Lifelines Fall | Winter 2014

Taking Nursing to a Higher Levelwww.musc.edu/nursing

Valuing DiversityThe importance of

words, thoughts and actions

LIFELINESMUSC College of Nursing’s

Fall | Winter 2014

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

TakeNursingHigher.musc.edu

DIVERSITY | di·ver·si·ty; di’v rsitē

This is a popular and often used word but, if I may borrow from our

hospital colleagues, is there truly “meaningful use?” Or is there even

a common understanding of what we mean when we talk about

diversity.

The pluralistic nature of our American

society mandates that clinicians provide

care that respects the culture, values

and beliefs of each individual. We see

that written in all of our health care and

educational materials. But the question I

raise is, “How do we actualize that? How

do we make it real?”

In this issue of Lifelines we are shining

the light on how we, as a College of

Nursing, are embedding this into

everything we do. If you go to

www.musc.edu/nursing you will read that:

>> The College of Nursing works closely with the Medical University

of South Carolina Office of Student Diversity to promote an inclusive

environment that fosters intellectual excellence and the true integration of a

diverse student body into all aspects of academic life.

>> The College of Nursing is committed to embracing and drawing from the

unique voices, experiences, and perspectives of our students, faculty, staff

and volunteers in all that we do. Our commitment to diversity, health equity

and inclusion informs and empowers us to reflect and effectively serve all of

our constituents.

>> We strive to attract, recruit, admit, retain and educate a diverse student

body, faculty and staff. We firmly believe that an atmosphere that embraces

Equity, Inclusion and Access will enhance the educational and cultural

experiences of our students, faculty and staff, thus making better world

citizens.

But words on paper are just the beginning. We realize that making these

words real is a journey—a journey of discovery and exploration—of self and

others. Done well, it enriches our lives and those for whom we care.

I invite you, therefore, to turn the pages and walk with us as we tell our story

of valuing diversity and the many rich rewards we have experienced along

the way.

Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, FAAN

Dean and Distinguished University Professor

Gail W. Stuart,Dean

Jo Smith,Editor

Beth Khan,Design & Production

Mardi Long,BSN Program & Alumni Services Coordinator

Laurie Scott,Director of Development

A publication of the Medical University of South Carolina

College of Nursing

PUBLISHED BY

HAVE FEEDBACK? SEND COMMENTS TO:

Jo Smith

Lifelines EditorMUSC College of Nursing

99 Jonathan Lucas St., MSC 160Charleston, SC 29425-1600

[email protected](843) 792-3941

99 Jonathan Lucas StreetCharleston, SC 29425

www.musc.edu/nursing

MUSC NURSES CHANGE LIVES

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

Volume XII, Issue 2 • Fall/Winter 2014

LIFELINES

DEAN’S COLUMN

e

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIVERSITY IN WORDS ...................................................... 4

Defining the words that reflect our values

DIVERSITY IN THOUGHT ................................................. 6

Opening our minds to different cultures

DIVERSITY IN ACTION.................................................... 12

Actualizing our respect for others

DEAN’S COLUMN ...............................................................1

AROUND THE COLLEGE ..................................................16

FOCUS ON FACULTY .......................................................18

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT .................................................... 24

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS .................................................27

GIVING BACK .................................................................. 35

LINES OF LIFE ................................................................. 36

The English language is a beautiful instrument of communication. It can be both

complex and simple depending on the task at hand. On these two pages we have

captured some of the nuances that emerge as we discuss the language of diversity

and its many dimensions.

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

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

reality.

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

In the pages that follow we will describe how we have incorporated diversity of thought and

diversity of action into the fabric of our College.

Word | werd | noun | a single distinct meaningful element

of speech or writing,

wordsdiversity of

EQUITY:fairness or justice in the way people are treated. (Webster-Merriam dictionary)

RESPECT:a feeling of admiring someone or something that is good, valuable,

important, and should be treated in an appropriate way.

(Webster-Merriam dictionary)

Fall | Winter 2014 LIFELINES 5

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

organization.(Webster-Merriam dictionary)

CULTURAL COMPETENCY:has a positive effect on patient care delivery by enabling providers to deliver services that are

respectful of and responsive to the health beliefs, practices and cultural and linguistic needs of

diverse patients. (NIH)

CULTURAL HUMILITY:the ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is

other-oriented (or open to the other) in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the person. It is different from other culturally-based training ideals

because it focuses on self-humility rather than achieving a state of knowledge or awareness.

(Wikipedia)

INCLUSION:inclusive organizations value the perspectives and contributions of all people, and strive to

incorporate the needs and viewpoints of diverse communities into all aspects of the organization.

www.legalinclusiveness.org

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

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

– John Mellancamp, This is Our Country

diversity in

6 LIFELINES Fall | Winter 2014


In the MUSC College of Nursing,

diversity of thought is evident in

the way we open students’ minds to

different cultures and prepare them

to provide culturally competent care. It is

particularly evident in our faculty practice

and research efforts that focus on serving

vulnerable populations.

AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVELIn 2014, a Strategic Plan for Diversity and

Inclusion was developed at MUSC to create

an academic health care community in

which every member is respected and val-

ued by leveraging differences in ways that

allow people to understand and be under-

stood, and work together productively to

“change what’s possible.”

In April, an inaugural retreat for the Stra-

tegic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion was

held. The day featured large group exer-

cises inspiring diversity and inclusion out-

comes, along with breakout sessions for the

five Diversity and Inclusion work groups.

These work groups meet bi-monthly and

consist of nearly 150 employees repre-

senting the university, the MUSC Medical

Center, and MUSC-Physicians.

MUSC also will conduct its first enter-

prise-wide climate survey this fall. The

instrument selected was the only one that

met MUSC’s high standards for validity and

reliability, and a survey will be administered

to every member of the community (em-

ployees, contractors, faculty and students).

REMOVING UNCONSCIOUS BIASMUSC’s Best Practice Scholars Program,

sponsored by ARROW (the MUSC initiative

for the Advancement, Recruitment, and

Retention of Women), launched a universi-

ty-wide initiative to make faculty, admin-

istrators and key decision-makers aware

of the phenomenon of unconscious bias.

Two senior faculty, Elaine Amella, PhD, RN,

FAAN, from the College of Nursing and Le-

onie Gordon, MB, ChB, from the College of

Medicine, were chosen to speak to search

committees, college-level appointment,

promotion and tenure (APT) committees,

Thought | THôt | noun | the action or process of thinking or an idea

or opinion that is formed by thinking.

thoughtdiversity in

and the university tenure committee

about this concept, and discuss data

reflective of this phenomenon.

Unlike prejudice, which is an

opinion not based on reason, fact or

actual experience, unconscious bias is

unknown to the individual. It is some-

thing acquired through subtle pattern-

ing and a very deep survival need that

is almost instinctive – to distrust ‘the

other’ in a fight or flight situation.

This concept has been validated by

research from social scientists from the

best universities and can be evaluated

by individuals using the highly re-

garded Implicit Association Test (IAT).

College of Nursing faculty and both the

College’s search and APT committees

recently received a presentation on

unconscious bias led by Dr. Amella.

AT THE COLLEGE LEVELIn July 2012, the College of Nursing

formalized our commitment to diversi-

ty with the establishment of a standing

Diversity Committee that is part of the

faculty governance structure. Mem-

bership includes representation from

faculty, staff and students. The group is

charged with promoting an environ-

ment of respect, teamwork, and mutual

understanding.

Since its inception, the Diversity

Committee has created a Cultural In-

clusion Calendar highlighting different

cultural celebrations and provided a

link so that faculty, staff and students

can download these events into their

personal calendars. The committee also

established and organizes an annual

“Cooks Around the World” potluck

lunch and invites all faculty and staff to

prepare a dish that represents their cul-

tural heritage for all to enjoy. The group

further facilitated the re-establishment

of the Multicultural Student Nurses

Association and “Mentoring Magic”

was created to link underrepresented

minority students with professional

organizations, such as the Tri-County

Black Nurses Association.

The Diversity Committee surveys

faculty, staff and students annually

regarding their perceptions of diver-

sity in the College. In 2014, the com-

mittee developed the MUSC College

of Nursing Strategic Plan and Logic

Model from the results of the survey. By

providing a forum for the creation, pro-

motion, and maintenance of activities,

programs, and policies, the Diversity

Committee furthers our understanding

of individual and group inclusion in all

areas of the College of Nursing.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORK GROUPSRecruitment & Pipeline Development >> Helps to determine mechanisms for

increasing the diversity of the applicant

pool for students, staff and faculty, and

identifies areas of need where applicant

pipeline development will be required to

achieve the desired applicant pool.

Education & Training >> Focuses on identifying key curriculum

content for all students, determining ori-

entation and ongoing development needs

for faculty and staff, and designing a plan

for developing and maintaining cultural

competence.

Engagement & Inclusion>> Assesses the current climate among

the various constituencies, identifies key

opportunities such as organizational

policies for building a strong climate of

inclusion, and recommends action plans

designed to address the key strategies.

Communication, Community Relations & Outreach>> Supports other groups in identifying

and disseminating key information and

helps identify mechanisms for commu-

nication of efforts and achievements to

both internal and external constituencies,

as well as determines opportunities to

build linkages in the external community.

Performance & Outcome Metrics >> Supports other groups in identifying

and gathering measureable data and out-

comes, such as compiling diversity and

inclusion goals and designing dashboards

for tracking progress over time, deter-

mining data gaps and recommending

corrective actions.

How can I address my biases if I don’t know

that I have them?


CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN COURSESAn important curriculum revision activ-

ity this year was driven by a funded

Health Resources Services Adminis-

tration (HRSA) grant received by Gail

Gilden, ScD, RN. One of the HRSA grant

objectives is to graduate a DNP and PhD

workforce who are 100 percent culturally

competent and who represent the diver-

sity and social and economic profile of

the populations they serve. A key strategy

to accomplish this objective was to in-

tegrate cultural competency learning in

the PhD and DNP programs and among

CON faculty, students, and staff.

A HRSA grant task force, led by

Tiffany Williams, DNP, APRN, CPNP-

PC, developed a conceptual model (see

Figure 1) to guide the inclusion of the

variety of health equity and cultural

effectiveness

concepts

important to

include in the

curriculum.

Further, the

group compiled

standardized

definitions of

terms and refer-

ences for continued education for use by

faculty.

A decision was made to expand this

activity to all graduate and undergradu-

ate programs of study. Thus, in March

2014, an all-school faculty workshop was

held to begin implementation of this ro-

bust model. The faculty revised all course

descriptions, objectives, and core content

to include health equity and diversity as

visible concepts, using the conceptual

model as a guide. Faculty incorporated

learning objectives into their courses

that explore the nature and impact of

discrimination, harassment and victim-

ization because of disability, race, sex,

sexual orientation, transgender, religion

or belief, age, or socioeconomic status.

These revisions in each course moved

the college from the sporadic practice of

teaching equity and diversity in courses

to being a visible priority in each course

with common usage of terms.

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

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

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

Implementation• Caring and services

Plan• Marketing shared

decisions

Evaluation• Evaluating outcomes

Assessment• Identifying concerns

and needs

EQUITY

SAFETY

PERFORMANCEMONITORING

QU

ALIT

Y

MUSC College of NursingCultural Competence Model

NURSING

• respect

• communication

• advocacy

• therapeutic intervention

• critical thinking

• health promotion

• leadership

• evidence-based practice

• continuing ed.

• professional development

• quality information

• safety

HEALTH

• health promotion

• risk reduction

• illness prevention & management

• physical comfort

• education

• accessibility

• coordination of care

• shared decision making

• active involvement in care

• health literacy

• promote affordability

• active involvement

CLIENT

• power

• health disparities

• life span

• individual/family efficacy & management

• community

• diversity

• genetics

• spirituality

• respect values & beliefs

• adequate resources

ENVIRONMENT

• empowerment

• health equity

• community

• social determinants of health

• organization

• social-political milieu

• collaboration

• Center for Community Health Partnerships

• ethical dilemmas

• promoting community based healthy living

Williams


At this same workshop, faculty

identified future learning needs for

ongoing development related to this

work. These topics will form the base

for future workshops and guest speak-

ers. The evolution towards a culturally

competent nursing workforce remains

an ongoing challenge and priority of

the College of Nursing in learning and

better caring for multicultural com-

munities.

AT THE STUDENT LEVELThe Multicultural Student Nurses As-

sociation (MSNA) serves as a platform

of cultural exchange inclusive of all

students in the College of Nursing

regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,

nationality, religion, sexual orienta-

tion, age, disability, or socio-economic

status, with specific emphasis on the

recruitment and retention of under-

represented minority students. Their

actions are wide-ranging in scope.

To meet one of the aims, MSNA

members volunteer to serve in com-

munity health fairs and events (see

photos at right). In February, members

enlisted to check cholesterol, blood

sugar levels, blood pressure and ad-

minister flu shots at the Delma Wood

and Aleta McLeod Bryant Health Fair

which served hundreds of community

members.

At the Multiple Sclerosis Walk held in

March, MSNA members provided valu-

able foot care to walkers. Massages and

bandaging feet gave students an op-

portunity to hear participants’ inspiring

stories and render much needed care.

The group also supports the MUSC

Kids Run, held the day before the

Cooper River Bridge. According to

MSNA member Shyronda Knotts, “the

Kids Run really allows children to be

active and get moving while hav-

ing a blast.” The MSNA helped with a

variety of needs at the event, includ-

ing organizing packets for runners,

distributing t-shirts, and managing a

safe environment. “The children who

participated had a safe day filled with

fun and fitness,” said Toya Williams,

MSNA president.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• To promote professionalism by interacting with professional organizations.

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


Imagine working on a bachelor of science in nursing at MUSC and fin-

ishing a practicum at the same time you’re pursuing a master’s in health

exercise and sports sciences at The Citadel. If that schedule doesn’t

seem challenging enough, add to it working in the MUSC Cardiothoracic

Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), teaching Zumba classes at the Wellness Cen-

ter, spending dozens of volunteer hours helping others in the Charleston

community, serving in MUSC student government and presiding over the

Multicultural Student Nurses Association (MSNA).

High achiever would hardly begin to describe Toya Williams, a graduate

of the College of Nursing class of 2014 and MUSC Presidential Scholar.

That being said, pursuing the field of nursing was far from the original

path she was on.

Growing up in Sumter, SC, Williams and her family had other plans for

her future. The eldest of three children, she was an entertainer. Since she

was 3 years old, she progressed through tap, ballet, point, jazz, and lyrical

dance, spending countless hours in lessons, practice, and recitals.

Ultimately, dreams of becoming a TopCat dancer for the Carolina

Panthers fueled her passion to exceed in the set of qualities necessary to

capture a highly prized spot on the prestigious cheerleading squad: per-

sonality, showmanship, dance skills, professionalism and physical fitness,

all of which she had in abundance.

