University of Memphis | Loewenberg College of Nursing Publication | Spring 2018

MEMPHIS NURSING

Loewenberg College of Nursing SPR 2018

Contents 3 ONE PLACE ONE PURPOSE 4 OUR FACULTY

Memphis Nursing at UofM Lambuth Jackson

Reaching Out

Excellence in Education

LETTER FROM THE DEAN

6 OUR STUDENTS

The Face of Student Success

Nurses Association President Named Student Trustee

7 LOEWENBERG RESEARCH Scientific Inquiry

8 AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Building a Culture of Health for Urban Children and Families

9 BY THE NUMBERS

Loewenberg College of Nursing by the Numbers

10 AROUND THE WORLD

Making a Difference in Coast Rica

12 CLINICAL PARTNERS SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING

13 LCON WHITE COAT CEREMONY 14 50 YEAR CELEBRATION 16 MEET OUR LEADERS 18 SPECIAL FOCUS ON

THE LICHTERMAN/ LOEWENBERG FAMILY

19 AHEAD OF THE CLASS

Supporting Our Students Through Scholarships

20 PAVING THE TRAIL TO

NURSING EXCELLENCE

21 LCON STUDENT RESEARCH FORUM FALL 2017

On the cover: The Community Health Building is home to LCON, ranked #15 in the nation for Online Graduate Nursing Program by U.S. News & World Report 2 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

Dear Colleagues and Friends, The year of 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of our College. With a 50year unbroken record of preparing professional nurses, nurse leaders, nurse practitioners and nurse educators, we have much to celebrate— and continue—in advancing academic nursing. To highlight:

· The College outlined a strategic

plan (2016-2021) focusing on Student Success, Academic Excellence, Technology Integration, Enhanced Research, and Productive Academic Partnerships. Our distinguished faculty, dedicated students and staff, and engaged community partners are working toward the accomplishment of these goals.

· We truly enjoy the $60 million

state-of-the-art Community Health Building where faculty, students, staff and community partners impart knowledge, conduct research, share ideas and facilitate intellectual pursuits and clinical practice.

· The formerly named Loewenberg

School of Nursing was elevated to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (thereafter, the College). The college status enables academic nursing to position strategically and nimbly amid ever-changing health care and higher -education landscapes.

· The growth of nursing student

enrollment at our Lambuth campus is remarkable. West Tennessee Health Care Foundation contributed $2.5 million scholarship in support of the Memphis Nursing Lambuth program.

When the community needs better educated nurses, we respond, and we continue preparing graduates to meet dire needs in West Tennessee.

· In 2018, the College’s online graduate

programs are ranked #15 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Our online RN-BSN programs also ranked on top 20 for its accessibility, affordability and high quality.

· Our first-time, full-time BSN student

retention rates reached 90% and our student body is diverse with 35% of our students and faculty from an under-representative background.

· Dr. Marcy Purnell has tested a Bio-

Electric Field Enhancement (BEFE) through genomic research and discovered the cell sensor. With her understanding of patient experiences, Dr. Purnell sees through a unique lens and is on a mission to continue scientific discovering, testing and validating. Her goal is to find ways to relieve the suffering of patients.

· Funded by the Urban Child Institute

$1.17M, we are working on two major initiatives: 1) integrating adverse childhood experiences across nursing curriculum 2) implementing pediatric asthma management in the Shelby County Schools. Collaborating with the UofM Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, and Early Child Development, we are building a culture of health for urban children and families in Memphis. Go Memphis Nursing!

ONE PLACE ONE PURPOSE

Nursing students celebrate moving from nine different buildings to everyone being under one roof in the Community Health Building

“ The Community Health Building has given me a chance to have my nursing classes under one roof and allowed me a place to study quietly or collaborate with others. It has also allowed me to meet other nursing students and faculty that I would normally not have seen. I am very thankful that this building has opened a door to networking and life-changing opportunities for me.”

Cordelia Taylor

“ The Community Health Building provides the Loewenberg College of Nursing a sense of being and a place to call home.”

Dr. Sheri Howard, Director of Simulation and Labs

“This building is simply awesome. I should know, I was in nine different places just a few years ago.”

Michelle Norcross

“The building has so many different places to study either alone or with others. Since I’m a handson learner, the simulation labs help me the most. They give us different scenarios and make us act as the nurses. We really have to think on our feet; it’s preparing me for real life.”

Mary Claire Markle

www.memphis.edu/nursing/ | 3

// OUR FACULTY

West Tennessee Health Care Foundation endows LCON Lambuth with $2.5 million in support of nursing

MEMPHIS NURSING AT UofM LAMBUTH IN JACKSON Meeting the needs of the Jackson community—today and tomorrow.

The UofM is a learner-centered metropolitan research university providing high-quality educational experiences while pursuing new knowledge through research, artistic expression, and interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship. The University of Memphis Lambuth advances LCON’s mission with an emphasis on prepreparing better educated nurses in the West Tennessee region. “Both UofM’s vision and mission are being accomplished here and, in particular, through the Loewenberg College of Nursing,” said Dr. Niles Reddick.

