UofM | Loewenberg College of Nursing Publication | Fall 2019

LCON A PUBLICATION OF THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Without Walls Eliminating Boundaries for Nursing Instruction

Celebrating Student Diversity

Contents

Vision Mission LCON provides accessible and innovative higher education preparing leaders who promote health of the global community through excellent teaching, rigorous research and collaborative practice/service.

Core Values Caring • Diversity • Integrity • Leadership

Strategic Goals

2 By the Numbers 3 Education Without Walls 7 LCON Celebrates Student Diversity 11 Alum Dedicates Life to Serving Others 15 Remembering Kelly 18 LCON Receives $2.7 million HRSA

• Innovative and HighQuality Academic Programs

20 Feeling the Pulse 25 Honors, Awards and Recognition

LCON is creating a center of excellence where education, research /scholarship, practice and partnerships integrate to advance nursing science and to promote health of the global community.

• Student Success • Diversity and Inclusion

• Advance Nurse Research • Productive Partnerships From Local to Global Communities

ANEW Grant

president Dr. M. David Rudd executive vice president for university relations Tammy Hedges dean Dr. Lin Zhan executive editor Kimberly Rogers art direction and design Archer Malmo Division for External Relations advisory council Karen Allen, Susan Cooper, Kathy Barnes, Jennifer Chiusano, Matt Dane, Pam Dotson, Robert Edwards, Fredrika Felt, Susan Ferguson, Teresa Freeman, Beverly Jordan, Catherine Luchsinger, Judy Martin, Robin Mutz, Wanda Peperone, Nikki Polis, Tina Prescott, Lisa Schafer, Kathleen Seerup, Cindy Wooten Submit story ideas and alumni updates to Kimberly Rogers, krogers@memphis.edu.

Colleagues and Friends, The Loewenberg College of Nursing has an unbroken record of educating leaders who transform healthcare to help achieve health equity for all. Our education without walls mindset is a practice that led to us being named the 17th-ranked online graduate program by the U.S. News and World Report (2019). All our graduate programs, including the PhD Program, are offered through UofM Global, an online platform providing high quality online nursing education on a global scale. I am very proud of our faculty, students, staff, community partners and alumni for making a difference and helping improve patient outcomes through dedication, commitment and innovation in the classroom, clinical practicum, community and across healthcare settings.

In aligning with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, we are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion to improve the quality of nursing education, address pervasive inequities in health care and enhance the civic readiness and engagement potential of nursing students.

Our 2019 distinguished lecture titled, “Implicit Bias: Personal & Professional Implications,” was powerfully delivered

by Dr. Benjamin Reese, vice president for Institutional Equity at Duke University and Duke University Health System. We are cultivating an inclusive climate to

reduce conscious and unconscious bias and value individual differences. This will further strengthen our position as one of the most inclusive and diverse healthfocused colleges in the country, as noted by the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award given

by Insight Into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education.

We are also committed to responding to the needs of our community. One example is our participation in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research and education. According to a report by the ACE Center Task Force of Shelby County, 55% of Shelby County adults had at least one ACE during childhood, which can lead to negative behaviors and health conditions. Common and harmful, yet preventable, ACEs have devastated the lives of children, families and the community.

Funded by the Urban Child Institute, we have integrated ACEs knowledge and strategies across nursing curriculum to prepare future nurses with knowledge and skills for ACEs prevention. We are beginning to see a reduction in toxic stress and improved trauma-informed care, building community resilience and informing policy. In collaboration with the Shelby County Health Department, United Way of the Mid-South, Seeding

Success Program, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, ACEs Awareness Foundation, and faculty from several University of Memphis departments and schools (Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Law and Child Development), we successfully held the ACEs Symposium: Awareness to Action. In addition, we have implemented Pediatric Asthma Management Programs across Shelby County Schools, especially in the poorest zip code areas. Memphis is ready to work together to build healthy communities, families and children!

I invite you to read this issue and think about how we engage diverse communities to make differences in the areas of education, practice and policy.

As we move forward, keep up with us online at memphis.edu/nursing, on Facebook @MemphisLCON and via twitter @uofmnursingdean. I thank you for engaging with us — the Loewenberg College of Nursing!

Lin Zhan, PhD, RN, FAAN Nursing Dean and Professor Wharton Executive Fellow

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

1

7

BY THE NUMBERS

90

%

NCLEX Pass Rating

M O R E

T H A N

300,000

$

MORE THAN

90%

AWA R D E D I N SCHOLARSHIPS

#17

of BSN students

100%

by U.S. News and World Report for online graduate programs

EMPLOYMENT RATE

14

$ 1.17 MILLION in Urban Child Institute funding

300+

CLINICAL AFFILIATIONS memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

students

ADMITTED TO FIRST COHORT

% students with HELEN HARDIN HONORS

2

PhD

graduate

FALL 2019

LARGEST PRE-LICENSURE

BSN

program in TN

1,000+ students

across all programs

One of the Largest FNP programs in TN

Education Without Walls E L I M I N AT I N G B O U N DA R I E S F O R N U R S I N G I N ST R U C T I O N

Education without walls Students provide care during a Homeless Foot Clinic.

is more than just working outside physical brick and mortar structures. It is an academic mindset that pushes past traditional boundaries, opening the doors to educational excellence that could not be attained with just the status quo.

“The Loewenberg College of Nursing embraces an education without walls mentality to provide accessible, high quality education to our students from local to global,” said Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of the College of Nursing.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), clinical placement provides students with the experience needed to serve diverse patients across healthcare settings.

“With more than 300 clinical affiliations in the region that support undergraduate and graduate clinical experience, we provide community-based learning experiences. One example is the foot clinic, which serves the vulnerable homeless. We have expanded dedicated educational units so that clinical practicum for undergraduate students covers a variety of areas, including pediatrics, gerontology, childbearing, community health and mental health, giving students a wide range of nursing experiences,” noted Dr. Lisa Beasley, Director for Clinical Education. “Our FNP students practice across the state under the guidance of qualified preceptors.”

4

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

Although clinical practicum is critical to nursing education, variations exist for what students learn in a real clinical setting. Sometimes nursing care for certain health conditions may not occur during students’ clinical hours. Structured, simulated clinical scenarios can bridge the gap of clinical learning.

“In the field, it is not possible to manufacture every situation they will come across as a nurse. But if we have the appropriate technology, we can broaden their education to provide them the experience they need to be the top-notch nurses we want to produce at LCON,” Dr. Zhan said.

Director of Simulation and Clinical Associate Professor Nathan Knappier, who has been with the College since January, said he has been in evaluation mode since coming to the UofM, trying to understand the needs of such a large program.

“I have been tasked by Dean Zhan to increase our use of simulation and technology in our programs. We have multiple degrees and two campuses,

so I’ve been reviewing our simulation curriculum and laboratory spaces,” he said. “As I do that, I’m looking for needs and opportunities to grow.”

Currently, there are 15 rooms in LCON where simulations occur — one family nurse practitioner room, one pediatrics, two obstetric rooms, two critical care rooms, a foundations room, a community health room, a virtual reality room, four skills labs and two health assessment rooms. There is a plan to also include an operating room environment.

