catching up. On Thursday we headed to The Countr y Club of Charleston for lunch and presentation of our 50-year medallions.

Thursday nigh t we enjoyed dinner in the beau tiful setting at the Mount Pleasant Water front Park.

Friday morning, after breakfast together at the hotel we donned our caps and gowns and left for graduation at The Citadel.

It was simply amazing to see all of the graduates and learn of their degrees. A lot of schools have been added since we received our pins in ’64. Makes me ver y proud!

I cannot say enough abou t the staff of the Office of A lumni Affairs and the College of Nursing. They treated us like VIPs – all we needed to know was a time – they took care of the rest. It was a truly wonder ful experience.

-Royce Steele Cook, Class of 1964

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

39

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

CLASS NOTES

[ 1977 ]

Board of Directors for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor

Cynthia Jones Norris has been a nurse for 42 years and has witnessed many changes in health care. She worked in the VA Medical Center in Charleston from 1972 until 1979.

For the next 34 years she worked for Carolinas Hospital of Florence. In 1996, she completed the WOC Nurse Program at Emory University and currently serves on the Southeast Region Wound, Ostomy, Continence board. Ms. Norris has two daughters and five grandchildren. In 2013, she received a Palmetto Gold award.

Society for Nursing.

[ 1999 ] In July, Danielle Isbell Cluver (BSN, ‘99) took a position as a certified nurse midwife in Gallup, NM for Indian Health Services.

[ 2002 ] April Vanderveer (BSN,‘02) is a certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. In May, she joined

[ 1982 ] Lynette M. Gibson is the director of research in nursing at the University of South Carolina-Upstate. In this role, she mentors faculty in their research and scholarly endeavors.

Ms. Gibson also continues her own research involving breast health disparities in African-American women.

[ 1991 ] Jearldine Gainey Tolson retired in 2008 after 27 years in coronary care at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC.

the staff of Gifford Medical Center in Vermont where she divides her time between Gifford OB/GYN and Midwifery in Randolph and the Gifford Health Center in Berlin.

Previously, she worked for 11 years at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, VT as a birthing center nurse. She is board certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

[ 2003 ] Dawn Heyward (BSN ‘03, MSN ‘08) is a nurse practitioner providing care in the cardiology clinic at MUSC where she assists in developing a program for advanced stage heart failure patients to receive a

[ 1993 ]

left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Lennie M. Austin is a volunteer nurse at a free clinic.

Patients are implanted with a heart pump that provides the ability to

Tara Hulsey (MSN ‘93, PhD ‘98), is dean and the E. Jane

have normal cardiac output for their

Martin Professor of the School of Nursing at West Virginia

weak heart. Ms. Heyward also is a

University. She previously served as dean and professor

reviewer with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare for

at Charleston Southern University,

the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

College of Nursing and Allied Health.

Dr. Hulsey has held numerous

program. She travels around the country to review other

leadership roles at the local, state,

VAD programs for compliance with Joint Commission

national, and international levels,

standards, a position she had held for the past three years.

most recently as the chair of the United Nations and Global Health Advisory Council for the International

[ 2004 ]

Honor Society for Nursing. She has

Kim Scott, FNP, AE-C, CORLN, (MSN ‘04) is working for

served as a curriculum consultant in the US and China for

Eastern Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists in Chesa-

her practice and education specialty of perinatal nursing.

peake, VA. She recently published her first book titled, Quick

Securing more than $2 million in grant funding, Dr. Hulsey

Reference for Otolaryngology: Guide for APRNs, PAs, and Other Healthcare Practitioners.

was principal investigator for one of the 15 pilot schools nationally for the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing initiative. She is a grant reviewer for HRSA and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Nursing

[ 2005 ]

Education. Dr. Hulsey is a Robert Wood Johnson Executive

Since retiring from the MUSC College of Nursing faculty,

Nurse Fellow and a Fellow in the American Academy of

Phyllis Bonham (PhD ‘05) has completed her term as presi-

Nursing. Currently, she is serving a four-year term on the

dent of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN)

