UNC Wilmington
School of Nursing Newsletter
Volume 8, Issue 2
End of Semester Issue
Editor: Sandra O’Donnell (odonnells@uncw.edu)
Upcoming Dates:
Jan. 5: Spring Semester begins
Jan. 12: Spring classes begin
Jan. 12: Faculty Council meeting,
3:30-5 p.m., 1051 McNeill Hall
Jan 19: Martin Luther King Jr.
Holiday. No classes
Jan. 20: Nu Omega Chapter of
STTI Board Meeting, 5-6 p.m.,
1022 McNeill Hall
Jan. 27: Prelicensure Council
Meeting, 3-5 p.m. 1028 McNeill
Feb. 10: Faculty Council meeting.
3:30-5 p.m. 1051 McNeill Hall
Feb. 17: Prelicensure Council
Meeting, 3-5 p.m., 1028 McNeill
March 7-15: Spring Break
March 8-15: Belize Trip
March 10: Faculty Council meeting. 3-5 p.m. 1051 McNeill Hall
March 17: Sigma Theta Tau Board
Meeting, 5-6 p.m., 1022 McNeill
March 28-29: Good Friday Holiday.
April 9: Faculty Meeting, 3:30-5
p.m., 1051 McNeill Hall
April 2-3: Easter Holiday. No
classes
April 6-10: CHHS Week
April 29: Last day of classes
May 7: Spring Awards Ceremony
May 7-8: UNCW Commencement
Please submit items of interest,
calendar events, notable achievements, community events and
questions you may have for our
faculty and staff to our editorial/
production staff: Sandy O’Donnell
or Debra Simpson.
December 2014
Production: Debra Simpson (simpsond@uncw.edu)
Greetings from the Director
All of our programs continue to thrive, and we have many great
successes in student and faculty achievement. At commencement in
December, we have a total of 106 graduates from our nursing and
clinical research programs. In clinical research, we have three graduates of the Master of Science in clinical research program. In nursing,
50 students graduated from the prelicensure option, 28 students from
the RN to BS option, and 25 students from the graduate (FNP) program (21 with a master’s degree and four with a post-master’s certificate).
This time of year often makes each of us reflect on the ‘blessings’ that we have and the many
‘gifts’ we have been given in our lives and careers. As I leave UNCW to move to Colorado
Springs, I have reflected on my 10 years here and realize that I have been given many gifts
from my experiences with my students and colleagues. I have had the opportunity to work
with many wonderful colleagues, faculty and staff who are truly committed to providing an
excellent academic experience for our students. My students, who on their quest to learn,
have challenged me to continue to grow as an educator. These gifts of friendship and inquiry
have made me a better colleague, teacher, and more passionate than ever that I am in a profession that I love. I wish to extend my sincere thank you and appreciation to all of the staff,
faculty, and students who I have had the great pleasure to work with over these past 10
years.
Congratulations to all of our graduates and Happy Holidays.
Carol Heinrich to Serve as the Interim Director
Carol Heinrich has accepted the invitation to serve in the role of
interim director, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Heinrich has the Ph.D. in
nursing from Rutgers University; the M.S.N. and adult nurse
practitioner from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; the
M.A. in nursing education from New York University; and the
B.S.N. from the College of New Jersey. Heinrich is currently the
RNBS program coordinator and the interim associate school
director. She has served on the SON faculty for nine years and is
well respected across campus.
The appointment of a permanent director is expected to be announced shortly.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Notable Recognition
Jeanne Kemppainen (pictured left), the Belk Distinguished Professor, was selected as a fellow in the prestigious American Academy
of Nursing. Kemppainen was inducted into the academy at the
academy’s 2014 Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference
on Oct. 18 in Washington, DC.
The academy is comprised of more than 2,200 nurse leaders in education, management, practice, policy, and research. Academy fellows include hospital and government administrators, college
deans, and renowned scientific researchers. Selection criteria include evidence of significant contributions to nursing and health
care and sponsorship by two current academy fellows. Applicants
are reviewed by a panel comprised of elected and appointed fellows,
and selection is based, in part, on the extent the nominee’s nursing
career has influenced health policies and the health and well-being
of all. New fellows are eligible to use the credentials FAAN (Fellow
of the American Academy of Nursing) after their induction in
October.
