School of Nursing News

May 2006

Welcome to the May issue of School of Nursing News, an informal electronic newsletter for faculty, staff, students, alumni and Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Evidence-Based Practice Conference a Great Success

More than 300 people attended the national conference, “Your Practice Based on Evidence: Essential Skills and Competencies,” co-sponsored by the School of Nursing, the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, and the Pi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, on April 6 and 7. Margaret Grey, DrPH, RN, FAAN, dean, Yale University School of Nursing, delivered the keynote address. Distinguished lectures were presented by Chris Baker, PhD, RN, St. Mary’s Hospital Center, Madison, Wis., and Judy Murphy, BSN, RN, FACMI, Aurora Health Care and American Medical Informatics Association Board Member. The conference addressed the challenges of and opportunities for integrating evidence into all nursing practice. Conference speakers were supported by a generous endowment from Cmdr. Lura Jane Emery, MS ’79, who was introduced at the conference’s opening session and surprised with a cake to celebrate her upcoming 80th birthday.


School of Nursing Hosts Annual Ann Cain Lecture and Reception

An audience of 135 assembled in the School of Nursing’s auditorium on April 6 for the 12th Annual Ann Ottney Cain Lecture in Psychiatric Nursing. The keynote address, “Old Wisdom, New Science: East Meets West in the Practice of Integrative Psychiatric Nursing,” was presented by Karen Kleeman, PhD, RN, CS, professor, Southwest Acupuncture College Oriental Medicine Program. The annual lecture was established by students, faculty, alumni, and friends to honor Professor Emeritus Ann Ottney Cain, PhD, RN, CS-P, FAAN, upon her retirement in 1994 from the School of Nursing.

SON Publications Receive Awards

The School of Nursing’s magazine, University of Maryland NURSING, received the Award of Distinction in the Newsletter/Educational Institution category of The Communicator—2006 Print Media Awards. The School’s Graduate Programs publication received Honorable Mention in the Brochure/Educational category. The Communicator Awards is an international awards program that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field. Awards are given to those entries that exceed a high standard of excellence. This year’s competition included 5,214 entries representing work from the United States and around the world.

Convocation Set for May 19

The School of Nursing’s Convocation and Commencement exercises will be held Friday, May 19. Convocation will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center at 9:30 a.m. (students arrive at 8 a.m.), and Commencement will be held at the First Mariner Arena at 3 p.m. See “Important Dates to Remember” at the end of this newsletter for a list of Convocation Week activities.

Reunion Reminder!

The School of Nursing’s annual Alumni Heritage Reunion will be held Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. The weekend begins at the School of Nursing on Friday afternoon with a Professional Update/Continuing Education opportunity, followed by the Distinguished Lecture. Later in the evening, the All-Class Reception will be held at the B&O Railroad Museum. Saturday’s festivities at the School of Nursing include the induction of the new Heritage Class, the alumni luncheon, tours, and other activities. Faculty and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, see the listing at the end of this newsletter, visit: http://nursing.umaryland.edu/offices/development/alumni/events.htm, or call Samantha Davis, director of alumni relations and annual support, 410-706-0674.

Staff of the Quarter Winner Announced

The third Staff of the Quarter award was recently presented to Sandra Murphy, administrative assistant II, Office of Research. Other nominees were Alice Byrd, office manager, Administrative Services; Cynthia McKoy, administrative assistant II, Academic Affairs; Marsha Booker, senior academic program specialist, Department of Family and Community Health (FCH); David Drebing, senior help desk analyst, Department of Instruction and Learning Technologies; Jana Stokes, human resources associate, Administrative Services; and Arthur Talbert, facilities clerk, Administrative Services. The award was initiated by Staff Council in 2005 to recognize employees who demonstrate outstanding achievement on the job; exceptional contributions to the effectiveness and efficiency of department operations; outstanding service to other employees, students, faculty or visitors; and distinguished efforts in staff development.

International Activities

Carolyn Waltz, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor and director of international activities; Barbara Covington, PhD, RN, associate dean for information and learning technologies; and Dr. Sue Song, adjunct assistant professor, led a Faculty/Student Exchange Visit to South Korea March 18–25. Participants included Han Hwa (BSN Shady Grove), Michelle Mackay (BSN), Suzanne Noe (MS, Trauma Critical Care), David Womack (CNL), Jo-An Min (Washington Hospital Center), Jennifer Nacpil (Washington Hospital Center), Janet Min, and Carroll Waltz. During their visit, Dr. Waltz gave presentations on “Evidence-Based Practice Across Cultures” at Seoul National University and Chungnam University, and Dr. Covington gave a presentation on “E-Learning and Simulation” at Chungnam University. The visit was very productive, and participants had ample opportunity to actively engage in discussions regarding future collaboration with faculty and students, and to tour a variety of clinical and educational sites at both universities.