40

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

Society and remains an active member. Today, Dr. Bonham is the clinical editor for WOCN, and chair of the wound guidelines task force. She also is

[ 2014 ] Valorie Barrett (DNP ‘14) announced the birth of her daughter, Vivienne “Vivie” L. Barrett on August 19, 2014.

involved in the society’s new online continuing education program, the

Brittany Phillips (BSN ‘14) works in an ICU in a south Geor-

Wound Treatment Education (WTA)

gia hospital. She expresses how grateful she is to have been

program. This program is designed to

educated at MUSC. “I personally believe, now so more than

empower wound, ostomy continence

ever, that the College of Nursing does a fantastic job of really

nurses to improve patient outcomes

encouraging young nurses to further their education and

by enhancing their wound team. Ad-

ultimately further the nursing profession. I really cannot

ditionally, Dr. Bonham co-authored

adequately express just how thankful I am to have gone to

the 2014 Guideline for Management of Patients with Lower-

a nursing school in an institution that challenges their stu-

Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD) and is authoring a chapter on lower-extremity arterial disease for a wound management textbook to be published in 2015 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins for the Society. In 2012, Dr. Bonham receive the President’s Service Award from the WOCN Society. She also received the South Carolina State Recognition Award at the Southeast Region WOCN meeting in 2013.

dents to move past the “status quo” and be proud to do so.”

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

PASSAGES Mary Helen Thompson, BSN ‘83

Sandra Cheryl Petty Brown, Diploma ‘66, BSN ‘73

December 31, 2013 | Wadmalaw Island, SC

July 15, 2014 | Charleston, SC

Tammy Renee Hall Hagerman, BSN ‘88

Norma Pacenta, Faculty member

April 17, 2014 | Charlotte, NC

July 20, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC

Jeannine G. Dymock, Diploma ‘62

Ann Harling Quattlebaum Blanton, Diploma ‘52

April 26, 2014 | Cayce, SC

July 24, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC

Donna Burke-Howes, BSN ‘93, MSN ‘02

Thomasine “Tommie” Gatlin Shuler, Diploma ‘56

June 25, 2014 | Waterford, CT

August 15, 2014 | West Columbia, SC

Francine Margolius, EdD, MS, RN, FAAN, professor emerita, passed away on August 6, 2014. in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Dr. Margolius joined the College of Nursing as an instructor in 1974, progressed in rank to associate professor with tenure in 1983, and served as department chair from 1995-2000 before retiring as professor emerita in 2005. She also was appointed as a member of the graduate faculty in the College of Graduate Studies in 1994. Among her many honors during her long career in nursing, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 1999. To honor their parents, both of whom worked for many years at MUSC, the Margolius children have established the Drs. Harry and Francine Margolius Memorial Fund at MUSC. Donations in their memory can be sent to: MUSC Foundation | 18 Bee St., MSC 450 | Charleston, SC 29425 (Please write, Drs. Harry and Francine Margolius Memorial Fund, in the memo line of the check.)

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

41

GIVING BACK

V

BSN RECEPTION BRINGS TOGETHER DONORS, RECIPIENTS

T

he College of Nursing’s innaugural BSN Scholarship Reception, held May 13, 2014, was a great success. Thirty scholarship donors and recipients gathered in the Pearlstein Healing Garden of the Hollings

Cancer Center. During the reception, scholarship recipients and donors had the opportunity to meet one another, many for the first time. During the reception, a brief awards ceremony took place to recognize each of the recipients, and tell the story behind each scholarship. Kay Chitty, a scholarship supporter and longtime friend of the College, briefed the audience on the current cost of tuition and the necessity of financial aid and scholarships for most of the nursing students. In addition, six new Legacy Society members were recognized for making a gift in their wills to support the College of Nursing. These new members are: Frances Thomas, Jacob and Jade Fountain, Bull and Dottie Halsey, and Renee Black.

The ripple effect of the reception was felt within 24 hours as four individuals expressed an interest in making a planned gift to the College, and two people shared that they had already made a gift in their will.

The College of Nursing would like to thank event sponsors, Renee Black and Gale Messerman, as well as everyone who attended and helped to make the event such a success. Congratulations once again to our student recipients! We look forward to next year’s reception.