Congratulations to part-time clinical faculty Blaise Bolan (pictured left) for being chosen as one
of this year’s two recipients of the NHRMC Nursing Excellence Award. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Bolan serves as educator and staff nurse on the Progressive Care Unit at
NHRMC. The award is in honor of Mary-Lyn Frappier and is given annually to two nurses at
NHRMC who exhibit professionalism and a positive attitude while keeping the focus on the
patient.
Congratulations to Soo Kim-Godwin (left in
photo on right ) and April Matthias (right),
recipients of the 2014 Discere Aude Award for
outstanding mentoring of students. The Discere
Aude Award recognizes faculty and staff who
were nominated by our most academically successful undergraduate students. Kim-Godwin
and Matthias were recognized at a reception on Dec. 4.
Congratulations to the following faculty who have been recognized by the Dec.
2014 graduating seniors as making a significant impact on their education at
UNCW: Tammy Arms, Janis Cox, Jerre Garnett, Beth Gazza, Anne-Marie Goff,
Nancy Grant, Carol Heinrich, Jeanne Kemppainen, Soo Kim-Godwin, Susan
Marshall, April Matthias, Brandy Mechling, Debbie Pollard, Julie Taylor, Stephanie Turrise, Debbie Varnum, Marge Verzella, Patty White and Heidi Winslow.
The faculty were honored at a university reception on Dec. 4.
School of Nursing CCNE Recognition
Congratulations to the School of Nursing for achieving notification from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(CCNE) that the “the programs continue to meet all accreditation standards” based on the submission of the Continuous Improvement Progress Report (CIPR) in May, 2014. Faculty who prepared the CIPR were Carol Heinrich, Nancy Ahern and Deborah Pollard. Reviewers included Elizabeth Gazza and RuthAnne Kuiper.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Faculty Far East Travels for Information Exchange
Diane Pastor (pictured right) participated in a nursing delegation to Vietnam organized by People to
People Ambassador Program for professional exchange of information about community and public
health issues. Led by the dean of Columbia University School of Nursing (NY City), 12 nurses travelled to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Saigon and the Mekong Delta to meet with hospital and clinic officials
and clinicians. Pastor presented to the School of Medicine and Nursing a program on her research on
teaching advanced practice nursing students how to deliver difficult health news to clients in primary care settings. Funding for this trip was made possible by the UNCW International Faculty Travel Award program, the SON & the College of Health and Human Services. A presentation of this
adventure will be made by Pastor to the CHHS during the spring 2015 semester.
Barbara Pennington, CLR faculty, conducted a 3-day workshop for the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products (WIBP) in Wuhan, China Nov. 18-20. The workshop focused on conducting and monitoring Phase I-III clinical
trials as WIBP is developing a new rotavirus vaccine. Pennington developed presentation slides
and training materials and translators provided
verbal and written translations into Mandarin
Chinese. Pennington has worked as a consultant
for the Program for Advanced Technologies in
Healthcare (PATH) based on her previous work
with federally and non-government organizational funded studies. Pennington is pictured center in
photo at left.
Students Showcase Creation of Reflective Books on the Image of Nursing
Prelicensure students in Nancy Ahern’s course on Issues, Trends and Health Policy planned, wrote, illustrated and presented
books at a Reflective Celebration Day on Nov. 21. Completed in pairs, this assignment was supported by a UNCW ETEAL
grant as an applied learning assignment. The purpose was to portray a positive image of nursing with age-appropriate reading
materials for children. Pictured below are the first-place project winners selected by their peers, Samantha Geiger and
Austin Esry.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Notable Achievements
Congratulations to Elise Thompson on her December graduation from the University of Hawaii at
Manoa with her Ph.D. in Nursing. Her research dissertation was “Comparing the Impact of High
Fidelity Simulation, Low Fidelity Simulation and Video Training of Oral Medication Administration
for State Anxiety in First Year Undergraduate Nursing Students.”
Congratulations to Penny Sauer for being selected to participate on the Professional Issues Panel on
Workplace Violence and Incivility of the American Nurses Association (ANA). Her application was
among 500 received for this panel. Sauer will be serving on the advisory committee to provide guidance
and feedback to ANA and the steering committee throughout the project period and to contribute to the development of resources related to the project.