Chan Kim Eng, Dy Manager Nursing (Clinical) from Nanyang Polytechnic University, School of Health Sciences in Singapore, participated as a Visiting Scholar at our School of Nursing March 27-April 14, 2006. The focus of her visit was undergraduate education, especially clinical experiences, problem-based learning, and the use of simulation. Susan Antol, MS, RN, assistant professor, FCH, served as her faculty advisor.

Three faculty members from Chiang Mai University, Thailand – Sunee Junmahasathien, instructor; Akanong Pramoch, associate professor; and Waraporn Lertpoonwilalkul, assistant professor – were Visiting Scholars at the School of Nursing April 3-30, 2006. The focus of their visit was to learn more about American nursing education and health care system, especially as it relates to use of technology, e-learning, and simulation. Debra Spunt, MS, RN, FAAN, director, clinical simulation labs, and Dr. Barbara Covington served as faculty advisors.

A delegation from Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FUTCM), hosted by Dr. Alan Cheung, University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine, visited the School of Nursing on April 18. Members of the delegation included Dr. Lin Cheng Jian, vice president, FUTCM; Dr. Wenquang Zhang, director of the Department of Integrated Medicine; Dr. Guo Su Hua, director of the Department of Bone Fracture; Dr. Liu Shi Hua, vice president, Fujian Second People Hospital; and Stella Kwan, U.S. Liaison. During their visit, the group met with Mary Tilbury, EdD, RN, CNAA, BC, assistant professor and program director for the Health Services Leadership and Management program, to discuss nursing and hospital administration in the United States.

Faculty and Staff Appointments and Transitions

Sandra McLeskey, PhD, RN, professor, OSAH, has been appointed assistant dean for research. In this new role, Dr. McLeskey will cover the Office of Research (OoR) in the absence of the Associate Dean; work with the OoR’s CCRC Coordinator Lynnee Roane on issues related to BRAAN, IRB, and IACUC; oversee the CRRC committees; work with the existing, new, and developing Centers of Excellence to craft a plan for the direction and growth of the Centers; work with bench researchers to establish a policy related to allocation of laboratory bench space and resources; and mentor investigators in grant writing and publications. Dr. McLeskey’s appointment was effective May 1, 2006.

Marisa Wilson, DNSc, MHSc, RN, has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health (OSAH). Dr. Wilson most recently served as senior project director for clinical information systems at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was responsible for managing all phases of selection, analysis, development, and implementation of operating room management information systems. She received her DNSc from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, her MHSc from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, and her BA from The College of Notre Dame of Maryland.

Retirements Announced

Congratulations and best wishes to School of Nursing faculty and staff who have announced their plans for retirement:

Ruth Harris, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, chair and professor, OSAH; Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, executive director, Center for Health and Workforce Development; Margaret McEntee, PhD, RN, CPC, associate professor, OSAH; Mary Etta Mills, ScD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs; Sally Raphel, MS. APRN CS-P, FAAN, clinical instructor, FCH, and associate director, WHO/PAHO Center; Karen Soeken, PhD, RN, professor, OSAH; Ann Marie Spellbring, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor, OSAH; and Sandra Wach, coordinator, Academic Affairs.

Faculty and Staff Kudos

John Distler, DPA, MS, FNP-C, clinical instructor, FCH, successfully completed the requirements towards the Doctor of Public Administration degree from the University of Baltimore.

Susan Dorsey, PhD, RN, assistant professor, OSAH, presented “Modeling NRTI-Induced Allodynia in the Mouse” as part of a junior investigators panel at the NIH Pain Consortium’s First Annual Symposium, Advances in Pain Research, held recently on the NIH Campus.

The first Suzanne Feetham Nurse Scientist Family Research Award, from the Eastern Nursing Research Society, was recently presented to Dr. Harriet Kitzman, professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing. The annual award recognizes a nurse researcher who focuses on the study of family and family-related research, and who investigates topics relevant to individuals, families and their communities, health systems, and the environment, as well as social and health care policy. The award is named for Suzanne Feetham, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, FCH.