“It takes a lot of planning on our end,” Knappier said. “At the hospital, most everything is set up for you. You just show up and put students in places where they can learn. In the simulation lab, we have to build the patient, build the story, prepare the equipment and set the room up. We do all that because we want our students to think, assess, analyze, make decisions and act. When we design these simulations, our students get to do more in our labs than they can in a hospital.”

In a hospital setting, learning can sometimes be restrictive because of rules about what a student can do and students having to share clinical instruction time.

“They might be in a hospital eight or 12 hours but not get to do as much as we would like them to do,” he said. “With simulation, we put them in a scenario and watch them develop their nursing skills.”

Shani Maples, MSN, RN, CNL, Nursing Laboratory manager, agreed. “It’s a safe environment for students to operate in and it allows them to make mistakes that won’t result in serious consequences for the patient.”

In her role, Maples supports the director of Simulation and the faculty. She helps with the set up for various skills and is in the process of setting up a central supply system and pharmacy room, much like a hospital, for faculty and student convenience.

“Simulation gives students the opportunity to safely practice, at any time, skills that they would otherwise have to practice on live patients in the hospital. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn and get feedback and guidance without harm to patients.”

Knappier said they have been looking at LCON Lambuth’s integration of simulation into their curriculum.

“Although both campuses have the same vision and goals, we sometimes have different ways of achieving those goals. Our partnership with Lambuth allows us to collaborate and helps stimulate creativity.

Christie [Manasco, assistant dean of Lambuth Nursing] was a simulation educator for one of the major simulation companies and her PhD was related to simulation. Her insights are invaluable to me.”

Tiffany Elliot, MSN, is the Nursing Laboratory coordinator for Lambuth. She said the nurses that come out of the Lambuth program have a great reputation and the local hospitals are excited to hire them because of their skills. The laboratory experience on campus is a big reason why.

“I tell the students if you need to come back alone, we can do that. It’s important that they are comfortable and know that it’s OK to make mistakes here.

It’s better that you make them here,” Elliot said. “The hospitals, they love LCON nurses.

I hear it all the time. They are more prepared.” continued, page 6

REMOVING BOUNDARIES IN EDUCATION UofM Global

The goal of UM Global is to bring the classroom to you. With undergraduate and graduate programs available online, LCON aligns with that goal.

The RN to BSN program is flexible, accessible and affordable, and available solely online to existing registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing. With cost and time-saving features in place, such as credit for examination and prior learning, students can potentially finish the program in 12 months and save almost $5,500. Efforts are made by faculty in the RN-BSN Program to engage and enable RNs to accomplish the goal of earning the BSN degree.

Ranked No. 17 nationally by the U.S. News and World Report, LCON’s online graduate nursing programs provide high quality, flexible and accessible education at an affordable cost. The Master of Science in Nursing Program provides students with three options — Family Nurse Practitioner, Executive Leadership and Nursing Education.

Faculty in the MSN programs integrate state-ofthe-art knowledge and technology in educating nurses at an advanced level. Intensives and national conferences are provided for students in the executive leadership track to learn from and engage with national nurse leaders.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, a new offering in LCON, is an online program with doctoral seminars and faculty research mentoring.

It prepares nurse researchers, scholars and educators for roles in academic nursing and/or healthcare settings. The program focuses on health equity research in education, practice and policy that is interdisciplinary, impactful and transformative.

From left: Arianne Untal and Caroline Redding

Homeless Foot Clinic

Poverty Simulation

The homeless population is at risk of foot problems because of poorly fitting shoes, and large amounts of walking in extreme temperature or conditions (heat, cold, wet, etc). To combat this, students from the Lowenberg College of Nursing Community Health Nursing program provide basic foot care and education to the homeless. As part of the service, they offer foot soaks, massages with lotion, nail clipping, bandaging of sores and treatment of conditions through over-thecounter methods. Dr. Joy Hoffman, clinical professor, created the program in 2010.

The poverty simulation educates students about the social determinants of health.

Not a hospital-based exercise, the poverty simulation is a one-hour exercise that puts students in the shoes of those who struggle financially and other ways by simulating a month in the life of a family living near or below the poverty line.

Students are practicing skills with one of the latest manikins used for simulation.

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

5

The wandering simulation is something similar to a theme park experience, where participants are walking along and a skit begins, or a flash mob performance occurs. continued from, page 5

Currently at LCON’s main campus, five simulations are conducted early in the undergraduate nursing program during the Foundational Nursing Skills course.

Later, many of the program’s simulations involve standardized patients. Standardized patients are paid actors who know what to say and do to portray certain conditions during simulations.

“Some of these simulations take place in a home environment. So these scenarios are outside the hospital bounds,” Knappier said. “We’re trying to be sensitive to the fact that even though most of our nursing graduates will go to a hospital, a lot of healthcare is moving out of the hospital.”

Beyond existing simulation, Knappier and Maples plan to incorporate more technology into LCON’s TLC lab. They are designing simulation stations for students. When

6

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

students scan a QR code with their phone, they’ll see a short video explaining what to do at the station. The simulation will be appropriate for the student’s level of learning.

“It will guide them through, tell them where their supplies are and what skill to perform,” Knappier said. “When they are done performing the skill, there will be some information, letting them know if they did it right. This is a great example of education without walls. It’s outside of class time. It’s available as needed. It customizes to your need instead of all 80 students getting the exact same thing today.”

Another plan for the future is currently called the wandering simulation. “It’s not the best name. We might come up with something better suited later,” said Maples, laughing.

“I tell the students if you need to come back alone, we can do that. It’s important that they are comfortable and know that it’s OK to make mistakes here. It’s better that you make them here,” Elliot said. “The hospitals, they love LCON nurses. I hear it all the time. They are more prepared.”

“With the wandering sim, it wouldn’t be linked to any particular class. They might be in a break between classes and Shani and I will have one of our simulators.

Maybe they have passed out on the floor. We’ll have strategically set up the environment, so if we need a crash cart, there is one in the vicinity,” Knappier said.

“We’ll get the students involved. Someone will have to perform chest compressions.

Someone will have to get an airway, and someone else will have to start a line. I’m envisioning it lasting about five minutes or so. Then we’ll stop it and give some feedback and answer questions.”

They will have four or five simulations that they will rotate out to give a variety of students the experience. “This type of simulation is designed to help students develop important critical thinking skills,” Maples said.

“It’s simulation without walls,” added Knappier.

They plan to acquire more of the simulators that are easy to work with so they can conveniently place one into a wheelchair and move it to a classroom. When a professor is teaching about illnesses, it can be represented in the patient at that time. Students can listen to heart and lung sounds with a stethoscope and watch the heart rhythm and respiratory rate on the projection screen in the classroom.

On the graduate level, family nurse practitioner students have expressed the need for additional training in assessing newborn babies because it is difficult to find clinical placement in this area.

Knappier is troubleshooting solutions with Belinda Fleming, director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. He has been evaluating newborn simulators that can help with this learning need.