Her ambitions continued while attending Winthrop University where

she studied exercise science. Williams made the university’s elite dance

team her freshman year and they performed regularly during basket-

ball season, making an appearance at an NCAA tournament game that

provided a similar experience to that of an NFL or NBA dance squad. She

began narrowing down her audition list of professional dance teams.

But life had other ideas for Williams.

After graduating from Winthrop, she was selected for an internship in

exercise science at the MUSC Wellness Center where she worked with Ja-

nis Newton and the Healthy Charleston Challenge (HCC). She loved help-

ing people transform their lives and health and reach their goals. “Toya is

a very special person and a most impressive student. The Wellness Center

was fortunate to have her involved in the HCC and with Zumba classes.

She has a special gift when working with people and instantly earns their

trust, respect, and admiration,” said Newton.

After her internship, she was hired as a patient care technician on the

CTICU. Although the work was entirely different from what she was accus-

tomed to doing, it suited her thirst for knowledge and her love of people.

Noticing her proclivity for delivering compassionate and appropriate

care to patients, people told her she should consider becoming a nurse.

At first she didn’t see it, but eventually she came around to the idea. “After

a while, I thought to myself, wait a minute, I like what these nurses do.

I like how they relate to patients, how they interact with each other, the

autonomy they have in their environment, and the impact they make every

day. I realized nurses are vital to the process,” Williams said.

She was accepted to the College of Nursing but because she was also

taking classes at The Citadel, she was not able to qualify for more financial

aid that semester. One day at work she received an email informing her

she had been selected as a Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing

Scholar. The scholarship would pay for her entire semester of school. That

was just the sign she needed. “If I was unsure about whether I was making

the right choice about pursuing nursing, this scholarship removed all

doubt about my place in nursing and confirmed my decision was the right

one,” Williams said.

In July she entered the new graduate nurse residency program in the

Duke Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU. Once she completes the residency she

will have a permanent position there. “I love this area. I love how fast-

paced CT is and how much critical thinking it takes. Even though we’re

dealing primarily with heart and lungs, those two organs are so vital they

have some sort of contribution to every other organ. I love how quickly

the patient can have a significant turnaround.”

At the College of Nursing, Williams earned a reputation as willing and

dependable. She represented the college in the MUSC student govern-

ment and served on the service committee that manages MUSC’s student

volunteer outreach throughout the community.

She was extremely proud to be an MUSC Presidential Scholar. Her

scholar group was paired with the Harvest Free Medical Clinic where they

created a community resource guide for the patients and community at

large. “We learned that what the academic community thinks the com-

munity needs and what the community itself actually needs are really

two incredibly different things. You have to listen to the true needs of a

community,” Williams said.

Williams knows she is a different person today than she was when she

started. “I never realized how capable I was. I think I really downplayed

my abilities and truly didn’t think I had what it took to do it all and to be

president of an organization like MSNA. I admire my College of Nursing

advisers who forced me to look at myself, to see leadership qualities I

never saw before.”

In the Spotlight: TOYA WILLIAMS By Mikie Hayes, MUSC Public Relations

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

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


Ac•tion | àk-sh n | noun | the accomplishment of a thing usually

over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition.

actiondiversity in

The College of Nursing has put

commitment to valuing diversity

in action in every phase of its

mission. The College strives to

create a safe and supportive climate that

promotes diverse points of view and in

which every person is treated with respect

and dignity. Here is a small sampling of

how we actualize our respect of others.

TEEN HEALTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMFunded by the National Library of

Medicine, the Teen Health Leadership

Program (THLP) is a collaboration between

the College of Nursing and St. John’s High

School. The THLP builds capacity in rural

communities by establishing a core group

of teens as a health information resource

for their peers and their families. As the

only public high school on Johns Island, St.

John’s High serves a diverse population of

students. The program seeks to empower

these high school students, providing

resources and support for them to assist

and serve their community.

The project provides health information

literacy training as well as leadership

development skills, enabling the students to

design and implement outreach projects to

improve the awareness and use of quality

health information in their community.

Through a series of experiential

opportunities and mentorships, the THLP

also seeks to encourage young people of

diverse backgrounds to become health

professionals.

e


“Imagine all the people, sharing all the world...You may say I’m a dreamer,

but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.”

- John Lennon, Imagine

HISPANIC HEALTH INITIATIVESIn 2005 Deborah Williamson, DHA,

MSN, RN, CN, associate dean for prac-

tice, established the Hispanic Health

Initiatives (HHI), using community

participatory action to mobilize diverse

partners to obtain sustainable solutions

for promoting healthy communities

in South Carolina, a state with some

of the poorest health outcomes in the

nation. Under her leadership, the HHI

mobilized resources from federal, state,

and private sectors to increase access

to primary care services for unfunded

Latinos, promote health literacy, and

provide resource navigation. Programs

initiated by the HHI include:

> AbazosThis is a family literacy program that

promotes school readiness skills in

3-year olds and provides their moth-

ers with ESOL (English for speakers of

other languages), health, and parenting

classes to support immigrant women

in the transition to a new community.

Approximately 276 mothers and

their 3-year olds have participated

in the Abrazos program since 2006.

Eighty BSN students and 20 students

from other colleges have provided

health screening and health education

to the program participants.

The health promotion program has

been very successful with documented

changes in knowledge and behavior.

The women improved their health lit-

eracy significantly and were connected

with needed resources in the commu-

nity. During the 2013-14 school year,

60 Spanish-speaking mothers received

weekly health workshops facilitated

by PASOs, BSN students and com-

munity speakers. Health knowledge

of the mothers increased 35 percent

over the course of the year, and focus

groups revealed that mothers felt more

confident and prepared in their ability

to access health services in the future.

Participants also felt grateful for having

made friends in the program on whom

they can rely for health support in the

future.

> PASOsThis means “steps” in Spanish, and it is

an evidence-based, statewide, organi-

zation that provides a bridge between

the Latino community and the health

care system in order to maximize the

health of Latino families. The organi-

zation partnered with the College of

Nursing in 2010 and has been growing

ever since. The mission of PASOs is to

help the Latino community and service

providers work together for strong and

healthy families. This is accomplished

through education, support, and

grassroots leadership development.

Community health workers, called pro-

motores, help their peers navigate the

medical/social system and advocate for

Latino family health needs.

In the last year, this community-

based program reached an estimated

2,500 individuals through activities and

informational programs broadcast via

radio. Seven outreach events were held

along with 28 appearances on local ra-

dio shows. Community health lessons

on maternal-child health topics were

presented and eight community health

workers (promotores) were trained in

communications and cultural sensi-

tivity. The PASOs program provided

resources navigation to 138 individuals.

Twenty BSN students in the HHI schol-

ars group assisted during outreach and

health education events.

> Hispanic Health Initiative ScholarsThese Accelerated Bachelor of Science

in Nursing (ABSN) students are selected

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

SURVEY RESULTSOUTCOMES FROM A SURVEY OF THLP

PARTICIPANTS WHO GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL BETWEEN 2009 AND 2013.

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

57% were the first in their families

to attend college

30% chose a major in a health related field

50% planned to go on to graduate school

33%were undecided


Although the Statue of Liberty’s original intention served as more of a diplomatic gesture, it quickly became a

welcoming symbol for immigrant populations. Emma Lazarus’ sonnet, which was later engraved into the ped-

estal of the iconic statue, presents an American Dream seemingly accessible to all peoples: “Give me your tired,

your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The migrant population in today’s America are certainly

tired, poor, huddled masses, and yet their breathing remains labored by the injustices they continue to face.

I am not unfamiliar with the conditions of the homes in the migrant camp, nor the amount of hours Hispanic

immigrants often work in order to provide for themselves and their families. I was, however, struck by the devastating

and enchaining legislation that dictates compensation as well as protection of rights for migrant workers. Compensa-

tion dictated by weight of crops harvested, without benefits or adequate provision for rest, perpetuates a cycle of

oppression in which the migrant population is left with neither a voice, nor an avenue for change.

The Farmworker Bill of Rights developed on October 13, 2012 in Raleigh, NC declares the right of the migrant population to live and work in condi-

tions that “meet the standards of human decency,” without fear of reprisal. Though the solutions to this broken farming system are complex and at times

seemingly unclear, I believe there are always small steps to take in the right direction.

This evening, as I wash the strawberry and dirt from my hands, I have committed to be more aware of the people who provide the fruits and vegeta-

bles I consume and share that awareness with others. I have considered switching to organic produce in light of the pesticides used in inorganic farming

and the subsequent health effects on migrant workers. I am waiting in hope for the opportunity to meet the faces behind my food.

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

In the Spotlight: MIGRANT WORKERS

based on academic performance, inter-

est in diverse cultures and commu-

nity participatory action. This model

program builds cultural competency,

sensitivity to community needs, the

ability to tailor care, and the leadership

skills necessary for our graduates to ad-

dress the social determinants of health

and the elimination of health dispari-

ties. Their immersion with members of

the Hispanic community and providers

involved in their care provides insight

into nursing issues of language access,

advocacy, negotiation across agencies,

and the social and civic contexts that

influence health and illness. Ten ABSN

students are accepted into the HHI

scholars program each fall and summer

semesters.

FACULTY PRACTICESNurse practitioner faculty work in a va-

riety of settings that care for the under-

served population in the community.

> Harvest Free Medical Clinic

Annemarie Donato, DNP, FNP-BC,

provided 100 hours of care during the

past academic year to 50 patients at the

non-profit Harvest Free Medical Clinic.

Provision of health care services is pro-

vided to all eligible individuals without

regard to faith, nationality, creed, or

lifestyle.

> Crisis MinistriesJoy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNS-BC,

provides care at Crisis Ministries,

Charleston’s largest homeless shelter.

In the past academic year, Dr. Lauerer

saw 336 clients for psychiatric evalu-

ation, medication management and


Over the last eight years, nearly 300 mothers and their children have participated in the Abrazos literacy program Dr. Deborah Williamson with ABSN students at clinic

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A graduate of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree programs, J’Vonne

Hunter, DNP, CPNP has brought her life experiences to her work

roles. Growing up in Georgetown, SC, Dr. Hunter lived with her mother

and two siblings. “My childhood was wonderful, and I always excelled in

school and took part in activities such as cheerleading and Navy Junior

ROTC. I was, however, frequently in the pediatrician’s office for acute

asthma exacerbations and in the nurse’s office at school for nebulizer

treatments. In the fourth grade, I wrote that I wanted to be a doctor

like my pediatrician – little did I know the plan would be to become to

become a nurse, earn my DNP degree and make a difference with the

pediatric population.”

Prior to her enrollment in the ABSN program, Dr. Hunter earned her

bachelor’s from North Carolina State University, where she majored in

biology and minored in Spanish. “Spanish was an after-thought, but a

professor encouraged me, and it was a great decision to follow-through

with his advisement. Although our practice sites have interpreters, I feel

being a bilingual provider eases communication for me and allows parents

and patients to share concerns without limitation.”

Currently practicing in a pediatric practice that is part of the largest

community health center in South Carolina, Dr. Hunter works with health

care professionals whom she finds inspirational. “Our pediatric population

consists of many Spanish-speaking patients. It has been the perfect en-

vironment to maintain and perfect my bilingualism while breaking down

barriers to health care.”

Dr. Hunter took advantage of numerous opportunities while she was

a nursing student. She was selected for the Robert Wood Johnson New

Careers in Nursing Scholars Program, the prestigious MUSC Presidential

Scholars Program and the Hispanic Health Initiative Scholars Program.

To broaden her perspectives she has studied the Hispanic culture and

traveled though Latin America. Dr. Hunter has traveled with the Palmetto

Medical Initiative to Nicaragua, and more recently to Uganda. “The trip to

Uganda was my first as a licensed health care provider,” said Dr. Hunter.

“The advanced practice education and experience allowed me to make

an impact. I find it rewarding going into global communities, empower-

ing people with education, and providing a means to improve health care

outcomes in local environments.”

“When abroad, much of the focus is on what a person can do to help a

patient at this moment. The focus is on self-empowerment and education.

The same focus is at home as well. The nature of the illness may be dif-

ferent but each visit is an opportunity to equip the patient with a solution

to their health concerns. My primary care patients, in addition to wanting

their acute health problem addressed, want knowledge and understand-

ing of the illness, and information about prevention. As a nursing student,

I was taught each moment of contact with a patient should be a teaching

opportunity. I keep that in mind with each sick or well child visit,” shared

Dr. Hunter.

When asked about the value of diversity in nursing, Dr. Hunter replied,

“Diversity can be two-fold. In the nursing profession. It is essential for

health care providers to represent different backgrounds and cultures. At

the same time, it is important to be able to care for a variety of patients

who are reflective of society. Initiatives to promote cultural competence

are so critical to providing effective patient care.”

psychotherapy. She also led a children’s

support group in Summerville.

Crisis Ministries houses up to 120

adults and families on a daily basis.

Dr. Lauerer is part of an interdisciplin-

ary team made up of physicians, case

managers, and social workers.

> Partners in Healthcare/ECCOThe College of Nursing, in collabora-

tion with East Cooper Community

Outreach (ECCO), opened Partners in

HealthCare, a nurse practitioner prac-

tice that focuses on the management of

uninsured patients with diabetes, hy-

pertension, and associated conditions

of hyperlipidemia, obesity, and tobacco

usage. ECCO, a non-profit, community

service organization, serves more than

4,500 Berkeley and Charleston county

families who are living in poverty.

Partners in HealthCare is staffed by

three CON faculty nurse practitioners,

Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP-

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

and Whitney Smith, MSN, APRN,

ANP-C. Shannon Smith, DNP, RN,

ACNS-BC, CGRN, provides patient care

coordination and Dr. Williamson, pro-

vides support for clinic development

and management of the integration of

the ABSN students.

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

J’VONNE HUNTERIn the Spotlight:


Chances are on your next stay

in the hospital, you’re likely to

encounter a male nurse, and

it’s not as likely to be a surprise.

The image of men in nursing is

experiencing a rapid change. A US

Census Bureau study released in 2013

found that the proportion of male

registered nurses has more than tripled

since 1970, rising from 3 to 10 percent.

There has been a culture change to

support the rising number. Berry

Anderson, PhD, RN, assistant profes-

sor in the College of Nursing, said

he’s been a

nurse for 17

years and

sees a shift

in respect

for men in

the nursing

profession.

“I think that

has come

with the increase in health care tech-

nology, competitive salaries, high job

satisfaction, and that others are now

recognizing that nursing is a great ca-

reer. I think people are seeing through

those stereotypes we’ve had in the past

and welcoming men in nursing.”

Anderson expects the number of

men in nursing to continue to rise.

We have a lot of second-career folks.

People have been out there doing

something they don’t like, and they

come into nursing for the versatility

and job satisfaction.”

