Lifelines Spring/Summer 2016

MUSC College of Nursing’s

LIFELINES Spring | Summer 2016

Making an Impact Meet 11 alumni who are changing what's possible in nursing at home and around the world

www.musc.edu/nursing

Taking Nursing to a Higher Level

ONE GENERATION PLANTS THE TREE, ANOTHER GENERATION ENJOYS THE SHADE. Leave a legacy with a gift that gives back.

Through a charitable gift annuity you can enjoy a fixed income for life regardless of how the stock market performs in the future.

Your gift will not only support the MUSC College of Nursing, but you can benefit by receiving permanent income tax savings and an immediate income tax deduction.

DONOR

DONOR GIVES: cash, securities, other property

DONOR RECEIVES: income tax deductions, fixed payments

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

MUSC RECEIVES: remaining assets

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

takenursinghigher.musc.edu

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

DEAN’S COLUMN

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

O

ur alumni are the ripples in our College of Nursing pond of

TAKING NURSES HIGHER

excellence. Actually we are much more like an ocean of influence rather than a pond! Thus it is fitting and perhaps overdue that this is

the first issue of Lifelines that has turned the spotlight on some of our many

LIFELINES Volume IX, Issue 1 • Spring/Summer 2016

amazing graduates and shared their profiles with you. Of course it is hard to capture the careers of just a few, so in the future we will look to highlight and celebrate other alumni who also are making us proud.

In our 132 years as the MUSC College of Nursing,

Gail W. Stuart, Dean

Jo Smith, Editor

Beth Khan, Design & Production

Josh Goodwin,

we have seen health care issues rise and fall, grow and morph, and enhance and sometimes sadly diminish the lives of our patients, their families and communities. Our graduates have always

Photography

been there focused on one

Laurie Scott,

charge – patient care first

Director of Development

and foremost.

Susannah Netherland, Development Associate

We have had graduates who have worked in wards, battlefields, intensive care units and community shelters. We have had graduates who have excelled as clinicians, educators, researchers, corporate executives, missionaries and policy makers. We have had graduates who changed lives

PUBLISHED BY

large and small on the local, national and international stage. We are proud of them all and celebrate their contributions.

Given this diversity of people, career paths and impact you may be asking is there a unifying theme to all of these nurses? I propose that indeed there

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

is. The common thread is that here at MUSC we do not intend to be all things to all nurses. Rather we are focused on educating nurse “careerists” who are the nurse leaders of today and tomorrow, and we expect them to express their leadership where they stand in place – wherever that might be.

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

POSTMASTER: Send corrections to Lifelines, MUSC College of Nursing, 99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160, Charleston, SC 29425-1600. © Copyright 2016 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.

So I have a question for you. What do you want your own health care provider to be like? If you want a compassionate, competent, and respectful health care clinician then we have a nurse for you – a MUSC College of Nursing nurse. I hope you will, therefore, read their profiles and swell with pride for our ripples in the pond and waves in the ocean.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEATURE MAKING AN IMPACT . . ....................4 MUSC College of Nursing alumni make their mark in the world of health care

DEPARTMENTS DEAN’S COLUMN. . ......................... 1 AROUND THE COLLEGE.............. 16 FOCUS ON FACULTY................... 21 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT.................23 ALUMNI CONNECTIONS............ 28 GIVING BACK. . .............................32 LINES OF LIFE..............................36

In December 2015, six ABSN students traveled to India to explore the culture and gain an understanding of the health care system in the world’s second-most populous country.

Read more on p.24

Making an Impact W

ith over 6,600 alumni, the MUSC College of Nursing has extended its arms of caring

and curing across the boundaries of time, place and space. The results are at times subtle and at other times highly visible, but they are always impactful. On these pages meet 11 graduates who are focused on patient care, educating the 21st century nursing workforce, exploring areas of new knowledge, and expanding the role and contributions of nurses worldwide.

HISTORY OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION According to “The School of Nursing of the Medical College of

Carolina, which included alumni from the medical, nursing

South Carolina: Its Story” written by Ruth Chamberlin, RN, MA,

and pharmacy schools. Years later, as the three colleges of

the Nursing Alumni Association began in 1907 as the Graduate

dental medicine, graduate studies, and allied health (now health

Nurses Association (GNA) with the purpose of providing a

professions) were formed and university status was achieved,

certification system for nurses.

the combined effort grew in size. In the early 1980s, the Joint

This network was sought after by other South Carolina nursing schools who joined the GNA to form the Roper Hospital

college, and a new constitution and by-laws were adopted.

Alumnae Association around 1910, when licensure began in

Today, there are six alumni associations with one central

South Carolina. According to Miss Chamberlin, in 1945, the

office lead by an executive director. The groups continue to

group's name changed to the Alumnae of the School of Nursing

grow their memberships in support of MUSC’s programs.

of the Medical College of the State of South Carolina (MCSC). It

The College of Nursing Alumni Association remains one

was at this time that graduates began to stitch the letters MCSC

of the university’s most active alumni groups. In addition

on the brims of their nursing caps, to demonstrate a “growing

to sponsorship of alumni events and recognition of alumni

appreciation of the Medical College.”

achievement, the association awards four student scholarships,

In the 1950s there was a move to combine the alumni associations for all graduates of the Medical College of South

4

Alumni Board was created with representation from each

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

and provides career mentoring programs for current nursing students.

THE SCHOLAR

Suzanne PREVOST [ MSN '86 ]

Suzanne Prevost, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Professor, Capstone College of Nursing University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL From 2011 through 2013, as president of Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Dr. Prevost was instrumental in expanding the honor society’s global presence, including the establishment of a satellite office in South Africa. She also led its Board of Directors in crafting a new mission, vision, and strategic plan, and promoted international collaboration among members throughout six global regions, which led to membership into the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. She is known for leading academic-practice partnerships and chaired both the National Research Utilization Task Force for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the International Evidence-Based Practice Task Force for STTI. Dr. Prevost has served as editor of Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America and Nursing Clinics of North America and has co-authored the palliative care projection for the IOM Report on the Future of Nursing.

Q+A

Fun Fact

I used to play basketball and volleyball. I love collegiate athletics and I feel incredibly blessed to be in a leadership role at the University of Alabama, where I get to attend championship level athletic events year round.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? As a first generation college graduate, I am a dedicated lifelong learner. Every one of my graduations has been a career highlight for me. With each degree, I realize how much more I need to learn.

My experience as the president of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nursing, was an opportunity that exceeded my wildest dreams. During my term, I met hundreds of nurse leaders from around the world; and I gave presentations on six different continents in two years.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Dean Stuart taught a course on family dynamics, that expanded my understanding of the impact of family history and childhood experiences on adult behaviors, interactions, and coping strategies.

These insights have been very useful to me in understanding my own family, as well as understanding patients, students, and coworkers.

Dr. Jeanette Hartshorn also was a great mentor. The first time she gave me feedback on a paper, I was so embarrassed and upset that it made me physically ill. She taught me how to accept constructive feedback as a gift, and she helped me advance my writing skills to the next level. Dr. Hartshorn also taught me the value of active engagement in professional organizations both locally and nationally.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Get as much education as you can, as soon as you can. If you wait to get more clinical experience before continuing your education, it will be more difficult to return to the student role. Obtaining an advanced degree at a young age makes a significant positive impact on your career advancement potential.

THE CHANGE AGENT

Rafat JAN

[ MSN ’94 ]

Rafat Jan, PhD, MSN, BSN, RM, RN Professor, School of Nursing & Midwifery Aga Khan University | Karachi, Pakistan She is the first nurse to serve as president of the Pakistan Nursing Council. Dr. Jan has worked with federal and provincial governments for the strategic direction of nursing and midwifery and advocacy for higher education, establishing full competencies for midwives to improve maternal and neonatal health; has provided expert opinion for education and regulation; has developed short courses for governments for nurses and midwives; and has recommended a higher grade in services structure.

She is president of the Midwifery Association of Pakistan and developed the first higher education program in midwifery in the Pakistan and the South Asian region. Through her efforts, the first and only chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International in the Muslim world (Rho Delta Chapter) was created to enhance and promote scholarly connectivity and scholarship of Pakistani nurses. Providing leadership for the first time from nursing within the Higher Education Commission, she also helped to develop a prototype BSN curriculum.

Q+A

Fun Facts

> I watch several food channels, but only cook what is known to me. > I love watching Disney movies. > I never shy away from starting new things.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? Becoming the first nursing president of the Pakistan Nursing Council, the regulatory body for license and curriculum approval was clearly a highlight.

I also am the founding president and developer of the first Sigma Theta Tau International chapter (Rho Delta) in the Muslim world.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Dean Stuart is the visionary who saw me as an important future leader of my country. She understood the specific needs for my learning and provided me with the opportunities to hone my professional skills in various aspects of human relations and nursing administration with real life scenarios.

The faculty’s warmth, friendliness, knowledge, understanding of cultures, and hospitality really stood out to me. Surely all these aforementioned aspects became characteristics of my life and today I am successful because of them. I continue to employ these with my students, colleagues and other health care providers.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Never give up. Challenges will come. Obstacles will be there, but you move on. Be persistent. Even if you can make a difference in one family’s or an individual’s life that will be a great achievement.

6

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

THE CNO

Lynn SINGLETON

[ MSN ’96 / BSN '89 ]

Lynn Singleton, MSN, RN Chief Nursing Officer | Summerville Medical Center | Summerville, SC For the past nine years, she has been the chief nursing officer (CNO) of the 94-bed acute-care Summerville Medical Center (SMC) in SC. Prior to that position, she served as the assistant vice president of patient care support services at Trident Medical Center (TMC). Ms. Singleton has spent her health care career at Hospital Corporation of America, Inc., one of the leading providers in health care services and parent company of SMC and TMC. She has over 27 years of experience in health care and 21 years in progressive leadership roles and is affiliated with several national and local organizations including the American Heart Association, SC Organization of Nurse Executives, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Trident Technical College Nursing Advisory Board, Charleston Southern University Nursing Curriculum Advisory Board, Charleston Organization of Nurse Leaders and MUSC’s College of Nursing Education Committee. Ms. Singleton is actively involved in her church. She is a well-known motivational speaker for community, civic and faith-based organizations.

Fun Fact

Q+A

I perform as a stand-up Christian comedian.

I'm privileged to have performed in several areas throughout SC, other Southeastern states and aboard a cruise ship.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? Highlights of my nursing career include identifying my “call” to nursing at age 9 while assisting my mother in caring for her elderly aunt, who was blind and a double-amputee. As a new leader, I was given the challenge of reorganizing nursing support services and providing essential services to positively impact patient’s lives.

Lastly, as an alumnus of HCA’s Executive Development Program and now, chief nursing officer, I have gained invaluable knowledge, built lasting relationships, and have been afforded the opportunity to impact the lives of so many people – my peers, my community, my family, my future colleagues, and ultimately, my patients.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? A career lesson I learned while studying at MUSC is that patient care is paramount.

Further, when making decisions, always do so with the patient as the priority and the right decision will be made every time.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? My advice would be to find their passion, live it and seek opportunities to grow so they will provide exceptional patient care and influence others to do the same.