42

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

V

AGE ISN’T A PREREQUISITE FOR LEGACY SOCIETY

M

eet Jacob Fountain, BSN, ‘14, and his wife, Jade, who recently were inducted as the newest

members of the College of Nursing’s Legacy Society.

Shortly after Mr. Fountain’s

New Scholarships Established The College of Nursing is pleased to announce that two scholarship funds have been established that will provide funding to educate future generations of nurses.

graduation in May, the couple decided to make a provision in their will that would provide funds for a new nursing scholarship. In doing so, they became the College’s youngest planned-giving donors.

The Fountains are very passionate about giving back to students in need, as they both received integral scholarship support at their respective schools.

“We wanted to know how we could make a positive impact on future nursing students at MUSC because we both realize how fortunate we have been in completing our own degrees,” said Mr. Fountain, who today is a nurse on MUSC’s Total Joint Replacement Unit.

“We really believe in the outstanding education that the MUSC College of Nursing provides to students through its dedicated and caring instructors, and we know that it

(Left to right): The newest members of the College of Nursing’s Legacy Society, Jacob and Jade Fountain, accept a token of appreciation from Toni Jernigan, MUSC’s director of planned giving.

produces highly qualified and talented nurses. It’s important to us to support the College of Nursing and its students now and in the future so that the tradition of excellence is continued.”

Many people assume only the elderly join a Legacy Society, but this couple has shown that anyone can make such a gift through their estate plans, a gift that will change the lives of other nursing students for many generations.

WHAT IS THE LEGACY SOCIETY? The Legacy Society is composed of donors who have thoughtfully planned a gift to the MUSC Foundation as part of their will or estate plans for the benefit of MUSC. If you are interested including the College of Nursing in your will or estate plans, please contact Laurie Scott, director of development, at 843-792-8421 or scotlk@musc.edu.

Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing Scholarship Renee M. Black, College of Nursing Development Committee Co-chair, has established the Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing Scholarship in honor of her grandmother.

Ms. Black is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional whose career began in nursing. She credits her nursing background with providing her with the skills and education necessary to create a unique professional niche in the business world. This scholarship will be awarded to a hardworking nursing student who is the first in their family to go to college, financially disadvantaged, from a rural or impoverished area, or a single parent who would otherwise be financially unable to enroll in a nursing program at MUSC.

Izant Family Foundation Scholarship Fund James R. Izant II and Natalie M. Izant established this scholarship to fund the education of graduate students in the College of Nursing. Mr. Izant was a patient at the MUSC Medical Center for many years and sadly passed away in 2013. His wife recently wrote, “The nurses of MUSC have meant so much to our lives over the past 11 years. My husband, Jim, received the best care possible and always had a good relationship with his nurses at MUSC. While I miss him terribly, knowing that this gift will help educate another health care professional gives our family great comfort.”

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

43

GIVING BACK

The MUSC College of Nursing relies on the generosity of the many individuals, foundations and organizations that provide us with philanthropic support.

We are pleased to share the list of donors from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

We hope that next year we may be able to add your name to the list.

>> $25,000 +

Dr. Laurine T. Charles

Ms. Renee M. Black

Dr. Kay K. Chitty and Mr. Charles B. Chitty

David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cumbie

Izant Family Foundation

Dr. Deborah C. Williamson and Dr. David R. Garr

Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation

Johnson Controls Foundation

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Betty C. Kelchner and Mr. A. B. Kelchner

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Mrs. Gale Messerman and Mr. Gerald Messerman

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Anonymous NMF Fund of Coastal Community Foundation

Sanofi-Aventis US, LLC

The O’Brien Family Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Mary E. Swain and Mr. David C. Swain, Jr.

Mr. Michael C. Pace

Mrs. Frances J. Thomas

Mrs. Susan F. Payne

Trident United Way

Mrs. Corinne V. Sade and Dr. Robert M. Sade Dr. John J. Schaefer III and Dr. Carol L. Simmons

>> $10,000 - $24,999

Dr. Gail W. Stuart

Mrs. Caroline W. Davis

Mr. Michael R. Sudzina and Dr. Mary R. Sudzina

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Evans

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. Carl O. Falk, Jr.