At MUSC, there has been a dramatic

increase in the number of men parlay-

ing their military experience into the

field of nursing. They may have been

a military paramedic or held another

medical job, and have come to the

position well-trained. Anderson said it’s

a good trend.

“The diversity pot makes everything

better. You don’t just have one way

of thinking, you have several ways of

thinking.”

The stigma of being a male nurse

also is decreasing. It is a profession in

its own right – not just a career men

choose because they couldn’t “make

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

knew he wanted to be a nurse since

seventh grade, never wanted to be a

physician. His parents were nurses,

and he always enjoyed the sciences. “I

thought nursing had a lot of job oppor-

tunities – the diversity of nursing. I

couldn’t imagine going to school and

picking something while I was really

young, doing a residency and then

sticking to it forever. What if I didn’t

like it? With nursing, you have flexibili-

ty. So if I tire of one thing, I can change

to a different part of the profession.”

In his last semester in nursing school,

he became interested in psychiatric

nursing and went on to love working

at the MUSC Institute of Psychiatry and

being an assistant professor at the Col-

lege of Nursing. Anderson, who always

has been fascinated by why people

behave the way they do, found psychi-

atric nursing a perfect fit. “It’s been a

great career for me.”

Nursing on an acute psychiatric

unit is particularly challenging because

patients typically don’t give much

feedback or thanks, given the nature

of their illnesses, but he gets enough

signs to know he’s making a difference.

He recalls a former patient who came

up to him at a restaurant to thank him.

“It blew me away because first of all

she came up to me and said she was

a psychiatric patient, which a lot of

people wouldn’t do because there’s a

stigma involved, and I was with a group

of people. She said, ‘what you told me

made such a difference in my life.’”

Anderson would like to see more

men in the profession. His two main

pieces of advice are to have a heart

for the job and to find the right niche.

“Follow what you want to do. You may

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

there. Nursing will allow you to do that.

You can do whatever you want. I can

truly say I enjoy what I’m doing and

that inspires me to do more.”

Recruiting Male Nurses By Dawn Brazell, reprinted from The Catalyst

Anderson

Dr. Brian Conner (pictured right) withABSN student, Ryan Dennis

The MUSC Men in Nursing group lend a hand to Habitat for Humanity


For the fourth annual Janelle

Othersen Visiting Professorship

on July 23, the College of Nursing

welcomed Virginia Trotter Betts,

MSN, JD, RN, FAAN, a nationally and

internationally recognized leader in

health and mental health care and

policy. During her visit, she consulted

on policy issues with students,

and faculty, in addition to giving a

campus-wide presentation entitled,

“Challenges, Opportunities, and

Strategies for the Advanced Practice

Nurse: The ACA and Beyond.”

Ms. Betts’ career has been one of

focused activism that includes seeking

improved access to and quality of

health care services for all; a balance

between health and illness and

physical and mental health services;

and increased inclusion for practice

and policy roles for professional

nurses in the health care system.

From 2003-2011, Ms. Betts served as

the Commissioner of the Tennessee

Department of Mental Health and

Developmental Disabilities, and

was the first nurse to serve as a

member of a Governor’s Cabinet.

During her two terms as president

of the American Nurses Association

(ANA), she led the ANA/nursing

profession’s policy development on

health care reform during the 1991-

1994 national debate.

As the Senior Advisor on Nursing

and Policy to the Secretary and

Assistant Secretary of Health of the

US Department of Health and Human

Services, Ms. Betts worked closely with

Secretary Donna Shalala and Assistant

Secretary of Health David Satcher on

enhancing the health care workforce

and on a variety of mental health

initiatives, including development of

Mental Health: a Report of the Surgeon

General; Surgeon General’s Call to

Action to Prevent Suicide.

In addition to her years in public

service, Ms. Betts has had a rich

academic career at Vanderbilt

University, the University of

Tennessee Health Sciences Center

and currently as president and CEO of

HealthFutures, Inc.

The College of Nursing accepted

the first cohort of 53 students

in the online Registered Nurse

to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

program (RN to BSN) in August.

The program was introduced to

increase the number of nurses with

the appropriate levels of education

likely to be needed in the future.

Research study findings, including the

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s

Charting Nursing’s Future, show there

are better outcomes when nurses have

a BSN or higher degree. To ensure the

RN workforce achieves baccalaureate

or higher degrees by 2020, colleges

must become part of the innovative

solutions that will develop the future

generations of nurses.

“This is an exciting time as we

embark on new endeavors to advance

our nurses professionally,” said Dean

Gail Stuart. “With changes in health

care, we need a nursing work force

that is continually growing, learning

and assuming new roles in patient

care; we want to ensure that our

nurses are in optimal positions to

deliver on the new expectations and

demands of our evolving health care

system.”

The fully online program can be

completed in one academic year that

consists of three full-time semesters.

Students complete 10 courses over 12

months that will provide a foundation

for excellence in professional nursing

practice. This practice-related

experience assists students to integrate

new practice-related knowledge and

skills that will transition them from

an associate degree or diploma to the

baccalaureate level of proficiency as

students gain higher-level skills than

those already accomplished in their

RN program.

AROUND THE COLLEGE

RN TO BSN PROGRAM OPENS

V

Left to right: Dean Gail Stuart, Mrs. Janelle Othersen, Ms. Virginia Trotter Betts, and Dr. Biemann Othersen

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH LEADER VISITS CON

V


A nursing tradition was reborn

at MUSC in 2002. It rekindled

the fire that was originally lit by

the lamp of Florence Nightingale by

transforming the honor of nursing’s

traditional “Capping Ceremony” into

a more contemporary and equally

important event, as the baccalaureate

students were recognized by the new

tradition of a “Stethoscope Ceremony.”

Most nursing faculty fondly remem-

ber the importance of their own “Cap-

ping Ceremony” - a time of recogni-

tion and reflection on the paths they

were pursing in their chosen career.

Yet times and norms have changed,

and nurses stopped wearing caps years

ago. Sadly, a ceremony celebrating this

academic and professional milestone

also stopped, as nurses became fo-

cused on trying to meet the demands

of their stressful work and school

environments.

In a renewal of these values and

this rite of passage, the MUSC fac-

ulty decided to use the power of the

stethoscope and words from their col-

leagues to connote this same tradition

of welcoming students into the family

of nursing. The campus chapel, with

candles flickering and organ music

softly playing in the background, cap-

tures the air of expectancy among stu-

dents, families and faculty. In a formal

ceremony, the entering baccalaureate

students are presented with a stetho-

scope as a tangible tool of their profes-

sion and listen to words of inspiration

about the career they have chosen for

their life’s work. And so a new tradition

was born.

In 2014, a gift from the Arnold P.

Gold Foundation allowed the College

of Nursing to expand this ceremony

to include a White Coat Ceremony

and the presentation of a Humanism

in Medicine Lapel Pin to the incom-

ing Accelerated Bachelor of Science in

Nursing students during the August

21st ceremony. Students wore their

white coats and were presented with

the lapel pin that symbolizes the

behaviors between nurses and their

patients that is respectful and com-

passionate. It signifies attitudes that

are sensitive to the values, autonomy,

cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of

others. The mission statement of the

Arnold P. Gold Foundation is “putting

the care back into health care.”

TRANSFORMING TRADITIONS

V Board Names New MUSC PresidentAfter a year-long national search, the

MUSC Board of Trustees selected David

J. Cole, MD, FACS as president of the uni-

versity and its affiliated medical centers.

Dr. Cole earned his medical degree

from Cornell University Medical College

in New York and completed his residency

training in general surgery at Emory

University. After residency, he completed

a surgical

oncology

fellowship

at the

National

Institutes

of Health,

National

Cancer

Institute Surgery Branch in Bethesda, MD.

In 1994, Dr. Cole became an assistant

professor in the MUSC College of Medi-

cine and his leadership roles have grown

through the years. In 2013, in addition

to being chairman of the Department of

Surgery, he served as president of MUSC

Physicians, the faculty practice plan for

MUSC.

“The College of Nursing welcomes Dr.

Cole to his new leadership role and we

anticipate actively engaging with him as

he refines the vision of MUSC in the years

ahead,” said Dean Stuart. “The patient is

the heart of what we focus on here at

MUSC and I am looking forward to new

models of clinical care, education and

research that reflect that focus”.


FOCUS ON FACULTY

College of Nursing clinical faculty

and alumnae, Debbie Chatman

Bryant, DNP, RN and Rebecca

Freeman, PhD, RN, PMP, have been

named two of just 20 Robert Wood

Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Execu-

tive Nurse Fellows for 2014. Drs. Bryant

and Freeman join a select group of

nurses from across the country cho-

sen to participate in the final cohort of

this world-class, three-year leadership

development program that is enhanc-

ing the effectiveness of nurse leaders

who are working to improve the US

health care system.

Dr. Bryant is the director of partner-

ships for health care quality research

at MUSC and

director of

outreach and

community

relations at

Hollings

Cancer

Center. She

has extensive

leadership

experience in community health,

focusing on engaging stakeholders,

improving processes, and engaging

individuals and organizations. Dr. Bry-

ant also is recognized for her perse-

verance and innovation in executing

strategies that respect and engage

diverse communities as active partici-

pants in realistic and practical steps to

improve health and health outcomes.

“I’m excited about the collaboration

and mentorship opportunities afford-

ed by this fellowship. I hope to utilize

those interactions and the fellowship

network’s vast collective knowledge

to extend my own career beyond my

current role to influence and reform

health policies to address social deter-

minants of health and public health

practices,” said Dr. Bryant.

Dr. Freeman is the Epic national

nurse champion for the Hospital Cor-

poration of America in Nashville, TN.

Prior to that she was the chief nursing

information officer and manager of

nursing informatics at MUSC.

Dr. Freeman worked in information

technology, focusing on networking,

project management, and supervisory

control and data acquisition systems

for 15 years before returning to school

to earn her BSN and PhD in Nursing

degrees. She has overseen the trans-

formation

of a nursing

informatics

division as

well as the

implementa-

tion of an

interdisci-

plinary care

record, facili-

tating team-building and the creation

of interdisciplinary governance struc-

tures and task forces. “The landscape

of informatics is constantly changing

and evolving and mentors are scarce.

With this fellowship I have the oppor-

tunity to collaborate with an amazing

team of executives and policy-makers

invested in setting the direction of in-

formatics for patients and health care

workers. These interactions will allow

me to shape my career in the best

possible ways, with truly exceptional

individuals providing mentorship that

develops my leadership capabilities,”

Dr. Freeman said.

The RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows

is a program that strengthens the lead-

ership capacity of nurses who aspire

to shape health care in their com-

munities, states, and nationally. The

program will provide Drs. Bryant and

Freeman with coaching, education,

and other support to strengthen their

abilities to lead teams and organiza-

tions working to improve health and

health care.

BRYANT, FREEMAN SELECTED FOR RWJ FELLOWSHIP

V

Michael Bridges (left) with Elaine Amella

Rubric Workshop Aids Faculty DevelopmentOn September 29, the College of Nursing

invited Michael Bridges, PhD, executive

director of education at Amber-Allen

Publishing, to conduct a day-long faculty

development workshop on rubrics to

assist faculty to better understand, create,

and meaningfully use rubrics in a variety

of settings.

During the interactive workshop,

the types of rubrics, including holistic

and analytic, were reviewed and faculty

developed rubrics for use in their courses.

In a few months, Dr. Bridges will deliver a

follow-up webinar to identify problems,

answer questions, share lessons-learned

and to offer advice about the use of

rubrics.

Dr. Bridges is a senior academic strat-

egy, assessment, educational technology

and faculty development professional

with broad expertise in the scholarship of

teaching and learning and the application

of fundamental principles of learning and

cognitive science to the development

of program architecture and course

design. He is co-author of the book, How

Learning Works: Seven Research-based

Principles for Smart Teaching.

What is a “rubric”? It is a document that identifies the expectations for a course, project,

program or assignment by listing the criteria of what will be evaluated,

describing levels of quality from excellent to poor.

Bryant

Freeman


Teresa Atz, PhD, RN, assistant

professor and assistant director

of MUSC HealthCare Simulation

Center, is the recipient of the 2014-2015

John R. Raymond Fellowship. Named

in honor of Dr. John R. Raymond who

served as provost and vice president of

academic affairs at MUSC from 2002

until 2010, this fellowship provides

financial support for selected full-time

female faculty members to initiate a

relationship with a mentor who is an

expert in their chosen field with the

ultimate goal of fostering professional

development and career advancement.

“I am extremely honored to receive

the John R. Raymond Fellowship

that has granted me an opportunity

to connect with Dr. Suzan Kardong-

Edgren, an external mentor in

simulation education and research

at Boise State University,” said Dr.

Atz. The two will work on a project

that will advance simulation in

nursing education by developing,

implementing, and testing scenarios

that improve nursing graduates’

transition from student to registered

nurse. “My goals for this year are to

develop knowledge and skills related

to simulation education, research and

publication and to develop a pilot study

for situation, background, assessment

and recommendation skills in

undergraduate simulation education.”

Kahlil Demonbreun, DNP,

RNC-OB, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC,

instructor, was honored at the

annual convention for the Association

of Women’s Health, Obstetric and

Neonatal Nurses (AWOHNN) held in

Orlando, FL, June 14 - 18. With more

than 3,000 people in attendance, he

was recognized for taking a career risk

to become a male nurse in the area of

women’s health.

In 1995, Dr. Demonbreun wrote a

position statement, Women’s Health,

Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing, that

was adopted by the AWOHNN in

relation to gender and employment as a

nurse in the specialty areas of women’s

health, obstetric and neonatal nursing.

Nineteen years later, the position

statement is still endorsed by the

organization today.

In addition, Dr. Demonbreun was

recognized for his various leadership

roles and milestones throughout his

career. In 2012, Dr. Demonbreun

became the first male women’s health

nurse practitioner in the US to earn a

DNP degree. He also is the first to be

certified as an inpatient obstetrics nurse

and adult nurse practitioner.

“Words cannot express the immense

honor I have for being chronicled as

a leader in women’s health nursing

during the opening presidential

speech at the 2014 Annual Convention

held in Orlando, Florida,” wrote Dr.

Demonbreun on AWOHNN’s facebook

page.

DEMONBREUN HONORED BY AWOHNN

V

ATZ AWARDED MENTORING FELLOWSHIP

V

“The College of Nursing is extremely proud that Dr. Atz was selected

for this award and I know that it will significantly contribute to her

leadership activities in simulation.” - DEAN GAIL STUART


Georgette (Gigi) Smith, PhD,

APRN, CPNP-PC, associate pro-

fessor, was named associate dean

for academics on August 1.

Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the

College of Nursing in 2004 as the track

coordinator of the pediatric nurse

practitioner program and assisted in co-

creating the MSN/DNP asynchronous

online curriculum. She was named the

MSN/DNP program director in 2013.