Robin Cunningham, Patty White, Stacey Kolomer (School of Social Work) and Diane Pastor completed their Corbett-funded
research project “Using Simulation with Standardized Patients, to Teach Pairs of MSN and MSW Students How to Deliver
Difficult Health News to Patients in Primary Care Settings.” A follow-up to this work will be an ETEAL-funded project using
reflective journaling with graduate students to discover students' perceptions of working in inter-professional health teams to
develop competency in having difficult conversations with patients in primary care. The group has also written a proposal to
support bringing a professional theater group to campus next year during CHHS Week, to offer the college and university an
interactive theater experience about palliative care and decision making.
RIBN student Kayla Fouts has proven herself a heroine. On Oct. 2 a motor vehicle accident occurred on Highway 421 north of
the Isabel Holmes Bridge. Fouts witnessed the crash, grabbed a first aid kit and rushed to the scene to begin the first round of
emergency treatment. She even called one victim’s husband to update him on what had transpired. RIBN (Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses Project) allows educational partnership between community colleges and universities with the goal to
provide a four-year nursing option that dually enrolls students. As part of the RIBN program Fouts is a nursing student at
both Cape Fear Community College and UNCW.
Beth Hodshon, JD, MPH, RN (Class of May ’94) accepted a position as director of the Yale Center for
Healthcare Innovation, Redesign and Learning (CHIRAL). The center, funded by a grant from Agency
for Healthcare Research & Quality, will create a learning environment aimed at improving patient safety. It will allow a team of collaborators to use innovative approaches to research and improve patient
safety when patients are transferred into, within or outside a hospital. Hodshon has made two recent
presentations: 1) as a panelist at the Current Topics in Life Sciences Law, Regulation and Business Development at the Villanova University School of Law on the topic of Open Science and her role in facilitating the development and implementation of a sustainable model for sharing clinical research data; and
2) a webinar “Getting Clinical Trial Data into Researchers’ Hands to Affect Change” (disseminated nationwide via the Yale University Program on Aging). The citation of a recent publication of Hodshon is
as follows: Krumholz, HM., Gross, C.P., Blount, K.L., Ritchie, J.D., Hodshon, B., Lehman, R., Ross, J.S. (2014) Sea Change in
Open Science and Data Sharing: Leadership by industry. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes, 7:499-504.
Congratulations to Faculty Recipients of Grants:





Barbara Snyder, Simulation Lab assistant, the recipient of a 2014 Staff Global Travel Grant to participate in the Cultural
Immersion Experience in Belize in March 2015. Snyder plans to document through photography this international clinical
experience.
Carolyn Jones for her ETEAL grant proposal for spring 2015, “Applied Learning for Senior Nursing Students with the Carousel Center (families and victims of child abuse).”
Pamela Levesque and Traci Bramlett for being awarded an Academic Partners Grant for their research,
“Comparing the Transcultural Competencies of Online RN-BS Students with On-Campus Baccalaureate Nursing Students
at a State University.”
Penny Sauer for receiving a Charles L. Cahill Award for faculty research and development to be used for her project titled,
“Exploration of Incivility in Nursing Students.”
Nancy Ahern for receiving a Charles L. Cahill Award for her faculty research and development to be used for her project
titled, “Educating Parents about Selected Adolescent Risks: A Pilot Study Comparing Two Methods.”
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Congratulations to Faculty on Scholarly Publications:
Several faculty have been published in national nursing publications. The faculty and citations are as follows:
 Diane Pastor. Jurgens, C. Y. & Pastor, D.K. (2014). Chapter 8: End-of-life Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities. In Goodlin,
S.J. and Rich, M.W. (eds.) End-of-Life Issues in Cardiovascular Disease. London: Springer-Verlag
 April Matthias. Matthias, A. (2014). RN-to-BSN Students’ Reflection on Becoming a Baccalaureate-prepared RN. Journal
of Nursing Education, 53(10), 600.
 Elizabeth Gazza. Hunker, D. F., Gazza, E. A., & Shellenbarger, T. (2014). Evidence-based Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
for Scholarly Writing Development Across all Levels of Nursing Education. Journal of Professional Nursing,30(4), 341346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.11.003
 Three RN-BSN students for recent acceptances for publication of their letters to the editor:
John Harris in the online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN), Oct. 2014 edition;
Rick Deese in the spring issue of Association of Black Nursing Faculty Journal (ABNF);
Nikeeta Corey in the January edition of the American Journal of Nursing.