“Education without walls is a broader mindset of what education is,” Knappier said.

“It’s thinking outside of the box of what people automatically think teaching is.”

LCON

celebrates

STUDENT DI V E R SI T Y

If

variety is the spice of life, then the

Loewenberg College of Nursing

(LCON) is full of flavor. Winner of the

2017 Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity

(HEED) Award, LCON takes pride in its commitment to diversity.

In addition to its diverse faculty and staff, the LCON student body includes a wide variety of ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences that bring them to the nursing field. To further diversify the student body, LCON plans to pilot a holistic review of admissions in fall 2019, an admission strategy that assesses an applicant’s unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement such as grades and test scores needed for success in the profession.

Linda Minor

STUDENTS

RACE

GENDER

59.56%

88.43%

40.43%

11.57%

WHITE

MINORITY

8

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

FEMALE MALE

FIRST GENERATION

PELL ELIGIBLE

38.39%

39.67%

“One of Loewenberg College of Nursing’s strategic goals is to advance diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Eric Bailey II, assistant dean for nursing students.

This goes beyond simply increasing the number of minority or male students in the program. It means advancing our understanding and recognizing and appreciating the individual differences that make up our college and our community. Our students have several dimensions in which they identify: race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political beliefs, socio-economic status, learning styles, physical abilities and more. As a college, we are strategic and intentional in providing an inclusive learning environment to ensure all students celebrate what makes us so special ... diversity.”

Dr. Eric Bailey II

Student Biographies Senior Bailey Accardo, who already has enough credits to graduate with a BA in Psychology, will be a double major when she finishes her nursing requirements.

DIVERSITY

BY THE NUMBERS

FACULTY

RACE

GENDER

66.7%

94.74%

33.3%

5.26%

WHITE

MINORITY

FEMALE MALE

“I think going through my psychology States and Canada. After six years, degree helped me mature as a person, and she decided to go back to school for it really opened my eyes to being respectful physical therapy. and sensitive to people no matter their race, beliefs or backgrounds. The people in my “While I was getting my prerequisites and classes were extremely diverse, and I felt shadowing at a local hospital, I realized it like that was good for me to be around as a still wasn’t filling a gap in my life,” Fleck young college student. Because at the end said. “After digging deep into my likes and of the day, when I’m a nurse, the person where I felt my personality most fit, it hit I’m taking care of is my patient and they me how much I aspire to be a midwife. I am matter, even if we are totally different.” largely holistic in personal care and admire the work and goals of midwives.” Although After being hospitalized for two days in LCON does not have a midwife program, 2017, Accardo decided that she wanted to she decided that it was the place for her. become a nurse.

“I wanted to get into the program because “It was the most fearful time of my life. The it seemed more reputable,” said Fleck, a nurses assured me that I would be okay,” senior in the accelerated program who is said Accardo, who applied to LCON as soon set to graduate December 2019. “My experias she was released ence at LCON has been from the hospital. “It wonderful. I didn’t was inspiring, and have any real expecit’s been the best tations other than decision I could have hearing the program ever made. We’re is top-notch from my really a respected future sister-in-law program in this city. and past students. I When we put on have no healthcare these scrubs, they background, but know who we are my knowledge has and what we repreexpanded greatly in Melody Freeman sent. It’s been a good just the eight months I place for me.” have been enrolled.

It’s largely due to the professors and Although her parents are both certified resources available.” registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), Accardo is not sure about her career path A first-generation college student, Kimberyet. “I’m sure they would love for me to ly McNeal is a native Memphian. Her follow in their footsteps. It’s a possibility, mother worked for a popular banking but we’ll see what I develop a passion for.” branch as manager over authorizations for different credit avenues, and her father After earning a BA in Communication, started working for the City of Memphis Philadelphia-area native Christina Fleck at the age of 18 and eventually worked his worked at a radio station and publishing way up to zoning manager. company before being hired as an event manager for a nationwide dance conven“I grew up with parents who are still tion that took her throughout the United married. I have two older sisters,” she said.

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

9

For 18 years, McNeal worked as a medical assistant until she decided it was time for a change.

“I reached my limit as a medical assistant. I wanted to progress in the medical field and learn a different side,” said McNeal, who is married with three children.

She did her prerequisites at Northwest Community College and decided to pursue her BSN. After some research, she chose LCON. “Every time I looked, they had good reviews,” McNeal said.

For eight years, junior Shawna Lay was a dental assistant who worked at University of Tennessee Dental School and in private practice when she decided it was time to get a nursing degree.

“I have an active license and still do work on breaks when I am not at school,” Lay said.

She said she knew at the age of 14 that she wanted to become a nurse when her grandmother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Like Fleck, Lay also wanted to be involved with LCON because it is respected and has set such high standards.

“I heard it was the hardest to get into, and I always like a challenge,” Lay said of the competitive college. “I love it here at LCON. Having our own campus (Park Avenue) apart from main campus, it feels like our own little small town where everyone knows each other and we all want everyone to succeed. Faculty and students help one another to get one step closer to graduation.”

Junior Travoris McClee is a 14-year Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) veteran

10

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

and father to an 8-year-old daughter. He currently works for Methodist Healthcare, and because of his interactions there, he decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He became familiar with LCON through his ex-wife, who was a graduate.

“The nurses at Methodist finally wore me down,” McClee said with a laugh. “I wanted to see if I could do it.”

Before starting LCON, McClee worked 40 hours a week and, because of his schedule, was not sure he would be able to pursue a degree. During his first semester, he went to part-time, cutting his hours in half. In his second semester, he trimmed his schedule more to accommodate his clinicals and coursework.

“This has given me more time to study and do pre-labs for my clinicals. I struggled in my first semester because my job didn’t allow me to study at work, like some other students’ jobs do. But it has been absolutely worth it,” McClee said.

after 10 p.m.”

Melody Freeman, a senior who will graduate December 2019, earned her Sociology degree in 2014.

“I never really did anything with that degree,” said Freeman, who worked for 10 years as a medical assistant. “I just knew nursing was for me. It was my passion.”

She decided to pursue her education at LCON after hearing such great things about the program. “I really researched programs.

I felt like LCON fit me.”

Freeman currently works in labor and delivery, an area she loves and plans to continue working when she graduates.

“It has been challenging.

Nursing school is not easy, but I do believe LCON will prepare me Travoris McClee and Bailey Accardo for a career in nursing.”

He has been able to apply what he learns in the classroom to real situations, further enhancing his education. “It’s been good to learn all these skills, then go to work and do it there,” McClee said.

“Working full-time and attending nursing school is not impossible, but it can be difficult. First, you need to have a great support system both at home and at work. You will need to study a lot!” he emphasized. “There have been days where I only see my home

Lidia Minor is a mother of two boys, ages 12 and 7. Originally from Honduras, Minor earned a degree in Architectural Engineering in 2005. She worked for several years in architecture, but ultimately decided to switch to a health field. “It wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I want to help people,” she said.

When she started a family, she took a break from working to be a stay-at-home mom while her husband worked as a firefighter. When her kids were old enough, she

decided she wanted to go back to work, but she did not want to return to architecture. It was time to go back to school.