According to collaborative partner West Tennessee Healthcare (WTHC), there is a critical nursing shortage and need locally. “Not only do the nursing students get practical and necessary clinical experience while enrolled in the traditional BSN program, they are also able to find employment upon graduation without leaving the area,” noted Reddick. For BSN students who

4 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

already have the RN and are employed at WTHC or other healthcare facilities, the flexible program enables students to continue working full-time while pursuing their degree. “The UofM, in partnership with WTHC, has removed a cost barrier through a generous investment in scholarships to potential

Both UofM’s vision and mission are being accomplished here BSN students,” Reddick said. Between July 2016 and July 2017, over $162,000 was awarded to local students enrolled in the programs on the Lambuth campus.

Dr. Christie Schrotberger, Assistant Dean of Nursing of the Lambuth program, said the smaller faculty-to-student ratio is one of the unique attributes that sets the program apart. “Additionally, the program is equipped with state-of-theart clinical skills, health assessment and simulation labs that provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn in a safe and caring environment.” LCON’s presence in Jackson is making a big impact locally through participation in community service activities such as health fairs and, most recently, a foot clinic for homeless men and women.

Schrotberger added, “Sustained growth and development of the LCON program at Lambuth will foster the education of well-educated nurses who embody LCON’s core values of caring, integrity, diversity and leadership through the delivery of nursing care. This will have a lasting positive impact on the residents of this area for years to come.”

OUR FACULTY //

FNP faculty Dr. Petey Elliotte prepares caring and competent primary care providers to meet the needs of patients and their families.

Dr. Jill Dapremont

REACHING OUT

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Directed by Dr. Belinda Fleming, LCON’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program serves vulnerable populations amid a shortage of primary care providers.

Under director Dr. Jill Dapremont’s leadership, LCON’s online RN-BSN program achieves 12th ranking in the nation

Dr. Belinda Fleming did not start out as a family nurse practitioner. As a Navy Nurse Corp officer, she worked to help corpsmen with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) post-September 11, 2001. “I learned a lot from working with different populations…and this experience shaped my desire to become an advanced primary care provider,” Fleming said.

Fleming now directs the Family Nurse Practitioner Program (FNP) of the College to help meet the primary care needs of Tennessee residents. She rarely goes a day without talking to and texting with her FNP students. She has worked intelligently as well as diligently to build a team of FNP faculty in the program. The goal is to grow the program to continue to meet the dire primary care needs of the community. Fleming has led faculty to update FNP knowledge and skills and place the high quality of didactic and clinical teaching at the center of their thinking and doing.

Academic Nursing aims to achieve 80% of nurses with a baccalaureate degree by 2020. The LCON’s RN-BSN online program has achieved a national ranking of 12 on OnlineU.org, distinguishing it from other online programs for its quality, accessibility, affordability and accelerated completion options.

The program is also ranked in the 50 Best RN-BSN Online Programs on TheBestSchools.org.

Proudest accomplishments Dr. Dapremont, Director of the Online RN-BSN program shows data supporting growth in the RN-BSN student numbers over a two-year period. Dapremont attributes this growth to the confidence and exceptional reputation of the LCON programs in the community. The expansion of the RN-BSN program to the Lambuth campus also provides an opportunity for BSN growth in Jackson

There has been growth in the RN-BSN student numbers and its contingent counties. Dapremont is proud of the implementation of the online Experiential Learning portfolio course in spring 2016, allowing nurses to gain credit for nursing experiences, credentialing and leadership gained during their years of practice.

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// OUR STUDENTS

THE FACE OF STUDENT SUCCESS Spotlight on Lambuth BSN program alumnus; alumnae is more than one woman Mario Antonio Lopez-Rodriguez Mario Antonio Lopez-Rodriguez is a pediatric registered nurse at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. He and his family immigrated from a small rural town in Mexico to Bells, Tenn., in 2000. Sadly, Lopez-Rodriguez’s father died the following year and his mother became the sole provider for him and

his two siblings. His mother’s role as a caregiver has been a source of inspiration in the way that he practices nursing.

Lopez-Rodriguez said that the LCON program truly prepares nursing students for what real-life nursing is all about: “It’s challenging and pushes boundaries, but in doing so the program creates an opportunity to make connections and work as a team to accomplish the tasks at hand,” Lopez-Rodriguez said. He credits the program with giving him the knowledge and skills he needs to work as part of a healthcare team that provides competent care to all the patients he serves.

A bright future Lopez-Rodriguez plans to continue working at Le Bonheur for a few years to expand his nursing knowledge while also serving the community. Next, he plans to enlist in the Peace Corps as a community health volunteer in either Africa or Asia. His ultimate goal is to pursue an advanced degree in public health with a concentration in global health in order to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a public health nurse for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The most precious thing in this world is life and as a nurse we are responsible for caring for something so beautiful yet so fragile. Nursing is not about what I can get out of the profession, but rather about the knowledge and tools I am learning to be able to better serve others,” he shared.