Thomasine Guberski, PhD, RN, CRNP, associate professor, OSAH, co-edited a book as follows: Guberski, T.D. & Greene, D. (eds.) (2006). Clinical challenges in HIV/AIDS: A practice handbook for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Cranbury: NP Communications.

Karen Snow Kaiser, PhD ’04, RN, AOCN, part-time clinical instructor, OSAH, and clinical practice coordinator at the University of Maryland Medical Center, presented ”Pain Outcomes in Post-Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Implications for Health Care Professionals,” (podium presentation) at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the America Society for Pain Management, held recently in Orlando, Fla.

Patricia Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, assistant dean for master’s studies and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, participated in a panel, “Meet the Experts: Writing for Publication,” at the National Meeting of the American College of Cardiology, held recently in Atlanta, Ga.

Nancy Munroe, MN, RN, CCRN, ACNP, a part-time faculty member in the trauma, critical care and emergency nursing master’s program, had an article, “Weaning Smokers from Mechanical Ventilation,” published in Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, Vol. 18, pp. 21-28.

Lyn Murphy, PhD, MS ‘01, MBA, RN, clinical instructor, OSAH, recently received her PhD in Public Policy from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Eun-Shim Nahm, PhD, MS, RN, assistant professor, OSAH, was awarded a travel scholarship from Omnimedix Institute to attend the Third Annual Connecting Communities Learning Forum and Exhibition, held April 9-11 in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Eun-Shim Nahm, Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, professor, OSAH; and Marianne Shaugnessy, PhD, RN, CRNP, assistant professor, OSAH, co-authored the following:

Drs. Nahm and Resnick, along with Mary Etta Mills, ScD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for academic affairs, co-authored the following: Nahm, E.-S., Resnick, B., Mills, M. E., “Development of the Perceived Health Web Site Usability Questionnaire (PHWSUQ) for Older Adults” (Poster), Eastern Nursing Research Society, 18th Annual Scientific Sessions, Cherry Hill, PA, April 20- 22, 2006.

Lynn Oswald, PhD, RN, assistant professor, FCH, co-authored the following:

Fatima Ramos-Marcuse, PhD, APRN, BC, assistant professor, FCH, and Suzanne Feetham, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, FCH, made the following presentation: Ramos-Marcuse, F. & Feetham, S. (2006, April). Preventive intervention with depressed parents and their preschoolers: A community based family intervention. In H. Moriarty, E. Olshansky, & T. Connelly (Organizers), Research in partnership: Community-based family intervention. Pre-conference workshop conducted at the 18th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Eastern Nursing Research Society, Cherry Hill, N.J.

Rosemarie Satyshur, DNSc, RN, assistant professor, FCH, received the Children’s Champion Award from the Maryland Chapter of Solutions for Children and Caregivers. In addition, she presented “Court Custody Decisions and Family Preservation Issues for Caregivers and Grandparents,” for the National Committee of Grandparent’s for Children’s Rights.

Mary S. Tilbury, EdD, RN, CNAA, BC, assistant professor and program director for the Health Services Leadership and Management program, has been reappointed for a two-year term as an appraiser by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's, Magnet Recognition Program. Dr. Tilbury's reappointment also includes designation as a member of a select group of Magnet appraisers who will mentor newly appointed program fellows.

Alison Trinkoff, ScD, RN, FAAN, professor, FCH, Jeanne Geiger-Brown, PhD, RN, assistant professor, FCH; doctoral student Barbara Brady, BSN ’97, MS ‘99; Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, FCH; and Carles Muntaner, MD, PhD, professor, FCH, co-authored an article, “How Long and How Much are Nurses Working,” that was published in the April 2006 edition of the American Journal of Nursing.

Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, assistant professor, OSAH, and director of the Wellmobile program, presented “Speaking Out: The Role of Workplace Advocacy,” at the recent conference, Workplace Issues for Nurses: Making It Possible to Love Nursing in the 21st Century, presented by the Western Maryland AHEC Nursing Caucus and Allegany College of Maryland Institute for Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Public Health Training Center, the Johns Hopkins Center for Public Awareness, and Project Aware.

Student and Alumni News

Carola (Miller) Bruflat, BSN ’68, MSN, WHNP/FNP, recently began a two-year term as president of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners. She currently works in a private OB/GYN practice in Northern Virginia.

Linda Flynn, BSN ’75, assistant professor at Rutgers College of Nursing, recently launched a study to explore the impact of nurse staffing levels and work environment on patient outcomes, which was funded by a $357,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and contributions from the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.