Minor plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in December 2020.

She also enjoys volunteering her time to help others and uses her summer months to participate in mission trips.

“I used to help with the Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International (BMDMI) in Honduras. I have also translated for mission teams that traveled to Honduras from Bellevue Baptist Church located here in Memphis. Twice I have been to Uganda to help at an orphanage called Mafubira in Jinja,” Minor said. “Now I can be part of it and not just translate.”

Minor has enjoyed her first year at LCON. She is not sure about her specialty area yet, but has narrowed it down to pediatrics and OBGYN. Her plan is to work as a bed nurse for a year or two to get experience, then move on to a specialty field.

“Maybe it’s because it’s my second time at college, and I’m older now, and so I’m not as nervous or feel that I have to rush through every semester. I have savored every single class, and I have even used what I have learned in my personal life. I feel all the professors want you to succeed.

They work with you, especially with me having kids, and are very understanding.”

“The diverse backgrounds of our students bring a richness of culture, context and social content to learning and teaching experiences in academic nursing,” said Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of LCON. Unless otherwise noted, all the students interviewed for this article are slated to graduate December 2020.

m u l e A f i L s e t a c i s d r e e D h t O g n i v to Ser Mario Lopez hiked a Tanzanian forest when he first arrived in the country.

G

rowing up, Mario Lopez would have never imagined himself as a nurse.

He was encouraged to pursue law or business, because these were thought to be better opportunities.

After an anatomy class at Crockett County High School, he was inspired to pursue health, particularly at the encouragement of a supportive guidance counselor who asked the right questions.

“Growing up as a Mexican immigrant, losing my father shortly after arriving in the United States and seeing my mother sacrifice herself for the good of our family and those around her, I knew that serving others, especially people who are disadvantaged was going to be my mission in life,” Lopez said. “I chose nursing because it embodied the ideals of service, compassion and knowledge — my personal definition of success.”

Accustomed to rural areas, he chose the Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis-Lambuth because he could get the rigorous academic curriculum combined with the small-town, family-like environment of the Lambuth campus in Jackson, Tenn.

12

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

Mario is cooking over a charcoal stove with his Tanzanian "mama," who he says cooks like a five-star chef.

Lopez was born in the city of Reynosa in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Until the age of 7, he lived in a rural area called Ejido Lucio Blanco.

The small community had no paved roads and most of the people lived without running water or electricity.

They had access to a couple of small, family-owned stores, a kindergarten and an elementary school.

The following year, his life changed forever.

“I lost my father in an accident and our entire world was turned upside down.

My mother made the choice to keep us in the U.S., despite the difficulties she faced now as a single mother with broken English and three relatively young children.”

As sole provider for her family, his Although the mother went to area lacked many work in the factory resources, Lopez at Pictsweet Farms, remembers his headquartered in time there fondly Bells. Although and returns at least Mario participated in a ceremony honoring girls she was busy being once each year to a single mother, (in green) who completed their training and were visit family and she demonstrated then recognized as women of the village. the community. compassion towards others and constantly “I have deep and intimate childhood memoencouraged her son to follow his dreams. It ries of the love and compassion everyone was her qualities of hard work, compassion had towards each other,” he said. and service that directed his professional path towards nursing.

In 2000, Lopez’s parents decided to move the family to the U.S. for better “She has been my role model. She has educational and employment opportunibeen my compass when I have felt lost ties. They moved to Bells, Tenn., a small and discouraged. And because of her love town in Crockett County, to be with and support, I was able to become the first family who had previously immigrated to person in my family to attend and graduate the area. from a university.”

As a student, Lopez actively sought ways to make his experience meaningful, leaving a mark that continues to be felt today.

“He never says no,” said Dr. Michelle Baldwin, clinical assistant professor for the nursing program on the Lambuth campus. “As a student, he started the Mi Vida España program that provided health fairs and citizenship classes for Latino and Hispanic people in the Jackson area.

He did all this on his own initiative.”

Mario Lopez speaks at Lambuth's Celebrate Nursing Luncheon before he left for the Peace Corps.

"As a student, Lopez actively sought ways to make his experience meaningful, leaving a mark that continues to be felt today."

Mi Vida España (My Hispanic Life) launched in 2017 as the result of a vision for equality and justice for the Hispanic community as a response to the gospel message of loving your neighbor and to mirror Jesus’ servant leadership style. Lopez partnered with two UofM Lambuth mentors, Tammy McCoy and Dr. Linda Brice, to formally organize and establish the program as a fund under the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation.

My Vida España seeks to empower the Hispanic community of West Tennessee in the areas of health, education and civic life. The first event was a community cultural health fair, held in September of 2017 in Bells.

They partnered with various community health organizations to provide information and resources.

LCON students performed blood glucose and blood pressure checks for attendees.

The Hispanic community was highlighted through a local cultural group that performs traditional Mexican dances and offers a taste of Mexican food.

“We carried out a successful event that was able to serve more than 100 people, providing health-related resources and connecting the local Hispanic community with other people and organizations,” he said.

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

13

Mario and his "nephew" wait to fill water jugs. The house he lives in with his Tanzanian family has an outside faucet and no indoor plumbing. It had not rained in several days, so the outdoor faucet had no water.

In 2018, he organized and taught a citizenship course at his church in Humboldt, Tenn. He learned from his own experience that the process can be confusing and costly, often leading people to decide not to pursue it.

“Citizenship is something I find extremely important because it gives people a voice in their government, and allows them to take advantage of financial resources for continuing education. It also builds a sense of civic pride that further connects them to their community and our country,” he said.

Dr. Christie Manasco, assistant dean of Nursing at Lambuth, said Lopez's tireless service to the college also included creating Spanish versions of brochures and informational materials. “He was our star student. We are very proud of him.”

In addition to his community activities, Lopez began a pediatric rotation at Le Bohneur Children’s Hospital as a student. Pediatric nursing was a

14

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

field he had been considering before he began his education at LCON, so it was a good fit for him.

In his last semester, he received an externship on the pulmonary medical-surgical floor at Le Bonheur.

After graduation, they offered him a full-time position as a registered nurse.

“My experience with Le Bonheur has been one of immense hope and satisfaction in knowing that I am able to be a part of a team that cares for children and their families in a holistic manner,” Lopez said. “It is the combination of a team of people who work for the well-being of the patients along with the hope-filled atmosphere that LeBonheur radiates that affirmed my decision to become part of this great institution.”

Although he loved working at Le Bonheur, Lopez had a passion for global service that began in his junior year of college when a Peace Corps recruiter visited the University of

Memphis main campus. He traveled will spend the remainder of his time to Memphis to attend and, after living and working in the community speaking with the recruiter, knew to which he is assigned. that it was the place for him.