6 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

NURSES ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT NAMED STUDENT TRUSTEE Spotlight on Lambuth BSN program alumnus Our very own Taylor Mayberry, a rising senior at the University of Memphis majoring in Nursing (Class of 2018), has been selected for appointment as the student trustee on the University of Memphis Board of Trustees.

Mayberry is currently serving as the president of the Student Nurses Association and serves as the secretary of Health Care for the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature. As a member of the Student Government Association, in 2016-2017 she served as chief justice of the Student Government Court.

Mayberry joined Dean Lin Zhan and three other LCON students in Washington, D.C. to attend the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) National Student Health Policy Summit. The group went to the hill and met with Tennessee senators and representatives.

Student Taylor Mayberry with TN Governor Haslam

LOEWENBERG RESEARCH //

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Dr. Marcy Purnell is researching in only one direction: forward.

Her most recent manuscript in Discovery Medicine, “The Dielectrophoretic Disassociation of Chloride Ions and the Influence on Diamagnetic Anisotropy in Cell Membranes,” is the first scientific research of its kind ever published.

An unconventional route to extraordinary findings “Normally you start in the lab and build a molecule for a pharmaceutical or you start with the device, but this was a device that had been on the market for 20 years. I took it back to the microbiology laboratory to quantify what it did or didn’t do,” Purnell explained. She began experiments with mice melanoma cells in vitro, which began dying after being treated with the BEFE water. She then tested noncancerous cells, and they weren’t harmed. Immediately she advanced her research to testing human cancer cells in vitro. The BEFE-treated water killed the cancer cells in the dish and did not harm the non-cancerous cells.

The cancer cells she first tested happened to be triple negative breast cancer cells, the same disease of which her friend and colleague who initially introduced her to the footbaths died. Purnell does not believe in coincidences: “After that, I knew I had to keep going,” she said.

According to Purnell, the BEFE technology is different because “you are enveloping the cell with energy in a form it can use and it begins operating as it was designed.

Moving forward Purnell not only works to define how the BEFE technology works on a genetic level, she also discovered the mechanism, or cell sensor. Her manuscript in Discovery Medicine details this finding. “It involves chloride ion channels and chloride ions. Chloride levels are something we have measured in blood samples for years, but we do not do much with it.

Well, it appears to be the key to everything. The ability to affect chloride ion channels and chloride ion levels in our bodies may, in fact, be a very important aspect of disease management,” she explained. According to Purnell, humans are affected by both electromagnetic and biochemical influences.

In order to influence chloride ion channels and chloride ions, it appears that you must apply electrochemical applications.

Dr. Purnell continues researching, testing, and validating in collaboration with several scientists on the campus “I am very excited about this scientific journey,” she said.

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// AROUND THE COMMUNITY Dr. Hoi Chung, Dr. Leigh Ann Breckenridge and Professor Betsy Moore received clinical integration awards for their work on pediatric asthma management by Society Pediatric Nursing at Palm Beach, Miami, FL along with Dr. Beverly Cross who has been instrumental in helping this team gain access to the Shelby County School System.

Building a Culture of Health for Urban Children and Famillies ACE Prevention

Awareness

Enable Care Providers

Knowledge

BUILDING A CULTURE OF HEALTH FOR URBAN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Through the Institute for Interdisciplinary Memphis Partnerships to Advance Community Transformation for Children (iMPACT) In Memphis, the health of vulnerable children and families can be unduly and unequally influenced by income, education, ethnicity and living conditions. In Shelby County, data from The Urban Child Institute from 2013 reports that of 250,000 children, 40 percent live in poverty, which is double the national rates.

Fifteen percent of black babies were born premature, which are higher than national rates (12%), Tennessee rates (11%), and the birth rates of white babies (9%). Memphis has 15% of low birthweight rates among black babies, which are higher than white (7%) and national (8%) rates.

Toxic Stress Reduction

Improve Socio-Ecological Conditions

Establish Workable Models

Trauma Informed Care

Inform Policies

The 2014 Adverse Child Experience (ACE) Survey in Shelby County found that 52% of adults reported having experienced at least one ACE; individuals reporting four or more ACEs have heightened risk for negative adult social and health outcomes; and Shelby County has higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and violence between adults in the home than the state and the nation. The most prevalent ACEs are substance abuse, emotional abuse and violence between adults in the home. Unfortunately, Tennessee is ranked 36th in the nation regarding children wellness. Unmet health needs lead to unhealthy lives, and the cost to healthcare is enormous.

A model for change The nation calls for building a culture of health by enabling everyone in our diverse society to lead healthier lives. We design a model for change by connecting health care to the places where children live and learn, and by making a culture shift through multidisciplinary collaboration to create a healthy environment for vulnerable children in Memphis.

To do this successfully, two major initiatives are underway: 1) building a nursing workforce with ACE knowledge and skills by integration of ACE content and concepts across nursing curriculum, and 2) managing pediatric asthma in Shelby County Schools. Faculty learn how toxic stress from ACEs in childhood impacts patients and families throughout a lifetime. ACE content and concepts are integrated in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science (MSN) programs for both didactic and clinical courses, as well as an elective ACE course that may be taught campus-wide.