A certified pediatric nurse practitio-

ner, Dr. Smith has 30 years of pediatric

nursing experience specializing in the

care of children with epilepsy. Dur-

ing that time she has gained extensive

knowledge of the psychosocial impact

of chronic illness, specifically epilepsy,

on youth and their families. For the past 10 years, Dr. Smith has also served

as co-investigator or co-principal investigator in five funded research proj-

ects studying youth with epilepsy and their families. Additionally, she has

co-directed numerous professional educational offerings regarding pediatric

neurology issues including epilepsy throughout the years.

Dr. Smith’s work has been recognized by receiving the South Carolina

Nurses Association Excellence in Nursing Practice Award, South Carolina

Nurses Foundation Palmetto Gold Award, the Charleston Regional Business

Journal’s Health Care Hero Award, MUSC’s Outstanding Clinician Award, and

twice receiving the College of Nursing’s Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

SMITH APPOINTED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ACADEMICS

V

On September 1, Professor

Elaine Amella, PhD, RN,

FAAN, was named director of

the PhD in Nursing program in the

College of Nursing, a position she

previously held from 2004-2006.

Prepared as an advanced prac-

tice nurse in geriatrics, Dr. Amella

specialized in nursing and interdis-

ciplinary care of older adults for over

30 years. She received several honors

including the Southern Nursing

Research Society Hartford Institute

Geriatric Nursing Award, and a fel-

lowship at the John A. Hartford Geri-

atric Nursing Institute. She is a Fellow

in the American Academy of Nurs-

ing, the American Academy of Nurse

Practitioners, and the Gerontologi-

cal Society of America. She presents

nationally and internationally, and is

widely published in peer-reviewed

journals.

Dr. Amella has been funded by

the National Institutes of Health for

community and institutionally-based

interventions to help caregivers

manage meals for individuals with

dementia, the USDA for the testing of

rural nutrition and food safety train-

ing programs, and the HRSA Bureau

of Health Professions for training

undergraduate nursing students in

the concepts of geriatrics.

Dr. Amella is active at a national

level in several major nursing orga-

nizations.

AMELLA TAKES HELM OF PHD PROGRAM

V

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

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

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

that time she has served as the lead faculty for the

FNP/AGNP students and course coordinator for

Advanced Care Management II and Advanced

Clinical Assessment and Reasoning courses.

Dr. Durham maintains an active nurse practitioner

(NP) practice and is one of the founding providers

at Partners in HealthCare/East Cooper Community

Outreach, a nurse practitioner practice that focuses

on the management of uninsured patients. In ad-

dition, she serves as the sole NP providing cervical

and breast cancer screenings in conjunction with the Hollings Cancer Center

mobile van. She also is a commander in the US Navy Reserves. In that role, she

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

Response office assessing sexual assault in the reserve community.

DURHAM NAMED INTERIM DIRECTOR

V

FOCUS ON FACULTY


BRYANT SPEAKS AT CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING

V

D ebbie Chatman Bryant, DNP,

RN, director of partnerships

for healthcare quality research

at MUSC, director of outreach and

community relations for Hollings

Cancer Center, and instructor in the

College of Nursing, was an invited

speaker at a Congressional briefing on

rising mortality rates in women in the

US, July 15 in Washington, DC. At the

event, sponsored by Women’s Policy

Inc., Dr. Bryant shared experiences

from her outreach efforts and addressed

the disparities she witnesses every day

in health care in South Carolina.

Growing up in rural South Carolina

Dr. Bryant saw the daily struggles that

women faced. These women often

put their own health care needs on the

back burner because they didn’t have

the time, money, or access to health

care. As a result, many succumb to

preventable and manageable diseases.

“Many of the stories I encounter are

heartbreaking and frustrating, but all of

the stories underscore the challenges

facing women today and the need to

provide practical solutions for women

in need. The lives of the women in my

program are real. Their faces represent

an inescapable public health crisis of

our time. Our job is finding solutions,”

says Dr. Bryant. In her program, highly

trained “lay” navigators experienced in

local ethnic and rural cultures and low

health literacy help clients overcome

contextual and systemic barriers to

health care.

Melissa, a 35-year old, uninsured

African-American woman, was six

months pregnant with her fifth child at

the time of her breast cancer diagnosis.

Her care was delayed because her

Medicaid coverage for family planning

did not cover other conditions at the

time. “My navigation team was with

Melissa through the birth of her baby

and cancer treatment, but unfortunately

we did not reach her in time. The

cancer was aggressive and her

condition deteriorated. My team could

only offer support to Melissa and grieve

with her family when she passed away,”

laments Dr. Bryant.

For other patients, Dr. Bryant’s team

has had to address the intersection of

poverty combined with physical and

mental illness.

Mary, a 51-year old homeless

woman, was diagnosed with locally

advanced breast cancer. In addition

to her own history of mental illness,

Mary was responsible for the care

of her adult son who suffered from

bipolar disorder and several learning

disabilities. She was unwilling to go to

a shelter because she would have been

separated from her son, and she feared

for his safety. Coordinating health

care was just one piece of the puzzle

of ensuring that Mary received the

treatment she needed. Basic needs such

as food, shelter, and clothing needed

to be addressed for both Mary and her

son. “We arranged a hotel room prior to

surgery, but all of our careful planning

was nearly ruined when Mary and her

son overslept and missed her initial

surgery time. It had been some time

since they took a hot shower and slept

in a bed in an air-conditioned space

protected from South Carolina’s hot,

humid summer,” explains Dr. Bryant.

Following surgery, Mary was released

from the hospital into temporary

housing with four surgical drains from

her mastectomy site. The hospital stay

is more often two to three days in these

cases, but only for the insured. Mary’s

recovery continues and Bryant’s team

connects with her often. Without their

help, Mary’s story would have turned

out much differently.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Bryant

believes that by building a culture of

health, positive outcomes are within

reach. “We have abundant evidence of

the value of our navigation program.

The program has decreased the

number of at risk patients who do not

return for care following an abnormal

mammogram from 11 percent in 2009

to fewer the 5 percent since 2010,”

reports Dr. Bryant.

The context of women’s mortality

is multifaceted. “However,” Dr. Bryant

explains, “my experience has taught

me that improved results are not only

possible, but likely, when adequate

infrastructures designed to address

unique situations and challenges are in

place. I believe that we are in a position

to make a difference in the lives of

women like Melissa and Mary.”

“Many of the stories I encounter are heartbreaking and frustrating,

but all underscore the challenges facing women today and the need to

provide practical solutions for women in need.”


> Stephanie Armstrong, MSN, RN

is an instructor in the College of

Nursing’s undergraduate program. She

received both her Bachelor of Science

in Nursing and a Master of Science

in Nursing as an advanced clinical

specialist in women’s and infants’

health from George Mason University.

Ms. Armstrong’s clinical experience

includes practice at one of the

nation’s largest birthing hospitals,

as well as several community-based

hospitals. She has served in numerous

leadership and management positions,

and in 2004, Ms. Armstrong lead a

project in which a children’s book

titled, Do you know a nurse, was

developed to help promote nursing.

Ms. Armstrong’s areas of interest

include cultural awareness, outcomes,

and the obstetric health care needs of

vulnerable populations.

> Elizabeth Jensen, PhD, APRN-BC is

an instructor in the Doctor of Nursing

Practice program in the College of

Nursing. She earned a BSN from

George Mason University, an MSN

from San Diego State University, an

FNP certificate from University of

California, San Diego, and a DNP

from MUSC. She has over 14 years

experience as a board certified family

nurse practitioner and is also certified

by the National League for Nursing as

a nurse educator. Her interests include

health promotion, disease prevention,

and the effects of mental health on

comorbid chronic disease outcomes.

> Patricia Miller, MSN, RN, instructor,

has been selected to serve as director

of the RN to BSN program. She

received an associate degree in

nursing from Villa Maria College

in Erie, PA, a BSN from Penn State

University, and a MSN with a focus

in nursing education from Drexel

University.

Ms. Miller’s diverse clinical

experience includes staff nursing,

management and administration

for inpatient, community, and home

health settings, with extensive

experience as OB/GYN department

director. As a non-profit program

director, she co-authored a federal

grant which was funded for five

years to promote character education

in grades 5 through 12. Ms. Miller’s

interests include the future of nursing,

bridging the classroom/clinical gap,

student success, and online education

in nursing.

> Kenneth Ruggiero, PhD, professor,

is co-director of the Technology

Applications Center for Healthful

Lifestyles (TACHL). He is also associate

director of the Health Services Research

and Development Center of Innovation

at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical

Center. Dr. Ruggiero received his BA

from the State University of New York

at Buffalo and his MA and PhD from

West Virginia University. He completed

his internship and NIMH-funded

postdoctoral fellowship at MUSC.

Dr. Ruggiero’s research centers on

the development and evaluation of

technology-based interventions for

traumatic stress populations. Most of

his early research focused specifically

on brief behavioral self-help interven-

tions designed for disaster victims and

Operations Enduring and Iraqi Free-

dom Veterans. Over time, this work

evolved into the use and evaluation of

wholly technology based stepped care

approaches for victims of disaster and

serious injury. A second major line

of research focuses on the develop-

ment and evaluation of tablet-based

resources to improve quality of care

in child mental health treatment. This

work aims specifically to improve child

engagement and provider fidelity in

delivery of best practices.

Dr. Ruggiero has had years of con-

tinuous extramural funding from the

National Institutes of Health, the VA

Health Services Research and Devel-

opment, the Department of Defense,

the National Institute on Drug Abuse,

the Department of Homeland Security,

and the Substance Abuse and Mental

Health Service Administration.

> Joy Vess, DNP, ACNP-BC joined

the faculty full-time in August as

an instructor in the DNP program.

She earned a BSN from Clemson

University, as well as MSN and DNP

degrees from the University of South

Carolina.

Board certified by the American

Nurses Credentialing Center as

an acute care nurse practitioner

CON WELCOMES NEW FACULTY TO THE FOLD

V

STEPHANIE ARMSTRONGInstructor

ELIZABETH JENSENInstructor

PATRICIA MILLERInstructor

KENNETH RUGGIEROProfessor

JOY VESSInstructor

FOCUS ON FACULTY


for both adult and pediatric

populations, Dr. Vess’ clinical

experience and interests include

emergency medicine, cardiology,

occupational health, chronic

disease management, and program

development and implementation.

Her areas of interest include

advanced practice roles and issues,

polypharmacy, and evidence-based

practice.

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

was selected for the Maralynne D. Mitcham

Interprofessional Fellowship for 2014-15. The

fellowship’s purpose is to prepare university

faculty and staff to successfully assume new

roles in interprofessional education, research,

practice, and/or administration.

The 13th Annual Palmetto Gold Gala was held

in April at the Columbia Convention Center.

College of Nursing faculty recognized during the

gala included Joy Lauerer, DNP, RN, PMHCNS-

BC, (pictured third from left) assistant professor

and Terri Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, (pictured

far right) instructor.

Palmetto Gold is a statewide nursing

recognition program that both showcases

the valuable contributions nurses make to

patient care in South Carolina and raises funds

to endow scholarships for registered nurse

students.

Jane Zapka, ScD, (pictured center) research

professor, was awarded the Peggy Schachte

Research Mentor Award at MUSC’s Faculty

Convocation ceremony held August 19. This

award is given to a faculty mentor or other

colleague who is widely recognized as an

outstanding research mentor who encourages

and supports the advancement of others as

successful, extramurally funded investigators.

FACULTY WINS

Brian T. Conner, PhD, RN, (pictured center)

assistant professor and director of the

Accelerated BSN program, was honored for

teaching excellence at MUSC’s annual faculty

convocation held August 19. Dr. Conner was

honored in the Educator-Mentor: Clinical-

Professional category. This award is presented

to a faculty member for teaching excellence

in non-traditional roles with individuals or

small groups, specifically those who teach,

mentor, or serve as role models in their

clinical and professional development.

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

V


NEW BEGINNINGS FOR DEPARTING FACULTY

V

After 27 years at MUSC, Robin Bissinger,

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

adventure. On August 1, she retired from

the College of Nursing and assumed the

role of executive director of the National

Certification Corporation, the national

certification organization for health

professionals certified in the obstetric,

gynecologic and neonatal specialties.

Dr. Bissinger’s MUSC journey began

in 1988 as a neonatal nurse practitio-

ner (NNP) and later an NNP manager in

MUSC’s neonatal intensive care unit. In

1994, she was hired as a clinical instructor

in the College of Nursing and progressed

to the rank of professor. She held the

positions of NNP program coordinator,

MSN/DNP programs director and finally

associate dean for academics.

She won’t completely leave the halls of

MUSC. She will continue working part-

time in the Department of Pediatrics as a

Gail Gilden, ScD, RN, associ-

ate professor and director of

the PhD in Nursing program,

retired from her full-time

faculty role in September.

Since joining the faculty in

1990, Dr. Gilden has held

many leadership roles in the

College of Nursing including

department chair, director of

online education, and asso-

ciate dean for academics.

During her most recent

tenure as director, the PhD

program has grown in size

from nine students in 2001

to the current enrollment of

68 students. Dr. Gilden re-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a local Charleston artist.

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

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

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

her grandchildren.

After 26 years of teach-

ing, Sharon Bond, PhD,

CNM, FACNM, left her

faculty role as associate

professor so that she

can engage more fully

to her midwifery and

women’s health practice

at MUSC Women’s

Health at Cannon where

she has been practicing since 2000. Dr. Bond

will continue her efforts to strengthen midwifery

and advanced practice nursing in South Caroli-

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

vention efforts. She treasures her relationships

with College of Nursing students and faculty

that she has developed over the years. You can

reach her at [email protected].

Sheila Smith, PhD, RN, associate

professor, didn’t slow down after

her departure from the College of

Nursing in August. Immediately

after retiring she traveled with

her husband, children and

grandchildren to Puerto Rico and

St. Martin. After enjoying the warm

Caribbean, they made the journey

to the annual polar bear “migration,”

which occurs along the Hudson

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

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

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

her research activities with the MUSC Wellness Center Healthy

Charleston Challenge before heading out again in the spring to

visit her daughter in Europe.

FOCUS ON FACULTY


SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS THANK LPW FOUNDATION FOR ITS SUPPORT

On September 23, the College

of Nursing was pleased to

welcome Ms. Carrie Conway, the

Senior Program Officer from the Lettie

Pate Whitehead (LPW) Foundation

in Atlanta, Georgia to Charleston for

her first visit to MUSC. The Lettie Pate

Whitehead Foundation was established

in memory of Lettie Pate Whitehead, a

benevolent business woman who not

only managed the expansion of her

family’s Coca-Cola bottling business

in the early 1900’s but also oversaw the

family’s real estate investments.