To learn more about the organization, "My work will consist of collaborahe interned with the Peace Corps tion with the community and local in his senior year while fulfilling organizations to provide education the student volunteer activities and on disease prevention, maintenance required curriculum. As an intern, he care and health promotion,” he said. made presentations to classes and student groups about global service Lopez has not made plans for life opportunities. He did not, however, after the Peace Corps; however, go directly into foreign service. He continuing his education is one of had a different plan. his goals. The organization offers educational advancement opportu“I made the decision to work two years nities at the completion of service after graduation, so I could gain valuthrough a fellows program, providing able work experience, pay off student financial assistance to those seeking loans and aid my mother financially,” graduate degrees. said Lopez, whose two-year deadline ended in 2018.

“I’m highly interested in specializing in public health with a concentration At that time, he submitted his health in global health issues to continue sector application and, in February to serve on a global scale,” Lopez 2019, left for Tanzania, Africa, where said. “I’m uncertain what the future he is now a community health extenmay hold, but what I’m most certain sion volunteer. It is a 27-month place- about is that as long as I’m serving ment. The first three months were and learning I will be truly happy.” language and cultural training. He

Kelly Leanna Smith (glasses) with friends during nursing school

REMEMBERING

Kelly

SMITH FAMILY MEMORIAL PROVIDES SUPPORT TO STUDENTS

F

or the Smith family, honoring their loved one meant doing the thing she loved to do most — help others. So they established the Kelly Leanna Smith Pediatric Nursing Scholarship, which supports deserving students interested in pursuing pediatric nursing at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON).

A 1994 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate, Kelly passed away in 2011 and her family established the scholarship fund at LCON to memorialize her. Travis Smith, Kelly’s father and long-time Loewenberg family friend, said he and Kaci Billings, Kelly’s daughter, felt this was the best way to honor and share Kelly’s memory.

“Because of Kelly’s heart for nursing and her heart for children and the fact that Kelly graduated from LCON, it was a logical thing for us to do,” Smith said. “I think any of us who have loved ones that we lose look for a way to keep that memory alive, and I think this helps us keep Kelly’s memory alive.”

"Smith and Billings see this scholarship It was also important that the money was donated to a place where he and Billings could witness the benefit to someone else who shared the same desires as Kelly.

have those concerns to think about,” said Billings. “It doesn’t have to go to someone encountering a lot of problems, but the scholarship includes this as a consideration.”

“A lot of times when you make a contribution, you make them to a great facility and they do good work, but you’re not quite as close because it doesn’t go to a specific person who is awarded something from it. Whereas here (at LCON), the money goes to a person you can meet, you can talk to and you can even follow them as they go into their new career. So from that perspective, I think it’s more rewarding than some things you might consider doing,” Smith said.

When the family established the fund in 2012, they set a goal to raise $50,000.

They ultimately doubled their goal and raised $100,000. Now, thanks to generous donations from friends, family and organizations such as Speer Charitable Trust, the fund has increased significantly and will begin providing a full scholarship to a deserving student this fall. And they aren’t stopping there.

“We’re hopeful that it will go into perpetuity and will fund two full-time students,” Smith said. “We want to make this a significant and meaningful scholarship that will attract good students.”

Billings and Smith are especially interested in helping students who would struggle

16

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

Smith and Billings see this scholarship as an opportunity to help future nurses realize Kelly’s dream of helping others. When she graduated, she went to work in the emergency room at Le Bonheur, where she served for several years. She went on to work in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Regional Medical Center until she passed away.

Kelly Leanna Smith to attend or might not be able to attend college without financial support. Smith, who worked three jobs while attending college, understands and empathizes with that type of hardship.

“There are so many people who have struggles, whether it’s financially or whether it’s having kids or affording rent or transportation. My heart goes out to students who

Billings said her mother always wanted to be a nurse, specifically a pediatric nurse. “I actually found a piece of paper that, when she was 7 years old, she had written down that she wanted to be a nurse … spelled ‘nurs,’” she laughed. “She always loved kids. She was very passionate about what she did. She was so energetic and so happy to go to work because she knew that she was saving lives. She was in it to see them smile and try to take away any aches and pains from all the kids she helped.”

Caring and respectful towards others, Kelly’s concern for people extended beyond the hospital. Kelly was the type of person who would help a stranger on the street. At her mother’s funeral, Billings heard a story about Kelly from one of her nurse friends.

as an opportunity to help future nurses realize Kelly’s dream of helping others."

One day, her mother was reprimanded at work for being late. Kelly told her supervisor that she was held up by traffic, but that was not the entire story.

“There was this homeless guy that had been sleeping on a street corner and she took him some extra blankets because she wanted to make sure he was warm. It had gotten extra cold that week,” Billings said.

“That was one story that I always remembered and kept close to my heart. I thought it was one of the kindest things anyone has ever done.”

The love of people was something that Kelly inspired in her daughter. When Billings was in college, she had a similar story involving a homeless man near campus. He would collect stray aluminum cans to take to the recycling center for money.

“So anytime I would see cans on the street, I would pick them up and then take them to where he usually was so he wouldn’t have

Travis Smith and Kaci Billings

to pick them up,” she said. At the time, she did not realize this type of philanthropy was something they had in common. “I don’t know why but her telling me that after the funeral stuck in my head. I remember lots of sweet things my mother did when I was little, but that’s totally like what I do now.”

While in college, Billings studied podiatry.

Her mother passed away in her first year, leading her to take a break for a year. During that year, she lived with her grandparents and when it was time to return to her studies, her grandmother passed away.

If she took another break, she would have to retake the MCAT and reapply to the program in which she was studying. She

She is currently performing marketing, admission and business development duties for Extra Mile, but her plan is to return to a more hands-on medical focus like her mother.

decided to go to work with her uncle who started a men’s addiction treatment center, Extra Mile Recovery in Mantachie, Miss.

Located outside Tupelo, the rehabilitation facility provides a holistic treatment approach for drug and alcohol addiction.

My mom taught me to always help others, even if it doesn’t come back around and pay you back.

“You know, it’s meaningful in many different ways,” Billings said about her role at the residential treatment facility. “But I won’t be doing this forever. Because of the course background I have, I am set up to take the next steps toward getting my masters in addiction counseling or some other behavioral health area.”

As Billings continues to be inspired by her mother, the Smith family hopes that whoever receives the scholarship is inspired by the person for whom it is named.

“In general, my mom taught me to always help others, even if it doesn’t come back around and pay you back. But to always help others. You don’t have to tell anyone about it. Just help people. This is something huge to me and for us and, in her name, I think it’s perfect because we get to help others do exactly what she wanted to do,” Billings said.

Smith agreed. “As we see it, there will be a Kelly Leanna Smith Scholarship that people will recognize her legacy, and by reading a little bit about her, people will know what she did and what she stood for.”

Kelly and her father, Travis, at Kelly's graduation

Kelly and Kaci memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

17

LCON Receives $2.7 Million HRSA ANEW Grant This June, the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing was awarded a $2.7 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) Program.

HRSA’s ANEW Program provides funding for projects that support innovative academic-practice partnerships to prepare primary care advanced practice registered nursing students through academic and clinical training for practice with a focus on rural and underserved populations.