These efforts will help develop a well-prepared workforce and sustainable partnerships with Shelby County Schools to promote health for school kids.

Achieving collective impact To date, the Urban Child Institute has — awarded the University of Memphis $4 million to — nursing, law, social work, child development and family studies and public health. The interdisciplinary teams are together successfully advancing the UofM Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Project, now rebranded the Institute for Interdisciplinary Memphis Partnerships to Advance Community Transformation for Children (iIMPACT). The Loewenberg College of Nursing led by Principle Investigator Dr. Lin Zhan and a group of co-investigators has to date awarded $1.17M. In partnership with UofM colleagues and the community, we are working to engage, empower and enable families to create a culture of health for urban children and families in Memphis.

Managing pediatric asthma in Shelby County In collaboration with UofM College of Education, we are working with the Shelby County Schools to implement the pediatric asthma management program. The program is to engage and enable school staff, teachers and families to acquire basic steps and knowledge for asthma management through #3Cs – check, control and celebrate. We collaborate with Memphis Well Child Clinic and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital through asthma case identification, high-risk recognition, asthma medication administration, care management and coordination among students, families, healthcare providers and schools. We plan to recommend policies that support effective pediatric asthma management and pediatric asthma-friendly school environments.

8 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING

by the

NUMB3RS

LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING BY THE NUMBERS

OVER

1000

MORE THAN

MORE THAN

STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR SPRING 2018

MINORITY ENROLLMENT

14% ARE HELEN HARDIN HONORS STUDENTS

404

DEGREES CONFERRED IN 2017

$300,000

AWARDED MORE THAN

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

50

36% 32%

FACULTY DIVERSITY

15

#

ONLINE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM

RANKING IN THE NATION BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

2

$

MILLION IN RESEARCH GRANTS

CELEBRATED

YEARS

OF PREPARING LEADERS & PROMOTING HEALTH

RN to BSN

LARGEST

FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAM IN TN

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AROUND THE WORLD

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN COSTA RICA Dr. Leigh Ann Breckenridge and a group of LCON students traveled to Costa Rica to learn about its healthcare system and to serve the community. helping to create a private consultation room for the HIV/AIDS In spring 2017, in partnership with the University of Costa Rica home and to buy diapers for the nursing home residents. nursing program, LCON professor Dr. Leigh Ann Breckenridge and 15 students traveled to Costa Rica to learn about its More important perhaps than the money raised and the healthcare system and how it compares to the U.S. system. supplies donated were the experiences the students had The group attended informative classes and seminars taught serving the local community. The group spent quality time

by Drs. Fernandez and Molina at the University of Costa Rica. with the HIV/AIDS home residents, many of whom are Topics included how Costa Rica’s neighborhood clinics work, transgender, and made T-shirts and infectious diseases, and nutrition affirmation bracelets together. Students and culture. “What I liked most was We have a lot of also visited with the nursing home meeting with the Costa Rican nursing differences and residents, planted flowers, decorated students,” said UofM student Diane flower pots and provided bags filled similarities, but we Butler. “We have a lot of differences with much-needed toiletry essentials. and similarities, but we all have the all have the same same end goal of helping patients.”

Regarding the success of the trip, end goal of helping Breckenridge said, “I’ve been on many patients.

The group shared many outstanding, trips, but with this group I watched diverse and meaningful experiences the students bloom and reach out to together on the trip. They visited a nursing home, an HIV/AIDS people they didn’t know.

It was very tender and made my residence, a private adult hospital and a pediatric hospital, heart feel full.” One of the UofM Lambuth nursing students, including its neonatal center. The students paid their own Celecia Osborne, had high praise for the entire experience: way and collectively raised money in advance of the trip to “From the bottom of my heart I appreciate Dr. Breckenridge donate to the nursing and HIV/AIDS homes. They did this by for organizing and planning the trip, and for her willingness selling “Pura Vida” (Pure Life) bracelets made by a company to do it. I also really appreciate the University giving us the in Costa Rica that employs local residents. The donations are opportunity to become better nurses and better people.”

10 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

AROUND THE WORLD //

Global Visibility: Sharing Study Abroad Experiences On healthcare system differences between Costa Rica and the U.S: The elderly are well taken care of in Costa Rica.

They didn’t feel like a burden.” –Diane Butler “In Costa Rica, they take extreme pride in their national healthcare system and that every person has the right to health care. Their medicines were a lot cheaper and people weren’t on as many.” –Celecia Osborne, UofM Lambuth student Your most memorable experience: “At the HIV residence. To see people undervalued by their family and excommunicated by society broke my heart. The house conditions were spare, but the residents were accepting and warm.” –Kaci Foster “Handing out gift baskets to the nursing homes. One of the patients said she has no family and no one visits here.