THE MAJOR GENERAL

Dorothy HOGG [ MSN ’97 ]

Major General Dorothy A. Hogg, USAF, NC, MSN Deputy Air Force Surgeon General & Chief of the Nurse Corps, Office of the Surgeon General | U.S. Air Force | Washington, DC She not only directs the operations of the Air Force Medical Service which is composed of a $5.9 billion, 44,000-person integrated health care delivery system serving 2.6 million beneficiaries at 75 military facilities world-wide, but she also coordinates its operations through major commands, Joint Service agencies, the Assistant Secretary of Defense, the Defense Health Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, she oversees the daily functions of the Air Force Surgeon General’s office with offices in Maryland, Virginia, Texas, and Washington, DC. As chief of the Nurse Corps, Maj. Gen. Hogg is responsible for the recruitment, accession, training and education of 18,000 total nursing force airmen (active duty, reserves and Air National Guard). She oversees policy and program development which ensures the highest standards for patient centered, evidence-based nursing practice for all eligible beneficiaries.

Maj. Gen. Hogg, a board certified women’s health nurse practitioner, entered the Air Force in 1984 and has commanded at the squadron and group level and served as the deputy command surgeon for two major commands. She has been deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Fun Fact

Q+A

To relieve stress I quilt. I enjoy watching the pattern come to life and giving them away to friends and family. I also enjoy spending the summers with my six grandkids, at least the ones who can talk and pee on the potty.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? For me it would be being selected to lead the Air Force Nurse Corps in 2012 and being tapped as the deputy surgeon general in 2015. I am honored to work with an incredible group of airmen leaders whose dedication to duty ensures the Air Force Medical Service provides trusted care, anytime, anywhere.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? One is too small a number to achieve greatness. Health care is a team sport. All members have different capabilities that when performed synergistically ensure the highest of safe, quality patient care – something every patient deserves.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Study hard. The more you learn in this environment the better prepared you will be when you get your first job. Practice your critical thinking skills where there are people around to help you hone those skills. Build relationships with others who have strengths you don’t have. These people will be available when you need advice on a complex patient care issue. Don’t forget to get their contact information before you leave school.

8

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

THE COMMANDER

Angela STANLEY [ DNP '13 ]

Commander Angela Y. Stanley, PhD, RN, PMP Associate Director for Primary Care and Branch Health Clinics Naval Medical Center | Portsmouth, VA As a commander in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, she has served in various roles providing support in the promotion of health to women and newborns within the military community including as department head of Maternal-Child Nursing at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan, the largest overseas hospital in the U.S. Navy.

Dr. Stanley was hand-selected to serve as a primary consultant for MaternalChild Services at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC. In 2011, she was assigned to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) as the administrative officer to the Surgeon General of the Navy and Chief, BUMED.

Q+A

Fun Fact

I enjoy the challenge of putting together Bev Doolittle puzzle prints.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? Graduating from MUSC's DNP program is an accomplishment that I have been dreaming of since completing my BSN in 1996.

A second highlight was my assignment as a Navy Nurse Corps Officer at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Okinawa, Japan where I served in a variety of roles including: labor and delivery/postpartum division officer, department head for maternal-child nursing, one of four sexual assault nurse examiners on the island, and family nurse practitioner. These opportunities established the clinical and leadership abilities I have today.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? At MUSC, I came to value the collaborative relationship between the DNP nurses and the PhD nurse researchers. The DNP curriculum included a course to model the DNP and PhD student collaboration that facilitated post-degree teamwork. This invaluable experience established the expectation and understanding of how DNPs can use their practice and PhD prepared nurses can use their research expertise to improve population health outcomes.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Speak up. Speaking up can be viewed in two capacities – as a patient advocate or collaborating for patient safety. As a patient advocate, we are in a prime position to serve as a liaison between patients, families, and the health care team. To maximize our role, we must be knowledgeable about and involved in every aspect of the patient's care and have a positive working relationship with other team members.

Additionally, we all have a role in making health care safe. Be confident. You are obtaining the education to successfully prepare you to be an advocate in any role.

THE MENTOR

Laurie ZONE-SMITH [ PhD ’07 / MSN '91]

Laurie Zone-Smith, PhD, RN, NE-BC Executive Director of Nursing Practice, Education, and Research Mission Health | Western parts of NC She offers support to nurses across Mission Health’s seven hospitals in western North Carolina.

Previously, Dr. Zone-Smith was the associate chief nursing officer for professional practice at Naples Community Health System in Naples, FL. She mentors many students completing honor’s research coursework, master’s level practicum, doctoral capstone projects and administration residency programs. For more than 25 years, Dr. Zone-Smith has authored numerous publications and collaborated on research projects with interdisciplinary colleagues and peers.

Her research has had a significant impact on the economic value placed on work performed by an RN. Her research also has shown the importance of matching the right nurse, with the right patient, with the right bed to get the right outcomes.

Fun Fact

Q+A

I try to replicate the voice of Julie Andrews and sing my favorite hymns a bit too loudly at mass.

Parishioners have said, “You should join the choir,” but I think they are secretly hoping I’d sit in the balcony instead of the pew.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? The first was the day my CNO told me that our organization had achieved the ANCC Pathway to Excellence designation. Only four years earlier, we became the nurse leaders of an organization that was a blank slate with a nursing staff eager to advance the professional practice of nursing. Together we built a high performing nursing department and I am proud to say I had the opportunity to know each nurse.

The second was being the keynote speaker at a Midwestern university's Nursing Research Day. It was an honor to present my dissertation work on nurse billing and share examples with over 300 nurses and nursing students of how to translate research findings into every day nursing practice. After the address attendees were waiting in line to talk more about their work and how we could collaborate. To me, it was like being on the red carpet — it was my 90 minutes of "nursing fame."

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Faculty members are not just your assigned course instructors, they invest in you and are life long career collaborative colleagues if you allow them to be. I regret when I didn’t take time to connect with a faculty member or a fellow student, I missed an opportunity to know their heart, mind, and spirit. Stay LinkedIN. ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Never give up! Read, ponder, analyze, reflect and expand your understanding of what I like to call the important work of nursing (iWON). It will make you a better version of yourself as a nurse and a person.

10

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

THE ACADEMIC

Leslie PARKER [ PhD ’10 ]

Leslie Parker, PhD, ARNP (NNP-BC) Clinical Associate Professor College of Nursing | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL She has been a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) since 1990 and continues to practice as a NNP in the NICU at Shands at the University of Florida. Dr. Parker teaches in the NNP program where she was the tract coordinator of the program from 1992-2011. She is currently funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research to investigate strategies to increase lactation success in mothers of very premature infants, and to determine the risks and benefits of the routine evaluation of gastric residuals in very premature infants.

Her work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in both medical and nursing journals.

Q+A

Fun Fact

I’m a kickboxing enthusiast. Perhaps the punching and kicking helps me deal with all the ups and downs of a career in nursing research – it surely makes me feel better!

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? I would have to say it is making a difference in the lives of critically ill infants and their families in the neonatal intensive care unit where I have worked for the last 30 years. I hope that in some small way I have made the arduous road of having a critically ill infant easier for families, whether I assisted them to feel brave enough to hold their infant who weighs just over a pound or provided comfort when their child died. Making a difference in the lives of your patients is the greatest accomplishment of any nurse’s career.

The proudest moment of my career was wearing my graduation robe and walking to receive my PhD diploma from MUSC. It changed my life and I will never forget the support and knowledge I received from the faculty at the College of Nursing.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? I learned to love research. It honestly had not been my intention to be a researcher when I began the PhD program. I wanted to continue to teach and needed a doctorate to fulfill that goal. Because of my experiences at MUSC, especially the

Photo by Jesse S. Jones / University of Florida

contagious enthusiasm of Dr. Teresa Kelechi, I became enamored with nursing research. It completely changed my career trajectory and now my work revolves around caring for critically ill infants and researching interventions to improve their short and long-term health.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Aim high and work hard. If you take this path, you will have tremendous success.

However, this path will also lead to obstacles and disappointment. When these “failures” occur, take them as an opportunity. Spend a bit of time pouting, crying and being disappointed. Then pick yourself up, learn from the experience and move on. Each success and failure should be taken as a learning experience.

If you never take the risk, you will never reap the rewards.

THE DEAN

Hollie CALDWELL [ PhD ’13 ]

Hollie Caldwell, PhD, RN Dean, School of Nursing | Platt College | Aurora, CO As a certified emergency nurse for 11 years, and a sexual assault nurse examiner, she has taught a variety of nursing courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels for the last 18 years. In 2013, Dr. Caldwell was appointed to dean of Platt College School of Nursing. She is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was appointed by Colorado Governor Hickenlooper to serve as a member of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs in 2015. She also serves as a program evaluator, team chair, and commissioner for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Q+A

Fun Fact

When I was 14 I provided cosmetology services on the deceased in my uncle’s funeral home.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? Caring for patients and families as an emergency nurse in the U.S. Air Force is a true highlight.

As part of my service, I was honored to be a member of the trauma team for the United Nations Operation Provide Promise during the conflict in the Balkans. We cared for U.N. soldiers from 43 different countries. This experience expanded my understanding of the politics of war and how people from different cultures perceive and receive nursing care. Ultimately, my work in military and civilian emergency departments generated my interest in all forms of violence which eventually led to my research interest in elder abuse.

Another highlight was coming to Platt College as a part-time faculty member in 2005. Entering a nursing program that was new allowed me to shape all aspects of a baccalaureate program.

I was challenged to refine and develop a curriculum, as well as the structures and processes required for the daily operations of a nursing education program and college. I was given the opportunity to complete my doctoral education due to the generosity of Jerald Sirbu, president of Platt College. His belief in me has enabled me to reach my dreams of becoming a nurse scientist and an experienced leader in higher education.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Learning from MUSC’s nursing faculty was truly a privilege that made me a better thinker and a well-prepared scientist. Receiving my doctoral education was an inspiring, collaborative, and transformative process. I was surrounded by extremely gifted nursing faculty and fellow doctoral students. The faculty and leadership treated us as peers and were very committed to our success. I feel that learning from MUSC nursing faculty was truly a privilege that made me a better thinker and well-prepared scientist.

I tell nursing students that nursing is a wonderful profession because we have so many options to explore and ways to reinvent ourselves during the course of a career that we should never get bored. No matter what you do, there should always be something new in nursing that excites you or makes you curious.

Go find it!

12

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

Photo by David Bliss

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT?

THE INFORMATICS GURU

Rebecca FREEMAN [ PhD ’13 / BSN '08 ]

Rebecca Freeman, PhD, RN, PMP Chief Nursing Officer Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT | Washington, DC She is a nurse leader who provides Health IT enabled patient care for comprehensive initiatives that focus on nursing practice, administration, research, and partnerships. Dr. Freeman also serves as a liaison to internal and external communities and provides responses to draft legislation ensuring expert nursing opinions and input on key proposals and inquiries.

Her first career was in the field of information technology before making a career change to nursing. She previously held positions at the Hospital Corporation of America (AVP, Epic National Nurse Champion) and at the MUSC Medical Center (CNIO, Manager of Nursing Informatics).

Q+A

Fun Fact

I’ve ridden a camel in Egypt and Morocco.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? My nursing career feels like one long highlight reel. My acceptance as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow has been a life-changing experience. My growth in terms of leadership ability and understanding of my own leadership tendencies, especially in adverse situations, has been amazing.

A second highlight is assuming my current position. As CNO, I have the ability to impact nursing practice, reimbursement, policy, education, and outreach under the very wide umbrella of health information technology on a national stage.