Margaret Franckhauser, MS ’82, MPH, ARNP, executive director, Community Health and Hospice, Inc., in Laconia, NH, reports that since graduating from the SON, she received her MPH from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, has served six years on the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, has had many fulfilling appointments to state and national committees dealing with advanced practice issues, and has held several wonderful clinical positions.

Patricia Hong, BSN ’72, MA, RN, professor emeritus, University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing, was co-author and presenter for an abstract selected for podium presentation at the Western Institute of Nursing Assembly held recently in Albuquerque, NM: Petersen, J.A., Hong, P.A., and Pflaum, J.S. (April 2006): Mentorship: Retention Strategy for New Faculty.

Lt. Col. Susan Jano, MS '96, is currently working as chief nursing officer on the night shift in Balad, Iraq at the Air Force Theater Hospital (AFTH). In this role, she provides direct nursing care to both American and Iraqi patients, supervises over 30 nursing personnel, assists with the coordination of aeromedical evacuation missions, and serves as senior officer on duty at night. Lt Col Jano will be returning next month and moving to Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, Calif., to take command and lead 110 heath care personnel assigned to the AF clinic. She is dual certified by the ANCC in Advanced Nursing Administration and Medical Surgical Nursing. She was recently named the 2005 Air Force Field Grade Nurse of the Year for her accomplishments at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX, as Nurse Manager of a 36-bed Inpatient Medical Unit.

Kristin K. Tepas, BSN ’95, is currently working at Merit Medical in Atlanta as a clinical specialist for the southeast region. In this position, Tepas conducts hospital in-services, device trials, and product evaluations. She formerly worked as an RN in a neonatal intensive care unit, as a professional health care recruiter, and as a clinical research coordinator in cardiology.

Terry Tucker, BSN ’81, MS ’94, RN, received the 2006 Professional Nurse Award for Clinical Excellence from NOVA, the national professional organization of VA nurses. The award will be presented at the 26th Annual Meeting being held in Miami. Tucker currently works as a critical care nurse specialist at the Baltimore VA Hospital.

Shady Grove and Baltimore Students Raise over $3,000 for MS

Shady Grove nursing students participated in the MS Walk, held in two locations on April 2. Veronica Cooney organized the Columbia Walk, in which Baltimore student Inna Rubin participated. Their group raised $1,070 for MS research. The same day, team leader Laura Sixto and her group raised $2,265 in Frederick. Participating with Laura were Emily Violand, Jessica Hope, Brittany Bryant, Nicole Hornbeak, Ashley Meiklejohn, Barbara Meilkejohn, Tommy Omholt, Elizabeth Wirth, Jamie Boswell, Marzi Adineh, Megan Chandler, Katherine Lollar, Kathie Dever, and Felipe and Phillip Sixto.


Alumni London Trip Postponed

The School of Nursing Alumni Association's trip to London has been postponed until spring 2007. Details on the rescheduled trip will be available soon. If you're interested, please contact Samantha Davis, director of alumni relations and annual support, 410-706-0674, or e-mail ssdavis@son.umaryland.edu.

Alumni Council Holds Second Thank-a-Thon

The School of Nursing Alumni Council held their spring thank-a-thon on April 19. More than 200 calls were made by Alumni Council members and faculty and staff volunteers to express gratitude to alumni who have made recent contributions to the School. The thank-a-thon will be held twice a year. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Samantha Davis, director of alumni relations and annual support, 410-706-0674, or e-mail ssdavis@son.umaryland.edu.

Fellowship Committee Hosts Luncheon

The Alumni Association’s Fellowship Committee held their annual luncheon on April 21 at Friendly Farms Restaurant in Westminster. The Committee, which consists of nearly 30 alumni, maintains and promotes good will among members of the Heritage Class (alumni who have graduated from the School 50 or more years ago). They send birthday cards, make phone calls, and stay in touch with our alumni. Alumni attending the luncheon included Jane Clemmens, DIN ’50; Betty Cooper, DIN ’48, MS ’61; Woody Crow, DIN ’48; Jane Johnson, DIN ’47, and husband Wes; Jean Keenan, BSN ’48; Janice Kilmer, BSN ’57; Verna Martin, DIN ’53; Theresa Maskell, DIN ’58; Lenora McKenzie, DIN ’45; Evelyn O’Connor, BSN ’51; Dot Schmidt, DIN ’51 and husband Bill; Norma Clara Tinker, BSN ’48; and Margaret Zell, DIN ’39, as well as friends Sue Glorioso and Betty and Norman York. The Committee was joined by Gary Porto, director of development; Samantha Davis, director of alumni relations and annual support; Myrna Peterson, director of corporate and foundation relations; and Steve Cukierski, museum director and photographer.