We felt as if we made a difference.” –Courtney Currie

On what surprised you most about the country: “They have free health care that is effective and works. When you think about Costa Rica, you think a developing country is preferred over third world, but then you hear the statistics, and they are faring much better than the U.S. is.” –Jamie Sarna “How eco-friendly they are and how dedicated everyone is to it as a culture. The government supports it fully.” –Michelle Norcross On the knowledge and wisdom gained from the trip that students will carry into their nursing career: “Unrelenting compassion and truly caring for and connecting with your patient.” –Evan Gregory “The importance of education about preventative measures and providing education to allow for more positive health outcomes.” –Meghan Christensen

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PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

CLINICAL PARTNERS SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING Academic clinical partnership improves competencies among students and the safety and health outcomes of patients. We spoke with Nikki Polis, member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, to get her insights on the successful partnership between Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and the Loewenberg College of Nursing.

In your 30-year nursing career, what has kept you motivated and engaged in your work each and every day?

Primarily, what has always been at the center for me are patients and their families. It is my honor and privilege as a leader in this profession to help shape the excellent care that patients and families get, and to learn from all the people I’ve worked with. My experience has spanned the clinical and the educational arenas, and both have helped me to keep my focus on the patient.

What’s your proudest career accomplishment so far?

Working with Le Bonheur for Magnet designation and with other facilities on their Magnet journey. It’s really around what Magnet represents: excellence.

Nursing leading the way for excellence in patient care. I’m also very proud of the relationships we’ve built around the community with some of our academic centers and students.

Why is Methodist’s relationship with its academic partners so important?

Partnerships are important on both sides. We have an obligation and responsibility to educate and support the next generation of our profession.

Dean’s Advisory Council List 12 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

We take our relationships with the UofM and UT very seriously. Every day that we can interact with students we have the opportunity to shape the future of care for patients and families. We need to provide an excellent program. It happens on our sites as well as in the UofM building. The excellence in the building must go on to the clinical experience at partners like Le Bonheur. It’s based on all of us having the same vision and mission of educating an outstanding provider of the future.

What are your goals as a partner in shaping the future of nursing?

At Methodist, we very much see ourselves as partners in sharing the future. Nursing is the profession of relationships. We need people who are highly intelligent, both cognitively and emotionally. People who can critically think and feel and have the ability to make the connection. Listening to understand and honoring commitments is also very important. We each have a piece to provide for those people who become nurses, to help them develop knowledge, skills and empathy to have a fulfilling career where they make a difference. I hope we help people understand how important the work is

Susan Cooper Sr. VP of Ambulatory Service & Chief Integration Officer, Chair of the Council Michelle Smith Chief Nursing Officer, Baptist Memphis

Nikki Polis Methodist SVP and Chief Nursing Executive that they do, that it’s a career, not a job. I want to help people develop into a professional because with professionalism comes expertise and knowledge. Nurses are the most trusted group of people and it’s important for them to know that the public is counting on them. It’s an honor, but it’s an obligation also.

How will patients benefit from these significant partnerships?

The rank of importance for me is patients, teams and then individuals.

We have a shared commitment with our academic partners to ensure that patients are safe, receive quality care and that we honor our commitments to care for people as whole human beings. There are so many things about the experience in any healthcare facility that’s beyond solely a patient’s diagnosis or symptoms. It takes the whole team in order to take excellent care of the patient’s needs.

Fredrika Felt Permanent Designee Susan Ferguson Chief Nursing Officer, Baptist Memorial Healthcare

Karen Gillette Nurse Executive, Veterans Administration Hospital Judy Martin Chief Nursing Officer, Memphis Shelby County Health Dept.

LCON WHITE COAT CEREMONY Intended for first-year students in medical, nursing and physician assistant programs, the White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage that often takes place during the initial days of orientation. It serves to welcome students to healthcare practice and elevate the value of humanism as the core of healthcare. It provides a powerful emphasis on compassion in combination with scientific excellence.

Jennifer Chiusano Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Francis Hospital Nikki Polis Chief Nurse Executive, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

the White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage The most important element of the ceremony is the oath that students take in front of family members, school leadership and their peers to acknowledge their central obligation of

Beverly Jordan Vice President/Chief Clinical Transformation Officer, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp.

Tina Prescott Chief Nursing Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare Lisa Schafer Senior VP and Chief Nursing Officer, Regional One Health

caring for the patient. The Loewenberg College of Nursing uses the White Coat Ceremony as a way to symbolize a student’s noble call to serve, and allows the students to commit to making a difference in the lives of many through the betterment of healthcare by promoting health for all. Methodist Le Bonheur Health Care generously provides the white coats for our students. Students who are entering the BSN program receive short coats and students pursuing their master’s degree receive long coats.

Cindy Wooten Director of Nurse Practice and Leadership, Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp.

Kristina Cherry Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett

Pam Dotson SVP, Patient Care Services/ Chief Nursing Officer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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50 YEAR CELEBRATION

LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING CELEBRATES 50 YEARS The Loewenberg College of Nursing celebrated 50 years of preparing leaders and promoting health recently at its 50th Anniversary Gala in the University Center Ballroom with about 200 guests.