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? The BSN to PhD program was a challenging exercise in persistence and perseverance. I learned what is truly important and how to prioritize my time and attention. The most important career lesson I learned from my studies was to listen to my own voice and do things on my own terms, as much as possible – while surrounding myself with an amazing support system, especially my wife, Laura, and my advisor, Dr. Marilyn Laken. There is always light at the end of the tunnel – make sure you get there with your best version of yourself intact; as selfish as that sounds, your work is usually improved as a result!

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? Always do the best thing for your patient. Patients are counting on you to acquire as much knowledge and experience as you can, so you can provide the best possible care and guidance to them. This is an amazing time to be a nurse – in terms of technology, workforce, quality and value-based care teams, and interdisciplinary work. Rethink old traditions and consider new ways to advance nursing in the health care arena. MUSC will give you the tools – make sure you use them to change your world!

Susan FLAVIN

THE RESEARCHER

[ PhD ’15 ]

Susan K. Flavin, PhD, RN Director, Immunology Clinical Research Janssen Research & Development | Spring House, PA After receiving her initial nursing education at a hospital-based diploma program in suburban Philadelphia, she held positions in cardiothoracic intensive care units, the emergency department and as a flight nurse. In 1997, Dr. Flavin entered the pharma industry in research and development and has been with Johnson and Johnson for the past 14 years focusing first on pulmonary drug development before moving to dermatology last year.

Fun Fact

Q+A

I’ve completed 5ks, a 10k, and two half-marathons, and I'm training for my second triathalon in June. I run three to four days a week, and cycle and swim the other days. I’m considering competing in a full marathon in the fall and a half-Ironman in 2017.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? I was a new nurse in the cardiothoracic ICU when the chief of that unit said to me one day, “The most important thing you’ll ever learn I’m telling you now: Never forget that your patient is someone’s parent, spouse, sibling.” That had a major impact on how I cared for patients.

One day, in my current role, I was bemoaning the fact that I was tired of pushing paper and missed patient care. My manager said to me, “Never underestimate what we do here. You might see 30 people in the ED on a shift, but what you do today has the potential to impact thousands of lives if we are successful in bringing an innovative drug to patients in need.” It was an instant attitude adjustment!

WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Take advantage of the opportunity to attend conferences. Think of every paper as a potential abstract for presentation. No one’s work – even a student’s – is ever too insignificant to be disseminated.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? For me, it was all about the journey. Enjoy the journey. I was a full-time working mother of three children under the ages of 14, and I was having a ball. I loved learning. It was my thing. This is a charmed time in your life, when you have access to world-class faculty, a stellar library, and people that want you to succeed. Enjoy the ride – because it’s over (at least for me) way too soon.

There is a Nelson Mandela quote I shared with my incredible advisor and dissertation chair, Dr. Susan Newman, that was sage advice, “It always seems impossible until it’s done."

Never give up and never give in.

14

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

Photo by Elliot S. Barnathan

Dru RIDDLE

THE TRIPLE THREAT

[ PhD ’15 ]

Dru Riddle, PhD, DNP, CRNA Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Associate Director, TCU Center for Evidence Based Practice and Research: A Collaborating Center of the Joanna Briggs Institute Texas Christian University School of Nurse Anesthesia | Fort Worth, TX Following a stint as a paramedic, Dr. Riddle began his nursing career with the goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He earned a BSN and went directly into a critical care internship program and worked in the ICU at a medical center in Newport News, VA. In 2002, he received a master’s and CRNA certification and moved to Pensacola, FL to work as a CRNA with Sacred Heart Hospital. Following several active duty Army deployments, Dr. Riddle relocated to western Tennessee and was a partner in an all-CRNA practice serving many isolated communities. When he and his wife discovered they were going to be parents, he relocated back to his home in Fort Worth, TX where he joined the faculty of Texas Christian University. For the past 10 years, he has been a CRNA with NorthStar Anesthesia at Baylor All Saints Medical Center where he maintains an active clinical anesthesia practice.

Q+A

Fun Fact

I’m addicted to CrossFit – it keeps me sane and healthy. In fact, my next research project is focusing on genetics, nutrition, and athletic performance.

It’s incredibly interesting!

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR NURSING CAREER TO DATE? The first would be providing anesthesia for the separation of conjoined twins. For me, this was an amazing opportunity to really influence the lives of two individuals in a profound and meaningful way.

The other was sharing my nursing school graduation with my late grandmother. She is the only other nurse in our family and was an amazing inspiration to me. She is the reason I became a nurse. She told me that she wanted to become a CRNA as well but was unable to attend anesthesia school because of World War II. WHAT IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON DID YOU LEARN AT MUSC? Stay connected—always. My PhD committee chair told all of us very early on to take note of the names of people presenting at meetings and writing in your field of study. I did that from day one and now it’s really paying off. It’s amazing the number of times I Photo by Glen E. Ellman

have reached out to my colleagues from school, my faculty, and others I met along the way. I have had opportunities that have been made possible by these connections.

ANY ADVICE FOR A MUSC COLLEGE OF NURSING STUDENT? For those in the PhD program, I would say stay determined. It’s not an easy process, but the end is near and all of the hard work really pays off. Don’t try to conquer the world with your dissertation. Make it robust and rigorous but manageable.

AROUND THE COLLEGE

V

DEAN GIVES KEYNOTE AT CARTER CENTER SYMPOSIUM

L

ast fall Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of the Annapolis Coalition of the Behavioral Health Workforce, was the

keynote speaker at the 31st Annual Rosalyn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy where she showcased strategies to combat behavioral health issues in today’s workforce. The two-day symposium discussed several potential solutions to address the gaps in the behavioral health workforce that have resulted from a surge in demand, along with the field’s shift toward integrated care and population health.

Dr. Stuart’s presentation challenged the attendees to consider whether the behavioral Dean Gail Stuart with former first lady Rosalynn Carter on Nov. 13, 2015

health workforce needs more evolution, a transformation or a true revolution. Revolutionary

strategies were identified in relation to the settings in which we provide care, whom we consider to be behavioral health providers, the focus of our care and how we educate the current and future workforce. Each of these areas was explored in more depth in break out groups during the remainder of the conference. Nurses and nursing were well represented among both the attendees and the dialogue that occurred throughout the conference.

In 1985, former first lady Rosalynn Carter initiated the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy to bring together national leaders in mental health to focus and coordinate their efforts on an issue of common concern.

The symposia have been a unique opportunity each year for this leadership to hear remarks from a variety of individuals with expertise on a selected topic; discuss diverse viewpoints in an open forum; identify areas of consensus and potential collaborations as well as points of divergence; and to recommend action steps for symposium participants to move an agenda forward.

V

PSYCH/MENTAL HEALTH TRACK ADDED TO DNP Today, less than 2 percent of South Carolina’s 3,200 certified nurse practitioners practice as mental health care providers. As one of the most in-demand areas of advanced practice nursing, the need for mental health nurse practitioners continues to grow due in part to a physician shortage as well as increased accessibility to mental health care through the Affordable Care Act. To address this shortage of providers, the College of Nursing added a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) track to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. “The addition of this new DNP track will

help address this need and assist in improving life quality and outcomes for citizens of SC and beyond,” said Gigi Smith, PhD, APRN, associate dean for academics.

PMHNP’s provide lifespan primary mental health care to individuals, families and populations who are at risk or have a behavioral health disorder. They also care for patients seeking mental health services in a wide range of settings including clinics, hospitals,

“The addition of the new DNP track will help assist in improving life quality and outcomes for citizens of SC and beyond.”

nursing homes, substance abuse centers and recovery programs.

The first cohort in this new DNP track will be admitted in fall 2016. For more information contact, Lauren Rappold, graduate program coordinator, at rappold@musc.edu, or visit our website at www.musc.edu/nursing.

16

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

V

ONLINE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM REMAINS ONE OF THE BEST IN COUNTRY

G

reat things continue to happen at the MUSC College of Nursing.

In January, U.S. News & World

Report ranked the MUSC College of Nursing No. 2 among online graduate nursing programs in America. The college surpassed more than 500 nursing schools surveyed to earn the No. 2 ranking on the publication’s 2016 Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs list.

For the past three years, the MUSC College of Nursing has held one of the top two spots. In 2015, the school ranked No. 1; in 2014, it ranked No. 2.

“The College of Nursing’s frequent top ranking among the nation’s nursing schools is a testament to the excellence and ingenuity of MUSC,”

Catherine Durham, left, talks with graduate student Kim Leslie

said Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, APRN, FAAN. “Twelve years ago, we were one of the first nursing schools to make a commitment to innovative nursing education through online instruction.

Today, the College of Nursing remains engaged in what has become a standard practice while continuing to focus on innovations that will enable us to further distinguish MUSC from other institutions.”

In March, MUSC's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduate program landed a 14th spot finish among 149 programs evaluated for this ranking published in the U.S. News & World Report's 2017 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, published online.

Dean Stuart said the DNP program has once again distinguished itself nationally for its quality, faculty engagement, and innovation. “This

accomplishment is a testament to the

The MUSC College of Nursing offers

remarkable hard work and dedication

online graduate programs that award

of our faculty, staff and students.

a Master of Science in Nursing degree,

“This recognition underscores

a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree,

MUSC’s commitment to increasing the

and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

number of nurses holding advanced

Science degree. The school also

degrees and providing an innovative

provides an on-campus accelerated

learning experience for our nursing

Bachelor of

students,” Dean Stuart said.

Science in

The director of the MSN/DNP

Nursing (BSN)

program, Catherine Durham, who has

degree with

a doctorate in nursing practice, said the

classroom,

program enrolls more DNPs than any

clinical, and lab

other program in the state. “We’ll have

components,

over 40 DNP graduates this May, most

as well as an

of whom will continue to work in the

online RN to

rural communities of South Carolina

BSN program. In fall 2015, more than

where they live, meeting our mission

575 students were enrolled in the

to fuel the pipeline of advanced care

College of Nursing.

providers and taking nursing higher.”

“

This recognition underscores MUSC’s commitment to increasing the number of nurses holding advanced degrees and providing an innovative learning experience for our nursing students.

- Dean Gail Stuart

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

17

AROUND THE COLLEGE

V

SBIRT GRANT TRAINS NURSING, MEDICAL STUDENTS

S

ubstance abuse ruins lives, destroys families, and increases health care costs. Effects of unhealthy and unsafe alcohol and drug use are major preventable public health prob-

SBIRT TEAM

lems that have far-reaching implications for the individual, family, workplace, commu-

nity, and the health care system. The costs to society are more than $600 billion and result in more than 100,000 deaths each year. South Carolina is a state with significant chronic illness, including substance use paired with a large medically disenfranchised population.

To address this issue, last fall the MUSC team was awarded a $928,000, three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for a project titled, Impacting At-Risk Populations Through Multi-modal Training of Nursing and Medical Students in Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).

The purpose of the SBIRT project is to improve and enhance the training of students in

Gigi Smith, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC Program Director

the health professions to provide competent screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment for persons who have or are at-risk for substance use disorder. “MUSC is a leader in educating and training health care professionals,” said Gigi Smith, PhD, APRN. “It makes perfect sense for MUSC’s nursing and medical students to learn the skills needed to improve the assessment and intervention of substance users while also making a difference in our community.”