She served as Chairman of the Board

of the Whitehead Holding Company

and as President of the Whitehead

Real Estate Company. Ms. Whitehead

became one of the first women to serve

on the board of directors of a major

American corporation as she served as

a director of the Coca-Cola Company

for almost 20 years beginning in 1934.

The LPW Foundation awards

scholarship grants in higher education

to female students throughout the

southeast. Since 1990, the LPW

Foundation has awarded over

$1.2 million to 750 College of Nursing

students. In the past year, the LPW

Foundation donated $200,000 to the

College of Nursing - up from $100,000

the previous year, therefore making

the LPW Foundation the College of

Nursing’s largest scholarship donor.

Along with traditional BSN students,

the LPW Foundation has also expanded

their scholarship funding for students

pursuing graduate degrees.

A reception was held at The

Old Village Post House Inn in Mt.

Pleasant where students and faculty

gathered to welcome Ms. Conway

to the MUSC community. Dean Gail

Stuart welcomed all of the attendees

and provided an update on the

College. Dean Stuart also spoke of the

significance of the LPW Foundation’s

support for the College of Nursing to

attract the best and brightest students

to our programs.

MUSC President David Cole, MD,

FACS, attended the event to thank Ms.

Conway for the LPW Foundation’s

exceptional generosity as well as to

address the students. Of the 30 local

scholarship recipients, 27 attended

the event. Aminah Fraser-Rahim, DNP

Candidate Class of 2018, also addressed

the group to express her thanks to

the Foundation for the opportunity to

pursue her dream of a PhD in Nursing.

V

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT


Virginia Borders, MSN-NE, RN,

(DNP student, class of 2015) was

named a Paul Ambrose Scholar

for 2015. Ms. Borders was one of only

three graduate nursing students

selected from across the United States

to receive this award.

Fellowship recognition and grant

funding was awarded to students

from a variety of academic programs

including, medicine, dentistry,

nursing, pharmacy, physicians

assistant, and health care policy. All

participants were chosen based on

their academic achievement, teacher

recommendation, community service,

and community based research

proposal designed to support Healthy

People 2020 objectives.

Recipients attended a leadership

symposium in June held in

Washington, DC. Students received

intensive instruction, and mentoring

from some of the nation’s top leaders

in health care delivery, policy, and

research design. The highlight of the

program featured an empowering

address from Rear Admiral Boris D.

Lushniak, the US Surgeon General and

leader of the US Public Health Services

charging the group to seek leadership

opportunities and advocate for disease

prevention and health promotion.

Additional activities included site visits

to federally funded inner city clinics

dedicated to serving their community

through collaborative, innovative, and

interdisciplinary approaches to care.

This award is supported and

endorsed by the Association for

Prevention Teaching and Research

and the Office of Disease Prevention

and Health Promotion within the US

Department of Health and Human

Services.

As a Paul Ambrose Fellow, Ms.

Borders will use her grant to launch a

non-partisan public health initiative

in the spring of 2015 that is focused

on helping to decrease disparities in

health education and increase access

to quality health care in socially

and economically disadvantaged

areas of Georgia. Her mission is to

promote health prevention education

and coordinate a variety of services

through local partnerships committed

to lifelong healthy behaviors and

improving their communities.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

BORDERS NAMED AMBROSE SCHOLAR

V Two Students Selected for MUSC Leadership SocietyCurrent DNP student, Richard

Hill (BSN ‘11) and Toya Williams

(BSN ‘14), were selected for the

prestigious MUSC Leadership

Society. The purpose of the

MUSC Leadership Society is to

recognize those students who

have made notable contribu-

tions to the university through

their character, service and

commitment to enhancing the

university environment or in

their actions and activities that

reflect positively on the univer-

sity. Students selected for the

Society personify the ideals of

the university as being caring,

compassionate, ethical, profi-

cient and creative individuals

who have demonstrated the

qualities needed to be effective

leaders and members of inter-

professional teams.

Hill

Williams

Photo: A roof top garden at Bread for the City clinic in

Washington , SC. From left to right: Eugene Kim (University of California-Los Angeles;

Virginia Borders (MUSC College of Nursing); Joan Swanson (Emory University); Gerald Sabb

(public health nurse at Bread for the City clinic); Leia Franchini (Pacific Northwest University of

Health Sciences; Katy Hamlin (administrator with the Association for Prevention Teaching and

Research); Zachary Hemes (Emory University)


The PhD in Nursing program is

one of only 14 schools of nursing

nationwide to be among the first

to receive a grant from the Robert

Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

Future of Nursing Scholars program to

increase the number of nurses holding

a PhD degree. “We were the only online

PhD program to be selected, and our

approach to the program was highly

regarded by the reviewers,” noted Gail

Gilden, ScD, RN, former program

director.

RWJ’s Future of Nursing Scholars

program is designed to dramatically

increase the number of PhD-prepared

nurses in the US. Currently, however,

less than 1 percent of the nursing

workforce has a doctoral degree

in nursing or a related field. An

investment in creating more PhD

prepared nurses will pay dividends over

time. The program will create a large

and diverse cadre of PhD-prepared

nurses who are committed to long-

term leadership careers that advance

science and discovery, strengthen

nursing education, and bring

transformational change to nursing

and health care. The program will

provide scholarships, mentoring, and

leadership development activities, as

well as postdoctoral research support,

to build the capacity of this select

group of future nurse leaders.

The College of Nursing selected

Desiree Bertrand from the 2014 cohort

as the first recipient of the Future of

Nursing Scholar award. Ms. Bertrand is

a native of the US Virgin Islands. She

received her BSN from the University

of the Virgin Islands and MSN in

Nursing Education from Midwestern

State University.

Ms. Bertrand is currently an assistant

professor of nursing at the University

of the Virgin Islands. Her research

interests are women’s health, health

disparities and

intimate partner

violence. She

also has a joint

appointment

with the

Caribbean

Exploratory

Research Center,

University of

the Virgin Islands, School of Nursing,

where she is co-principal

investigator on a major study:

An Integrated Risk Reduction

Intervention for Abused African

Caribbean and African American

Women in the US Virgin Islands. Her

previous nursing experience includes

acute care, nursing education, travel

nursing, home health care and military

nursing (honorably discharged as a

Captain).

“It is a honor to be a recipient of the

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Future of Nursing Scholars program

award. This is award will play a key role

in molding me into an excellent nurse

scientist, researcher and educator,” Ms.

Bertrand said.

PhD PROGRAM RECEIVES AWARD FROM RWJF

V

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

Dr. Gail Gilden welcomes PhD students to campus for Residency Week

Bertrand


PhD PROGRAM WELCOMES 2014 COHORT

V

From left to right: Tahitua Timmons, Michelle Gilbert, Enia Zigbuo-Wenztel, Desiree Bertrand, Anna Fisk & Emily Nelson. Back row: Maryellen Potts, Karenmarie Davis, Elizabeth Krueze, Cheryl Moseley Conway, Cordellia Bright, Mary Beth McCloud, Ann-Marie John, & Matthew Couture

Desiree Bertrand is an assistant

professor of nursing at the University

of the Virgin Islands. She received her

MSN from Midwestern State University

and BSN from the University of the

Virgin Islands. Her research interests

include women’s health, intimate

partner violence and health disparities.

She chose to study at MUSC because

the program is offered online.

Cordelia Bright is a registered nurse

at Northern Virginia Mental Health

Institute. She earned a Master of

Philosophy in Health Administration

from the University of Ghana Business

School and a BSN from the University

of Ghana School of Nursing. Her

research interests include comparative

analysis of psychiatric patient care.

She chose the PhD program because it

is intensive, focused and online.

Cheryl Conway is an assistant

professor at Western Carolina

University. She received her MSN

degree from Western Carolina

University and her BSN from UNC

Chapel Hill. Her research interests

include health literacy and promotion

in adults with hypertension and

diabetes. She chose the PhD program

because of the quality of the online

program and relative proximity of the

area.

Matt Couture is an OR Nurse at the

Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs

Medical Center in Charleston. He

received a BS degree in Information

Systems and Management from

USC and his BSN from MUSC. His

research interests include information

technology and electronic medical

records. “The accelerated BSN program

was excellent at MUSC and I felt the

PhD program would be the same.”

Karenmarie Davis is a nursing

instructor at Francis Marion University

and a PRN emergency room nurse

at Carolinas Hospital in Florence, SC.

She received her MSN and BSN from

MUSC. Her research interests include

how nurses care for psychiatric

patients committed in the emergency

room. She chose the PhD program

because she loves learning and

research and MUSC is known for

research.

Anna C. Fisk is a staff nurse at Boston

Children’s Hospital. She received

her ADN from Phoenix College and

BSN from Grand Canyon University.

Her research interests include

identifying the factors associated

with cardiovascular collapse during

endotracheal tube suctioning in

neonates with single ventricle disease

following stage I palliation. She chose

the PhD program because it was

online, research focused and well

respected.

Michelle Gilbert is an RN coordinator

at Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

She received her BSN, MSN and post-

graduate certificate in education from

the University of Texas in El Paso.

Her research interests include early

intervention in premature infants.

She chose the PhD program because

it is listed as one of the best online

graduate programs.

Ann-Marie John is an assistant

professor at Northern Virginia

Community College. She received

her MSN degree from the University

of Rochester and BSN from Suny

Health Science Center at Brooklyn.

Her research interests include a

retrospective evaluation of the

prevalence of initial non-traumatic

lower extremity amputation compared

to lower limb salvage as the first

treatment option for veterans with

advanced peripheral vascular disease

of the lower extremity. Ms. John chose

the PhD program because it is the top

rated PhD nursing program in the

The College of Nursing welcomed an

impressive cohort into the PhD program

in 2014 during the Residency Week in July.

Learn more about each of them below.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT


country. “I was also very impressed

with Dean Stuart’s level of engagement

and passion for nursing leadership,

research and patient advocacy.

Another major attraction for me was

the variety of expert nurse faculty with

health care disparity research focused

on improving health outcomes of

vulnerable populations.”

Elizabeth Kreuze is a home health

registered nurse. She received a

Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology from

Hope College and a BSN from MUSC.

Her research interests are adolescent

violence and suicide. She chose the

College of Nursing’s PhD program

because “it encourages collaboration,

allowing one to develop personal

and professional relationships with

other nurse scientists, precipitating

the expansion of nursing innovation

nationally. I was especially attracted

to the smaller number of students

per cohort and the personal attention

faculty provides students. Moreover,

the research interests of faculty, and

the very active role they assume in

discovery, are inspiring and align with

my interests. I very eagerly anticipate

the journey ahead.”

Mary Beth McCloud is an assistant

professor of nursing at Frostburg State

University and an RN IV at Western

Maryland Health System. She received

an Associate of Arts in Nursing from

Allegany College of Maryland, a

Bachelor of Science in Nursing from

West Virginia University, and Master

of Science in Nursing from Western

Governors University. Her research

interests include obesity related

complications in pregnant women.

She chose the PhD program because of

the flexibility of an online program and

the focus on community health.

Emily Nelson is a staff nurse and relief

charge nurse at Carolina Specialty

Hospital and adjunct faculty at

Gaston College and Central Piedmont

Community College. She received

a Master of Science in Nursing

Education from Gardner-Webb

University, a BSN from East Carolina

University, and a graduate certificate

in gerontology from UNC Charlotte.

Her research interests include diabetes

education and management, end-

of-life, and the elderly population. “I

wanted to attend a program committed

to quality, academic excellence,

nursing and the community we serve.”

Maryellen Potts is an English professor

at William Penn University. She

received her BA in English with a

minor in biology from Connecticut

College, an MA in English from the

University of Rochester, and a PhD

in English from Union Institute and

University. Her research interests

include health literacy and professional

communications in patient centered

care. “I chose to pursue this PhD in

the College of Nursing because my

colleague, Lori Vick (2010 CON PhD

cohort), at Iowa Wesleyan College

encouraged me to change the

direction of my career as nursing and

nursing education becomes broader

in emphasis. Specifically, I chose

MUSC because of Lori, the online

nature of the program, and the goal

of three publications by graduation.

Clinching my decision was my positive

experience with faculty, staff, and

students during residency week. To top

it off, my fellow students in the 2014

cohort are inspiring and dedicated. I

look forward to learning with them.”

Tahitia Timmons is education

coordinator at Cancer Treatment

Centers at Eastern Regional Medical

Center. She received her MSN in

Nursing Education from Drexel

University and her BSN from Rutgers

University. Her research interest

is focused on pain management.

She chose the PhD program for its

convenience and reputation.

Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler is a school nurse

at Frankfurt International School,

Germany. She received a Master of

Science in Nursing from MGH Institute

of Health Professions in Boston, a

master’s degree in public health from

the University of Massachusetts, a

Bachelor of Science in psychology and

a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the

University of Vermont. Her research

interest is focused on nutritional

disparities related to food insecurities

globally. “MUSC-CON was my college

of choice because the college has

a distinguished faculty covering a

range of diverse and intellectually

challenging research topics. In

particular, those focused on the area

of health disparities and vulnerable

populations coincides with my own

research interest. In addition, as an

American nurse currently living in

Germany with a desire of furthering

my nursing education, a web-based

PhD program offered the only viable

option of pursuing these goals.

Reputation was also a criterion for

me and given that MUSC College of

Nusing is ranked as one of the best

online nursing programs it became

even more desirable as the place I

wanted to pursue a PhD in Nursing.”


CON STUDENTS GO TO WASHINGTON

V

Novelette Prosper Pia Biason-Webb

Jennifer McCrudden

Valerie Clary Muronda

This conference left me with feelings of honor, hope, and empowerment—knowing that my voice as a nurse can

be heard and will ultimately impact the future of nursing and health care.

This internship afforded me a powerful opportunity to advocate for my profession directly to my representative in Congress. Nurses have been, and to some degree, are still somewhat reticent to claim the spotlight and advocate for themselves, yet, at the same time, they have no problem

advocating for their patients. Nursing is positioned to make a tremendous difference in the way health care is delivered

in the US, and it is imperative that we do not miss this opportunity to become politically involved by relinquishing

our usual place as spectators in the political arena.

The NIWI experience was a life-changing experience. Panelists shared their

knowledge to improve our understanding of the politics of Capitol Hill. Consequently, this preparation enabled us to make the most of our brief visits, accomplishing our agenda

completely for each visit. This would have been unlikely without the preparation of NIWI. I firmly believe that a

nurse at every level would benefit from such an experience.

The NIWI was a wonderful experience. I was truly immersed in the

political, economic, and legislative process of health care policymaking during the internship. The lessons I learned from this experience are

invaluable and can be utilized in future advocacy activities as a nurse leader and nurse practitioner in the health care arena.

Last spring, Lee Horton, PhD, APRN, BC, CNM, course

coordinator, brought her Advanced Health Policy and

Advocacy course alive when she escorted 61 doctoral students

to Washington, DC to participate in the Nurse in Washington

Internship (NIWI) program.