The grant was awarded to program director Dr. Anita Boykins for the proposed Family Nurse Practitioner-Health Education & Access for Rural Tennesseans (FNP-HEART) program, which will decrease primary care and mental health professional shortages and improve health disparities for medically underserved populations/areas in HRSA-designated rural areas in West Tennessee.

FNP-HEART will provide traineeship funds for 20 diverse FNP students each year for a total of 80 during the grant period of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2023. It is designed to increase the distribution of FNPs who are ready to practice in rural, medically underserved communities in West Tennessee.

Academic-practice partnerships for enhanced FNP interprofessional education and clinical training will occur in two federally qualified health centers — Hardeman County Community Health Center and Lifespan Health — and three rural health clinics — Primary Care Clinic of Trezevant, Miracle Health Care LLC and Whiteville Family Medical Clinic

18

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

LLC. Expanded distance education and onsite training will be provided to FNP students and faculty, preceptors and practice partners on the care of rural and underserved populations in mental health, substance use, opioid abuse, value-based care delivery and quality initiatives, telehealth and other healthcare technology used in rural, underserved clinical settings.

In addition to the ANEW grant, LCON recently received grants from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Student Engagement, Retention & Success (SERS) and the Tennessee Health Department.

Dr. Jill Dapremont Principal Investigator (PI), from LCON, and Dr. Sheila Bouie, co-PI from Southwest Tennessee Community College, were awarded the Student Engagement, Retention, and Success (SERS) Grant funded by the Tennessee Board of Regents for $24,475.00. The grant, entitled Creating a Learning Community for Minority Nursing Students in an Associate Degree Program that Supports Graduation, Licensure, and Transition to the Baccalaureate Nursing Program is a pilot initiative that aims to decrease the completion gap for underrepresented minorities in nursing associate degree programs, increase first-time licensure pass rates, and increase enrollment in baccalaureate nursing degree programs by providing students with mentoring and guidance to facilitate the transition to a four-year institution of higher education using a collaborative approach. Dr. Shirleatha Lee will serve as an external consultant for this grant project that will span over the next year.

The Tennessee Health Department awarded Dr. Genae Strong Principal

Investigator (PI), a three-year, $442,600 Project Diabetes grant for a Lactation Support Program designed to minimize separation of mothers and infants during employment and/or education and protect, support, sustain and optimize the health and wellbeing of lactating women and their infants. Educating students and the community is the key component of the project. This will be accomplished by: • Offering lactation training workshops for those interested in learning how to support, protect and promote breastfeeding • Organizing breastfeeding educational workshops and classes for members of the community, including supporters of establishing breastfeeding as the norm • Launching a campus-wide program to raise awareness of lactation support on campus •D eveloping a website that provides information to help alleviate confusion as to what assistance and accommodations are offered at the UofM and disseminate information about resources to current and prospective employees and students across all UofM campuses.

“These funded studies enable nursing to continue serving the interests of our communities — preparing high-quality family nurse practitioners to serve rural Tennesseans, promoting maternal child health through tailored education and facilitating RNs with underrepresented backgrounds to earn a BSN. We are making significant efforts toward achieving health equity for all," said Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of LCON.

WE DO WHAT WE DO WITH YOUR HELP.

Thank you, donors, for making a difference to the faculty, staff and students of the Loewenberg College of Nursing.

For more information on how you can support the College, contact Joe Brandenburg, 901.678.3092 or joe.brandenburg@memphis.edu, or go to supportum.memphis.edu/lcon.

FEELING THE PULSE UPDATES FROM AROUND LCON

ACEs Symposium Held Photography by Rhonda Cosentino

A 20

dverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have negatively impacted the wellbeing of children and have far-reaching negative consequences for the health of children later in their lives, families and the community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ACEs are linked to risky health behaviors, low life potential, chronic health conditions and early death.

ACEs symposium “Awareness to Action” funded by the Urban Child Institute in collaboration with the University social work, school of law, child development, education, public health and psychology departments. The Shelby County Health Department, Shelby County Sheriff Department, United Way of the Mid-South, ACES Awareness Foundation and Seeding Success Program were also partners.

ACEs are common and harmful yet preventable and important public health issues. The Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) understands the importance of addressing ACEs to engage the Memphis community and interdisciplinary health and social service professionals, and this awareness led to the

The event featured ACEs expert Wendy Ellis, DrPH, project director of the Building Community Resilience Collaborative at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University. Ellis spoke about the importance of building community resilience in areas of Memphis that are considered adverse

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

environments. When combining adverse environments with adverse experiences, it is not a winning hand even though it is a "pair of ACEs," a term coined by Ellis. Adverse environments does not just involve poverty; it could involve access to public transportation, affordable housing, food stores or healthcare.

During the symposium, professionals from multiple disciplines within the community learned from local and national experts about actionable strategies to combat ACEs in pursuit of developing a culture of health.

“Awareness of ACEs is growing with urgency among health, education and social services professionals. A next step for addressing the

ACEs epidemic is to understand the workable and sustainable approaches to mitigate the impact of ACEs on children, families and individuals in our communities across the lifespan,” said Dr. Marie Gill, assistant professor at LCON. Dr. Gill is co-principal investigator of the grantsupported project to integrate ACEs across undergraduate and graduate nursing curriculum.

“Memphis is ready for coordinated, strategized and actionable efforts to bring solutions at system, environment and community levels and to work toward building a culture of health for children, families and the community,” said Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of LCON and principal investigator of the grant-supported ACEs project.

New LCON Faculty and Staff SPRING 2019

FALL 2018

LCON HOSTS IMPLICIT BIAS LECTURE

I

n support of their new strategic goal to Advance Diversity and Inclusivity, the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) hosted a spring distinguished lecture, “Implicit Bias: Personal and Professional Implications.” Specifically, the lecture fits into LCON’s action item to reduce conscious and unconscious bias to value individual differences.

For young versus old, 80 percent of people show a young preference, which was just as strong in elderly respondents. On the gender-career IAT, 75 percent of men and 80 percent of women show a stronger association of male-work and female-family. Seventy-six percent of people show an implicit preference for able-bodied over physically-disabled.

The lecture featured Benjamin Reese Jr., PsyD, vice president, Office of Institutional Equity at Duke University and Duke Medicine, licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct faculty in the departments of Community & Family Medicine and Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke. During the lecture, Reese explained the difference between explicit and implicit bias. Explicit bias is conscious, intentional and deliberate. When a person is exhibiting explicit bias, they are aware of their actions and are in control of their actions. Implicit bias is unconscious, effortless and automatic. A person exhibiting this bias is not aware of it.

Reese said there are some challenges to acknowledging personal biases. People think it is not possible for them to be biased because they are educated, sensitive, spiritual, were raised well, lived abroad, part of a minority/underrepresented group or partners or friends with a member of a minority/underrepresented group.

According to Reese’s presentation, more than four million Implicit Association Tests (IATs) have been taken in the United States. Seventy-five percent of all people who have taken the Black/White IAT online show an implicit white preference. Thirty percent of African-Americans show a white preference.

The new strategic goal not only aligns with the highest priorities of the University of Memphis, but it supports the commitment of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to advance diversity and inclusion to improve the quality of nursing education, address pervasive inequities in health care and enhance the civic readiness and engagement potential of students.