To date, the project has included a “Train the Trainer Workshop” for all educator and clinical faculty at MUSC. The training also was offered to area organizations that precept MUSC nurses, nurse practitioners and medical students. The workshop, facilitated by Joe Hyde, MA, JBS International,

“

Sarah Gainey, MSW Project Manager

was incredibly successful and resulted in the training of six faculty members, six MUSC providers, and seven commu-

“It makes perfect sense for MUSC's nursing and medical students to learn the skills needed to improve the assessment and intervention of substance abusers while also making a difference in our community”

nity members.

Sarah Gainey, MSW, and Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, have trained more than 140 MSN/DNP and BSN students combined on how to assess and screen for substance use disorders using the AUDIT and DAST screening tools while Alyssa Rheingold, PhD, has trained 175 first year medical students. All BSN, MSN, DNP College of Nursing and College of Medicine small group preceptor faculty are completing

Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNS-BC Co-Investigator

the online module training for the SBIRT intervention.

A growing body of evidence about SBIRT’s effectiveness,

including cost-effectiveness, has demonstrated its positive outcomes. The research shows that SBIRT is an effective way to reduce drinking and substance abuse problems.

PROJECT GOALS o Educating all educator/clinical faculty at the MUSC College of Nursing and College of

Medicine in the use of SBIRT (approximately 90 faculty in the first year)

Wendy Muzzy, MRA, MLIS Co-Investigator

o Integrating SBIRT training into existing courses in the undergraduate and graduate nursing

and medicine curricula to promote competency of all nursing and medical graduates in using SBIRT (training 440 new students each year) o Creating simulations, videos and online teaching modules, online resource library, and

competency evaluations to facilitate the mastery of SBIRT for use by students o Enhancing the cultural and linguistic competencies of students in utilizing SBIRT o Providing local and state-wide trainings through MUSC initiatives, AHEC, and health

professional organizations

18

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

Alyssa Rheingold, PhD (College of Medicine) Co-Investigator

V

BARROSO NAMED DEPARTMENT CHAIR Dr. Barroso was a professor at Duke University’s School of Nursing and a senior research fellow in the Duke Health Inequalities Program.

“Dr. Barroso has been an excellent addition to the MUSC College of Nursing faculty. She is an accomplished and distinguished nurse educator who possesses significant expertise in research methods and clinical practice that will be transformational for our school,” said Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN. Dr. Barroso has been an educator since 1989, and has taught in BSN, MSN, and PhD programs. Early in her career as

Julie Barroso, PhD, RN, FAAN, a passionate believer in the power

an adult nurse practitioner, she treated many patients with HIV

of mentoring, has been named department chair for the College

and discovered that fatigue was their primary complaint. Since

of Nursing. In this leadership role, Dr. Barroso will manage all

then Dr. Barroso has conducted more than 15 years of research

facets of the faculty. She will function as a mentor to faculty

on AIDS-related fatigue, and has become one of only three

colleagues and as collaborator with other college administrative

investigators in the U.S. to study this problem. She also was the

officers. She also will lead faculty in important processes that

first RN to sit on the Board of the International Association of

shape the curriculum in order to maximize the impact on

Providers of AIDS Care. She was recently elected to the Board of

student learning, and effectively articulate the college’s mission

Directors of the LowCountry AIDS Services.

to internal and external constituencies.

An internationally recognized expert in qualitative research,

Dr. Barroso has been the principal investigator on multiple NIH grants and has published more than 60 articles. She has

Dr. Barroso teaches qualitative research methods and data

won several awards from the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care,

analysis to doctoral students. She came to the College of

including the Researcher Recognition Award and the President’s

Nursing in July 2015 from the University of Miami’s School of

Award. Dr. Barroso received a BSN from Florida State University,

Nursing and Health Studies where she served as professor and

a master’s degree from the University of South Florida and a PhD

associate dean for doctoral programs. Prior to joining UM,

from the University of Texas at Austin.

V

DEAN STUART CO-CHAIRS MACY TECH CONFERENCE

T

echnology is transforming our world but is it leaving health professions education in the dust? That was the question that stimulated the Josiah Macy Foundation’s conference, “Enhancing Health Professions Education Through Technology: Building a Continuously Learning Health System” held in Arlington, VA in April 2015. It was co-chaired by

Dean Gail Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Marc Triola, MD, FACP and the conference monograph of proceedings was published in October 2015. It is available on the Foundation’s website at www.macyfoundation.org.

Attendees at the invitational conference were challenged by three papers reflecting on technology and higher education, as well as how we will educate students to address the challenge of population health. From there, the attendees tackled ways to transform current educational practices, processes and outcomes in a lively, creative and stimulating exchange of ideas.

Dean Stuart was honored to co-chair this important event and noted that “the current health care environment is dramatically different from the one that shaped our existing educational programs and pathways. Unfortunately our educational models and strategies have been slow to evolve and adapt to the changing times and technologies.”

"As patient care moves out of the hospital and into the community, providers who have traditionally worked in silos are now part of interprofessional teams," Dean Stuart said.

"These changes in our health care system also are driving changes in the higher education landscape. As evident in these proceedings, educational innovators are seeking new ways to deconstruct curricula, dis-aggregate courses and content, and test new technologies to enhance both individual and team-based learning. The question that confronts us is, will health professions educators lead the charge or lag behind and bring up the rear?”

To download a copy of the monograph, visit the Josiah Macy Foundation’s website: www.macyfoundation.org.

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

19

AROUND THE COLLEGE

V

A LIFE WELL-LOVED: IN REMEMBRANCE OF DR. IDA SPRUILL

and community perceptions toward biobanks and data warehouses.

Dr. Spruill’s work also brought national acclaim. In 2011, she was inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Nursing. She was named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers

I

by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013.

da Spruill loved people. Ida loved her family. Ida loved nursing.

During her lifetime she touched the lives of so many people in the

wide-ranging communities of our state, our region and our country.

And she touched the minds of her colleagues at MUSC, and especially in

Additionally, she served two terms on the board of the National Black Nurses Association and was a founding member and first president of the Tri-County Black Nurses Association.

Other honors and awards include the James

the College of Nursing.

Dr. Spruill retired in January 2016 and was bestowed the title of

Clyburn Health Disparities Leadership Award,

associate professor emerita. From 1995 until 2004, she was the nurse

the Sister Summit Legacy Award, MUSC’s

manager for the first community-based genetic research project at MUSC

Developing Scholar Award, and Clemson

known as Project SuGar. The project’s aim was to isolate and identify

University’s Rutland Institute for Ethics Award.

genes responsible for expression of Type 2 diabetes and obesity among

“Each of these was a celebration of her

the Sea Islanders (Gullah) of South Carolina. Dr. Spruill created strategies

accomplishments and the large imprint she

and designed a recruitment model, Community Plan Reward, to enhance

made in health care,” said Dean Gail Stuart. “I

participation of isolated groups into genetic research that may be

truly believe that those whom we have loved

replicated nationally across disciplines.

are never gone from our hearts and spirit. The

Her research interests included genetic literacy, the impact of culture

memories of them make us stronger, wiser and

and genetics on the management of chronic diseases among underserved

gentler with all others. That is the real legacy

populations, reducing health disparities among vulnerable populations,

that we have all been gifted by Dr. Ida Spruill.”

FACULTY, STUDENTS, ALUMNI ATTEND SNRS ANNUAL MEETING The 30th annual meeting of the Southern Nursing Research Society (SNRS) was held in February in Williamsburg, VA with the keynote delivered by Ann Cashion, PhD, RN, FAAN, scientific director for the NINR Division of Intramural Research.

The College of Nursing was well represented by faculty, PhD students and alumni. Melissa Batchelor-Murphy, PhD, RN, and Tara O’Brien, PhD, RN, both alumni, and Lana Sargent and Suzanne Sutton, both PhD candidates, presented posters or gave oral presentations at the conference hotel. A highlight of the trip was a gracious dinner for CON

L to R: Melissa Batchelor-Murphy, Lenora Smith, Tara O'Brien, Kim Sell and Elaine Amella

attendees hosted by Gail Gilden, PhD, former PhD program director, who lives in the area.

20

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

TWO FACULTY RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE Stephanie Armstrong (left) and Deborah Williamson with SCLN banquet keynote speaker SC Rep. Gary Cleary and his wife.

The vast professional contributions and notable community involvement of Deborah Williamson, DHA, MSN, RN, associate dean for practice and associate professor, was recognized by the receipt of the SCLN Award for Excellence.

Dr. Williamson has made a lasting impact on the College of Nursing, the MUSC campus, and the community. Throughout her academic

T

career, she has been committed to creating

he South Carolina League for Nursing (SCLN) honored two faculty

a culture that not only values, but also truly

members at their Annual Awards Banquet that was held last

celebrates diversity. Her research, funded

November in Columbia, SC.

grants, presentations, and publications reflect

Stephanie Armstrong, MSN, RN, a full-time PhD in Nursing Science

this commitment. Her early work was focused

student and instructor in the Accelerated BSN program, received the SCLN

primarily on women of color living in rural and

Faculty Graduate Scholarship. This award is given to a faculty member

inner city environments. In recent years much

who plans to continue to teach in a nursing education program in SC and

of her work has addressed the impact on health

who demonstrates the potential to be a future nursing leader.

outcomes of language access and cultural bias.

Ms. Armstrong’s research interests include vulnerable populations,

Dr. Williamson possesses an uncanny ability

intercultural competence, and human trafficking. She is especially

to listen and learn from the community and

concerned about victims of sexual trafficking, the majority of whom are

then bring diverse groups together.

women and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her PhD work

“Her ability to share her vision, build

focuses on victim recognition by individuals and agencies that are likely

partnerships, and follow-through on

to interact with these populations. She seeks to bring improvements

commitments have all been critically important

in awareness, recognition, interventions, and services available for the

to enhancing the role of our university in the

victims of this growing, worldwide epidemic.

community,” said Dean Gail Stuart.

PALMETTO GOLD RECIPIENTS HONORED The 15th Annual Palmetto Gold Gala was held April 16 in Columbia, SC.

AMELLA APPOINTED TO GLOBAL HEALTH PANEL

MUSC College of Nursing faculty recognized during the gala included

Professor Elaine J. Amella, PhD, RN, FAAN,

(pictured left to right) Beth Jensen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, Charlene

was invited by Singapore's Ministry of Health

Pruitt, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, and Joy Vess, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC.

to serve on an evaluation panel under the

Palmetto Gold, a subcommittee of the SC Nurses Foundation, is

National Innovation Challenge on Active and

a statewide recognition program that both showcases the valuable

Confident Aging.

contributions nurses make to patient care in SC and raises funds to

The Ministry of Health

endow scholarships for registered nurse students.

issued a call for research that deal with one of three areas of aging considered critical at this time–lengthening the healthy span of life, productive longevity, and aging in place. The panel will act as an overall study section to evaluate the science and make recommendations for funding studies that are the best match for these national priority areas.

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

21

FOCUS ON FACULTY

V

NEW FULL-TIME FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Martha Sylvia, PhD, MBA, RN, director of Population Health Analytics at MUSC Health, holds an adjunct appointment at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Providing leadership in nursing education at all levels, she authored the first clinical data management textbook for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program titled Clinical Analytics and Data Management for the DNP. In clinical settings, she has over 10

BSN 4 University of Vermont MSN | MBA | PhD 4 Johns Hopkins University

years experience including acute care medical/surgical, provider office staff, community and health plan case management, and executive leadership of a community-based free clinic for the uninsured.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

BS 4 Visva-Bharati University MS 4 University of Calcutta PhD 4 Jadavpur University Tatiana Davidson, PhD, a research

Suparna Qanungo, PhD, is the associate director of development for Telehealth

health scientist at the Ralph H.

