7 minute read
Donor Profile
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CANDICE SAUNDERS
Candice L. Saunders, FACHE, who graduated from USF Health College of Nursing in 1975, credits her professors, mentors and peers at USF for preparing her with the skills and knowledge needed to care for patients in her community on a clinical level. Saunders said that USF also taught her the importance of listening to the people she serves, the value of collaboration and the ability to be flexible and adapt to constant change.
From an early age, Saunders was passionate about helping and serving others. “I decided to pursue nursing because I have always felt called to help others,” she said. “That attraction to caring for people led me to the nursing profession and the ability to not only provide clinical support, but also emotional support. A nurse serves such a vital role in caring for patients as a whole person, serving many times as a voice of comfort.”
As a nursing student, Saunders gained the knowledge and experience needed to be a great nurse at the bedside. Saunders credits her professors for showing her what great leadership looked like and creating an inspiring, motivational environment to learn and grow.
Saunders is still involved with USF as an alum, even attending the USF School of Nursing’s Distinguished Lecture Series in February 2022. “Returning to campus always brings back fond memories, and I was inspired by the passionate, dedicated nursing students who I know will soon be providing exceptional care at the bedside,” Saunders said. In addition, Saunders proudly serves on USF College of Nursing Dean Usha Menon’s board of advisors.
In her current role, Saunders serves as the president and CEO of Wellstar Health System in Marietta, GA, leading a team of more than 24,000 physicians, caregivers and team members who are committed to enhancing the health and well-being of patients and communities across the state. Saunders said that her early career nursing experience has shaped her approach to healthcare leadership. “It’s no secret to anyone entering the nursing profession that the healthcare landscape is always changing,” Saunders said. “From emerging digital tools and technology to the demands of a pandemic, nurses and healthcare leaders must always be ready to adapt by meeting challenges head-on and transforming them into opportunities.”
DONOR PROFILE:
DIANA AND MOHAN RAO
A scholarship can be a life-changing opportunity that skyrockets a student toward furthering their education. That was the case for Diana Rao, AAS, who serves on the USF Health College of Nursing’s Board of Advisors, and it sparked her initial idea to create a scholarship with her husband Mohan, MD, a now retired neonatologist, to help nursing students like her.
Rao started her nursing career as a student in 1972. At the time, she was in New York City, attending nursing school thanks to a free educational program awarded to students based on merit. Rao’s nursing education led her to a life of patient care from local emergency rooms to international combat settings.
The idea of a scholarship was always in the back of the couple’s minds, but seeing the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the nursing profession, such as the nursing workforce shortage and high levels of burnout in the profession, made the need for this scholarship paramount. The Diana & Mohan Rao Nursing Scholarship aims to combat the current strains on the profession at both the academic and professional levels.
“USF [College of Nursing] has an excellent education and reputation. I’ve had the pleasure of working with several [USF nurses] in my practice, and they always come highly trained,” both Mohan and Diana Rao said. “You don’t need to walk them through it. They have really excellent skills. And if we can open the door to more people having access to [nursing education], and also see Dean Menon find ways to bring in more teachers, which is a huge problem in nursing education, then we will feel that we have accomplished what we set out to do. We came in with the intention of providing a scholarship, and we walked away with, ‘Okay, how much can we [contribute]?’”
The Diana & Mohan Rao Nursing Scholarship will be awarded to a student in Fall 2022 for the first time.
IMPACT STORIES
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE ANESTHESIOLOGY
A Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA) is recognized as one of the most accomplished leaders in the profession of nurse anesthesiology. The FAANA designation is a major career achievement that recognizes certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) as outstanding practitioners, educators, researchers, and advocates for the profession. The FAANA designation communicates a commitment to excellence in the profession of nurse anesthesiology. The College of Nursing has two Faculty members who are recipients of the FAANA award.
ALAN TODD
Alan Todd, DNP, CRNA, APRN, Lt Col, USAF, NC (retired) has been selected as a candidate for induction as a 2022 Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). He is presently serving as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Educational Innovation at the College of the Nursing/University of South Florida. In this position, he provides administrative responsibility for overseeing and implementing the USF College of Nursing’s undergraduate and graduate academic programs. In addition, he assists the Dean in implementing the strategic vision and plan of the college. Dr. Todd’s curriculum vitae is a testimonial to a highly eclectic and respected career as a clinician, scholar, educator, and leader within the nurse anesthesia profession.
MICHELE CANALE
Michelle L. Canale, DNP, CRNA, APR, has been selected as a candidate for induction as a 2022 Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA). She is the Nurse Anesthesia Program Director at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. She participated in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (ELAN) Fellowship. Her passion is professional advocacy and educating future CRNA professional leaders. As Clinical Education Coordinator and Program Director, she has advanced training and practice to the full professional scope at residency sites. As an AANA Education Committee member, Florida Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FANA) Program Committee Chair, FANA Director, Vice President, President-elect, and graduate of AACN’s ELAN Fellowship, she demonstrates extensive professional leadership and service. Dr. Canale is the recipient of several awards, namely, the ClochesyMiller Award for Scholarly Writing, Clinical Coordinator of the Year.
Trailblazing Nominations
LAURA SZALACHA
Honorary Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) Nominee
WALLENA GOULD
American Nurses Association (ANA) Innovation Advisory Committee
ALICIA ROSSITER
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) for Grassroots Advocacy Award Women in Leadership and Philanthropy (WLP) Faculty Grant Award
USHA MENON
USF Health Distinguished University Health Professor Award
MARCIA JOHANSSON
• Society for Critical Care
Medicine • American Association of
Nurse Practitioners • National Organization of Nurse Practitioners
Faculties (NONPF)
Preceptor Gold Star Award
CECILE LENGACHER
• Southern Nursing
Research Society (SNRS)
Distinguished Research
Award • Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) 2022 Distinguished
Research Award
STEPHANIE PRESCOTT
DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Philanthropy to the USF Health College of Nursing directly affects improved patient care for the Tampa Bay region and beyond. Student scholarships, global academic and community partnerships and care for seafarers are all aided by the generosity of our supporters. These initiatives keep the nursing profession positive and impactful to all those who give and receive care and are a result of support from USF’s generous donors. We would like to thank all of those inside and outside of the organization who have worked to achieve these goals. The College of Nursing has awarded 123 scholarships to students totaling more than $300,000. During Giving Week, which took place April 4–8, 2022, 42 donors enthusiastically donated $7,035 to USF Health College of Nursing to support its global programs. This is an increase of 68% in donors and 283% in donations from Giving Week in 2021.
USF Health College of Nursing has focused on building new partnerships in 2022. The Office of Community Engagement recognizes the importance of support at the local level in establishing grassroots support. Here within our local communities, partnerships with the Salvation Army have blossomed. And on a national level, a $25,000 donation will fund travel to explore nursing relationships in Sicily, Italy.
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