Mary Ellen Geist, award-winning broadcast journalist turned author and caregiver, gave the keynote address. She shared her journey of caring for her father after his Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and the special nurses who provided support.

The College celebrated current and past leaders who played a significant role in its first 50 years. These “50 Leaders for 50 Years” have helped to meet the needs of academic nursing and health care in innovative ways, generated nursing knowledge to guide nursing practice, or reflected the importance of their educational training and showed pride and loyalty to Memphis nursing. A 14 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

complete list and description of the 50 Leaders in 50 Years is available at memphis.edu/nursing/50.

“For 50 years, the Loewenberg College of Nursing has prepared caring, compassionate and competent graduates who are ready to meet the ever-changing needs of health care,” said Dr. Lin Zhan, dean of the College.

“Our achievements come from collective efforts and wisdoms – our faculty, students, staff, academic nursing partners and community leaders and supporters; and our commitment to core values of caring, diversity, integrity and leadership. As we celebrate the past five decades and the momentum that has fueled our distinguished past, we know that the best is truly yet to come.”

During the event, Zhan recognized event sponsors Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Health Care.

Over the years, the Lichterman-Loewenberg family has

continuously invested resources into nursing and has helped the Loewenberg College grow. “We are so grateful to the Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation for its legacy of philanthropy and commitment to our students, faculty and staff,” Zhan said.

The College’s vision at 50 is to push even further. Nursing is at the critical time to continue providing patient-family centered care, improving the health care system, and promoting health for all.

Above left top: Joan Dodson, Memphis Nursing program director 1982-1984 and Dr. Lin Zhan, LCON dean. Above left bottom: Dr. Christie Schrotberger Assistant Dean of Lambuth Nursing Program, Teresa Freeman, UofM alumnus, Tina Prescott CNO West TN Healthcare, Dr. Michelle Baldwin clinical assistant professor at Lambuth. Above right: David Crislip, one of the 50 Leaders in 50 Years. Middle right: Brea Bowers, 50 Leaders in 50 Years recipient and her family. Bottom right: Paula Dycus, LCON alumnus received the 50 Leaders in 50 Years recognition.

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MEET OUR LEADERS Through our 50-year journey, many individuals have made significant contributions to advance nursing and the Loewenberg College of Nursing. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we pause to celebrate our current and past leaders.

Enjoy meeting the special individuals who comprise the Loewenberg College of Nursing 50 Leaders in 50 Years.

Dr. Katherine Abraham-Evans Director, DNP Program, Georgia State University Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘01 Meri Armour CEO, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Dana Avant-Clark Chief Nursing Officer, Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘10 Nancy Averwater Vice President of Human Resources, Baptist Memorial Health Care Memphis Alumna, MSN, Health Administration ‘05 Baptist Memorial Health Care Dr. Lillian “Toni” Bargagliotti Loewenberg School of Nursing Dean, 1992-2005 Kristen Bell Clinical Director, Methodist Germantown Hospital Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘17 16 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

Brea Bowers Registered Nurse; Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘14

Paula Dycus System Magnet Program Director, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘97

Denise Burnett-Stewart President/CEO, OR Nurses Nationwide

Chief Executive Officer, Baptist Memorial Health Care

Susan Cooper Senior Vice President & Chief Integration Officer Regional One Health

Victoria Eader

David Crislip Memphis Alumnus, BSN ‘92, MBA ‘08

Zachary Edmiston

Allyson Curlin Director of Emergency Services, Hospital Corporation of America Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘07, MSN ‘10 Joan Dodson Memphis Nursing Program Director, 1982-1984

Dana Dye

Dialysis Center Staff RN, St. John Medical Center Memphis Alumna, RN ‘77 Clinical Director, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Memphis Alumnus, BSN ‘12; MSN ‘14 Susan Ferguson

Vice President and System Chief Nurse Executive, Baptist Memorial Health Care Memphis Alumna, RN ‘77 Shelia Fleming

System Director of Case Management, Baptist Memorial Health Care Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘12

Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation Teresa Freeman

Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘16 Mary Gaston

Clinical Director, NICU, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘10 Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

Jean McIvor

Dr. Carolyn Speros-Simonton

Former LCON faculty member

Professor Emeritus

Libby McKnight

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Smith and Family

Family Nurse Practitioner, McKnight Clinic Memphis Alumna, RN ‘74, BSN ‘04, MSN ‘05

Brett Snodgrass

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Director of Clinical Operations, LifeLinc Pain Centers Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘98, MSN ‘08

Michelle Nash

Rita Sparks

Patient Care Coordinator, Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital

Sharon Stubblefield

Plough Foundation

Director of Nursing Support Services, Baptist Memorial Health Care Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘81, MSN ‘88

Dr. Nikki Polis

Dr. Joan Thomas

Chief Nurse Executive, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital

Former Executive MSN Director, Loewenberg College of Nursing

Vice President/Chief Information and Transformation Officer, Baptist Memorial Health Care

Tina Prescott

Elesia Turner

Chief Nursing Officer, West Tennessee Healthcare

Dr. La-Kenya Kellum

Dr. Shirley C. Raines

Clinical Director, Orthopedics/Hematology, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘06