Research and Innovation Program at MUSC. With a background in cancer

Johnson VA Medical Center, holds a

research, she has experience in community-based, qualitative and mixed

joint appointment in the Department

methods research in rural and global health. Currently, she is involved in multiple

of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

collaborative projects both locally and globally in Asian and African countries and

Her research focuses on addressing

brings a unique expertise of blending basic and translational research together

mental health care disparities by

with implementation in clinical and community settings.

maximizing reach and receipt of evidence-based treatments among traumatic stress and other vulnerable

INSTRUCTOR Michaela Lewis, DNP, CPNP, CPN,

populations. She is involved in the

CPEN, brings nine years of combined

development and

BS 4 University of Washington

experience in pediatric emergency,

evaluation of mobile

pediatric medical-surgical, and

health resources

pediatric intensive care nursing to

as dissemination

MUSC. She is certified by the Board of

strategies for

Certification for Emergency Nursing

MA | PhD 4 evidence-based Clark University treatments and

and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as a Certified Pediatric

technology-based tools to enhance quality of care in health and mental health care among minority and underserved populations.

22

LIFELINES

BSN 4 Gardner-Webb University DNP 4 Medical University of South Carolina

Spring | Summer 2016

Emergency Nurse. She is also certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board as a Certified Pediatric Nurse and a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary Care.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

ELAM HONES LEADERSHIP SKILLS WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT Shannon Elam (right) with Georgia Sen. Nan Grogan Orrock

“The dynamics of our health care system are rapidly changing, and nurses need to stand ready and willing to respond accordingly,” she said. “To address the issues of affordable, accessible and high-quality health care, we need

According to 2016 data from CAWP,

nurses and nurse leaders to facilitate

women occupy only about 24 percent

thoughtful discussions and be a part of

of state legislature seats and roughly 20

the legislative process, from beginning

percent of the seats in the U.S. House

to end.”

and Senate.

“In light of these small percentages, FWIG’s role is to encourage young women to assume leadership roles and get involved in politics and legislation that will make a difference for the communities in which we live and serve,” Ms. Elam explained.

Ms. Elam noted that nurses are at the forefront when it comes to promot-

WOMEN IN POLITICS FEDERAL EXECUTIVE (cabinet & cabinet-level positions)

7

ing wellness and providing health care.

S

“Nursing is one of the most trusted,

Charleston in October 2015. Future WIG

when it comes to issues that affect our

hannon Elam, ABSN class of 2016 and Presidential Scholar, attended the Future Women In Government

(FWIG) regional conference held in conferences are designed to prepare undergraduate and graduate students who are engaged and passionate about leadership to have meaningful conversations with their mentors.

In 2013, Women In Government, a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization of women state legislators, launched FWIG to provide hands-on leadership training and mentoring for the next generation of women civic and political leaders. The impetus for this program came from the “Teach a Girl to Lead” project sponsored by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University, and the goals of the White House Council on Women and Girls Leadership. FWIG builds on those mutual objectives to give participants an opportunity to connect with state legislators from across the country as well as leaders in the private sector to facilitate a deeper discussion on women in leadership.

honest and ethical professions in the health care system, so why is it that

U.S. SUPREME COURT

3

we have less representation in politics

CONGRESS

patients and our profession?”

104

“Policy making can be complex, overwhelming and incredibly difficult,” she continued. “It is not easy to get a piece of legislation passed, but becom-

U.S. SENATE U.S. HOUSE

20

84

ing knowledgeable about the process will help eliminate some of the barriers

STATEWIDE EXECUTIVE

77

that we as nurses face when trying to navigate the legislative process.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, there are over three million

STATE LEGISLATURE

1,808

nurses in the U.S. “There is power in numbers and with awareness comes action. If we work together and stand for what we believe is right, we’ll be able to

STATE SENATE

STATE HOUSE

444

1,364

make the change we want to see.”

She believes that FWIG has enhanced her general knowledge of the legislative process and has provided a platform

MAYORS (cities over 30,000)

257

for a continuous dialogue on the issues that affect her community. Perhaps more importantly, FWIG has provided

(100 largest cities)

19

Ms. Elam with the tools and leadership skills necessary to be an effective patient advocate at the bedside and beyond.

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

23

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

LOCAL TO GLOBAL: LESSONS LEARNED FROM INDIA VICTORIA MEMORIAL IN KOLKATA, INDIA

Left to right: Martha Lee, Swati Patel, Shannon Elam, Emily Griffin, Bailey Coggins, Suparna Qanungo, Bethany Ellis, a U.K. medical student, and a clinical psychologist from the Saroj Gupta Cancer Center and Research Institute

For the second leg of the trip, CON students traveled 150 miles to Mouldanga, Santiniketan to the Binapani Educational and Welfare Trust, also known as Binapani Ashram,

S

uparna Qanungo, PhD, assistant

Cancer Center and Research Institute

a public organization that provides

professor, spent nearly a year

located in the Thakurpukur region of

education, health care, community

laying the groundwork to lead

eastern Kolkata. The center caters to

awareness, and cultural exchange to

a group of undergraduate nursing

a rural and impoverished population

poor tribal children and students from

students to her native India to explore

providing surgical interventions, a

underprivileged families.

the culture and gain an understanding

chemotherapy unit, palliative care,

Ms. Ellis enjoyed spending time with

of the health care system in the world’s

radiation oncology and other cancer

the girls at the Ashram as they were

second-most populous country. Six

care specific services. During their

“so full of love and curiosity.” “Talking

Accelerated BSN students accompanied

visit, the students helped perform

with the founder, Manjushree, was

Dr. Qanungo on the two-week journey:

cancer screenings on villagers who

enlightening,” Ms. Ellis said. “She is a

Bailey Coggins, Shannon Elam,

have almost no access to health care.

progressive thinker who has sacrificed a

Bethany Ellis, Emily Griffin, Martha Lee

Although many Indians turn to private

lot to give in the way that she does, and

and Swati Patel.

health care providers, this option is

I found that to be very inspiring.”

“If I could describe my experience in one word, it would be love,” said Ms.

mostly inaccessible to the poor.

The Indian government spends only

CON students participated in data collection for health risk assessments

Patel after returning from the learning

about 30 percent of the country’s total

of the local tribal village. They also

expedition last December. “This country

health care budget - a fraction of what

assisted in a health camp for villagers

is very loving.”

the US spends each year - on primary

who have little to no access to health

health care. Only a small percentage

care in Mouldanga. They assessed risks

culture and grasp a genuine

of the population has access to quality

for diabetes, hypertension, obesity,

understanding of the Indian

sanitation because the country faces an

urinary tract infection, provided dental

perspective as it relates to health and

urgent need to fix fundamental health

screenings, cancer awareness, and

medicine was a once in a lifetime

concerns such as HIV, malaria, and

outreach services.

experience.” Ms. Elam explained.

tuberculosis.

“To be immersed in the Indian

“Being able to experience health care

While in Kolkata, the students

in another country helped me realize

visited the Ma Sarada Nursing School.

that we are all treating patients with

For Ms. Griffin, this was a highlight.

the same medical ailments, but the

“Visiting the nursing school and

difference lies within the cultural

seeing the differences and similarities

context in which we provide the care,

between our BSN programs, especially

not the geographical boundaries. That’s

the dedication to their studies and

what global health is all about.”

the amount of respect they showed

The trip was organized in two five-

their superiors. It opened my eyes

day excursions. During the first leg of

to different ways of preparing future

the trip, students visited the Saroj Gupta

health care providers,” Ms. Griffin said.

24

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

“

India did not change the way I view global health. Rather it solidified and broadened what I have already learned. Global health gives a new perspective on health care.

- Bailey Coggins Accelerated BSN student

“Being exposed to the health care delivery system in India was helpful in developing my knowledge of how things are accomplished with so few resources,” Ms. Patel said.

The students experienced first hand how much a community’s health outcome is determined by its environment. “In the US, rural, lowincome populations are plagued with chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, where in India they are mostly dealing with infections and undiagnosed cancers,” Ms. Ellis said. “Each community faces obstacles to achieving positive health outcomes, but health care systems must learn how to reach these communities in a more effective way.”

When she returned home, Martha Lee felt inspired by the nurses and doctors to be a better health care provider. “Not for the tangible return, but for the real passion of helping and healing those who are at their most vulnerable,” she said.

Ms. Coggins believes she will carry this experience with her when caring for her patients one day. “We are very fortunate in the United States,” she said. “I will always be grateful for the abundance of quality resources we have here. I believe it is important for everyone, especially those in health care to participate in global health. It will better you as an individual and better the care that you provide to your patients.”

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

25

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

V

STUDENTS AWARDED NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS 125TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIP

MUSC MEDICAL CENTER RN TO BSN SCHOLARSHIPS

ROPER-ST. FRANCIS PATRON SCHOLARSHIP

DOROTHY JOHNSON CREWS SCHOLARSHIP

Duane Froes William Hall

Juliana Akers Karen Benedict Betts Bishop Carmen Bondurant Alice Bright Rocio Bullock Deborah Carter Melisa Coffin Gary Conly Michelle Decaria Krista Driggers Virginia Hoff Skyler Hughes Carrie Laird Jason Loy Kathryn Medlin Damian Millet Tabitha Oliver Arien Rannigan Andrea Rentz Farrah Rivera Sara Sampson Terri Thompson Tara Torres Stanisha Vick Carrie Ware Sara Zeigler

Jurrell Riley

Elizabeth Kreuze, PhD student

DOROTHY JOHNSON CREWS SCHOLARSHIP Brooke Hafer

HELENE FULD TRUST SCHOLARSHIP George Smith

TED AND JOAN HALKYARK SCHOLARSHIP Leonel Bersamina

ELSIE MORGAN SCHOLARSHIP Jake Forrester

ELIZABETH STRINGFELLOW SCHOLARSHIP Kenneth Kurtz

MUSC MEDICAL CENTER SCHOLARSHIP Tyler Hunter Julia Levin-Rector Anna Wayne Anna Hastings

NINA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP Emily Spicer

IZANT FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD SCHOLARSHIP

Mattilyn Williams, DNP student

Sevanna Aguilar Miranda Alexander Alyssa Delaney Kaitlyn Dickey Krista Dies Emily Ivey Ann-Marie John Chelsea Johnson Kelci Lanthier Anna Luvaga Samantha Morrison Hannah Robidoux Mary Wells Jessica White

JEAN P. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP Sarah Durette

DNP PROGRAM RANKED NO. 14 IN THE NATION U.S. News & World Report | 2017 Best Graduate Schools 26

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

CECELIA O. PENG SCHOLARSHIP Cheryl Allen, DNP student

LETTIE PATE WHITEHEAD SCHOLARSHIP Sylvia Panos, DNP student Allison Adrian, PhD student Crystal Graham, PhD student Deana Hiott, PhD student Ann-Marie John, PhD student

JEAN P. WILSON SCHOLARSHIP Melissa Merritt, DNP student

V

PhD STUDENTS RECEIVE HONORS, AWARDS The MUSC Center for Global Health awarded a Global Health Trainee Travel Grant to Marvesh Mendhi (PhD class of December 2016) to further her dissertation research project titled, “Investigating facilitators and barriers to implementing neonatal airway management practices in Uganda.”