Congratulations to Faculty and Students for Their Recent Presentations:



Congratulations to Stephanie Turrise (pictured at right), who presented a poster at the AACN Baccalaureate Education
Conference Nov. 20-22 in Baltimore on “High Fidelity Patient Simulation: A Classroom Teaching Strategy.” The conference consisted of nursing school deans, directors and faculty from across the nation.
Carolyn Jones and Penny Sauer presented their research findings on an active
teaching strategy for prelicensure students enrolled in Pathophysiology and Pharmacology I and II, the “Patient Teaching Practicum.” Preliminary findings were
presented at the STTI Research Day and the abstract has been accepted at the
Contemporary Forum Elsevier Faculty Development Conference in Scottsdale,
Ariz., in Jan. 2015.
Elizabeth Gazza and April Matthias presented on Oct. 25 “From Map to Masterpiece: Creating Quality Online Courses.” This was a peer-reviewed podium presentation at the 10th Annual Southeastern Nurse Educator Symposium – SENSES at
Wrightsville Beach, NC.

Pamela Levesque presented “The Lived Experience of the Transgender Nursing Student” at the 2014 Qualitative Health
Conference in Victoria, BC, in October and at the 2014 National Institute of Minority Health & Health Disparities Conference in National Harbor, Md. Levesque also participated with a visiting anthropology professor for panel presentation with
community representation on transgender health care to undergrad anthropology class on campus.

April Matthias presented on Sept. 20 “From Training to Education: Establishing a Dual Diploma/BS Degree Professional
Nursing Program of Study at the University of Cincinnati, 1914-1916.” This was a peer-reviewed paper presentation at the
American Association for the History of Nursing, 31st Annual American Association for the History of Nursing Conference:
Nursing and Health Care History, Hartford, Conn.

Carol Heinrich and April Matthias presented on Sept. 19 their work on “Accelerated RNBS Program: Leading Change for
an Online Education Initiative” at the 2014 National League for Nursing Summit: Flight of the Phoenix, Phoenix, Ariz.

Elizabeth Gazza presented on Oct. 25 on “Advancing the Quality and Safety of Nursing Care through Scholarly Writing.”
Peer reviewed presentation of research at 10th Annual South Eastern Nursing Staff Education Symposium, Wrightsville
Beach, N.C.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Congratulations to the Newest Inductees of the Nu Omega Chapter, STTI
The following students and nurse leaders were inducted Nov. 1 into the Nu Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society of Nursing:
Prelicensure Inductees (May ’15 class on left and Dec. ’14 class pictured on right):
Jordon Adcock
Alyssa Bodnar
Molly Cole
Joanna Dalzell
Kelly Cummings
Michelle Horne
Alicia Iamemateo
Madeline Langndge
Lauren Mallory
Kelli McCraw
Teah O’Neal
Loren Reece
April Thompson
Laura Zamora
Stacey Allred
Michael Borgstrom
Ashlee Combs
Rachael Delaney
Amanda Franklin
Sara Howe
Nicole Johnson
Rebecca Lester
Ruth Marescalco
Shannon McDermott
Shannon O’Toole
Tara Reme
Elizabeth Tunstall
Regina Ayala
Julie Busfield
Ashley Concepcion
Michelle Diaz
Elizabeth Hare
Melisa Huber
Allison Kramlick
Kali Londa
Summer Mathis
Meghan McDonnell
Anna Outhavong
Katelyn Summet
Melissa Warren
RN to BS Inductees (pictured at right):
Stephanie Chambers
Matthew Merrill
Taylor Scott
Holland
Jamie Scott
Lauren Egan
Laura Reynolds
Julia Suggs
Elisha Knight
Paula Toney
Kathryn Hauser
Brooke Robati
Melanie TilleyJamie
Kathryn Robinson
Sarah Wilkerson
Master of Science Candidates (pictured at far right):
Amanda Foster
Emily Gavel
Nurse Leader Inductees:
Claudina McLiverty Grace Seabrook (photo on left)
Emmanuel Aym
Karen Buster
Stephanie Costelloe
Delanie Dyer
Emily Hester
Abby Hughes
Kristin Kramer
Diana Lovelace
Leah Mayhew
Kelly McPherson
Casey Patula
Lauren Stephenson
Julia Weisenhorn
Lauren Benson
Hannah Cheek
Kristen Cowman
Caroline Fowler
Olivia Holt
Logan Hunt
Samantha Kuhlman
Rachel Lucht
Rebecca McCall
Lauren Neese
Molly Ray
Lauren Struble
Hailey Wiant
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Congratulations to the December 2014 Graduates!