“Diversity and inclusion are critical and fundamental to develop a nursing workforce capable of providing high-quality, culturally appropriate care,” said Dr. Lin Zhan, LCON dean and professor.

▸ Anita Boykins

▸ Joy Price

DNSc, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC Associate Professor

DNP, FNP-BC Clinical Associate Professor, Lambuth Campus

▸ Ashleigh Carroll Clinical Placement Coordinator for Graduate Programs

▸ Kimberly Rogers Web Specialist II

▸ Yolanda Flemmons

▸ Paula Walker Clinical Assistant Professor

Clinical Assistant Professor

▸ Rebecca Burrow

MSN, RNC-OB

Clinical Assistant Professor, Lambuth Campus

▸ Nathan Knappier

Director of Simulation, Clinical Associate Professor

▸ Shani Maples

MSN, RN, CNL

Nursing Laboratory Manager

▸ Catherine Pantik

DNP, FNP-C Assistant Professor

For a full list of current faculty and staff, go to memphis.edu/nursing/ faculty_and_staff/index.php.

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

21

PhD Program Admits First Cohort This Spring

A

cademic nursing calls for increasing the nursing PhD pipeline for preparing scientists/scholars that generate and advance knowledge to guide nursing practice.

p

ractice.

Dr. Annapoorna Mary The new Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program at the Loewenberg College of Nursing focuses on health equity research centered around three broad areas: practice, education, and policy, and through interdisciplinary, impactful, and transformative approaches toward

22

memphis.edu/nursing

achieving health equity for all.

The new PhD program launched fall 2018, admitting seven PhD students in its first cohort for Spring 2019.

The Nursing PhD Program is full or part-time program offered online, preparing nurse researchers, scholars and educators in academic nursing and/ or healthcare settings.

Through rigorous nursing and interdisciplinary research, Graduates of the PhD program will be able to conduct rigorous nursing and interdisciplinary research, generate new knowledge that guides nursing practices and leads research in educational programs and learn evaluations to prepare future

LCON

FALL 2019

nurses. Students who possess an unencumbered RN license or equivalent with an earned master’s degree or higher are eligible to apply.

“While we all celebrate the moment, I also reflect upon the foundational works that were involved in the development of this program for the last two years. I deeply appreciate the tireless work of UofM leadership, LCON leadership, the LCON PhD task force, faculty and staff who made the program a reality. I welcome and congratulate the students, who bring a new avenue of studious scholarship and a dynamic tide of research and innovation to LCON. I wish them all the best!”, said Dr. Mary. "

Rebecca Adkins is a Clinical Assistant Professor from Memphis.

She teaches in the LCON MSN program for the Family Nurse Practitioner clinical. Her research interest is related to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

FeiFei Gu is a faculty member in the Nursing Department at the School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University in China. As a well-published author, she is knowledgeable about the program and the health equity model on which it employs.

Her research interests are related to women’s health, informatics and educating students in China.

Jing Hu is a faculty member in the Nursing Department at the School of International Medical Technology, Shanghai Sanda University in China.

She has leadership and qualitative research experience. Her areas of research include simulation research and scholarly clinical practice.

Ginger Keymon is from Jackson, Tenn., and works part-time at LCON on the Lambuth campus. She is the director of Education at West Tennessee Healthcare. Her research areas include universal health care, health accessibility and health promotion.

Debbie Mitchell is a nurse manager at St. Jude Research Hospital in Memphis. Her career goal is to hold a senior leadership position at an institution. Her areas of interest are diversity, succession planning, epidemiology/public health and health equity.

Tracie Moore, DNP, is an emergency room nurse practitioner and CEO/owner of Moore Healthcare. She is interested in becoming a researcher and publishing her findings.

One day, she would like to return to higher education as an instructor. Her research interest is holistic health for patients and their families.

Kimberly Wilks, MSN, RN, OCN, is an assistant professor of Nursing at Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis. After graduation, she would like to continue teaching in a leadership role.

Her research interests are children, early intervention, learning disabilities in children and education.

For more information about the PhD program, go to LCONs website at memphis.edu/nursing/ programs/phd.php.

LCON Lambuth SNA organized and hosted the Colors of Cancer 5k and fun walk, raising $5,000 for the Kirkland Cancer Center in Jackson, Tenn.

5K Run to Support Cancer Fight Held at Lambuth

L

Celebrate Nursing Dinner at Lambuth

ast year, more than 1.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the United States.

The Student Nurses' Association (SNA) at the University of Memphis Lambuth campus wanted to help the fight by holding a Colors of Cancer 5K Run, the first of its kind in Jackson, Tenn.

Tina Prescott, executive vice-president and chief operating officer/chief nursing officer for West Tennessee Healthcare and member of the Loewenberg College of Nursing Dean’s Advisory Council, spoke during LCON’s Celebrate Nursing Appreciation Dinner. The dinner honored nurse preceptors and community members who contribute to the success of LCON programs at University of Memphis Lambuth.

“We really wanted to think of a way to incorporate support for all cancer types into our event. Colors of Cancer was our answer to that. We were overwhelmed by the support from the community and happy to be able to give back to a local cause. I sincerely hope this event becomes an annual draw to the community and cancer survivors,” said Megan Bryant, SNA Lambuth Social Chair.

About 120 people, consisting of 91 runners and 20 walkers participated in the event. After the race, SNA conducted a ceremony to read the names of loved ones lost to cancer. Students asked participants to submit names and pictures to be displayed at the start/finish line and used during the ceremony. Special donations in memory of loved ones could also be made. All donations and funds raised went to the Kirkland Cancer Center to support cancer patients in the community.

Pictured (from left): Darrisus Woodland, Megan Mills, Autumn Bond and Lauren Miller

STUDENT RESEARCH FORUM HELD Lambuth students presented a poster on therapy for Alzheimer's patients during the Memphis campus forum in April.

HONORS, U.S. News & World Report ranked the

Loewenberg College of Nursing No. 17 in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.

The rankings consider performance across a set of indicators of excellence.

Living Learning Community Opens for Lambuth Nursing Students

H

onors Loewenberg College of Nursing students have their own space at the University of Memphis Lambuth campus thanks to the creation of the Living Learning Community (LLC) located in the Carney-Johnston Residence Hall.

“LCON and the Lambuth campus are proud to offer our on-campus pre-nursing/health profession and nursing students an opportunity to participate in a Living-Learning Community,” said Christie Manasco, assistant dean of Nursing for the Lambuth Campus. “Being a part of this unique community surrounds you with students in your degree program who can share in your specific experience and help you succeed academically.”

24

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

To commemorate its opening, students held a pajama party hosted by LLC Ambassadors Kayla Chambers, Jessica Davis, Kennedy Johnson and Grace Danielle Hassell, all upper-class nursing students. Corey Moore, College Academic Advisor II, and other upperclassmen were also present to meet, greet and eat with nursing and pre-nursing students.

Moore was instrumental in the creation of this new space. As academic advisor, he is a confidant to students and is positioned to understand and advocate for the needs of nursing students.