Applications for the trainee travel grants went through a

Crystal Graham (right) works with a nursing student in a sim lab

competitive review process that included faculty and student evaluators from all MUSC colleges. Proposals were evaluated based on several factors including the significance of the

Crystal Graham (PhD class of May 2016) was selected for

project to global health, the overall strength of the learning

the National League for Nursing’s Leadership Development

objectives, preparedness of the applicant to undertake the

Program for Simulation Educators.

project, personal essay, feasibility of timeline to complete the

Ms. Graham, who is on faculty at Francis Marion University, is among 20 international educators chosen to

learning objective and commitment level of the partnering institution and faculty advisor.

study with leaders in simulation and technology.

“I am pleased to be a participant in this incredible program,” Ms. Graham said. “The support and guidance from the MUSC College of Nursing faculty, including a mentor with expertise in simulation, have truly been invaluable.”

This program is designed for the experienced simulation nurse educator who wishes to assume a leadership role in simulation. During the year-long program, participants examine issues related to research in simulation, curricular integration, the role of simulation in interprofessional education, and managing simulation activities within a

Phyllis Raynor (right) with fellow classmate John Paguntalan

school of nursing or a service setting.

Phyllis Raynor (PhD class of May 2016) was selected for Shelly Orr (PhD class of December 2016) has been appointed

the SAMHSA funded American Nurses Association (ANA)

to serve on the Palliative and Hospice Nursing Professional

Minority Fellowship Program (MFP).

Issues Panel, a national panel convened to promote the

The purpose of this SAMHSA grant is to reduce health

integration of palliative and hospice care in U.S. health-care

disparities and improve health care outcomes for racially and

delivery systems.

ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of

The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Hospice

culturally competent behavioral health professionals available

and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) partnered to

to underserved minority populations in the public and private

convene the time-limited panel. The group’s goals include

non-profit sectors, and in clinical and community-based

preparing a relevant joint ANA-HPNA position statement,

organizations and institutions.

creating educational resources, compiling a collection

The MFP provides opportunities for minority nurses to

of references identifying nursing’s contributions in

attain a doctoral degree, with certification in mental health

palliative and hospice care in today’s American health care

and substance abuse disorders prevention, treatment, and

environment and developing a framework for changes in

recovery across the life span.

nursing practice and education to promote enhanced access and use of palliative and hospice services.

Ms. Orr, who is also on faculty at Virginia Commonwealth

Ms. Raynor has a strong desire to become a public health nurse scientist focusing on research, prevention, public advocacy, and health promotion initiatives for low-income

University, is a leader in palliative care in the ICU. “I value

minority families affected by substance use disorders (SUD).

the opportunity to get involved with this panel’s work, she

Her dissertation research focuses on the development of

said. “The contributions of the panel will undoubtedly have a

self-care interventions for parents recovering from SUD with

positive impact on palliative care in the U.S.”

a goal of improving their long-term recovery outcomes and the health outcomes of their children.

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

27

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

RECOLLECTIONS OF A GOLDEN GRAD, CLASS OF 1965 2015 GOLDEN GRADS Left to right: Linda Inabinet Hussey, Sandy Andrews Noonan, Gretchen Pope, Sylvia Evans Peek, Gloria Hoff Purcell, Eileen Wilson Blackwell, Kaye Carmichael Byers, Kay Whatley Brown, Marie Baker Hanna, Nancy Anderson Umberhandt, Winkie Crouch Atkinson, Jeannie Dority Benton, Gloria Jeffers Rosser, Hermione Furr Carter, Carolyn Jones Grimbal, Elaine Johns Allcut, and Veda Porter Rodriguez

L

ast year, the Class of 1965 was

known, accomplished and respected

Graduation ceremonies were held

treated to a wonderful reunion

physicians, most of whom were humble,

outdoors in the hot sun in front of the

weekend during the Golden

polite and caring.

original hospital building. Today, the

Graduates Celebration, thanks to MUSC

We bonded through working, living,

building’s columns stand in the lobby of

learning and playing together. The now

the main hospital. On this day, we proudly

beautifully renovated College of Nursing

wore white uniforms with MCSC pins,

applying to the then MCSC School of

building served as our classroom area and

white pantyhose, lace up white shoes,

Nursing in 1962 because it was said to

dormitory, complete with housemothers

and MCSC monogrammed caps.

be the best in the state, as it is today.

who kept an eye on our early 10 p.m.

and the Alumni Affairs Office staff.

My classmates and I discussed

After graduation, most of us

Our entrance interviews with Dean

curfew. Dean Chamberlain lived amongst

went our separate ways as real RNs.

Chamberlain, dressed in her traditional

us on the main floor; her presence and

Some furthered their education–one

all white nursing attire, were impressive.

her dreaded “See me–RC” notes kept us

classmate obtained her PhD. However,

All of us had ruled out other career paths

in line.

our friendships remained intact. The

for women in the 1960s such as being

Fifty years ago, bridge games were

1965 class has enjoyed many reunions,

a teacher or secretary and decided to

played in the lounge by girls in hair rollers.

thanks to the efforts of our Charleston

pursue a career serving others with health

Lounges were furnished with a hair dryer

classmates and the MUSC Office of

needs. We later learned that expressing

on a stand, a washer and dryer, a TV and

Alumni Affairs. At our 50th reunion, we

that purpose during our interview was

a very busy phone booth, the only phone

experienced a deep appreciation of our

required for acceptance.

in the hall. No television or phone in your

long lasting friendships, and we honored

room. Radios were a must.

those no longer with us.

Little did we know what a challenging educational experience awaited us. We

We enjoyed trips downtown and to

Our group has become increasingly

learned a great deal about ourselves, the

the beach if we were fortunate enough

proud of being a MCSC graduate and are

world of medicine, different cultures and

to have access to a car. We spent time

in awe of the incredible technical strides

the art of nursing.

at a nearby pool at the former Alumni

made in nursing education at MUSC. We

Having been only 17 or 18 years

House where medical students lived. We

are fortunate to celebrate this milestone

old, we amazingly had the maturity to

swam and played tennis, and, with luck,

in our lives and are encouraged to strive

complete such a challenging nursing

arranged dates with a med student.

to continue to help others personally and

Some met their future husbands

through the support of the MUSC College

program. Rewards such as our capping and pinning ceremonies, as well as the

while in school; many Citadel cadets and

appreciation of our patients, encouraged

medical students walked up those lovely

us to keep going.

We respected and admired our nursing instructors who oversaw our hospital

curved front steps to the parlor to take their dates to the movies, football games,

known as the City of MUSC!

beach parties, and submarine races.

For three years of year-round

alongside nursing staff, medical students,

schooling, we survived four hours of

interns, and residents. We were fortunate

hospital duty and four hours of classroom

to have excellent faculty and widely

studies on a five-day a week schedule.

LIFELINES

Charleston may be known as the City By the Sea, but is also fortunate to be

and classroom performance. We worked

28

of Nursing.

Spring | Summer 2016

— EILEEN WILSON BLACKWELL, ‘65 FLORENCE, SC

V

A DECORATED CAREER

A

fter 30 years of decorated service

the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) in

to the U.S. Air Force, on July 26,

support of health care excellence and

2015, Colonel Roseanne Warner

clinical currency. Col. Warner liaised

(MSN, ’97) retired from her role as direc-

with 21 AFMS nursing consultants to

tor of Air Force Nursing Operations, Air

develop and evaluate training platforms

Force Medical Operations Agency, Joint

to sustain clinical skills for deployed

Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX.

operations and patient safety practices.

Elizabeth Erkel, PhD, professor

She was the key consultant to the Air

emerita, was a guest of honor at the

Force Medical Operations Agency/Cen-

retirement ceremony in San Antonio.

tral Command on 19 nursing service

“Not only was the retirement ceremony

specialties and partnered with Air Staff

the most impressive I’ve ever seen, but

to provide developmental support for

Roseanne’s honors were incredible,

Nurse Corps (NC) officers as a member

including the Legion of Merit - a dis-

of the NC Board of Directors, Nursing

the Meritorious Service Medal with five

tinction held by Winston Churchill and

Executive Council, NC Strategic Plan-

oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commenda-

other world leaders,” noted Dr. Erkel.

ning Group and Force Development

tion Medal, and the Air Force Achieve-

Team.

ment Medal.

Col. Warner received her commission in 1985. “I was commissioned the

“

day I graduated with my BSN on May

recalls. She

I was commissioned the day I graduated with my BSN on May 12, which happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

went on to

- Col. Roseanne Warner, ‘97

12th, which also happens to be Florence Nightingale’s birthday,” she

earn her mas-

Nightingale and Clara Barton, and my third hero is Mother Teresa,” shared Col. Warner. “At my retirement ceremony, three people in my directorate wore period costumes of my heroes in history to greet guests. I was very touched by that gesture of love and appreciation.”

Quoting Florence Nightingale and reflecting on her long and fruitful career, Col. Warner stated, “I attribute my success to this - I never gave or took

ter's in 1997 and believes her education at MUSC

“My two nurse heroes are Florence

any excuse.”

A board certified women’s health

Since retirement Col. Warner is giv-

was the foundation for her future suc-

nurse practitioner, Col. Warner held

ing back in many ways from delivering

cesses. Col. Warner continued her nurs-

many leadership positions in the AFMS

Meals on Wheels, to serving as chaplain

ing education and received her Doctor

including deputy chief nurse, chief of

for San Antonio Aggie Moms mother’s

of Nursing Practice from the University

medical training, deputy director of

group for Texas A&M University, and

of Alabama at Birmingham.

nursing, and group commander. She

serving her church. She is enjoying

deployed to several locations provid-

time with family and reports that her

Operations, Col. Warner was responsi-

ing medical care, including setting up a

son, Nicholas, a senior at Texas A&M,

ble for the oversight of clinical nursing

clinic at the American Embassy in Baku,

was selected for an Air Force Pilot

operations, sub-allocation of formal

Azerbaijan and caring for thousands of

Training Slot for 2017. Her daughter,

course training, and nursing service

people in Haiti. Col. Warner served as

Becca, is a BSN prepared nurse in

resourcing of 75 military treatment

the chief women’s health clinical con-

Washington, DC, and her husband,

facilities (MTFs)/10 major commands

sultant to the Air Force surgeon general

Phil, works for Northside Independent

(MAJCOMs). Col. Warner directed three

for five years. In this role, she developed

School District in HVAC Engineering.

divisions with 28 staff to serve as a

readiness skills for nurse practitioners

centralized reach-out/reach-back clini-

and changed women’s health across the

ner, she said, “I have not decided my

cal support hub for 39,000 medics. She

Air Force.

next employment opportunity. I always

As director of the Air Force Nursing

closely collaborated with MAJCOMs to

In addition to the Legion of Merit

When asked what’s next for Col. War-

knew I would take at least a year off

standardize business practices and em-

Medal, Col. Warner received several ma-

after spending 30 years in the Air Force

ploy evidence-based processes across

jor awards and decorations including

Nurse Corps.”