Former University of Memphis President, 2001-2013

Director of Risk Management, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Memphis Alumna, RN ‘76, BSN ‘94, MSN ‘06

Laura Hess

Director of Quality and Performance, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Memphis Alumna, BS ‘93, BSN ‘97, MSN ‘10 International Paper Beverly Jordan

Wendy Rainey

Former Vice President of Nursing, Methodist Healthcare

Clinical Director, Surgical/Cardiology Floor, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Memphis Alumna, MSN ‘10

Dr. Norma Long

Steve Reynolds

First Loewenberg School of Nursing Dean, 1984-1990

President Emeritus and Senior Consultant, Baptist Memorial Health Care

Dr. Marjorie Luttrell

Joshua Roberts

Loewenberg College of Nursing Dean, 2005-2010

System Pediatric Practice Specialist, Baptist Memorial Health Care Memphis Alumnus, MSN ‘09

Lola Llewellyn

Dr. Judy Martin

Chief of Nursing, Shelby County Health Department Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘84

James (JR) Ross

President & CEO, West Tennessee Healthcare

Pam Turner

Clinical Director, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare Memphis Alumna, RN ‘79, BSN ‘94, MSN ‘06 The Urban Child Institute Cindy Wooten

System Director, Nursing Practice and Leadership, Baptist Memorial Health Care Dr. Jan Young

Executive Director, Assisi Foundation of Memphis, Inc. Memphis Alumna, BSN ‘84 Dr. Lin Zhan

Loewenberg College of Nursing Dean, 2010-Present

Watch the first 50 years of the Loewenberg College of Nursing come to life in the LCON History video at memphis.edu/nursing/50 www.memphis.edu/nursing/ | 17

SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE LICHTERMAN/LOEWENBERG FAMILY Our achievements come from collective efforts and wisdoms – our faculty, students, staff, academic nursing partners, community leaders and supporters. We pause to recognize and thank a very special family and the LichtermanLoewenberg Foundation for its ongoing partnership with the Loewenberg College of Nursing and the University of Memphis.

In 1948, the Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation was established by William Loewenberg and Ira Lichterman. Nearly 40 years later, the William A. and Ruth F. Loewenberg Chair of Excellence was established for the then-nursing program.

Members of the Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation have

been involved in the growth, progress and development of the Loewenberg College of Nursing for decades. With great pride, the Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation shared “Fifty years of growing excellence marks only the beginning. Our members expect to be there for the best that is yet to come.”

Dean Zhan says, “The Lichterman-Loewenberg Foundation is transforming the College through giving and involvement. The family has continuously invested resources into nursing and has helped us grow.”

The Lichterman-Loewenberg family served as Gold Level sponsors for the Gala.

Above left: Freddi Felt, member of the Lichterman-Loewenberg family, and Dr. Jan Young. Above right: Betty and Skip Loewenberg, guest speaker Mary Ellen Geist, LCON dean Dr. Lin Zhan. Below: Members of the Lichterman-Loewenberg family

18 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

AHEAD OF THE CLASS

Kelly Leanna Smith Pediatric Nursing Scholarship: LCON student Mary Claire Markle is pictured with donors Travis Smith, father of Kelly Smith and Kaci Billings, daughter of Kelly Smith.

THE LOEWENBERG COLLEGE OF NURSING IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF PREPARING LEADERS AND PROMOTING HEALTH Thank you, donors, for making a difference for our students. For 50 years, the Loewenberg College of Nursing has prepared outstanding nurse leaders, clinicians and educators. Through accessible, innovative and highquality academic nursing, we prepare nurses of the future who promote health of the global community.

Scholarships play an important role in recruiting and retaining our most promising students, and they provide invaluable assistance to students who otherwise might find a college education beyond their financial means. As nursing students pursue an academic degree at the University of Memphis, scholarship support significantly helps many of them to study and complete their degrees. We are extremely grateful for our donors who generously help relieve financial burdens for our outstanding and deserving students.

As Elizabeth Jones, recipient of the L.P. Whitehead Nursing Scholarship and the Ralph Levey Jr. Endowed Scholarship says, “I’m thankful that my scholarship donors understood the importance of education and what it takes to obtain a degree. These scholarships were not taken for granted.

I took full advantage of the opportunity and worked even harder. With much humility, I am proud to say that I graduated with a 3.5 GPA because people I didn’t even know cared about my education just as much as me.”

We thank you for your continued support and investment in our students in the Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis.

To support LCON students like Elizabeth, please visit memphis.edu/GiveToLcon.

www.memphis.edu/nursing/ | 19

PAVING THE TRAIL TO NURSING EXCELLENCE We spoke with Beverly Jordan, member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, to get her insights on the past, present and future of nursing.

How has your previous role as chief nursing officer helped you with respect to IOM’s future of nursing: leading change and advancing health?