M.S.N. Graduates
Clinical Research
Autum Liberty
Beam Megan
Nicole Brown
Linda Frew Shostak
Family Nurse Practitioner
Stacey Turner Allred
Nicole Griffin Averett
Elizabeth Mayo Boddie
Nancy Kay Boehm
Susan Jordan Boyd
Mariya Marie Conti
Kelly Strickland Crenshaw
Kelsey Durham Daly
Margaret Blenner Gable Eller
Mary Catherine W. Ewart
Chantelle Nicolle Guthrie
Constance Williams Hall
Ernestine Johnson
Holly Ann Kilian
Rebecca Maphis
Robert Todd Pitts
Crystal Lynn Ross
Kelli Nichole Schenk
Marie Luisa Stoute
Hillary Hutto Wilson
Natalie Boone Yount
F.N.P. Post Master’s Certificate
Kelly Baker Erskine
Wendelin Small Meares
Hope Stephens Tyson
Michael Wayne Pike
B.S. Graduates
Summer 2014
Stephanie Christine Huggins
Brett Erica Pennell
Brandy Rhodes
Margaret Lindsey Hyatt
Stephanie Jessica Pittman
Kathryn Fowler Robinson
Latesha D. Pait
Leanne Hodge Reaves
David Grant Thomas
Fall 2014
Stephanie Specht Beach
Amanda Dianne Brunner
Patrick Michaell Campbell
Carla Sammons Davis
Jazzarae Dozier
Patricia Clay Gebe
Phoebe Clarisa Hamelman
John Michael Harris
Tiffany Rae Hiller
Jamie Anne Holland
Stefanie Nikole Howard
Courtney Leigh Hurd Johanson
Krystal Lee Needham
Wyshonique Arkell Reyna
Whitney Amber Schlimme
Kasi Stokes Sneary
Amber Carol Sutton
Holly Marie Weisz
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Congratulations to the December 2014 Graduates!
Prelicensure
Regina Mary Ayala
Randall James Barlow
Lauren Jeannine Benson
Michael Lee Borgstrom
Rachel Lee Burke
Julie Lynn Busfield
Carlie Autumn Campbell
Ashlee Baker Combs
Stephanie Marie Costelloe
Kristen Whitney Cowman
Kelly Ann Cummings
Alexandra Brett Curtis
Joanna Elizabeth Dalzell
Brooke Elizabeth Fearn
Amanda Marie Franklin
Elizabeth Anne Hare
Eryn Elizabeth Hawkins
Olivia Jane Holt
Melissa Susan Huber
Nicole Welch Johnson
Allison Lynn Kramlick
Madeline Jane Langridge
Diana Elizabeth Lovelace
Rachael Kae Lovick
Lauren Nicole Mallory
Ruth Elizabeth Marescalco
Rebecca Jane McCall
Shannon Lea McDermott
Meghan Colleen McDonnell
Kelly Ann Murphy
Lauren Lee Neese
Teah Lane O’Neill
Anna Carolina Outhavong
Sterling Madison Pope
Ashley Jayne Potts
Molly Elizabeth Ray
Loren Barbara Reece
Tara Lynne reme
Hillary Dawn Silva
Carolina Colliri Sklar
Andrea Leigh Smith
Robert Michael Sottile
Brittany Leanne Springle
Paul Luke Steinlein
Jennifer Gile Stevens
Lauren Elizabeth Struble
Elizabeth Averett Tunstall
Melissa Andrea Warren
Julia Rose Weisenhorn
Kristen Alexa Winchester
Honors Students Successfully Defend their Research Projects
Stephanie Costelloe (Dec. ’14) successfully defended on Nov. 25 her research project on “HIV-Related Stigma: Full Disclosure,
Limited Disclosure, Visibly Stigmatized, and How it Affects Depression and Anxiety in Persons Living with HIV.” Her
research chair was Jeanne Kemppainen (pictured left in photo on right).
Diana Lovelace (Dec. ‘14) defended her honors project on
“Relationship Between Maternal
Social Support and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy for Mothers of
Preterm Infants Intending to
Breastfeed: A Pilot Study.” Her
research chair was Deborah Pollard (pictured left in photo on
left with Lovelace right).