One hundred and forty-one registered nurses or nursing

students from all over the country participated in the three day

program that provided nurses the opportunity to learn how to

influence health care through the legislative and regulatory

processes. Participants learned from health policy experts and

government officials, network with other nurses, and gain

hands-on experience through scheduling visits and meeting

with their members of Congress.

NIWI program coordinators took notice of the large MUSC

contingent and were quite impressed with the group. Rose

L. Horton, MSM, RNC, a member of the coordinating team,

wrote, “During our final planning meeting is when I first

noticed that 61 of our attendees were from MUSC. Words

cannot express my level of respect and appreciation for

the significant undertaking of supervising such a large

group. Your students were amazing! The energy that this

team had was really contagious!”

Students remarked that the NIWI conference was a

great experience and provided them with skills that

will carry them throughout their nursing careers.

Sponsored by the Nursing Organization Alliance,

NIWI is open to any RN or nursing student that

is interested in an orientation to the legislative

process. The program teaches them how they can

become involved and influence policy at the local

and national level.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Capitol Hill VisitsDuring their visit, students had the the opportunity to meet with

Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. Students from South

Carolina met with their respective representatives.

> Representative Mick Mulvaney (R-SC)

Students: Charlotte Grecco, Hang Linda Hoang, Carrie Hoshour

> Representative Mark Sanford (R-SC)

Students: Cheryl Allen, Christina Bagwell, Valorie Barret, Elizabeth

Batten, Pia Biason-Webb, Lauren Bowers, Katlyn, Tyler Cole, Sarah

Didow, Jennifer Elrod, Anne Goforth, Journey Henderson, Morgan

Jackson, Suzi Lahr, Lori Lee, Jennifer McCrudden , Suzanne Poole,

Monica Riley, Mary Shearer, Marie Thomas

> Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC)

Students: Sabrina Hilbert, Allison Porter, Andrena Zeigler

> Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC)

Students: Lai Chaim, Ana Anaya, Denise LePage, Katherine Luckett,

Kim Moran, Gary Szeto , Carol Waiboer

> Representative James Clyburn (D-SC)

Students: Jennifer Berry, Margaret Conway-Orgel, Valerie Clary

Muronda, Lan Nguyen, Novelette Prosper, Tonya Wagner

> Representative Tom Rice (R-SC)

Students: Mary Beth Byrd, Amanda Gerrald, Patricia Handley,

Kelley Jacobs, Tasha Lee, Casey Miller, Sunshine Rearden

> Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC)

Students: Sherrie Dansby, Gigi Lattimore

> Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)

Open to all students in SC

> Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Open to all students in SC

Lisa Klasek-Gray, DNP student,

was the recipient of the student

registration scholarship. She is a member

of the Alliance member organization,

Sigma Theta Tau International.


CON AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NURSING STUDENTS

V

Helene Fuld Trust ScholarshipJessica Seaver, Accelerated Bachelor

of Science in Nursing (ABSN) student,

was selected to receive the Helene Fuld

Health Trust Scholarship based on her

outstanding academic performance.

A Dean’s List student, Ms. Seaver

earned a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts

University where she was co-president

of the Habitat for Humanity Club.

Presently, she serves as the student

representative on the Undergraduate

Program Committee, providing

student feedback to faculty to improve

the educational process.

Ted and Joan Halkyard ScholarshipBary Kemble, ABSN student, is the

recipient of a Ted and Joan Halkyard

Scholarship. Mr. Kemble earned a

bachelor’s degree in psychology from

Coastal Carolina University and a

master’s dgree in clinical psychology

from Francis Marion University. He

worked as a behavior specialist for

Horry County School District and

an alcohol and drug counselor at

Shoreline Behavioral Health Services.

Ruth Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and Margaret Ann Kerr ScholarshipMarie Beck, ABSN student, is the

recipient of two scholarships: the Ruth

Jacqui Skudlarek Scholarship and the

Margaret Ann Kerr Scholarship.

Ms. Beck was elected president

of the Student Nurses Association

and selected for the Hispanic Health

Initiative Scholars Program. She

represents the College of Nursing

on the MUSC Student Government

Association (SGA) where she was

selected as the “outstanding MUSC

SGA representative.” She has also been

selected for the Presidential Scholars

Program for 2014-15, which has a

competitive applicant pool from each

of the six colleges that comprise MUSC.

Lettie Pate Whitehead ScholarshipsThe Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

is a charity dedicated to the support

of women in nine southeastern states.

These students were selected for a

Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship

for the fall 2014 semester: Tramecya

Beale, Meghan Behlmer, Jackie Boyle,

Sadie Burke, Amanda Burnette,

Megan Chestnut, Baylie Coldsmith,

Kelly DeGraffenried, Christina

Evangelista, Aminah Fraser-Rahim,

Stacy Gaillard, Sally Gallman, Jessica

Gardner, Georgette Gilman, Crystal

Graham, Tiffany Jamerson, Chyrese

Jenkins, Justyn Lamb, Erin LaMoria,

Marcelline Lankford, Anh Lee,

Kimberly Leslie, Jessica Litchfield,

Brandy Mangum, Lawana Mark,

Monica Moore, Katherine Norlander,

Nicole Olive, Morgan Parrish,

Shivani Patel, Barbara Reeves, Mary

Rion, Elizabeth Roberts, Marjorie

Schondelmaier, Julie Scruggs, Jillian

Sealy, Salome Seraphin, Daisy Smith,

Louise Smunk, Solange Marcel, Nicole

Stasko, Tiffany Stephens, Emily

Wallace, and Ashley Williams.

Elizabeth Stringfellow Scholarship Cordelia Bright, PhD student, has been

awarded the Elizabeth Stringfellow

Scholarship in honor of Ms. Marguerite

Andell, class of 1913, and a College of

Nursing faculty member and School of

Nursing director.

Relocating to the US in 2010, Ms.

Bright is from Ghana and graduated

from the University of Ghana School

of Nursing and Business School. She

has a master’s degree in health services

administration.

Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship

Matthew Couture, PhD student,

Rebecca Carter and Megan Nettles,

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

students, and Cara Staten, ABSN

student, have been awarded the

Dorothy Johnson Crews Scholarship.

Mr. Couture is a graduate of the

ABSN program and past-president of

the Student Nurses Association. Since

graduating, he has been employed

by the MUSC Medical Center as an

operating room nurse.

Ms. Carter is magna cum laude

graduate of the ABSN program and a

graduate of Clemson University with a

major in health sciences. Her goal is to

become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Ms. Nettles is a graduate of the

University of South Carolina-Aiken

BSN program where she was named

“outstanding BSN student.”

Ms. Staten is a graduate of the

University of Science and Arts of

Oklahoma with a major in chemistry.

RWJ New Careers in Nursing Recipients SelectedFive first semester ABSN students have

been selected for the Robert Wood

Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New

Careers in Nursing (NCIN) Scholarship.

Recipients are: Sharnice Boulware,

Anne Chan, Donna Luu, Romina

McCandless, and Tiffani Smalls.

The RWJF NCIN scholarship

program is a national program of

RWJF and the American Association

of College of Nursing. The prestigious

program is designed to help alleviate

the national nursing shortage, increase

the diversity of nursing professionals,

expand capacity in baccalaureate

and graduate nursing programs, and

enhance the pipeline of potential nurse

faculty.

Reba Carter O’Keeffe ScholarshipMary Butler, DNP student, was

awarded the Reba Carter O’Keeffe

Scholarship. Ms. Butler completed

her BSN at the University of South

Carolina-Upstate and her Associate

Degree in Nursing (ADN) from

Midlands Technical College. She also

holds a previous bachelor’s degree

from Columbia College.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT


Barbara Sutton Pace ScholarshipJuliet Brown, ABSN student, has been

selected to receive the Barbara Sutton

Pace Scholarship. Ms. Brown is a cum

laude graduate of North Carolina A&T

with a degree in animal science.

Provost’s ScholarshipBrian Daigle, ABSN student, and

Sunshine Rearden, MSN student,

have been selected to receive the

Provost’s Scholarship for the fall 2014

semester. Both were selected for their

academic strengths and contributions

to community.

Mr. Daigle is a dean’s list student

and has been active in the MUSC

Student Government Association.

He completed the National Coalition

Institute Train the Trainer program

and has been designated a “Diversity

Champion.”

Ms. Rearden earned her BSN from

the University of South Carolina-Aiken

and is a nurse leader at Inlet Pediatrics

in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Marie LePrince Farmer ScholarshipMichelle Gilbert, PhD student, is

the recipient of the Marie LePrince

Farmer scholarship. As a single mother

working full-time, Ms. Gilbert earned

her ADN, BSN and MSN degrees. She

recently completed her post-graduate

certificate in education and is studying

for the certified nurse educator

examination.

Jean P. Wilson ScholarshipDannen O’Keefe, ABSN student, and

Brandi Knight, DNP student, have

been awarded the Jean P. Wilson

Scholarship for academic excellence.

Ms. O’Keefe has worked with many

volunteer organizations including the

St. Thomas of Canterbury Food Pantry

and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She is

a dean’s list student. Ms. Knight earned

a BSN from the University of North

Carolina-Wilmington.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Stewart ScholarshipThe recipients of the Mr. and Mrs.

Stephen Stewart Scholarship are Alicia

Garland, DNP student, and Elizabeth

Kreuze, PhD student.

Ms. Garland is a summa cum laude

graduate of the ABSN program and is

interested in family health, allowing

her to impact the greatest range of

patients and their families.

Ms. Kreuze is also a graduate of the

ABSN program. Her goal is to become

a teacher at the university level and

develop expertise in research.

Izant Family Foundation ScholarshipThe Izant Family Foundation

Scholarship was awarded to Enia

Zigbou-Wenzler, PhD student, who

was born and raised in the West

African nation of Liberia. Her father

sent her to the US when she was 12-

years old for her education and she is

the first in her family to graduate from

college.

Ms. Zigbou-Wenzle earned her

MSN from the MGH Institute of Health

Professions in Boston, MA, and is a

family nurse practitioner. She also has

a master’s of public health from the

University of Massachusetts.

Cecilia O. Peng ScholarshipThe Cecilia O. Peng Scholarship

was awarded to Taylor Coates, DNP

student. Ms. Coates is a magna cum

laude graduate of the ABSN program.

She is currently employed by Palmetto

Health Richland in Columbia, SC.

Marianna Stuart Mason ScholarshipAdrena Ziegler, DNP student, was

awarded the Marianna Stuart Mason

Scholarship. Ms. Ziegler is nurse

manager at Sterling Sharp Pediatrics

and Eau Claire Adult and Internal

Medicine.

Nina Allsbrook Smith ScholarshipTamara Trainor, ABSN student, is the

recipient of the Nina Allsbrook Smith

Scholarship. Ms. Trainor works as a

patient care technician at the MUSC

Medical Center. In 2012, she was

selected as the Patient Care Technician

of the Year.

Marvin and Cleo McAlhany ScholarshipRobert Wolfrom, ABSN student, is

the recipient of the Marvin and Cleo

Left to Right: CON Development Committee member, Connie Conner, with Brian Daigle, ABSN student,

recipient of a Provost’s Scholarship

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


McAlhany Scholarship. A College of

Charleston graduate, Mr. Wolfrom also

was selected for the Veterans Affairs

Learning Opportunity Residency

Program at the Ralph H. Johnson

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

student and a Robert Wood Johnson

New Careers in Nursing Scholar.

Betty Bundrage Murray Kinard ScholarshipAllexandra Raeder, ABSN student, was

awarded the Betty Bundrage Murray

Kinard Scholarship. Current secretary

of the Student Nurses Association, Ms.

Raeder grew up in a small, rural town

and joined the US Navy.

Thomas J. Wiscarz ScholarshipMatthew Sotiroglou is the second

recipient of the Thomas J. Wiscarz

Scholarship. Mr. Sotiroglou, a

veteran of Kuwait where he was an

infantryman and squad leader for the

US Army National Guard, received

honors as the Army National Guard

Best Warrior for completing events

focusing on battlefield medical tasks,

leadership under stress, physical

fitness, and land navigation.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter, III ScholarshipNadia Assiria, ABSN student, Brianna

Campbell, DNP student, and Jessica

Mills, ABSN student were awarded

the Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barter III

Scholarships.

Ms. Assiria, a former phlebotomist,

is fluent in Arabic, and also can speak

and understand many dialects of the

Middle East including Egyptian, Syrian,

and Jordanian.

Ms. Campbell earned an associate’s

degree in applied science in nursing

from Southern Virginia Community

College and her BSN from Kaplan

University.

Ms. Mills is a graduate of Wake

Forest University with a major in

Spanish, who has an interest in and

exposure to different cultures. She was

recently selected for the prestigious

MUSC Presidential Scholars Program.

Marianne T. Chitty ScholarshipThree students were awarded a

Marianne T. Chitty Scholarship.

Laura Bodine, DNP student, is

a graduate of the Oregon Health

Sciences University who also has a

master’s in public administration from

the University of Maryland University

College.

Amanda Jar, ABSN student, is a

magna cum laude graduate of Western

Michigan University.

Allison Munn, PhD student, earned

a BSN from Clemson University. She

has a clinical background in neonatal

nursing, and she has been involved in

teaching clinicals in Francis Marion

University’s BSN program.

Betty Kelchner ScholarshipMattilyn Williams, ABSN student,

was awarded the Betty Kelchner

Scholarship. She is a dean’s list student

who has demonstrated an interest in

interprofessional education.

J. William Thurmond ScholarshipABSN student, MaryRose Bugbee

is the recipient of the Dr. J. William

Thurmond Scholarship. Ms. Bugbee

is the “breakthrough to nursing”

coordinator for the Student Nurses

Association. Her background includes

extensive volunteering in health

care, including completion of the

New Visions Medical Program, where

students from various school districts

were selected to participate in hands-

on clinical experiences.

Carmen’s Cardinal ScholarshipNatalia Davilia, DNP student, is the

recipient of the Carmen’s Cardinal

Scholarship. Ms. Davilia, a graduate

of the ABSN and MSN programs, is

currently employed in the MUSC

Children’s Care Clinic.

Alumni Association Student ScholarshipsFour outstanding students beginning

their nursing education in the

ABSN, MSN, DNP and PhD programs

were awarded scholarships by the

MUSC College of Nursing Alumni

Association. Three of the recipients

are previous graduates of the College

who are returning to advance their

education and career trajectories.

Sadie Burke, DNP student, (pictured center) recipient of the Irene Dixon scholarship,

and Diane Hazelrigg (pictured right), CON scholarship donor L to R: Dean Stuart, with Karenmarie Davis, PhD student,

recipient of the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT


The Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,

named for a former College of Nursing

dean, was awarded to PhD student,

Karenmarie Davis. A graduate of the

BSN and MSN programs, her passion

for research and advancing the field of

nursing is her ultimate goal. Ms. Davis

is currently nursing faculty at Francis

Marion University where she instructs

first semester nursing students in

Professional Nursing and Nursing

Practice.