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

29

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

V

CLASS NOTES

Ida McDavitt Fressilli [Diploma ’63]

she loves teaching and now works at

nationwide initiative that gives a voice

is the grandmother to five amazing

Aiken Technical College as a clinical

to military and veteran caregivers who

grandchildren. She feels blessed to

supervisor for ADN students in nursing

have volunteered to serve as advocates

have all of her immediate family living

homes and hospitals. She also works

and ambassadors for the 5.5 million

in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

as a PRN in the endoscopy department

spouses, parents, children and other

at Trinity Hospital in Augusta, GA

loved ones caring for our nation’s

Brenda Corbett Haile [Diploma ’67]

where she reunited with classmate

wounded, ill and injured service

is a proud grandmother to five

Tamera Head Wilson [BSN ‘81]. Ms.

members and veterans.

grandchildren. She continues to

Johnson’s husband retired from Honda

work as a part-time registered nurse.

of America and works at Lowe’s. Her

Misty Deason [BSN ’05] is a certified

son, Jeffery, is a rising senior at the

registered nurse anesthetist who

Betsy McCune [BSN ’73] received an

University of Cincinnati majoring in

works at AllCare Clinical Associates

MSN degree from Texas Woman’s

electrical engineering technologies

in Asheville, NC. AllCare Clinical

University in 1984. She is currently

with hopes to design computer

Associates

enjoying teaching online RN to BSN

hardware upon graduation.

is one of the

classes and is looking forward to retirement next year.

largest private Lynnette Maxine (Richardson) Gibson

physician-owned

[BSN ’82] was a 2015 recipient of the

anesthesia

Catherine Louise Rogers [BSN ’75] is

Palmetto Gold. In

practices serving

working with the Women’s Care

2014, she was be-

NC and provides

Service Line at MUSC providing

stowed with the

anesthesia

support for fetal monitoring.

American Cancer

services and

Society Susan

perioperative care for hospitals and

Anita S. Jackson [BSN ’80] has

Eison Spirit

ambulatory surgery centers of all

returned to the bedside as a WOC

Award and was

sizes. Previously, Ms. Deason provided

named a Sum-

anesthesia services at Easley Baptist

nurse and is happy caring for patients.

She and husband, Timothy, have re-

mer Nursing Research Institute Fellow.

located to Wilmington, NC. They have

She is also a co-investigator for the J.

five children and two grandchildren.

Patrick Barnes DAISY Foundation Re-

Jessica Tillman [BSN ’06] is a PhD

She hopes all of her classmates are

search Award, “Breast Cancer Patients

candidate at the Johns Hopkins

happy and healthy.

and Their Perceptions of Changes

School of Nursing. Her dissertation

After Chemotherapy Treatment.”

research focuses on coping strategies,

Colleen W. Bible [BSN ’81] is on faculty

Hospital in Easley, SC.

social support, and self-care among

at the Technical College of the Low-

Candace (Schima, Buckles) Morton

young women diagnosed with pelvic

country and loves nursing education.

[BSN ’86/MSN ’91] works at Children’s

inflammatory disease. Additionally,

Her daughter, Alison, is in cancer

Hospital of Wisconsin in pediatric

she is a clinical research nurse at the

remission. Her step-son, Chris, also

electrophysiol-

National Institutes of Health Clinical

known as the Peanut-Dude, sells boiled

ogy. She has two

Center in Bethesda, MD.

peanuts in Charleston and has been

beautiful chil-

featured in Charleston Magazine and

dren who keep

Olivia Maldonado Covert [BSN ’11] was

on CBS Sunday Morning. Her other

her on her toes.

married in May 2015.

step-son, Aaron lives in Tulsa, OK with

She completed

his two daughters and works in com-

a post-master’s

Lindsey Tredinnik [BSN ’11], who

munications. She and her husband,

(ANP) in May

works on MUSC’s 3 East Medical

Robert, look forward to retirement and

2015 thanks to her supportive family

Surgical ICU at Ashley River Tower,

traveling.

and co-workers.

received the DAISY Award in

After 31 years, Anne Robertson

Lisa Marie Sternke [BSN ’04/MSN

a wedding for a terminal patient and

Johnson [BSN ’81] and her husband,

’06/PhD ’11] was selected for the 2016

went beyond the call of duty in order to

Jim, moved back to SC in July 2015

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver

make the event something the patient

to be closer to family. She discovered

Fellows program. This Fellowship is a

and family would remember forever.

December. Ms. Tredinnik organized

30

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

She was recognized for being an outstanding role model and advocate

PASSAGES

for patient care.

Esther Cathyrn Christmas Lawrence, Diploma ‘47 Sep. 19, 1924 - Jan. 23, 2016 | Houston, TX

Savannah Paige Cox [BSN ’12] accepted a full time position in

Leslie Simmons Manuel, BSN ‘76 Oct. 21, 1953 - Dec. 10, 2015 | Woodruff, SC

the Greenville Memorial Hospital NeuroTrauma ICU, a regional level one trauma center in Greenville, SC.

Shirley “Joyce” Nicastro, Diploma ‘53 Mar. 21, 1932 - Oct. 17, 2015 | Suffern, NY

In June, Kahlil Demonbreun [DNP ’12] will be inducted as a 2016 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. This Fellowship engages recognized nurse practitioners to lead new initiatives and support the AANP mission. He also received a Palmetto

Three Generations of CON Nurses Carin Shuler Warren graduated from the College of Nursing’s baccalaureate

Gold Award this year.

program in December 2014. She is currently working on an acute medicine

Caroline Wallinger [BSN ’12] is a

Salt Lake City, UT, and recently completed the center’s Transition to Practice

research nurse coordinator in MUSC’s Center for Health Disparities Research.

floor at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Program.

Ms. Warren’s graduation was a special time for her family because both her grandmother and mother also completed the nursing program at MUSC. Her grandmother, Janice Norris

Valerie M. Kneece [BSN ’14] is engaged

Cooper, graduated in 1960 from the

to Corbyn Harris, PharmD, from the

three-year diploma program when

MUSC College of Pharmacy Class of 2014. They plan to marry in Oct. 2016.

it was the School of Nursing of the

Emily Giddens [BSN ’15] accepted a job

Ms. Warren’s mother, Allison Cooper

as a RN in the Level II Neonatal Nursery at MUSC.

Shuler, earned her bachelor’s degree in 1986. She also received a master’s

In February, Tiffani Smalls [BSN ’15]

Georgia College in 1992.

Medical College of South Carolina.

degree in nursing administration from The three generations of CON

began a pediatric nurse residency

graduates have had many amusing

program at Cape Fear Valley Medical

conversations about the changes

Center in Fayetteville, NC.

from 1960 until now. From paper charting to electronic medical records, from routine office visits to

THREE GENERATIONS Left to right: Janice Norris Cooper '60, Allison Cooper Shuler '86 and Carin Shuler Warren '14.

telemedicine, these three graduates have many notes to compare. All agree they are so thankful for their decision to go into nursing.

DON'T BE LEFT OUT

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

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

31

GIVING BACK

V

MEET CON’S DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD Left to right: Bev Seinsheimer, Marcia Falk, Vicky Sullivan, Kay Chitty (emeritus member), Renée Black (co-chair), Connie Conner (co-chair).

Not pictured: Stanley Harris

T

he work of the College of Nursing’s Development

with over 45 years of experience in health care, including

Office may seem slightly mysterious to those outside

over 31 years as a registered nurse. Ms. Conner retired in 2011

the College, but to the members of the Development

after spending seventeen years as the senior vice president

Advisory Board, it’s an important part of their volunteer

and chief nursing officer at Self Regional Healthcare in

and community activities. These seven individuals serve

Greenwood, SC. She holds an MSN with a specialty in health

as friends and ambassadors of the College of Nursing and

care education, as well as a BSN and ADN.

also function in a consultative capacity to support the advancement efforts of the College.

It was Ms. Conner’s many years of nursing and health care experience that sparked her interest in the Development Advisory Board. “As a previous chief nursing officer, I am

Renée M. Black | Co-Chair

acutely aware of the aging of our current nursing workforce

Renée M. Black has served as co-chair since 2013. After

and the need to develop well-qualified and highly educated

earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing,

nurses.”

Ms. Black worked as nurse clinician at several hospitals in

“Knowing MUSC College of Nursing’s reputation for

Massachusetts. She also taught nursing at nursing schools on

graduating stellar nurses, I was very interested in joining the

both coasts.

Development Advisory Board to continue the opportunity to

“My nursing background provided me with the skills

expand the pathways for future nurses,” she said.

and education required to create a unique professional niche in the business world,” Ms. Black says, and as a result,

Kay K. Chitty | Emeritus Member

she worked in the public business sector for 30 years as a

Kay K. Chitty, former chair of the Development Advisory

pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional for Schering

Board, has been involved with the College for many years.

Plough, Inc. and Genentech, Inc.

Dr. Chitty is a retired nurse and nurse educator. Her career

For Ms. Black, the decision to become involved with the

highlights include establishing the first independent nursing

College of Nursing was an easy one. “The nursing profession

practice in North Carolina and holding faculty appointments

provides endless opportunities, and Dean Stuart and the

at the University of South Carolina, the University of North

faculty provide the building tools of resiliency as they prepare

Carolina at Charlotte, and the University of Tennessee at

students for navigating the constant change in our health

Chattanooga, where she retired as dean of the School of

care environment.” She continued, “I chose to be part of the

Nursing.

Board to support the efforts of the Dean and faculty and to

Dr. Chitty received her BSN and MSN degrees from

increase awareness regarding the extraordinary outcomes of

Emory University and her doctorate from the University of

the College and the students they teach.”

Tennessee.

Connie Conner | Co-Chair

of the College of Nursing. “I became involved in the College

Connie Conner brings a variety of health care experience in

of Nursing years ago and watched it grow into a top-notch,

her role as co-chair. Ms. Conner is a former nurse executive

nationally ranked school,” she said. “I have great admiration

Dr. Chitty is thrilled to be a long-term partner and advocate

32

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

“

Nursing is an unsung hero in the health care arena, and I want to sing its praises to all who will listen.

Dr. Kay Chitty for the faculty and staff of the College and believe Dean Stuart

basis, whether it’s clinically based or grading papers,” he said.

to be a gifted administrator.”

“Being part of this Board will help me open avenues in the

“They have all given greatly of themselves, and I hope that

surrounding communities to elicit support for the College.”

my efforts as a volunteer will demonstrate to them how much I appreciate their efforts to raise the College to new heights,”

Bev Seinsheimer | Member

Dr. Chitty said.

Bev Seinsheimer found her way to Charleston in the 1980s from the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is a graduate of the

Marcia Griffin Falk | Member

University of Virginia with a bachelor’s in nursing. Always

Membership on the Development Advisory Board is not

passionate about medicine, Ms. Seinsheimer was asked to

limited to nurses. Marcia Griffin Falk, another former chair,

be on the Heart and Vascular Board at MUSC, which she

spent the majority of her working years teaching high school

ultimately chaired.

and technical college students.

In 2000, Ms. Falk and her husband, Carl, founded the Falk-

During her tenure on the Heart and Vascular Board, she with her husband, Wally, started the Seinsheimer Clinic for

Griffin Foundation. She has served as past chair of Teach My

Heart Disease Prevention. For her work in this area, she was

People, the Palmetto Family Council, Outreach Farms, and

awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from

the Board of Visitors for the Spadoni College of Education

MUSC in 2010.

of Coastal Carolina University. She has also been active with Habitat for Humanity and the Lowcountry Food Bank.