Dr. Frank A. Treiber

Falk-Griffin Foundation Mrs. Sylvia D. Steinberg and Mr. Samuel Steinberg

>> $500 - $999

Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation, Inc.

Mrs. Mary B. Decker Dr. Daniel P. Gracie

>> $1,000 - $9,999

Dr. Teresa J. Kelechi and Mr. James R. Kelechi

Dr. Elaine J. Amella

Ms. Deborah S. O’Rear and Mr. Bert E. O’Rear

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Aid to Education Program

Mr. Stephen D. Schaer and Mrs. Sheree A. Schaer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina

Mrs. Sharon P. Schuler and Mr. Milan R. Schuler

Ms. Alex Caton and Mr. David Contini

Mr. Nirav S. Shah and Mrs. Elaine Stuart-Shah

Bold denotes individuals who are MUSC College of Nursing alumni, faculty or staff.

Mr. T. Grange Simons V

Mrs. Aleta H. Burst and Mr. Thomas L. Burst

Ms. Cynthia B. Teeter

Col. and Mrs. Jack O. Burwell, Jr. Mrs. Patricia L. Bush and Dr. Charles A. Bush

>> $250-$499

Dr. Loretta B. Camarano-Kangas and Mr. Stanley Kangas

Dr. Elizabeth Bear

Mrs. Julie A. Caroff and Mr. Gilbert E. Caroff

Mrs. Shelton Bosley and Mr. William Bosley

Mrs. Penelope Chase and Mr. Chaz Walter

Mrs. Deborah H. Brooks and Mr. Jack J. Brooks

Lt. Col. Janet E. Chisolm-Richard and Mr. Floyd H. Richard

Mrs. Nadine G. Clair and Mr. Robert F. Clair, Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Clist

Mrs. Vanette S. Forbes and Mr. William L. Forbes

Dr. Toni E. Coaxum

Ms. Jeanine Gage

Mrs. Costa K. Cockfield and Mr. Flynn W. Cockfield

Mr. Norman P. Harberger

Mrs. Rhonda Collis-Yoder and Mr. John R. Yoder

Hilton Head Christian Academy

Mrs. Roberta H. Cone

Estate of Ms. Florence V. Illing

Dr. Brian T. Conner and Mrs. Connie Conner

Mrs. Beth Khan

Mrs. Patricia A. Cook and Dr. Taylor I. Cook

Mrs. Jane M. McCollum and Dr. Edward E. McCollum

Mrs. Caroline S. Counts and Mr. Henry O. Counts

Dr. Lynne S. Nemeth

Mrs. Betty D. Crowley

Mrs. Anna T. Patton

Mrs. Carolyn L. H. Cuttino and Mr. Edwin C. Cuttino, Jr.

Porsche Club of America Coastal Empire Region

Mrs. Dorothy Y. M. Dangerfield

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ricciardone

Mrs. Joan Y. Daniels and Mr. William L. Daniels

Ms. Laurie K. Scott and Mr. John Leiataua

Miss Margaret R. Danko

Mrs. Yolanda M. Simmons-Long

Mrs. Sylvia C. Davis and Major Edward R. Davis

Miss Ruby I. Tumblin

Dr. Kahlil A. Demonbreun

Mrs. Lori Vick and Mr. William S. Vick

Ms. Franetta L. Dinkins Mrs. Emily DeHay Dixon

>> $100 - $249

Dr. Annemarie S. Donato

Ms. Jean E. Alexander

Ms. Tracy T. Doran

Ms. Alexandra Allen

Mrs. M. Gwyn DuBose-Schmitt and

Mrs. Suzette K. Allen and Mr. Andy Allen

Mr. Heinrick A. DuBose-Schmitt, Sr.