Sadie Burke, DNP student, received

the Irene Dixon Scholarship. As a CON

undergraduate student, Ms. Burke

worked nearly full-time as a patient

care technician at the MUSC Medical

Center, yet still managed to graduate

summa cum laude and was inducted

into Sigma Theta Tau, the International

Nursing Honor Society.

Laura MacKinnon, a graduate

of the College of Charleston and

current ABSN student, has received

the Elizabeth Jones Scholarship. She

completed the Emergency Medical

Technician Program at Trident

Technical College, participated in the

SCRUBS Mentoring Program at Roper-

St. Francis Hospital, and served as the

President of the College of Charleston

Nursing Club.

Elizabeth Mills ScholarshipThe Elizabeth Mills Scholarship was

awarded to Kerri Evans who began

the MSN program this fall. Ms. Evans

graduated summa cum laude and

was a member of Sigma Theta Tau,

the International Honor Society of

Nursing.

Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club ScholarshipCorrine Mole, ABSN student, is the

recipient of a scholarship from the

Hilton Head Sunset Rotary Club.

Ms. Mole has volunteered for the

Hilton Head Regional Hospital, the

College of Charleston Alumni Chapter

– Hilton Head/Bluffton Chapter,

and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

She participated in a fundraiser for

the Good Neighbors Women and

Children’s Center which raised

$10,000.

Maude Callen ScholarshipIn addition to being chosen to receive

the Ruth Chamberlin Scholarship,

Karenmarie Davis, PhD student, has

been also selected for the Maude Callen

Scholarship.

Faith Jefferson Hohloch ScholarshipFour nursing students have been

honored with the Faith Jefferson

Hohloch Scholarship.

Simone Chinnis, DNP student,

is a graduate of the ABSN program

and earned a master’s in business

administration from Strayer University

before enrolling in the DNP program.

Ms. Chinnis has had a variety of roles

in nursing, including being part of an

interdisciplinary research team.

Wesley Jacobs, DNP student, is a

graduate of the BSN program at Francis

Marion University. His plans are to

become a family nurse practitioner.

He is employed at McLeod Health as a

Hospitalist RN Rounder.

Kimberly Mouzon, DNP student, is

a graduate of the College of Nursing’s

RN to BSN and MSN programs. She

currently teaches in the nursing

program at Horry-Georgetown

Technical College and also is a critical

care and acute care dialysis nurse for

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Crystal Graham, PhD student, is

a graduate of the MSN program and

currently teaches in the Department of

Nursing at Francis Marion University.

She is the simulation lab coordinator,

and has earned certification as a

HIPAA security expert.

MUSCCOLLEGE of NURSING

CLASS OF

1965

AnniversaryCelebration

50th

MAY 13-15 2015

Mark your calendar!Details to come.


Q & A WITH CATHY LANDIS, FORMER ALUMNI BOARD PRES.

V

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Lifelines: What is your current job description?

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

at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, NC. I have the

dual role of chief executive officer responsible for leading the

operations of the hospital and participating in the develop-

ment and operations of the regional network of care for

Mission Health. I am also responsible for providing clinical

leadership for nursing and all clinical services.

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

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

Each member is engaged, proud of the College and very

interested in connecting with alumni at large. I believe our

greatest accomplishment under my leadership has been the

commitment to regionalize our efforts by reaching out to

alumni and arranging socials throughout the state. Our goals

are to provide a forum for our nursing alumni to network

and to get direct feedback regarding how to re-engage alum-

ni. We also share the great things happening at the College.

Why do you stay involved with CON alumni?

I stay involved with the CON Alumni Board because the

individuals I work with really care about our mission to

reconnect with our graduates. The board members are proud

of our College, our education and training and our fellow

graduates. The staff members in the alumni office are very

supportive and committed to giving back. We can learn from

one another and share ideas. What better way to do this than

through our alumni association?

How has nursing changed during your career?

So very much has changed in nursing during my career.

A significant change has been the increase in the respect

for nurses as professionals at the bedside. Nurses are much

more clearly seen as the primary caregiver at the bedside,

and the professional relationship with the medical staff is

critical to the care of the patient. Nursing care is no longer

seen as an “expense” to our hospitals, but nursing care now

is critical to the success relative to outcomes, patients’

perception of care and the financial impact of patient care

relative to the patient’s stay.

What has it been like transitioning from nursing to management?

The transition from direct patient care to management was

a little awkward at first. I was so proud to be a bedside nurse,

loved caring for my patients and was a little embarrassed to

introduce myself as a manager. But I very soon realized that I

could either take what I thought was excellent care of my six

to seven patients any given day, or I could influence the care

received by the 42 patients on my nursing floor every day. It

has been very rewarding to be a positive influence on young

nurses and to work collaboratively with professional nurses

at the bedside. Collectively, professional nurses working

together provide excellent care and advance the practice of

nursing.

What advice would you give to incoming nursing students?

The greatest advice I share with incoming nursing students,

or individuals expressing an interest in nursing, is to be sure

that you love what you do. Nursing is both tremendously

rewarding and tremendously challenging -- emotionally

and physically. You encounter people at some of their most

vulnerable times. Your reaction is critical to their response

to treatment and, often, to their acceptance of the self-care

education.

Lifelines spoke with Cathy Landis (BSN ’74) before she completed her term as the president of the College of Nursing’s Alumni Board.

MUSC Hires Alumni DirectorThe College of Nursing joins MUSC’s other colleges

in welcoming Sallie Hutton as the executive director

of Alumni Affairs. Ms. Hutton comes to MUSC from

North Carolina where she

served her alma mater,

Elon University, for nine

years in a number of roles,

including the director of

alumni engagement. She will

work with each of MUSC’s

six colleges to advance and

support their alumni networks. You may reach her by

calling 843-792-3433 or email [email protected].


CLASS OF ‘64 GOLDEN GRAD INDUCTION AND REUNION

V

Each year MUSC Alumni are invited for a two-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of their graduation and induction

into the Golden Grad Association. A reunion dinner is held followed by the Golden Grads donning caps and gowns and

participating in the University’s commencement exercises. Laurie Scott, director of development, received the following

notes thanking her and the Office of Alumni Affairs for their efforts in coordinating the Class of 1964 reunion and the Golden

Grads events during the 2014 spring commencement.

Dear Laurie, I want to say a special “thank you” to you, Shari Wise, Toni Jernigan,

and the entire staff for all the work that you did to make our Golden Grads

events so special and successful. Ever yone has been so complimentar y

regarding all the effor ts to make that week an outstanding event. We were

so glad that you all came to our reunion dinner and celebrated with us.

As we have discussed, many of us from the class of ‘64 have remained

close and in contact. Our three years in the College of Nursing were

changing times for us. We learned teamwork and respect for each other as

we faced some life challenges. Ever yday was like an exciting adventure. We

knew that we had to work hard to be successful, and becoming a registered

nurse was so impor tant to us.

As I reflect on my career, I am most grateful for the outstanding

education that I received at MUSC, and all the oppor tunities that it has

afforded me since I graduated. I have had some great oppor tunities in

different areas of nursing, and I owe that success to my education and the

years I spent at MUSC. In 2011, I was awarded the outstanding alumus

award. That was a tremendous honor, and one that I will always treasure.

I worked until about two years ago when my husband, Laurie Thomas,

was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He knew how impor tant nursing

was to me, and we discussed establishing a scholarship for the College of

Nursing. While in Charleston for our Golden Grads events, I committed to

an endowed scholarship for the College at my death. Laurie and I fel t ver y

strongly about this and I wish that he had lived long enough to see this

finalized. I encourage each of my fellow College of Nursing alumni to be an active

member of the MUSC Alumni Association, and consider giving back to an

institution that has benefited us so much through the years.

Thank you for all of your help and suppor t,

Frances Jones Thomas, RN, MEd

Laurie, The Golden Grads and Class of 1964 reunions were wonder ful. The events were fun and relaxing and I fel t so cared for. It was awesome to go through the graduation processional and be recognized. The Class of 1964 was special and fun. We were a close group that stay in touch and love each other. Thanks to ever yone involved Regards,

Brenda Barwick

Dear Laurie, Just thinking about our 50th Reunion is exciting. On Wednesday nigh t we had dinner at the Holiday Inn and it was great catching up. On Thursday we headed to The Countr y Club of Charleston for lunch and presentation of our 50-year medallions. Thursday nigh t we enjoyed dinner in the beautiful setting at the Mount Pleasant Water front Park. Friday morning, after breakfast together at the hotel we donned our caps and gowns and left for graduation at The Citadel. It was simply amazing to see all of the graduates and learn of their degrees. A lot of schools have been added since we received our pins in ’64. Makes me ver y proud! I cannot say enough about the staff of the Office of A lumni Affairs and the College of Nursing. They treated us like VIPs – all we needed to know was a time – they took care of the rest. It was a truly wonder ful experience. -Royce Steele Cook, Class of 1964


CLASS NOTES

V

[ 1977 ]Cynthia Jones Norris has been a nurse for 42 years and has witnessed many changes in health care. She worked in the VA Medical Center in Charleston from 1972 until 1979. For the next 34 years she worked for Carolinas Hospital of Florence. In 1996, she completed the WOC Nurse Program at Emory University and currently serves on the Southeast Region Wound, Ostomy, Continence board. Ms. Norris has two daughters and five grandchildren. In 2013, she received a Palmetto Gold award.

[ 1982 ]Lynette M. Gibson is the director of research in nursing at the University of South Carolina-Upstate. In this role, she mentors faculty in their research and scholarly endeavors. Ms. Gibson also continues her own research involving breast health disparities in African-American women.

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

[ 1993 ]Lennie M. Austin is a volunteer nurse at a free clinic.

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

Martin Professor of the School of Nursing at West Virginia

University. She previously served as dean and professor

at Charleston Southern University,

College of Nursing and Allied Health.

Dr. Hulsey has held numerous

leadership roles at the local, state,

national, and international levels,

most recently as the chair of the

United Nations and Global Health

Advisory Council for the International

Honor Society for Nursing. She has

served as a curriculum consultant in the US and China for

her practice and education specialty of perinatal nursing.

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

was principal investigator for one of the 15 pilot schools

nationally for the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing

initiative. She is a grant reviewer for HRSA and serves on

the editorial board of the International Journal of Nursing

Education. Dr. Hulsey is a Robert Wood Johnson Executive

Nurse Fellow and a Fellow in the American Academy of

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

Board of Directors for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor

Society for Nursing.

[ 1999 ]In July, Danielle Isbell Cluver (BSN, ‘99) took a position as

a certified nurse midwife in Gallup, NM for Indian Health

Services.

[ 2002 ]April Vanderveer (BSN,‘02) is a certified nurse-midwife

and women’s health nurse practitioner. In May, she joined

the staff of Gifford Medical Center in Vermont where she

divides her time between Gifford OB/GYN and Midwifery

in Randolph and the Gifford Health Center in Berlin.

Previously, she worked for 11 years at Copley Hospital in

Morrisville, VT as a birthing center nurse. She is board

certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

[ 2003 ]Dawn Heyward (BSN ‘03, MSN ‘08) is a nurse practitioner

providing care in the cardiology clinic at MUSC where

she assists in developing a program for advanced stage

heart failure patients to receive a

left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Patients are implanted with a heart

pump that provides the ability to

have normal cardiac output for their

weak heart. Ms. Heyward also is a

reviewer with the Joint Commission

on Accreditation of Healthcare for

the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

program. She travels around the country to review other

VAD programs for compliance with Joint Commission

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

[ 2004 ]Kim Scott, FNP, AE-C, CORLN, (MSN ‘04) is working for

Eastern Virginia Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists in Chesa-

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

Reference for Otolaryngology: Guide for APRNs, PAs, and

Other Healthcare Practitioners.

[ 2005 ]Since retiring from the MUSC College of Nursing faculty,

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

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

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS


Society and remains an active member. Today, Dr. Bonham

is the clinical editor for WOCN, and chair of the wound

guidelines task force. She also is

involved in the society’s new online

continuing education program, the

Wound Treatment Education (WTA)

program. This program is designed to

empower wound, ostomy continence

nurses to improve patient outcomes

by enhancing their wound team. Ad-

ditionally, Dr. Bonham co-authored

the 2014 Guideline for Management of Patients with Lower-

Extremity Arterial Disease (LEAD) and is authoring a chapter

on lower-extremity arterial disease for a wound manage-

ment textbook to be published in 2015 by Lippincott Wil-

liams & Wilkins for the Society. In 2012, Dr. Bonham receive

the President’s Service Award from the WOCN Society. She

also received the South Carolina State Recognition Award at

the Southeast Region WOCN meeting in 2013.

[ 2014 ]Valorie Barrett (DNP ‘14) announced the birth of her

daughter, Vivienne “Vivie” L. Barrett on August 19, 2014.

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

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

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

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

encouraging young nurses to further their education and

ultimately further the nursing profession. I really cannot

adequately express just how thankful I am to have gone to

a nursing school in an institution that challenges their stu-

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

PASSAGES

Francine Margolius, EdD, MS, RN, FAAN, professor emerita, passed away on August 6, 2014. in Mt.

Pleasant, SC. Dr. Margolius joined the College of Nursing as an instructor in 1974, progressed in rank to

associate professor with tenure in 1983, and served as department chair from 1995-2000 before retiring

as professor emerita in 2005. She also was appointed as a member of the graduate faculty in the College

of Graduate Studies in 1994. Among her many honors during her long career in nursing, she was in-

ducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 1999. To honor their parents, both of whom

worked for many years at MUSC, the Margolius children have established the Drs. Harry and Francine

Margolius Memorial Fund at MUSC. Donations in their memory can be sent to:

MUSC Foundation | 18 Bee St., MSC 450 | Charleston, SC 29425

(Please write, Drs. Harry and Francine Margolius Memorial Fund, in the memo line of the check.)