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Nu Omega Research Day — Fall 2014
The Nu Omega Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society conducted its 23rd Annual Research Conference on
Nov. 7. The conference consisted of various podium and poster presentations. Awards were announced to several of the presenters in various categories.
Pictured left in photo on left is the
winner of the faculty podium
presenter, Nancy Ahern, for her
presentation on “Awareness and
Knowledge of Child and Adolescent Risky Behaviors: A Parent’s
Perspective.” Ahern’s research
assistant on this project was
Page Thacker (May ’15).
Pictured right is the winner of the
student poster presentation,
Andraya Zelle, for her research on
“The Psychosocial Effects of
Health Disparities of LGBT Older
Adults.” Her faculty advisor (in
photo on right) was Tammy Arms.
Pictured left are the winners of the faculty poster presentation, Jeanne
Kemppainen (on right) and Kelly Laham (left), for their poster on
“Dimensions of Diabetes Treatment Adherence in African Americans
Living in Rural Southeastern North Carolina.”
Congratulations to the other podium presenters for research presentations: Stephanie Costelloe (Dec. ’14), Penny Sauer and Elise Thompson.
Other poster presenters included faculty Susan Crawford, Barbara Lutz,
Diana Lovelace and Penny Sauer, and Denise Kuhn and Carolyn Brown
of NHRMC for showcasing their research projects.
CHHS Participates in the ’14 AHA Heart Walk
Oct. 18 more than 20 faculty, staff and students from CHHS gathered at the UNCW campus to participate in the annual American Heart Walk, sponsored by the American Heart Association. CHHS, a sponsor of the event, raised over $2,100 to support
the work of the American Heart Association. Several participants are pictured below.
The primary purpose of the threemile walk is to encourage exercise,
increase awareness of heart disease
and its effects, raise funds for research and education and encourage
healthy lifestyle. Other activities
were available at the event and several CHHS members took the opportunity to engage in a quick CPR
lesson.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Reflection Day — Fall 2014
Each semester the undergraduate pediatrics and
community nursing courses collaborate to engage
students in learning the art of nursing through their
Reflective Projects. Each student chooses a client
who made an impression upon him or her during the
community or pediatric clinical rotations. Then each
student presents a written paper and an original finearts expression an understanding of the “whole” person to faculty and peers during a special presentation
event. Students vote on their choice for various
award categories. The winners (pictured at right) are
as follows: “The One I Wish I Had Thought of,”
Abby Hughes; “Most Talented,” Kellie McCraw; “The One That Conveyed the Essence of Nursing,” Sarah Fruendt; “The One
That Made Me Smile,” Summer Mathis; “The One That Made Me Say ‘Wow’,” Laura Outlaw; “Most Creative,” Hannah Cheek;
and “The One That Really Touched Me,” Ali Iammatteo.
Association of Nursing Students (ANS)
ANS has recently elected its officers for spring 2015. They are: Andraya Zelle,
president; Shannon O'Toole, vice president; Caroline Fowler, Treasurer; and Rebecca Lester, Secretary. All students are members of the class of May ’15. At
right is a photo taken of ANS members assisting with a September health fair
for the Navy Reserve in which students assessed blood pressures, blood sugar
and vision of the fair participants. Class of Dec. ’14 students are pictured below
with their cords from ANS, AAMN, and ADSN.
Association of Diversity in Student Nursing
Student volunteers from the ADSN worked for Habitat for Humanity on two separate dates in November. Five volunteers on
Nov. 15 (pictured at right) helped to install flooring and baseboards. Thirteen volunteers on Nov. 22 helped install vinyl siding
on the exterior of the home. On that same day ADSN members
provided lunch for all of the volunteers.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Simulation Learning Center
Simulation has expanded this semester to include
utilizing standardized patients (SP’s), community
volunteers acting as patients, in collaboration with
senior nursing students and graduate social work
students in several scenarios. The seniors completed
a brief initial assessment and gave report about the
patient situation to the social work students, who
focused on therapeutic communication with patient
and family members. Students received feedback
from the SP’s and from their peers who observed
the interactions through live video streaming.