Patient care is what I do, although in a much different way than my early career as a critical care nurse. My new role impacts direct care through technology that touches the patient, or indirectly through caring for those who care for the patients. Technology in healthcare is a key driver to achieving excellence. Now that we have access to clinical data, we have the ability and professional responsibility to intervene early and impact patient outcomes. The electronic medical record provides that vehicle to coordinate care beyond the hospital walls. It is an exciting time to see how each of us can maximize this massive investment across the country.

What are your proudest accomplishments as a healthcare leader?

Each role I have held over the past 40 years has provided opportunities to connect my work to the patients and families. During my 10 years as the chief nursing officer at Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis and my 12 years as the chief nursing executive for the Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp., I worked with dedicated nursing professionals and other clinical disciplines to strengthen the patient safety model. Through this work, we learned to own our issues, and commit to transparency and a journey towards perfection, as well as increase the knowledge of our executive leaders, medical staffs and boards. During that time, patient safety was woven into the fabric of healthcare and nursing.

One of my recent accomplishments was the implementation of the Baptist OneCare Epic electronic medical

20 | University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing

record for more than 24,000 staff and providers. Leading the largest project in the 100-year history of Baptist was remarkable! This work drew on every career experience and skill I had. Finding ways to make the system work better for our end users is the challenge and reward every day.

What do you enjoy most in your role as an executive healthcare leader?

Every day is an adventure. From direct patient care to nursing education, nursing leadership, and to my corporate and technology roles, it has been a joy.

The transformation of our industry is a call to action. I am grateful for my Baptist organization and our mission. I am grateful for the nursing profession and our role, privilege and responsibility to influence the patient care agenda locally, regionally and nationally.

Any additional insight you can share from your rich career experiences?

I am always a nurse first. I have had many roles, but I can find my way to the patient every day. Nursing education will always be the foundation for our profession. I am grateful that our academic programs transform with the industry. Adding flexibility and technology without compromising the quality of the programs and graduates has added options for those seeking nursing careers. Higher education for our nursing professionals and leaders is essential to preserve and protect our roles and our voices for patient care at all levels inside and outside health systems, as well as the political agendas that impact our profession.

Beverly Jordan Chief Information Officer, Baptist Memorial Health Care

LCON STUDENT RESEARCH FORUM FALL 2017 The Fourth Biannual Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) Student Research Forum took place on December 1, 2017, in the Community Health Building and hallmarked a 37 percent increase in participation since the initial event.

The purpose of the forum is to provide a venue for nursing graduate and undergraduate students matriculating at the Loewenberg College of Nursing to present their diverse research and evidence-based projects to a panel of nursing faculty judges in a formal, supportive environment.

The LCON Student Research Forum was coordinated by Dr. Marie Gill, Dr. Jason Sasser and Dr. Michelle Baldwin.

Poster presentations are scored based on scientific merit. First, second and third place student winners were selected for graduate and undergraduate programs.

Graduate student winners were Mattie E. Krzyzkowski in first place, Allyson Smith second place and Andrea Trenece Hill in third place. The undergraduate student first place winner was student group Alexia Kapeller, Celecia Osborne, Lindsay Silvia and Lucas Wigal. There was a three-way tie for second place winners including Brooke Lawrence, student group Allison Cuyler, Katelyn Harvey, Sarah Muse and Vondrea Watts, and student group Justus Bobo, Katelyn Faulkner, Wendy Price and Sydney Tucker. The third place winner was a student group Mary Jones, Tracy Tate, Keeva Taylor and Hailey Woodmansee.

The People’s Choice Award was a new category added to this forum. The purpose of the People’s Choice Award is to allow all viewers to select their favorite student poster. There is no special criteria for selection. The winner of the People’s Choice Award was Savannah James. In addition to the People’s Choice Award, LCON faculty displayed their research posters for exhibit only. The following faculty exhibits included: Dr. Brad Harrell, Dr. Jason Sasser and Dr. Marie Gill; Dr. Christie Schrotberger; Dr. Diane Butler and Tina McCall; Dr. Jason Sasser and Dr. Joanie Jackson; and Dr. Judith Rosenberg.

Congratulations to all graduate and undergraduate students who participated in the research forum to make it a great success! This event would not be possible without student participation and the support of faculty and staff. Thank you to all faculty judges Dr. Diane Butler, Dr. Belinda Fleming, Dr. Joy Hoffman, Dr. Sohye Lee, Dr. Hoi Chung, Dr. Lin Zhan, Dr. Shirleatha Lee, Professor Mary McDougal, Dr. Felesha Perry, Dr. Teresa Richardson, Dr. Judy Rosenberg, Dr. Beverly West, Dr. Y’Esha Williams, Dr. Genae Strong and Professor Jan Wilson. Additionally, the LCON Forum committee extends many thanks to the following people for their help with the forum: Melissa Eakens, Jeri Burton, Everlena Smith, Michelle Wright, Tonya Crawford, Allyson Smith, Dr. Eric Bailey, Kimberly Grantham and Dr. Christie Schrotberger. www.memphis.edu/nursing/ | 21

4055 North Park Loop 2502 Community Health Building Memphis, Tennessee 38152