Mary Helen Thompson, BSN ‘83

December 31, 2013 | Wadmalaw Island, SC

Tammy Renee Hall Hagerman, BSN ‘88

April 17, 2014 | Charlotte, NC

Jeannine G. Dymock, Diploma ‘62

April 26, 2014 | Cayce, SC

Donna Burke-Howes, BSN ‘93, MSN ‘02

June 25, 2014 | Waterford, CT

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

July 15, 2014 | Charleston, SC

Norma Pacenta, Faculty member

July 20, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC

Ann Harling Quattlebaum Blanton, Diploma ‘52

July 24, 2014 | Mt. Pleasant, SC

Thomasine “Tommie” Gatlin Shuler, Diploma ‘56

August 15, 2014 | West Columbia, SC

Let Us Hear From YouHave a new job, a promotion, an award or even

a new family member? Let us know and we’ll include it in our next issue. Submit a Class Note at

www.bit.ly/CON-class


The College of Nursing’s innaugural BSN Scholarship Reception, held

May 13, 2014, was a great success. Thirty scholarship donors and

recipients gathered in the Pearlstein Healing Garden of the Hollings

Cancer Center. During the reception, scholarship recipients and donors

had the opportunity to meet one another, many for the first time. During

the reception, a brief awards ceremony took place to recognize each of

the recipients, and tell the story behind each scholarship. Kay Chitty, a

scholarship supporter and longtime friend of the College, briefed the

audience on the current cost of tuition and the necessity of financial aid and

scholarships for most of the nursing students. In addition, six new Legacy

Society members were recognized for making a gift in their wills to support

the College of Nursing. These new members are: Frances Thomas, Jacob and

Jade Fountain, Bull and Dottie Halsey, and Renee Black.

The ripple effect of the reception was felt within 24 hours as four

individuals expressed an interest in making a planned gift to the College, and

two people shared that they had already made a gift in their will.

The College of Nursing would like to thank event sponsors, Renee Black

and Gale Messerman, as well as everyone who attended and helped to

make the event such a success. Congratulations once again to our student

recipients! We look forward to next year’s reception.

BSN RECEPTION BRINGS TOGETHER DONORS, RECIPIENTS

V

GIVING BACK


Meet Jacob Fountain, BSN, ‘14,

and his wife, Jade, who recently

were inducted as the newest

members of the College of Nursing’s

Legacy Society.

Shortly after Mr. Fountain’s

graduation in May, the couple decided

to make a provision in their will that

would provide funds for a new nursing

scholarship. In doing so, they became the College’s youngest planned-giving

donors.

The Fountains are very passionate about giving back to students in need,

as they both received integral scholarship support at their respective schools.

“We wanted to know how we could make a positive impact on future

nursing students at MUSC

because we both realize

how fortunate we have

been in completing our

own degrees,” said Mr.

Fountain, who today is

a nurse on MUSC’s Total

Joint Replacement Unit.

“We really believe

in the outstanding

education that the MUSC

College of Nursing

provides to students

through its dedicated

and caring instructors,

and we know that it

produces highly qualified

and talented nurses. It’s important to us to support the College of Nursing

and its students now and in the future so that the tradition of excellence is

continued.”

Many people assume only the elderly join a Legacy Society, but this couple

has shown that anyone can make such a gift through their estate plans, a gift

that will change the lives of other nursing students for many generations.

AGE ISN’T A PREREQUISITE FOR LEGACY SOCIETY

V

(Left to right): The newest members of the College of Nursing’s Legacy Society, Jacob and Jade Fountain, accept a token of

appreciation from Toni Jernigan, MUSC’s director of planned giving.

WHAT IS THE LEGACY SOCIETY?

The Legacy Society is composed of donors who have thoughtfully planned

a gift to the MUSC Foundation as part of their will or estate plans

for the benefit of MUSC. If you are interested including

the College of Nursing in your will or estate plans,

please contact Laurie Scott, director of development,

at 843-792-8421 or [email protected].

New Scholarships EstablishedThe College of Nursing is pleased to an-

nounce that two scholarship funds have

been established that will provide funding

to educate future generations of nurses.

Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing ScholarshipRenee M. Black, College of Nursing Devel-

opment Committee Co-chair, has estab-

lished the Marie LePrince Farmer Nursing

Scholarship in honor of her grandmother.

Ms. Black is a pharmaceutical and bio-

technology professional whose career

began in nursing. She credits her nursing

background with providing her with the

skills and education necessary to create a

unique professional niche in the business

world. This scholarship will be awarded

to a hardworking nursing student who is

the first in their family to go to college,

financially disadvantaged, from a rural or

impoverished area, or a single parent who

would otherwise be financially unable to

enroll in a nursing program at MUSC.

Izant Family Foundation Scholarship FundJames R. Izant II and Natalie M. Izant es-

tablished this scholarship to fund the ed-

ucation of graduate students in the Col-

lege of Nursing. Mr. Izant was a patient at

the MUSC Medical Center for many years

and sadly passed away in 2013. His wife

recently wrote, “The nurses of MUSC have

meant so much to our lives over the past

11 years. My husband, Jim, received the

best care possible and always had a good

relationship with his nurses at MUSC.

While I miss him terribly, knowing that

this gift will help educate another health

care professional gives our family great

comfort.”


GIVING BACK

The MUSC College of Nursing relies on

the generosity of the many individuals,

foundations and organizations that

provide us with philanthropic support.

We are pleased to share the list of donors

from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

We hope that next year we may be able

to add your name to the list.

>> $25,000 + Ms. Renee M. Black

David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation

Izant Family Foundation

Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation

Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Inc.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Sanofi-Aventis US, LLC

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

Mrs. Frances J. Thomas

Trident United Way

>> $10,000 - $24,999Mrs. Caroline W. Davis

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Evans

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

Falk-Griffin Foundation

Mrs. Sylvia D. Steinberg and Mr. Samuel Steinberg

Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation, Inc.

>> $1,000 - $9,999Dr. Elaine J. Amella

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Aid to Education Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina

Ms. Alex Caton and Mr. David Contini

Dr. Laurine T. Charles

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

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cumbie

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

Johnson Controls Foundation

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

Mrs. Gale Messerman and Mr. Gerald Messerman

Anonymous NMF Fund of Coastal Community Foundation

The O’Brien Family Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Michael C. Pace

Mrs. Susan F. Payne

Mrs. Corinne V. Sade and Dr. Robert M. Sade

Dr. John J. Schaefer III and Dr. Carol L. Simmons

Dr. Gail W. Stuart

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

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Sullivan

Dr. Frank A. Treiber

>> $500 - $999Mrs. Mary B. Decker

Dr. Daniel P. Gracie

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr. T. Grange Simons V

Ms. Cynthia B. Teeter

>> $250-$499Dr. Elizabeth Bear

Mrs. Shelton Bosley and Mr. William Bosley

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

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

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

Ms. Jeanine Gage

Mr. Norman P. Harberger

Hilton Head Christian Academy

Estate of Ms. Florence V. Illing

Mrs. Beth Khan

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

Dr. Lynne S. Nemeth

Mrs. Anna T. Patton

Porsche Club of America Coastal Empire Region

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ricciardone

Ms. Laurie K. Scott and Mr. John Leiataua

Mrs. Yolanda M. Simmons-Long

Miss Ruby I. Tumblin

Mrs. Lori Vick and Mr. William S. Vick

>> $100 - $249Ms. Jean E. Alexander

Ms. Alexandra Allen

Mrs. Suzette K. Allen and Mr. Andy Allen

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

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

Mr. James Antal

Dr. Melissa B. Aselage

Mrs. Valerie H. Assey

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

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

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

Dr. Janis P. Bellack

Ms. Dene R. Bellamy

Dr. Pia V. Biason-Webb

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

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

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

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

Mrs. Deborah L. Boswell

Ms. Jamie C. Bott

Ms. Sarah Branoff

Mrs. Brenda M. Brunner-Jackson

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

Col. and Mrs. Jack O. Burwell, Jr.

Mrs. Patricia L. Bush and Dr. Charles A. Bush

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

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

Mrs. Penelope Chase and Mr. Chaz Walter

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

Mr. and Mrs. Todd Clist

Dr. Toni E. Coaxum

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

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

Mrs. Roberta H. Cone

Dr. Brian T. Conner and Mrs. Connie Conner

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

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

Mrs. Betty D. Crowley

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

Mrs. Dorothy Y. M. Dangerfield

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

Miss Margaret R. Danko

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

Dr. Kahlil A. Demonbreun

Ms. Franetta L. Dinkins

Mrs. Emily DeHay Dixon

Dr. Annemarie S. Donato

Ms. Tracy T. Doran

Mrs. M. Gwyn DuBose-Schmitt and

Mr. Heinrick A. DuBose-Schmitt, Sr.

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

Dr. and Mrs. James B. Edwards

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

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

Dr. Jenny R. Freeman

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

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

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

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

Mrs. Martha M. Gosnell and Mr. Wayne Gosnell

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

Ms. Brenda C. Haile

Mrs. Marjorie G. Halford

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harrington

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

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

Mrs. Karen L. Hiott

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

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


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

Mrs. Betty J. Howell

Ms. Deidra D. Huckabee

Ms. Catherine S. Hudak

Mrs. Gladys R. Hudgens

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

Mrs. Rebecca W. Hutchison and Mr. Steve Hutchison

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Huth

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

Dr. Carolyn H. Jenkins and Mr. Warren Jenkins

Ms. Zora K. Johnson

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

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

Dr. Paul T. Joseph, Sr.

Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Joseph

Joseph Dental Associates

Dr. Julius O. Kehinde

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

Mr. George Knoske

Mrs. Mueiel L. Labonte

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

Mrs. Phyllis H. LaMacchia

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

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

Ms. Lucinda J. Lewis

Mr. and Mrs. Francis L. Limbaker

Dr. Collette R. Loftin

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

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

M. Gwyn Dubose-Schmitt, Esq.

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

Mrs. Ada Faustina C. Mahaffey

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

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

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

Mrs. Helen A. McInnis

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

Mrs. Kimberly C. Mouzon

Mrs. Caroline G. Mumford

Dr. Carolyn L. Murdaugh

Mrs. Julie McCulloh Nair

Ms. Mary J. Neff

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Nendorf

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

Dr. Susan D. Newman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Theresa Y. Rashdan and Mr. Ragab Mohamed

Dr. Susan E. Reinarz

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

Dr. Jonathan Riddle

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

Ms. Lori M. Robinson

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

Dr. Julia B. Rogers

Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Schmidt

Ms. Sandra J. Schoch

Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Schwabrow

Ms. Margaret L. Senn

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

Mrs. Rebecca L. Sherwood and Mr. Ben Sherwood

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

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

Dr. Georgette M. Smith

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

Dr. Valeria D. Smith

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

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

Dr. Ida J. Spruill

Mrs. Paula F. Stabenau

Mrs. Sue L. Stramm

Mrs. Patricia Z. Stribling and Mr. John Stribling

Dr. Lya M. Stroupe

Mrs. Alice F. Summers and Mr. Franklin Summers

Mrs. Allison H. Swingle

Ms. Nancy F. Tassin

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

Ms. Paula J. Thomson

Ms. Raquel Vining

Mr. and Mrs. Kurt O. Wassen

Mrs. Betty S. Whitesell and Mr. Joel Whitesell

Dr. Sylvia A. Whiting

Williams, Jones & Associates, LLC

Ms. Phyllis R. Wilson

Dr. Meredith C. Wood

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

Dr. Janet A. York

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

GIVING BACK


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

away from physical therapy and into the transplant

waiting room, where he found the family of a man

receiving a new heart that day.

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

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

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

ago.”

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

The retired banker spent his free time racing with the Hilton

Head Porsche club and going to jam band concerts. When

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

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

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

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

his booming laugh – she cried when she heard it coming

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

made her fall in love.

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

his transplant and several hospitalizations. Sometimes Natalie

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

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

because he had visitors.

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

experience tolerable for the whole family, especially on nights

apart.

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

“The nurses are there with you eight to 10 hours a day. They

are vital to the patient’s well-being—not just physical, but

mental well-being.”

Her son, Robert, said his father’s nurses brought empathy to

their jobs. “It means a lot to a patient that they’re not just wait-

ing to clean your dirty bed sheets,” Robert said. “They actually

care.”

The couple established the Izant Family Foundation Schol-

arship to help attract and retain top graduate students at the

MUSC College of Nursing. This spring Natalie honored her

late husband by bringing the fund up to $50,000, the amount

required to endow the scholarship and make it an ongoing

gift.

“We set this up, because we wanted our kids to know it’s

important to give back,” Natalie said. “I wanted to get it up

and running as soon as possible, because I think it’s what Jim

would want. It’s my way to honor him. I wanted to know that

there is another person out there who is going to start on the

path to do something for another family that was so important

to our family.”

The College of Nursing awarded the

first Izant Family Foundation Scholarship

to Enia Zigbuo-Wenzler, who recently

began the College’s online PhD program.

A family nurse practitioner, Enia lives in

Germany, where her husband works as a

physicist. She earned master’s degrees in

both nursing and public health and takes

particular interest in vulnerable populations.

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

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

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

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

to graduate from college.

She spent every summer volunteering with rural hospi-

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

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

drawn to nutritional disparities and lack of access to adequate

amounts of food,” Enia said.

She decided to pursue a doctoral degree while she has time

during her husband’s contract abroad. Online education made

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

4-year-old son at home.

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

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

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

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

nority presence. MUSC has a huge commitment to vulnerable

and underserved populations, and there was a huge diversity.”

Enia will complete her degree after returning to the US. She

hopes to do research and teach, but she recognizes that her

greatest satisfaction came from working at a clinic in Harlem

and with orphans in Liberia – with people.

“We’ve been told in nursing programs that we should

always work at the clinical level, even if it’s only 10 hours a

week,” she said. “I love being involved with patients and their

families, so I plan to always do that.”

By Allyson Crowell, Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

FAMILY FUND HONORS MAN BY SUPPORTING FUTURE

V


LINES OF LIFE

Difference is of

the essence of humanity.

Difference is an accident of birth

and it should therefore never be the

source of hatred or conflict. The answer

to difference is to respect it. Therein

lies a most fundamental principle

of peace: respect for

diversity.

“

- John Hume

”48 LIFELINES Fall | Winter 2014

We look forward to seeing you!

MUSC College of Nursing’s

You are a key to our continued success.

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

• Catch up with former classmates• Hear the latest college news from Dean Stuart

• Take a tour the newly renovated home of the College of Nursing• Enjoy a Lowcountry oyster roast

JAN 201523-24WELCOME

HOME

HOMECOMING2015

For more information visit www.musc.edu/alumniEmail: [email protected] | Phone: 888-202-9306 or 843-792-7979

LOWCOUNTRYBOIL & OYSTER ROASTChas. Maritime Center

Jan. 24 | 6-9 p.m.

COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE

99 Jonathan LucasJan. 24 | 9:30-11:30 a.m.

NON-PROFITUS Postage

PAIDPermit # 254

Charleston, SC99 Jonathan Lucas Street

MSC 160Charleston, SC 29425-1600

JANUARY 24th | 9:30 - 11:30 AMGrand Open House

2 NEW CLASSROOMS | 54 ADDITIONAL WORKSPACES | NEW ELEVATORS44,000 SQ FT OF RENOVATED SPACE | NEW SIMULATION LAB

TAKENURSINGHIGHER.MUSC.EDU

NEW FOYER & ARCHIVES ROOM

Lifelines Fall | Winter 2014

Documents

Transcript of Lifelines Fall | Winter 2014