On Oct. 27, a Corbett grant pilot study with F.N.P.
students and M.S.W. students working in teams
was implemented. Students working in pairs were able to simulate the delivery of difficult health news to a SP couple. The purpose of the study was for students to collaborate on research as to how best deliver a cancer diagnosis. Feedback was presented
by student peers and the SP couple. Faculty who wrote the Corbett grant, designed the scenarios and recruited SP’s were SON
faculty Diane Pastor, Robin Cunningham and Patty White, as well as Stacey Kolomer, School of Social Work.
The undergraduate courses continue to use simulation several times a semester and in skills labs. The prelicensure maternity
class participated in a student-designed simulation to implement a chain of command decision making scenario based on content provided prior to the simulation. Other prelicensure clinical groups participated in simulated scenarios throughout the
semester relevant to the various course content and clinical sites.
Faculty Service Projects
April Matthias volunteered at Pender County Christian Services on Oct. 26, and conducted blood pressure screenings (photo on right.)
As part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, SON faculty Elizabeth Gazza and Susan Crawford and Brandi Crowe of the SHAHS led the “7 Ways in
7 Days” Campaign within CHHS. They collected new sleeping bags for adults and
children, and $5.00 gift cards for Subway, McDonalds, and Taco Bell. A total of
$1,000 worth of sleeping bags and restaurant gift cards were collected and donated to
Brunswick County Streetreach Inc. (BCSTR). BCSTR is a program that addresses the immediate needs of the homeless population in Brunswick County, New Hanover and Horry County, S.C.
Barbara Lutz, Penny Sauer, Nancy Murdock and Marge
Verzella (pictured left to right in front row) participated
in the “Tails for Trails” 5K on Dec. 6. All funds raised
will be used to support the Animal Sanctuary at Poplar
Grove Plantation, a program designed to provide aid and
support to equines and other farm animals that have been
abused, neglected or rejected by owners. Medical treatment, nutrition and careful handling and training of individual animal needs are the focus of this charity. In addition, the Sanctuary serves to provide public education on
the consequences of abuse and the effects of proper care.
Volume 8, Issue 2
School of Nursing Newsletter
Notable Recognition: Recipients of the December 2014 School of Nursing Awards
Excellence Award: Presented to a student with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.25, outstanding clinical performance and nominated from students and faculty with final endorsement by the faculty:
Pre-licensure: Ruth Marescalco
RN-BSN: Wyshonique Arkell Reyna
Graduate Students: Tina Johnson and Todd Pitts
Achievement Award: Presented to the student who demonstrates growth and mastery of concepts and practices in nursing,
utilizes resources effectively to develop potential and takes initiative for personal learning growth:
Pre-licensure - Senior: Anna Outhavong
Prelicensure - Junior: Monica Hyatt
Graduate Students: Hope Tyson and Michael Pike
RN-BSN: Jazzarae Dozier
Farewell to Two of Our Best: Deborah Pollard and Julie Taylor-Smith
A lengthy farewell tribute to two of the “pillars” within
the SON will not be written for this edition of the newsletter and that is by the humble requests of the two
individuals who are leaving their respective positions.
However, this editor cannot allow either one to relinquish their positions without some word of our appreciation for the tremendous contributions each one has
made to build the nursing program – both at the graduate and undergraduate levels – into the extraordinary
program that it is.
Deborah Pollard has served in numerous positions
throughout her 10-year tenure at the SON most recently as the interim director. She is a brilliant and insightful leader and a wonderfully productive manager. But
those are not the skills and virtues that most distinguish her. Rather, those reside in her passion, conscience and gentle nature as a professional nurse and
educator, an educator to students and to other educators within our hallowed halls.
Julie Taylor-Smith has served as graduate program coordinator since her arrival in 2003. During her tenure, the graduate program has expanded into various specialties that have gained national attention not only through the work of its graduates, but
for its excellence in preparing advanced practice clinicians and educators. Yet it was Julie’s enthusiasm, kindness and immensely rational fervor that distinguished her words and thoughts.
Both of these individuals met all of the challenges presented them. We will miss their leadership, their passion for excellence
and most important their friendship. We hope you return often.
Please submit calendar events, notable
achievements, community events, research/scholarship activities and questions for faculty/staff to our editorial and
production staff: Sandy O’Donnell
(odonnells@uncw.edu) or Debra Simpson (simpsond@uncw.edu).
Final Lingering Thought . . .
Have a Joyous Holiday!