Mrs. Kathy T. Alwahab and Mr. Allen D. Alwahab

Mrs. Gloria H. Dunlap and Mr. Robert L. Dunlap

Mrs. Erica L. Anders and Mr. Matthew D. Anders

Dr. and Mrs. James B. Edwards

Mr. James Antal

Mrs. Lisa K. Floyd and Mr. Chan C. Floyd

Dr. Melissa B. Aselage

Mr. Jacob J. Fountain and Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fountain

Mrs. Valerie H. Assey

Dr. Jenny R. Freeman

Mrs. Jessie D. Atkinson and Col. Harry E. Atkinson

Mrs. Paige W. French and Mr. John E. French III

Dr. Teresa W. Atz and Dr. Andrew M. Atz

Mrs. Eunice D. Fuller and Mr. Richard J. Fuller

Mrs. Katharine DuVal Beard and Mr. Henry E. Beard III

Mrs. Jewell G. Gibbons and Mr. George T. Gibbons

Dr. Janis P. Bellack

Mrs. Kathleen E. Goodwin and Lt. Col. Ronald R. Goodwin

Ms. Dene R. Bellamy

Mrs. Martha M. Gosnell and Mr. Wayne Gosnell

Dr. Pia V. Biason-Webb

Mrs. Mary K. Gwyn and Mr. J. Richard Gwyn

Mrs. Jane E. Biggs and Mr. Robert H. Biggs

Ms. Brenda C. Haile

Dr. Sharon M. Bond and Mr. James C. Blain

Mrs. Marjorie G. Halford

Dr. Phyllis A. Bonham and Mr. Carl N. Bonham

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harrington

Mrs. Beverly S. Bonner and Dr. Walter M. Bonner, Jr.

Ms. Anette Hebebrand-Verner and Mr. James S. Verner IV

Mrs. Deborah L. Boswell

Mrs. Sheralyn S. Heyse and Mr. Frederick H. Heyse

Ms. Jamie C. Bott

Mrs. Karen L. Hiott

Ms. Sarah Branoff

Mrs. Marian E. Hodge and Mr. Sammy O. Hodge

Mrs. Brenda M. Brunner-Jackson

Mrs. Marianne L. Holmes and Mr. Donald J. Holmes

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

45

GIVING BACK

Mrs. Jan K. Howell and Mr. Al W. Howell, III

Mrs. Saranel M. Niver and Mr. James M. Niver

Mrs. Betty J. Howell

Mrs. Theresa L. Olsavsky and Mr. Stephen P. Olsavsky

Ms. Deidra D. Huckabee

Mrs. Ann B. Pachuta and Mr. John D. Pachuta

Ms. Catherine S. Hudak

Mrs. Carolyn F. Page and Mr. John L. Page, Jr.

Mrs. Gladys R. Hudgens

Mrs. Mary C. Perano and Mr. Alan M. Perano

Mrs. Kymberlie C. Huff and Mr. Stanley F. Huff

Mrs. Sandra H. Poulnot and Mr. Capers H. Poulnot

Mrs. Rebecca W. Hutchison and Mr. Steve Hutchison

Dr. Theresa Y. Rashdan and Mr. Ragab Mohamed

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Huth

Dr. Susan E. Reinarz

Mrs. Cindy L. Hyatt and Mr. Stephen D. Hyatt

Mrs. Beth-Ann B. Rhoton and Mr. James W. Rhoton

Dr. Carolyn H. Jenkins and Mr. Warren Jenkins

Dr. Jonathan Riddle

Ms. Zora K. Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Rivers, Jr.

Mrs. Frances E. Jones and Dr. Barry N. Jones

Ms. Lori M. Robinson

Mrs. Anne M. Joseph and Dr. Paul T. Joseph, Jr.

Mrs. Catherine T. Rodenberg and Mr. John S. Rodenberg

Dr. Paul T. Joseph, Sr.

Dr. Julia B. Rogers

Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Joseph

Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Schmidt

Joseph Dental Associates

Ms. Sandra J. Schoch

Dr. Julius O. Kehinde

Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schwabrow

Mrs. Betty R. Kimbrell and Dr. Fred M. Kimbrell

Ms. Margaret L. Senn

Mr. George Knoske

Dr. Jennifer E. Shearer and Mr. Ronald R. Shearer

Mrs. Mueiel L. Labonte

Mrs. Rebecca L. Sherwood and Mr. Ben Sherwood

Mrs. Barbara S. Laidlaw and Dr. James C. Laidlaw

Mrs. Elaine B. Simpson and Dr. William M. Simpson, Jr.