In Memoriam

We regret to announce the recent passing of the following alumnae: Josephine V. Miles, BSN ’66; Rosa J. Ramirez, BSN ’62; and Sarah K. Welch, BSN ’74.

Grants and Contracts

The School of Nursing has received a three-year, $440,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Maryland Affiliate, The Komen Maryland Affiliate Nursing Partnership: Advancing Breast Cancer Education and Practice, to partner in the development of an innovative higher education program to increase awareness of and knowledge about the fight against breast cancer throughout the curriculum, especially as it relates to health disparities and to aging. Collaborating on the development of the proposal were Heidi Ehrenberger, PhD, RN, AOCN, assistant professor, OSAH; Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, OSAH; Sandra McLeskey, PhD, RN, professor, OSAH; and Myrna Petersen, director of corporate and foundation relations.

Patricia Morton, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, assistant dean for master’s studies and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, received a five-year $1,020,000 grant from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission to fund the new Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the School of Nursing. The grant is intended to help ease the faculty shortage in the state of Maryland.

Deborah McGuire, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor, OSAH, received a two-year fellowship, “Uncertainty and First Line Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer Patients.” The Doctoral Fellowship application is being submitted by Mary Ellen Haisfield-Wolfe to the American Cancer Society. The application is for two years at $15,000 per year.

Dr. Deborah McGuire received a two-year fellowship, “Constipation in the Pediatric Oncology Patient.” The Doctoral Fellowship application is being submitted by Myra Wollery to the American Cancer Society. The application is for two years at $15,000 per year.

Sue Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN, assistant dean for doctoral studies, received a three-year training grant, “Teaching Scholars Training Program,” from the U.S. Department of Education. The first year funding is in the amount of $295,568, on the three-year training program for nurses pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in education.

In the News

Brenda Afzal, MS, RN, project manager, Environmental Health Education Center, was quoted in a story, “Healing the Home,” which appeared in the April 20 edition of The Star Ledger (NJ). The article discussed the fact that more and more people are using environmentally sound products in their homes, including air purifiers, water filters, and organic linens, as they search for alternative ways to treat their health problems. http://www.nj.com/living

Brenda Afzal had a Letter to the Editor, “Aging Power Plants Harm Public Health,” published in the April 21 edition of the Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com

Dean Janet Allan was quoted in a story, “UM Nurses to Train With Simulation Software,” which appeared in the Baltimore Business Journal’s daily updates on April 24. The article focused on the School’s partnership with Cerner to purchase their software for use in the School’s clinical simulation laboratories. http://www.bizjournals.com. In addition, a news brief regarding the Cerner partnership was posted on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s on-line News Digest. http://www.rwjf.org

Katie Huffling, BSN, RN, a master’s student in the nurse midwifery program and graduate assistant in the Environmental Health Education Center, was quoted in a story, “Mercury Report Details Toxic Fish,” which appeared in the Maryland section of the Baltimore Sun (April 14). She discussed the damage that mercury absorbed from fish consumption can have on babies developing in the mother’s womb. In addition, the story was aired on evening news broadcasts in Baltimore (Channels 2, 11 and 45 and Washington, D.C., (Channel 8).

Barbara Sattler, DrPH, RN, FAAN, associate professor and director of the Environmental Health and Education Center, had a Letter to the Editor, “Mercury Dangerous for Children,” published in the April 24 edition of The Baltimore Examiner. http://www.examiner.com

Rosemarie Satyshur, DNSc, RN, assistant professor, FCH, was recognized in the Friday, April 21 Health & Science section of the Baltimore Sun, for her recent award, the Cynthia Rose Award, presented to by the National Committee of Grandparents and Children’s Rights.

Mary Tilbury, EdD, RN, EdD, RN, CNAA, BC, assistant professor and program director for the Health Services Leadership and Management program was quoted in a story, “New Dual Degree Program Combines Nursing and Law,” which appeared on the front page of the Baltimore Sun’s Education supplement Sunday, April 16. The article focused on the School’s new MS/JD dual degree program. Also quoted was Jenni Villa, who has applied to the new program for fall. Both Dr. Tilbury and Ms. Villa were pictured on the front-page story.

Important Dates to Remember