Ms. Falk’s journey to the Board started with a phone call

It was Ms. Seinsheimer’s early career experience as an operating room nurse that influenced her decision to join the Development Advisory Board. “Nurses are the very

from a friend. “[Former First Lady of MUSC] Ann Edwards

discipline that, for each patient, create the healing, receive

invited me to meet Dean Stuart, and as soon as I did, I was

the love, care, and compassion of those who have chosen this

absolutely taken with her vision for the College of Nursing

wonderful profession,” she said. “We need to make the public

and what it could be,” she said. “From my experience in

aware and create grateful patients to further the incredible

education, I thought she had wonderful ideas for the future

work being done both clinically and in the area of research at

of the College, and I knew I wanted to help make those ideas

the College of Nursing.”

happen.”

Stanley Harris | Member

Victoria (Vicky) D. Sullivan | Member For Vicky Sullivan, giving back to MUSC is a way of life. In

After 40 years in health care, Stanley Harris knows nursing

addition to being a member of the Board, Ms. Sullivan is also

from the perspectives of the student, the teacher, and the

a member of the Heart and Vascular Advisory Board.

clinician. One of two new members to join the Board this

Ms. Sullivan, a former educator, is also a board member of

year, Dr. Harris is originally from Eatonton, GA, where he

WINGS, a regional program that teaches school-age children

was raised by a nurse, and he began his nursing career as

the importance of making good decisions and fostering

an LPN. After earning his BSN from Albany State University,

healthy relationships through after school programs.

he was hired as adjunct faculty at Clayton College and State University in Morrow, GA. In 1995, Dr. Harris received his MSN from Georgia State

She has a deep respect for nurses, and it is this appreciation that makes her service on the Development Advisory Board so meaningful. “I’ve always admired the

University and went on to earn an EdD degree from the

nursing profession,” Ms. Sullivan said. “Nurses are the

University of Phoenix. He spent seven years in various

backbone of hospitals and doctors’ offices, serving as liaisons

positions at the South Carolina State University Department

between the patient and physician.”

of Nursing before eventually becoming the department’s interim chair in 2012.

Dr. Harris’ enthusiasm for nursing and education led him

“They help the patient not only with their medical needs but also with their state of mind. We are very blessed to have these caring men and women in our lives, quite often during

to join the Development Advisory Board in its mission. “I

our lowest and most difficult times. This is the least I can do

was ecstatic to join the Board and let the community know

to pay back that service.”

the hard work that nurses and nurse educators do on a daily

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

33

GIVING BACK

V

REMEMBERING URSULA CATON

Ursula Caton's daughters pictured with their father in 2014. Left to right: Helen, Alex, Georgia, and Hannah

Our mother was a true inspiration to

U

Ursula at graduation

Mum and I were in undergraduate

rsula Caton, born in Newcastle-

her daughters, friends, and co-workers.

nursing school at the same time. At first

Under-Lyme, England, was a

She valued family, education and work

I thought it was odd that she would

passionate nurse who found her

above so many things and instilled in us

want to embark on a new career after

niche in behavioral health nursing.

the principle to put family first and to

raising four girls and working many

She worked at MUSC’s Institute of

never take learning for granted. As one of

non-professional roles to support our

Psychiatry for many years, evaluating

the hardest working women I have ever

education. I even worried about it. We

psychiatric patients in the ER to assess

known, she not only passed on a strong

were very similar and competitive at times

whether they met inpatient criteria.

work ethic to us but also taught us how

which could have been difficult, but we

When she died in 2009, fellow

important it is to love one’s work. Finally,

were in different schools, so it became

MUSC colleagues, Yalani Vanzura, MD,

she showed us that you can be fiercely

less of a concern, and we even shared

and Steve Rublee, MHA, worked to

independent and yet give and receive

experiences and probably did better as

establish a scholarship in Ms. Caton’s

love and support from others at the same time. —Alex Caton, daughter, Gordonsville, VA

a result. Mum knew from the start of her

memory. With the aim to support students with children who wish to

career that she needed to provide not only excellent physical care but perhaps

pursue a nursing career, they created

Our mum was a fervent advocate of

even more important to her was the

the Ursula Caton Memorial Scholarship

higher education. To have this scholarship

need to provide emotional support to

Fund because they believe her spirit

as her legacy gives me such great

her patients. She became very close to

lives on in the form of her impact on

pleasure. It is the most fitting way to

several of her long-term hospice patients

others.

honor her memory.

and when she decided to transition from

—Hannah Peress, daughter, Basel, Switzerland

oncology to behavioral health it was a

“For those who loved Ursula, we clearly see the passion and dedication

natural fit.

she had for her children and family,

Mum was one of the most generous

and the effort she put into directing

people I ever knew. She took pride in the

She was an excellent listener and gave

them to further their education and

fact that her father was renowned for

families hope even when there was deep

later her own,” her co-workers wrote.

his generous spirit and worked hard to

worry and concern. I was truly proud of

“At the conclusion of her children’s

encourage that same quality within her

my mum, and she couldn’t have been

education, Ursula went back to school

four daughters. I believe this generosity

more proud of her four girls. She worked

to further her love of learning.

was foundational to her success as a

so hard to help us achieve success and

nurse. She truly wanted to help people

then turned to her own career needs

Scholarship is fully endowed so we

and when it meant staying an extra shift

later in life but still looking to support

asked Ms. Caton’s daughters and one

or coming in to work early she was always

others in their journey for self attainment.

of her former managers to share their

willing to do it because she believed she

This memorial fund could not be more

memories of this remarkable woman.

was making a difference to someone.

suited to its purpose to support mothers

Today the Ursula Caton Memorial

34

LIFELINES

Spring | Summer 2016

She loved behavioral health nursing.

It is so gratifying for us to know that others will feel the help my mother always strove to give. We hope that this fund will perpetuate a long line of strong and compassionate mothers as nurses.

—Helen Caton-Peters (MSN ‘96), daughter, Stafford, VA. Ms. Caton-Peters worked as a MUSC OB nurse and clinical analyst for over 10 years.

We couldn’t have thought of a better way to honor her, as my mother was a woman who worked incredibly hard her entire life, which included taking the initiative to put herself back through nursing school once her children were grown. Each time I make a donation to this scholarship, or I hear about a donation made by someone else, it is a reminder of the great impact she had on those around her. She would be extremely proud to know that her scholarship will help others who, like her, make that difficult and somewhat daunting choice to go back to school later in life in an effort to continue to try and better themselves.

—Georgia Evans, daughter, Riverside, IL Ms. Caton established a tea-time tradition at the Institute of Psychiatry for the staff.

Being from England, tea was one of life’s essentials. She brought in a beautiful ceramic tea service to give the staff a lovely, relaxing tea-time. It was so popular that after she had died, the they kept the teapot to cherish her memory.

Ursula understood mental illness, was passionate about her work and was a strong patient advocate. She spoke fondly and adoringly of her four daughters and eleven grandchildren. They meant the world to her. —Tez Bertiaux, Mrs. Caton’s former

manager at MUSC

V

returning to school to further themselves.

FROM BULLFIGHTING TO SUPPORTING SCHOLARSHIPS

Jeanne Stribling Allyn, ’64, fondly remembers “bullfighting” with her classmates, using their navy nursing capes turned inside out to show the silky red lining. The cloak from the nursing uniform transformed into a matador’s cape and became the perfect prop for this sophomoric game. The girls were, after all, only 18 years old when they started their nursing program at the Medical College of South Carolina (MCSC).

The strict and ever watchful Miss Chamberlin put an immediate stop to this, but the girls managed to have a lot of fun as students and formed lifelong friendships during their three-year nursing program.

Fifty years ago the approximate cost of tuition was $300 for the entire three-year program and was the main factor for sending Ms. Allyn to study nursing in Charleston at MCSC rather than Clemson. It was the only program her family could afford. Ms. Allyn recalls receiving encouragement and support from her parents and aunt, but most especially from her paternal grandmother, who had wanted to become a nurse herself.

Early in her nursing career, Ms. Allyn worked in a Fort Stewart, GA hospital, as well as a smaller hospital three miles away with only three doctors on staff. As a result, she gained a lot of experience performing procedures that nurses were not permitted to do in larger hospitals.

After her daughter was born, the Allyns moved to Ledyard, CT where Ms. Allyn worked as a med-surg nurse for five years. Once her son was born, her nursing practice was limited to volunteer work in bloodmobiles and working as a camp nurse.

When her children became adults, she went back to school to take an 80-hour refresher course and began working in geriatric nursing which she found quite rewarding.

Today, Ms. Allyn wants to give back to the school that started her nursing career.

She has made a bequest in her will to give a percentage of her estate to the MUSC Foundation for a scholarship at the College of Nursing. She wants to help students in need from upstate South Carolina attend the College of Nursing.

“

Nursing is such a wonderful career and I received a superb education.

“My gift will assist in ensuring that stu-

Jeanne Allyn

dents who want to go to nursing school are not held back by the lack of finances,” said Ms. Allyn. “I hope my classmates

To learn more about establishing a scholarship or a planned gift contact: Laurie Scott, Director of Development at scotlk@musc.edu or 843-792-8421

and others who have benefitted from a successful career will consider making a planned gift to give back to others.

“Setting up a scholarship was such an easy thing to do through a simple bequest in my will, and it doesn’t affect my current finances at all,” she continued. “A gift of any amount, large or small, will be helpful to the College of Nursing.”

Spring | Summer 2016

LIFELINES

35

LINES OF LIFE

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life."

- Richard Bach

2 1

HOMECOMING 2016 On March 11 and 12, the MUSC Alumni Association hosted the College of Nursing’s annual Homecoming Weekend, a precious time of reconnection for alumni and friends of the College. Highlights

3

included the 2016 Alumni Awards reception, a special presentation by BSN students, and a BBQ overlooking the Charleston Harbor. This year’s Homecoming honorees included Rafat Jan ‘94, Angela Y. Stanley ‘13, Marcia Griffin Falk, and Matt Wain. Thanks to all who joined us for the festivities!

5

4

6

7 1 2

Dean Gail Stuart and Angela Stanley '13 Paige French ‘94, ’99, Joshua Poston, Hannah French ‘09, ’14, and Kristen Poston ‘09, ’13

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Lynne Nemeth '05 and Laurie Zone-Smith ‘91, ‘07 Rahim Sewani and Rafat Jan ‘96 Charles and Kay Chitty

8

Carl Falk, Ann Edwards and Marcia Falk Matt Wain, Marcia Falk, Rafat Jan ‘94, and Angela Stanley ‘13 The Gin Boys Band Savannah Cockfield Rogers, Dean Gail Stuart and Costa Cockfield ‘86



BSN candidates: Bethany Ellis with Martha Lee and Emily Griffin describe their experiences traveling to India



BSN candidates: Shannon Elam with Bethany Ellis, Martha Lee and Emily Griffin make a presentation

9





NON-PROFIT US Postage

PAID

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

Permit # 254 Charleston, SC

Taking Nursing to a Higher Level Offering the following programs:

| | | | |

RN to BSN Accelerated BSN Post-BSN to DNP Post-MSN to DNP Accelerated PhD

RANKED

#2 - 2016 #1 - 2015 #2 - 2014

www.musc.edu/nursing