Mrs. Phyllis H. LaMacchia

Mrs. Donna P. Smith and Mr. David L. Smith

Mr. Rolando N. Landingin and Mrs. Glenda B. Landingin

Dr. Georgette M. Smith

Mrs. Mary Lee D. Lavelle & Mr. John L. Lavelle, Jr.

Mrs. Rebecca H. Smith and Mr. Arnold L. Smith

Ms. Lucinda J. Lewis

Dr. Valeria D. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Limbaker

Dr. Dianne M. Smolen and Dr. Gerald E. Smolen

Dr. Collette R. Loftin

Mrs. Rosida K. Soriano and Mr. Jose D. Soriano, MD

Mrs. Julie L. Lorris and Mr. Peter H. Lorris

Dr. Ida J. Spruill

Mrs. Karen S. Lukacs and Mr. David W. Wozniak

Mrs. Paula F. Stabenau

M. Gwyn Dubose-Schmitt, Esq.

Mrs. Sue L. Stramm

Dr. Gayenell S. Magood and Mr. Robert L. Magwood, Jr.

Mrs. Patricia Z. Stribling and Mr. John Stribling

Mrs. Ada Faustina C. Mahaffey

Dr. Lya M. Stroupe

Mrs. Linda D. Manning and Mr. Raymond A. Manning

Mrs. Alice F. Summers and Mr. Franklin Summers

Mrs. Laura L. Marshall and Mr. Thomas W. Marshall

Mrs. Allison H. Swingle

Mrs. Marilyn M. Mattice and Mr. Wray W. Mattice

Ms. Nancy F. Tassin

Mrs. Helen A. McInnis

Mrs. Carole F. Taylor and Dr. James T. Taylor, Jr.

Mrs. Mary C. Moon and Dr. David W. Moon

Ms. Paula J. Thomson

Mrs. Kimberly C. Mouzon

Ms. Raquel Vining

Mrs. Caroline G. Mumford

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt O. Wassen

Dr. Carolyn L. Murdaugh

Mrs. Betty S. Whitesell and Mr. Joel Whitesell

Mrs. Julie McCulloh Nair

Dr. Sylvia A. Whiting

Ms. Mary J. Neff

Williams, Jones & Associates, LLC

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Nendorf

Ms. Phyllis R. Wilson

Mrs. Nancy E. New and Mr. William F. New, Jr.

Dr. Meredith C. Wood

Dr. Susan D. Newman

Mrs. Suzanne C. Yarborough and Mr. Edwin T. Yarborough

Mrs. Mary Jo B. Nimmo and Mr. Robert S. Nimmo, Jr.

Dr. Janet A. York

Bold denotes individuals who are MUSC College of Nursing alumni, faculty or staff.

46

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

V

FAMILY FUND HONORS MAN BY SUPPORTING FUTURE

By Allyson Crowell, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs MUSC College of Nursing. This spring Natalie honored her late husband by bringing the fund up to $50,000, the amount required to endow the scholarship and make it an ongoing gift.

“We set this up, because we wanted our kids to know it’s important to give back,” Natalie said. “I wanted to get it up and running as soon as possible, because I think it’s what Jim would want. It’s my way to honor him. I wanted to know that there is another person out there who is going to start on the path to do something for another family that was so important to our family.”

A

The College of Nursing awarded the

few days after Jim Izant’s heart transplant, he slipped

first Izant Family Foundation Scholarship

away from physical therapy and into the transplant

to Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler, who recently

waiting room, where he found the family of a man

began the College’s online PhD program.

receiving a new heart that day.

A family nurse practitioner, Enia lives in

“He’s going to be fine,” Jim told them. The family saw the

Germany, where her husband works as a

surgical mask on his face and asked if Jim were their relative’s

physicist. She earned master’s degrees in

physician. “Oh no,” he said. “I’m the patient they did a week

both nursing and public health and takes

ago.”

particular interest in vulnerable populations.