“The living-learning community helps students create a network of friends and meet people with a common goal,” Moore said. “Students gain support and

Dr. Michelle Baldwin is the treasurer and West Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Alliance liaison for the Coalition for Access to Care for Tennessee; president-elect for the Jackson Good Morning! Rotary; membership assembly representative for the Tennessee Nurses Association, District 1; and the president of the West Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Alliance. become more connected to the program and fellow classmates, helping increase their chances for academic success.”

The LLC is a pilot program established

by Moore, Manasco and Michelle Reddick, (Lambuth Career Services).

They renovated a room to provide study space for students and equipped it with study materials for their convenience.

Although the space is open to all students, nursing students have priority.

Scholarship money was used to provide a live tutor. In addition, third and fourth-year students were recruited to support and mentor other students.

Dr. Lisa Beasley was awarded Outstanding Member by the Tennessee Nurses Association. She is also the president-elect for the Tennessee Nurses Association, District 1.

Dr. Gloria Carr is president-elect for Sigma Beta Theta At-Large Chapter and ombudsman for the UofM. Chermale Casem, Business Officer III,

was elected Special Projects Committee Chair for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Business Officers of Nursing Schools (BONUS) Steering Committee.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Dr. Hoi Chung contributed the chapter “Respiratory Conditions” to Certification

of Pediatric Nurses: Online Module/ Presentation in Society of Pediatric Nurses.

Dr. Chung is the communication officer for the Society of Pediatric Nursing and co-PI for the Pediatric Asthma Management Program funded by the Urban Child Institute.

Dr. Tracy Collins was elected director of Membership for the Tennessee Nurses Association.

Professor Julie Cupples was elected secretary of the Tennessee Nurses Association, District 6.

Dr. Jill Dapremont wrote an article for the Tennessee Nurses Association titled “I Am TNA.” Dr. Dapremont was also elected faculty senator for the LCON. Dr. Brad Harrell authored one chapter and co-authored four chapters for a book, Nursing Care of Intra-

Abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. Dr. Harrell

also wrote an article for the Tennessee Nurses Association titled “Spotlight on Practice: Sexual and Gender Minorities.”

In addition, he was elected President of the Tennessee Nurses Association, District 12 and named to the District President’s Council.

Dr. Marie Gill had the article “Drug Court Handbooks Suitability for Program Participants With Low Literacy” published in the Journal of Health Education.

Professor Melanie Jacobs is vicepresident of Sigma Beta Theta At-Large Chapter. She was also inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Shirleatha Lee was selected a Maxine Smith Fellow for the 2018-2019.

The Maxine Smith Fellows program is a leadership development program designed to increase the diversity of qualified candidates in the state’s leadership pipeline. An ideal candidate for this program is an emerging leader who demonstrates the potential to be promoted several levels (within the institution/system/state) with the right mix/blend of opportunity, challenge and mentoring. Dr. Lee also received the 2019 University of Memphis Black Scholars Unlimited (BSU) Ignite Excitement Award.

Dr. Soyhe Lee published “Power of Peer Support to Change Health Behavior to Reduce Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke for African-American Men in a Faith-Based Community” in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities; “Development of Text-Messaging and Peer-Support Intervention for Weight Management for African-American Women” in the Western Journal of

Nursing Research; “Development of

an mHealth Intervention to Promote Pap Tests and HPV Vaccination in an Underserved Immigrant Population: A Culturally Targeted and Individually Tailored Text Messaging Approach” in the Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice; and “Analyzing Factors Associated with Decisional Stage for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Older Korean Americans Using Precaution Adaption Model” in the Journal of Transcultural Nursing; Dr. Lee also contributed a sidebar, “Future Research of Complementary and Alternative Therapy in South Korea,” and a chapter, “Perspectives on Future Research,” published in Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing.

Dr. Christie Manasco, assistant dean of Nursing at Lambuth, was elected treasurer for Tennessee Nurses Association, District 6.

Dr. Rosemary McLaughlin received the Certificate of Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing from the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. She was elected treasurer of the MidSouth Society of Pediatric Nursing.

Dr. Teresa Richardson received the 2018 Excellence in Education Award by Society of Pediatric Nurses.

Dr. Nakiesha Shepherd was inducted into the Sigma Nursing Honor Society.

Professor Kay Sims was recognized by the AACN for 40 years of continuous CCRN certification.

Professor Terri Trotter was elected secretary for the Tennessee Nurses Association, District 12.

Dr. Y’Esha Williams wrote “Caring for Family Caregivers: A Pilot Test of an Online COMFORT Communication Training Module for Undergraduate Nursing Students” for the Journal of Cancer Education.

Prof. Janye Wilson co-authored an article, “Chronic Conditions: A Motivator for Reexamining the Effectiveness of Promotions and Communications of Organizational Wellness Programs,” for the International Journal of the Academic Business World.

Dean Lin Zhan was elected Treasurer for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Board of Directors. She was elected to serve in this two-year position by deans from schools and colleges, across the nation. Dean Zhan was also appointed to serve on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the American Academy of Nursing.

Dean Zhan was featured in the Memphis Medical News' INCHARGE Health Care 2019. The article focuses on the leaders behind healthcare's dynamic growth in the Memphis area.

Dr. Brad Harrell and Dr. Jason Sasser collaborated on an editorial for the

International Journal of Nursing Studies

called “Sexual and Gender Minority Health: Nursing’s Overdue Coming Out.” “Prior Learning Assessment in Nursing: An Accelerated Pathway to Degree Completion” by Dr. Shirleatha Lee and Dr. Jill Dapremont was accepted for publication by Nursing Education Perspectives.

Dr. Marie Gill, Dr. Lin Zhan, Dr. Leigh Ann Breckenridge and Dr. Judy Rosenberg published the manuscript "Integration of Adverse Childhood Experiences across BSN Curriculum" in the Journal of Professional Nursing, and have a manuscript “Concept Mapping: ACEs Curriculum Integration” accepted for publication in the Journal of Nursing Education Perspectives. The research project has been funded by the Urban Child Institute.

Dr. Michelle Baldwin, Dr. Marie Gill, Dr. Brad Harrell and Dr. Teresa Richardson and professor Candace McGowen received the 2018 Daisy Foundation Faculty Award.

Dr. Culeta Byars, Dr. Angela Oigbokie, Dr. Nakiesha Shepherd, Dr. Catherine Pantik and Dr. Paula Walker earned their DNP degree.

memphis.edu/nursing

LCON

FALL 2019

25

Periodical Postage

PAID at

Memphis, TN

2502 Community Health Building Memphis, TN 38152

Connect With Us Online. memphis.edu/nursing

MemphisLCON @uofmnursingdean uofmemphisnursing

The University of Memphis Magazine (USPS-662-550) is published four times a year by the University of Memphis Division of External Relations, 308 Administration Building, Memphis, TN 38152-3370. Periodical postage paid at Memphis TN 38152-3370 and additional mailing offices.

The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University UOM025-FY1920/1M2C Paulsen Printing Memphis, TN 38141