That was vintage Jim Izant, according to his wife, Natalie.

Enia grew up in the West African nation of Liberia in the

The retired banker spent his free time racing with the Hilton

midst of civil war. Her parents sent her to live with a family

Head Porsche club and going to jam band concerts. When

friend in Rhode Island when she was 12 so that she could fin-

he died last year at age 55, his family and friends gathered in

ish her education. Enia became the first person in her family

Grateful Dead T-shirts, passing around his helmet to sign.

to graduate from college.

His long curly hair and beard first captured Natalie’s at-

She spent every summer volunteering with rural hospi-

tention when she was a 19-year-old bank clerk. But it was

tals in Liberia, and her master’s thesis focused on nutrition

his booming laugh – she cried when she heard it coming

for children in villages around the world. “I’ve always been

through the intensive care unit after his surgery – that’s what

drawn to nutritional disparities and lack of access to adequate

made her fall in love.

amounts of food,” Enia said.

People at MUSC came to know Jim over the years, during

She decided to pursue a doctoral degree while she has time

his transplant and several hospitalizations. Sometimes Natalie

during her husband’s contract abroad. Online education made

called to check on him while she cared for their two children

sense, since the Wenzlers have a 6-year-old daughter and a

at home in Hilton Head Island, and he asked her to call back,

4-year-old son at home.

because he had visitors.

“What I liked about MUSC was the program had a large mi-

The visitors, invariably, were Jim’s nurses. They made the

nority faculty,” Enia said. “I’ve always gone to school in places

experience tolerable for the whole family, especially on nights

where I was the only minority in class or in the major. I made

apart.

sure that I made an effort to go to a school with more of a mi-

“You see a doctor for maybe 20 minutes a day,” Natalie said.

“The nurses are there with you eight to 10 hours a day. They are vital to the patient’s well-being—not just physical, but mental well-being.”

Her son, Robert, said his father’s nurses brought empathy to their jobs. “It means a lot to a patient that they’re not just waiting to clean your dirty bed sheets,” Robert said. “They actually care.”

The couple established the Izant Family Foundation Scholarship to help attract and retain top graduate students at the

nority presence. MUSC has a huge commitment to vulnerable and underserved populations, and there was a huge diversity.”

Enia will complete her degree after returning to the US. She hopes to do research and teach, but she recognizes that her greatest satisfaction came from working at a clinic in Harlem and with orphans in Liberia – with people.

“We’ve been told in nursing programs that we should always work at the clinical level, even if it’s only 10 hours a week,” she said. “I love being involved with patients and their families, so I plan to always do that.”

Fall | Winter 2014

LIFELINES

47

LINES OF LIFE

“

Difference is of the essence of humanity.

Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.

�

- John Hume

48

LIFELINES

Fall | Winter 2014

We look forward to seeing you!

MUSC College of Nursing’s

HOMECOMING 2015

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE 99 Jonathan Lucas Jan. 24 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

WELCOME JAN

23-24 2015

LOWCOUNTRY BOIL & OYSTER ROAST Chas. Maritime Center Jan. 24 | 6-9 p.m.

HOME

You are a key to our continued success.

All MUSC College of Nursing alumni are invited to return to Charleston for a weekend of reconnecting and remembering.

• Catch up with former classmates • Hear the latest college news from Dean Stuart • Take a tour the newly renovated home of the College of Nursing • Enjoy a Lowcountry oyster roast For more information visit www.musc.edu/alumni Email: alumni@musc.edu | Phone: 888-202-9306 or 843-792-7979

NON-PROFIT US Postage

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

Permit # 254 Charleston, SC

e p n O Hous d n a Gr ANUARY 24th | 9:30 - 11:30 A e J

M

44,000 SQ ION LAB T F A T L O U F M R I S E N W O E V N A | T E D E C S A P 2 NEW C ORS T A V E LASSROOMS L E W | 54 ADDITIONAL WORKSPACES | NE NEW FOYER & ARCHIVES ROOM

TAKENURSINGHIGHER.MUSC.EDU